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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 5
Side-by-Side Comparison
Products
SteelSeries Apex 3
SteelSeries Apex 5
Tested using Methodology v1.3.1
Updated Nov 27, 2023 05:29 PM
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Amazon.comTested using Methodology v1.2
Updated Jun 21, 2023 04:41 PM
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ConnectivityWired
SizeFull-size (100%)
Switch TypeRubber Dome
N-Key Rollover (NKRO)No
Hot-Swappable SwitchesNo
ConnectivityWired
SizeFull-size (100%)
Switch TypeMechanical
Hot-Swappable SwitchesYes
Variants
- Apex 3 (Black)
- Apex 5 (Black)
Our Verdict
SteelSeries Apex 3
SteelSeries Apex 5
The SteelSeries Apex 5 and the SteelSeries Apex 3 are very different despite being from the same lineup. In terms of gaming performance, the Apex 5's hybrid mechanical switches have a shorter pre-travel distance and a slightly lower operating force than the rubber dome switches on the Apex 3, making them more responsive and easier to actuate. However, the Apex 5's latency is much higher than the Apex 3's and likely a dealbreaker for some. Other than that, the Apex 5 has an OLED screen, individually-lit RGB backlighting, and onboard memory, all features that the Apex 3 lacks.
Main Differences forGaming
Gaming
Threshold
Gaming
7.7
8.7
Pre-Travel
2.4 mm
1.8 mm
Single-Key Latency
7.8
6.5
Backlight Features
8.0
10
Build Quality
7.5
8.5
Full Comparison
Design
Dimensions
Top Picture
Size
Full-size (100%)
Full-size (100%)
Height
1.5" (3.7 cm)
1.5" (3.7 cm)
Width
17.5" (44.4 cm)
17.5" (44.4 cm)
Depth
5.9" (15.0 cm)
5.6" (14.1 cm)
Depth With Wrist Rest
8.8" (22.3 cm)
8.3" (21.2 cm)
Weight
1.76 lbs (0.800 kg)
1.98 lbs (0.900 kg)
Build Quality
7.5
8.5
Build Quality Close Up
Keycap Material
ABS
ABS
Ergonomics
6.0
6.0
Side Picture
Curved/Angled
No
No
Split Keyboard
No
No
Key Alignment
Staggered
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")
32.6 mm (1.3")
Hardware Customizability
0.0
7.4
Customizability Overview
Replaceable Cherry Stabilizers
No
Yes
Stabilizer Fixation
Non-Customizable Design
Plate-Mounted
Spacebar Stabilizer Size
Non-Customizable Design
6.25u
Size Of Right Mod Keys
Non-Standard
1.25u
Hot-Swappable Switches
No
Yes
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
Yes
Backlight Features
8.0
10
Backlighting Picture
Brightness Max
Backlighting
Yes
Yes
Brightness Min
RGB
Yes
Yes
Per-Key Backlighting
No
Yes
Effects
Yes
Yes
Software Controllable
Yes
Yes
Backlight Clarity
8.0
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
5.5
Dedicated Macro Keys Count
0
0
Onboard Macro Programming
Yes
Yes
Macro Programming With Software
Yes
Yes
Extra Features
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
In The Box
Bundle Picture
Typing Experience
Typing Quality
7.0
7.5
Key Spacing
19.0 mm (0.748")
Typing Noise
8.7
4.4
Typing Sample
Average Loudness
46.7 dBA
55.5 dBA
High Pitch Clicks
No
Yes
Switches
Wobble Video
Switch Name
No Marketed Name
Hybrid Blue Mechanical
Switch Type
Rubber Dome
Mechanical
Feel
Tactile
Clicky
Analog
No
Keystrokes
Key Switch Actuation Graph
Operating Force
56 gf
54 gf
Actuation Force
31 gf
50 gf
Pre-Travel
2.4 mm
1.8 mm
Total Travel
3.9 mm
4.0 mm
Latency
7.8
6.5
Latency Video
Latency Wired
12.4 ms
24.4 ms
Latency Receiver
N/A
N/A
Latency Bluetooth
N/A
N/A
Performance
Single-Key Latency
7.8
6.5
Single-Key Latency Graph
Best Connection
12.4 ms
Best Connection Std Dev
±1.8 ms
Wired
12.4 ms
24.4 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 Tour
Software Name
Steelseries Engine
Steelseries Engine
Software Windows Compatible
Yes
Yes
Software macOS Compatible
Yes
Yes
Onboard Memory
No
Yes
Profiles
6+
6+
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
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
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SteelSeries Apex 3
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Comments
SteelSeries Apex 3 vs SteelSeries Apex 5: Main Discussion
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