SteelSeries Aerox 3 Wireless (2022) vs Rival 3 Wireless Gen 2: Which Mouse Is Better?

Tested using Methodology v1.5.1

Updated Oct 20, 2025 01:59 PM

See SteelSeries Aerox 3 Wireless (2022) Review

SteelSeries Aerox 3 Wireless (2022) Picture

SteelSeries Rival 3 Wireless Gen 2 Picture

ConnectivityWireless

Type Standard

Default Weight 68.1 g

Ambidextrous Shape Only

ConnectivityWireless

Type Standard

Default Weight 111.6 g

Ambidextrous Shape Only

Recommended in 1 article:
SteelSeries

Our Verdict

SteelSeries Aerox 3 Wireless (2022)

SteelSeries Rival 3 Wireless Gen 2

The SteelSeries Aerox 3 Wireless (2022) and the SteelSeries Rival 3 Wireless Gen 2 both share the same shape but the Aerox is significantly lighter thanks to honeycomb-shaped holes in its shell. It also uses a cable to recharge its battery. Comparatively, the Rival 3 Wireless Gen 2 is heavier but has a solid shell design and can run with either one or two AAA batteries. It also has better gaming performance and higher quality mouse feet.

Variants

Aerox 3 Wireless (2022) (FaZe Clan Limited Edition)
Aerox 3 Wireless (2022) (Ghost Edition)
Aerox 3 Wireless (2022) (Onyx)
Aerox 3 Wireless (2022) (Snow)

Rival 3 Wireless Gen 2 (Aqua)
Rival 3 Wireless Gen 2 (Black)
Rival 3 Wireless Gen 2 (Lavender)
Rival 3 Wireless Gen 2 (White)

Review

See SteelSeries Rival 3 Wireless Gen 2 Review

Check Price

FaZe Clan Limited Edition

Aerox 3 Wireless (2022)

BestBuy.com

Aqua

Rival 3 Wireless Gen 2

Ghost Edition

Aerox 3 Wireless (2022)

Black

Rival 3 Wireless Gen 2

Onyx

Aerox 3 Wireless (2022)

Lavender

Rival 3 Wireless Gen 2

Snow

Aerox 3 Wireless (2022)

White

Rival 3 Wireless Gen 2

Notice: Two or more of the products selected have been tested with different test methodologies, so some of the results below aren't directly comparable. Learn how our test benches and scoring system work, and read more about the latest changes to our mice test methodology.

Threshold

0.10

Work

7.5

7.4

Build Quality

7.5

8.5

Wireless Versatility

9.8

8.9

Full Comparison

Work

7.5

7.4

Video Games (FPS)

8.3

8.4

Video Games (MMO)

7.7

8.0

Travel

7.5

Raw Performance

9.1

Design

Style

Style Picture

Type

Standard

Coating

Matte

Lighting Color

RGB

Show Text

Shape

3D Model

Length

4.7" (120 mm)

4.8" (121 mm)

Width

2.6" (67 mm)

Height

1.5" (38 mm)

Grip Width

60 mm

Ambidextrous

Shape Only

Left-Handed Friendly

Yes

Finger Rest

Show Text

Portability

5.7

Portability picture

Volume

18.73 in³ (307 cm³)

Cable/Receiver Storing

Yes

Build Quality

7.5

8.5

Build quality picture

Show Text

Weight

8.5

6.0

Minimum Weight Picture

Lowest Weight

68.1 g

98.9 g

Default Weight

68.1 g

111.6 g

Weight Distribution

Centered

Back-heavy

Extra Weights

Show Text

Hand Size Recommendation

Palm Grip Hand Recommendation

Claw Grip Hand Recommendation

Fingertip Grip Hand Recommendation

Left-Handed Friendly

Yes

Ambidextrous

Shape Only

Coating

Matte

Finger Rest

Show Text

Wireless Versatility

9.8

8.9

Maximum Of Paired Devices

Bluetooth

Yes

Receiver

Yes

Battery Type

Rechargeable

2x AAA

Use When Charging

Yes

No ( Single use batteries)

On/Off Activation

Auto Off And On/Off Switch

Receiver Extender

Yes

Receiver Storing

Yes

Battery Indicator

Yes

Show Text

Palm Grip: Hand Size Recommendation

Palm Grip Picture

Small Hand

Yes

Medium Hand

Yes

Large Hand

X.Large Hand

Show Text

Cable

Cable Video

Connectivity

Wireless

Cable Length

5.9 ft (1.8 m)

N/A

Cable Type

Braided

No Cable

Permanent Kink

Yes

Port Type: Mouse End

USB-C

No Port

Port Type: PC End

USB

No Port

Show Text

Claw Grip: Hand Size Recommendation

Claw Grip Picture

Small Hand

Yes

Medium Hand

Yes

Large Hand

Yes

X.Large Hand

Yes

Show Text

Fingertip Grip: Hand Size Recommendation

Fingertip Grip Picture

Small Hand

Medium Hand

Yes

Large Hand

Yes

X.Large Hand

Yes

Show Text

Mouse Feet

9.0

8.5

Mouse Feet picture

Gliding Experience

Good

Material

Virgin Grade PTFE

Extra Included

Show Text

In The Box

In the box picture

Show Text

Control

Main Button

Actuation Graph

Force/Distances Graph

Switch Type

Mechanical

Switch Model

Not Specified

Show Text

Additional Buttons

7.1

Buttons Picture

Total Number Of Buttons

Number Of Side Buttons

Number Of Programmable Inputs

Profile Switching Button

Yes

Gesture Support

Show Text

Click Latency

7.5

9.6

Latency Testing While Gaming

Latency Data

Expected Connection

10.2 ms

2.0 ms

Wired

9.6 ms

N/A

Receiver

10.2 ms

2.0 ms

Bluetooth

16.1 ms

8.4 ms

Show Text

CPI

8.7

CPI Video

CPI Graph

SRAV Close-Up

SRAV @ 1600 CPI

-0.15%

-0.54%

SRAV @ 800 CPI

-0.38%

-0.62%

SRAV @ 400 CPI

-1.17%

-0.33%

SRAV @ Fixed CPI

N/A

Precision Error Between Speeds

0.59%

0.39%

Precision Error Between CPI

2.55%

3.26%

Worst Tracking Error

8.63%

5.50%

Minimum CPI

100 CPI

Maximum CPI

18,000 CPI

CPI Adjustment Steps

100 CPI

Show Text

Sensor Latency

8.5

8.7

Sensor Latency Transition Graph

Sensor Latency Demonstration

Delay To Start Of Movement

18.3 ms

17.2 ms

Delay At Half Movement

4.6 ms

4.3 ms

Sensor Latency CPI Graph

Delay To End Of Movement

5.8 ms

3.6 ms

Show Text

Sensor Specifications

Sensor Technology

Optical (LED)

Sensor Model

TrueMove Air

Works On Glass

Minimum Lift Off Distance

1.2 mm

Maximum Polling Rate

1000 Hz

Show Text

Mouse Wheel

Mouse wheel picture

Scroll Wheel Type

Notched Wheel

Scroll Wheel Steps

24 Steps

Scroll Wheel Tilt

Thumb Wheel Type

Thumb Wheel Steps

No Thumb Wheel

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Noise

Noise Video

Click Noise

Quiet

Operating System And Software

Configuration Software

Software Tour

Software Name

SteelSeries GG

Software Windows Compatibility

Yes

Software macOS Compatibility

Yes

On-Board Memory

Yes

CPI (DPI) Adjustment

Yes

Polling Rate Adjustment

Yes

Profile Configuration

Yes

Profile Auto-Switching

Software settings screenshot

RGB On/Off

Yes

Account Needed

Show Text

Mouse Compatibility

Windows Compatibility

Fully

macOS Compatibility

Fully

Show Text

Check Price

FaZe Clan Limited Edition

Aerox 3 Wireless (2022)

BestBuy.com

Aqua

Rival 3 Wireless Gen 2

Ghost Edition

Aerox 3 Wireless (2022)

Black

Rival 3 Wireless Gen 2

Onyx

Aerox 3 Wireless (2022)

Lavender

Rival 3 Wireless Gen 2

Snow

Aerox 3 Wireless (2022)

White

Rival 3 Wireless Gen 2