When it comes to a good gaming keyboard and mouse, versatility is often key. The number of buttons on a mouse can make or break a game depending on the genre, like Fortnite in Battle Royale games, Call of Duty in FPS titles, League of Legends in MOBAs, and Final Fantasy 14 in MMOs. But, more than that, it has to deliver on crisp, quick movements, feature strong tracking, and more. A lot of gaming mice may be better suited to one element or another, but SteelSeries’ Rival 5 gaming mouse is truly one that can do it all.
It’s the perfect, not incredibly pricey choice for those looking for a versatile gaming mouse that’ll fit any video game genre. Part of this is due to its 9-button layout, which counts the left and right-click, as well as an array of buttons scattered around the mouse. This, at first glance, may not be the most immediate thing to come to mind, as some gaming mice out there have a dedicated side filled with buttons. The Rival 5, however, features two additional buttons on top, one near the front on the left side, and 4 closer together on the back of the left side.
So, instead of having a bunch of buttons clumped together that can be hard to press, the Rival 5 spreads them out in a way that’ll fit any grip style or hand size. It means only right-handed users can get the best out of its functionality, but the placement lends itself to the ergonomic design of the mouse and a PC user’s hand, with the right button always within reach for snappy plays.
The Rival 5 also boasts a true 1-to-1 tracking system thanks to its TrueMove Air sensor system. Every mouse movement, no matter how small or wide, translated pixel-perfect to every game we played, and the mouse is built durably enough that there’s no reason to believe it wouldn’t maintain this accuracy throughout its life. The Rival 5 SteelSeries is rated for 80 million clicks, which is impressive in and of itself, but thanks to its IP54 dust and water-resistant design, it seems the Rival 5 is built to stand the test of time alongside heavy PC gameplay.
Technical aspects aside, a proper PC gaming set-up also ties into bragging rights. Flashy RGBs are basically a requirement in all hardware, and thanks to the Rival 5 PrismSync lighting, the mouse features 10 zones with 16.8 million colors. It all shines bright and is going to stand out, no matter what, but perhaps the best part is the lighting’s reactivity and ease of use. The Rival 5 can react to things that happen in game, to social media, and other avenues, but the SteelSeries GG is among the easiest and most intuitive RGB software options on the market.
Rival 5 Specifications
- Sensor System: TrueMove Air
- Sensitivity: 18,000 CPI
- Maximum Speed: 400 IPS
- Maximum Acceleration: 40G
- Switch Rating: 80 Million Clicks
- 9 Programmable Buttons
- Split Triggers
- Lighting: 10 Zone RGB
- Weight: 85g
- Connection: USB-A
- 6’8” Super Mesh Cable
- Compatible with PC, Mac, and Xbox
Overall, the SteelSeries Rival 5 mouse is incredibly versatile, accurate, gorgeous, and easy to use. Whether a newcomer to mouse and keyboard gameplay or a veteran, the Rival 5 will make every game feel fresh, alive, and even more fun.
Game ZXC was provided a SteelSeries Rival 5 gaming mouse for the purposes of this review.
