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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 V3 Pro

Side-by-Side Comparison

Products

SteelSeries Apex Pro
Razer BlackWidow V3 Pro

Tested using Methodology v1.3.1

Updated Nov 21, 2024 07:55 PM

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Tested using Methodology v1.3.1

Updated Nov 27, 2023 05:26 PM

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Amazon.com
SteelSeries Apex Pro Picture
Razer BlackWidow V3 Pro Picture

Variants

  • Apex Pro (Black)
  • BlackWidow V3 Pro (Black)

Our Verdict

SteelSeries Apex Pro

Razer BlackWidow V3 Pro

Although the SteelSeries Apex Pro and the Razer BlackWidow V3 Pro are both full-size gaming keyboards, they're actually quite different. The SteelSeries is wired-only, and its Omnipoint switches allow users to set their preferred pre-travel distance. The Razer is a wireless keyboard with multi-device pairing capability, and it's available with Razer Green or Yellow switches. The Razer has lower latency, but it doesn't have features like an OLED screen and USB passthrough, which the SteelSeries does.

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Black
Apex Pro
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Black
BlackWidow V3 Pro
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Black
Apex Pro
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Black
BlackWidow V3 Pro
SEE PRICE
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Black
Apex Pro
Amazon.com
Black
BlackWidow V3 Pro
Amazon.com
Black
Apex Pro
Amazon.com
Black
BlackWidow V3 Pro
Amazon.com
Black
Apex Pro
Amazon.com
 
Black
Apex Pro
Amazon.com
 
Black
Apex Pro
Amazon.com
 
Black
Apex Pro
Amazon.com
 
Black
Apex Pro
Amazon.com
 
Black
Apex Pro
Amazon.com
 

Main Differences for
Gaming

Threshold 

0.10

Gaming 

8.6
8.5
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 V3 Pro Top Picture

Size 
 

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

Height 
 

1.6" (4.0 cm)
1.7" (4.2 cm)

Width  

17.2" (43.7 cm)
17.5" (44.5 cm)

Depth 
 

5.5" (13.9 cm)
6.5" (16.5 cm)

Depth With Wrist Rest 
 

8.3" (21.1 cm)
9.3" (23.5 cm)

Weight 
 

2.14 lbs (0.970 kg)
2.53 lbs (1.149 kg)
Show text

Build Quality 
 

8.0
7.5

Build Quality Close Up  

SteelSeries Apex Pro Build Quality Close Up
Razer BlackWidow V3 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 V3 Pro 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°

Home Row Height 
 

33.0 mm (1.3")
32.9 mm (1.3")
Show text

Hardware Customizability 
 

6.0
6.0

Customizability Overview  

SteelSeries Apex Pro Customizability Overview
Razer BlackWidow V3 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 V3 Pro Backlighting Picture

Brightness Max  

SteelSeries Apex Pro Brightness Max
Razer BlackWidow V3 Pro Brightness Max

Backlighting  

Yes
Yes

Brightness Min  

SteelSeries Apex Pro Brightness Min
Razer BlackWidow V3 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 V3 Pro White Shot
Show text

Cable & Connector  

Connectivity  

Wired
Wireless

Detachable 
 

No
Yes (Wired Mode and Charge)

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
10

Bluetooth 
 

No
Yes

Bluetooth Multi-Device Pairing 
 

No
3

Proprietary Receiver 
 

No
Yes

Battery Type 
 

No Batteries
Rechargeable
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 Pro Extra Features
Razer BlackWidow V3 Pro Extra Features

Media Keys 
 

Non-Dedicated
Dedicated

Trackpad / Trackball  

No
No

Scroll Wheel 
 

Yes
No

Control Knob 
 

No
Yes

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
Razer BlackWidow V3 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
4.0

Typing Sample  

Average Loudness 
 

53.7 dBA
57.2 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
54 gf

Pre-Travel 
 

2.2 mm
1.8 mm

Total Travel 
 

4.2 mm
3.8 mm
Show text
Performance

Single-Key Latency 
 

9.0
9.0

Single-Key Latency Graph  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

Best Connection 
 

4.1 ms
4.0 ms

Best Connection Std Dev  

±0.5 ms
±0.5 ms

Wired 
 

4.1 ms
4.0 ms

Receiver 
 

N/A
4.9 ms

Bluetooth 
 

N/A
12.9 ms

PCB (Estimated) 
 

N/A
2.2 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
Receiver

Key Press 
 

4.1 ms
4.8 ms

Key Release 
 

8.2 ms
9.9 ms

Data Transmission 
 

8.7
8.7

Multi-Key Raw USB  

SteelSeries Apex Pro Multi-Key Raw USB
Razer BlackWidow V3 Pro 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
8.1

Chord Split Graph  

See details on graph tool
See details on graph tool

4 Chord Split Delay 
 

5.9 ms
5.6 ms

8 Chord Split Delay 
 

8.7 ms
9.0 ms
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
10

Android 
 

Not Compatible
Fully Compatible

iOS 
 

Not Compatible
Fully Compatible

iPadOS 
 

Not Compatible
Fully Compatible

Media Key Compatibility 
 

Not Compatible
Android, iPhone & iPad
Show text

Check Price

Black
Apex Pro
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
BlackWidow V3 Pro
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
Apex Pro
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
BlackWidow V3 Pro
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
Apex Pro
Amazon.com
Black
BlackWidow V3 Pro
Amazon.com
Black
Apex Pro
Amazon.com
Black
BlackWidow V3 Pro
Amazon.com
Black
Apex Pro
Amazon.com
 
Black
Apex Pro
Amazon.com
 
Black
Apex Pro
Amazon.com
 
Black
Apex Pro
Amazon.com
 
Black
Apex Pro
Amazon.com
 
Black
Apex Pro
Amazon.com
 

SteelSeries Apex Pro

Razer BlackWidow V3 Pro

Comments

  1. Comparison

SteelSeries Apex Pro vs Razer BlackWidow V3 Pro: Main Discussion

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