Verdict
pack pot of shortcut buttons , a generous CPI range and nifty RGB lighting , there ’s piddling you could require from a gaming mouse that you wo n’t find in the SteelSeries Rival 5 . It ’s not drastically crummy , but it ’s by no means pricey either . A great time value - for - money mouse .
Pros
Cons
Key Features
Introduction
The SteelSeries Rival 5 carry a lot of features for a black eye at its toll point . With five side buttons , a huge CPI range , and generous RGB setting , you wo n’t be left require here – unless , of class , you want wireless connectivity . The Rival 5 is wire only .
For some , it ’ll be a slam dunk . Many , though , are probably better off going even tatty . If you ’re just after a dependable computer mouse fit for gambling and are n’t concerned about lighting or customise inputs for the most efficient tactic , consider something simpler like theAsus TUF M4 AirorRoccat Kain 200 AIMO .
But if you do want to take reward of everything the SteelSeries Rival 5 offers , you ’ll be very pleased .
Design
The SteelSeries Rival 5 wo n’t win any awards for design originality . A pumped up gaming computer mouse that connects over USB - A , it looks about as bog - measure as you could get : a matte - black charge card body , two landing strip of RGB light and the SteelSeries logo , and a gradual archway that should feel well-off in any hired man .
On top is a firm , condom curlicue wheel and a CPI push . On the left - hand side , meanwhile , are five shortcut button . They ’re pose out just like those on the SteelSeries Aerox 5 Wireless , with a forward and back button set below a vertical toggle . Further up is a long silver push . It roost just at the top of your ovolo but , unlike theAeroex 5 , I regain it to be within gentle reach – though those with smaller hands could fight to hit it .
The clit layout is as sensitive as it is functional . With the back and forward buttons placed above your thumb , there ’s little risk of unexpectedly tapping them ( an irritatingly coarse side - effect of some mice I ’ve strain ) . The protruding vertical toggle and the silver button also have well - balance actuation , entail you wo n’t be incidentally summoning spell or performing ability mid - game at the inadvertent printing press of release .
On the bottom , two curving guides assist the Rival 5 coast smoothly , and I did n’t rule any friction when using it . at last , this is a clever if conservatively designed black eye . There ’s nothing overly tawdry here , but there does n’t need to be . Everything is repose out well and despite the lightweight doojigger , it carry together nicely .
Performance
The five side button will get in handy for any musical style of biz where tight - pace clicking is central . MMO and MOBA histrion will find it save them from reaching across the keyboard , bribe them a few precious second base , and even RTS buff will obtain an vantage by delegate them to their most - used commands .
But this is really an FPS mouse . At 85 g , it ’s design with flickshots and headshots in mind , let you whizz the controller about at hurrying to cut down on reaction meter .
The Rival 5 ’s incredibly high CPI reach also supports that kind of fast - paced carpus snapping . By default option , the CPI push can be pressed to cycle through five scene . They can all be set between 100 and 18,000 CPI in the SteelSeries GG app . It ’s a generous range , but unless you have a 4 K monitor , the top one-half of it will be all but unusable .
That ’s not a trouble in itself , though . conceive of the Rival 5 as the kind of gaming shiner you may keep with your rig for year to come , even after you ’ve raise your tower and other peripherals .
You ’re also able to disable any CPI configurations you do n’t use . It ’s a minor lineament , but handy when you recognize for sure you need to flicker between a yoke of speeds quickly mid - fight rather than cycle between the whole lot . spiel a few multiplayer shooters , I receive I only really used two or three setting , and invalid the eternal rest .
Software and lighting
The SteelSeries Rival 5 trump itself on RGB ignition , especially considering its damage . You ’re able to plant custom light mode for the shiner wheel , SteelSeries logo and two firing comic strip individually , Plus , each slip is broken down into four disjoined zones , get for a totality of 10 light-emitting diode surface area to light up as you wish .
With unshakable block colour consequence and shifting pattern to play around with , there ’s a lot of zany , pretty as well as downright ugly possibility at your disposal . Plus , you ’ve always got the option to incapacitate the lights entirely if you prefer .
Doing so is made overnice and square with the GG app . It ’s lay out intuitively , performs fast , and has a live trailer mode that lease you see exactly what changes you ’re making to the computer mouse as you make them .
That it comes bundle up with other , auxiliary feature , like capturing gameplay clip or enrol SteelSeries giveaway , is jolly unnecessary , but they ’re well circumvented and leave about .
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Should you buy it?
- The SteelSeries Rival 5 feature a lot of feature at an affordable price .
The one major matter you wo n’t get here is wireless connectivity , so you ’ll be limited to a line .
Final Thoughts
The SteelSeries Rival 5 shows you do n’t have to plash out to get a highly functional , very flashy and comfortable gaming mouse . At £ 59.99/$59.99 , it ’s certainly not the sleazy selection around , but it surpasses many of its most lauded competitors at this price point .
Though think carefully if you ’re actually going to use all its features . The five side button are decent to have for anyone who likes using luck of shortcuts in their game , and the mouse ’s lightweight design makes it perfect for free-enterprise twitch taw . If you ’re not likely to take reward of those features , or are n’t taken by RGB public eye , consider theAsus TUF M4 AirorRoccat Kain 200 AIMOinstead .
Alternatively , hold out ourBest Gaming MouseandBest Wireless Mouseroundups for more options .
Trusted Score
How we test
We use every computer mouse we test for at least a workweek . During that clock time , we ’ll check it for simplicity of habit and put it through its pace by act as a miscellany of different musical genre , admit FPS , strategy and MOBAs .
We also check each computer mouse ’s software to see how easy it is to customise and coiffure up .
FAQs
In a word , yes . It ’s lightweight , while the side button and custom CPI scope are all perfect for competitive and fooling play .
The Rival 5 ’s polling charge per unit can be adjust up to a uttermost of 1,000Hz
Full Specs
