Even if the name suggests it, the Prime is not the absolute top model in the SteelSeries lineup. It’s only half the price of its wireless sister model, Prime Wireless and is positioned in the mid-range in price in a market comparison. Instead of classic mechanical switches, optomagnetic buttons are used here, which are excellent at registering fast clicks and wear out much more slowly. Nevertheless, a click on the SteelSeries Prime produces a rich trigger noise.
In terms of precision, there is no reason for criticism, but there is in terms of ergonomics. The sharp bulge on the case’s right side could bother you when you play with the widely used palm grip, i.e., the ball of your hand rests on the surface of the table or the mouse pad while playing. This peculiarity is not a problem for the claw grip. Apart from the unusual design, the case is made exemplary, and the design is not too flashy.
See detailed review: SteelSeries Prime
SteelSeries is one of the most popular esports brands. The mice, in particular, are a source of enthusiasm for the e-athletes. SteelSeries also wants to make a wireless model attractive to this target group with the Prime Wireless. The connection is made with the proprietary “Quantum 2.0 Wireless” technology, which offers a good transmission quality that the performance is not noticeably different from a wired mouse.
The optical-magnetic switches in the mouse buttons ensure a rich click feeling and a long service life without signs of wear. SteelSeries promises a runtime of around 100 hours, which is already long. With the charging cable, a quarter of an hour with electricity is enough to be able to use the mouse again for 40 hours. The lack of a DPI switch on the top of the mouse seems strange.
See detailed review: SteelSeries Prime Wireless
| PROS | CONS |
|---|---|
| SteelSeries Prime | SteelSeries Prime Wireless |
| Rich click feeling | Supremely comfortable |
| Light weight | Light for a full-size mouse |
| Solid 18K sensor | Solid 18K sensor |
| No DPI switch on the top | No DPI switch on the top |
| Software required for basic setup | Software required for basic setup |
Specification
| SteelSeries Prime | SteelSeries Prime Wireless | |
| $ | CHECK PRICE | CHECK PRICE |
| Brand | Steel | Steel |
| Model | Prime | Prime Wireless |
| Type | Wired | Wireless |
| Button | 5 | 5 |
| Weight | 69 g | 80 g |
| Dimension | 125.3 x 59 x 23 mm | 125 x 59 x 23 mm |
| Colour | Black | Black |
| Sensor | Optical Sensor | Optical Sensor |
| Polling Rate | 1000 Hz | 1000 Hz |
| Connectivity | Wired USB-A 2.0 | Wired USB-A 2.0 |
| DPI | 18000 Max | 26000 Max |
| RGB | Two-zone RGB | One-zone RGB |
| Battery life | – | 100 hours |
| Wireless Charging | – | No |
| Bluetooth | No | Yes |
| Compatibility | Mac, Windows | Mac, Windows |
