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SteelSeries Rival 5 Review | 78 Data compared

Avg. price in UK: ~£55
Avg. price in US: ~$60
Connectivity: wired
Maximum polling rate: 1000 Hz
Maximum DPI: 18000 DPI
Weight: 85 g

SteelSeries Rival 5 review. Compare 78 technical specifications and user reviews to see how it ranks among mice and if it is worth buying.

6.6

Good

6.0

Good

9.2

Exceptional

5.8
Gaming
Score components:
28.0%
3.7
Maximum polling rate
24.0%
10
N. of programmable buttons
20.0%
2.8
Onboard memory profiles
16.0%
6.4
Maximum tracking speed
12.0%
6.9
Weight

Best prices in UK

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Verdict

The SteelSeries Rival 5 is a versatile, right-handed ergonomic gaming mouse featuring a TrueMove Air optical sensor with 1-to-1 tracking, a wide sensitivity range of 100 to 18,000 CPI, 400 IPS speed, and 40G acceleration. It weighs a competitive 85g and is equipped with nine programmable buttons, including a unique five-button side cluster with a flick-action toggle, and next-gen Golden Micro IP54 mechanical switches rated for 80 million clicks. Its main pros include high-precision tracking, a flexible 2-meter super mesh cable that reduces drag, and a vibrant 10-zone PrismSync RGB lighting system. However, notable cons include a silver 'sniper' button that can be difficult for small or medium hands to reach, a somewhat stiff cable compared to ultra-light competitors, and limited onboard memory that only stores a single profile.

Technical Specifications of SteelSeries Rival 5

Overall score

6.6

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Popularity

What it is: An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the mouse.

When it matters: When you prefer a mouse that has already been chosen and reviewed by many other users.

Performance & Sensor

5.2

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Brand name

What it is: The manufacturer or brand of the product.

When it matters: When you prefer a specific ecosystem, support network, or design philosophy.

Importance: MEDIUM

Steelseries

Maximum polling rate

What it is: The maximum number of position reports the mouse can send to the computer each second, measured in Hertz (Hz).

When it matters: When you are chasing the lowest possible input delay for competitive play and want the mouse reporting as often as possible.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >=1000 Hz

Wired polling rate

What it is: The polling rate the mouse reaches when it is connected with a cable.

When it matters: When you mainly use the mouse wired and want maximum responsiveness.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >=1000 Hz

N/A

2.4 GHz polling rate

What it is: The polling rate available when the mouse is used over a 2.4 GHz wireless connection.

When it matters: When you use the 2.4 GHz receiver and want near-wired performance.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >=1000 Hz

N/A

Bluetooth polling rate

What it is: The polling rate available when the mouse is connected through Bluetooth.

When it matters: When you use Bluetooth and want to understand the trade-off in responsiveness.

Importance: LOW

Good value: >=125 Hz

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Connectivity

1.1

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Connectivity

What it is: The mouse's high-level connectivity class: wired only, wireless only, or both wired and wireless.

When it matters: When you need to know at a glance whether the mouse is wired, wireless, or flexible enough to support both.

Importance: HIGH

Bluetooth support

What it is: Shows whether the mouse can connect over Bluetooth instead of relying only on a wired link or proprietary USB receiver.

When it matters: When you want a dongle-free connection option for laptops, tablets, or devices with limited USB ports.

Importance: MEDIUM

Bluetooth version

What it is: The Bluetooth standard version supported by the mouse for wireless connectivity and compatibility.

When it matters: When you care about Bluetooth compatibility, efficiency, and connection quality.

Importance: LOW

Good value: >=5.1

N/A

Proprietary 2.4 GHz support

What it is: Shows whether the mouse supports the brand's dedicated 2.4 GHz wireless system rather than relying only on Bluetooth.

When it matters: When you want the brand's fast low-latency wireless mode instead of depending only on Bluetooth performance.

Importance: MEDIUM

Receiver included

What it is: Shows whether a compatible wireless receiver is included in the box instead of needing to be bought separately.

When it matters: When you expect full wireless use immediately and do not want to buy extra accessories just to get started.

Importance: MEDIUM

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Battery & Charging

1.0

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Battery life

What it is: The operating time the mouse can deliver on a full charge or a fresh set of batteries under normal use.

When it matters: When the mouse needs to last through workdays, travel, or repeated gaming sessions without constant charging.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >400 hours

N/A

Battery capacity

What it is: The amount of energy the built-in battery can store, measured in milliampere-hours (mAh).

When it matters: When you want rough battery context behind the runtime claim instead of judging endurance from marketing hours alone.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=500 mAh

N/A

Battery form factor

What it is: The battery format used by the mouse, such as AA, AAA, integrated rechargeable cell, or another form.

When it matters: When you care whether the mouse uses easy-to-replace AA or AAA cells or a sealed rechargeable pack.

Importance: LOW

N/A

Rechargeable battery

What it is: Shows whether the mouse uses a rechargeable battery instead of relying only on disposable cells.

When it matters: When you prefer topping the mouse up over USB or a dock instead of buying disposable batteries repeatedly.

Importance: HIGH

Removable battery

What it is: Shows whether the battery can be removed and replaced by the user instead of being sealed inside the mouse.

When it matters: When long-term serviceability matters and you would rather replace the battery than replace the whole mouse later.

Importance: LOW

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Controls

8.9

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N. of buttons

What it is: The total number of physical buttons available on the mouse body.

When it matters: When you need enough physical controls for shortcuts, MMO binds, browser actions, or productivity commands.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >=7

N. of side buttons

What it is: The number of buttons placed on the side of the mouse, typically for thumb access.

When it matters: When thumb-access buttons matter for browser navigation, MMOs, or productivity shortcuts.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=2

N. of programmable buttons

What it is: The number of mouse buttons that can be customized or reassigned through software or onboard settings.

When it matters: When remapping flexibility matters and you want more actions moved off the keyboard.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: >=7

DPI switching button

What it is: Shows whether the mouse includes a dedicated control for changing DPI levels on the fly.

When it matters: When you want to swap sensitivity instantly for sniping, browsing, editing, or different game genres.

Importance: MEDIUM

Profile switching button

What it is: Shows whether the mouse includes a dedicated control for changing onboard or saved profiles during use.

When it matters: When you switch between saved profiles for different games or work routines.

Importance: LOW

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Design

7.1

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Orientation

What it is: The hand orientation the mouse is designed for, such as right-handed, left-handed, or ambidextrous use.

When it matters: When hand comfort matters and you need a shape that fits your grip and dominant hand.

Importance: HIGH

right-handed

Weight

What it is: The overall weight of the mouse itself, which influences portability, comfort, and movement feel.

When it matters: When you care about how light or substantial the mouse feels during long sessions.

Importance: HIGH

Good value: <100 g

Extra weights

What it is: The total weight of removable extra weights included for tuning the balance or feel of the mouse.

When it matters: When you care about tuning balance and overall heft instead of being locked into the stock feel.

Importance: LOW

Cable length

What it is: The length of the supplied cable used for wired operation or charging, usually measured in meters.

When it matters: When you need enough cable reach across your desk or charging setup.

Importance: LOW

Good value: >=1.8 m

Cable type

What it is: The construction style of the cable, such as braided, rubber, or paracord, which affects flexibility and durability.

When it matters: When cable drag, flexibility, and durability affect how the mouse feels in use.

Importance: LOW

paracord

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Features

6.3

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Onboard memory profiles

What it is: The number of user profiles that can be stored directly in the mouse memory for use without reconfiguring software each time.

When it matters: When you use different games, apps, or devices and want settings saved directly on the mouse.

Importance: MEDIUM

Good value: >=3

Onboard memory size

What it is: The amount of onboard memory available inside the mouse for storing settings, macros, or profiles.

When it matters: When you store complex macros, settings, or several onboard profiles.

Importance: LOW

Good value: >=512 KB

?

Software name

What it is: The name of the official software used to configure the mouse, update firmware, or customize features.

When it matters: When software ecosystem and customization tools influence your buying decision.

Importance: LOW

SteelSeries GG

Firmware upgradable

What it is: Shows whether the mouse can receive firmware updates for fixes, compatibility improvements, or feature changes.

When it matters: When you want the option for later fixes, stability improvements, or performance tweaks after purchase.

Importance: LOW

Suitable for gaming

What it is: Shows whether the mouse is positioned or tuned around gaming-focused speed, latency, and control features.

When it matters: When fast clicks, low latency, and gaming-oriented features are priorities.

Importance: MEDIUM

SteelSeries Rival 5 vs the average mouse

Why is SteelSeries Rival 5 better than the average mouse?

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50 million clicks longer switch lifespan
SteelSeries Rival 5 offers switch durability of 80 million clicks, while the average mouse offers switch durability of 30 million clicks.
What it is: The rated click lifespan of the primary switches, usually expressed in millions of clicks.
When it matters: When heavy clicking, long-term reliability, and avoiding early switch failure are part of the buying decision.
Importance: MEDIUM
Good value: >=70 million clicks
SteelSeries Rival 5 offers switch durability of 80 million clicks, while the average mouse offers switch durability of 30 million clicks.80 million clicks vs 30 million clicks
3 more programmable buttons
SteelSeries Rival 5 has 9 programmable buttons, while the average mouse has 6 programmable buttons.
What it is: The number of mouse buttons that can be customized or reassigned through software or onboard settings.
When it matters: When remapping flexibility matters and you want more actions moved off the keyboard.
Importance: HIGH
Good value: >=7
SteelSeries Rival 5 has 9 programmable buttons, while the average mouse has 6 programmable buttons.9 vs 6
80% higher maximum DPI
SteelSeries Rival 5 has a maximum DPI of 18,000 DPI, while the average mouse has a maximum DPI of 10,000 DPI.
What it is: The highest sensitivity setting supported by the mouse sensor, measured in dots per inch (DPI).
When it matters: When extremely high sensitivity is part of your setup, even if it matters less than sensor quality for most users.
Importance: HIGH
Good value: >=18000 DPI
SteelSeries Rival 5 has a maximum DPI of 18,000 DPI, while the average mouse has a maximum DPI of 10,000 DPI.18000 DPI vs 10000 DPI
3 more side buttons
SteelSeries Rival 5 has 5 side buttons, while the average mouse has 2 side buttons.
What it is: The number of buttons placed on the side of the mouse, typically for thumb access.
When it matters: When thumb-access buttons matter for browser navigation, MMOs, or productivity shortcuts.
Importance: MEDIUM
Good value: >=2
SteelSeries Rival 5 has 5 side buttons, while the average mouse has 2 side buttons.5 vs 2
9 more RGB zones
SteelSeries Rival 5 has 10 RGB zones, while the average mouse has 1 RGB zones.
What it is: The number of separately controllable RGB lighting areas on the mouse.
When it matters: When you care how much lighting control you actually get instead of treating RGB as a simple yes-or-no feature.
Importance: LOW
Good value: >=2
SteelSeries Rival 5 has 10 RGB zones, while the average mouse has 1 RGB zones.10 vs 1
Protective IP rating
SteelSeries Rival 5 has an IP rating of IP54, while the average mouse has an IP rating of not rated.
What it is: The rated level of protection the mouse has against dust and water ingress.
When it matters: When you need extra protection against sweat, spills, dust, or harsher environments.
Importance: LOW
SteelSeries Rival 5 has an IP rating of IP54, while the average mouse has an IP rating of not rated.IP54 vs not rated
3 more buttons
SteelSeries Rival 5 has 9 buttons, while the average mouse has 6 buttons.
What it is: The total number of physical buttons available on the mouse body.
When it matters: When you need enough physical controls for shortcuts, MMO binds, browser actions, or productivity commands.
Importance: HIGH
Good value: >=7
SteelSeries Rival 5 has 9 buttons, while the average mouse has 6 buttons.9 vs 6
100 DPI lower minimum setting
SteelSeries Rival 5 goes as low as 100 DPI DPI, while the average mouse goes as low as 200 DPI DPI.
What it is: The lowest sensitivity setting supported by the mouse sensor, measured in dots per inch (DPI).
When it matters: When you prefer very low sensitivity for precision aiming or detailed work.
Importance: LOW
Good value: <=800 DPI
SteelSeries Rival 5 goes as low as 100 DPI DPI, while the average mouse goes as low as 200 DPI DPI.100 DPI vs 200 DPI
80% higher maximum DPI
SteelSeries Rival 5 has a maximum DPI of 18,000 DPI, while the average mouse has a maximum DPI of 10,000 DPI.
100 DPI lower minimum setting
SteelSeries Rival 5 goes as low as 100 DPI DPI, while the average mouse goes as low as 200 DPI DPI.
50 million clicks longer switch lifespan
SteelSeries Rival 5 offers switch durability of 80 million clicks, while the average mouse offers switch durability of 30 million clicks.
3 more programmable buttons
SteelSeries Rival 5 has 9 programmable buttons, while the average mouse has 6 programmable buttons.
3 more side buttons
SteelSeries Rival 5 has 5 side buttons, while the average mouse has 2 side buttons.
3 more buttons
SteelSeries Rival 5 has 9 buttons, while the average mouse has 6 buttons.
9 more RGB zones
SteelSeries Rival 5 has 10 RGB zones, while the average mouse has 1 RGB zones.
Protective IP rating
SteelSeries Rival 5 has an IP rating of IP54, while the average mouse has an IP rating of not rated.
0.2 m longer cable
SteelSeries Rival 5 comes with a 2 m cable, while the average mouse comes with a 1.8 m cable.

Performance & Sensor

Why is SteelSeries Rival 5 worse than the average mouse?

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Poor default DPI tuning
SteelSeries Rival 5 uses a default DPI of 800 DPI, while the average mouse uses a default DPI of 1,000 DPI.
No proprietary 2.4 GHz support
SteelSeries Rival 5 does not support proprietary 2.4 GHz wireless, while the average mouse does. 61.5% of mice support proprietary 2.4 GHz wireless.
No receiver included
SteelSeries Rival 5 does not include a receiver, while the average mouse does. 62.4% of mice include a receiver.
Limited connectivity
SteelSeries Rival 5 supports wired connectivity, while the average mouse supports wireless connectivity.
connection modes: wired.
No automatic sleep mode
SteelSeries Rival 5 does not support auto-sleep, while the average mouse does. 63.2% of mice support auto-sleep.
No battery level indicator
SteelSeries Rival 5 does not include a battery level indicator, while the average mouse does. 59.2% of mice include a battery level indicator.
2.7% higher mouse weight
SteelSeries Rival 5 weighs 85 g, while the average mouse weighs 82.745 g.
Without cable.
2.3 mm taller mouse height
SteelSeries Rival 5 has a height of 42 mm, while the average mouse has a height of 39.7 mm.
No proprietary 2.4 GHz support
SteelSeries Rival 5 does not support proprietary 2.4 GHz wireless, while the average mouse does. 61.5% of mice support proprietary 2.4 GHz wireless.
What it is: Shows whether the mouse supports the brand's dedicated 2.4 GHz wireless system rather than relying only on Bluetooth.
When it matters: When you want the brand's fast low-latency wireless mode instead of depending only on Bluetooth performance.
Importance: MEDIUM
SteelSeries Rival 5 does not support proprietary 2.4 GHz wireless, while the average mouse does. 61.5% of mice support proprietary 2.4 GHz wireless.
No automatic sleep mode
SteelSeries Rival 5 does not support auto-sleep, while the average mouse does. 63.2% of mice support auto-sleep.
What it is: Shows whether the mouse automatically enters a low-power state after inactivity to reduce battery drain.
When it matters: When battery life matters but you do not want to remember to power the mouse down every time you step away.
Importance: LOW
SteelSeries Rival 5 does not support auto-sleep, while the average mouse does. 63.2% of mice support auto-sleep.
No receiver included
SteelSeries Rival 5 does not include a receiver, while the average mouse does. 62.4% of mice include a receiver.
What it is: Shows whether a compatible wireless receiver is included in the box instead of needing to be bought separately.
When it matters: When you expect full wireless use immediately and do not want to buy extra accessories just to get started.
Importance: MEDIUM
SteelSeries Rival 5 does not include a receiver, while the average mouse does. 62.4% of mice include a receiver.
No battery level indicator
SteelSeries Rival 5 does not include a battery level indicator, while the average mouse does. 59.2% of mice include a battery level indicator.
What it is: Shows whether the mouse gives a visible or app-based battery readout instead of leaving charge level to guesswork.
When it matters: When you do not want the mouse to die unexpectedly in the middle of work or a match.
Importance: LOW
SteelSeries Rival 5 does not include a battery level indicator, while the average mouse does. 59.2% of mice include a battery level indicator.
Limited connectivity
SteelSeries Rival 5 supports wired connectivity, while the average mouse supports wireless connectivity.
connection modes: wired.
What it is: The mouse's high-level connectivity class: wired only, wireless only, or both wired and wireless.
When it matters: When you need to know at a glance whether the mouse is wired, wireless, or flexible enough to support both.
Importance: HIGH
SteelSeries Rival 5 supports wired connectivity, while the average mouse supports wireless connectivity.wired vs wireless
2.7% higher mouse weight
SteelSeries Rival 5 weighs 85 g, while the average mouse weighs 82.745 g.
Without cable.
What it is: The overall weight of the mouse itself, which influences portability, comfort, and movement feel.
When it matters: When you care about how light or substantial the mouse feels during long sessions.
Importance: HIGH
Good value: <100 g
SteelSeries Rival 5 weighs 85 g, while the average mouse weighs 82.745 g.85 g vs 82.745 g
Poor default DPI tuning
SteelSeries Rival 5 uses a default DPI of 800 DPI, while the average mouse uses a default DPI of 1,000 DPI.
What it is: The DPI sensitivity preset the mouse uses by default out of the box.
When it matters: When first-impression feel matters and you do not want the mouse to be unusably fast or slow before changing settings.
Importance: LOW
SteelSeries Rival 5 uses a default DPI of 800 DPI, while the average mouse uses a default DPI of 1,000 DPI.800 DPI vs 1000 DPI
2.3 mm taller mouse height
SteelSeries Rival 5 has a height of 42 mm, while the average mouse has a height of 39.7 mm.
What it is: The height of the mouse from its base to the highest point of the shell.
When it matters: When palm support and the hump shape affect your comfort during long use.
Importance: MEDIUM
Good value: <39 mm
SteelSeries Rival 5 has a height of 42 mm, while the average mouse has a height of 39.7 mm.42 mm vs 39.7 mm

Performance & Sensor

Battery & Charging

Graphic comparison of SteelSeries Rival 5 and

Attribute category

Attribute

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Third-party reviews

United Kingdom

United States

(Reviews last updated: May 2026)

What customers like about SteelSeries Rival 5?

Versatile 'jack-of-all-trades' design suitable for various game genres like FPS, MOBA, and MMO
Excellent value for money at its mid-range price point
Vibrant and extensive 10-zone RGB lighting customization
Lightweight build (85g) for its size, providing a good balance between speed and control
High-quality TrueMove Air sensor offering accurate 1-to-1 tracking and low lift-off distance
Durable IP54-rated mechanical switches rated for 80 million clicks
Flexible 'Super Mesh' braided cable that minimizes drag during movement

What customers dislike about SteelSeries Rival 5?

The front 'sniper' thumb button is difficult to reach for many users, especially those with small or medium hands
Onboard memory is limited to only one profile and does not save all settings (like certain RGB effects)
Wired-only connection with no wireless alternative available for this specific model
The SteelSeries GG software can feel cluttered and heavy on system resources
CPI is only adjustable in increments of 100, which may lack precision for some competitive players
Default mouse feet are not virgin-grade PTFE, which some enthusiasts find results in a less smooth glide

Video reviews

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