// PC GAMER — GAMING
SteelSeries Rival Pro gaming mouse review
SteelSeries has finally returned to top form in the top-tier competitive gaming mice niche. Given its ergonomic shape, the Rival Pro will only be for those who like to use a palm grip, but for such gamers, you can't ask for much more. It's comfy, well-built, satisfying to use, and has hot-swappable batteries to boot. Let's just hope its connectivity holds up long-term, because there is no USB connectivity whatsoever.
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This has been quite the year for competitive/esports gaming mice. First we had the Logitech G Pro X2 Superstrike (and now the improved X3), then the Razer Viper V4 Pro. Now, with this Rival Pro, we have SteelSeries finally rejoining the former brands in the sphere of top-tier competitive gaming mice. A true return to form, in my humble opinion.
What makes for a good competitive gaming mouse? Well, it's often said that 'shape is king', so a comfy shape is certainly an important factor. In addition, you want it to be lightweight, which means no heavier than about 60 g and preferably a fair bit lighter than this. You also, of course, want flawless connectivity, an accurate and reliable sensor, and solid build quality.
As far as I'm concerned, if all those are implemented correctly, then that's everything you need to land in top-tier territory. But mice can also offer some nice-to-haves such as 8K polling and the ability to adjust things, such as lift-off distance (LOD) or sensor frame rate. They might also have completely new technologies, which is where the Superstrike gets its claim to competitive fame thanks to its inductive technology and rapid trigger clicks.
2x hot-swappable batteries, battery charger and wireless hub, USB-C to USB-A cable.
✅ You want the comfiest palm grip: If you like an ergonomic slant to your mouse for a comfy palm grip, alongside the Zowie EC2-DW, the SteelSeries Rival Pro is the best I've tried. The difference being here you're also getting a lighter and more premium-feeling mouse.
❌ You want something tried and tested: There are some new technologies here (UWB, mixed polling, 'true' 8K) which should, in theory, be better than the norm. However we can't know yet whether they will cause any issues over the long-term given the complete lack of a cable for installing firmware updates, for instance.
This SteelSeries mouse doesn't have anything quite as fancy as haptic-inductive clicks, but that doesn't bar it from being a great competitive mouse, just as surely as it doesn't bar the current best gaming mouse on the market, the Viper V4 Pro, from the same accolade. When it comes to all the other areas that make for a great competitive gaming mouse, the Rival Pro is up there with the best of them and is superb for gamers who use a palm grip. And it even has a couple of its own tricks up its sleeve.
the most comfortable I've ever felt with a mouse under my hand as a palm gripper