INTRODUCTION

   The Microsoft Intellimouse might be the mouse that made history and to a point is still the source of inspiration for many designers but it wasn't the first one around, not even close. Still thanks to its shape (grip) and gliding properties it's also probably the most copied mouse to date, at least to large degree. For me the Intellimouse along with numerous similar design models after that were the reason i never felt the need to switch to a wireless model. Still, wireless gaming mice have evolved a lot over the last 5 years or so (both in terms of battery life and signal strength/latency) to a point that today some of them can even take on their wired cousins. The Prime Wireless Gaming Mouse by SteelSeries was released last year and since many of you have been asking i decided to check it out.

   SteelSeries is the worldwide brand and innovation leader in gaming and esports peripherals focused on premium quality, innovation, and functionality. Founded in 2001, SteelSeries improves performance through first-to-market innovations and technologies that enable gamers to play harder, train longer, and rise to the challenge. SteelSeries is the pioneering supporter of esports and competitive gaming tournaments, connecting gamers and fostering a sense of community and purpose. SteelSeries’ family of professional and gaming enthusiasts are the driving force behind the company and help influence, design, and craft every single accessory and the brand’s software ecosystem, SteelSeries GG. The SteelSeries family of brands includes KontrolFreek, the industry leader in high-performance controller accessories, and Nahimic, the leader in 3D sound solutions for gaming. In 2022 SteelSeries joined the GN family, a global leader in innovative and intelligent audio and video communications solutions sold in approximately 100 countries around the world.

   At first glance the Prime Wireless may not look unique (only has but a single RGB zone with just 3 effects) but inside its textured matte ABS body (a smaller Mini version is also available) SteelSeries has squeezed their latest TrueMove Air optical sensor (in cooperation with PixArt - 18000CPI in 100CPI increments/400IPS/40G/features zero hardware acceleration and tilt tracking) together with prestige optical magnetic switches (lifetime of up to 100 million clicks), their very own quantum 2.0 2.4GHz wireless technology (dual-channel optimisation for zero lag gaming) and an 550mAh rechargeable lithium battery pack (provides the mouse with up to 100 hours of gaming). Needless to say, the Prime Wireless sports a total of 5 programmable buttons, 5 onboard profiles and a polling rate of 1000Hz/1ms. As you may have already guessed the ABS body of the Prime Wireless resembles quite a bit that of the Intellimouse model so since it happens to be my favourite it should be a very good fit for my hands.

SPECIFICATIONS AND FEATURES

PACKAGING AND CONTENTS

SteelSeries has used a grey and orange box the front of which has a large product picture and their logo.

The product specifications and bundle contents are all listed on the left side.

Another product picture is printed at the rear of the box along with a few words about its primary features.

Both the mouse and its bundle are placed inside pieces of cardboard.

Along with the prime wireless inside the box you'll also find a 2 meter long USB-C braided cable, USB-C wireless dongle, extension adapter and the product guide.

THE PRIME WIRELESS

The black matte body of the Prime Wireless may not look special but it offers an impressive claw grip.

As expected, 2 fully programmable buttons are placed on the left side.

SteelSeries has once again placed their logo at the rear (unfortunately it's not illuminated).

Unlike most gaming mice there's no DPI/Mode button at the top.

The rubber coated clickable scroll wheel is also the sole ARGB zone of the prime wireless and as for the USB-C port it's located right at the lower front.

Turning the mouse over we find 3 PTFE feet (SteelSeries says these are 100% virgin grade ones), TrueMove Air optical sensor, on/off switch and the DPI/Mode selection button.

Both the USB-C wireless dongle and the extension adapter are the size of small USB flash drives.

STEELSERIES GG SOFTWARE

You can control your prime wireless gaming mouse from the SteelSeries GG software (Engine tab) but before you can do that it will look for available firmware updates.

Once inside the settings tab you'll be able to program all 5 buttons (plus the scroll up/down functions), create macros, change the DPI levels on all 5 modes, adjust the sleep and illumination dim timers (inactivity), enable/disable high-efficiency and smart illumination mode and you can of course adjust angle snapping, acceleration/deceleration and polling rate.

Moving to the illumination tab you can only change the color and effects (3 in total) of the single RGB zone.

CONCLUSION

   Leaving out looks the Prime Wireless gaming mouse by SteelSeries ticks every other box possible, from speed, accuracy and gliding to build quality, battery life and grip. It’s no secret that as a person who’s been using mice since the late 80’s (claw grip user) I favour the Intellimouse design (yes, it came almost 10 years after but it was the best to date) so yes, for my hands at least the prime wireless feels right at home. Wireless strength and speed are also excellent even when the prime wireless is used from several meters away (not that I’d ever have a reason for doing that, some people however might) and as for battery life well 100 hours might be a stretch but I did record over 70 hours without any of the Engine software enhancements enabled and let’s be honest here, 3 full days without a recharge is great. Again, if you’re after looks the prime wireless will probably let you down but other than that it’s a great wireless mouse.

   What about cost however? Well good news here as well since currently you can get your very own Prime Wireless Gaming Mouse for just USD79.99 inside the USA (Amazon.com) and for 75.20Euros inside the EU (Amazon.de). This is of course to a new discount set by SteelSeries so it should be available, at least as long as supplies last. So, with that out of the way there’s not much else I can say about the prime wireless, it delivers on everything SteelSeries advertises it for and is currently on sale, what more can one ask? So, our Golden Award is the obvious outcome.

PROS

- Build Quality (Magnetic Buttons / 100 Million Clicks)
- Excellent Grip
- Extremely Fast And Accurate (TrueMove Air Sensor)
- 2.4GHz Quantum 2.0 Wireless System (1ms)
- Battery Life (Up To 100 Hours)
- RGB Lighting (1 Zones / 3 Effects)
- Detachable Braided Cable 
- Price (Current Sale)
- GG Software

CONS

- Right Handed Only
- Looks (Single RGB Zone)