Notice: Your browser is not supported or outdated so some features of the site might not be available.
Notice: Like what we do? We're currently hiring a Staff Writer for Computers. Join our team!
- Table of Contents
- Top
- Main Differences
- Design
- Typing Experience
- Performance
- Software and Operating System
- Comments
SteelSeries Apex Pro vs SteelSeries Apex 5
Side-by-Side Comparison
Products
SteelSeries Apex Pro
SteelSeries Apex 5
Tested using Methodology v1.3.1
Updated Nov 21, 2024 07:55 PM
SEE PRICE
Amazon.comTested using Methodology v1.2
Updated Jun 21, 2023 04:41 PM
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
ConnectivityWired
SizeFull-size (100%)
Switch TypeHall-effect
N-Key Rollover (NKRO)Yes
Hot-Swappable SwitchesNo
ConnectivityWired
SizeFull-size (100%)
Switch TypeMechanical
Hot-Swappable SwitchesYes
Variants
- Apex Pro (Black)
- Apex 5 (Black)
Our Verdict
SteelSeries Apex Pro
SteelSeries Apex 5
The SteelSeries Apex Pro is a better gaming keyboard than the SteelSeries Apex 5, mainly because it has significantly lower latency. The Apex Pro has linear Omnipoint switches and allows you to customize the pre-travel distance on a per-key basis to suit your preference. It provides a better typing experience overall, but its switches don't give tactile feedback, which the Hybrid Blue Mechanical switches on the Apex 5 do. That said, the Apex 5 is much louder and might not be ideal for quiet offices. Both keyboards have excellent build quality, full RGB backlighting, and include a wrist rest. The only other difference is that the Apex Pro has a USB passthrough, which the Apex 5 lacks.
Main Differences forGaming
Gaming
Threshold
Gaming
8.6
8.7
Single-Key Latency
9.0
6.5
Pre-Travel
2.2 mm
1.8 mm
Full Comparison
Design
Dimensions
Top Picture
Size
Full-size (100%)
Full-size (100%)
Height
1.6" (4.0 cm)
1.5" (3.7 cm)
Width
17.2" (43.7 cm)
17.5" (44.4 cm)
Depth
5.5" (13.9 cm)
5.6" (14.1 cm)
Depth With Wrist Rest
8.3" (21.1 cm)
8.3" (21.2 cm)
Weight
2.14 lbs (0.970 kg)
1.98 lbs (0.900 kg)
Build Quality
8.0
8.5
Build Quality Close Up
Keycap Material
ABS
ABS
Ergonomics
6.0
6.0
Side Picture
Curved/Angled
No
No
Split Keyboard
No
No
Key Alignment
Staggered
Staggered
Minimum Incline
4.5°
4°
Medium Incline
N/A
N/A
Maximum Incline
11°
9.5°
Home Row Height
33.0 mm (1.3")
32.6 mm (1.3")
Hardware Customizability
6.0
7.4
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
Non-Customizable Design
North-Facing Cherry MX Interference
Yes
Yes
Backlight Features
10
10
Backlighting Picture
Brightness Max
Backlighting
Yes
Yes
Brightness Min
RGB
Yes
Yes
Per-Key Backlighting
Yes
Yes
Effects
Yes
Yes
Software Controllable
Yes
Yes
Backlight Clarity
9.0
8.0
White Shot
Cable & Connector
Connectivity
Wired
Wired
Detachable
No
No
Length
5.9 ft (1.8 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
5.5
Dedicated Macro Keys Count
0
0
Onboard Macro Programming
Yes
Yes
Macro Programming With Software
Yes
Yes
Extra Features
Extra Features
Media Keys
Non-Dedicated
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
7.5
Key Spacing
19.0 mm (0.748")
Typing Noise
7.2
4.4
Typing Sample
Average Loudness
53.7 dBA
55.5 dBA
High Pitch Clicks
No
Yes
Switches
Wobble Video
Switch Name
OmniPoint
Hybrid Blue Mechanical
Switch Type
Hall-effect
Mechanical
Feel
Linear
Clicky
Analog
Yes
Keystrokes
Key Switch Actuation Graph
Operating Force
41 gf
54 gf
Actuation Force
41 gf
50 gf
Pre-Travel
2.2 mm
1.8 mm
Total Travel
4.2 mm
4.0 mm
Latency
9.0
6.5
Latency Video
Latency Wired
4.1 ms
24.4 ms
Latency Receiver
N/A
N/A
Latency Bluetooth
N/A
N/A
Performance
Single-Key Latency
9.0
6.5
Single-Key Latency Graph
Best Connection
4.1 ms
Best Connection Std Dev
±0.5 ms
Wired
4.1 ms
24.4 ms
Receiver
N/A
N/A
Bluetooth
N/A
N/A
PCB (Estimated)
N/A
Multi-Key Latency
8.7
Latency Video
Multi-Key Latency Graph
Connection Evaluated
Wired
Key Press
4.1 ms
Key Release
8.2 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
7.9
Chord Split Graph
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
Steelseries Engine
Software Windows Compatible
Yes
Yes
Software macOS Compatible
Yes
Yes
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
You have 10/10 free reviews left
To access
and
Become an Insider
unlimited full product reviews,
product prices
other exclusive site features
SteelSeries Apex Pro
SteelSeries Apex 5
Comments
SteelSeries Apex Pro vs SteelSeries Apex 5: Main Discussion
What do you think of these products? Let us know below.
Looking for a personalized buying advice from the RTINGS.com experts? Insiders have direct access to buying advice on our insider forum.