PC & Console Peripherals

SteelSeries Rival 3: Small and affordable gaming rodent reviewed

With the Rival 3, SteelSeries offers interested gamers an entry-level gaming mouse that wants to score with a low price. The price is 40 Euros (currently: € 29.99 *).

Nevertheless, the SteelSeries Rival 3 offers RGB lighting, SteelSeries Engine 3 support and also picks up on the current trend of lightweight mice. The performance of the sensor is acceptable at least on paper. But is it enough to excite gamers and are there any other limitations than a lower CPI resolution? These and other questions were addressed in our review of the SteelSeries Rival 3. You will find the answers below.

Technical details

Ergonomics: Symmetrical (right-handed)
Sensor: optical SteelSeries TrueMove Core (PixArt)
Resolution: 100 – 8,500 CPI, 5 levels
Speed: 7.6 m/s
Acceleration: 343 m/s²
USB polling rate: 1,000 Hz
Primary button: Zippy DF3, 60 million clicks
Number of keys: 6
Special keys: mouse wheel, CPI switch
Software: 5 profiles, fully programmable, macros, internal memory
Lighting: 3-Zones-RGB
Housing: 120.6 × 58.3 – 67.0 × 21.5 – 37.9 mm, matt black ABS plastic
Weight: 77 grams (without cable)
Connection: USB-A cable, 1.8 m
Price: € 29.99 *

Design and workmanship

Not only the packaging, but also the mouse is immediately recognizable that it comes from SteelSeries. The design language of the various gaming mice like the Sensei Ten, Rival 710 or also Sensei 310 is, despite small differences, just like that of the Rival 3. However, the Rival 3 is to be considered the successor of the Rival 110.

The SteelSeries Rival 3 is a very compact mouse. At 120.6 cm long, 67 cm wide and 37.9 cm high with a weight of 77 grams (without cable), it is not only small but also light.

SteelSeries Rival 3

The matt black housing made of ABS plastic feels pleasant to the touch and is non-slip in the hand. Despite the absence of rubber coating on the sides. Except for the integrated RGB lighting, the mouse housing is very discreet. The RGB lighting on the other hand turns the mouse into an eye-catcher. It is surrounded by an illuminated ring that goes around almost the entire mouse. It is divided into three zones, the rearmost of which also contains the SteelSeries logo integrated into the back of the mouse. This surprised us a little, because most of the time the logos can be adjusted in a dedicated way.

The bottom of the mouse is equipped with three mouse feet. These are comparatively thin and very susceptible to scratches, which means that they probably wear out quickly. However, the gliding properties are excellent.

The gaming mouse is connected with a USB cable with a length of 1.8 meters. The cable is thin and flexible, but unfortunately not fabric-covered, but only rubberized. Pro gamers will certainly also be annoyed by the lower flexibility, but for casual gamers this is completely sufficient.

The workmanship of the SteelSeries Rival 3 is flawless as always.

Features

Inside the SteelSeries Rival 3 is a TrueMove Core sensor, designed in collaboration with PixArt. This offers up to 8,500 CPI, which can be adjusted in steps of 100. Even if this sounds low compared to high-end mice with up to 20,000 CPI, that’s more than enough. Honestly: Which one of you gambles with more than 2,000 CPI?

SteelSeries Rival 3 bottom side

So even though the sensor is an entry-level model, it is more than adequate and tracks all movements accurately and without delay.

The gaming mouse is equipped with a total of six buttons. That’s not very much, but it’s the same as most gaming mice. The left and right mouse buttons are equipped with Zippy DF3 switches, which should guarantee up to 60 million clicks. That’s quite an announcement. And this with a budget mouse.

Another two buttons are located on the left side, for example to go back or forward in the browser. Furthermore, there is a CPI switch on the back of the mouse and the rubberized mouse wheel is clickable.

All buttons are crisp and require a little pressure to operate, so they are unlikely to be accidentally triggered. The mouse wheel has a low resistance, but a clearly noticeable raster, so that you can scroll exactly through the weapon assortment of your favorite shooter.

Ergonomics

The SteelSeries Rival 3 is symmetrically shaped and therefore not ergonomically optimized. However, I personally find symmetrical mice fit better in my hand. But that is a matter of taste.

The only thing you have to keep in mind is that the mouse is relatively small and therefore it is especially suitable for small or medium sized hands. It is then particularly well suited for the claw or fingertip grip.

All keys are accessible without any problems. Only for the CPI button, the index finger has to be angled a little more, but this is the case with most mice and the button is rarely used anyway.

Software

The “SteelSeries Engine 3” software inspires us anew with every use. The settings for the mouse are clearly laid out and also graphically well prepared.

Settings such as CPI, polling rate, angle snapping, but also the lighting, can be made easily and quickly. The settings made can be saved in five profiles.

Unfortunately, the complete profiles cannot be stored on the internal mouse memory, but only the current and the five CPI settings.

Apart from that, the SteelSeries Engine 3 offers several other options. You can update the firmware, link the mouse to other SteelSeries devices, games and various other applications. It is also possible to change the profile automatically when starting a game. We really like the software and it has never let us down.

Sumething

Before we looked at SteelSeries Rival 3, we wondered if 8,500 CPI was enough and if there were any limitations other than the low CPI resolution. First of all: 8,500 CPI is absolutely sufficient and the sensor does a good job.

Of course, there are a few limitations for a 40 euro gaming mouse that don’t exist for higher priced mice. For example, the cable is only rubberized and not quite as flexible as in the more expensive models. Moreover, the mouse feet are quite thin and probably wear out faster. And of course you have to do without additional features like an OLED display (who needs that in a mouse anyway?).

All in all, the SteelSeries Rival 3 is therefore a solid gaming mouse that offers few features, but provides good performance and impresses with great software.

So if you’re looking for a small, lightweight mouse, you should take a look at SteelSeries Rival 3. If the mouse is supposed to be a little lighter, it might be worth a look at the Glorious PC Gaming Racel Model O-. But this one costs almost 20 Euro more, which is a considerable surcharge in this price region.

SteelSeries Rival 3

Workmanship
Features
Ergonomics
Software
Value for money

90/100

The SteelSeries Rival 3 is a solid gaming mouse that focuses on the important basics and delivers them flawlessly.

Simon Lüthje

I am co-founder of this blog and am very interested in everything that has to do with technology, but I also like to play games. I was born in Hamburg, but now I live in Bad Segeberg.

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