Skip to main content

Digital Trends may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site. Why trust us?

SteelSeries adds customizable buttons to its lightest mouse

SteelSeries has just expanded its range of gaming mice, adding three new Aerox models into the mix, complete with a full range of customizable buttons.

The Aerox series was already a successful line of ultra-light gaming mice, but many users wanted more options for adjusting the mouse to match their playstyle. The company seems to address this by adding the Aerox 5, Aerox 5 Wireless, and the Aerox 9 Wireless to its lineup.

SteelSeries Aerox gaming mice.
SteelSeries

We’ve already had the chance to test the SteelSeries Aerox 9 Wireless and found it to provide great value for the price. It provides you with access to fully-mapped keyboard keys, all within reach of your thumb, speeding up gameplay and helping you land that final spell that seals the deal. The other two new Aerox mice sound equally good on paper.

The Aerox 5 is described by SteelSeries as the “lightest multi-genre mouse on the planet.” Whether that claim checks out or not, it’s definitely true that Aerox mice are lightweight and easy to operate. This model weighs a mere 66 grams, cementing that point. It comes with nine programmable buttons that you can bind to various moves in games, macros, and just about anything else you could need. The mouse comes with Golden Micro IP54 switches, is water-resistant, and comes with 3 RGB zones that you can adjust to match your tastes. All three mice offer 18,000 counts per inch (CPI).

While the base-level Aerox 5 is wired, the Aerox 5 Wireless is (obviously) not. Weighing in at 74g, it’s still pretty much feather-light, and SteelSeries promises to offer up to 180 hours of battery life. Once the battery runs out, just 15 minutes should suffice to replenish the battery by up to 40 hours. The mouse relies on Quantum 2.0 Wireless and Bluetooth technology to connect to your PC in a reliable way. Much like the Aerox 5, this model also comes with nine programmable buttons.

The Aerox 9 Wireless sits on a table.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

The best mice of all three, the Aerox 9 Wireless, is marketed toward MMO and MOBA gamers due to its speedy performance and high accuracy. It weighs 89g, but it also brings the customizable button count up to 12, almost turning your mouse into a full-blown keyboard replacement for some titles. SteelSeries claims that the mouse will be durable, with the IP54 switches rated for up to 80 million clicks, water resistance, and long battery life — equal to that of the Aerox 5 Wireless.

Keeping things lightweight while adding so many thumb buttons is a good move for SteelSeries. If the Aerox 9 Wireless is anything to go by, these mice should land on nearly every list of the best gaming mice in the future.

All three models are already available around the world, including on Amazon, with the Aerox 5 priced at $80, the Aerox 5 Wireless — at $140, and the Aerox 9 Wireless — at $150. With such a small price gap between the two top variants, it’s probable that many players will choose the 9 over the 5 for those three extra buttons.

Editors' Recommendations

Monica J. White
Monica is a UK-based freelance writer and self-proclaimed geek. A firm believer in the "PC building is just like expensive…
SteelSeries Rival 5 review: A feature-rich gaming mouse without the high cost
The SteelSeries Rival 5 gaming mouse on a table.

When it comes to competitive PC games, different genres call for different setups. What’s best for a fast-paced first-person shooter may not be ideal for a MOBA with a myriad of actions to keep track of. To address this quandary, SteelSeries has introduced its new Rival 5 gaming mouse, which it describes as a “chameleon” that can adapt to anything.

The Rival 5 delivers on that design philosophy with nine programmable buttons, including five quick-action buttons on its left side panel. Combine that with a lightweight design, a solid 18,000 DPI sensor, and some flashy RGB lights, and we’re talking about a feature-rich wired mouse at an impressive $60 price point, making it competitive with some of the best gaming mice. The valiant all-in-one approach isn’t without its share of quirks, though.
Low price, high quality

Read more
Razer’s Naga X is a 16-button gaming mouse made to slay MMO titles
razer announced naga x gaming mouse

Razer is expanding its family of gaming mice with the launch of the new Razer Naga X, which is now the lightest mouse in the Naga lineup. The lightweight design and robust customizations on the Naga X make it ideally suited for MMO gamers, the company said, and if you're already gaming on Razer's ecosystem of laptops, the Chroma RGB lighting on the Naga X would be a nice addition to your existing setup.

The Naga X comes with 16 buttons in a lightweight 85-gram design. Like the original Naga, it looks like gamers won't be able to adjust the weight on this model, but an array of programmable buttons on the side of the Naga X makes it easy to map to essential game keys. Razer's HyperShift allows you to double the number of inputs with a secondary button profile when the HyperShift button is held down. Gamers can use Razer's Synapse 3 to map the Naga X's buttons. There's also onboard memory, so you can save all your presets to the mouse.

Read more
Steelseries makes budget mice and keyboards bright and sparkly with new range
SteelSeries Peripherals

Entry-level peripherals need RGB love, too. That's the ethos behind SteelSeries' new range of budget PC gaming accessories. With fancy lighting effects, great sensors, and powerful switches, the SteelSeries Rival 3, Apex 3, and Apex 5 are designed to bring the best benefits of high-end PC peripherals with an affordable price tag.

“There are so many gamers out there that are stuck using boring, traditional office peripherals for gaming,” SteelSeries CEO Ehtisham Rabbani, said in the launch release for these new devices. And no one would mistake the new SteelSeries peripherals for components intended for office use. That is unless they were the lighting rig.

Read more