SteelSeries just released two new gaming mice: the Rival 3 Gen 2 and Rival 3 Wireless Gen 2. Both models are intended to provide “top-tier speed, all-new performance, and durability” without breaking the bank.
The two mice have a similar design with six buttons, a symmetrical shape, ABS plastic construction, and 100% PTFE feet for smooth and consistent cursor movements. The wired model has an 8,500 DPI sensor, while the wireless model has a more accurate 18,000 DPI sensor with 400 IPS that was “developed in partnership with PixArt.” Both mice should be great options for productivity and typical PC gaming, but the wireless model goes even further.
The main difference is connectivity: the Rival 3 Gen 2 is a wired mouse with a standard USB cable, while the Rival 3 Wireless Gen 2 uses Bluetooth 5.0 or the included 2.4GHz USB wireless adapter. You could keep the 2.4GHz adapter on your PC, where the lower latency would matter most for gaming, and use Bluetooth for tablets and other devices.
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The Rival 3 Gen 2 and Rival 3 Wireless Gen 2 have a reduced click latency compared to the previous model, at just 1.9ms, and gliding performance has also been improved with the new 100% PTFE feet. SteelSeries also says there are “various firmware enhancements,” and battery life on the wireless model has been dramatically improved.
The company said in a press release, “the battery life of the Rival 3 Wireless Gen 2 has been significantly extended, offering 45 to 200 hours on 2.4GHz and up to 450 hours with Bluetooth. This allows gamers to enjoy many months of uninterrupted play without the need for frequent battery replacements.” It uses a single AAA battery for power.
The wired version has a unique feature: three-zone dynamic RGB lights under the mouse to light up your desk. The lights can be configured with Prism and SteelSeries GG. The wireless version doesn’t have the same lighting feature, presumably to conserve battery life for the more essential functionality.
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SteelSeries is offering both gaming mice in black and white colors. The wireless model has two additional color options: Aqua and Lavender. It would have been great to have all those colors in the wired model, but you can still configure the RGB lights to whatever colors you want.
You can buy the wired SteelSeries Rival 3 Gen 2 on Amazon for $40, and the Rival 3 Wireless Gen 2 is $60. Both mice are also available from the SteelSeries online store, and they should appear at other retailers over the coming weeks and months.
