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- Table of Contents
- Top
- Main Differences
- Design
- Typing Experience
- Performance
- Software and Operating System
- Comments
Razer BlackWidow V3 vs SteelSeries Apex 3 TKL
Side-by-Side Comparison
Products
Razer BlackWidow V3
SteelSeries Apex 3 TKL
Tested using Methodology v1.3.1
Updated Nov 27, 2023 05:26 PM
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Amazon.comTested using Methodology v1.0
Updated Dec 16, 2022 06:15 PM
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Missing store
ConnectivityWired
SizeFull-size (100%)
Switch TypeMechanical
N-Key Rollover (NKRO)Yes
Hot-Swappable SwitchesNo
ConnectivityWired
SizeTenKeyLess (80%)
MechanicalNo
Variants
- BlackWidow V3 (Classic Black)
- BlackWidow V3 (Halo Infinite)
- BlackWidow V3 (Quartz Pink)
- BlackWidow V3 (Roblox Edition)
- Apex 3 TKL (Black)
Our Verdict
Razer BlackWidow V3
SteelSeries Apex 3 TKL
The Razer BlackWidow V3 is better for gaming than the SteelSeries Apex 3 TKL. The Razer is a full-size keyboard available with two types of mechanical switches, while the SteelSeries is TKL and has rubber dome switches. However, the Razer is also available in a TKL size, and the SteelSeries has a full-size variant as well. The mechanical switches on the Razer provide a better gaming and typing experience, and the keyboard has much lower latency. It also has better ergonomics because it comes with a wrist rest, and it has individually lit RGB backlighting, while the SteelSeries is limited to 8 lighting zones.
Check Price
Classic Black
BlackWidow V3
Searching
Finding storeHalo Infinite
BlackWidow V3
Searching
Finding storeQuartz Pink
BlackWidow V3
Searching
Finding storeRoblox Edition
BlackWidow V3
Searching
Finding storeMain Differences forGaming
Gaming
Threshold
Gaming
8.7
7.2
Pre-Travel
1.4 mm
2.8 mm
Backlight Features
10
5.6
Single-Key Latency
9.1
7.4
Operating Force
43 gf
61 gf
Computer Compatibility
10
7.2
Full Comparison
Design
Dimensions
Top Picture
Size
Full-size (100%)
TenKeyLess (80%)
Height
1.7" (4.2 cm)
1.6" (4.0 cm)
Width
17.8" (45.1 cm)
14.4" (36.5 cm)
Depth
6.1" (15.4 cm)
6.0" (15.3 cm)
Depth With Wrist Rest
9.1" (23.0 cm)
N/A
Weight
2.21 lbs (1.002 kg)
1.41 lbs (0.640 kg)
Build Quality
8.0
7.5
Build Quality Close Up
Keycap Material
ABS
ABS
Ergonomics
6.0
6.5
Side Picture
Curved/Angled
No
Straight
Split Keyboard
No
Key Alignment
Staggered
Minimum Incline
4°
4°
Medium Incline
6°
N/A
Maximum Incline
8.5°
9.5°
Home Row Height
34.6 mm (1.4")
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
10
5.6
Backlighting Picture
Brightness Max
Backlighting
Yes
Yes
Brightness Min
White Shot
RGB
Yes
Per-Key Backlighting
Yes
No
Effects
Yes
Yes
Software Controllable
Yes
Yes
Color
RGB
Color Mixing
Good
Backlight Clarity
8.0
White Shot
Cable & Connector
Connectivity
Wired
Wired
Detachable
No
No
Length
6.4 ft (2.0 m)
5.9 ft (1.8 m)
Connector (Keyboard side)
Not Detachable
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
Dedicated
Dedicated
Trackpad / Trackball
No
No
Scroll Wheel
Yes
Yes
Control Knob
No
USB Passthrough
No
No
Numpad
Yes
No
Windows Key Lock
Yes
Yes
Lock Indicator
Caps, Scroll & Num lock
Caps Lock
Macro Programmable Keys
All
In The Box
Bundle Picture
Typing Experience
Typing Quality
7.5
7.0
Key Spacing
19.0 mm (0.748")
Typing Noise
7.1
10
Typing Sample
Average Loudness
54.1 dBA
High Pitch Clicks
No
Noise
Very Quiet
Switches
Wobble Video
Switch Name
Razer Yellow
Rubber Dome
Switch Type
Mechanical
Feel
Linear
Tactile
Analog
No
Keystrokes
Key Switch Actuation Graph
Key Switches
Razer Yellow
Rubber Dome
Mechanical
No
Feel
Linear
Tactile
Operating Force
43 gf
61 gf
Actuation Force
41 gf
33 gf
Pre-Travel
1.4 mm
2.8 mm
Total Travel
3.6 mm
3.7 mm
Latency
9.1
7.4
Latency Video
Latency Wired
3.6 ms
10.6 ms
Latency Receiver
N/A
N/A
Latency Bluetooth
N/A
N/A
Performance
Single-Key Latency
9.1
7.4
Single-Key Latency Graph
Best Connection
3.6 ms
Best Connection Std Dev
±0.4 ms
Wired
3.6 ms
10.6 ms
Receiver
N/A
N/A
Bluetooth
N/A
N/A
PCB (Estimated)
2.3 ms
Multi-Key Latency
8.8
Latency Video
Multi-Key Latency Graph
Connection Evaluated
Wired
Key Press
3.5 ms
Key Release
8.2 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
8.6
Chord Split Graph
4 Chord Split Delay
3.0 ms
8 Chord Split Delay
15.7 ms
Software and Operating System
Configuration Software
Software Picture
Software Tour
Software Name
Razer Synapse 3
SteelSeries GG
Software Windows Compatible
Yes
Yes
Software macOS Compatible
No
Yes
Onboard Memory
Yes
No
Profiles
6+
6+
Account Required
No
Cloud Sync
Yes
Macro Programming
Software and Onboard
Ease Of Use
Easy
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
Wireless Mobile Compatibility
0.0
Android
Not Compatible
No
iOS
Not Compatible
No
iPadOS
Not Compatible
No
Media Key Compatibility
Not Compatible
Check Price
Classic Black
BlackWidow V3
Searching
Finding storeHalo Infinite
BlackWidow V3
Searching
Finding storeQuartz Pink
BlackWidow V3
Searching
Finding storeRoblox Edition
BlackWidow V3
Searching
Finding store
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Razer BlackWidow V3
SteelSeries Apex 3 TKL
Comments
Razer BlackWidow V3 vs SteelSeries Apex 3 TKL: Main Discussion
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