SteelSeries’ New Budget-Friendly and Colorful Wireless Mouse: Is It Worth Your Investment?

Sure, here’s a more casual, stream-of-consciousness version:

—

Why do we care about mice so much? I mean, if you asked me last year what I thought about gaming mice, I’d probably stare blankly. My desk was a mess, and my mouse was something I picked up on sale, no fuss, no muss. But here we are, diving into the wild world of the SteelSeries Rival 3 (Gen 2) Wireless. And let me tell ya, it’s got all sorts of quirks.

Okay, first off, mice—well, this mouse—matters big time in gaming. Like, down to milliseconds. I know, sounds dramatic, but if you can snag a wireless mouse that’s under 60 bucks, especially one that doesn’t look like every other plastic thing on your desk, it’s a win. SteelSeries, with their Rival 3 Wireless, throws a pretty cool gadget in the ring. It’s all like, “Hey, I’m not just black or white; I’ve got colors!” Thank goodness, because I’m sick of everything being monochrome. Purple and blue are options, and they’re not ugly.

But, really, is looking cute enough? You can grab this guy at Amazon for $54.99. And not just for vanity. It’s sporting Bluetooth too, which, let’s be real, not many entry-level mice do. Usually, they skip out on that, like leaving an appetizer off the menu.

There’s a fun surprise inside this mouse—a garage for the dongle! Yup, I lose tiny things basically on a weekly basis, so this is huge. Speaking of which, batteries… yes, it needs AAAs. It’s the wireless way, but man, sometimes those batteries make me nervous. Like, it’s 2023, rechargeable anything should be law by now. But hey, it’s got a garage for that dongle!

Performance-wise, it keeps up. Not, “Oh my god, this is life-changing!” but more of a reassuring nod. SteelSeries has their software game strong, with customizable settings and all. Reminds me of a doctor’s office waiting room app, endless possibilities if you care enough to try.

But yeah, it’s smooth—those feet glide like butter on a hot pan. And when you wake it up from sleep, it doesn’t just lag like it had a long night out. Bluetooth is oddly nice, a real bonus, though who knows who’s using it outside office spreadsheet warriors?

Finally, the wireless bit—yawn—it’s got its pros and cons. You know, good enough for what you’re paying. But those side buttons feel cheap, almost like they’re questioning their purpose in life. Oh, and the scroll wheel is like touching a soggy Rice Krispie—just a bit too mushy.

So, if you want a cheap mouse that won’t give you performance anxiety and comes in neat colors, this Rival 3 beats the usual grey crowd. But man, if you can scrounge up a few more bucks, there might be better toys in the sandbox. For now, at least it’s not pretending to be something it’s not. And that, dear friends, is sometimes just enough.