The SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini is the compact (60%) version of the SteelSeries Apex Pro. Like the full-size original, it uses analog Hall effect switches, which rely on magnets and can customize the sensitivity of your keypresses on a per-key basis. This newer, compact version allows you to customize pre-travel distance adjustments in a slightly broader range, and you can now program up to two inputs to a single keypress.
Our Verdict
The SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini is an outstanding gaming keyboard. It feels well-built and offers a satisfying gaming experience. This unit uses SteelSeries' Hall effect OmniPoint 2.0 switches, which allow you to adjust the pre-travel distance on a per-key basis within a pretty long range, so you can get your sensitivity settings right where you want them. There's also a feature that allows you to program up to two inputs per keypress. You can make all of these changes, as well as standard macro programming and backlighting customization, using the companion software, which is available for both Windows and macOS. Unfortunately, the ergonomics of this keyboard are only okay as it has a high profile and doesn't include a wrist rest.
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Hall effect switches allow you to adjust pre-travel distance of individual switches.
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Exceptionally low latency.
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Feels very well built.
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Companion software available for both Windows and macOS.
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Wired-only.
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No included wrist rest for better ergonomic support.
The SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini is a wired-only keyboard with a USB-A to USB-C cable, so it's not suitable for use with most mobile devices.
The SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini is a good keyboard for office use. It feels well-built, and it offers a satisfying typing experience. Although the typing noise isn't as quiet as most dedicated office keyboards, it's quiet enough that you likely won't disturb your coworkers in an open office environment. Also, the keyboard and its customization software is fully compatible with both Windows and macOS, meaning you can alter your settings no matter your operating system. Unfortunately, its ergonomics are only okay as this is a straight keyboard with a high profile and doesn't include a wrist rest.
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Feels very well built.
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Companion software available for both Windows and macOS.
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Wired-only.
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No included wrist rest for better ergonomic support.
The SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini is a very good keyboard for programming. It has a solid build quality and feels satisfying to type on. The companion software is available for both Windows and macOS and lets you perform several adjustments, like programming macros, customizing the RGB backlighting and, most impressively, adjusting the sensitivity of your keypresses. Unfortunately, as it's a wired-only unit, it's not recommended for use in multi-device setups, as you can only use it with one device at once. Also, its ergonomics are only okay as it has a high profile and doesn't include a wrist rest.
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Feels very well built.
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Companion software available for both Windows and macOS.
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Wired-only.
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No included wrist rest for better ergonomic support.
The SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini is a poor keyboard for a home theater PC setup. Since it's wired-only, you'll have to run the cable from the keyboard to the PC, which could be a tripping hazard or just inconvenient if your PC is more than two meters away from your couch. This keyboard also lacks any trackpad for on-screen navigation. On the bright side, the RGB backlighting illuminates the key legends and makes them easy to read in the dark, and its media keys are easily accessible hotkeys.
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Feels very well built.
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Companion software available for both Windows and macOS.
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No trackpad for on-screen navigation.
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Wired-only.
- 9.2 Gaming
- 5.0 Mobile/Tablet
- 7.6 Office
- 7.9 Programming
- 5.1 Entertainment / HTPC
- Updated Jun 04, 2024: We've made small text changes in several sections to make it explicitly clear that this keyboard uses Hall effect switches.
- Updated Aug 09, 2023: We've added a link to the newly-reviewed DrunkDeer A75 in the Dimensions section of this review.
- Updated Apr 18, 2023: We've added a link to the newly-reviewed Wooting 60HE in the Keystrokes section of this review.
- Updated Aug 17, 2022: Review published.
- Updated Aug 10, 2022: Early access published.
- Updated Jul 15, 2022: Our testers have started testing this product.
- Updated Jul 12, 2022: The product has arrived in our lab, and our testers will start evaluating it soon.
- Updated Jul 01, 2022: We've purchased the product and are waiting for it to arrive in our lab.
Differences Between Sizes And Variants
The SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini is the wired version of the SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini Wireless. There is very little difference between these two units except that the wired-only version has a storage compartment on the bottom of the board to store a keycap puller. While it only comes in a black colorway, there are many different language layouts available. We bought and tested the US English variant. You can see the label of our unit here.
Compared To Other Keyboards
The SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini is the compact (60%) version of the SteelSeries Apex Pro. The compact layout means you have more room on your desk for dynamic mouse movements while gaming, and it also means this keyboard is much more portable than the full-size version. However, due to the change in size, you lose a lot of the extra hardware features that were a staple on the original, like the programmable OLED screen, volume wheel, dedicated media keys, and USB passthrough.
If you're interested in other options, check out our recommendations for the best gaming keyboards, the best RGB keyboards, and the best mechanical keyboards.
The SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini and the Wooting 60HE are mechanical gaming keyboards with Compact (60%) form factors. Both keyboards have exceptional gaming performance and analog switch functionality that allow you to adjust the pre-travel of individual keys. However, the Wooting has some additional software features the SteelSeries lacks, including a low latency Tachyon Mode, Rapid Triggers, the ability to assign up to four inputs to a single keypress, customizable reset points, and an Analog Mode that mimics the gradual inputs of a controller joystick.
The SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini and the SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL (2023) are mechanical gaming keyboards that belong to the same lineup and use OmniPoint switches that allow you to customize the actuation point of individual keys. The Apex Pro Mini has a smaller Compact (60%) form factor. On the other hand, the Apex Pro TKL (2023) has a TenKeyLess (80%) form factor. It also has an OLED screen and an included wrist rest, which the Apex Pro Mini lacks.
The Razer Huntsman Mini and the SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini are compact gaming keyboards, but the SteelSeries has a unique feature that allows you to adjust the pre-travel distance on a per-key basis. Other than this feature, the two keyboards both have a similarly premium build quality and exceptionally low latency. The Razer is an older unit that's easier to find at a lower price, so unless you want the adjustable pre-travel feature on the SteelSeries, the Razer may be a better option.
The SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini and the SteelSeries Apex 9 are both premium gaming keyboards. The major difference between the two is that the Apex Pro Mini uses OmniPoint 2.0 switches, which allow you to adjust the pre-travel distance within a wide range, while the Apex 9 uses OptiPoint switches which have two fixed presets for your pre-travel distance. Otherwise, the two keyboards offer similar incredible performance with very low latency.
The SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini is the wired-only version of the SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini Wireless. Other than the connectivity options, the only major difference between the two keyboards is that the wired-only version has a storage compartment on the bottom to hold the included keycap puller.
The SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini is the compact (60%) version of the original SteelSeries Apex Pro. This compact version has upgraded OmniPoint 2.0 switches that have a longer pre-travel distance range, and they allow you to program up to two inputs per keypress. However, due to the decrease in size, many hardware features found on the original are missing like the programmable OLED screen and dedicated media keys.
The Corsair K65 RGB MINI and the SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini are both compact gaming keyboards, but the SteelSeries has a feature that allows you to adjust the pre-travel distance on a per-key basis, meaning you can set the sensitivity of your keypresses to where it feels best for you. On the other hand, the Corsair has a maximum polling rate of 8000Hz for incredibly low latency.
The Razer Huntsman Mini Analog and the SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini are both compact (60%) gaming keyboards with an adjustable pre-travel distance feature. The major difference between the two boards is in the technology that they each use. The SteelSeries uses magnetized switches that are more consistent and accurate than the Optical switches found on the Razer. However, the Razer has an "Analog Mode," which emulates joystick controls using your keyboard.
The Corsair K65 PRO MINI and the SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini are wired mechanical gaming keyboards. The Corsair uses liner OPX optical switches and has a higher maximum polling rate of 8000Hz. It's also slightly larger, with a compact (65%) form factor that includes dedicated arrow keys and several navigation keys, which the SteelSeries lacks. On the other hand, the SteelSeries uses optical OmniPoint 2.0 switches, allowing you to customize individual keys' pre-travel distance.
The HyperX Alloy Origins 60 and the SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini are both compact gaming keyboards, but the SteelSeries has a unique feature that allows you to adjust the pre-travel distance on a per-key basis. On the other hand, the HyperX has an excellent build quality, and it's more straightforward than the SteelSeries as it's an out-of-the-box unit with minimal customization options.
The SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini and the Logitech G PRO X 60 are compact 60% gaming keyboards. The SteelSeries has better overall build quality, and its standout feature is its hall-effect switches that allow you to customize the pre-travel and reset distance of individual switches. The Logitech is a wireless model that's comparatively much more straightforward and has standard optical switches.
The Razer Huntsman V2 Analog and the SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini are both gaming keyboards with an adjustable pre-travel distance. The Razer is a full-size wired unit that uses Optical switches, while the SteelSeries is a compact (60%) keyboard with magnetized Hall Effect switches. The SteelSeries is more consistent with their implementation of this adjustable pre-travel distance feature, but the Razer has an Analog Mode, so keypresses emulate joystick controls on a gamepad.
Test Results
The SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini is the compact version of the SteelSeries Apex Pro. This smaller version allows for more room on your desk for mouse movements, but it may take some getting used to if you're more familiar with full-size boards. It's also important to note that the weight difference between this keyboard and its wireless counterpart, the SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini Wireless is due to the weight of the cable on the wired version.
If you're interested in a similar gaming keyboard with hall-effect switches but in a slightly larger Compact (75%) layout that includes dedicated arrow keys and several navigation keys, check out the DrunkDeer A75.
The SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini has an excellent build quality. The chassis is stiff plastic, while the top plate is fully aluminum, so the unit feels sturdy. The keycaps are double-shot PBT with a rough texture that feels nice on the fingertips and adds a bit of grip. The stabilizers do a good job of keeping the keys stable, but there is a bit of wiggle that's only noticeable when the keys aren't pressed down. Underneath the board, the four rubber feet do a good job keeping the board in place. This version has a compartment in the bottom that stores a keycap puller, while the wireless version lacks this compartment.
The SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini has okay ergonomics. It's a straight board with a high profile and two incline settings. Unlike the original SteelSeries Apex Pro, this model doesn't include a wrist rest, which would increase the overall comfort during use. As it's a compact board, the smaller size could take some getting used to, but the keys aren't too cramped.
The SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini has full RGB backlighting with individually-lit keys. You can customize the backlighting with different colors or effects using the companion software. While the key legends are shine-through and easy to read in the dark, the hotkey legends are printed on the front, so they're a little bit harder to read. Also, the color mixing is on the poor side, as the whites show up with a strong blue tint that isn't caused by any interference from the switch or keycap.
The SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini comes with a detachable braided USB-A to USB-C cable. The cable feels nice, but it retains kinks from the packaging.
The SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini is a wired-only keyboard.
The SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini has a few extra features. The most notable is the adjustable pre-travel distance feature, which allows you to set the pre-travel distance on a per-key basis within a range of 0.2mm-3.8mm. You can also program dual inputs on a single keypress, meaning you can walk forward in-game with a light keypress but press the same key deeper to sprint. Additionally, every key is macro-programmable, either using the companion software or directly onboard. As a difference from the wireless version, this keyboard has a compartment on the bottom to store the included keycap puller.
The SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini uses proprietary SteelSeries OmniPoint 2.0 switches. These differ from traditional mechanical switches because they use magnetic Hall Effect sensors to register keypresses. Due to this technology, you can adjust the pre-travel distance of each key within a range of 0.2mm to 3.8mm for control over the sensitivity of your keypresses. Out of the box, the default setting is 1.8mm, and the above results use this default setting.
As you'll notice from the results above, there's a slight discrepancy between the actual recorded measurement and the measurement set in the software. However, this inaccuracy is consistent, so no matter what distance you set in the software, you likely won't notice the difference as it's very marginal. If you're looking for a keyboard that offers similar functionality, allowing you to adjust the pre-travel of individual keys more consistently and precisely, check out the Wooting 60HE.
The SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini's typing experience is very good. The PBT keycaps have a rough texture that feels nice and adds a bit of grip. There's a slight wobble to the keys, but it isn't noticeable during use. Overall, the keyboard takes some getting used to at first due to the keyboard's compact design. Since all of the function keys, navigational keys, and media keys are hotkeys rather than dedicated keys, you'll have to play around and memorize their locations, especially if you're coming from a full-size keyboard.
The SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini is a moderately quiet keyboard. The OmniPoint 2.0 switches have a linear feel and don't make a clicking noise, but due to their light actuation force, you're prone to bottoming out the key, which makes typing louder.
The SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini has outstanding latency, so even the most competitive gamers won't notice a delay.
The SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini uses SteelSeries GG software for customization. This software is simple and allows you to rebind keys, program macros, and customize the RGB lighting. Most notably, you can adjust the pre-travel distance on a per-key basis and set up to two actions per keypress. It's also important to mention that you can program macros directly on board without the software. The instructions for how to do this are found in the user manual.