SteelSeries Aerox 3 review: A perennial favorite among lightweight gaming mice

Price When Reviewed

39,99 €

Two years after its launch, the SteelSeries Aerox 3 (2022 ) remains a firm favorite on the gaming market. Its enduring popularity underlines the fact that good design and solid technology retain their value over time. But how does the Aerox 3 compare today, in a landscape characterized by constant innovation? A critical look at this established gaming mouse reveals that it is more than just a relic of a bygone era.

Further reading: See our roundup of the best gaming mice to learn about competing products.

SteelSeries Aerox 3 technical specifications

The focus of the SteelSeries Aerox 3 is its remarkable lightweight construction concept, combined with high-quality components that are optimized for gaming. Weighing just a little over 2 ounces (59 grams), it stands out in particular thanks to its innovative honeycomb pattern, which not only contributes to weight reduction but also improves hand ventilation during intensive gaming sessions. However, this design could also be a double-edged sword for some users, as the open structure is more susceptible to dust and dirt penetrating the inside of the mouse.

Friedrich Stiemer

Friedrich Stiemer

Friedrich Stiemer

Equipped with a total of six programmable buttons, the Aerox 3 offers sufficient flexibility for most gaming and everyday applications. Among them is a dedicated DPI button that allows for quick sensitivity adjustments — an essential feature for gamers who are at home in different genres and need to quickly switch between precise targeting and faster motion control.

Optical sensor and PTFE skates

The built-in “TrueMove Core” sensor, which supports a DPI of up to 8,500, is at the center of the precise and responsive 1-to-1 tracking of the Aerox 3. This sensor enables exact tracking without hardware acceleration, which ensures an unadulterated gaming experience. The high DPI number is particularly relevant for gamers working on large monitors or with multiple screens, as it enables fast and precise cursor movement over long distances.

Friedrich Stiemer

            <div class="lightbox-image-container foundry-lightbox"><div class="extendedBlock-wrapper block-coreImage undefined"><figure class="wp-block-image size-large enlarged-image"><img decoding="async" data-wp-bind--src="selectors.core.image.enlargedImgSrc" data-wp-style--object-fit="selectors.core.image.lightboxObjectFit" src="" alt="PTFE-Skates an der Unterseite" class="wp-image-2278512" width="1200" height="675" loading="lazy" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Together with the PTFE skates, the TrueMove sensor enables responsive maneuvers.</figcaption></figure><p class="imageCredit">Friedrich Stiemer</p></div>

    </div></figure><p class="imageCredit">Friedrich Stiemer</p></div>

These technical features are complemented by the PTFE gliding feet of the SteelSeries Aerox 3, which minimize friction on almost any surface. This results in smoother movement, which is particularly advantageous in fast games where every millisecond counts. However, these feet may wear out more quickly on very rough surfaces, requiring regular replacement.

Connection and software: A game of light and shade

The connection and software of the Aerox 3 reveal a mixture of advanced features and practical limitations that paint a differentiated picture. The USB-C connection of the Aerox 3 represents the current standard in terms of interface technology, which gives the mouse a certain degree of future-proofing. The connection cable is particularly noteworthy: Not only is it completely detachable, it is also characterized by its exceptional lightness and flexibility. These features minimize potential resistance to movement and distractions during gaming, which offers an advantage that should not be underestimated, especially in fast and reaction-critical gaming situations.

Friedrich Stiemer

            <div class="lightbox-image-container foundry-lightbox"><div class="extendedBlock-wrapper block-coreImage undefined"><figure class="wp-block-image size-large enlarged-image"><img decoding="async" data-wp-bind--src="selectors.core.image.enlargedImgSrc" data-wp-style--object-fit="selectors.core.image.lightboxObjectFit" src="" alt="RGB-Beleuchtung" class="wp-image-2278516" width="1200" height="675" loading="lazy" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The RGB lighting also creates an impressive halo.</