Beyond 2.4 GHz: SteelSeries adopts UWB for new gaming mice

UWB vs. the 2.4 GHz Standard

For years, the 2.4 GHz band has been the industry standard for wireless peripherals, but it often suffers from interference caused by Wi-Fi, headsets, and other wireless devices. The new SteelSeries Pro series operates in the 6.4 to 9.056 GHz range. According to the manufacturer, this provides roughly 20 times the bandwidth, which should result in a more stable connection in environments crowded with wireless signals.

The lineup includes four models: the symmetrical Sensei Pro and Sensei Pro Mini, and the ergonomic Rival Pro and Rival Pro Mini. All models feature the new TrueMove 42K sensor and optical switches rated for 100 million clicks. The full-sized models weigh 53g, while the Mini versions weigh 49g.

The 8,000 Hz Trade-off: Performance vs. Battery

At an 8,000 Hz polling rate, the mouse transmits position data every 0.125 ms, compared to the 1 ms interval of standard 1,000 Hz mice. While this reduces input latency, it comes at a cost to battery life. SteelSeries reports that while the mice can last up to 60 hours at 1,000 Hz, this drops to just 16 hours when running at 8,000 Hz. To mitigate this, the mice come with two swappable batteries, allowing for continuous use while one is charging.

The real-world benefit of such high polling rates remains a subject of debate. While high-end gaming setups with high-refresh-rate monitors can benefit from the reduced latency, other tests suggest that the improvement may not be perceptible across all types of hardware and gaming scenarios.

Pricing and Availability

The four models are scheduled for release on October 13. They will be available in black and white, with each model priced at 199.99 €. Pre-orders are currently available.