Steelseries Rival 3

Take a good thing, make it cheaper

- CHRISTIAN GUYTON

STEELSERIES’S RIVAL LINE of gaming mice is a dependable set of products, bringing solid performance and vivid RGB lighting with full software control in durable casings. The product line previously started at $60 with the now-discontinued Rival 300, while further iterations, such as the 600 and 710, offered more features in exchange for more cash. Steelseries has dropped the zeros for this new model, perhaps indicating the newly wallet-friendly price point.

The Rival 3 retails at just $30, an absolute steal even just considering the sensor being used here. Although the sensor inside the Rival 3 is just an adapted mid-range Pixart model, it’s virtually impossible to find a cheaper mouse that can match the 8,500 maximum CPI. The sensitivity is a clear step below the rest of the Rival range, but it’s a fair compromise given the price.

At first glance, the Rival 3 could be an ambidextrous mouse, but despite the symmetrical design there are only two additional buttons on one side of the mouse. It actually has more in common with the $60 Rival 310, sharing a button setup and the same matte plastic casing, but the Rival 3 has a smaller, ergonomic chassis. The soft matte black finish is comfortable and grippy, and Steelseries assures customers that the casing is durable enough to last for years.