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- Table of Contents
- Top
- Main Differences
- Design
- Typing Experience
- Performance
- Software and Operating System
- Comments
SteelSeries Apex 7 TKL vs SteelSeries Apex 3 TKL
Side-by-Side Comparison
Products
SteelSeries Apex 7 TKL
SteelSeries Apex 3 TKL
Tested using Methodology v1.3.1
Updated Nov 30, 2023 07:02 PM
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Finding storeTested using Methodology v1.0
Updated Dec 16, 2022 06:15 PM
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ConnectivityWired
SizeTenKeyLess (80%)
Switch TypeMechanical
N-Key Rollover (NKRO)Yes
Hot-Swappable SwitchesNo
ConnectivityWired
SizeTenKeyLess (80%)
MechanicalNo
Variants
- Apex 7 TKL (Black)
- Apex 7 (Black)
- Apex 7 TKL (Ghost Edition)
- Apex 3 TKL (Black)
Our Verdict
SteelSeries Apex 7 TKL
SteelSeries Apex 3 TKL
The SteelSeries Apex 7 TKL is much better than the SteelSeries Apex 3 TKL. The Apex 7 TKL is a mechanical keyboard available in three types of switches, while the Apex 3 TKL has rubber dome switches, which feel heavier. The Apex 7 TKL has lower latency, offers better typing quality, and feels better built. It also has better ergonomics because it has a wrist rest. Lastly, the Apex 7 TKL has individually lit RGB keys, while the Apex 3 TKL is limited to zone lighting.
Notice: Two or more of the products selected have been tested with different test methodologies, so some of the results below aren't directly comparable. Learn how our test benches and scoring system work, and read more about the latest changes to our keyboards test methodology.
Main Differences for
Threshold
Gaming
8.3
7.2
Backlight Features
10
5.6
Pre-Travel
2.4 mm
2.8 mm
Operating Force
44 gf
61 gf
Build Quality
8.5
7.5
Computer Compatibility
10
7.2
Single-Key Latency
8.0
7.4
Configuration Software
Full Comparison
Design
Dimensions
Top Picture
Size
TenKeyLess (80%)
TenKeyLess (80%)
Height
1.6" (4.0 cm)
1.6" (4.0 cm)
Width
14.0" (35.5 cm)
14.4" (36.5 cm)
Depth
5.5" (13.9 cm)
6.0" (15.3 cm)
Depth With Wrist Rest
8.3" (21.0 cm)
N/A
Weight
1.54 lbs (0.700 kg)
1.41 lbs (0.640 kg)
Build Quality
8.5
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
10.5°
9.5°
Home Row Height
32.2 mm (1.3")
Wrist Rest
No
Hardware Customizability
6.0
Customizability Overview
Replaceable Cherry Stabilizers
Yes
Stabilizer Fixation
Plate-Mounted
Spacebar Stabilizer Size
6.25u
Size Of Right Mod Keys
1.25u
Hot-Swappable Switches
No
Switch Stem Shape
Cherry MX Style
Switch PCB Socket
Soldered
North-Facing Cherry MX Interference
Yes
Backlight Features
10
5.6
Backlighting Picture
Brightness Max
Backlighting
Yes
Yes
Brightness Min
White Shot
RGB
Yes
Per-Key Backlighting
Yes
No
Effects
Yes
Yes
Software Controllable
Yes
Yes
Color
RGB
Color Mixing
Good
Backlight Clarity
9.0
White Shot
Cable & Connector
Connectivity
Wired
Wired
Detachable
No
No
Length
6.2 ft (1.9 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
Yes
No
Numpad
No
No
Windows Key Lock
Yes
Yes
Lock Indicator
Caps Lock
Caps Lock
Macro Programmable Keys
All
In The Box
Bundle Picture
Typing Experience
Typing Quality
8.0
7.0
Key Spacing
19.0 mm (0.748")
Typing Noise
6.0
10
Typing Sample
Average Loudness
60.0 dBA
High Pitch Clicks
No
Noise
Very Quiet
Switches
Wobble Video
Switch Name
SteelSeries Brown
Rubber Dome
Switch Type
Mechanical
Feel
Tactile
Tactile
Analog
No
Keystrokes
Key Switch Actuation Graph
Key Switches
SteelSeries Brown
Rubber Dome
Mechanical
No
Feel
Tactile
Tactile
Operating Force
44 gf
61 gf
Actuation Force
37 gf
33 gf
Pre-Travel
2.4 mm
2.8 mm
Total Travel
4.1 mm
3.7 mm
Latency
8.0
7.4
Latency Video
Latency Wired
11.9 ms
10.6 ms
Latency Receiver
N/A
N/A
Latency Bluetooth
N/A
N/A
Performance
Single-Key Latency
8.0
7.4
Single-Key Latency Graph
Best Connection
11.9 ms
Best Connection Std Dev
±1.3 ms
Wired
11.9 ms
10.6 ms
Receiver
N/A
N/A
Bluetooth
N/A
N/A
PCB (Estimated)
9.7 ms
Multi-Key Latency
7.8
Latency Video
Multi-Key Latency Graph
Connection Evaluated
Wired
Key Press
12.6 ms
Key Release
11.7 ms
Data Transmission
8.7
Multi-Key Raw USB
Connection Evaluated
Wired
USB Polling Rate
1,000 Hz
Effective Update Rate
1,000 Hz
N-Key Rollover (NKRO)
Yes
Multiple Keys Per USB Report
Yes
Chord Split
8.0
Chord Split Graph
4 Chord Split Delay
5.4 ms
8 Chord Split Delay
11.3 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
Yes
No
Profiles
5
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 7 TKL
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Comments
SteelSeries Apex 7 TKL vs SteelSeries Apex 3 TKL: Main Discussion
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