The SteelSeries Aerox 3 wireless mouse is a new wireless version of the symmetrical Aerox 3 mouse, SteelSeries play in the ultralight mouse market. I reviewed the Ghost version of this gaming mouse, which is the same as the standard version, but with a translucent white color perfect for those white-out gaming setups or anyone who wants to make the most of their RGB.
This is a fantastic and affordable wireless mouse for those who enjoy using ultralight mice that run on the smaller end of things. For context, this symmetrical mouse exists between the SteelSeries Prime wireless and the SteelSeries Prime Mini wireless mice in size.
Ghost Aerox 3 Aesthetics
Weighing in at only 66 grams, this is the lightest wireless mouse that I have ever used. Its lightness is garnered from the increasingly popular honeycomb lattice design, which eliminates a lot of plastic weight by leaving the mouse open. So despite being wireless and needing to have a battery in it, this mouse ends up being very lightweight anyway, which is a pretty cool combination.
Unlike many of the mice that feature this open design, however, you don’t need to worry about the Ghost Aerox 3 being exposed to water or dust. It comes with an IP54 rating, which means that it is resistant to both moisture and dust. This is good news for anyone worried about the potential risks of an open lattice mouse.
In regards to form factor, this mouse is designed specifically for people who use claw and fingertip grip styles, or have small hands. So for me, someone who doesn’t use either of those methods and has big hands, this mouse ended up feeling uncomfortable after extended use, but that doesn’t mean it’s a bad mouse. It’s just not right for me.
If you are a more traditional grip user I would steer clear of this mouse, but if you have small hands or you use finger or claw grips, this mouse should work quite well.
The sensor on this mouse can poll up to 1000Hz and it supports 18,000 CPI. By default, your mouse’s RGB will correspond with the DPI profile you have chosen, which is a cool feature for instantly recognizing which DPI setting you are on. Whether you are playing fast-paced FPS, MOBAs, or any other type of precision-focused mouse game, this sensor should hold up to whatever you throw at it.
In addition to being able to connect to your PC via its 2.4 GHz USB-C transmitter, this mouse can also work with Bluetooth devices, though it can only work at a 125 poll rate on Bluetooth. I definitely wouldn’t game on Bluetooth, considering the input lag, but it is there if you need it.
How Does the Ghost Aerox 3 Feel?
The Ghost Aerox 3 comes with Golden Micro IP54 rated switches for its left and right click. They are more clicky than crunchy in feel and sound, and are rated for 80 million clicks. I personally found them to be less satisfying than the Prestige OM switches utilized in the more expensive Prime Wireless mouse, but as far as function goes, they worked perfectly fine. I didn’t find myself misclicking or double-clicking very often while using this mouse, and the switches have no discernable travel distance before activating.
The rest of the buttons on this mouse did not impress me. I don’t like the lackluster, flat texture on the scroll wheel very much, and I wish that the scroll wheel could unlock for games where that can be beneficial. I also found the side buttons to be a little bit mushy to use. I don’t think they are unusable, but I have definitely seen better.
Perhaps the biggest selling point for the Ghost version specifically is the aesthetic. The translucent white design looks cool out of the box. When that translucent finish combines with the three separate, programmable RGB zones, you can do a lot of cool things with this mouse. SteelSeries GG software will allow you to add breathing effects, fade effects, and reactive effects onto this mouse in pretty much any color that exists, making this the perfect mouse for the RGB fiends out there (you know who you are).
Ghost Aerox 3 Battery Life
The battery life on this mouse was somewhat disappointing. For context, I was using the RGB on this mouse, since that is one of the unique things about the Ghost version, so I could have probably been more efficient with battery usage, but I find myself recharging this mouse roughly every 20 hours of use, even though they claimed you can pull 80 hours before recharging. When I turned off the RGB, it performed closer to 40 hours, but it wasn’t coming close to 80 hours during my usage.
Luckily it comes with a very usable, braided USB-C charging cable, and can be charged while being used, unlike certain Mac mice I could mention. You can extend the battery life by not using the RGB, and they claim the battery can last up to 200 hours on Bluetooth mode.
Conclusion
The Ghost Aerox 3 comes with all the features you would expect in a modern mouse, and more. It is arguably the best ultralight wireless mouse on the market right now, and the Ghost version picks up some serious style points with its translucent shell lit by highly-customizable RGB options.
Ultimately whether this is the right mouse for you is going to depend on your preference in form factor and weight. If you like ultra-light symmetrical mice that run on the small end of things this is a solid pick for you. If you prefer more palm-fitting mice or have larger hands, I would try something like the SteeleSeries Prime Wireless instead.
