M3
SnapshotProduct Images
Aorus M3 Gaming mouse Review, Ratings, and Specifications
Browse Aorus M3 product images. Use the arrow buttons to change images, or select a thumbnail.








Comparisons
Best Deals
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Affordable price offers strong value for performance
- Ergonomic shape fits medium to large hands well
- Durable Omron switches rated for 20 million clicks
- Seven programmable buttons improve gameplay flexibility
- Rubberized grips provide comfort during long sessions
- Low-latency wired connection ensures responsive inputs
- Sturdy build quality resists flexing or creaking
- Reliable performance for budget-conscious competitive gamers
Cons
- Outdated sensor struggles with modern tracking demands
- Heavy 100g weight slows quick movements
- Limited 1000Hz polling rate caps responsiveness
- DPI steps of 50 lack fine control
- Sensitive side buttons risk accidental presses
- Software lacks depth and ease of use;
What We Think
Overview
Back in 2017, Gigabyte’s Aorus brand dropped the M3 gaming mouse,a budget-friendly contender priced at $39.99, crafted for competitive players who demand performance without the premium cost. This wired warrior rolled out with minimal latency, an ergonomic design, and a high-IPS sensor, staking its claim in the mid-range arena. It’s been nearly a decade, so the big question looms: can this affordable option still flex its muscle for pro gamers in 2025? Let’s dive in and see what it’s got.
Design and Features
Does a 100g mouse still cut it in today’s esports showdowns? The Aorus M3 steps up as a mid-range beast, blending precision with staying power. Since 2015, Aorus has honed its knack for budget-friendly excellence, and this wired gem carries that legacy forward with grit. Its right-handed ergonomic shape fits medium-to-large hands like a glove. A rubber grip steadies your palm or claw hold for those grueling, late-night sessions. Weighing 100g, it skips the sub-60g ultralight trend, opting for a stable feel that pins targets with confidence. The PixArt 3988 sensor (6400 DPI, 200 IPS) delivers smooth, reliable tracking. Omron switches, rated for 20 million clicks, snap with crisp authority, perfect for chaining headshots. Seven programmable buttons, including two snappy side ones, amp up FPS control. Their sensitivity can throw you off in a firefight, though. RGB Fusion brings 16.8 million colors to a single-zone glow, understated yet stylish. A hard-wired black braided cable adds durability and tangle-free play. The older sensor and heft don’t quite match today’s lightning-fast champs, however. For budget-savvy pros, it’s rugged pro gamer gear that holds its own.
Key Takeaways
- Built for the Long Haul: This mouse thrives in long gaming sessions, offering comfort and reliability that pro FPS players can lean on without hesitation;
- Value That Endures: It’s a wallet-friendly pick that still delivers esports precision, proving you don’t need to splurge for competitive-grade performance
- Stuck in Time: While dependable, its heft and dated tech mean it won’t keep pace with the lightning-fast demands of today’s ultra-light esports scene
- Sensor’s Not Elite: The Pixart 3988 is solid, no doubt, but it’s not cutting-edge. Higher-end mice flaunt 20K DPI sensors with razor-sharp tracking. For most, 6400 DPI is plenty, but competitive purists might notice the gap in precision under pressure
Comparisons and Considerations
Stack the Aorus M3 against the Cooler Master MM711 Wired, and you’ll see trade-offs: the MM711’s featherlight build suits rapid flicks, but its honeycomb shell sacrifices the M3’s comfy grip. The Corsair M55 RGB Pro holds its own on price and tracks sharper, yet falters in toughness and finish. Against a pricier rival like the Razer DeathAdder V2, the M3 holds up in comfort and switch quality, though it lags in sensor speed and weight. For pro gamers eyeing top-tier lightweight mice, the M3’s 100g frame might feel clunky, but its build shines for those who value ergonomics over agility.
Bottom Line
The Aorus M3 remains a reliable, budget-friendly choice for pro-level gamers who prioritize comfort and durability over cutting-edge speed. It’s a stellar pick for FPS enthusiasts on a budget, delivering consistent performance for titles like CS:GO or Overwatch. However, if you’re chasing the latest lightweight esports mouse for twitch-heavy games like Valorant, newer options will outshine it. For its price, it’s a steal—just don’t expect it to redefine the meta.
Performance Breakdown ?
Build
SensorWhat is a Sensor? A sensor in a gaming mouse is the component responsible for detecting movement and translating it into cursor movement on your screen. Different sensors like PMW, PAW, Hero, and others vary in technology and performance metrics.Distribution:
Each bar shows how many products received that score; the highlighted bar is this item’s score.01/2012 05/2025Why Does It Matter? The type of sensor directly affects the tracking accuracy, speed, responsiveness, and sometimes power efficiency of a mouse. High-quality sensors can provide a competitive edge by ensuring precise cursor control, which is crucial in gaming for accuracy in aiming or quick movements.Common Sensors:PMW (PixArt Maximum Performance Wireless): Known for high performance in wired setups, offering excellent tracking precision and speed.PAW (PixArt Adaptive Wireless): Focused on power efficiency, ideal for wireless mice, with good tracking capabilities and speed.Hero (Logitech): Renowned for its power efficiency and high accuracy, suitable for both wired and wireless applications.TrueMove Pro (SteelSeries): Provides advanced stabilization for precise tracking on various surfaces.Focus Pro (Razer): Designed for professional gaming with top-tier performance metrics.Owl-Eye (ROCCAT): Custom sensor with features tailored for gaming precision.Choosing the Right Sensor: When selecting a mouse, consider the sensor based on your gaming needs. If you're into competitive gaming, look for sensors with high DPI, IPS, and low latency like PMW or Focus Pro. For longevity in wireless setups, sensors like PAW or Hero are preferable due to their power efficiency. Also, consider your preference for wired vs. wireless, as some sensors are optimized for specific use cases.
Distribution:
PixArt SDNS3988
WeightWhat is Weight? Weight refers to the mass of a gaming mouse, measured in grams, affecting its feel and maneuverability.Distribution:
Each bar shows how many products received that score; the highlighted bar is this item’s score.147 36Why Does It Matter? Lighter mice enable faster movements, ideal for competitive gaming, while heavier mice offer stability, suiting precise or controlled playstyles.
Distribution:
100 g
SkatesMouse Feet Material (Skates): These pads under your mouse significantly influence glide, performance, and durability.Distribution:
Each bar shows how many products received that score; the highlighted bar is this item’s score.PTFE (Colored/Mixed): Moderate friction coefficient - Balances speed with a touch of added control, often seen in stock mouse setups for its versatility. The addition of dyes or other materials might slightly increase friction compared to virgin-grade, but it also enhances durability and offers color options for personalization.PTFE (Virgin-Grade): Very low friction coefficient - Pure PTFE provides minimal resistance, allowing for a seamless glide across your mousepad. This material is favored for its purity, which results in less wear over time, maintaining its glide properties longer than colored PTFE.Glass Skates (Glossy Aluminosilicate): Lowest friction coefficient - Offers an incredibly smooth glide, ideal for quick, precise movements in gaming. Their durability is unmatched, ensuring consistent performance over time, even under heavy use.Glass Skates (Matte Aluminosilicate): Low friction coefficient - Strikes a balance between speed and control, offering a tactile feedback not found in glossy finishes. The matte surface reduces the initial stickiness sometimes experienced with glossy skates, providing gamers with better control for micro-adjustments.UHMWPE: Moderate to high friction coefficient - Known for its durability, it provides a controlled glide, ideal for gamers who prefer precision.Ceramic: Higher friction coefficient - Durable and suited for hard surfaces, these skates offer control-focused glide characteristics.Sapphire: Variable friction coefficient - Luxury option with exceptional durability and glide, though performance can vary with surface treatment.Thickness and Shape: These aspects affect how your mouse interacts with the surface. Thicker skates can increase lift-off distance but may last longer, while shape influences glide smoothness.Installation and Maintenance: Proper installation involves cleaning, precise alignment of new skates, and sometimes heating for old skate removal. Regular maintenance ensures optimal glide performance.
Distribution:
PTFE (Black-Dyed)
Hardware
PollingWhat is Polling Rate? Polling rate, measured in Hz, is how often a mouse reports its position to the computer.Distribution:
Each bar shows how many products received that score; the highlighted bar is this item’s score.125 8000Why Does It Matter? Higher polling rates provide smoother, more responsive tracking, critical for competitive gaming where precision and speed are key.
Distribution:
DPIWhat is DPI? Dots Per Inch (DPI) measures the sensitivity of a mouse, determining how far the cursor moves per inch of physical movement.Distribution:
Each bar shows how many products received that score; the highlighted bar is this item’s score.4200 44000Why Does It Matter? Higher DPI allows faster cursor movement, ideal for high-resolution displays or fast-paced gaming, while lower DPI offers precision for detailed tasks.
Distribution:
IPSWhat is IPS? Inches Per Second (IPS) indicates the maximum speed at which a mouse sensor can move while still accurately tracking.Distribution:
Each bar shows how many products received that score; the highlighted bar is this item’s score.48 888Why Does It Matter? Higher IPS ensures reliable tracking during rapid movements, essential for fast-paced gaming where quick swipes are common.
Distribution:
AccelerationWhat is Acceleration? Acceleration measures how quickly a mouse sensor can reach its maximum tracking speed, expressed in g-forces (g).Distribution:
Each bar shows how many products received that score; the highlighted bar is this item’s score.10 88Why Does It Matter? Higher acceleration ensures accurate tracking during fast movements, vital for dynamic gaming scenarios requiring rapid cursor shifts.
Distribution:
Performance
Lift-OffWhat is Lift-Off Distance? Lift-off distance (LOD) is the height (in mm) at which a mouse’s sensor stops tracking when lifted from the surface.Distribution:
Each bar shows how many products received that score; the highlighted bar is this item’s score.5 0Why Does It Matter? A low LOD minimizes unwanted cursor movement during lifts, crucial for low-sensitivity gamers who frequently reposition their mouse.
Distribution:
2 mm
Specifications
- Price (MSRP) $39.99
- SKU / Part # GM-AORUS-M3
- Color(s)
- Design(s) standard
- Weight 100.00 g / 3.53 oz
- Material plastic
- Coating rubber grips
- Feet Material PTFE (Black-Dyed)
- Lighting 1 zone (rgb)
- Release Date 09/2017
General Features
- Connection wired
- Connectivity n/a
- Computer Side Connector USB-A
- Mouse Side Connector n/a
- Cable Type braided
- Paracord
- Battery Hours n/a
Connectivity
- Length 128.00 mm / 5.04 in
- Width 72.00 mm / 2.83 in
- Height 43.00 mm / 1.69 in
Dimensions
- Form Factor right
- Shape ergonomic
- Hump middle
- Front Flare outward
Shape & Form
- Adjustable Weight
- Honeycomb Frame
- Silent Clicks
Extra Features
- Sensor PixArt SDNS3988
- Sensor Type optical
- Flawless Sensor
- Sensor Latency -
- Polling Rate 1000 Hz
- DPI 6400 k
- IPS 200
- Acceleration 50 g
- Lift-off Distance 2 mm
- Lift-off Settings fixed low
- Motion Sync -
- Hardware Acceleration
- Nvidia Reflex
- Smoothing
Sensor Specs
- Switch Type mechanical
- Switches Omron
- Hot Swappable
- Click Latency -
- Click Force -
Switch Specs
- MCU -
- Side Button(s) 2
- Middle Button(s) 2
- Programmable Button(s) 7
- Tilt Wheel
- Adjustable Scroll Wheel
- Onboard Memory
- Profile Switching




















