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Is the Rival Pro worth it?
The SteelSeries Rival Pro is worth it for competitive PC gamers: 3 critics average 9.0 out of 10, praising the ultralight 53g shell, UWB wireless and swappable batteries but faulting the $179.99 price. This page is a consensus of published reviews, not hands-on testing by TechWorthIt.
What critics loved
Connectivity and battery design drew the most praise. Engadget called the ultra wideband connection responsive and free of congestion, and liked the near-infinite battery life from swappable batteries and a base station. Tom's Guide said the 6GHz UWB link avoids dropouts and described the zero-downtime battery system as a highlight, with a spare battery sitting on the dongle.
Performance is also strong. Engadget highlighted the TrueMove 42K Pro sensor with 8K polling and the large PTFE feet that glide smoothly. TechRadar found the mouse exceptional in performance and ergonomics, with true 8K polling, responsive optical switches, a tactile scroll wheel and wonderful customization options. Tom's Guide also praised customization through the GG app and web app.
Where it falls short
Price is the shared complaint. Engadget calls it expensive at $180, TechRadar says it is steep at $179.99, and Tom's Guide lists $179 as a drawback.
Fingerprints are the second. TechRadar noted the matte finish picks them up, Engadget said the mouse shows fingerprints and grease more than other mice, and Tom's Guide called the black model a fingerprint magnet.
The switches divide opinion in small ways. Tom's Guide found the optical switches feel featureless, and Engadget missed analog clicks or tunable actuation. TechRadar said they are not the quietest. Engadget also flagged a scroll wheel without free spin or infinite scrolling and no USB port on the mouse for emergency charging. TechRadar noted it is right-handed only and has no wired USB option.
Who should buy it
This suits competitive and esports-minded players who want a very light wireless mouse, high polling rates and no battery downtime. It is less compelling for budget buyers, left-handed users, or anyone who wants a wired fallback or tunable switch actuation.
Questions buyers ask
How long does the Rival Pro battery last?
TechRadar and Tom's Guide cite 60 hours at 1,000Hz and 16 hours at 8,000Hz. Engadget gives up to 120 hours at 1,000Hz, and all three note that swappable batteries make downtime avoidable.
