The SteelSeries Aerox 3 Wi-fi is a light-weight honeycomb gaming mouse. In contrast to Grasp Chiller MM710, the Aerox 3 Wi-fi is snug to carry and fairly fairly to have a look at, because of a set of RGB lights. Nonetheless, in an period of ultralight mice that do not depend on unconventional honeycomb designs, I’m wondering if this mouse gives many tangible benefits over, say, a SteelSeries Rival 3 Wi-fi half-price.
Whereas the design is a matter of affection or hate, the Aerox 3 Wi-fi additionally suffers from a sluggish activation time, a excessive value, and a weight that borders on insubstantial. Esports followers might need to test it out, as a result of it is the lightest wi-fi mouse you may get from a significant producer. Nonetheless, whether or not it is definitely worth the asking value relies upon virtually fully on how a lot you just like the pisive honeycomb design and whether or not you may reside with out it.
The Aerox 3 Wi-fi just isn’t essentially the greatest gaming mouse for each gamer, however if you need a wi-fi honeycomb mouse from a significant producer, it could possibly be a good choice for you. Learn our full SteelSeries Aerox 3 Wi-fi evaluation to be taught extra.
SteelSeries Aerox 3 Wi-fi Assessment: Design
If the phrase “honeycomb” means something to you by way of gaming mice, you in all probability have a good suggestion of what the SteelSeries Aerox 3 Wi-fi seems to be like. This small, light-weight mouse is roofed from buttons to palm relaxation with diamond-shaped holes that help you see instantly into the internal workings of the system. This makes the system lighter, in fact, but additionally probably extra aerodynamic, as there’s much less resistance when transferring it back and forth.
Having used all sorts of mice in each aggressive and single-player conditions, I personally have some doubts about whether or not honeycomb mice confer any form of vital benefit. Positive, a 2.3-ounce mouse is technically simpler to start out and cease than a 4.0-ounce mouse (the Logitech G502 Mild Velocity, for instance), however not essentially sooner, because of the mechanics of momentum. A distinction of 1.7 ounces can also be not a big weight distinction, even for probably the most spaghetti-armed amongst us.
Personally, I discover honeycomb designs to be flashy and trivial, however your mileage might fluctuate. The RGB lighting on the Aerox 3 Wi-fi may be very fairly, at the very least, with a backside plate that absolutely lights as much as create stunning rainbow patterns on the entrance, again, and sides of the mouse. It is rather more spectacular than most gaming mice, which tout full RGB lighting after which restrict it to a single brand on the palm relaxation.
As famous above, the mouse weighs solely 2.3 ounces. The one mouse I might discover from a significant producer that weighs much less is the HyperX Pulsefire Haste (which we’re additionally presently testing) at 2.1 ounces. The SteelSeries Rival 3 Wi-fi, which is sort of the identical measurement, weighs 3.4 ounces, so Aerox managed to shave greater than 1/3 off its total weight. That is spectacular for such a small system.
There are six buttons in complete: a left-click button, a right-click button, a textured clickable scroll wheel, and a dots per inch (DPI) sensitivity dial on the face, with two buttons for thumb on the aspect. On the backside of the mouse, there’s additionally an enter selector, the place you may set the mouse to 2.4GHz wi-fi or Bluetooth modes, or flip it off fully. You will additionally discover a USB-C charging port on prime.
SteelSeries Aerox 3 Wi-fi Assessment: Options
Whereas probably the most putting characteristic of the SteelSeries Aerox 3 Wi-fi is its honeycomb design, it additionally has different options you’d anticipate from a high-end wi-fi mouse. For one, it really works with SteelSeries Engine 3 software program, which lets you reprogram buttons, create profiles, regulate lighting, and many others. Sadly, this performance was not obtainable once we wrote the evaluation, however assuming every little thing works appropriately, it’s a sturdy and easy-to-use software program. A SteelSeries consultant knowledgeable us that Engine 3 help shall be prepared by the point the Aerox 3 Wi-fi ships to shoppers.
There’s additionally the wi-fi performance, which works very effectively for probably the most half. Each the two.4GHz and Bluetooth performance work effectively, with no lag or connection drops throughout my few days of testing, each in video games and productiveness software program. SteelSeries estimates the battery can last as long as 80 hours on 2.4GHz and 200 hours on Bluetooth, however since we did not have entry to the software program, we won’t measure both of those claims. The battery stayed sturdy for at the very least three working days of testing, for what it is price.
The mouse’s fast, jaunty actions made it particularly straightforward to kill demons in Doom, the place velocity and precision are paramount.
However, the Aerox 3 Wi-fi fails on an essential level of consolation in wi-fi mice. After it goes to sleep (about 10 minutes of inactivity, though you may regulate this within the software program), it takes a very long time to restart once more: between 5 and 10 seconds, in my expertise. All different wi-fi mice I’ve used are inclined to reboot immediately, returning you to no matter you have been working or taking part in on. It looks like a minor drawback, nevertheless it begins to worsen each time you stroll away out of your desk.
SteelSeries Aerox 3 Wi-fi Assessment: Efficiency
Like most different SteelSeries mice, the Aerox 3 Wi-fi works nice with virtually any style of gaming. I examined the system with Age of Empires III: Definitive Version, Doom Everlasting, Shadow of the Tomb Raider, and Remaining Fantasy XIV, and it carried out effectively throughout the board. The mouse’s fast, jaunty actions made it particularly straightforward to kill demons in Doom, the place velocity and precision are paramount.
As for whether or not I felt sooner or extra in management with the Aerox 3 Wi-fi than with another high-end gaming mouse, not particularly so. Hardcore esports fanatics might disagree, however for on a regular basis gaming, I discovered no proof that the Aerox 3 Wi-fi performs higher than another gaming mouse from a significant firm. When you select one, do it since you just like the design, not since you suppose it provides you with a significant benefit within the event scene.
SteelSeries Aerox 3 Wi-fi Assessment: Verdict
Our evaluation of the SteelSeries Aerox 3 Wi-fi regarded on the mouse’s pisive design, in addition to its stable total performance. That is as shut as I get to a honeycomb mouse, with its semi-comfortable grip and fairly lighting. However, I do not suppose it is a huge step up from extra conventional wi-fi gaming mice, particularly since you may get designs just like the Rival 3 Wi-fi and the Corsair Harpoon RGB Wi-fi for half the worth.
If you’re not married to a wi-fi honeycomb mouse, it’s also possible to get the SteelSeries Aerox 3 wired model for $60, however nonetheless fairly costly for such a small mouse. For many customers, the Rival 3, whether or not wired or wi-fi, might be the best way to go.
