SteelSeries Rival Pro Review: Rock Solid Connectivity, Speed And A Nifty Battery System

SteelSeries has released the Rival Pro and Sensei Pro series of wireless gaming mice, headlined by a new ultra-wideband (UWB) connection that the company says provides 20 times the bandwidth of traditional 2.4 GHz links and avoids congestion from other devices. Both models share identical internals: a TrueMove 42K Pro optical sensor with 42,000 DPI sensitivity, true 8,000 Hz polling with an optional 9K over-polling mode, and separate tracking and click-polling rates adjustable via the SteelSeries GG desktop app or a web portal. Optical switches rated for 100 million clicks handle the primary buttons.

The standout feature is a hot-swappable battery system SteelSeries calls "Infinite Power." Each mouse ships with two disc-shaped batteries; one sits in the mouse while the other charges in the wired base station that houses the UWB radio. Swapping takes a few seconds by twisting and pulling the battery. SteelSeries rates a single battery at roughly 16 hours at 8K polling and up to 120 hours at 1,000 Hz polling. TechRadar's testing of the Rival Pro Mini confirmed the 16-hour figure at 8K polling and 60 hours at 1K polling. BGR's reviewer reported 5-6 days of heavy use per charge.

The Rival Pro uses a right-handed ergonomic shape weighing 53 grams, while the Sensei Pro is symmetrical for ambidextrous or left-handed users. Both have a four-button layout (left, right, two side buttons) and a scroll wheel that reviewers described as smooth with a shallow actuation point but lacking free-spin or infinite scrolling. The shell's matte finish attracts fingerprints. A mini version of each model launched simultaneously in October 2026 with the same $179.99 / £169.99 (about AU$250) price tag and identical specifications.

Engadget noted the UWB base station sidesteps interference common on 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands, though UWB penetrates obstacles less well — not an issue for a desk-bound receiver. The mouse has no USB port, so wired use is impossible. BGR compared the $180 price to Logitech G Pro X2 Superstrike and Razer DeathAdder V4 Pro, calling the SteelSeries duo the best option in the bracket largely due to the battery system and UWB link. TechRadar gave the Rival Pro Mini a 4.5/5 score, praising ergonomics, build quality, and the GG software, while noting the steep price matching the full-size model.