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  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. Typing Quality
    2. Typing Noise
    3. Switches
    4. Keystrokes
    5. Latency
  6. Performance
    1. Single-Key Latency
    2. Multi-Key Latency
    3. Data Transmission
    4. Chord Split
  7. Software and Operating System
    1. Configuration Software
    2. Computer Compatibility
    3. Wireless Mobile Compatibility
  8. Comments

SteelSeries Apex 3 vs EVGA Z12

Side-by-Side Comparison

Products

SteelSeries Apex 3
EVGA Z12

Tested using Methodology v1.3.1

Updated Nov 27, 2023 05:29 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com

Tested using Methodology v1.2

Updated Jun 21, 2023 04:24 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
SteelSeries Apex 3 Picture
EVGA Z12 Picture
ConnectivityWired
Size
Full-size (100%)
Switch Type
Rubber Dome
N-Key Rollover (NKRO)
No
Hot-Swappable Switches
No
ConnectivityWired
Size
Full-size (100%)
Switch Type
Rubber Dome
Hot-Swappable Switches
No

Variants

  • Apex 3 (Black)
  • EVGA Z12 (Light Gray)

Review

See SteelSeries Apex 3 Review
See EVGA Z12 Review
4 
0 

Our Verdict

SteelSeries Apex 3

EVGA Z12

The EVGA Z12 is a better entry-level gaming keyboard than the SteelSeries Apex 3. They're both non-mechanical with rubber dome switches, but the EVGA Membrane switches are lighter to press and have a lower pre-travel distance. On the other hand, the SteelSeries feels better built and has better typing quality because the keys are more stable. The SteelSeries has a dedicated volume wheel, which the EVGA doesn't have, and it comes with a wrist rest, but you can buy one separately for the EVGA.

0 

Check Price

Black
Apex 3
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Light Gray
EVGA Z12
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
Apex 3
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
Light Gray
EVGA Z12
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
Black
Apex 3
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
Light Gray
EVGA Z12
SEARCH
B&H
Black
Apex 3
SEARCH
B&H
Light Gray
EVGA Z12
SEARCH
BestBuy.com
Read more

Main Differences for
Gaming

Threshold 

0.10

Gaming 

7.7
8.2

Pre-Travel 
 

2.4 mm
2.0 mm

Build Quality 
 

7.5
6.5

Operating Force 
 

56 gf
49 gf

Full Comparison

Design

Dimensions 
 

Top Picture  

SteelSeries Apex 3 Top Picture
EVGA Z12 Top Picture

Size 
 

Full-size (100%)
Full-size (100%)

Height 
 

1.5" (3.7 cm)
1.5" (3.8 cm)

Width  

17.5" (44.4 cm)
18.7" (47.4 cm)

Depth 
 

5.9" (15.0 cm)
6.0" (15.2 cm)

Depth With Wrist Rest 
 

8.8" (22.3 cm)
N/A

Weight 
 

1.76 lbs (0.800 kg)
2.20 lbs (0.998 kg)
Show text

Build Quality 
 

7.5
6.5

Build Quality Close Up  

SteelSeries Apex 3 Build Quality Close Up
EVGA Z12 Build Quality Close Up

Keycap Material  

ABS
ABS
Show text

Ergonomics 
 

6.0
6.0

Side Picture  

SteelSeries Apex 3 Side Picture
EVGA Z12 Side Picture

Curved/Angled 
 

No
No

Split Keyboard 
 

No
No

Key Alignment 
 

Staggered
Staggered

Minimum Incline 
 

4°
4°

Medium Incline 
 

N/A
7°

Maximum Incline 
 

9.5°
10°

Home Row Height 
 

32.7 mm (1.3")
30.6 mm (1.2")
Show text

Hardware Customizability 
 

0.0
3.2

Customizability Overview  

SteelSeries Apex 3 Customizability Overview
EVGA Z12 Customizability Overview

Replaceable Cherry Stabilizers 
 

No
No

Stabilizer Fixation 
 

Non-Customizable Design
Non-Customizable Design

Spacebar Stabilizer Size 
 

Non-Customizable Design
Non-Customizable Design

Size Of Right Mod Keys 
 

Non-Standard
1.25u

Hot-Swappable Switches 
 

No
No

Switch Stem Shape 
 

Non-Customizable Design
Cherry MX Style

Switch PCB Socket 
 

Non-Customizable Design
Non-Customizable Design

North-Facing Cherry MX Interference 
 

Non-Customizable Design
No

Backlight Features 
 

8.0
8.0

Backlighting Picture  

SteelSeries Apex 3 Backlighting Picture
EVGA Z12 Backlighting Picture

Brightness Max  

SteelSeries Apex 3 Brightness Max
EVGA Z12 Brightness Max

Backlighting  

Yes
Yes

Brightness Min  

SteelSeries Apex 3 Brightness Min
EVGA Z12 Brightness Min

RGB 
 

Yes
Yes

Per-Key Backlighting 
 

No
No

Effects 
 

Yes
Yes

Software Controllable 
 

Yes
Yes
Show text

Backlight Clarity 
 

8.0
8.0

White Shot  

SteelSeries Apex 3 White Shot
EVGA Z12 White Shot

Cable & Connector  

Connectivity  

Wired
Wired

Detachable 
 

No
No

Length  

5.9 ft (1.8 m)
5.6 ft (1.7 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
7.2

Dedicated Macro Keys Count  

0
5

Onboard Macro Programming 
 

Yes
No

Macro Programming With Software 
 

Yes
Yes

Extra Features 
 

Extra Features  

SteelSeries Apex 3 Extra Features
EVGA Z12 Extra Features

Media Keys 
 

Dedicated
Dedicated

Trackpad / Trackball  

No
No

Scroll Wheel 
 

Yes
No

Control Knob 
 

No
No

USB Passthrough 
 

No
No

Numpad  

Yes
Yes

Windows Key Lock 
 

Yes
Yes

Lock Indicator  

Caps, Scroll & Num lock
Caps, Scroll & Num lock
Show text

In The Box  

Bundle Picture  

SteelSeries Apex 3 Bundle Picture
EVGA Z12 Bundle Picture
Show text
Typing Experience

Typing Quality 
 

7.0
6.5

Key Spacing 
 

19.0 mm (0.748")
Show text

Typing Noise 
 

8.7
7.0

Typing Sample  

Average Loudness 
 

46.7 dBA
54.8 dBA

High Pitch Clicks 
 

No
No
Show text

Switches 
 

Wobble Video  

Switch Name 
 

No Marketed Name
EVGA Membrane

Switch Type 
 

Rubber Dome
Rubber Dome

Feel 
 

Tactile
Tactile

Analog 
 

No

Keystrokes 
 

Key Switch Actuation Graph  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Operating Force 
 

56 gf
49 gf

Actuation Force 
 

31 gf
39 gf

Pre-Travel 
 

2.4 mm
2.0 mm

Total Travel 
 

3.9 mm
3.7 mm
Show text

Latency 
 

7.8
7.3

Latency Video  

Latency Wired 
 

12.4 ms
11.5 ms

Latency Receiver 
 

N/A
N/A

Latency Bluetooth 
 

N/A
N/A
Show text
Performance

Single-Key Latency 
 

7.8
7.3

Single-Key Latency Graph  

See details on graph tool

Best Connection 
 

12.4 ms

Best Connection Std Dev  

±1.8 ms

Wired 
 

12.4 ms
11.5 ms

Receiver 
 

N/A
N/A

Bluetooth 
 

N/A
N/A

PCB (Estimated) 
 

10.2 ms
Show text

Multi-Key Latency 
 

7.8

Latency Video  

Multi-Key Latency Graph  

See details on graph tool

Connection Evaluated  

Wired

Key Press 
 

12.2 ms

Key Release 
 

14.9 ms

Data Transmission 
 

6.1

Multi-Key Raw USB  

SteelSeries Apex 3 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  

See details on graph tool

4 Chord Split Delay 
 

4.7 ms

8 Chord Split Delay 
 

14.1 ms
Software and Operating System

Configuration Software 
 

Software Tour  

Software Name  

Steelseries Engine
EVGA Unleash RGB

Software Windows Compatible 
 

Yes
Yes

Software macOS Compatible 
 

Yes
No

Onboard Memory 
 

No
Yes

Profiles 
 

6+
6+
Show text

Computer Compatibility 
 

10
10

Windows 
 

Fully Compatible
Fully Compatible

macOS 
 

Fully Compatible
Fully Compatible

Linux (Ubuntu 22) 
 

Fully Compatible
Fully Compatible

Media Key Compatibility 
 

Windows, MacOS & Linux
Windows, MacOS & Linux
Show text

Wireless Mobile Compatibility 
 

0.0
0.0

Android 
 

Not Compatible
Not Compatible

iOS 
 

Not Compatible
Not Compatible

iPadOS 
 

Not Compatible
Not Compatible

Media Key Compatibility 
 

Not Compatible
Not Compatible

Check Price

Black
Apex 3
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Light Gray
EVGA Z12
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
Apex 3
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
Light Gray
EVGA Z12
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
Black
Apex 3
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
Light Gray
EVGA Z12
SEARCH
B&H
Black
Apex 3
SEARCH
B&H
Light Gray
EVGA Z12
SEARCH
BestBuy.com
Back to Top

SteelSeries Apex 3

EVGA Z12

Comments

  1. Comparison
 • Posted 1 year ago

SteelSeries Apex 3 vs EVGA Z12: Main Discussion

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