Compare Cherry M68 Pro vs SteelSeries Rival 5

The 2.4GHz connection was praised directly as fast and reliable in competitive use.

Acceleration-related controls were praised as unusually advanced and useful for fine-tuning, especially through SteelSeries software.

Reviewers consistently found tracking precise and confidence-inspiring, from accurate desktop movement to flawless aim adjustments in games.

Reviewers consistently found the Rival 5 precise and accurate in gaming and general use, with repeated praise for controlled aiming and tracking.

The mouse was described as well-balanced by reviewers who focused on weight distribution and in-hand balance.

Balance and weight distribution had limited but positive evidence, with one reviewer calling the mouse well balanced for its feature set.

Battery life was good in standard or lower polling modes, but 8K/Pro modes shortened runtime and battery warnings were a recurring weakness.

Build quality was consistently strong, with reviewers describing the shell as sturdy, solid, well-constructed, or tank-like.

Build quality was a clear strength, with reviewers repeatedly describing the mouse as sturdy, solid, and free from flex or rattling.

Button customization was limited by the software-free design, especially for remapping and fine adjustments.

Button customization was a strength, with reviewers praising remapping, media controls, and broad function assignment through software.

Button responsiveness was usually praised for quick actuation and reset, though one reviewer treated the buttons as merely fine in-game.

Button responsiveness was strongly positive, with reviewers reporting tactile clicks, no repeated clicks, and no meaningful double-click or travel problems.

Cable impressions were mixed: reviewers liked the flexible braided/EZcord cables, but side-cable movement could feel encumbered.

Cable flexibility was highly mixed: some praised low drag or flexibility, while many criticized stiffness, non-detachability, or non-paracord feel.

Charging convenience was sharply mixed: quick charging and flexible cables helped, but the side USB-C placement annoyed many reviewers.

Claw grip support was a clear strength, with multiple reviewers saying the low-front shape suits relaxed or claw-style control.

Claw grip comfort was mostly positive for suitable hand sizes, but at least one reviewer with smaller hands found it too big to claw comfortably.

Primary clicks were described as quick, responsive, and swift to reset, supporting low-latency-feeling inputs in the reviewed units.

Click latency was mostly seen as fine or negligible, though one test-oriented reviewer said it lagged behind some competitors.

Click noise was acceptable to positive for some reviewers, but another found the buttons pretty loud.

Click noise was viewed positively, with reviewers describing the switches or pressure points as quiet or pleasant rather than distracting.

Connection stability was strong, especially over 2.4GHz, with repeated reports of no hiccups, lag, or stuttering.

Cross-platform compatibility had limited positive evidence, including Xbox support and software working across macOS and Windows.

Debounce customization had enough increments for preferences in one review, but broader setup friction remained tied to no software.

DPI/CPI coverage was useful for preset users, but reviewers criticized the lack of granular software tuning for non-preset sensitivities.

The wide DPI/CPI range was viewed as useful and flexible, although several reviewers noted the highest settings were more than they personally needed.

Durability-over-time evidence was mixed-negative, centered on coating residue and concern about click wobble rather than failures.

Durability over time was praised through switch durability language and expectations that the switches would last rigorous use.

Ecosystem integration was positive but conditional, with reviewers valuing lighting sync and brand-wide software most when already using SteelSeries gear.

The low-front ergonomic design was widely credited with improving control, grip security, and comfort.

Ergonomic design was praised for thumb support, rounded edges, and a comfortable grip profile.

Fingertip grip support was less certain, with one reviewer saying a G Pro X was probably the safer fingertip option.

Fingertip grip comfort was split, with one reviewer finding it excellent and another warning the mouse was too large for fingertip users.

Firmware reliability had limited evidence, but one reviewer found the dongle and mouse firmware update easy.

FPS suitability was a major strength, with reviewers praising precise, responsive performance in shooters such as Counter-Strike, Valorant, and CS:GO.

FPS suitability was mixed: tracking and speed were praised, but several reviewers said side-button reach or layout made it less ideal for dedicated FPS use.

Glide was usually smooth and easy, though reviewers noted skates, hard surfaces, or the missing center foot could affect feel.

Glide smoothness was strongly positive, with reviewers repeatedly reporting smooth, low-friction movement on mouse pads and surfaces.

Grip texture was mixed: several reviewers liked the traction or rubber grip, while the black coating drew fingerprint complaints.

Grip texture was generally helpful for stability, although one reviewer preferred a competitor’s more textured side grips.

Left and right clicks were generally solid, easy, and satisfying, though one reviewer noted the M68 felt a little stiffer than the M64.

Left and right clicks were praised for a deep, tactile, well-weighted feel with good actuation force.

Lift-off options were adequate but not standout, and one reviewer had to raise LOD on hard surfaces.

Lift-off behavior was generally praised as effective or near-perfect, with a minority caveat that medium or non-adjustable lift-off could bother some users.

Long-session comfort had limited but strong support, with one reviewer reporting no hand fatigue over extended gaming.

Long-session comfort was positive where discussed, with reviewers noting comfortable extended use and fewer pressure issues.

Macro support was praised where tested, with reviewers finding macro creation intuitive, comfortable, or reliable even for longer macros.

Materials quality was good but imperfect, combining useful traction and durable plastic with residue and fingerprint concerns.

Materials quality was mixed because the plastic shell was expected and serviceable, but reviewers did not always find it premium.

MMO suitability was generally positive for a multi-genre mouse, but reviewers still saw dedicated MMO mice as better for heavy hotkey users.

MOBA suitability was moderately positive because side buttons could map abilities, though the learning curve and limited usable buttons were caveats.

Motion consistency was a major strength, with reviewers reporting no inconsistencies, no hiccups, and flawless wireless tracking.

Motion consistency received strong praise, with reviewers reporting smooth, predictable movement and little to no dragging, drifting, or missed tracking.

Onboard memory was a recurring weakness because RGB or broader profiles often required software, though one reviewer found saved DPI and polling adequate for events.

Palm grip comfort was limited for larger hands, with one reviewer specifically calling it cramped in palm grips.

Palm grip comfort was mixed: one reviewer strongly favored it, while others reported palm pinching or desk contact.

The 8K polling rate impressed some reviewers with smooth responsiveness, while others found little detectable difference and noted battery tradeoffs.

Polling-rate feedback was limited and mixed: one reviewer valued the adjustable feedback, while another treated the polling rate as a comparative weakness.

Portability had limited negative evidence because software-dependent settings could become a hassle when carrying the mouse to tournaments or other systems.

Premium feel was mostly positive due to a solid, non-hollow shell, though one reviewer felt some details were not top-tier.

Premium feel was praised in limited but strong evidence, with reviewers saying the mouse looked or felt more expensive than expected.

Profile switching evidence was positive but limited, centered on easy game-specific switching and automatic settings changes.

Programmable-button support was weak because reviewers noted that buttons could not be reprogrammed without software.

Programmable buttons were generally valued for multi-genre play, though some reviewers felt awkward placement reduced how many were truly usable.

RGB features were widely praised for rich zones and customization, though some reviewers found the lighting distracting, too bright, or partially hidden during use.

The scroll wheel was generally smooth, controlled, and pleasant, with a few reviewers describing it as merely okay or not ideal for repeated clicks.

Scroll wheel feedback was mixed, with some finding it satisfying and tactile while others disliked the middle-of-the-road resistance for games or documents.

The Pixart sensor drew broad praise for responsive, accurate tracking, with several reviewers calling it wonderful, snappy, or beautiful in use.

The TrueMove Air sensor was one of the most consistently praised parts, described as strong, accurate, responsive, and problem-free across reviews.

Shape comfort was the most polarizing area: several reviewers loved the low, controlled feel, while others found it cramped, wide, or odd.

Shape comfort was mostly positive, with reviewers praising the hand fit and general comfort, though size and edge geometry did not suit everyone.

Side buttons received positive notes for feedback and positioning, but some criticism appeared around travel and feel.

Side-button quality was the most divisive area: some liked the paddle or natural placement, while many struggled with the front/silver button or crowded layout.

Software usability was the most repeated complaint: no software meant awkward manuals, color LEDs, and button-combo setup.

Software usability was a major strength overall, especially for SteelSeries GG/Engine customization, though a few reviewers found the layout cluttered.

Surface compatibility was solid on pads and several non-glass surfaces, but reviewers still recommended a mouse pad or adjusted LOD on hard surfaces.

Surface compatibility had limited but very positive evidence, with reviewers saying the Rival 5 gripped or skated well across surfaces.

Switch durability had limited but strongly positive evidence, focused on the high durability rating compared with many mice.

Switch feel was mostly praised as excellent or snappy, with one early-look reviewer finding the implementation only okay.

Switch feel was broadly praised as crisp, deliberate, snappy, and satisfying, with only minor force-preference caveats.

Value was mixed: reviewers liked the performance and shape, yet several thought the price was hard to justify against rivals.

Value for money was the strongest consensus point: most reviewers found the Rival 5 well priced or feature-rich, with only a few dissenting value judgments.

Reviewers strongly agreed the mouse is impressively light and easy to move, with the 55g class weight repeatedly praised.

Most reviewers liked the 85g weight as light or balanced for the feature set, while a few wished it were lighter or disagreed with the marketing emphasis.

Weight tuning scored poorly because reviewers repeatedly noted the lack of tunable or customizable weights as a tradeoff versus some competitors.

Wireless latency impressions were excellent, with reviewers reporting instantaneous responsiveness, no lag, and no delays.

Wireless performance was praised across reviews for smooth operation, reliable tracking, and no obvious hiccups.