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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
  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 Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro

Side-by-Side Comparison

Products

SteelSeries Apex Pro
Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro

Tested using Methodology v1.3.1

Updated Nov 21, 2024 07:55 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com

Tested using Methodology v1.3.1

Updated Dec 02, 2024 06:28 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
SteelSeries Apex Pro Picture
Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro Picture
ConnectivityWired
Size
Full-size (100%)
Switch Type
Hall-effect
N-Key Rollover (NKRO)
Yes
Hot-Swappable Switches
No
ConnectivityWired
Size
Full-size (100%)
Switch Type
Mechanical
N-Key Rollover (NKRO)
Yes
Hot-Swappable Switches
No

Variants

  • Apex Pro (Black)
  • BlackWidow V4 Pro (Black)

Review

See SteelSeries Apex Pro Review
See Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro Review
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Our Verdict

SteelSeries Apex Pro

Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro

The SteelSeries Apex Pro and the Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro are full-size mechanical gaming keyboards. The SteelSeries has a customizable OLED screen and uses OmniPoint switches which let you customize the pre-travel distance of each key. On the other hand, the Razer has additional dedicated macro keys, a multi-device roller, and a higher maximum polling rate of 8000Hz. It's available with linear Razer Yellow or clicky Razer Green switches.

0 

Check Price

Black
Apex Pro
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
BlackWidow V4 Pro
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
Apex Pro
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
BlackWidow V4 Pro
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
Apex Pro
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
Black
BlackWidow V4 Pro
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
 
Black
BlackWidow V4 Pro
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com

Main Differences for
Gaming

Threshold 

0.10

Gaming 

8.6
8.6
No major differences between these keyboards for gaming. See full list of tests below.

Full Comparison

Design

Dimensions 
 

Top Picture  

SteelSeries Apex Pro Top Picture
Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro Top Picture

Size 
 

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

Height 
 

1.6" (4.0 cm)
1.7" (4.4 cm)

Width  

17.2" (43.7 cm)
18.4" (46.7 cm)

Depth 
 

5.5" (13.9 cm)
6.0" (15.3 cm)

Depth With Wrist Rest 
 

8.3" (21.1 cm)
8.9" (22.5 cm)

Weight 
 

2.14 lbs (0.970 kg)
2.63 lbs (1.193 kg)
Show Text 

Build Quality 
 

8.0
7.5

Build Quality Close Up  

SteelSeries Apex Pro Build Quality Close Up
Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro Build Quality Close Up

Keycap Material  

ABS
ABS
Show Text 

Ergonomics 
 

6.0
6.0

Side Picture  

SteelSeries Apex Pro Side Picture
Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro Side Picture

Curved/Angled 
 

No
No

Split Keyboard 
 

No
No

Key Alignment 
 

Staggered
Staggered

Minimum Incline 
 

4.5°
4°

Medium Incline 
 

N/A
6°

Maximum Incline 
 

11°
9°

Home Row Height 
 

33.0 mm (1.3")
34.9 mm (1.4")
Show Text 

Hardware Customizability 
 

6.0
6.0

Customizability Overview  

SteelSeries Apex Pro Customizability Overview
Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro 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
No

Switch Stem Shape 
 

Cherry MX Style
Cherry MX Style

Switch PCB Socket 
 

Soldered
Soldered

North-Facing Cherry MX Interference 
 

Yes
Yes
Show Text 

Backlight Features 
 

10
10

Backlighting Picture  

SteelSeries Apex Pro Backlighting Picture
Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro Backlighting Picture

Brightness Max  

SteelSeries Apex Pro Brightness Max
Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro Brightness Max

Backlighting  

Yes
Yes

Brightness Min  

SteelSeries Apex Pro Brightness Min
Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro 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
Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro White Shot
Show Text 

Cable & Connector  

Connectivity  

Wired
Wired

Detachable 
 

No
Yes (Wired Only Keyboard)

Length  

5.9 ft (1.8 m)
6.5 ft (2.0 m)

Connector (Keyboard side) 
 

Not Detachable
USB type-C
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
9.1

Dedicated Macro Keys Count  

0
8

Onboard Macro Programming 
 

Yes
Yes

Macro Programming With Software 
 

Yes
Yes

Extra Features 
 

Extra Features  

SteelSeries Apex Pro Extra Features
Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro Extra Features

Media Keys 
 

Non-Dedicated
Dedicated

Trackpad / Trackball  

No
No

Scroll Wheel 
 

Yes
Yes

Control Knob 
 

No
Yes

USB Passthrough 
 

Yes
Yes

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
Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro Bundle Picture
Show Text 
Typing Experience

Typing Quality 
 

8.0
7.5

Key Spacing 
 

19.0 mm (0.748")
19.0 mm (0.748")
Show Text 

Typing Noise 
 

7.2
3.1

Typing Sample  

Average Loudness 
 

53.7 dBA
62.2 dBA

High Pitch Clicks 
 

No
Yes
Show Text 

Switches 
 

Wobble Video  

Switch Name 
 

OmniPoint
Razer Green

Switch Type 
 

Hall-effect
Mechanical

Feel 
 

Linear
Clicky

Analog 
 

Yes
No
Show Text 

Keystrokes 
 

Key Switch Actuation Graph  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Operating Force 
 

41 gf
57 gf

Actuation Force 
 

41 gf
51 gf

Pre-Travel 
 

2.2 mm
1.8 mm

Total Travel 
 

4.2 mm
4.0 mm
Show Text 
Performance

Single-Key Latency 
 

9.0
9.5

Single-Key Latency Graph  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Best Connection 
 

4.1 ms
1.7 ms

Best Connection Std Dev  

±0.5 ms
±0.1 ms

Wired 
 

4.1 ms
1.7 ms

Receiver 
 

N/A
N/A

Bluetooth 
 

N/A
N/A

PCB (Estimated) 
 

N/A
0.0 ms
Show Text 

Multi-Key Latency 
 

8.7
8.6

Latency Video  

Multi-Key Latency Graph  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Connection Evaluated  

Wired
Wired

Key Press 
 

4.1 ms
1.7 ms

Key Release 
 

8.2 ms
34.0 ms
Show Text 

Data Transmission 
 

8.7
9.6

Multi-Key Raw USB  

SteelSeries Apex Pro Multi-Key Raw USB
Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro Multi-Key Raw USB

Connection Evaluated  

Wired
Wired

USB Polling Rate 
 

1,000 Hz
8,000 Hz

Effective Update Rate 
 

1,000 Hz
8,000 Hz

N-Key Rollover (NKRO) 
 

Yes
Yes

Multiple Keys Per USB Report 
 

Yes
Yes
Show Text 

Chord Split 
 

7.9
7.8

Chord Split Graph  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

4 Chord Split Delay 
 

5.9 ms
6.1 ms

8 Chord Split Delay 
 

8.7 ms
9.7 ms
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
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

Check Price

Black
Apex Pro
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
BlackWidow V4 Pro
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
Apex Pro
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
BlackWidow V4 Pro
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
Apex Pro
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
Black
BlackWidow V4 Pro
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
 
Black
BlackWidow V4 Pro
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Back to Top

SteelSeries Apex Pro

Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro

Comments

  1. Comparison
 • Posted 1 year ago

SteelSeries Apex Pro vs Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro: Main Discussion

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