SteelSeries launched a new collection of esports-focused peripherals that puts the focus on winning instead of flair. The SteelSeries Prime series includes the Arctis Prime headset, and the trio of mice: Prime, Prime Plus, and Prime Wireless.
The Prime series was designed in collaboration with over 100 pro gamers specifically for competitive gaming. The three Prime mice are all right-handed, have the same shape, color, and have single-zone RGB scroll wheel.
We already looked at the Arctis Prime headset. So, this review will test out the SteelSeries Prime trio of esports mice.
The SteelSeries Prime Mice Base Specifications
Here’s what The Prime, Prime Plus, and Prime Wireless all have in common.
Each Prime Share These Specifications:
- Have the same shape and a textured, matte black color. This new textured matte finish makes the Prime mice easy to clean.
- Uses SteelSeries’ Prestige OM (Optical Magnetic) Switch
- Has TrueMove Pro Sensors.
- Have a CPI range of 18,000.
- Takes advantage of the SteelSeries Engine.
- Made for claw, fingertip, or palm grip styles.
- Has 6 buttons.
- Have 1 RBG Zone
- Right-handed
SteelSeries Prime Review
SteelSeries Prime
SteelSeries’ entry-level Prime is a low-fuss, high-performing choice gaming mouse that won’t break the bank.
What’s in the box?
- Prime Gaming Mouse
- USB Type-C to USB Type-A Super Mesh Data Cable
- Product Information Guide
Specifications
- Sensor: SteelSeries TrueMove Pro
- Sensor Type: Optical
- CPI: 18000 CPI
- IPS: 450, on SteelSeries QcK surfaces
- Acceleration: 50G
- Hardware Acceleration: None
The Details
At just $59.99, The Prime is the base, wired mouse. It’s incredibly lightweight, weighing just 69 grams. It uses the Prestige OM (Optical Magnetic) switches to deliver over 100 million consistent mouse clicks. The Prestige OM switch also uses “an infrared light beam to deliver lightning-fast response times in-game.”
The Prime really feels as if there’s nothing inside it but air and “dubs”. I’m not sure if The Prime improved my aim or if it was psychosomatic. However, my clicks did feel more precise.
SteelSeries Prime+ Review
SteelSeries Prime Plus
The Prime+ is the perfect intersection of minimalism and high-performance.
What’s in the box?
- Prime+ Gaming Mouse
- USB Type-C to USB Type-A Super Mesh Data Cable
- Product Information Guide
Specifications
- Sensor: SteelSeries TrueMove Pro+
- Sensor Type: Optical
- CPI: 18,000
- IPS: 450, on SteelSeries QcK surfaces
- Acceleration: 50G
- Polling Rate: 1000Hz / 1 ms
- Hardware Acceleration: None
The Details
The SteelSeries Prime Plus is the middle child of the Prime family of esports gaming mice, priced at $79.99.
It’s still ultralight, but weighs just a smidge more than The Prime, at just 71 grams. While it has many of the same stats as The Prime, Prime+ has a few standout specifications.
Prime+ uses the TrueMove Pro+ gaming sensor, which is an upgrade from the already outstanding TrueMove Pro technology. Prime Plus also has a dedicated, secondary depth sensor that instantly detects when your mouse is lifted from the surface.
The Prime Plus feels really good in my hands. The size and weight distribution are perfect for my hands. My clicks did feel crisper, cleaner, and more precise. The mouse glides smoothly on any surface. Whenever I lifted the mouse from my mousepad, the cursor didn’t lose its place.
Prime Plus also has an OLED screen on the bottom of the mouse. You can toggle through DPI settings, RGB settings, and more.
SteelSeries Prime Wireless Review
SteelSeries Prime Wireless
Prime Wireless doesn’t sacrifice performance.
What’s in the box?
- Prime Wireless Gaming Mouse
- USB Type-C Dongle
- Dongle Extender
- USB-C to USB-A Cable
- Product Information Guide
Specifications
- Sensor: SteelSeries TrueMove Air
- Sensor Type: Optical
- CPI: 100–18,000 in 100 CPI Increments
- IPS: 400, on SteelSeries QcK surfaces
- Acceleration: 40G
- Hardware Acceleration: None (Zero Hardware Acceleration)
The Details
The Prime Wireless gaming mouse looks and feels like the Prime Plus, except a bit heavier weighing 80 grams. Though it is a wireless mouse, you can play wired. The Prime Wireless mouse retails for $129.99
What makes Prime Wireless stand out, aside from being wireless, is its use of Quantum 2.0 technology. Quantum 2.0 uses dual channels to ensure there’s no interruption in the wireless signal. Prime Wireless performs like a wired mouse.
Prime Wireless also gives players 100 hours of uninterrupted gameplay on a single charge. Even charging your mouse for just 15 minutes gives you 40 hours of gameplay.
There is one issue with Prime Wireless. There is no battery life measurement indicator in the SteelSeries Engine aside from the 3-pip indicator.
SteelSeries is known for its high-quality, high-performing gaming accessories. The Prime esports lineup is a reminder to professional, hardcore, and casual gamers alike, that less is more.
