SteelSeries has announced its new Sensei Pro and Rival Pro Series gaming mice, introducing Ultra-Wideband (UWB) wireless technology, true 8,000Hz polling rates, and a hot-swappable battery system designed to keep gamers playing without interruptions. The new lineup marks the company’s 25th anniversary and brings some interesting improvements to two of its most recognisable gaming mouse families.
Can’t believe that it’s been 25 years as I remember reviewing the 10th anniversary edition of the Sensei back in 2020.
The Sensei and Rival gaming mice have been around for quite some time, first introduced in 2011 and 2013 respectively (reviewed the original Rival in 2014). Both have developed a strong following among competitive gamers, particularly for their comfortable shapes and reliable performance. With the new Pro Series, SteelSeries is keeping those familiar designs while upgrading the technology underneath.
Perhaps the biggest change with the new Sensei Pro and Rival Pro is the introduction of Ultra-Wideband (UWB) wireless connectivity.
Most wireless gaming mice today operate over the 2.4GHz frequency, which is also shared by numerous other devices, including wireless headsets, keyboards, and other peripherals. In environments with plenty of wireless devices, interference and congestion can potentially affect connection stability.
SteelSeries is taking a different approach by using UWB technology operating across the 6.4GHz to 9.056GHz spectrum. According to the company, this offers approximately 20 times the bandwidth of traditional 2.4GHz wireless connections, with support for multiple wireless channels simultaneously.
The idea is to provide a more consistent wireless connection, particularly when running at higher polling rates.
Speaking of polling rates, the new gaming mice support true 8,000Hz polling, allowing them to report their position to the computer up to 8,000 times per second.
SteelSeries has also introduced a Max Performance Mode, which keeps the sensor operating at its highest performance settings, including 20,000 frame captures per second, 800 IPS tracking speed, and 70G acceleration.
One of the challenges with high polling rates is their impact on battery life. Running a wireless gaming mouse at 8,000Hz generally consumes considerably more power than operating at 1,000Hz.
To address this, SteelSeries has developed what it calls the Infinite Power System, featuring two hot-swappable batteries.
Rather than having to stop gaming and connect a charging cable when the battery runs low, users can simply replace the depleted battery with a charged one. The spare battery can then be recharged while the mouse remains in use.
SteelSeries claims each battery provides up to 16 hours of use at 8,000Hz polling, giving users up to 32 hours across both batteries. Dropping the polling rate to 1,000Hz increases the claimed battery life to 60 hours per battery, or 120 hours combined.
While modern wireless gaming mice already offer impressive battery life, being able to swap batteries without interrupting a gaming session sounds convenient, particularly for competitive gamers who prefer consistently running their mice at maximum performance.
This is a similar approach to their Nova Pro Wireless headset (check my review here) and you basically never have to wait your peripheral to be charged ever again.
Beyond wireless performance, the new Sensei Pro and Rival Pro Series also feature updated internal hardware.
Both full-size models weigh just 53 grams, while the smaller Mini variants come in at 49 grams. These are competitive weights for high-performance wireless gaming mice, especially considering the removable battery system.
The mice feature SteelSeries’ new TrueMove 42K optical sensor, designed for precise tracking during fast movements and smaller aiming adjustments.
They also use optical switches rated for 100 million clicks, with SteelSeries claiming click latency as low as 0.35ms. Optical switches have become increasingly common in premium gaming mice, offering fast actuation while avoiding some of the mechanical contact issues associated with traditional switches.
There are four models in the new lineup: Sensei Pro, Sensei Pro Mini, Rival Pro, and Rival Pro Mini. Each is available in Black and White.
SteelSeries Sensei Pro and Rival Pro Australian pricing and availability
The SteelSeries Sensei Pro and Rival Pro Series are available for pre-order in Australia from 3 November 2026, with retail availability scheduled for 30 November 2026.
Interestingly, all four models share the same recommended retail price of A$299, regardless of whether you choose the full-size or Mini version.
