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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. Typing Quality
    2. Typing Noise
    3. Switches
    4. Keystrokes
    5. Latency
  6. Performance
    1. Single-Key Latency
    2. Multi-Key Latency
    3. Data Transmission
    4. Chord Split
  7. Software and Operating System
    1. Configuration Software
    2. Computer Compatibility
    3. Wireless Mobile Compatibility
  8. Comments

SteelSeries Apex Pro vs EVGA Z15

Side-by-Side Comparison

Products

SteelSeries Apex Pro
EVGA Z15

Tested using Methodology v1.3.1

Updated Nov 21, 2024 07:55 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com

Tested using Methodology v1.2

Updated Jun 21, 2023 04:40 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
SteelSeries Apex Pro Picture
EVGA Z15 Picture

Variants

  • Apex Pro (Black)
  • Z15 (Black)

Our Verdict

SteelSeries Apex Pro

EVGA Z15

The SteelSeries Apex Pro and the EVGA Z15 are both fantastic wired gaming keyboards. The SteelSeries uses proprietary OmniPoint linear switches, which let you customize the pre-travel distance of every key. Also, it has a small, customizable OLED screen that lets you access keyboard functions or display game stats, CPU operations, and gifs. Unfortunately, it isn't available with other switch types. On the other hand, the EVGA is available in more switch types. It's a hot-swappable board that lets you replace the stock switches with any type you prefer. It also has one of the lowest latencies we've tested.

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Main Differences for
Gaming

Threshold 

0.10

Gaming 

8.6
9.1

Pre-Travel 
 

2.2 mm
1.1 mm

Single-Key Latency 
 

9.0
10

Full Comparison

Design

Dimensions 
 

Top Picture  

SteelSeries Apex Pro Top Picture
EVGA Z15 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)
17.5" (44.5 cm)

Depth 
 

5.5" (13.9 cm)
6.0" (15.2 cm)

Depth With Wrist Rest 
 

8.3" (21.1 cm)
8.8" (22.4 cm)

Weight 
 

2.14 lbs (0.970 kg)
2.23 lbs (1.010 kg)
Show Text 

Build Quality 
 

8.0
8.0

Build Quality Close Up  

SteelSeries Apex Pro Build Quality Close Up
EVGA Z15 Build Quality Close Up

Keycap Material  

ABS
ABS
Show Text 

Ergonomics 
 

6.0
6.0

Side Picture  

SteelSeries Apex Pro Side Picture
EVGA Z15 Side Picture

Curved/Angled 
 

No
No

Split Keyboard 
 

No
No

Key Alignment 
 

Staggered
Staggered

Minimum Incline 
 

4.5°

Medium Incline 
 

N/A

Maximum Incline 
 

11°
10°

Home Row Height 
 

33.0 mm (1.3")
31.2 mm (1.2")
Show Text 

Hardware Customizability 
 

6.0
8.5

Customizability Overview  

SteelSeries Apex Pro Customizability Overview
EVGA Z15 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
3-pin Cherry

North-Facing Cherry MX Interference 
 

Yes
Yes
Show Text 

Backlight Features 
 

10
10

Backlighting Picture  

SteelSeries Apex Pro Backlighting Picture
EVGA Z15 Backlighting Picture

Brightness Max  

SteelSeries Apex Pro Brightness Max
EVGA Z15 Brightness Max

Backlighting  

Yes
Yes

Brightness Min  

SteelSeries Apex Pro Brightness Min
EVGA Z15 Brightness Min

RGB 
 

Yes
Yes

Per-Key Backlighting 
 

Yes
Yes

Effects 
 

Yes
Yes

Software Controllable 
 

Yes
Yes
Show Text 

Backlight Clarity 
 

9.0
9.0

White Shot  

SteelSeries Apex Pro White Shot
EVGA Z15 White Shot
Show Text 

Cable & Connector  

Connectivity  

Wired
Wired

Detachable 
 

No
No

Length  

5.9 ft (1.8 m)
6.0 ft (1.8 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
4.0

Dedicated Macro Keys Count  

0
0

Onboard Macro Programming 
 

Yes
No

Macro Programming With Software 
 

Yes
Yes

Extra Features 
 

Extra Features  

SteelSeries Apex Pro Extra Features
EVGA Z15 Extra Features

Media Keys 
 

Non-Dedicated
Dedicated

Trackpad / Trackball  

No
No

Scroll Wheel 
 

Yes
Yes

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
Show Text 

In The Box  

Bundle Picture  

SteelSeries Apex Pro Bundle Picture
EVGA Z15 Bundle Picture
Show Text 
Typing Experience

Typing Quality 
 

8.0
8.0

Key Spacing 
 

19.0 mm (0.748")
Show Text 

Typing Noise 
 

7.2
4.3

Typing Sample  

Average Loudness 
 

53.7 dBA
55.8 dBA

High Pitch Clicks 
 

No
Yes
Show Text 

Switches 
 

Wobble Video  

Switch Name 
 

OmniPoint
Kailh Speed Bronze

Switch Type 
 

Hall-effect
Mechanical

Feel 
 

Linear
Clicky

Analog 
 

Yes
Show Text 

Keystrokes 
 

Key Switch Actuation Graph  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Operating Force 
 

41 gf
54 gf

Actuation Force 
 

41 gf
54 gf

Pre-Travel 
 

2.2 mm
1.1 mm

Total Travel 
 

4.2 mm
3.7 mm
Show Text 

Latency 
 

9.0
10

Latency Video  

Latency Wired 
 

4.1 ms
0.9 ms

Latency Receiver 
 

N/A
N/A

Latency Bluetooth 
 

N/A
N/A
Show Text 
Performance

Single-Key Latency 
 

9.0
10

Single-Key Latency Graph  

See details on graph tool

Best Connection 
 

4.1 ms

Best Connection Std Dev  

±0.5 ms

Wired 
 

4.1 ms
0.9 ms

Receiver 
 

N/A
N/A

Bluetooth 
 

N/A
N/A

PCB (Estimated) 
 

N/A
Show Text 

Multi-Key Latency 
 

8.7

Latency Video  

Multi-Key Latency Graph  

See details on graph tool

Connection Evaluated  

Wired

Key Press 
 

4.1 ms

Key Release 
 

8.2 ms

Data Transmission 
 

8.7

Multi-Key Raw USB  

SteelSeries Apex Pro 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 
 

7.9

Chord Split Graph  

See details on graph tool

4 Chord Split Delay 
 

5.9 ms

8 Chord Split Delay 
 

8.7 ms
Software and Operating System

Configuration Software 
 

Software Tour  

Software Name  

Steelseries Engine
EVGA Unleash RGB

Software Windows Compatible 
 

Yes
Yes

Software macOS Compatible 
 

Yes
No

Onboard Memory 
 

Yes
Yes

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 Pro

EVGA Z15

Comments

  1. Comparison

SteelSeries Apex Pro vs EVGA Z15: Main Discussion

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