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- Table of Contents
- Top
- Main Differences
- Design
- Typing Experience
- Performance
- Software and Operating System
- Comments
SteelSeries Apex 3 vs SteelSeries Apex 3 TKL
Side-by-Side Comparison
Products
SteelSeries Apex 3
SteelSeries Apex 3 TKL
Tested using Methodology v1.3.1
Updated Nov 27, 2023 05:29 PM
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Amazon.comTested using Methodology v1.0
Updated Dec 16, 2022 06:15 PM
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ConnectivityWired
SizeFull-size (100%)
Switch TypeRubber Dome
N-Key Rollover (NKRO)No
Hot-Swappable SwitchesNo
ConnectivityWired
SizeTenKeyLess (80%)
MechanicalNo
Variants
- Apex 3 (Black)
- Apex 3 TKL (Black)
Our Verdict
SteelSeries Apex 3
SteelSeries Apex 3 TKL
The SteelSeries Apex 3 is essentially a bigger version of the SteelSeries Apex 3 TKL, but there are a few differences. The Apex 3 has a numpad, and it comes with a wrist rest for better ergonomics. However, typing feels the same on each because they use the same rubber dome switches. They each have zone-lit RGB lighting, but the Apex 3 has ten customizable zones due to its bigger size compared to the TKL's eight zones. The TKL version uses the new SteelSeries GG software, which includes the Engine software that the Apex 3 uses. Other than that, both keyboards are very similar.
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Main Differences forGaming
Gaming
Threshold
Gaming
7.7
7.2
Backlight Features
8.0
5.6
Pre-Travel
2.4 mm
2.8 mm
Operating Force
56 gf
61 gf
Computer Compatibility
10
7.2
Full Comparison
Design
Dimensions
Top Picture
Size
Full-size (100%)
TenKeyLess (80%)
Height
1.5" (3.7 cm)
1.6" (4.0 cm)
Width
17.5" (44.4 cm)
14.4" (36.5 cm)
Depth
5.9" (15.0 cm)
6.0" (15.3 cm)
Depth With Wrist Rest
8.8" (22.3 cm)
N/A
Weight
1.76 lbs (0.800 kg)
1.41 lbs (0.640 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°
4°
Medium Incline
N/A
N/A
Maximum Incline
9.5°
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
8.0
5.6
Backlighting Picture
Brightness Max
Backlighting
Yes
Yes
Brightness Min
White Shot
RGB
Yes
Per-Key Backlighting
No
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
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
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
7.0
7.0
Key Spacing
19.0 mm (0.748")
Typing Noise
8.7
10
Typing Sample
Average Loudness
46.7 dBA
High Pitch Clicks
No
Noise
Very Quiet
Switches
Wobble Video
Switch Name
No Marketed Name
Rubber Dome
Switch Type
Rubber Dome
Feel
Tactile
Tactile
Analog
No
Keystrokes
Key Switch Actuation Graph
Key Switches
No Marketed Name
Rubber Dome
Mechanical
No
Feel
Tactile
Tactile
Operating Force
56 gf
61 gf
Actuation Force
31 gf
33 gf
Pre-Travel
2.4 mm
2.8 mm
Total Travel
3.9 mm
3.7 mm
Latency
7.8
7.4
Latency Video
Latency Wired
12.4 ms
10.6 ms
Latency Receiver
N/A
N/A
Latency Bluetooth
N/A
N/A
Performance
Single-Key Latency
7.8
7.4
Single-Key Latency Graph
Best Connection
12.4 ms
Best Connection Std Dev
±1.8 ms
Wired
12.4 ms
10.6 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
SteelSeries GG
Software Windows Compatible
Yes
Yes
Software macOS Compatible
Yes
Yes
Onboard Memory
No
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
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SteelSeries Apex 3
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Comments
SteelSeries Apex 3 vs SteelSeries Apex 3 TKL: Main Discussion
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