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  1. Table of Contents
  2. Top
  3. Main Differences
  4. Design
    1. Dimensions
    2. Build Quality
    3. Ergonomics
    4. Hardware Customizability
    5. Backlight Features
    6. Backlight Clarity
    7. Cable & Connector
    8. Wireless Versatility
    9. Macro Keys And Programming
    10. Extra Features
    11. In The Box
  5. Typing Experience
    1. Switches
    2. Keystrokes
    3. Typing Quality
    4. Typing Noise
    5. Latency
  6. Software and Operating System
    1. Configuration Software
    2. Computer Compatibility
    3. Wireless Mobile Compatibility
  7. Comments

Corsair K55 RGB vs SteelSeries Apex 3 TKL

Side-by-Side Comparison

Products

Corsair K55 RGB
SteelSeries Apex 3 TKL

Tested using Methodology v1.2

Updated Jun 21, 2023 04:43 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com

Tested using Methodology v1.0

Updated Dec 16, 2022 06:15 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Corsair K55 RGB Picture
SteelSeries Apex 3 TKL Picture
ConnectivityWired
Size
Full-size (100%)
Switch Type
Rubber Dome
ConnectivityWired
Size
TenKeyLess (80%)
Mechanical
No
  1. Recommended in 3 articles:
  2. Gaming
  3. Budget Gaming
  4. Budget And Cheap

Variants

  • K55 RGB Gaming Keyboard (Black)
  • Apex 3 TKL (Black)

Review

See Corsair K55 RGB Review
See SteelSeries Apex 3 TKL Review
0 
0 

Our Verdict

Corsair K55 RGB

SteelSeries Apex 3 TKL

The Corsair K55 RGB and the SteelSeries Apex 3 TKL are two decent gaming keyboards with rubber dome switches. While the Corsair has much lower latency for a more responsive gaming experience, the keys on the SteelSeries feel lighter to press and offer decent typing quality. They're similar in terms of gaming features, but the Corsair also comes with a wrist rest, which the SteelSeries doesn't, and it's bigger as it has a numpad.

0 

Check Price

Black
K55 RGB Gaming Keyboard
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
Apex 3 TKL
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
K55 RGB Gaming Keyboard
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
Black
Apex 3 TKL
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
Black
K55 RGB Gaming Keyboard
SEARCH
B&H
Black
Apex 3 TKL
SEARCH
B&H
Black
K55 RGB Gaming Keyboard
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
Black
Apex 3 TKL
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
Read more

Main Differences for
Gaming

Threshold 

0.10

Gaming 

7.4
7.2

Operating Force 
 

74 gf
61 gf

Pre-Travel 
 

2.3 mm
2.8 mm

Backlight Features 
 

8.0
5.6

Latency 
 

9.4
7.4

Build Quality 
 

6.5
7.5

Computer Compatibility 
 

10
7.2

Full Comparison

Design

Dimensions 
 

Top Picture  

Corsair K55 RGB Top Picture
SteelSeries Apex 3 TKL Top Picture

Size 
 

Full-size (100%)
TenKeyLess (80%)

Height 
 

1.6" (4.0 cm)
1.6" (4.0 cm)

Width  

18.9" (48.0 cm)
14.4" (36.5 cm)

Depth 
 

6.5" (16.5 cm)
6.0" (15.3 cm)

Depth With Wrist Rest 
 

9.1" (23.0 cm)
N/A

Weight 
 

1.67 lbs (0.757 kg)
1.41 lbs (0.640 kg)
Show Text 

Build Quality 
 

6.5
7.5

Build Quality Close Up  

Corsair K55 RGB Build Quality Close Up
SteelSeries Apex 3 TKL Build Quality Close Up

Keycap Material  

ABS
ABS
Show Text 

Ergonomics 
 

6.0
6.5

Side Picture  

Corsair K55 RGB Side Picture
SteelSeries Apex 3 TKL Side Picture

Curved/Angled 
 

No
Straight

Split Keyboard 
 

No

Key Alignment 
 

Staggered

Minimum Incline 
 

3.5°
4°

Medium Incline 
 

N/A
N/A

Maximum Incline 
 

7°
9.5°

Home Row Height 
 

29.4 mm (1.2")

Wrist Rest  

No
Show Text 

Hardware Customizability 
 

0.0

Customizability Overview  

Corsair K55 RGB Customizability Overview

Replaceable Cherry Stabilizers 
 

No

Stabilizer Fixation 
 

Non-Customizable Design

Spacebar Stabilizer Size 
 

Non-Customizable Design

Size Of Right Mod Keys 
 

Non-Standard

Hot-Swappable Switches 
 

No

Switch Stem Shape 
 

Non-Customizable Design

Switch PCB Socket 
 

Non-Customizable Design

North-Facing Cherry MX Interference 
 

Non-Customizable Design

Backlight Features 
 

8.0
5.6

Backlighting Picture  

Corsair K55 RGB Backlighting Picture
SteelSeries Apex 3 TKL Backlighting Picture

Brightness Max  

Corsair K55 RGB Brightness Max
SteelSeries Apex 3 TKL Brightness Max

Backlighting  

Yes
Yes

Brightness Min  

Corsair K55 RGB Brightness Min
SteelSeries Apex 3 TKL Brightness Min

White Shot 
 

Corsair K55 RGB White Shot
SteelSeries Apex 3 TKL White Shot

RGB 
 

Yes

Per-Key Backlighting 
 

No
No

Effects 
 

Yes
Yes

Software Controllable 
 

Yes
Yes

Color 
 

RGB

Color Mixing 
 

Good
Show Text 

Backlight Clarity 
 

9.0

White Shot  

Corsair K55 RGB White Shot
SteelSeries Apex 3 TKL White Shot

Cable & Connector  

Connectivity  

Wired
Wired

Detachable 
 

No
No

Length  

5.9 ft (1.8 m)
5.9 ft (1.8 m)

Connector (Keyboard side) 
 

Not Detachable
Not Detachable
Show Text 

Wireless Versatility 
 

0.0
0.0

Bluetooth 
 

No
No

Bluetooth Multi-Device Pairing 
 

No
No

Proprietary Receiver 
 

No
No

Battery Type 
 

No Batteries
No Batteries
Show Text 

Macro Keys And Programming 
 

8.9

Dedicated Macro Keys Count  

6

Onboard Macro Programming 
 

Yes

Macro Programming With Software 
 

Yes

Extra Features 
 

Extra Features  

Corsair K55 RGB Extra Features
SteelSeries Apex 3 TKL Extra Features

Media Keys 
 

Dedicated
Dedicated

Trackpad / Trackball  

No
No

Scroll Wheel 
 

No
Yes

Control Knob 
 

No

USB Passthrough 
 

No
No

Numpad  

Yes
No

Windows Key Lock 
 

Yes
Yes

Lock Indicator  

Caps & Num Lock
Caps Lock

Macro Programmable Keys 
 

All
Show Text 

In The Box  

Bundle Picture  

Corsair K55 RGB Bundle Picture
SteelSeries Apex 3 TKL Bundle Picture
Show Text 
Typing Experience

Switches 
 

Wobble Video  

Switch Name 
 

No Marketed Name
Rubber Dome

Switch Type 
 

Rubber Dome

Feel 
 

Tactile
Tactile

Keystrokes 
 

Key Switch Actuation Graph  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Key Switches 
 

No Marketed Name
Rubber Dome

Mechanical 
 

No

Feel 
 

Tactile
Tactile

Operating Force 
 

74 gf
61 gf

Actuation Force 
 

35 gf
33 gf

Pre-Travel 
 

2.3 mm
2.8 mm

Total Travel 
 

4.0 mm
3.7 mm
Show Text 

Typing Quality 
 

6.0
7.0
Show Text 

Typing Noise 
 

9.1
10

Typing Sample  

Average Loudness 
 

44.1 dBA

High Pitch Clicks 
 

No

Noise 
 

Very Quiet
Show Text 

Latency 
 

9.4
7.4

Latency Video  

Latency Wired 
 

4.8 ms
10.6 ms

Latency Receiver 
 

N/A
N/A

Latency Bluetooth 
 

N/A
N/A
Show Text 
Software and Operating System

Configuration Software 
 

Software Picture  

SteelSeries Apex 3 TKL Software Picture

Software Tour  

Software Name  

iCUE
SteelSeries GG

Software Windows Compatible 
 

Yes
Yes

Software macOS Compatible 
 

Yes
Yes

Onboard Memory 
 

No
No

Profiles 
 

6+
6+

Account Required 
 

No

Cloud Sync 
 

Yes

Macro Programming 
 

Software and Onboard

Ease Of Use 
 

Easy
Show Text 

Computer Compatibility 
 

10
7.2

Windows 
 

Fully Compatible
Full

macOS 
 

Fully Compatible
Partial

Linux (Ubuntu 22) 
 

Fully Compatible
Partial

Media Key Compatibility 
 

Windows, MacOS & Linux

Android  

Not Compatible
No

iOS  

Not Compatible
No

iPadOS  

Not Compatible
No
Show Text 

Wireless Mobile Compatibility 
 

0.0

Android 
 

Not Compatible
No

iOS 
 

Not Compatible
No

iPadOS 
 

Not Compatible
No

Media Key Compatibility 
 

Not Compatible

Check Price

Black
K55 RGB Gaming Keyboard
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
Apex 3 TKL
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
K55 RGB Gaming Keyboard
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
Black
Apex 3 TKL
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
Black
K55 RGB Gaming Keyboard
SEARCH
B&H
Black
Apex 3 TKL
SEARCH
B&H
Black
K55 RGB Gaming Keyboard
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
Black
Apex 3 TKL
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
Back to Top

Corsair K55 RGB

SteelSeries Apex 3 TKL

Comments

  1. Comparison
 • Posted 1 year ago

Corsair K55 RGB vs SteelSeries Apex 3 TKL: Main Discussion

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