SteelSeries Rival 5 Review

The SteelSeries Rival 5 is a high quality, budget-friendly, wired gaming mouse built for multiple play styles.

Abey Mascreen  •  May 25, 2021

Editor's Choice - SteelSeries Rival 5 Review
SteelSeries Rival 5 Review
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SteelSeries Rival 5

The SteelSeries Rival 5 is a great mouse and an easy recommendation considering its feature set and asking price. It features 9 programmable buttons that can suit multiple play styles across different genres, beautiful RGB zones and a robust software suite to back it up.

THE GOOD
  • Lightweight & Comfortable design
  • Competitive pricing
  • Great lighting options
  • Plenty of customizable buttons
  • Great Software
THE BAD
  • Only for right-handed users
  • Some buttons may not be accessible to all users
  • Only one on-board profile

The SteelSeries Rival 5 is the latest addition to the popular Rival series gaming mice. It is one of the most versatile precision gaming mouse from SteelSeries with 9 programmable buttons to fit different gameplay styles, including a custom quick-action paddle switch that’s built for lightning fast reaction plays.

SteelSeries Rival 5 review
SteelSeries Rival 5 Review

The new Golden Micro IP54 switches promise a durability of 80 million clicks and the mice also features the new TrueMove Air sensor with one-to-one tracking and a maximum CPI of 18,000, tracking speed of 400 IPS and an industry-standard 1,000Hz polling rate.

Highlights

  • Perfect for all Battle Royale, FPS, MOBA, MMO, and other fast-paced games
  • TrueMove Air precision optical gaming sensor with true 1-to-1 tracking
  • Ergonomic 9-button programmable layout with 5 quick action side buttons
  • 85g competitive lightweight and extra durable
  • Next-gen Golden Micro IP54 Switches
  • PrismSync lighting with 10 zones of 16.8 million beautifully crisp colors

Specifications

SensorSteelSeries TrueMove Air
Sensor ModelOptical
CPI100–18,000 in 100 CPI Increments
IPS400, on SteelSeries QcK surfaces
Max Acceleration (G)40G
Polling Rate1000Hz / 1 ms
Buttons9
Switch TypeSteelSeries IP54 Mechanical Switches Rated for 80 million clicks
Illumination10-Zone RGB
CompatibilityWindows, Mac, Xbox, and Linux. USB port required.
Measurements (LXWXH)128.80mm x 63.35mm x 28.20mm
Weight85g
Cable Length2 m / 6.7 ft
SoftwareSteelSeries Engine

Packaging

The packaging comes in a white-orange carboard box, standard for most SteelSeries products, with photos and specifications on the sides. The box is durable and the mouse is well protected.

SteelSeries Rival 5 review
SteelSeries Rival 5 Review

Inside the box, we find the Rival 5 mouse and the product information guide. You have to download the SteelSeries Engine software manually.

  • Rival 5 mouse
  • Product Information Guide

Design & Features

The Rival 5 comes in a matte-black finish with a grainy texture and is made of good quality ABS plastic. The mouse is designed for right-handed users and is intended for a claw, palm or fingertip grip.

Measuring 128.80mm x 63.35mm x 28.20mm (LxWxH), the Rival 5 weighs just under 85g and feels comfortable as the mouse is specifically designed for long game play with the multiple side buttons, and IP54 mechanical switches for the main triggers.

SteelSeries Rival 5 Review

At the top are left and right click buttons uses the new Golden Micro IP54 switches with a lifespan of 80 million clicks, which we found to be very responsive and relatively quiet during our test, including the mouse wheel. Also located here is a button to cycle between different profiles. The remaining 5 buttons are on the side panel which is designed for swift thumb action, featuring a custom paddle button for quick in-game actions without losing grip or hindering your aim. All buttons are programmable via the SteelSeries Engine software.

SteelSeries Rival 5 review
SteelSeries Rival 5 Review

The two large PTFE at the base help with smooth, gliding movement. Overall, the construction is fantastic and the Rival 5 looks stylish from every angle. The Rival 5 also features an all-new soft microfiber mesh cable with less drag and a lighter feel for swift movements.

In terms of lighting, the Rival 5 has 10 RGB zones that can be customized through SteelSeries. With 16.8 million colors to choose from, users can highly customize effects whether it’s related to in-game events or to match their setup. The mouse can also synchronize with other SteelSeries products.

Performance

Under the hood, SteelSeries has developed a new optical sensor called TrueMove Air developed for true 1-to-1 tracking with 18,000 CPI, 400 IPS, 40G acceleration, plus tilt tracking to eliminate unwanted tracking during angled drops, tilt slams, and quick flicks. SteelSeries says the TrueMove Air sensor delivers 3X better accuracy than the competition so that every mouse movement, from micro-adjustment to sweeping burst, translates precisely in-game as it was intended to.

SteelSeries Rival 5 review
SteelSeries Rival 5 Review

In our everyday test, the mouse performed well and with very good overall impressions. It can be easily adapted to your own preferences and skills with the SteelSeries Engine software. In addition, we never noticed any connection or delay problems.

The main buttons click very precisely and have a well-defined pressure point. The top four buttons are easily accessible and the matte-finish surface offers a good grip. The side buttons are designed to be quickly accessible and allows you to reset your thumb to quickly maneuver your mouse at the same time.

However, some of the side buttons may be difficult for some users to reach depending on hand size and preferred grip style. We couldn’t make much use of the unique paddle button either but this could be of appeal to some gamers. The size of the paddle button also means some of the side buttons are too small to get used to.

Software

As with most SteelSeries products, SteelSeries Engine is used for customizing the Rival 5. The software enables the creation of several profiles, adjusting CPI, polling rate, battery saver settings, acceleration/deceleration and more. Discord and other GameSense enabled apps allow for chat notifications, in-game events, and more.

SteelSeries Rival 5 review
SteelSeries Rival 5 Review

In terms of RGB, there are pre-built effects, but you can also create your own custom lighting profiles. Synchronization with other SteelSeries devices is also possible.

Verdict

The SteelSeries Rival 5 is a great mouse and an easy recommendation considering its feature set and asking price. The mouse features 9 programmable buttons that can suit multiple play styles across different genres, beautiful RGB zones and a robust software suite to back it up.

SteelSeries Rival 5 review
SteelSeries Rival 5 Review

Unfortunately, there’s a limit to the Rival 5’s on-board memory and has only one on-board profile that can store your DPI, polling rate, and mouse button mappings. All other settings, require having the SteelSeries software. This isn’t much of an issue if you plan to use this as a daily mouse.

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