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- Table of Contents
- Top
- Main Differences
- Design
- Typing Experience
- Performance
- Software and Operating System
- Comments
SteelSeries Apex Pro vs Ducky One 3
Side-by-Side Comparison
Products
SteelSeries Apex Pro
Ducky One 3
Tested using Methodology v1.3.1
Updated Nov 21, 2024 07:55 PM
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Amazon.comTested using Methodology v1.3.1
Updated Mar 19, 2025 03:57 PM
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ConnectivityWired
SizeFull-size (100%)
Switch TypeHall-effect
N-Key Rollover (NKRO)Yes
Hot-Swappable SwitchesNo
ConnectivityWired
SizeFull-size (100%)
Switch TypeMechanical
N-Key Rollover (NKRO)Yes
Hot-Swappable SwitchesYes
Variants
- Apex Pro (Black)
- One 3 (Aura)
- One 3 (Black)
- One 3 Mini (Black)
- One 3 SF (Black)
- One 3 TKL (Black)
- One 3 RGB (Black)
- One 3 RGB TKL (Black)
- One 3 (DayBreak)
- One 3 SF (Daybreak)
- One 3 TKL (Daybreak)
- One 3 (Fuji)
- One 3 (Matcha)
- One 3 (Pure White)
- One 3 RGB (Pure White)
- One 3 RGB TKL (Pure White)
- One 3 Mini (White)
- One 3 SF (White)
- One 3 TKL (White)
- One 3 (Yellow)
- One 3 Mini (Yellow)
- One 3 SF (Yellow)
- One 3 TKL (Yellow)
Our Verdict
SteelSeries Apex Pro
Ducky One 3
The SteelSeries Apex Pro and the Ducky One 3 are exceptional gaming keyboards. The most significant difference between them is that the SteelSeries is only available with one switch type called OmniPoint switches. These switches allow you to adjust the operating force for each key. It also has a volume wheel, a USB passthrough, a small OLED screen, and customization software, which are all features the Ducky lacks. On the other hand, the Ducky is available in a range of stock Cherry MX Switches, but it also has a hot-swappable version. Both keyboards have a TenKeyless size variant, but the Ducky has more sizes and additional colorways.
Main Differences forGaming
Gaming
Threshold
Gaming
8.6
8.3
Backlight Clarity
9.0
4.0
Backlight Features
10
8.5
Full Comparison
Design
Dimensions
Top Picture
Size
Full-size (100%)
Full-size (100%)
Height
1.6" (4.0 cm)
1.5" (3.8 cm)
Width
17.2" (43.7 cm)
17.9" (45.5 cm)
Depth
5.5" (13.9 cm)
5.4" (13.8 cm)
Depth With Wrist Rest
8.3" (21.1 cm)
N/A
Weight
2.14 lbs (0.970 kg)
2.86 lbs (1.296 kg)
Build Quality
8.0
8.5
Build Quality Close Up
Keycap Material
ABS
PBT
Ergonomics
6.0
6.0
Side Picture
Curved/Angled
No
No
Split Keyboard
No
No
Key Alignment
Staggered
Staggered
Minimum Incline
4.5°
5°
Medium Incline
N/A
9°
Maximum Incline
11°
12.5°
Home Row Height
33.0 mm (1.3")
29.1 mm (1.1")
Hardware Customizability
6.0
8.9
Customizability Overview
Replaceable Cherry Stabilizers
Yes
Yes
Stabilizer Fixation
Plate-Mounted
Plate-Mounted
Spacebar Stabilizer Size
6.25u
6.25u
Size Of Right Mod Keys
1.25u
1.25u
Hot-Swappable Switches
No
Yes
Switch Stem Shape
Cherry MX Style
Cherry MX Style
Switch PCB Socket
Soldered
5-pin Cherry
North-Facing Cherry MX Interference
Yes
Yes
Backlight Features
10
8.5
Backlighting Picture
Brightness Max
Backlighting
Yes
Yes
Brightness Min
RGB
Yes
Yes
Per-Key Backlighting
Yes
Yes
Effects
Yes
Yes
Software Controllable
Yes
No
Backlight Clarity
9.0
4.0
White Shot
Cable & Connector
Connectivity
Wired
Wired
Detachable
No
Yes (Wired Only Keyboard)
Length
5.9 ft (1.8 m)
5.8 ft (1.8 m)
Connector (Keyboard side)
Not Detachable
USB type-C
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
1.5
Dedicated Macro Keys Count
0
0
Onboard Macro Programming
Yes
Yes
Macro Programming With Software
Yes
No
Extra Features
Extra Features
Media Keys
Non-Dedicated
Non-Dedicated
Trackpad / Trackball
No
No
Scroll Wheel
Yes
No
Control Knob
No
No
USB Passthrough
Yes
No
Numpad
Yes
Yes
Windows Key Lock
Yes
Yes
Lock Indicator
Caps & Num Lock
Caps, Scroll & Num lock
In The Box
Bundle Picture
Typing Experience
Typing Quality
8.0
9.0
Key Spacing
19.0 mm (0.748")
19.0 mm (0.748")
Typing Noise
7.2
7.2
Typing Sample
Average Loudness
53.7 dBA
53.4 dBA
High Pitch Clicks
No
No
Switches
Wobble Video
Switch Name
OmniPoint
Cherry MX Brown
Switch Type
Hall-effect
Mechanical
Feel
Linear
Tactile
Analog
Yes
No
Keystrokes
Key Switch Actuation Graph
Operating Force
41 gf
54 gf
Actuation Force
41 gf
43 gf
Pre-Travel
2.2 mm
2.1 mm
Total Travel
4.2 mm
4.1 mm
Performance
Single-Key Latency
9.0
9.0
Single-Key Latency Graph
Best Connection
4.1 ms
3.7 ms
Best Connection Std Dev
±0.5 ms
±0.9 ms
Wired
4.1 ms
3.7 ms
Receiver
N/A
N/A
Bluetooth
N/A
N/A
PCB (Estimated)
N/A
1.7 ms
Multi-Key Latency
8.7
8.5
Latency Video
Multi-Key Latency Graph
Connection Evaluated
Wired
Wired
Key Press
4.1 ms
3.9 ms
Key Release
8.2 ms
17.7 ms
Data Transmission
8.7
8.7
Multi-Key Raw USB
Connection Evaluated
Wired
Wired
USB Polling Rate
1,000 Hz
1,000 Hz
Effective Update Rate
1,000 Hz
1,000 Hz
N-Key Rollover (NKRO)
Yes
Yes
Multiple Keys Per USB Report
Yes
Yes
Chord Split
7.9
7.9
Chord Split Graph
4 Chord Split Delay
5.9 ms
5.2 ms
8 Chord Split Delay
8.7 ms
16.7 ms
Software and Operating System
Configuration Software
Software Tour
Software Name
Steelseries Engine
No Software
Software Windows Compatible
Yes
No
Software macOS Compatible
Yes
No
Onboard Memory
Yes
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 Pro
Ducky One 3
Comments
SteelSeries Apex Pro vs Ducky One 3: Main Discussion
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