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- Table of Contents
- Top
- Main Differences
- Design
- Typing Experience
- Performance
- Software and Operating System
- Comments
Razer BlackWidow Lite vs SteelSeries Apex 7 TKL
Side-by-Side Comparison
Products
Razer BlackWidow Lite
SteelSeries Apex 7 TKL
Tested using Methodology v1.0
Updated Dec 15, 2022 08:08 PM
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comTested using Methodology v1.3.1
Updated Nov 30, 2023 07:02 PM
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
ConnectivityWired
SizeTenKeyLess (80%)
MechanicalYes
ConnectivityWired
SizeTenKeyLess (80%)
Switch TypeMechanical
N-Key Rollover (NKRO)Yes
Hot-Swappable SwitchesNo
Variants
- BlackWidow Lite (Black)
- BlackWidow Lite (Star Wars Stormtrooper Limited Edition)
- BlackWidow Lite (White)
- Apex 7 TKL (Black)
- Apex 7 (Black)
- Apex 7 TKL (Ghost Edition)
Our Verdict
Razer BlackWidow Lite
SteelSeries Apex 7 TKL
The SteelSeries Apex 7 TKL and the Razer BlackWidow Lite are wired TenKeyLess mechanical keyboards with several standout differences. The SteelSeries features lower latency, full RGB backlighting, an included wrist rest, and companion software compatible with Windows and macOS. The unit we tested has tactile SteelSeries Brown switches, but it’s also available with linear SteelSeries Red and clicky SteelSeries Blue switches. The Razer only has white backlighting, does not have an included wrist rest, and its companion software is only compatible with Windows. It has tactile Razer Orange switches that have low pre-travel, require light force to actuate keystrokes, and are very quiet. There are no other switch types available.
Check Price
Black
BlackWidow Lite
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Finding storeBlack
Apex 7 TKL
Searching
Finding storeStar Wars Stormtrooper Limited Edition
BlackWidow Lite
Searching
Finding storeBlack
Apex 7
Searching
Finding storeWhite
BlackWidow Lite
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Finding storeGhost Edition
Apex 7 TKL
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Finding storeNotice: Two or more of the products selected have been tested with different test methodologies, so some of the results below aren't directly comparable. Learn how our test benches and scoring system work, and read more about the latest changes to our keyboards test methodology.
Main Differences for
Threshold
Gaming
8.8
8.3
Pre-Travel
1.8 mm
2.4 mm
Software & Programming
7.1
10
Keyboard Compatibility
7.2
10
Latency
7.4
8.0
Backlighting
9.3
10
Full Comparison
Design
Dimensions
Top Picture
Size
TenKeyLess (80%)
TenKeyLess (80%)
Height
1.4" (3.5 cm)
1.6" (4.0 cm)
Width
14.2" (36.1 cm)
14.0" (35.5 cm)
Depth
5.2" (13.3 cm)
5.5" (13.9 cm)
Depth With Wrist Rest
N/A
8.3" (21.0 cm)
Weight
1.51 lbs (0.687 kg)
1.54 lbs (0.700 kg)
Build Quality
8.0
8.5
Build Quality Close Up
Keycap Material
ABS
ABS
Ergonomics
6.5
6.0
Side Picture
Curved/Angled
Straight
No
Split Keyboard
No
Key Alignment
Staggered
Minimum Incline
2°
4°
Medium Incline
N/A
N/A
Maximum Incline
5°
10.5°
Home Row Height
32.2 mm (1.3")
Wrist Rest
No
Hardware Customizability
6.0
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
No
Switch Stem Shape
Cherry MX Style
Switch PCB Socket
Soldered
North-Facing Cherry MX Interference
Yes
Backlight Features
9.3
10
Backlighting Picture
Brightness Max
Backlighting
Yes
Yes
Brightness Min
White Shot
RGB
Yes
Per-Key Backlighting
Yes
Yes
Effects
Yes
Yes
Software Controllable
Yes
Yes
Color
White
Color Mixing
Great
Backlight Clarity
9.0
White Shot
Cable & Connector
Connectivity
Wired
Wired
Detachable
Yes (Wired Only Keyboard)
No
Length
6.5 ft (2.0 m)
6.2 ft (1.9 m)
Connector (Keyboard side)
Micro USB
Not Detachable
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
Macro Keys And Programming
5.5
Dedicated Macro Keys Count
0
Onboard Macro Programming
Yes
Macro Programming With Software
Yes
Extra Features
Extra Features
Media Keys
Hot Keys
Dedicated
Trackpad / Trackball
No
No
Scroll Wheel
No
Yes
Control Knob
No
USB Passthrough
No
Yes
Numpad
No
No
Windows Key Lock
No
Yes
Lock Indicator
Caps Lock
Caps Lock
Macro Programmable Keys
All
In The Box
Bundle Picture
Typing Experience
Typing Quality
8.5
8.0
Key Spacing
19.0 mm (0.748")
Typing Noise
9.0
6.0
Typing Sample
Average Loudness
60.0 dBA
High Pitch Clicks
No
Noise
Quiet
Switches
Wobble Video
Switch Name
Razer Orange
SteelSeries Brown
Switch Type
Mechanical
Feel
Tactile
Tactile
Analog
No
Keystrokes
Key Switch Actuation Graph
Key Switches
Razer Orange
SteelSeries Brown
Mechanical
Yes
Feel
Tactile
Tactile
Operating Force
55 gf
44 gf
Actuation Force
40 gf
37 gf
Pre-Travel
1.8 mm
2.4 mm
Total Travel
4.0 mm
4.1 mm
Latency
7.4
8.0
Latency Video
Latency Wired
10.6 ms
11.9 ms
Latency Receiver
N/A
N/A
Latency Bluetooth
N/A
N/A
Performance
Single-Key Latency
7.4
8.0
Single-Key Latency Graph
Best Connection
11.9 ms
Best Connection Std Dev
±1.3 ms
Wired
10.6 ms
11.9 ms
Receiver
N/A
N/A
Bluetooth
N/A
N/A
PCB (Estimated)
9.7 ms
Multi-Key Latency
7.8
Latency Video
Multi-Key Latency Graph
Connection Evaluated
Wired
Key Press
12.6 ms
Key Release
11.7 ms
Data Transmission
8.7
Multi-Key Raw USB
Connection Evaluated
Wired
USB Polling Rate
1,000 Hz
Effective Update Rate
1,000 Hz
N-Key Rollover (NKRO)
Yes
Multiple Keys Per USB Report
Yes
Chord Split
8.0
Chord Split Graph
4 Chord Split Delay
5.4 ms
8 Chord Split Delay
11.3 ms
Software and Operating System
Configuration Software
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+
5
Account Required
No
Cloud Sync
Yes
Macro Programming
Software
Ease Of Use
Easy
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
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 storeBlack
Apex 7 TKL
Searching
Finding storeStar Wars Stormtrooper Limited Edition
BlackWidow Lite
Searching
Finding storeBlack
Apex 7
Searching
Finding storeWhite
BlackWidow Lite
Searching
Finding storeGhost Edition
Apex 7 TKL
Searching
Finding store
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Razer BlackWidow Lite
SteelSeries Apex 7 TKL
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Razer BlackWidow Lite vs SteelSeries Apex 7 TKL: Main Discussion
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