Ultra-lightweight mice have been a growing trend over the past couple of years and have become very popular among gamers. I’ve recently become much more of a PC gamer now since building my own gaming PC finally this year and have become much more aware of what it might take to have a competitive edge online. What I once thought was adequate really wasn’t and I am now seeing this whole new world of PC gaming accessories. While I have looked at another ultra-lightweight gaming mouse before, I don’t think I really appreciated it as much as I should have so with a little help from SteelSeries, I’m now looking at their SteelSeries Aerox 3 Ultra Lightweight Wired Gaming Mouse (2022 Edition). This is a mouse that is engineered for performance – allowing for faster reaction times, flicks, smoother glides, and less fatigue and strain over time.
DESIGN
The SteelSeries Aerox 3 has a familiar design that takes many cues from their other lines of mice such as the Prime and Rival series. You can see the family resemblance here with the way the left and right mouse buttons are shaped and grooved as well as the overall body lines in general. What is noticeably different is what SteelSeries called the Holey Shell, which is basically your standard mouse shell with a bunch of holes cut into it. Theirs are in a mesh style pattern with square-shaped holes. This apparently shaves about 18g while still maintaining strength and rigidity. These holes are on both the top and underside of the mouse.
To make the Aerox 3 even lighter, SteelSeries also employs a lightweight ultra-thin PCB board that boasts 50% slimmer circuitry while also still maintaining durability.
The whole mouse is finished in Onyx Black, which is a dark matte black with no soft-touch coating. While the design is already pretty eye-catching, SteelSeries also included the obligatory 3-zone RGB lighting for that hardcore gamer look. At the underside of the Aerox 3, you’ll also find new 100% virgin grade PTFE Glide Skates to make swipes as smooth hand quick as possible.
Lastly, while the SteelSeries Aerox 3 is a wired design, the cable can actually be detached. It comes with a USB-C super-mesh cable that is lightweight, flexible and prevents drag. SteelSeries does this too so that if you wanted to, you could also use an aftermarket cable if you wanted something more custom.
SPECS
The SteelSeries Aerox 3 may be ultra-lightweight at only 59g, but it’s not light on features. The left and right buttons utilize Golden Micro IP54 Switches to provide long-lasting durability and clicks, while the TrueMove Core optical gaming sensor provides true 1-to-1 tracking. Co-developed by PixArt, this 8,500 CPI, 300 IPS, 35G sensor delivers both speed and accuracy.
I should also mention that if you’re worried about possibly spilling liquid into the many holes that adorn the Aerox 3, don’t be because this is an IP54 rated mouse and is water-resistant and provides protection from dust, dirt, oil, fur, and more thanks to AquaBarrier protection. This mouse has been engineered to safeguard the internal circuitry from damage.
EXPERIENCE
The one thing that absolutely stands out about the SteelSeries Aerox 3 is just how light it is. When it’s in your hands, it almost feels like you’re holding nothing at all. Despite its lightness, it’s very comfortable in your hand and SteelSeries says it’s built for multiple grip styles such as finger grip, claw grip, and palm grip. The PTFE Glide Skates also make it incredibly smooth on surfaces. The combination of the skates and the lightness makes the SteelSeries Aerox 3 easy to flick around comfortably and quickly.
I also like the fact that there are two customizable thumb buttons on the side that can be mapped as anything if you use the SteelSeries GG app. This replaces the old SteelSeries Engine app. With this, you can customize the illumination with the RBGs as well as the mouse sensitivity levels by adjusting CPI levels.
FINAL THOUGHTS
So how is the SteelSeries Aerox 3 compared to other ultra-lights? I’ve only used one other, so compared to that, it’s pretty good. It’s a bit lighter, the construction is very solid, and the accompanying software (SteelSeries GG) is pretty good. If you already own other SteelSeries products, then this mouse pairs up well with their keyboards and other accessories.
Not only that, the Aerox 3 seems fairly affordable at only $59.99, though you’re able to find it for much less at some retailers. So if you have been searching for a quality ultra-lightweight mouse, you’ll have one of the best here with the SteelSeries Aerox 3.
Get the SteelSeries Aerox 3 now, here on Amazon.
