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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. 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

SteelSeries Apex 5 vs Razer Ornata V2

Side-by-Side Comparison

Products

SteelSeries Apex 5
Razer Ornata V2

Tested using Methodology v1.2

Updated Jun 21, 2023 04:41 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com

Tested using Methodology v1.2

Updated Jun 15, 2023 08:29 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
SteelSeries Apex 5 Picture
Razer Ornata V2 Picture

Variants

  • Apex 5 (Black)
  • Ornata V2 (Black)

Our Verdict

SteelSeries Apex 5

Razer Ornata V2

The SteelSeries Apex 5 is better than the Razer Ornata V2 if you like the feeling of mechanical switches. The SteelSeries is noticeably better built and feels more durable. The Razer's switches feel a lot more like rubber domes than actual mechanical switches, and the SteelSeries' actuate quicker. However, the Razer has much lower latency, which is great for reaction-based games.

0 

Main Differences for
Gaming

Threshold 

0.10

Gaming 

8.7
7.9

Pre-Travel 
 

1.8 mm
2.5 mm

Operating Force 
 

54 gf
61 gf

Build Quality 
 

8.5
7.0

Latency 
 

6.5
7.5

Full Comparison

Design

Dimensions 
 

Top Picture  

SteelSeries Apex 5 Top Picture
Razer Ornata V2 Top Picture

Size 
 

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

Height 
 

1.5" (3.7 cm)
1.2" (3.1 cm)

Width  

17.5" (44.4 cm)
18.1" (45.9 cm)

Depth 
 

5.6" (14.1 cm)
6.1" (15.4 cm)

Depth With Wrist Rest 
 

8.3" (21.2 cm)
9.4" (23.8 cm)

Weight 
 

1.98 lbs (0.900 kg)
1.98 lbs (0.900 kg)
Show Text 

Build Quality 
 

8.5
7.0

Build Quality Close Up  

SteelSeries Apex 5 Build Quality Close Up
Razer Ornata V2 Build Quality Close Up

Keycap Material  

ABS
ABS
Show Text 

Ergonomics 
 

6.0
6.0

Side Picture  

SteelSeries Apex 5 Side Picture
Razer Ornata V2 Side Picture

Curved/Angled 
 

No
No

Split Keyboard 
 

No
No

Key Alignment 
 

Staggered
Staggered

Minimum Incline 
 

Medium Incline 
 

N/A

Maximum Incline 
 

9.5°

Home Row Height 
 

32.6 mm (1.3")
27.8 mm (1.1")
Show Text 

Hardware Customizability 
 

7.4
0.0

Customizability Overview  

SteelSeries Apex 5 Customizability Overview
Razer Ornata V2 Customizability Overview

Replaceable Cherry Stabilizers 
 

Yes
No

Stabilizer Fixation 
 

Plate-Mounted
Non-Customizable Design

Spacebar Stabilizer Size 
 

6.25u
Non-Customizable Design

Size Of Right Mod Keys 
 

1.25u
Non-Standard

Hot-Swappable Switches 
 

Yes
No

Switch Stem Shape 
 

Cherry MX Style
Non-Customizable Design

Switch PCB Socket 
 

Non-Customizable Design
Non-Customizable Design

North-Facing Cherry MX Interference 
 

Yes
Non-Customizable Design

Backlight Features 
 

10
10

Backlighting Picture  

SteelSeries Apex 5 Backlighting Picture
Razer Ornata V2 Backlighting Picture

Brightness Max  

SteelSeries Apex 5 Brightness Max
Razer Ornata V2 Brightness Max

Backlighting  

Yes
Yes

Brightness Min  

SteelSeries Apex 5 Brightness Min
Razer Ornata V2 Brightness Min

RGB 
 

Yes
Yes

Per-Key Backlighting 
 

Yes
Yes

Effects 
 

Yes
Yes

Software Controllable 
 

Yes
Yes
Show Text 

Backlight Clarity 
 

8.0
9.0

White Shot  

SteelSeries Apex 5 White Shot
Razer Ornata V2 White Shot

Cable & Connector  

Connectivity  

Wired
Wired

Detachable 
 

No
No

Length  

5.9 ft (1.8 m)
6.9 ft (2.1 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
5.5

Dedicated Macro Keys Count  

0
0

Onboard Macro Programming 
 

Yes
Yes

Macro Programming With Software 
 

Yes
Yes

Extra Features 
 

Extra Features  

SteelSeries Apex 5 Extra Features
Razer Ornata V2 Extra Features

Media Keys 
 

Dedicated
Dedicated

Trackpad / Trackball  

No
No

Scroll Wheel 
 

No
Yes

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 5 Bundle Picture
Razer Ornata V2 Bundle Picture
Show Text 
Typing Experience

Switches 
 

Wobble Video  

Switch Name 
 

Hybrid Blue Mechanical
Razer Mecha-Membrane

Switch Type 
 

Mechanical
Rubber Dome

Feel 
 

Clicky
Clicky

Keystrokes 
 

Key Switch Actuation Graph  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Operating Force 
 

54 gf
61 gf

Actuation Force 
 

50 gf
41 gf

Pre-Travel 
 

1.8 mm
2.5 mm

Total Travel 
 

4.0 mm
3.4 mm
Show Text 

Typing Quality 
 

7.5
7.5
Show Text 

Typing Noise 
 

4.4
5.7

Typing Sample  

Average Loudness 
 

55.5 dBA
49.3 dBA

High Pitch Clicks 
 

Yes
Yes
Show Text 

Latency 
 

6.5
7.5

Latency Video  

Latency Wired 
 

24.4 ms
10.1 ms

Latency Receiver 
 

N/A
N/A

Latency Bluetooth 
 

N/A
N/A
Show Text 
Software and Operating System

Configuration Software 
 

Software Tour  

Software Name  

Steelseries Engine
Razer Synapse 3

Software Windows Compatible 
 

Yes
Yes

Software macOS Compatible 
 

Yes
No

Onboard Memory 
 

Yes
No

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

SteelSeries Apex 5

Razer Ornata V2

Comments

  1. Comparison

SteelSeries Apex 5 vs Razer Ornata V2: Main Discussion

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