Engineered for ultralight performance and optimized for the fastest swipes, the 2022 editions of the Aerox mice feature 100% virgin grade PTFE glide skates so gamers can beat the competition to the trigger. Next-gen Golden Micro IP54 Switches provide flawless clicks and Quantum 2.0 Dual Wireless delivers a stable, reliable signal. For pinpoint accuracy, the TrueMove Air optical sensor ensures pixel-perfect tracking, while the silky smooth 100% Virgin Grade PTFE glide skates provide gamers with enhanced control and velocity. Adding a water-resistant AquaBarrier™ that provides IP54 rated safety, 3-zone RGB lighting, and a USB-C cable for fast charging and customization completes the package for an award-winning mouse that has been purposefully built for unbridled speed.
Silky smooth 100% virgin grade PTFE glide skates deliver enhanced control and velocity, while the USB-C soft super mesh cable provides less drag. Founded in 2001, SteelSeries improves performance through first-to-market innovations and technologies that enable gamers to play harder, train longer, and rise to the challenge.
SteelSeries Aerox 3 (2022 Edition) review: New edition of the ultra-light gaming mouse
With the Aerox 3, the Danish manufacturer SteelSeries presented a high-quality ultra-light gaming mouse at the end of 2020, which almost completely convinced us in the test. Ergonomics Symmetrical (for right-handed users) Sensor SteelSeries TrueMove Core Sensor Type Optical CPI 200 – 8,500 IPS 300 (on SteelSeries QcK bases) Acceleration 35G Sampling rate 1,000 Hz Hardware acceleration None Number of keys 6 Material ABS plastic Switch Golden Micros IP54 mechanical switch (for 80 million clicks) Lighting RGB; 3 zones Certifications IP54 Weight 59 grams Dimension (at widest points) 120.55 x 67.03 x 37.98 mm Length / material of the cable 1.8 meters / fabric jacket Connection USB Type-A from USB Type-C Compatibility Windows, Linux, Mac, Xbox, PlayStation Colors Matte Black (Oynx); Matte White (Snow) Price € 53.29 * The scope of delivery turns out to be very manageable: Besides the mouse itself, only the detachable, approximately 1.8 meter long USB-A to USB Type-C cable, as well as a manual are included. They turn out to be very durable with a lifespan of around 80 million clicks and offer water resistance and protection against dust, dirt, oil, pet hair and much more thanks to IP54 certification. However, the real innovation compared to the predecessor model can be seen in the tactile “Clicky” feedback of the main keys, which trigger pleasantly fast and precisely. We can only speculate about the advantages in gaming use, but the mechanical switches convince with a maximum of precision in the practical test and recognize single and double clicks reliably and accurately.
Compared to the previous year, new gliding feet made of 100% pure PTFE are used here, which extend over the entire width of the mouse on the upper and lower sides. As with all mice with holes, dirt and dust naturally collect relatively quickly in the case over time, but you can easily remove them by blowing on them or using a vacuum cleaner due to the high-quality workmanship without the rodent giving up the ghost. Of course, the Aerox 3 also offers a 3-zone RGB illumination, which extends over a light strip on the frame around the mouse base, the interior in the middle and the rear area. In fast shooters, the newly designed PTFE gliding feet also prove to be advantageous, allowing even faster movements – for example, turns or direction changes. Due to the ergonomic shape, small to large hands rest equally well on the mouse back, which also makes the new edition of the Aerox 3 a recommendable companion. Although the sensor is no longer one of the absolute top models and 8,500 CPI at 300 IPS speed and 35G mouse acceleration might not be enough for real professionals, the values are more than sufficient for most gamers.
SteelSeries Aerox 3 Wireless (2022) Review
The SteelSeries Aerox 3 Wireless is a fantastic gaming mouse that stays cool and comfortable over long play sessions, while also being accurate and slick to use. Key Features Light as a feather The Aerox 3 has an impressive ultra-lightweight design, coming in at 68 grams, which allows for comfort and speed over long-term use. Smooth and speedy High-quality Virgin Grade PTFE glide skates allow for effortless mouse manoeuvring, which pairs well with the Aerox 3’s 18,000 CPI. Geared at gamers, this speedy mouse promises to give users a competitive edge and joins the race to become one of the best gaming mice on the market.
The SteelSeries Aerox 3 has a classic body shape making it a versatile option for a number of grip styles – depending on hand size, of course. The thin size and firm material of the Aerox 3’s buttons provide them with some additional tension, requiring more force and precision to press.
Despite its textured exterior, the white casing on the mouse showed no sign of wear or staining, even after some heated gaming sessions and desk lunches. Thankfully, if the white feels too risky, the Aerox also comes in the shade Onyx, a matte black finish which offers the same lightness with less risk of discolouration in the future.
It’s an impressive technology, with the optical sensor using light beams to register your inputs rather than physical parts in order to reduce the chance of failure, as wear and tear. This was helped by the mouse’s extremely light design and some high-quality skates at its base, allowing for swift movement with no noticeable drag.
For high-pressure gaming situations, I’d recommend sticking with the dongle, as I did run into some Bluetooth pairing problems that left me high and dry. In small bouts it’s perfectly comfortable, but intensive games got frustrating as I attempted to manoeuvre my hand to use my side button key binds.
The GG program has plenty to offer, but its strongest addition by far is the 3D Aim Trainer, allowing you to practice with your mouse across a wide range of real game stages. As someone who hadn’t played a Valve FPS in quite a while, being able to drop into CS:GO-themed situations and practice strafe aiming in trials was a blessing. Some notifications, like low battery or Bluetooth pairing, also utilise the LED, which felt like another thoughtful decision by SteelSeries that makes intuiting any problems simple and straightforward. There are seriously strong alternatives to consider though, if you’re willing to spend a tad more and don’t mind going wired for an extra boost to performance then Razer’s Viper line offers excellent lightweight gaming prowess.
Alternatively, if you like the mesh design here but would like to spend a good amount less, the Asus TUF Gaming M4 Air is an excellent, but also wired, option. During that time, we’ll check it for ease of use and put it through its paces by playing a variety of different genres, including FPS, strategy and MOBAs.
SteelSeries Aerox 3 Wireless 2022 Edition
The Aerox 3 original launched back in 2020 but received an update in November 2021 to the 2022 model we have today. SteelSeries branding up on top with a huge picture of the mouse on the front and for this one the RGB is all lit up. Then it has the soft sleeving that moves around really well on the chance that you need to use the Aerox 3 while charging or if you can’t use wireless like in a LAN with a lot of interference.
Most desktop PCs have one sometimes two type-c connections if you have one on your front panel and those are normally dedicated to extra bandwidth so using one for this seems like a waste.
The extender included is used with the type-c cable to adapter down to a standard type-a connection or to move the dongle up on to your desk. I think SteelSeries learned a lot from past mice that used those finishes that were great at first but break down over time, especially from hand oils.
The holes carry up on to the triggers where the Aerox 3 has one tiny SteelSeries logo printed on it and a small wiggle line. The Holey design does open up the mouse to the elements, namely anything on your hand, anything spilled, and dust and dirt even when sitting idle. For the triggers, the Aerox 3 Wireless is using Golden Micro IP54 Switches which are rated for 80 million clicks and this is where they have the dust and water resistance. The front and back views of the Aerox 3 Wireless give a much better look at what I mean when I say that this is an ambidextrous design in all but the side buttons.
The triggers both have a nice grove shaped into them that keeps your fingers centered there, that beyond the overall size is one of the big changes from this to the Sensei 310 which didn’t have those. For the side view, you can see how the overall mouse shape is less “peaky” than the Prime design which had a big hill behind the triggers.
They are also both 100% pure PTFE which glides smoother and is a favorite upgrade for mouse enthusiasts. The bottom uses all of the non-holey space to print all of the normal required certifications, warnings, and things like your model information and serial number. The 2.4 GHz mode that uses the included dongle with their Quantum 2.0 wireless tech or standard Bluetooth. Like the Prime this is still a little behind the curve for weight compared to come of the competition, especially considering this has the honeycomb shell on the top and bottom.
The Logitech Superlight which has a full shell is at 63 grams but it is better than the Razer Viper Ultimate.
SteelSeries Aerox 3 Wired Gaming Mouse Review
That’s not an affiliate link, as I don’t use those, and I wasn’t asked or paid by SteelSeries to write this — but you can support me directly with your money if you wish by checking out the end of this piece. You can buy the mouse off the shelf in either black or white, and it also comes in a variety of fun customizable colors through the SteelSeries web site, though those will run you a little bit of extra money. This sensor is based on the PixArt 3331, and variants of it live inside other popular mice like the cheaper SteelSeries Rival 3 wired edition and the famous Viper Mini.
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