SteelSeries - Rival 5 Wired Optical Gaming Mouse with RGB Lighting - Wired - Black

Shape wise, this is pretty similar to the old Rival 600, only a tad smaller and without as much of a right-side flare. In-hand it feels different than the 600, though it looks almost the same. It's still on the larger end of mice though. It should be comfortable for all styles of grip, from palm to claw to fingertip or any combination/hybrid grip. I have a palm/claw hybrid and it fits me like a glove. It has plastic sides instead of the rubber grips, which I'm sure most users of the Rival 600 can appreciate as they tended to melt and fall off over time. Since there are no rubber grips on this mouse, it should hold up better. The Golden Micro switches on Mouse 1 & 2 feel fantastic. Nice and crisp, with no wobble. Not too light, not too stiff. I'm glad Steelseries is using these on their mice rather than the trouble-prone Omron 50m switches that they used on the Rival 310 and Sensei 310. Out of the box, the RGB is incredibly bright, almost blindingly so. You can adjust the brightness using Steelseries Engine, however the RGB settings do not save to the onboard memory. You can adjust the DPI and button bindings, and those do save to onboard memory. One of the main selling points of the mouse is the large amount of side buttons. There is a silver colored button, similar to the toggle found on the Logitech G502 and Razer Basilisk, but it doesn't serve as a DPI shift like on those two mice. By default, it is bound to F3 and I cannot find a way in the software to bind it to a temporary DPI shift. Every button is remappable, however. You can assign macros, windows/mac functionality (copy, paste, volume up/down, etc.) or bind it to a keyboard press. While being a relatively large mouse, it isn't too heavy. Weighing in at 85g, it doesn't feel as heavy as the G502 which is over 120g. It doesn't feel light or cheap, however. I'd prefer it maybe 10 grams lighter, but it's not bad. Fairly impressive for a large mouse without holes that a lot of manufacturers seem to be using these days. The stock mouse feet are fine. Not as smooth as a white PTFE skate like those found on the Roccat Burst Pro or Razer Orochi V2, but they are not nearly as bad as the ones found on the Steelseries Aerox 3. No issues here. Perfectly usable. The braided cable is really the only letdown for me as it is a bit stiff, even in a bungee. This may bother some more than others, especially if you are used to a wireless mouse. At the current $60 MSRP, this mouse seems to be priced fairly considering the amount of versatility and quality that it offers. From FPS to MMORPGs to MOBAs, this should suit most everyone for any style of grip. Highly recommended!

The accuracy, consistency, and precision of the mouse pointer is better than any other gaming mouse I've used to date. It has a nice number of buttons for extra functions that are, for the most part, placed thoughtfully and easy to access, although I still need to reach a little to hit the thumb trigger. Having the cluster of 3 other thumb controls has been great: the usual pair for back/forward navigation, and the top button is actually a flipper tab that can have different functions assigned to up or down activation. It's very easy to access it effortlessly during games. I find the weight a good balance: it's not super light like some FPS mice, but not fatiguing. The body is a smooth but not slippery plastic that gives decent grip without feeling sticky. All of the buttons have excellent tactility and positive feedback, and the scroll wheel is one of the best I've ever used in terms of texture, clickliness, and just the right amount of rolling resistance, but it doesn't have the feature that allows it to spin freely. Ergonomics are pretty good, but it does start to fatigue my wrist after hours of use and I think if the left side were taller, it would allow a more comfortable grip angle. The RGB lighting is highly customizable and smoothly transitions between colors on the sides, but I find it kind of distracting.

I recently acquired the SteelSeries Rival 5 Wired Optical Gaming Mouse with RGB Lighting in Black, and I am absolutely enamored with it. This gaming mouse has exceeded all my expectations, providing an unmatched experience in both functionality and aesthetics. First and foremost, the Rival 5's ergonomic design is a dream to behold. Its sleek black finish and contoured shape fit comfortably in my hand, allowing for hours of uninterrupted gameplay without any discomfort or strain. The textured grips on the sides offer excellent control and prevent slippage during intense gaming sessions. This mouse truly caters to gamers who crave a perfect blend of style and practicality. The optical sensor on the Rival 5 is a game-changer. With true 1-to-1 tracking and an impressive DPI range, this mouse ensures precise and accurate cursor movement, giving me a competitive edge in every game I play. Whether I'm engaged in fast-paced first-person shooters or strategizing in real-time strategy titles, the Rival 5 delivers exceptional responsiveness, never missing a beat. One standout feature of this mouse is its dynamic RGB lighting. The customizable lighting zones allow me to personalize the mouse to match my gaming setup or mood. With a vast spectrum of vibrant colors and effects, the Rival 5 transforms my gaming station into a captivating visual spectacle. The illumination not only adds an immersive element to my gaming experience but also enhances the overall aesthetics of my setup. The Rival 5 offers a generous array of programmable buttons, allowing for effortless customization. With a total of nine buttons strategically placed, I can assign macros, shortcuts, or even specific in-game functions to optimize my gameplay. This versatility has significantly improved my efficiency and made complex maneuvers seamless. Furthermore, the SteelSeries Engine software accompanying the Rival 5 is incredibly intuitive. The user-friendly interface enables me to tweak settings, create custom profiles, and fine-tune the mouse to suit my individual preferences. The software also facilitates effortless synchronization with other SteelSeries products, enhancing the overall cohesion and performance of my gaming arsenal. Lastly, the build quality of the Rival 5 is outstanding. With durable materials and meticulous craftsmanship, this mouse feels sturdy and reliable. SteelSeries has clearly prioritized longevity, ensuring that the Rival 5 will withstand the demands of rigorous gaming sessions and remain a steadfast companion for years to come. In conclusion, the SteelSeries Rival 5 Wired Optical Gaming Mouse with RGB Lighting in Black has completely won me over. Its exceptional features, including the ergonomic design, precise optical sensor, captivating RGB lighting, customizable buttons, intuitive software, and remarkable build quality, make it a standout choice for any gamer. This mouse has undoubtedly elevated my gaming experience and has become an integral part of my setup. If you're seeking a gaming mouse that combines style, performance, and functionality flawlessly, I wholeheartedly recommend the SteelSeries Rival 5.

I've been using this SteelSeries Rival 5 for several weeks now and I'm thoroughly impressed with its performance. The optical sensor precision is exceptional for gaming, especially in games that require quick and accurate movements. What I love most: The RGB lighting is vibrant and fully customizable The additional buttons are incredibly useful for macros The ergonomic design feels comfortable during long gaming sessions The build quality feels solid and durable The SteelSeries Engine software allows you to fully customize the lighting and program the buttons according to your needs. The response is instantaneous and I haven't experienced any lag whatsoever. The only minor point is that it might take some time to get used to all the additional buttons, but once you configure them, they really enhance the gaming experience. I definitely recommend this for any gamer looking for a reliable mouse with excellent features. Worth every penny.

This mouse is a pretty solid choice. The thumb buttons are comfortable, and while I don't use both directions for the top thumb button, I'm able to use the steelseries software to make them function as modifier keys (ctrl, shift, alt) for use in MMOs. The sensor accuracy is good, and it's a good weight both for precision and fast movement. The backlighting has stayed bright in every zone at every color for a year and a half. There is one glaring downside. The thumb buttons are relatively fragile. They are prone to snapping internally, and I have had two break within the protection window. Even without a lot of force on the buttons, frequent use will cause one of the buttons to break within two years. I'll be getting a third one, but only because it is cheaper to pay the protection service charge than to buy a new mouse.