Customer Ratings & Reviews

I was upgrading from a Razer black widow keyboard that I purchased in 2018/2019. That keyboard was having issues so it was time to upgrade. I saw that this keyboard was on sale for $208, and I had some points, so I ended up paying $160 for this keyboard. I feel like for that price point, this keyboard is great. I can't recommend paying the full price for it. I like that you can customize the actuation of each key (for now, I have left it on default). The keys are not super loud, which my co-workers will appreciate when I am typing and talking during a teams call. The keyboard itself is amazing, but I'm not a fan of the software. I've installed apps to control the OLED screen, but even though I have them enabled, the screen is still showing the default screen. For $160 I am willing to forgive the software issues, but if you're dropping $250 on a keyboard (msrp) then I would look elsewhere.

To begin, I would probably give this keyboard a 4.5 rating if half stars were allowed. As it is, though, there are just a few things that convinced me to round down as opposed to up in this case. First off, the keyboard is very well made. It is sturdy and built like a tank, so to speak. The wrist rest is magnetic and "snaps" onto the keyboard magnetically (and stays put). It is a mechanical keyboard with lettering that is backlit and easy to see. There is also a mini display on the top right with a rotating "select" wheel that allows you to modify different keyboard settings intuitively (without having to memorize or guess different key combinations). The backlighting is crisp and bright (and the illumination can be customized). One of the features that is marketed as being unique for this keyboard is the ability to switch the activation depth for the keys. At the "lightest" setting, even the slightest "brush" against the keys would register a keystroke. At the "heaviest" setting, you pretty much have to bottom out the key travel for the keystroke to be captured. Settings are between 1 and 4 with 0.1 graduations in-between, so there is quite a bit of customization allowed for anyone to find their preferred activation depth. With that feature being inherent in this keyboard, however, one thing that is obviously lacking is that satisfying "click" or engagement when the resistance on the key changes mid-travel and clicks with the activation of the key. This is what I would call a "soft" keyboard and for a touch typist like myself, is not ideal for a mechanical keyboard. Regardless of the activation depth, the keys travel the same distance and there is no tactile feedback for that activation. (You know the key activates when you see the letter pop up on your computer screen.) Another minor issue I have is that the keyboard is marketed as being Mac compatible. While you can definitely plug the keyboard into a Mac and use it, and the company even makes a Mac version of its Engine software, neither the keyboard nor the software has any settings that allow you to use the function keys as standard Mac function keys (that allow for the control of screen brightness, Mission Control, volume control, playback control, etc.) The rotating knob for the on-screen, on-keyboard menu that I mentioned before also serves as a volume control that worked seamlessly with both a Mac as well as a Windows-based PC. The keyboard does include a keycap puller, in case you want to switch your keycaps. The keyboard switches are not interchangeable (to my knowledge), however. So, my final verdict? This is a very nice keyboard and the adjustable activation depth is a very unique feature that allows for customization without having to change your key switches. On the other hand, that is also one of the shortcomings of the keyboard in that there is no option for a "clicky" or other tactile switch for your keys, which makes the keyboard feel "soft." While it will work with a Mac, I would not consider it to be a reasonable option for any Mac user who likes to use the built-in function keys that are programmed to work with a Mac. Thus, this is definitely a PC gamer (not a Mac or a touch typist) keyboard. If I could give a 4.5 rating, I would. As it is, the "softness" of the keys without tactile feedback and the lack of Mac functionality is enough for me to give a 4 star (as opposed to a 5 star) rating.

I have a good amount of experience with gaming keyboards of various calibers and this is right up there with the best. Packaging: To start, it's packed like most Steelseries stuff, orange box, picture on the front, standard stuff. You will note that it's fairly heavy for a keyboard, it's very solidly constructed. Comes with a wrist rest, a USB-A to C cable and a keycap puller. Use: It uses the Steelseries engine for settings, colors, profiles, etc. The keyboard itself has a small screen in the corner that keeps tabs on what profile is being used, adjust settings, very unique for a keyboard, I havent seen a keyboard with a screen on it since a much older one of another brand. The top of the keyboard is aluminum, so there's no plasic where it will take the most of the beating. There are settings to adjust the actuation point for the keys, although not having come from any keyboards with this capability before, I'm still messing with it to see what is good for me. Overall this is an excellent gaming keyboard, their claims of best upper-midrange can be believed, it doesnt have the fully modular aspects of some of the super-high end gaming keyboards, but I feel like it's well down the road towards the capabilities of those models. So if you're in the market for a better-than-decent gaming keyboard, this is a strong contender.

So far out of all the keyboards I have had this one is actually the quitest one I have come across and by that I mean no clicking of the keys when typing or gaming that is one of the biggest pros of this keyboard even while comparing it to the others companies. I very impressed with this keyboard that StealSeries has come out with I have only ever owned one StealSeries keyboard before and it was noisy I could be in discord gaming with friends and chatting at the same time and they would ask what the clicking sound was then laugh when I told them the keys now with this one I have had no complaints about it. The cons and issues that I have with it so far is the RGB even when fully turned up is not very bright at all, the wrist pad that comes with it could stand to be softer, the software itself could use a better tutorial for it as well as how to set the speed for the keys there is very little info in the manual that comes with it and lastly they do not send you any spare key caps like the other companies do. Other than those cons for this Keyboard it's an outstanding keyboard that if your looking for quite keys then it's a get it

What an improvement over gen 1 and 2. Performance wise, it reallt isnt different but the sound dampening makes a massive difference in feel and sound. I personally think this is the best keyboard money can buy in terms of performance AND bells/whistles. I did buy this directly from steelseries though. The software is good and fairly simple to use.

Very comfortable and enjoy that it is adjustable, silent and smooth keys, and nice lighting

I have been using the Steel Series Apex Pro Gen 2 for awhile now, and really liked everything about it; its size, its heft, the key response, and the over all lighting effects on it, so I was excited to see that a gen 3 had been released and was anxious to try it. Needless to say, after using it for awhile, I decided to go back to the gen 2 for a few reasons. the keys do not feel the same on the gen 3 as the gen 2, there is some wobble and the feel is not the same. When hooking up the gen 3, the first thing I was concerned with was the gen 3 connected witha single, flimsy USB C cable, versus the dual USB -A cable that was on the Gen 2. Obviously, removing the ability to use/implement an external USB port on the Gen 3 was deemed not necessary, so a single, USB C was the only thing included. After installing the gen 3 board, an immediate firmware update was required, and, for some reason, after installing this update, and rebooting my computer, I was unable to make any RGB lighting adjustments to the gen 3 board. I uninstalled, and reinstalled the software, and was still unable to change and keep any RGB light adjustments, so that was very disappointing, especially for a board costing 240 bucks! the sound of the keystrokes was pretty weird to me, not "clacky" like the V2 is, sort of a muffled, hollow sound, that I didnt expect. Definitely noticed some keys wobbling, and the larger bars and space bar as well, has a unusual noise to them when struck firmly. there are a couple of other bothersome quirks as well, and, frankly, at this price point, I wouldn't expect any of those things. Its a decent board, but at 200 dollars+, you might want to take a look at some other options.