SteelSeries Aerox 5 Wired Gaming Mouse - Black

The SteelSeries Aerox 5 is a lightweight wired gaming mouse built around one idea: get the weight down without giving up buttons. Most sub-70g mice strip back to five buttons. The Aerox 5 keeps nine, including a five-button side panel with an up/down flick switch, and still weighs 66g thanks to its perforated "holey" shell.

We have not used it ourselves. This page sets out what the listing and SteelSeries state, who it suits and where it sits against the other mice on this site, so you can decide before clicking through to Amazon.

Key specs

What the holes are for, and the obvious worry

The honeycomb-style shell is what gets the Aerox 5 down to 66g, which matters in fast games where you flick and lift the mouse constantly: a lighter mouse stops sooner and tires your wrist less over a long session. The usual worry with a holey shell is crumbs, dust and the odd spilled drink getting inside. SteelSeries' answer is the AquaBarrier coating on the internals, rated IP54. That means protection from dust and from splashes, not submersion, so it is a safeguard rather than permission to wash it.

The side panel is the real selling point

The five-button side panel with a flick switch is what separates the Aerox 5 from its siblings. It is aimed at games with lots of binds, such as MMOs, MOBAs and battle royales, where it saves reaching for the keyboard. If you only ever use left, right and the wheel, the lighter, simpler Aerox 3 or a basic wired mouse will do the same job for less.

Who it suits

• Players who want a light mouse but need more than five buttons
• Anyone happy with a cable who would rather not pay extra for wireless
• Desks where snacks and drinks are close to the mouse, thanks to the IP54 rating

Who should skip it

• Anyone who dislikes the feel of a perforated shell under the palm
• Players who want wireless: the Logitech G305 is a cheaper wireless option, and the Logitech G PRO X Superlight is the lighter, pricier one
• Left-handed players: the side panel is on the left, so this is a right-handed shape

How it compares on this site

Put simply, the Aerox 5 is the most buttons for the least weight among these. The Superlight wins on weight and wireless but costs more than twice as much. The G203 is the budget wired pick if weight and extra buttons do not matter to you.

Buying tips

• Check you are buying the wired Aerox 5. There is also an Aerox 5 Wireless with battery figures, and some listing details mix the two up.
• Update the firmware through SteelSeries' software when you first plug it in, as SteelSeries advises.
• Pair it with a large cloth mat: a light mouse gets the most from a low-friction surface.