SteelSeries Introduces Wireless Sensei Gaming Mouse

SteelSeries has announced that it has created what might be the last logical evolution of its venerable Sensei line of gaming mice: Sensei Wireless Laser Gaming Mouse.

Regular Techgage readers would know that we love the Sensei. Big Chief Rob reviewed the original iteration of the Sensei in October 2011, while I reviewed the stripped-down Sensei [RAW] version just short of a year later. Both times the Sensei mastered every challenge we threw at it.

Perhaps the only thing SteelSeries could do after giving us the full-fat version and the leaner yet meaner [RAW] is to make the Sensei wireless.

SteelSeries expresses its philosophy for the Sensei Wireless thus: “Ditch the wires, keep the performance.” Accordingly, the Sensei Wireless looks quite similar to its two cable-endowed brothers. Based on the photographs we’ve seen so far, the Sensei Wireless has kept the same symmetrical ambidextrous body. It has the same button count – eight – as the wired versions. It’s covered with the same soft-touch coating that the [RAW] has. In short, it checks many of the same boxes that its older siblings do.

Like the original Sensei, the Sensei Wireless has multi-color LED lighting capability (the [RAW] was limited to just a white LED). When integrated with the SteelSeries Engine 3 software, the Sensei Wireless’ LEDs can display up to 16.8 million distinct colors.

The Sensei Wireless, though, has a few new tricks up its sleeve. For one thing, well, it’s wireless. That eliminates that big bugaboo common to all wired mice: Cable clutter on your desk. The Sensei Wireless also features a Pixart ADNS 9800 laser sensor, which features a maximum CPI (counts per inch, SteelSeries’ own terminology for the mouse’s speed) of 8200. In addition, it also features a new SteelSeries switchgear design that is rated for a lifespan of up to 30 million clicks. Finally, to counter input lag, SteelSeries has set the mouse’s polling rate to 1000 Hz.

Aesthetically, other than the obvious lack of a cable, the Sensei Wireless has a unique “bead blasted” metal accent surrounding the mouse’s scroll wheel. This visual detail is unique to the Sensei Wireless.

The Sensei Wireless comes with a base station that features the same bead blasted metal accent and LED illumination that is synchronised with the mouse’s own LED effects.

SteelSeries says users can expect up to 16 hours of use between recharges.

The Sensei Wireless is now available for pre-order. SteelSeries, though, has not announced either an availability date nor an MSRP at this time.