Customer Ratings & Reviews

This keyboard is really good for 100 dollars, I only really have a few issues with it, but I'll go over the good first. First of all, the hybrid keys don't feel like hybrid keys, they feel like mechanical keys. Nice and clicky, no mush at the end of the press, I prefer the feel of these keys to the Razer green clicky switches. Second, the RGB is great, same level of customization that you'd expect from a flagship. The media keys and screen are also really nice features that my Razer didn't have before, and are pretty useful. Overall it feels premium and has premium features, for a midrange price. Now for the bad parts, I was interested in the Apex line of keyboards from an advertisement that I saw that you can control and view your Spotify activity from the screen while in game. For whatever reason, that feature is now gone, and replaced with Tidal. Maybe they got an exclusive deal with them, steelseries claimed in a post I found that it was technical difficulties, but 6+ months later the feature is still gone. So if thats the only reason you're buying this keyboard, don't do it. Secondly, I've found during games I can only press about 4-5 keys at the same time before it stops registering new inputs. I mostly play CSGO so it isn't that much of a problem, but still sometimes I'll have to stop pressing the voice chat button to do a strafe/crouch jump. In the end, these are pretty small issues that I have definitely learned to live with now that I've been using the keyboard for a couple weeks. I'd say if you want a premium keyboard but you only have 100 dollars, this may be your only option, but if its not, its probably the best either way.

The SteelSeries Apex 5 is an absolute joy to use as a gaming keyboard. While I have always been a big fan of mechanical keyboards, I do tend to get a little tired of the impact feel of these keyboards. Since the Apex 5 is a "Hybrid" keyboard, with a mix of mechanical switches and a membrane, this has a satisfying feel. The keyboard has a solid feel with the Aluminum alloy body. I especially like the comfortable wrist rest bar that magnetically attaches to the keyboard. Aside from gaming, I find that Apex 5 also works well as a "work" keyboard for writing and programming. I love the spacing of the keys and the footprint of the keyboard itself. I like using the adjustable legs for putting the keyboard at an angle, and I didn't notice any movement of the keyboard on my desk during use. I am especially impressed with the built-in LED screen in the keyboard and the scroll wheel. The display can be customized with game info and incoming Discord messages, which is very handy during intense gaming. What makes all of this work well is the SteelSeries Engine 3 software. The program provides the ability to customize the colors of the keys, custom macros, and control of the LED display. If you want a nice mix of gaming and working keyboard, this is a perfect match. If you're expecting the same experience of a full mechanical keyboard, you're going to be a little disappointed. For me, I like the hybrid feel. With the extra features of the software, the LED display, the scroll wheel, and the solid feel - this is a pretty fantastic keyboard for a very reasonable price.

Very nice keyboard, quite clicky which I am a huge fan of. Doesn't feel like it takes a crazy amount of pressure to hit the keys at all. I use it for gaming in addition to everyday tasks, and I feel like it does both very well. Would recommend! The steelseries software also lets you save up to five different color settings and keybind combinations, so for different games I can have different keybinds that I can access by quickly switching which mode I'm using. It's really nice!

Lights are responsive and seem to work well with Aurora to sync with my Asus and Razer products. Keyboard sounds like a mechanical keyboard with loud clicks, so if you want something quiet get something else. Response is better than the Razer Ornata. Volume wheel is nice, but screen is pretty useless since it isn't easily visible during use. Wrist rest isn't padded, but it is soft plastic. That may be a plus since my Razer rest deteriorated after a few years. If you want RGB and a mechanical style keyboard, it works well for the price.

I absolutely love this keyboard - so much so that I just bought a second one. I love the clicky feature. I thought I would hate being wired, but it's for a desktop so honestly it doesn't end up mattering at all. I definitely recommend! Also ... so easy to clean!!

i was searching for a new keyboard (had the corsair k70 which is also fantastic) and wanted slightly more clicky and better build quality. After weeks of research i found this board and its so worth it. The little screen and scroller are super simple and easy to use i love it

This keyboard is not only awesome looking with its rainbow colors but super easy to type with. It is pleasing in sound of the keystroke to comfort of wrist rest. GREAT PURCHASE! WORTH EVERY PENNY!

Excellent feel/quality, what they saved on making the box it comes in pretty they put into the actual product. Came from a Corsair STRAFE RGB ("Retired" to be my work KB), and I thoroughly enjoy the satisfying click of the Hybrid Blues. These are actual Hybrid Mechanical switches as well, not that Razer "Let's add the click sound but none of the benefits". Weird fact: the wrist rest is the first wrist rest a KB has come with that I didn't just throw away. Flat and feels natural to use along with it. Overall a great keyboard for the "cheap" price of $100 if you're looking for a quality mechanical keyboard.

First “gaming” keyboard I’ve bought and I’m happy with it. RGB is nice (although the default pattern is not my style), steelseries software is easy to use, and the switches feel nice.

Great keyboard with good sounding switches and a cool customizable OLED screen. Also the app controls the LEDs very well with lots of tools. It is also a amazing price.

Fantastic keyboard. It is loud and mechanically lol. The lighting on it is very smooth and crispy. The software is easy to use and set up custom lighting. Worth the money!!

Great functionality and quality for the price. It is nice to type on and play games with.

I went to BB and tried out all the keyboards but they didn't this one but doing research it was the one I wanted. The best Corsairs and Razers were just overpriced for what I need. The feel for Apex 5 hybrid blue to describe is what the Razer mecha membrane should have been. This is just so perfect. I hope it lasts long time. I returned the ROCCAT - Vulcan Pro Full-size PC Gaming Keyboard with Linear Optical. I was wrong to give it a good review too early. It just was not good typing experience for me now. Apex 5 typing feeling is just so amazing. The Vulcan Pro looks the prettiest in the world but was functionally bad and typing speed was worse on it. Apex 5 sped up my productivity and saves my fingers in the long run. Speed typing is what I needed without hurting my joints after working 12 hours on the PC.

Great customizable RGB and the LCD screen is pretty cool too. The switches sound amazing

My experience with mechanical keyboards is limited but this one is amazing, personally I like clicky sounds and this keyboard fulfills that nicely if you are into that. and the lighting customization that steelseries offers are very expansive. the hybrid aspect of the keyboard may put the durability a bit down, but the price makes it definitely acceptable and I trust that SteelSeries makes a quality durable product

I really enjoy this keyboard, the response while gaming is great, and doesn't cause fatigue. They are slightly louder than i'd prefer but that's to be expected with a "Blue" switch, even though it's considered a "hybrid" it's definitely louder like a Blue switch. Overall if feels very sturdy, and the RBG lighting is beautiful. I've used several competitors keyboards and SteelSeries lighting is by far the best I've seen out of the box. Definitely recommend this full-sized keyboard!

Great keyboard. Good mechanical feel and the software is really easy to use for a lot of rgb configurations.

I thought I was buying the non-mechanical one. I don't like mechanicals, but I really really like the Steelseries keyboards, even this one. The wrist-rest is very comfortable. Some Issues: -The little screen's resolution is very low and only supports black and white colors, so not many pictures will fit here. -Keys might be a little too sensitive. Sometimes I am resting my fingers on the WASD keys and suddenly my character in the game will start walking left or right without me noticing that I am pressing one of the keys.

Amazing quality, keys are good, and the small screen is very fun to use. You can also fully customize the lighting effects as well as program the keys to your liking. The only thing I'd change are the switches which I plan to upgrade to give a clickier sound, however this is purely personal opinion, not something wrong with the board.

I honestly love this thing, it sounds great if you like clicky keys, it has a nice mini Oled screen you can customize to display whatever you like and the app that steel series uses with it to play with the colors works great too. Fantastic purchase if you are looking for a hybrid keyboard that is cheaper but definitely a quality product.