Steelseries Rival Pro review: Maximum performance with endless playtime
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SteelSeries Rival Pro Review
It looks like the SteelSeries Rival Pro is really pushing the boundaries of what a gaming mouse can do. Even when I took a look at the spec sheet, I was very impressed with the features on offer: interference-free “true” 8K polling, hot-swappable batteries for endless playback, and 42,000 dpi sensitivity.
But it’s one thing to have a good set of specifications and another to perform well in practice. So how good is the SteelSeries Rival Pro? And is it worth its $179.99/£169.99 (around AU$250) asking price? Here is my verdict after hours of testing.
Firstly, this mouse feels incredibly comfortable to use; In fact, it’s on par with some of the best mice when it comes to ergonomics.
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It hits the middle ground in terms of size and fits perfectly in my hand, although it’s worth noting that this model is right-handed only, while the SteelSeries Sensei Pro’s ambidextrous shape is suitable for both left- and right-handed users. I use a palm grip style, but the model is also designed to accommodate those who prefer a claw or fingertip grip. I also love how lightweight the Rival Pro is. Weighing 1.9oz/53g, making sudden movements and adjustments feels extremely fast.
The mouse has a lightly textured matte finish that feels and actually looks pretty good too. Sure, the matte black finish makes it a little prone to picking up fingerprints, but this is rather finicky, and will likely be less of an issue if you opt for the alternative white color.
And when it comes to performance, the SteelSeries Rival Pro is equally dazzling. I used it to play Cyberpunk 2077 with the LG UltraGear 25G590B 1000Hz gaming monitor and was amazed by the responsiveness and accuracy on offer. Aiming felt incredibly stable and precise, panning the camera felt super sharp and responsive, and the high-quality optical switches allowed me to shoot quickly and reliably. The mechanical scroll wheel is also very tactile, with ridges that offer great grip.
Such optical switches are great to use for gaming or general productivity, and I never found their satisfying, mechanical sound to be irritating or overzealous. Yes, they’re not the quietest switches, so if you prefer a quieter sound, maybe look elsewhere, but their quality is undeniable – SteelSeries even claims to have tested them to 100 million clicks, so you’ll get a lot of mileage out of this mouse.
Feature-wise, this mouse has almost everything you could want. The GG app and web app open up all kinds of customization for bindings, sensitivity, polling rate, and power management. I mainly used the web app and found it incredibly easy to use and made minor adjustments here and there.
Perhaps the really standout feature is the “infinite energy system.” You get two batteries with the Rival Pro: one that goes into the mouse and one that goes into the ultra-wideband base station. The batteries are hot-swappable, and when the mouse runs out, you can quickly replace them with the base station battery (which charges while plugged in). As a result, you will literally never run out of battery, ideal for competitive gamers.
While the Rival Pro mouse lacks a USB port for wired gaming, this infinite power system means you’ll honestly never need it, completely eliminating any extra weight or discomfort that comes with a wired connection.
With an 8K polling rate, SuperSync, which lets you independently control tracking and click polling rates, and pointing tools to boot, it really feels like the perfect gaming mouse. But are there real disadvantages?
Well, one thing might put some gamers off: the price of the Rival Pro. At $179.99 / £169.99 (around AU$250), this model is certainly a premium product. It’s worth it? If you want maximum performance and essentially infinite battery life, then yes. But there are plenty of solid options out there for under $100/£100.
Overall, though, the SteelSeries Rival Pro is an innovative and ergonomic gaming mouse with exceptional performance. If you’re looking to take your game to the next level, look no further than this model.
SteelSeries Rival Pro review: price and release date
- Priced at $179.99 / £169.99 (around AU$250)
- Released in October 2026
The SteelSeries Rival Pro was launched in October 2026, along with three other models: the SteelSeries Rival Pro Mini, as well as the SteelSeries Sensei Pro and Sensei Pro Mini. The Rival Pro is priced at $179.99/£169.99 (around AU$250). That puts it firmly in the premium category, with rivals like the Logitech G Pro X2 Superstrike and Razer DeathAdder V4 Pro.
SteelSeries Rival Pro Review: Specifications
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|
Interface |
Ultra-wideband wireless (6 GHz and above) |
|
Battery life |
Up to 60 hours 1K / 16 hours 8K |
|
Sensor |
TrueMove 42K Pro Sensor |
|
Polling rate |
8KHz (with 9KHz overpolling) |
|
Buttons |
6 |
|
PPP |
42,000 |
|
switches |
Optical |
|
Dimensions |
4.95 x 2.69 x 1.66 inches / 125.7 x 68.2 x 42.2 mm |
|
Weight |
1.9oz/53g |
Should you buy SteelSeries Rival Pro?
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|
Attribute |
Grades |
Score |
|---|---|---|
|
Design |
Excellent ergonomics, light weight, great build quality, a little prone to fingerprints. |
4.5/5 |
|
Performance |
True 8K polling with SuperSync, 42K DPI sensitivity, and essentially infinite battery life. |
5/5 |
|
Worth |
It’s certainly expensive, but it has the performance to back it up. |
4/5 |
Buy it if…
Don’t buy it if…
SteelSeries Rival Pro Review: Also Consider
How I tested SteelSeries Rival Pro
- Tested intensively for hours
- Used for gaming and general productivity.
- All functions of the GG web application were used.
I spent many hours testing the SteelSeries Rival Pro, during which time I used it for gaming and general productivity.
When gaming, I paired the mouse with the LG UltraGear 25G590B 1000Hz gaming monitor to get the best possible performance. I made sure to play a variety of games, but I mainly tested the mouse with the PC version of Cyberpunk 2077. In addition to this, I made sure to test all the mouse’s features and customization options through the GG web app.
More generally, I’ve spent years testing devices here at TechRadar, where I work as a senior reviews writer. I reviewed everything from premium Dolby Atmos soundbars to gaming software, and tested several mice, including the recently released Logitech Mobi Fold.
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