The mouse can be considered as one of the most important peripheral accessories, regardless of whether one is a gamer or not. Steelseries is well aware of this, as well as the increased demands of users. So we got the wired version of Aerox 3 and we can say with confidence that it was an interesting experience.
The first thing I noticed, taking it out of the box was the difference in size and how light it was, compared to other mice in its category. Of course, this version is aimed at women, which is why there are some design differences. When I connected it to the computer and the RGB lighting were turned on, the whole atmosphere of the room changed. Undoubtedly the first impression was positive.
Specs
Sensor: SteelSeries TrueMove Core
Sensor Type: Optical
CPI: 200–8,500 in 100 CPI Increments
IPS: 300, on SteelSeries QcK surfaces
Acceleration: 35G
Polling Rate: 1000Hz / 1 ms
Hardware Acceleration: None (Zero Hardware Acceleration)
In general
Appearance
At first glance, the mouse is impressive. Especially for someone who is accustomed to the simple and neutral design, Aerox 3 sure is eye-catching. It is mostly covered with diamond-shaped holes, in order to reduce weight, but it also solves the problem of sweating in the palm. Definitely, the empty space of the shell has not been left unexploited, since from there the light of the RGB lights passes, making the mouse even more spectacular.
In terms of structure materials, high-performance plastic dominates the frame, while the cable is coated with a thin woven thread. The texture is matte and because of this, the grip is better. As mentioned before, the main feature of the device is its very low weight, ie it does not give you the feeling of second-grade materials. On the contrary, actually, the construction is solid and it is immediately apparent that it is high-performance equipment. Finally, in terms of durability, the gamer rage does not seem to pose a problem for Aerox 3, given its sturdy nature. Don’t go too wil on that mouse smashing though.
A reasonable question is what happens to the durability of the internals, since they are exposed, to some extent. Fortunately, SteelSeries has thought about this and has installed AquaBarrier on the Aerox 3. AquaBarrier protects the mouse from water, dust, and more. That way, you don’t have to worry about accidentally spilling your drink.
Illumination
As mentioned above the RGB lighting steals the show. Aerox 3 features 5 LEDs placed symmetrically on both sides and thanks to SteelSeries software, the lighting can be programmed, based on everyone’s preferences.
Funcionality
Comfort
Personally, the size suited me quite well, as it is the first mouse that touches the “arch” of my hand. Of course I would have preferred to be able to adjust the weight (perhaps in a more expensive version), because sometimes I could not feel it in my palm and I lost control. It is not a question of precision, but perhaps of habit and personal preference.
The device has a total of 6 buttons, 4 visible from above and 2 on the side. Their layout is convenient and I could reach them without much effort, in addition they are soft and the sound of clicks is incredible
Performance
As far as the sensor is concerned, the specs do not disappoint in any way. This of course becomes apparent with their performance in “not so ideal” conditions. I mainly used Aerox 3 without a mousepad. The remarkable thing is that it did not have any performance issues, even if the surface was the sofa, the bed, or even the carpet.
The cable is also a big plus, since I did not notice the classic cable problems (cable wear with use, entanglement). In particular, it is braided and according to the company’s claims, the feeling of “crawling” is reduced. This is indeed the case. I did not feel limited at all when I used it, even though I am used to wireless accessories and not being tethered to a cable. It’s like it wasn’t even there.
Software
Of course, along with the mouse, there is the corresponding software that accompanies it. Through this, you can adjust the RGB illumination (both color and pattern), add or edit your shortcuts (each button can be programmed for a different function), custom settings that are applied automatically depending on the game or application. Definitely a useful tool, but although the User Interface is not very intuitive, I didn’t have a hard time getting get accustomed to it.
Verdict
This is a very beautiful device that satisfies even the most demanding consumer. This edition is aimed at the female audience and it immediately won me over. The price corresponds to the quality and the extras it has (€70 on the SteelSeries site). In case you are engaged in gaming or other activities that require high-performance equipment, then it is suitable for you (the corresponding version). On the other hand, if you want it for simple use, the company offers cheaper but equally high-quality options.
| You’ll love it if | Not for you if |
|---|---|
| You’re looking for a stylish mouse with eye-catching RGBs | You have larger than regular sized palms |
| You want a lightweight, fast mouse | You’re not willing to pay for a premium build |
| You’re looking for sth durable and liquid resistant | |
| You want to be able to use it even on your carpet | |
You can buy the Aerox 3 here
If you want to read up more on SteelSeries peripherals, you can check out our SteelSeries Arctis 7P review.