SteelSeries - Aerox 5 Wireless

Ordered and tested it a few days ago. The sniper button is placed way too far and the upper "tilt" button is basically unusable due to the weight required to click it. Using claw grip I was lifting the mouse trying to click the tilt button from the underside.

I present to you the Turtle Beach/Kone XP Air I recently decided I needed a better mouse, specifically for Deadlock, and set out to replace my Razer Basilisk v3 (a great mouse in its own right). I wanted more buttons on the side to map items because I really try to keep my fingers on WASD at all times. I ordered a handful of mice, looking for mice with additional side buttons that were NOT mmo mice. I landed on the Steel Series Aerox 5, Glorious Model I 2, and the TB/Kone XP Air. I looked at the Corsair Nightsword, ROG Spatha and ROG Chakram X, but decided not to pull the trigger on them for various reasons. The Aerox 5 was an instant no. It has this weird whammy bar on the side that you flick up and down (like the guitar hero controller) that looked neat in theory, but it was really stiff and hard to use in practice. The Glorious Model I 2 was amazing and I almost kept it. The buttons are easy to reach with your thumb and it has multiple swappable buttons if you want different shapes. The m1 click action was very crisp and its also very light. I loved it. But then I got the XP Air. This mouse has some drawbacks. The M1 click action stinks, it's gummy with long travel distance and it feels bad. It's heavy at 100 grams. But the buttons, oh my lord the buttons. The side array is so perfect for items/skills with the quad button layout and the thumb rest button is literally the game breaker and why I bought it. **I mapped the thumb rest button to parry and I am able to parry/counterspell literally everything.** If you are looking for a better experience with using your active items, I strongly strongly recommend the XP Air. Deadlock isn't a twitch shooter, so the gummy M1 isn't as big a deal as it would be in COD or Battlefield (and I used it during both battlefield weekends and the side buttons were amazing there too). If you can't get over the gummy M1, and you think it's too heavy, then the Model I 2 is a really amazing runner up. My next plan is to mod the XP Air with a lighter battery and to remove some of the plastic guts with a Dremel. I've seen guides online where you can get it down to about 70 grams. That's all, thanks for coming to my TED talk.

Eh I prefer those 5 button side sorta mice. Can't stand keypad style. When I played MMO's more the aerox 5 was go to. Can even be used for other games in a pinch if you need. Sadly even those type of mice are more and more uncommon.

Lol I actually liked the flipper/ up-down rocker thing. I found it easy to use. And yep I tried a roccat xp too. In fact I still have it sitting in a box in a drawer lol. I didn't use it for long. I think I just preferred the shape, weight and coating of the aerox. I'm sure it was a good option for some but I've never really vibed with roccat mice in general unfortunately.

I’m being partial here but the Steelseries Aerox family might be good for that price range. Aerox 3, 5, and 9 - the higher the number the more side buttons. The mice are in the 60-90g weight range, and imo they’re seem to be on the bigger end. Acceptably light, has good software (windows) for button remapping, generally good build quality. I’m using the Aerox 9 and it’s great for gaming and work - imagine having F1-F12 at the reach of your thumb!

Steelseries aerox 5 is a little close imho

One easy thing to do is replace the side buttons with paddles that go up and down. Same form factor, same position, double the inputs. The Aerox 5 has a button like that. I also don't think that every mouse needs to accommodate every grip type and it's definitely possible to have more buttons without interfering. I used to daily a RAT MMO 7, it was great!

I have recently switched from a very heavy corsair m65 to the SteelSeries Aerox(Sp) wireless. I'm a low sens player that has only used heavy wired mouse in the past. It's definitely an upgrade through I have had to focus on my arm tension and really work on my aim as the weight difference is so big. Going wireless has been such a pleasure and within the first hours I was making micro adjustments that were not possible on my other (probs due to its weight.) Pros- The SteelSeries GG app is pretty good compared to other mice, I already have a SS keyboard so it made sense. The build quality is great, the buttons are really responsive, doesn't feel like it's suffered from having most of it cut out. Cons- Advertised 200hr battery life is a lie, that's in Bluetooth mode no RGB 125hz polling rate though I see about 50-70 hours. You have to keep an eye on battery life remaining in the app, can't seem to get it to make a sound or notification (or displayed on my Apex keyboard but haven't looked super deep) Keeping the mouse clean will be a pain in the ass, particularly where the palm rests. Something to consider- The sensor location is under the palm not towards the front of the mouse which could be an adjustment if your a wrist aimer.

Im happy w my steelseries, it has some good button placements

Aerox, only cons: battery for wireless model doesnt last long

100% agree. It's baffling to me that there are dozens of lightweight mice that all seem to be tripping over each other to compete for the same market share. The G502X variants, Aerox 5, and Model I2 are the only "modern" mice that come to mind with 4-5 side-buttons, and they all have at least one major flaw (i.e., heavy or wired, weird paddle thing, Glorious, in that order). A superlight G502 would absolutely be killer in the space.

Seems you like mice with more than the standard array of buttons. Of these kind of mice, I have the Aerox 5 Wireless Diablo IV Edition, the ASUS Chakram X Origin, and the Basilisk v3 Pro. The A5 works well for me, tho I had to get used to that B4-5 flip type. Battery life is kind of short, but it's a fast recharger. The ASUS Chakram X Origin has 4 sides + 4 Joystick. On the heavier side, but not too bad on glass surface. Hotswap main switches is a nice feature, along with toolless access. Basilisk v3 Pro is your G502 analog, but I find it more comfortable. I like the auto-Freespin wheel option when I am working on projects, or browsing.

I have the Aerox 5 Wireless Diablo IV Edition, and it fits like a Deathadder but with a lower left-side hump, and I find it quite comfortable. The 5 side buttons are nice for certain games. Basilisk v3 Wired is a solid choice, should fit like a glove, lots of buttons. (I have the v3 Pro)

Deathadder v3 hyperspeed is narrower Kysona Uranus Pro is a Medium sized ergo Kone Pure Ultra clone. I do love the finger grooves for locking into it. (58g) Aerox 5 Wireless is similar to Deathadder in hand, but with less left hump, which I find comfortable.

I have the Steelseries Aerox 5 Wireless Diablo IV edition, and it's a DAv3 with a lower left hump, and very comfy to use, so I appreciate your Rival 300 feelings.

G502X has 3 thumb buttons, 2 LMB side buttons, and 3 wheel buttons. ASUS Chakram X Origin has 4 thumb buttons + 4 joystick buttons on left side + wheel Steelseries Aerox 5 has 5 thumb buttons + wheel

Went from wired to a wireless steelseries aerox, would never go back to a wired mouse again. No wires getting caught, can move the mouse wherever I want. Biggest upgrade I’ve done in a long time tbh.