Customer Ratings & Reviews

The SteelSeries Apex 3 is a testament to the idea that you don’t have to break the bank to get a quality gaming keyboard. After weeks of testing, I can confidently say that this keyboard punches well above its weight class in terms of features and performance, especially considering its price point. First off, the build quality is surprisingly robust for a budget keyboard. The frame is sturdy, and there's a reassuring weight to it that I didn’t expect. It feels like it can withstand the rigors of intense gaming sessions, which is a big plus in my book. One of the standout features of the Apex 3 is its IP32 water resistance. Accidental spills during frenzied gaming sessions or while working can happen to anyone, and this feature adds a layer of practicality and durability. The keys themselves are membrane, not mechanical, but they have a nice tactile feel to them. There's a satisfying 'thud' with each press, and the key travel is just right – not too shallow, not too deep. The whisper-quiet keys are a boon, especially if you share your space with others or stream your games. The customizable RGB lighting is another highlight. It’s bright, vibrant, and easily adjustable with the SteelSeries Engine software, which is intuitive and user-friendly. The dynamic reactive lighting effects add a touch of flair to your gaming setup. The dedicated multimedia controls are a great convenience, allowing for easy adjustment of volume and media playback without interrupting your game or work. The inclusion of a wrist rest is another thoughtful touch, enhancing comfort during long usage sessions. On the downside, the absence of mechanical switches might be a dealbreaker for some enthusiasts, but for its price, the performance of the Apex 3 is more than adequate. In summary, the SteelSeries Apex 3 is an excellent choice for gamers and general users looking for an affordable yet feature-rich keyboard. It offers a great balance of performance, durability, and aesthetics. If you’re on a budget but don’t want to compromise too much on quality, the Apex 3 should definitely be on your radar.

I'm loving this keyboard. Its very affordable and the keystrokes are soft, but defined. There is no annoying click/clack sound, it would say its pretty silent (just a tad above a regular non gaming keyboard). They keys feel linear, with no tactile bump. The RGB is great and it can be configured via Steelseries software. They were nice enough to include a media wheel, I use it for volume. It also has a memory key and a brightness key, so you can adjust those on the fly (or using the software). They also include a wrist rest! I'm amazed they include so much, for the price. The only con I could see, is that it doesn't include a pass through USB port, but hey, that doesn't hinder the keyboard's function. In short, if you are looking for a non expensive gaming keyboard, with all the bell and whistles others have (RGB, wrist rest, media wheel), this is one of the best!

There's no amount of hate in this world, then how much I hate this keyboard

This is my first Apex SteelSeries keyboard, and I'm really impressed. For the price, this easily bests other brands available at Best Buy and elsewhere. Plus, if you have a significant other, roommate, or co-worker that can't stand the loud typing from a previous mechanical keyboard, this will easily appease them. The keys feel great when pressed, the audible click is noticeably quieter, and the software makes configuration easy. Using the SteelSeries Engine Software (which can be downloaded from steelseries dot com), you can set the back light brightness (default on max), set key bindings for your favorite games or use, and configure the lighting. It comes with some basic presets, but can select from the RGB lighting space for the entire keyboard or for select zone. This won't allow customization of individual key colors, like others, but the zones make selecting areas of the keys for color coordination. The live preview option on the software didn't work for me, but your experience may be different (it was just stuck on red). Once you save a setting, you'll see the keyboard colors change based on the selections you made. The media controls are fairly basic, the scroll wheel controls the volume, and the white lit button below it controlled play/pause and skipping of tracks (double tap for forward, triple for backward). If you want to control the back light from the keyboard directly, simply hit the Apex button, located near the right CTRL key, and hit the F11/F12 keys. The F9-12 keys can be used with the APEX button to allow for Macro recording and Profile switching (if you've setup multiple profiles in the app).I found using the Function keys easy, and recording a macro was also fairly simple. Gaming with this keyboard was very satisfying, as the keys have a nice feel, and have a pretty quick response. The magnetic wrist pad was comfortable, and easy to install since it's just using magnets. The IP32 water resistant covering, under the keys, mean it takes spills fairly well. I don't recommend spilling anything into the keyboard, but it's a nice touch for those who like to drink their favorite beverage and experienced an accidental spill. In my testing, a water test passed with flying colors, only requiring that I tilt the keyboard a few degrees to let the water out, and then let it dry. It didn't skip a beat. Overall, for the price this mechanical gaming keyboard is hard to pass up. It offers an excellent, comfortable feel during use with no lag, and is much quieter compared to others. It lacks individual key colors, but the 10 zones are well aligned for some customization of colors. The app experience is actually pretty great, and you'll likely be prompted for a firmware update (which was SUPER quick).

So this review is actually of a returned product, more on that in a second... The keyboard is very light weight and the keys have very good travel and control. It was comfortable and responsive, and I played BG3 on it for 6 hours straight with no fatigue. Aside from the issue which I returned it for, this is a quality keyboard with good tactile feel, cool lights, and extended usability. Of note, I very very much appreciated the magnetic wrist rest. It was the perfect balance of sturdy and comfortable, and attached with a satisfactory clik, and was held very tight with the magnets. The scroll wheel is nice as well. The reason I returned the keyboard is the description clearly states the keyboard is USB C, which is not correct. The keyboard has a USB A. I wanted a USB C connection to the computer, as I just purchased a new Mac Mini Pro which only has USB C inputs, and I want to lead a dongle free life. So I enjoyed the colors for the evening and returned the keyboard the next day. However, if you need USB A or don't mind a dongle, I can easily recommend this very nice looking and working keyboard. Especially at its lower price point o 40$

One broken foot riser out of the box. So disappointing.

Keys are very quiet, smooth, and the body of the keyboard is shaped perfectly. Back lights are very sexy.

Very nice keyboard very soft and quiet. I like the colors and how easy it was to set up. It’s very comfortable to use as good as some of the ones that are three times the price.

This is honestly one of the best keyboards I've used for the price point. Clicks are nice, RGB isnt too bright, and the magnets for the wrist support are strong, but not too strong.

I've been testing the Steelseries Apex 3 RGB gaming keyboard for a few days and so far, my experience has been good. At first glance the keyboard looked a bit large but it's actually a standard size and shape. The keys are quiet and super responsive, key caps and wrist rest are nice and soft, RGB backlighting is vibrant. The plug and play setup was a breeze and the Steelseries Engine software made it simple to change the colors of the backlight, set the key bindings and change the polling rates which is great for aesthetics and gaming. It also included one of my favorite features which is the media control wheel. The only thing that I’m not a fan of is the extra springiness of the keys but, I guess that is the trade I have to make for them being quiet. With all that being said, this is still a great keyboard.

I’m extremely impressed with my SteelSeries light-up keyboard! For the price, this thing is an absolute steal — the RGB lighting is vibrant and customizable, giving my setup a premium look without breaking the bank. Keys feel smooth and responsive, and the build quality feels sturdier than I expected for a budget keyboard. Setup was a breeze, and the lighting effects instantly took my gaming sessions to the next level. I’ve received compliments on both performance and style! If you want a reliable, eye-catching keyboard that won’t drain your wallet, this SteelSeries is a perfect choice. Highly recommended!

Recently bought this and already highly recommend this. The keys feel great when you type. The lighting can be adjusted to many options for colors. Functions perfectly and seems very well made. I love the magnetic arm rest it comes with. Holds well and feels comfortable. Highly recommend.

Great keyboard, I love the wrist rest on it, as my desk is metal, so its great having something to rest my wrists on as I type or play games as my office is cold. The keys aren't loud so they don't picked up, it's responsive and all around a great purchase

I was impressed when I opened this and found a detachable wrist rest that is detachable with magnets. From there I was happy not to have to download anything to be able to change the lighting. Right now I have it on gentle changing lights. So, it’s a keyboard, and it’s job is to be easy to type on. Or game. It does both well! The keys are raised and give you that feeling of using an old mechanical keyboard. I would say this is worth your while for an entry level gamer but also for an experienced typist. I’m both and really enjoy it. Currently I’m using this in a Mac. You won’t be disappointed with this and if you are, you can always take advantage of Best Buy’s returns policy and find something else.

Excellent keyboard, especially for the price. It's relatively quiet, but not silent. The keys have a satisfying feel while typing. The LEDs are very configurable, and you can record macros and/or re-map keys. The magnetic wrist rest works well too.

Setup was a snap. Plug and play and boom you are in. Quick function keys were easy to use. Also programing key entry was easy too. The keys are raised to accentuate the lighting which is really nice. The lights are bright and hot key functions are easy to use as well. Typing and game play are responsive. No lag. No sticking keys. Wrist rest magnet feature is nice. Easy on easy off. Only bad thing is if you move the keyboard the wrist rest will not follow like standard keyboards. I was too scared to try the water proof spill protection so I will take the word of it's water resistant rating. I would recommend this product. Nicely done.

Key board is great works flawlessly be sure to get the steel series app so you can change your rgb lighting preferences. My only complaint is the size I with I would have gone with a 60% keyboard and not the full size one. The price is great for the quality.

Excellent keyboard for the price with smooth buttons. The RGB lighting also looks really good, and it is bright. Having the mulitmedia volume knob is so great to have. I would recommend it to anyone looking for a good budget gaming keyboard.

This keyboard’s a game-changer. Smooth, silent keys. RGB lights that vibe with every move , and built tough to last through rage quits & late-night grinds . Reliable. Quiet. Built different

It took me a while to find a compatible keyboard for the ps5, it works great, comfy, I like the floating key look, but it’s a little too plastic-y. Still recommend 100%