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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

Razer BlackWidow Lite vs SteelSeries Apex 5

Side-by-Side Comparison

Products

Razer BlackWidow Lite
SteelSeries Apex 5

Tested using Methodology v1.0

Updated Dec 15, 2022 08:08 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com

Tested using Methodology v1.2

Updated Jun 21, 2023 04:41 PM

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Walmart.com
Razer BlackWidow Lite Picture
SteelSeries Apex 5 Picture

Variants

  • BlackWidow Lite (Black)
  • BlackWidow Lite (Star Wars Stormtrooper Limited Edition)
  • BlackWidow Lite (White)
  • Apex 5 (Black)

Our Verdict

Razer BlackWidow Lite

SteelSeries Apex 5

The SteelSeries Apex 5 and the Razer BlackWidow Lite are quite different. The SteelSeries is a full-size keyboard with hybrid mechanical switches, while the Razer is a TenKeyLess keyboard with Razer Orange (tactile) switches. Although both switches have similar pre-travel distance and operating force, the Razer is better for gaming because it has lower latency. That said, the Razer's latency is still a bit high for a wired keyboard. The Razer provides a better and quieter typing experience, so it's a better choice for office use. On the other hand, the SteelSeries has more features, like an OLED screen, onboard memory, and a wrist rest. It also has full RGB backlighting, whereas the Razer is limited to a single white color.

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Black
BlackWidow Lite
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Star Wars Stormtrooper Limited Edition
BlackWidow Lite
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White
BlackWidow Lite
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Black
Apex 5
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Main Differences for
Gaming

Threshold 

0.10

Gaming 

8.8
8.7

Software & Programming 
 

7.1
10

Keyboard Compatibility 
 

7.2
10

Backlighting 
 

9.3
10

Full Comparison

Design

Dimensions 
 

Top Picture  

Razer BlackWidow Lite Top Picture
SteelSeries Apex 5 Top Picture

Size 
 

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

Height 
 

1.4" (3.5 cm)
1.5" (3.7 cm)

Width  

14.2" (36.1 cm)
17.5" (44.4 cm)

Depth 
 

5.2" (13.3 cm)
5.6" (14.1 cm)

Depth With Wrist Rest 
 

N/A
8.3" (21.2 cm)

Weight 
 

1.51 lbs (0.687 kg)
1.98 lbs (0.900 kg)
Show text

Build Quality 
 

8.0
8.5

Build Quality Close Up  

Razer BlackWidow Lite Build Quality Close Up
SteelSeries Apex 5 Build Quality Close Up

Keycap Material  

ABS
ABS
Show text

Ergonomics 
 

6.5
6.0

Side Picture  

Razer BlackWidow Lite Side Picture
SteelSeries Apex 5 Side Picture

Curved/Angled 
 

Straight
No

Split Keyboard 
 

No

Key Alignment 
 

Staggered

Minimum Incline 
 

Medium Incline 
 

N/A
N/A

Maximum Incline 
 

9.5°

Home Row Height 
 

32.6 mm (1.3")

Wrist Rest  

No
Show text

Hardware Customizability 
 

7.4

Customizability Overview  

SteelSeries Apex 5 Customizability Overview

Replaceable Cherry Stabilizers 
 

Yes

Stabilizer Fixation 
 

Plate-Mounted

Spacebar Stabilizer Size 
 

6.25u

Size Of Right Mod Keys 
 

1.25u

Hot-Swappable Switches 
 

Yes

Switch Stem Shape 
 

Cherry MX Style

Switch PCB Socket 
 

Non-Customizable Design

North-Facing Cherry MX Interference 
 

Yes

Backlight Features 
 

9.3
10

Backlighting Picture  

Razer BlackWidow Lite Backlighting Picture
SteelSeries Apex 5 Backlighting Picture

Brightness Max  

Razer BlackWidow Lite Brightness Max
SteelSeries Apex 5 Brightness Max

Backlighting  

Yes
Yes

Brightness Min  

Razer BlackWidow Lite Brightness Min
SteelSeries Apex 5 Brightness Min

White Shot 
 

Razer BlackWidow Lite White Shot
SteelSeries Apex 5 White Shot

RGB 
 

Yes

Per-Key Backlighting 
 

Yes
Yes

Effects 
 

Yes
Yes

Software Controllable 
 

Yes
Yes

Color 
 

White

Color Mixing 
 

Great
Show text

Backlight Clarity 
 

8.0

White Shot  

Razer BlackWidow Lite White Shot
SteelSeries Apex 5 White Shot

Cable & Connector  

Connectivity  

Wired
Wired

Detachable 
 

Yes (Wired Only Keyboard)
No

Length  

6.5 ft (2.0 m)
5.9 ft (1.8 m)

Connector (Keyboard side) 
 

Micro USB
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 
 

5.5

Dedicated Macro Keys Count  

0

Onboard Macro Programming 
 

Yes

Macro Programming With Software 
 

Yes

Extra Features 
 

Extra Features  

Razer BlackWidow Lite Extra Features
SteelSeries Apex 5 Extra Features

Media Keys 
 

Hot Keys
Dedicated

Trackpad / Trackball  

No
No

Scroll Wheel 
 

No
No

Control Knob 
 

No

USB Passthrough 
 

No
No

Numpad  

No
Yes

Windows Key Lock 
 

No
Yes

Lock Indicator  

Caps Lock
Caps, Scroll & Num lock

Macro Programmable Keys 
 

All
Show text

In The Box  

Bundle Picture  

Razer BlackWidow Lite Bundle Picture
SteelSeries Apex 5 Bundle Picture
Show text
Typing Experience

Switches 
 

Wobble Video  

Switch Name 
 

Razer Orange
Hybrid Blue Mechanical

Switch Type 
 

Mechanical

Feel 
 

Tactile
Clicky

Keystrokes 
 

Key Switch Actuation Graph  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Key Switches 
 

Razer Orange
Hybrid Blue Mechanical

Mechanical 
 

Yes

Feel 
 

Tactile
Clicky

Operating Force 
 

55 gf
54 gf

Actuation Force 
 

40 gf
50 gf

Pre-Travel 
 

1.8 mm
1.8 mm

Total Travel 
 

4.0 mm
4.0 mm
Show text

Typing Quality 
 

8.5
7.5
Show text

Typing Noise 
 

9.0
4.4

Typing Sample  

Average Loudness 
 

55.5 dBA

High Pitch Clicks 
 

Yes

Noise 
 

Quiet
Show text

Latency 
 

7.4
6.5

Latency Video  

Latency Wired 
 

10.6 ms
24.4 ms

Latency Receiver 
 

N/A
N/A

Latency Bluetooth 
 

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

Configuration Software 
 

Software Picture  

Razer BlackWidow Lite Software Picture

Software Tour  

Software Name  

Razer Synapse 3
Steelseries Engine

Software Windows Compatible 
 

Yes
Yes

Software macOS Compatible 
 

No
Yes

Onboard Memory 
 

No
Yes

Profiles 
 

6+
6+

Account Required 
 

No

Cloud Sync 
 

Yes

Macro Programming 
 

Software

Ease Of Use 
 

Easy
Show text

Computer Compatibility 
 

7.2
10

Windows 
 

Full
Fully Compatible

macOS 
 

Partial
Fully Compatible

Linux (Ubuntu 22) 
 

Partial
Fully Compatible

Media Key Compatibility 
 

Windows, MacOS & Linux

Android  

No
Not Compatible

iOS  

No
Not Compatible

iPadOS  

No
Not Compatible
Show text

Wireless Mobile Compatibility 
 

0.0

Android 
 

No
Not Compatible

iOS 
 

No
Not Compatible

iPadOS 
 

No
Not Compatible

Media Key Compatibility 
 

Not Compatible

Check Price

Black
BlackWidow Lite
Searching
Finding store
Star Wars Stormtrooper Limited Edition
BlackWidow Lite
Searching
Finding store
White
BlackWidow Lite
Searching
Finding store
Black
Apex 5
B&H
 

Razer BlackWidow Lite

SteelSeries Apex 5

Comments

  1. Comparison

Razer BlackWidow Lite vs SteelSeries Apex 5: Main Discussion

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