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- Table of Contents
- Top
- Main Differences
- Design
- Typing Experience
- Performance
- Software and Operating System
- Comments
SteelSeries Apex 3 vs NPET K20
Side-by-Side Comparison
Products
SteelSeries Apex 3
NPET K20
Tested using Methodology v1.3.1
Updated Nov 27, 2023 05:29 PM
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Amazon.comTested using Methodology v1.0
Updated May 29, 2023 03:13 PM
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ConnectivityWired
SizeFull-size (100%)
Switch TypeRubber Dome
N-Key Rollover (NKRO)No
Hot-Swappable SwitchesNo
ConnectivityWired
SizeFull-size (100%)
MechanicalYes
Variants
- Apex 3 (Black)
- K20 (Black)
Our Verdict
SteelSeries Apex 3
NPET K20
The SteelSeries Apex 3 and the NPET K20 are both good cheap gaming keyboards but with different switches. The SteelSeries has rubber dome switches, while the NPET is a mechanical keyboard available with three different switch types, and typing feels better. The SteelSeries has macro-programmable keys, which the NPET doesn't have. They also have backlighting with limited customization; the SteelSeries is zone-lit, so you can't customize the RGB backlighting on a per-key basis. While the NPET has individually lit keys, it's multi-colored, so you can't change the colors of the keys.
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Main Differences forGaming
Gaming
Threshold
Gaming
7.7
7.6
Pre-Travel
2.4 mm
1.9 mm
Configuration Software
Single-Key Latency
7.8
6.7
Backlight Features
8.0
8.9
Computer Compatibility
10
7.6
Full Comparison
Design
Dimensions
Top Picture
Size
Full-size (100%)
Full-size (100%)
Height
1.5" (3.7 cm)
1.7" (4.2 cm)
Width
17.5" (44.4 cm)
17.2" (43.8 cm)
Depth
5.9" (15.0 cm)
5.2" (13.2 cm)
Depth With Wrist Rest
8.8" (22.3 cm)
N/A
Weight
1.76 lbs (0.800 kg)
1.87 lbs (0.849 kg)
Build Quality
7.5
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°
5°
Medium Incline
N/A
N/A
Maximum Incline
9.5°
10.5°
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
8.0
8.9
Backlighting Picture
Brightness Max
Backlighting
Yes
Yes
Brightness Min
White Shot
RGB
Yes
Per-Key Backlighting
No
Yes
Effects
Yes
Yes
Software Controllable
Yes
No
Color
Multi-color
Color Mixing
Multi-Color (No RGB)
Backlight Clarity
8.0
White Shot
Cable & Connector
Connectivity
Wired
Wired
Detachable
No
No
Length
5.9 ft (1.8 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
Hot Keys
Trackpad / Trackball
No
No
Scroll Wheel
Yes
No
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
No
In The Box
Bundle Picture
Typing Experience
Typing Quality
7.0
7.5
Key Spacing
19.0 mm (0.748")
Typing Noise
8.7
9.0
Typing Sample
Average Loudness
46.7 dBA
High Pitch Clicks
No
Noise
Quiet
Switches
Wobble Video
Switch Name
No Marketed Name
Huano Brown
Switch Type
Rubber Dome
Feel
Tactile
Tactile
Analog
No
Keystrokes
Key Switch Actuation Graph
Key Switches
No Marketed Name
Huano Brown
Mechanical
Yes
Feel
Tactile
Tactile
Operating Force
56 gf
56 gf
Actuation Force
31 gf
47 gf
Pre-Travel
2.4 mm
1.9 mm
Total Travel
3.9 mm
4.0 mm
Latency
7.8
6.7
Latency Video
Latency Wired
12.4 ms
19.5 ms
Latency Receiver
N/A
N/A
Latency Bluetooth
N/A
N/A
Performance
Single-Key Latency
7.8
6.7
Single-Key Latency Graph
Best Connection
12.4 ms
Best Connection Std Dev
±1.8 ms
Wired
12.4 ms
19.5 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
Steelseries Engine
No Software
Software Windows Compatible
Yes
No
Software macOS Compatible
Yes
No
Onboard Memory
No
No
Profiles
6+
No Profile
Account Required
No Software
Cloud Sync
No
Macro Programming
No
Ease Of Use
No Software
Computer Compatibility
10
7.6
Windows
Fully Compatible
Full
macOS
Fully Compatible
Partial
Linux (Ubuntu 22)
Fully Compatible
Full
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
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SteelSeries Apex 3
NPET K20
Comments
SteelSeries Apex 3 vs NPET K20: Main Discussion
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