1.   Try searching by:
    1. Category (Best $100 Headphones, Best 50 Inch TVs, …)
    2. Brand (Sony, Samsung, LG, Bose, …)
    3. Model (S405, QC 35 II, …)
    4. Etc...
Get insider access
Get insider access
Preferred store
Notice: Your browser is not supported or outdated so some features of the site might not be available.
Best
Gaming Keyboards Mechanical Wireless Ergonomic iPad Typing Mac Budget Gaming Programming Budget And Cheap Office Keychron Budget Mechanical Razer Logitech Low-Profile 60% Quiet TKL
Tools
Compare Table Review List Review Index Graph Custom Ratings
Popular
Wooting 80HE NuPhy Field75 HE Logitech MX Keys S Keychron Q5 Max [Q1 Max, Q2 Max, etc.] NuPhy Air75 V2 [Air60 V2, Air96 V2] Lemokey P1 HE Keychron V5 Max [V1 Max, V2 Max, etc.] Keychron K5 Max [K1 Max, K3 Max, etc.] AULA F99/F75 Razer Huntsman Mini Logitech MX Mechanical Corsair K100 AIR Keychron K2 HE Corsair K70 RGB TKL Logitech G515 LIGHTSPEED TKL Logitech G715 ASUS ROG Azoth Logitech G915 X LIGHTSPEED Razer Huntsman V2 Razer Huntsman V3 Pro [Mini, TKL]
257
Keyboards bought and tested
Supported by you via insider access, and when you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Driven by data, run by a passionate team of engineers, testers, technical writers, developers, and more.
We are hiring!
  1. Home
  2. Keyboard
  3. Compare
Notice: Like what we do? We're currently hiring a Staff Writer for Computers. Join our team!
  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 Cynosa V2 vs SteelSeries Apex 3 TKL

Side-by-Side Comparison

Products

Razer Cynosa V2
SteelSeries Apex 3 TKL

Tested using Methodology v1.2

Updated Jun 21, 2023 03:18 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com

Tested using Methodology v1.0

Updated Dec 16, 2022 06:15 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Razer Cynosa V2 Picture
SteelSeries Apex 3 TKL Picture
ConnectivityWired
Size
Full-size (100%)
Switch Type
Rubber Dome
ConnectivityWired
Size
TenKeyLess (80%)
Mechanical
No
  1. Recommended in 1 article:
  2. RGB
  1. Recommended in 3 articles:
  2. Gaming
  3. Budget Gaming
  4. Budget And Cheap

Variants

  • Razer Cynosa V2 (Black)
  • Apex 3 TKL (Black)

Review

See Razer Cynosa V2 Review
See SteelSeries Apex 3 TKL Review
0 
0 

Our Verdict

Razer Cynosa V2

SteelSeries Apex 3 TKL

The Razer Cynosa V2 is better for gaming than the SteelSeries Apex 3 TKL. They each have rubber dome switches, and the ones on the Razer are lighter to press and have a shorter pre-travel distance than those on the SteelSeries, which is a big reason why it's better. Also, the Razer has individually lit keys, while the SteelSeries is limited to zone lighting. However, the SteelSeries offers better typing and build quality because the keys feel more stable and less mushy. The SteelSeries is also smaller, so there's more space on your desk for your mouse, but that means it doesn't have a numpad.

0 

Check Price

Black
Razer Cynosa V2
Searching
Finding store
Black
Apex 3 TKL
Searching
Finding store
Black
Razer Cynosa V2
Searching
Finding store
Black
Apex 3 TKL
Searching
Finding store
Black
Razer Cynosa V2
Searching
Finding store
Black
Apex 3 TKL
Searching
Finding store
Black
Razer Cynosa V2
Searching
Finding store
Black
Apex 3 TKL
Searching
Finding store
Black
Razer Cynosa V2
Searching
Finding store
Black
Apex 3 TKL
Searching
Finding store
Read more

Main Differences for
Gaming

Threshold 

0.10

Gaming 

7.9
7.2

Backlight Features 
 

10
5.6

Pre-Travel 
 

2.3 mm
2.8 mm

Build Quality 
 

6.0
7.5

Configuration Software 
 

Computer Compatibility 
 

10
7.2

Operating Force 
 

58 gf
61 gf

Full Comparison

Design

Dimensions 
 

Top Picture  

Razer Cynosa V2 Top Picture
SteelSeries Apex 3 TKL Top Picture

Size 
 

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

Height 
 

1.2" (3.0 cm)
1.6" (4.0 cm)

Width  

18.5" (47.0 cm)
14.4" (36.5 cm)

Depth 
 

6.6" (16.8 cm)
6.0" (15.3 cm)

Depth With Wrist Rest 
 

N/A
N/A

Weight 
 

1.92 lbs (0.872 kg)
1.41 lbs (0.640 kg)
Show Text 

Build Quality 
 

6.0
7.5

Build Quality Close Up  

Razer Cynosa V2 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  

Razer Cynosa V2 Side Picture
SteelSeries Apex 3 TKL Side Picture

Curved/Angled 
 

No
Straight

Split Keyboard 
 

No

Key Alignment 
 

Staggered

Minimum Incline 
 

2°
4°

Medium Incline 
 

4°
N/A

Maximum Incline 
 

7°
9.5°

Home Row Height 
 

28.3 mm (1.1")

Wrist Rest  

No
Show Text 

Hardware Customizability 
 

0.0

Customizability Overview  

Razer Cynosa V2 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
5.6

Backlighting Picture  

Razer Cynosa V2 Backlighting Picture
SteelSeries Apex 3 TKL Backlighting Picture

Brightness Max  

Razer Cynosa V2 Brightness Max
SteelSeries Apex 3 TKL Brightness Max

Backlighting  

Yes
Yes

Brightness Min  

Razer Cynosa V2 Brightness Min
SteelSeries Apex 3 TKL Brightness Min

White Shot 
 

Razer Cynosa V2 White Shot
SteelSeries Apex 3 TKL White Shot

RGB 
 

Yes

Per-Key Backlighting 
 

Yes
No

Effects 
 

Yes
Yes

Software Controllable 
 

Yes
Yes

Color 
 

RGB

Color Mixing 
 

Good
Show Text 

Backlight Clarity 
 

9.0

White Shot  

Razer Cynosa V2 White Shot
SteelSeries Apex 3 TKL 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
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 Cynosa V2 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, Scroll & Num lock
Caps Lock

Macro Programmable Keys 
 

All
Show Text 

In The Box  

Bundle Picture  

Razer Cynosa V2 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 
 

58 gf
61 gf

Actuation Force 
 

40 gf
33 gf

Pre-Travel 
 

2.3 mm
2.8 mm

Total Travel 
 

3.6 mm
3.7 mm
Show Text 

Typing Quality 
 

6.0
7.0
Show Text 

Typing Noise 
 

8.7
10

Typing Sample  

Average Loudness 
 

46.6 dBA

High Pitch Clicks 
 

No

Noise 
 

Very Quiet
Show Text 

Latency 
 

7.1
7.4

Latency Video  

Latency Wired 
 

13.2 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  

Razer Synapse 3
SteelSeries GG

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 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
Razer Cynosa V2
Searching
Finding store
Black
Apex 3 TKL
Searching
Finding store
Black
Razer Cynosa V2
Searching
Finding store
Black
Apex 3 TKL
Searching
Finding store
Black
Razer Cynosa V2
Searching
Finding store
Black
Apex 3 TKL
Searching
Finding store
Black
Razer Cynosa V2
Searching
Finding store
Black
Apex 3 TKL
Searching
Finding store
Black
Razer Cynosa V2
Searching
Finding store
Black
Apex 3 TKL
Searching
Finding store
Back to Top

Razer Cynosa V2

SteelSeries Apex 3 TKL

Comments

  1. Comparison
 • Posted 1 year ago

Razer Cynosa V2 vs SteelSeries Apex 3 TKL: Main Discussion

What do you think of these products? Let us know below.


Looking for a personalized buying advice from the RTINGS.com experts? Insiders have direct access to buying advice on our insider forum.

Follow Discussion0 followingSee All Computer Peripherals DiscussionsCopy link
0 
PreviewBack to editorFormat guide
No comments yet, refresh to see new ones
We make money directly from you via insider access (which gives you access to extra features) and when you buy a product after clicking a link to a retailer. Learn more about how we work.
We buy our own products, just like you, mostly from the United States. When a product is discontinued or no longer popular, we sell the review units locally. You can see what products we currently have for sale here.
© 2025 9298-5266 Quebec Inc. All Rights Reserved. Visit our corporate site.