There are keyboards and then there are keyboards. The SteelSeries Apex Pro Gen 3 is a keyboard. Sure, you might think I’m spitting jargon right now or trying to sound fancy, but what I’m getting at is this. You can buy any old keyboard at the store. You might even think it’s decent and gets the job done. It isn’t until you experience a keyboard like the SteelSeries Apex Pro Gen 3 that you realize what you have been missing.
Undeniable Quality
Just holding the box in hand tells me a lot about the keyboard. It’s heavy and signifies there is something to this premium device. When I get the keyboard and magnetic palm rest in hand, I can’t help but smile. If it feels this great in hand, I can’t wait to see what it feels like completely setup. Once it actually is setup, the first thing I notice is the sound of the switches/keys. The best way to describe the feeling and sound of typing is satisfyingly “Creamy” as even SteelSeries puts it. This is a far cry from say Turtle Beach’s Vulcan II Max which is loud and “clacky”. At first, I didn’t like the buttery smoothness of the typing on the Apex Pro Gen 3. After using is for a few weeks, I love it.
Sure, there isn’t a ton of sound, but there is still enough to satisfy my sensory needs and create an actual experience while using it. So, when I say there are “keyboards” and there are “keyboards” think of the crappy generic ones you can buy at Target/Walmart etc. vs. actual gaming keyboards. The latter can truly be experienced, and once you have used one, you simply cannot go back.
There is one thing I don’t love about the design. This keyboard isn’t flashy. Some may love that, but there is something about the gorgeous lighting the aforementioned Vulcan II Max puts out that makes me miss it.
Faster than fast
Just about every gaming keyboard boasts “great speed”. SteelSeries boasts about being the “World’s fastest keyboard”. While I can honestly say I’m not sure if this boast is accurate or a testament to great marketing, I can state the facts. The SteelSeries Apex Pro Gen 3 delivers crazy speeds due to adjustable actuation on each and every key. This means I can set the actuation for one key to be much lower or higher than another key. In gaming, this is when we use the overused cliche of game changing.
The Hall Effect Switches now allow for full adjustability in actuation from 0.1mm to 4.0. Whether playing Fortnite or slapping together an email, it’s fun to toggle the actuation and feel the difference in keystroke sensitivity. I love this because if I accidentally press two keys at once in a hurried panic in Apex Legends, I don’t screw up anymore. Why? Because if my intended key is set to a lower actuation, and the other surrounding keys aren’t, the sensitive key is what is registered. No more button mashing mistakes when fleeing in terror or attacking in beast mode.
Customization
Readers should know right away that if you want to customize most gaming keyboards, you gotta download the recommended software. The Apex Pro Gen 3 isn’t any different. Thankfully, SteelSeries offers a pretty stellar experience in the SteelSeries GG software. Overall, this is a robust suite that allows for more than keyboard customization. The software is great – once you figure it out. If I had to guess, most players will spend minimal time tinkering in here, but for those that do, it can be quite rewarding.
Once in GG, users can remap keys, optimize RGB settings to perfection and sync with other SteelSeries RGB devices. The most important feature in the software is simply adjusting actuation of the Hall Effect Switches.
There are a ton of options in GG, and I find myself even goofing around and adjusting the OLED control panel on the top right of the board to say my name instead of “SteelSeries”. Then, I realize how lame that is and set it back to default. The screen allows for quick adjustments while in game without having to jump into the software to say – switch configs.
Summing it up
There isn’t any debate. The SteelSeries Apex Pro Gen 3 is a premium gaming keyboard that stands out with its exceptional build quality, customizable actuation, and smooth, satisfying keystrokes. Unlike generic keyboards, its Hall Effect Switches allow full adjustability from 0.1mm to 4.0mm, providing ultra-fast responsiveness and reducing accidental key presses in gaming. While its minimalist design lacks flashy RGB lighting compared to certain competitors, it compensates with deep customization through SteelSeries GG software, enabling key remapping, actuation tuning, and an OLED control panel for quick adjustments. Though it takes time to master the software, the Apex Pro Gen 3 delivers a truly game-changing experience for both casual and competitive gamers.
