SteelSeries Rival 300 vs 310 – what are the differences and which one is the best mouse for gaming? The short answer is that both products make use of USB connection, utilize optical sensors, and have great ergonomic designs. Even though both mice are made by the same company, they are not the same as Rival 310 is an updated version of 300.
Read on to find out how these two compare in DPI, weight, connection (wireless or wired), lighting, price, and sensor.
SteelSeries Rival 300 vs 310: Quick Comparison
CHEAPER OPTION  |
Rival 300
|
Check Price |
WINNER  |
SteelSeries Rival 310
|
Check Price |
SteelSeries Rival 300 Review
It comes with 6 buttons, weighs 4.586oz with the USB cable attached, and has dimensions of 5.236 x 2.756 x 1.772”.
It’s not a wireless type of mouse and connects with a 78.76” long USB cable.
With a boxy shape and less contoured grip, it best suits people with larger hands as well as both palm and claw grip users.
Its finish at the top is rubberized with large textured side grips on both the right and left sides.
SteelSeries use their own switches here for both the right and left clicks and they are quite heavy but feel mushy too.
The scroll wheel has a notch and behind it is a dedicated DPI button that provides good tactile feedback.
This mouse works with no software and has 800 and 1600 DPI as the default settings. This is in no way a limitation as you can access other DPI settings by installing SteelSeries’ Engine 3 software. This software will also allow you to control the RGB lighting which it uses.
Its sensor is an optical one, precisely the Pixart PMW 3310 sensor. The sensor is great as it has no acceleration, prediction or angle snapping and gives a DPI range of 50 to 6,500. The Rival 300 is without a native DPI and is good to go with any DPI setting within 50 step increments.
Pros
- Comfortable and ergonomic shape
- Textured side grips
- The sensor is a flawless Pixart PMW 3310
Cons
- The switch feels a bit mushy
SteelSeries Rival 310 Review
This is however more compact and lightweight, making it easily maneuverable.
The position of the two side buttons is better here than in the 300 making it easier to hit mouse button four. Its shape makes it best for use by right-handed gamers, and palm and claw grippers.
The shape also makes it comfortable to hold and it‘s perfect for most hand sizes having length of 5” and a grip width of 2.441“.
Made with a textured plastic finish, you can maintain your grip without being slippery when your palm is wet.
It’s also fingerprint and grease resistant, making it look new and neat with less effort from you. The sides have rubberized grips just like in the 300 and this provides stability.
The scroll wheel also has a rubberized finish and has a notch in it with a dedicated DPI button at the back. You can set the DPI anywhere between 100 to 12,000 but to have access to these settings, you need to install SteelSeries’ Engine software.
Installing this engine also gives you control over the RGB lighting and allows you to customize the lights on the logo and scroll wheel.
This mouse makes use of SteelSeries’ TrueMove3 optical sensor. It’s located in the middle of the base, matching its weight distribution.
It tracks with no flaws at any DPI you choose, has no acceleration, delay, smoothing, pixel skipping, or spin out issues.
Pros
- Its shape is comfortable to handle and ergonomic
- Has a TrueMove 3 sensor
- Lightweight
- Soft and lightweight rubber cable
Cons
- Scroll wheel could be improved upon
SteelSeries Rival 300 vs 310: Differences
DPI
DPI is a measure of how sensitive a mouse is. The higher the DPI, the better the reaction and movement that it detects and this is very important in gaming.
While very high DPI values become a nuisance, it’s not a problem at all as high DPI mice can be paired with low sensitivity settings to give you the speed that is appropriate.
Rival 310 is more sensitive and better for gaming that requires high DPI than Rival 300. Rival 300 is however best suited for games or actions that require low DPI as its lowest value is very low.
Weight
The lighter the weight of the mouse, the easier it is to maneuver and move it while gaming. Rival 300 weighs 4.586oz (130g) and this is more than the weight of Rival 310 which weighs 3.104oz (88g).
So in terms of weight and compactness, Rival 310 is the best choice as you can easily maneuver the mouse and handle it for longer periods without fatigue.
Connection
Both mice make use of a USB connection and not a wireless type of connection.
The length of the USB measures up to 78.74” (2m), which gives you enough space to make all the movements you want.
Lighting
Both Rival mice provide a full spectrum of 16.8 million colors and 2 RGB zones lighting which contributes to improving your overall gaming experience.
Price
With all the improvements done on the 300 as seen in the 310, it is expected that the upgraded version will cost more.
So if you are on a tight budget, you could opt for the Rival 300. Or you might decide to spend a tiny bit more since the price difference is not that much.
Sensor
Both mice make use of optical sensors. The Rival 300 makes use of Pixart PMW3310 and Rival 310 makes use of SteelSeries TrueMove 3 which is a more recent and updated sensor.
Based on this, it is safe to say that the use of Rival 310 gives you greater gaming experience with fewer issues.
FAQ
What Sensor Does The Rival 310 Use?
The Rival 310 makes use of the new TrueMove 3 optical sensor. This sensor is a 12,000 CPI, 350 IPS optical sensor with no acceleration.
It is the best upgrade to Rival 300 and ensures a smoother gaming experience.
Is CPI The Same as DPI?
CPI stands for counts per inch and is the right acronym that represents the sensitivity of the mouse.
It is used to describe how much distance the mouse moves. DPI, on the other hand, means dots per inch and describes the resolution of a print.
Is Lower DPI Better?
No, but being able to toggle between DPI ranges is the best practice. This is because the DPI value for different gaming actions varies.
Using a low DPI for aiming is better than using a high one. And using a high DPI value for spraying gunfire is better than using a low one.
Conclusion
SteelSeries Rival 300 vs 310: And the winner is…
So here you have it, the differences between the SteelSeries Rival 300 and 310. With all the specifications reviewed at a great depth, you now know what it is you are missing out on and what you stand to gain by making an upgrade.
This review also helps you make the best choice that suits your budget of course. There are a few major changes in the Rival 310 and if you can afford it, you should absolutely get it.