Products
SteelSeries Rival 3
SteelSeries Rival 3 Gen 2
Tested using Methodology v1.3
Updated Dec 15, 2022 03:41 PM
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Tested using Methodology v1.5.1
Updated Oct 10, 2025 06:46 PM
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ConnectivityWired
Type
Standard
Default Weight
78.8 g
Ambidextrous
Shape Only
ConnectivityWired
Type
Standard
Default Weight
77.6 g
Ambidextrous
Shape Only
Our Verdict
SteelSeries Rival 3
SteelSeries Rival 3 Gen 2
The SteelSeries Rival 3 Gen 2 is a newer version of the SteelSeries Rival 3, and both share the same symmetrical shape. The Rival 3 Gen 2 offers slightly better raw performance, a much lighter and more flexible paracord-like cable, and upgraded feet that glide more smoothly on mousepads.
Variants
- Rival 3 (Black)
- Rival 3 Gen 2 (Black)
- Rival 3 Gen 2 (White)
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Black
Rival 3
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Black
Rival 3 Gen 2
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Black
Rival 3
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White
Rival 3 Gen 2
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Black
Rival 3
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Black
Rival 3
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Main Differences for
Work
Work
Threshold
Work
6.3
6.5
Full Comparison
Design
Style
Style Picture
Type
Standard
Standard
Coating
Matte
Matte
Lighting Color
RGB
RGB
Shape
3D Model
Length
4.8" (121 mm)
4.8" (121 mm)
Width
2.6" (67 mm)
2.6" (67 mm)
Height
1.5" (38 mm)
1.5" (38 mm)
Grip Width
58 mm
60 mm
Ambidextrous
Shape Only
Shape Only
Left-Handed Friendly
Yes
Yes
Finger Rest
No
No
Portability
5.7
Portability picture
Volume
18.80 in³ (308 cm³)
Cable/Receiver Storing
No
No Receiver
Build Quality
8.5
8.5
Build quality picture
Weight
7.6
7.7
Minimum Weight Picture
Lowest Weight
78.8 g
77.6 g
Default Weight
78.8 g
77.6 g
Weight Distribution
Centered
Centered
Extra Weights
No
No
Hand Size Recommendation
Palm Grip Hand Recommendation
Claw Grip Hand Recommendation
Fingertip Grip Hand Recommendation
Left-Handed Friendly
Yes
Yes
Ambidextrous
Shape Only
Shape Only
Coating
Matte
Matte
Finger Rest
No
No
Wireless Versatility
0.0
0.0
Maximum Of Paired Devices
Wired
Wired
Bluetooth
No
No
Receiver
No
No
Battery Type
No Batteries
No Batteries
Use When Charging
No
No
On/Off Activation
None
None
Receiver Extender
No
No
Receiver Storing
No
No Receiver
Battery Indicator
No
No
Palm Grip: Hand Size Recommendation
Palm Grip Picture
Small Hand
Yes
Medium Hand
Yes
Large Hand
No
X.Large Hand
No
Cable
Cable Video
Connectivity
Wired
Wired
Cable Length
5.9 ft (1.8 m)
5.9 ft (1.8 m)
Cable Type
Rubber
Paracord-like
Permanent Kink
Yes
Yes
Port Type: Mouse End
No Port
No Port
Port Type: PC End
USB
Claw Grip: Hand Size Recommendation
Claw Grip Picture
Small Hand
Yes
Medium Hand
Yes
Large Hand
Yes
X.Large Hand
Yes
Fingertip Grip: Hand Size Recommendation
Fingertip Grip Picture
Small Hand
No
Medium Hand
Yes
Large Hand
Yes
X.Large Hand
Yes
Mouse Feet
8.0
8.5
Mouse Feet picture
Gliding Experience
Good
Good
Material
PTFE
Virgin Grade PTFE
Extra Included
No
No
In The Box
In the box picture
Control
Main Button
Actuation Graph
Force/Distances Graph
Switch Type
Mechanical
Switch Model
Not Specified
Additional Buttons
7.1
7.1
Buttons Picture
Total Number Of Buttons
6
6
Number Of Side Buttons
2
2
Number Of Programmable Inputs
8
8
Profile Switching Button
Yes
Yes
Gesture Support
No
No
Click Latency
8.1
9.5
Latency Testing While Gaming
Latency Data
Expected Connection
7.5 ms
2.3 ms
Wired
7.5 ms
2.3 ms
Receiver
N/A
N/A
Bluetooth
N/A
N/A
CPI
8.7
8.2
CPI Video
CPI Graph
SRAV Close-Up
SRAV @ 1600 CPI
-0.75%
-1.21%
SRAV @ 800 CPI
-0.63%
-0.96%
SRAV @ 400 CPI
-0.50%
-2.08%
SRAV @ Fixed CPI
N/A
N/A
Precision Error Between Speeds
0.38%
0.69%
Precision Error Between CPI
2.36%
2.70%
Worst Tracking Error
-3.50%
8.63%
Minimum CPI
200 CPI
200 CPI
Maximum CPI
8,500 CPI
8,500 CPI
CPI Adjustment Steps
100 CPI
100 CPI
Sensor Latency
8.9
9.4
Sensor Latency Transition Graph
Sensor Latency Demonstration
Delay To Start Of Movement
11.7 ms
11.5 ms
Delay At Half Movement
3.9 ms
2.5 ms
Sensor Latency CPI Graph
Delay To End Of Movement
5.7 ms
1.9 ms
Sensor Specifications
Sensor Technology
Optical (LED)
Optical (LED)
Sensor Model
TrueMove Core
TrueMove Core
Works On Glass
No
No
Minimum Lift Off Distance
2.4 mm
1.2 mm
Maximum Polling Rate
1000 Hz
1000 Hz
Mouse Wheel
Mouse wheel picture
Scroll Wheel Type
Notched Wheel
Notched Wheel
Scroll Wheel Steps
24 Steps
Scroll Wheel Tilt
No
No
Thumb Wheel Type
No
No
Thumb Wheel Steps
No Thumb Wheel
Noise
Noise Video
Click Noise
Quiet
Quiet
Operating System And Software
Configuration Software
Software Tour
Software Name
SteelSeries Engine 3
SteelSeries GG
Software Windows Compatibility
Yes
Yes
Software macOS Compatibility
Yes
Yes
On-Board Memory
Yes
No
CPI (DPI) Adjustment
Yes
Yes
Polling Rate Adjustment
Yes
Yes
Profile Configuration
Yes
Yes
Profile Auto-Switching
No
Software settings screenshot
RGB On/Off
Yes
Yes
Account Needed
No
Mouse Compatibility
10
10
Windows Compatibility
Fully
Fully
macOS Compatibility
Fully
Fully
Check Price
Black
Rival 3
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Black
Rival 3 Gen 2
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Black
Rival 3
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BestBuy.com
White
Rival 3 Gen 2
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Black
Rival 3
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Walmart.com
Black
Rival 3
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SteelSeries Rival 3
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SteelSeries Rival 3 vs SteelSeries Rival 3 Gen 2: Main Discussion
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