SteelSeries Aerox 3 Wireless review: Ultra-light, accurate, and built to last

If you’re hunting for a gaming mouse that blends featherweight design with serious performance, the SteelSeries Aerox 3 Wireless should be high on your wish list. Normally, a lightweight mouse means a compromise on build quality, but this little hole-filled wonder has quickly become my go-to for not only desk-bound office work and PC gaming, but when I'm on the road, too.

Ultra-lightweight but sturdy

At just 68 grams, the Aerox 3 Wireless is purpose-built for fast-paced gameplay. The distinctive honeycomb-style shell isn’t merely a design flourish; it actually reduces the overall weight to the point where the mouse feels practically weightless.

This not only makes it especially appealing for FPS players, where flick shots and micro-adjustments can mean the difference between winning and losing, but also for repetitive strain injury — where shifting around less weight puts less strain on my wrist compared to my old Corsair Dark Core RGB Pro.

The weight loss has not impacted durability. SteelSeries equipped the Aerox 3 with its AquaBarrier technology, giving the internals IP54-rated protection against dust, dirt, and accidental spills. That means you can game with peace of mind, even if you’re the sort who keeps refreshments far too close to your mousepad.

What’s more, the clean and simple, strong plastic frame means you’re far less likely to deal with ugly wear and tear. Just a couple of months after using my aforementioned Corsair Dark Core RGB Pro, the rubberised body quickly began to wear down following regular day-to-day contact with my palm — looking like it just got into a fight with a cheese grater. 

Its slender frame also makes it a perfect fit in backpack compartments when working on coffee shops, train tables, and other remote working spots.

Performance where it matters

Under the hood, the Aerox 3 Wireless is powered by the TrueMove Air optical sensor, a collaboration with PixArt that delivers up to 18,000 DPI of pinpoint precision. 

This isn’t just marketing fluff. I’ve consistently noticed its accuracy and responsiveness across different genres, from twitchy shooters like Fortnite to fun strategy games like Pokémon TCG Live. The tracking feels natural, with no unwanted acceleration or smoothing, which is exactly what competitive gamers demand.

Its curved, hand-friendly shape also makes it decent for a variety of grips — be it flat-palm or claw grip. However, the latter can make its side buttons a pain to use, since I’ve had to force my thumb upwards in order to use them.

The 100% PTFE glide skates on the underside make it such a delight to use. Pressing the back and forward buttons the old-fashioned way doesn’t feel like a chore.

Battery life is another highlight. SteelSeries claims up to 200 hours on a single charge, which means you won’t be tethered to your desk with a charging cable every few days. And when you do need to top up, the mouse supports USB-C fast charging, giving you hours of use from just a short plug-in.

The added RGB functionality does drastically shorten the battery life, though, usually giving me between 24 and 40 hours depending on how I use it. Still, you can turn the RGB off or tweak it to lessen its drain in the SteelSeries GG app if you wish.

Flexible connectivity and RGB

The Aerox 3 Wireless offers two wireless modes: 2.4GHz for lag-free gaming and Bluetooth 5.0 for everyday use on laptops, tablets, or even consoles — which you can toggle between seamlessly using the switch on the bottom, with the wired mode available using the included USB-C charging cable. 

Of course, no gaming accessory would be complete without that RGB, and the Aerox 3 Wireless delivers. With three-zone PrismSync lighting and 16.8 million customisable colours, you can sync it with your existing SteelSeries gear or just let it pulse through a rainbow while you play. 

Even at default, the lighting is bright but tasteful, adding personality to your setup without becoming a distraction. While it can initially feel like a nuisance needing to rely on the SteelSeries GG app (like with designed presents for the Arctis GameBuds), that added customisation does feel worth it, and not too much of a nuisance since downloading and using the software only takes a few minutes.

Where to buy the SteelSeries Aerox 3 Wireless Mouse

The SteelSeries Aerox 3 Wireless can be found at SteelSeries, Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart.