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- Table of Contents
- Top
- Main Differences
- Design
- Typing Experience
- Performance
- Software and Operating System
- Comments
SteelSeries Apex Pro vs SteelSeries Apex 9
Side-by-Side Comparison
Products
SteelSeries Apex Pro
SteelSeries Apex 9
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 Feb 06, 2025 09:55 PM
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ConnectivityWired
SizeFull-size (100%)
Switch TypeHall-effect
N-Key Rollover (NKRO)Yes
Hot-Swappable SwitchesNo
ConnectivityWired
SizeTenKeyLess (80%)
Switch TypeOptical
N-Key Rollover (NKRO)Yes
Hot-Swappable SwitchesYes
Variants
- Apex Pro (Black)
- Apex 9 TKL (Black)
- Apex 9 Mini (Black)
- Apex 9 Mini (FaZe Clan Limited Edition)
Our Verdict
SteelSeries Apex Pro
SteelSeries Apex 9
The SteelSeries Apex Pro and the SteelSeries Apex 9 are both premium gaming keyboards. The major difference is that the Apex Pro uses OmniPoint switches, which allow you to adjust the pre-travel distance within a range of points. The Apex 9, on the other hand, uses OptiPoint switches, which only have two preset actuation points, so you don't have the same degree of customization.
Main Differences forGaming
Gaming
Threshold
Gaming
8.6
8.7
Full Comparison
Design
Dimensions
Top Picture
Size
Full-size (100%)
TenKeyLess (80%)
Height
1.6" (4.0 cm)
1.6" (4.1 cm)
Width
17.2" (43.7 cm)
14.0" (35.5 cm)
Depth
5.5" (13.9 cm)
5.0" (12.8 cm)
Depth With Wrist Rest
8.3" (21.1 cm)
N/A
Weight
2.14 lbs (0.970 kg)
1.41 lbs (0.640 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°
4°
Medium Incline
N/A
7°
Maximum Incline
11°
11°
Home Row Height
33.0 mm (1.3")
33.3 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
Yes (Wired Only Keyboard)
Length
5.9 ft (1.8 m)
7.5 ft (2.3 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
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
Yes
Control Knob
No
No
USB Passthrough
Yes
No
Numpad
Yes
No
Windows Key Lock
Yes
Yes
Lock Indicator
Caps & Num Lock
Caps Lock
In The Box
Bundle Picture
Typing Experience
Typing Quality
8.0
8.0
Key Spacing
19.0 mm (0.748")
19.0 mm (0.748")
Typing Noise
7.2
7.5
Typing Sample
Average Loudness
53.7 dBA
52.2 dBA
High Pitch Clicks
No
No
Switches
Wobble Video
Switch Name
OmniPoint
SteelSeries Linear OptiPoint Optical
Switch Type
Hall-effect
Optical
Feel
Linear
Linear
Analog
Yes
No
Keystrokes
Key Switch Actuation Graph
Operating Force
41 gf
34 gf
Actuation Force
41 gf
35 gf
Pre-Travel
2.2 mm
1.1 mm
Total Travel
4.2 mm
3.2 mm
Performance
Single-Key Latency
9.0
9.2
Single-Key Latency Graph
Best Connection
4.1 ms
3.0 ms
Best Connection Std Dev
±0.5 ms
±0.4 ms
Wired
4.1 ms
3.0 ms
Receiver
N/A
N/A
Bluetooth
N/A
N/A
PCB (Estimated)
N/A
2.0 ms
Multi-Key Latency
8.7
8.9
Latency Video
Multi-Key Latency Graph
Connection Evaluated
Wired
Wired
Key Press
4.1 ms
3.0 ms
Key Release
8.2 ms
9.0 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
7.6
Chord Split Graph
4 Chord Split Delay
5.9 ms
6.8 ms
8 Chord Split Delay
8.7 ms
9.7 ms
Software and Operating System
Configuration Software
Software Tour
Software Name
Steelseries Engine
SteelSeries GG
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
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SteelSeries Apex Pro
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Comments
SteelSeries Apex Pro vs SteelSeries Apex 9: Main Discussion
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