Editor's take: SteelSeries keeps making gaming peripherals with hefty price tags. The Danish manufacturer has now launched redesigned versions of two popular rodents, bringing the ultra-wideband "revolution" to people looking to – in the company's own words – "keep beating kids" in online games.
After revealing its multi-platform luxury controller Aeon Pro, SteelSeries is now introducing yet another proposition for esports professionals or affluent multiplayer enthusiasts looking to get the most out of their frag sessions. The new Sensei Pro and Rival Pro gaming mice mark the 25th anniversary of the brand, providing high-performance wireless connectivity and other exclusive features.
The Sensei Pro and Rival Pro support ultra-wideband (UWB) technology, which should greatly improve signal stability during movement tracking. Ultra-wideband operates at much higher frequencies compared with traditional 2.4GHz mice, cutting through radio interference for a truly "lag-free" wireless gaming experience.
The new mice also feature an 8K polling rate, which should further reduce lag while improving stability and speed. The Sensei Pro is a symmetrical mouse built around 20-year-old design principles and should offer a comfortable "grip" for ambidextrous use. Meanwhile, the Rival Pro is an ergonomic rodent designed for a right-handed grip.
Additional features supported by both the Sensei Pro and Rival Pro include an "infinite" power system (IPS) with two separate batteries. Gamers can use one power source while the other is recharged inside the receiver. SteelSeries said that IPS technology can last for up to 120 hours (60 hours per battery) at a 1K polling rate, while battery life drops to 32 hours (16 hours per battery) at 8K.
Both the Sensei Pro and Rival Pro are available in black or white, with standard and "Mini" sizes offered for each color. All models come with a $180 price tag, with SteelSeries selling the mice directly through its online store. Meanwhile, third-party retailers should start selling the devices on October 13.
SteelSeries chose to introduce the "anniversary edition" of its Sensei Pro and Rival Pro mice with a cringey video clip about adult players who purchase premium pointing devices to beat kids in online shooters.
It's a strange flex no matter how you look at it, with SteelSeries ultimately declaring that if you still lose to kids with such a pricey, advanced mouse, you definitely "suck" at online gaming. Or maybe get a wired mouse for a fraction of the price and see how it goes.