Verdict
A ridiculously lightweight play black eye with enough programmable side buttons to make it useful for all genres of gaming , the SteelSeries Aerox 5 is a safe stakes . It ’s comfortable and boasts short latency , but with a gamey price that immensely supersedes other , self-colored lightweight mice , it ’s by no means a sure win .
Pros
Cons
Key Features
Introduction
As lightweight mice go , the SteelSeries Aerox 5 is a second of an all - rounder .
While theSteelSeries Aerox 9 Wirelesscaters to MMO partisan , and theSteelSeries Aerox 3 Wireless ’s snub design is made for pro shooter , the Aerox 5 stands as an first-class middle ground . It ’s as light as you could want , easy too , and has a reasonable but not overpowering selection of customization feature .
Yet the deletion of aUSB - Cto USB - A adaptor is an irritating oversight , and the rather meagre RGB lighting might let down tawdry personal computer gamers . Ultimately , the £ 134.99/$139.99 toll hold the Aerox 5 back . When you could pick up theAsus TUF Gaming M4 Airfor less than half that , justifying such a high spend is difficult .
Design
The SteelSeries Aerox 5 sticks to a tried and true and try figure formula . Like the Aerox models before it , the consistency of the mouse is a plastic mesh topology of honeycomb - work muddle that let you see through to all the gubbins at heart . It ’s supposed to shave off precious grams from the mouse ’s overall weight . I ’m sceptical whether it really makes much difference , but do like the novelty of a semi - poriferous computer mouse .
On top you ’ll observe the usual scroll wheel and CPI button that lets you switch between five preferences on the fly . Around the left-hand - hand side , meanwhile , are five programmable buttons that can be set to various functions , including one slap-up perpendicular push that ’s function by pressing it up or down . The largest of them is placed in a forward position up the shiner ’s side . It ’s a bit of a reach , and I postulate to really stretch out my thumb to knock it . For office employment , that ’s no problem , but it wo n’t be much use in a free-enterprise multiplayer match .
Also rather puzzling is the assembling of let in paraphernalia . The Aerox 5 can connect through Bluetooth , but also get with a 2.4Ghz USB receiver and a pleach USB - A to USB - C cable for bill ( or wired play ) .
The dongle only connect through USB - C and there ’s no included USB - A adapter to stick on the end if your rig does n’t have the requisite port . Instead , an include connector net ball you sew up the dongle to the braided cable , which can then be connected to any standard USB - A port on your rigging .
It solve , but you ’re then left with a two - meter - long line to position around your desk . That ’s supposed to be a blessing , letting you move it about to whatever position you ’d care and get a sweet-flavored spot that minimises latency . However , I base it rather bother and question if a simple USB - speed of light to USB - A transcriber would n’t have been simpler and easier for most people whose desktop will likely be parked close to their computer mouse .
Comfort is better . As mice go , this is n’t exceptionally foresightful , brusk , wide-eyed or minute . People with large hands might find their fingertip pushing the bound of the primary buttons , and I found the flush of its curve ball sitting nigher to my knuckles than the inner palm of my script . But it ’s comfortable to harbor for long periods .
Performance
The SteelSeries Aerox 5 ’s main thingumajig is its lightweight build , so those who wish mice that feel almost hollow will be very pleased . It pack such minuscule force-out to move around that it took me a while to get used to it ( I had a few overenthusiastic revolving camera whizzes early on in my examination ) but soon found myself liking it .
It ’s cant over as a “ multi - genre gaming mouse ” , and while there ’s nothing to stop you from using it to toy an RTS or MMO , the Aerox 5 is exactly the kind of lightweight shiner that pairs best with militant twitch gunslinger where low reaction times are king .
I also did n’t experience any problems with latency over Bluetooth or the USB dongle . That ’s what you ’d gestate from a wireless mouse today , and would certainly demand from one at this cost item .
stamp battery life , too , is nice and in high spirits . SteelSeries reckon you may get over 180 minute over Bluetooth or USB receiver before needing to buck , which I ’ve found to be genuine . Although the accompanying SteelSeries GG software is fairly inaccurate at value its assault and battery level , direct to one moment where the mouse died on me when I thought I had around 15 % succus left .
Thankfully , the app is better for adapt the rather generous CPI range . You ’re capable to tweak the storey of all five CPI presets , shift them from a dull 100 all the means up to a honestly ludicrous 18,000 , and the more usable level in between .
Software and lighting
For a gaming mouse , the SteelSeries Aerox 5 is on the austere side . Although it does feature RGB kindling on its bottom , which can even be set using the GG app , little light actually bleeds through even with the cut - out meshing design .
The back serving is brilliantly light , but when that ’s covered with your hand , it looks as though you ’re using a plain black computer mouse . It ’s hardly pregnant , but if you ’re hoping to spend some big bucks on a computer mouse that ’s as tacky as it is operative , you might be a shade disappointed .
The SteelSeries GG app fortunately fares well . It ’s glib , nonrational and fairly unnoticeable , letting you dip into it when you need and save customised profiles in a flash . It ’s also mostly optional . If you ’re not interested in pull off CPI or elucidation setting , you could quite happily use the Aerox 5 without ever download the app .
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Should you buy it?
:
The SteelSeries Aerox 5 not only weighs little more than a plume , it ’s also fabulously comfortable .
The SteelSeries Aerox 5 does nothing that I have n’t seen before , so does n’t quite earn its usurious Leontyne Price tag .
Final Thoughts
The SteelSeries Aerox 5 is sure to please anyone after a lightweight mouse . It ’s comfortable , sturdy , and its additional side buttons and generous CPI image signify it really is an all - rounder that ’ll see you right for private-enterprise torpedo , MMOs and any other musical genre you could make at it .
Yet it does n’t extend much I have n’t seen before . The RGB lighting is queerly hide , and the gonzo deletion of a smaller USB - C to USB - A arranger , which spend a penny connecting the black eye to some gaming rigs a nuisance , is a frustration it could do without . It ’s a fine mouse , but it ’s hard to see how SteelSeries can justify its high damage .
If you want a more low-cost super - lightweight gaming computer mouse , then I recommend checking out theAsus TUF Gaming M4 Air , as well as ourBest Gaming Mouseroundup for even more alternative .
Trusted Score
How we test
We habituate every mouse we examine for at least a week . During that clip , we ’ll check it for ease of use and put it through its paces by toy a variety of dissimilar writing style , including FPS , strategy and MOBAs .
We also check each mouse ’s package to see how sluttish it is to customize and localize up .
FAQs
SteelSeries forecast the bombardment will last for over 180 hours before needing a recharge
Either over Bluetooth , the included 2.4Ghz USB recipient or wiring it up with a USB cable
Full Specs
