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- Table of Contents
- Top
- Main Differences
- Design
- Typing Experience
- Performance
- Software and Operating System
- Comments
Razer Cynosa Chroma vs SteelSeries Apex 3
Side-by-Side Comparison
Products
Razer Cynosa Chroma
SteelSeries Apex 3
Tested using Methodology v1.0
Updated Dec 16, 2022 07:07 PM
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comTested using Methodology v1.3.1
Updated Nov 27, 2023 05:29 PM
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Amazon.com
ConnectivityWired
SizeFull-size (100%)
MechanicalNo
ConnectivityWired
SizeFull-size (100%)
Switch TypeRubber Dome
N-Key Rollover (NKRO)No
Hot-Swappable SwitchesNo
Variants
- Cynosa Chroma (Matte Black)
- Apex 3 (Black)
Our Verdict
Razer Cynosa Chroma
SteelSeries Apex 3
The SteelSeries Apex 3 is significantly better than the Razer Cynosa Chroma in most uses. The typing experience and build quality are much better on the SteelSeries, and it comes with a wrist rest for better comfort. However, the Razer has individually lit RGB backlighting, but its customization software is only available for Windows users, while the SteelSeries Engine software is available for Windows and macOS.
Main Differences forGaming
Gaming
Threshold
Gaming
7.9
7.7
Backlighting
10
8.0
Pre-Travel
2.7 mm
2.4 mm
Build Quality
6.5
7.5
Keyboard Compatibility
7.2
10
Latency
7.2
7.8
Full Comparison
Design
Dimensions
Top Picture
Size
Full-size (100%)
Full-size (100%)
Height
1.2" (3.1 cm)
1.5" (3.7 cm)
Width
17.9" (45.4 cm)
17.5" (44.4 cm)
Depth
7.1" (18.0 cm)
5.9" (15.0 cm)
Depth With Wrist Rest
N/A
8.8" (22.3 cm)
Weight
1.76 lbs (0.800 kg)
1.76 lbs (0.800 kg)
Build Quality
6.5
7.5
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
3.5°
N/A
Maximum Incline
7°
9.5°
Home Row Height
32.7 mm (1.3")
Wrist Rest
No
Hardware Customizability
0.0
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
10
8.0
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
Great
Backlight Clarity
8.0
White Shot
Cable & Connector
Connectivity
Wired
Wired
Detachable
No
No
Length
6.6 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
Hot Keys
Dedicated
Trackpad / Trackball
No
No
Scroll Wheel
No
Yes
Control Knob
No
USB Passthrough
No
No
Numpad
Yes
Yes
Windows Key Lock
Yes
Yes
Lock Indicator
Caps, Scroll & Num lock
Caps, Scroll & Num lock
Macro Programmable Keys
All
In The Box
Bundle Picture
Typing Experience
Typing Quality
6.0
7.0
Key Spacing
19.0 mm (0.748")
Typing Noise
9.0
8.7
Typing Sample
Average Loudness
46.7 dBA
High Pitch Clicks
No
Noise
Quiet
Switches
Wobble Video
Switch Name
Rubber Dome
No Marketed Name
Switch Type
Rubber Dome
Feel
Tactile
Tactile
Analog
No
Keystrokes
Key Switch Actuation Graph
Key Switches
Rubber Dome
No Marketed Name
Mechanical
No
Feel
Tactile
Tactile
Operating Force
58 gf
56 gf
Actuation Force
40 gf
31 gf
Pre-Travel
2.7 mm
2.4 mm
Total Travel
4.0 mm
3.9 mm
Latency
7.2
7.8
Latency Video
Latency Wired
12.4 ms
12.4 ms
Latency Receiver
N/A
N/A
Latency Bluetooth
N/A
N/A
Performance
Single-Key Latency
7.2
7.8
Single-Key Latency Graph
Best Connection
12.4 ms
Best Connection Std Dev
±1.8 ms
Wired
12.4 ms
12.4 ms
Receiver
N/A
N/A
Bluetooth
N/A
N/A
PCB (Estimated)
10.2 ms
Multi-Key Latency
7.8
Latency Video
Multi-Key Latency Graph
Connection Evaluated
Wired
Key Press
12.2 ms
Key Release
14.9 ms
Data Transmission
6.1
Multi-Key Raw USB
Connection Evaluated
Wired
USB Polling Rate
1,000 Hz
Effective Update Rate
167 Hz
N-Key Rollover (NKRO)
No
Multiple Keys Per USB Report
Yes
Chord Split
8.2
Chord Split Graph
4 Chord Split Delay
4.7 ms
8 Chord Split Delay
14.1 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
No
Profiles
6+
6+
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
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Razer Cynosa Chroma
SteelSeries Apex 3
Comments
Razer Cynosa Chroma vs SteelSeries Apex 3: Main Discussion
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