SteelSeries is a well-known brand among gamers worldwide. They offer a wide range of products, from keyboards to mice, mousepads and even headphones. We got our hands on one of their gaming keyboards, the SteelSeries Apex and tested it for a couple of days, in different scenarios. We were surprised how badly this keyboard works and we couldn't believe that it was created by a famous brand like SteelSeries. Here's what you will experience if you buy the SteelSeries Apex:
Unboxing The Steelseries Apex Gaming Keyboard
SteelSeries Apex comes packaged in a large black box with a big picture of the product on the front.
The back of the box shows a series of details about the keyboard, but it fails to offer useful technical specifications. It's mostly marketing about the macro keys and the illumination of the keyboard, instead of detailed hardware specifications. Once you open the big black box, you'll have to pull out another big black box. Quite typical for gaming keyboards nowadays!
Inside the second box you'll find the keyboard, a pair of rubber feet, a SteelSeries sticker, the quick start guide and the warranty.
Hardware Specifications
First off, keep in mind that we're not talking about a mechanical keyboard. The SteelSeries Apex is only a rubber dome based keyboard. Also, it is quite massive, as it includes 20 macro keys with anti-ghosting technology and six multimedia keys. All its keys are fully programmable using the SteelSeries Engine software.
SteelSeries figures it is a good idea to have a USB hub integrated into the keyboard, so we got that too.
SteelSeries also included backlit keys on the Apex gaming keyboard. What's interesting is that there are five illumination zones on the keyboard and you can configure the lights to mix and display over 16 million colors. If, for whatever reason, you're into this kind of stuff, you will appreciate this feature. We think that having different illumination zones is useful when using the keyboard during the night but the multitude of colors available is just overkill. We did not feel the need to configure the illumination in so much detail.
This keyboard also comes with two swappable rubber feet that you can use if you want it positioned at a different angle than the default one. Try them out and decide for yourself if they are worth using or not.
The SteelSeries Apex weighs 1330 grams (2.93lbs) and it's quite large at 560 x 55 x 220mm (Width x Height x Depth). That's 22.05 x 2.05 x 8.66 inches (Width x Height x Depth). A 2 meters long (6.6 feet) braided USB cable connects the keyboard to the computer using two USB connectors.
You can find the full set of specifications of this keyboard here: SteelSeries Apex - Specifications. As you will see, the list of "real" hardware specifications is quite short. The SteelSeries Apex product page is mostly about marketing messages, how many keys this keyboard has and how they are illuminated.
Using The SteelSeries Apex
We quickly learned that, if you're used to mechanical keyboards, you should stay away from the SteelSeries Apex. It just can't hold a candle to any mechanical keyboard we used. And we've used many keyboards.
SteelSeries has built a bright (pun intended) and shiny keyboard for gamers while probably aiming it towards users who don't like mechanical keyboards and have only used rubber dome keyboards. Unfortunately, we consider this keyboard a huge failure for a big brand like SteelSeries. And here's why:
Most of you are probably familiar with anti-RSI ergonomic keyboards. That's right, the ones with the A-shaped layout designed to avoid wrist injuries. We're gonna try to put it elegantly now: if SteelSeries had made the Apex 20 years ago, this keyboard would have been the reason why ergonomic keyboards were invented. Apex is more crowded than a laptop keyboard with little to no spacing between keys, which makes it extremely uncomfortable to type on. Also, the keys are made out of slippery plastic and it feels weird to type on them.
Long typing sessions on the SteelSeries Apex are literally a pain. Your hands get tired very fast while you're using it and they will hurt after an hour or two of typing on it. This is very worrying and we don't think that this product is good for your health. We are not health experts but our bad typing experience made us feel that, if you use this keyboard for long periods of time, you may expose yourself to possibile repetitive strain injuries (RSI).
Even if the Apex is not a noisy keyboard, the sound that the keys produce when you type give you the feeling that cheap plastic was used in the production process. While some people like heavily illuminated keyboards, we can't say we are fans of the over 1 trillion possible color combinations that SteelSeries so proudly promotes on the packaging of this device. We appreciate backlit keyboards, but having a full on rainbow in front of us while writing or playing a game isn't exactly what we're looking for. As a result, we did not end up configuring the lighting in too much detailed and we stuck to the default lighting.
We've played different types of games while testing SteelSeries Apex, such as Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, Diablo 3, World of Warcraft, Batman: Arkham Origins or Crysis. The macro profiles are useful in online games such as MMORPGs, and the four layers that you can use allow for a very large number of key combinations. If you're a hardcore gamer who appreciates macros, you'll probably like this feature. However, the feeling of tiredness was also obvious during our gaming sessions, not only when typing. This keyboard just isn't comfortable to use for long periods of time.
SteelSeries also decided to include two additional directional arrow keys, pointing to Upper Left and Upper Right. We consider this another design issue of this keyboard. Gamers keep one hand on the mouse and one on the WASD keys. They don't use the arrow keys for movement, so these extra keys are of no use. These keys end up doing more harm than good as you are very likely to hit them instead of the Left and Right keys.
The layout of the multimedia keys, located at the far right side of the keyboard, is also unfortunate. Most users are used to having the Enter key on the bottom right corner of the keyboard and many users actually use that key. If you rely on this key, you'll have a bad time with the Apex, since that position is taken by the Play/Pause multimedia button. Enter is at its left, meaning that you will hit Play/Pause instead of Enter. We found this very frustrating.
Another thing that disappointed us about the Apex is the fact that it is a huge magnet for fingerprints, dust and everything else that can make a keyboard look dirty.
Our experience of using the SteelSeries Apex gaming keyboard was very poor. We were never frustrated by a keyboard until we used this one.
Drivers & Software
The keyboard worked without any issue after connecting it to our test computer, but to make use of its extras, you have to install the SteelSeries Engine software. This is SteelSeries' software for configuring all their products. It syncs your settings online, so that you can use the same settings across all of your devices and computers. For this to work though, you need to create a SteelSeries ID and log on.
Once you click the APEX area, the keyboard's control panel opens and you are shown the settings that you can configure.
The software allows you to change the backlight color of the keyboard. You can select from multiple levels of intensity, change the keyboard's region and also modify the polling rate up to a maximum of 1000 Hz.
The Apex has many macro keys and it also features four dedicated keys that you can use to switch between four customizable configuration sets, called layers. This is useful when you play many games that require different key combinations and you want to save them without having to reconfigure the keyboard every time you play a different game.
SteelSeries Engine also allows you to make application-specific configurations for the keyboard. If a certain game or application is launched, a certain layer of settings is then activated.
What's interesting about this software is the fact that you can re-configure every key on the keyboard. You can literally make any key on the keyboard do something else than originally programmed. Personally, we are not impressed by this feature because we don't see the value of reconfiguring the main keys on the keyboard, unless you want to have fun on April Fools' day.
Overall, the SteelSeries Engine software is quite solid and it offers many configuration options. You can literally change everything about the way your keyboard works. However, this doesn't mean that there's much value to be gained from reconfiguring everything. Yes, configuring the macro keys and your layers is recommended. Yes, you may want to change the lighting a bit but you won't really need to reconfigure everything. We couldn't help think that SteelSeries would have been better off focusing on providing a better keyboard than a fully customizable keyboard that doesn't do the basics right, like… typing comfortably.
Verdict
We love many products made by SteelSeries and we consider it one of the best brands when it comes to gaming peripherals. However, the SteelSeries Apex gaming keyboard is a truly disappointing product. This keyboard feels cheap, the build quality is not worthy of its price tag, its layout is bad and it offers an awful experience. We never typed on a keyboard that made our hands hurt until we typed on the Apex. Also, gaming on the Apex is not spectacular and it just doesn't compare to mechanical keyboards. We've used many keyboards which are better than SteelSeries Apex, including ones which are cheaper. We strongly advise you to stay away from SteelSeries Apex and spend your money on other keyboards. Just about any other keyboard is better than this.
Discussion (21)
What a crappy review! Just stumbled across this and the review is so unfair that I feel the urge to comment, even 3 years after it has been published.
If I were SteelSeries I would sue you guys, as this is an outright damaging unfair product bashing with unfounded claims… bad for your health? Seriously??
But then again, this kind of review is bad for YOUR reputation, not Steelseries… just look at all the comments.
I see you don’t like it, I do. I don’t type 2 hours straight,but I game 4 hours,np.I have a brand new Logitech Mechanical board,hate it. Mechanical boards seem to be a typist dream, oh the satisfaction of the key, there I’m not impressed. Testers are bias to Mech. boards. Keys are raised too high for me anyway, I wouldn’t give a Mech. keyboard a bad rating just cause I don’t like it. For me, I like the Apex and the membrane board.
I think you are having arthritis old man…
Shot the RAW (Apex 300) for 30 Bucks.
I have to say the best keyboard so far. I really like that the keys do have a short way down. This was one of my most imprtant features. I hate the long way that Mechanicals are traveling even tho you dont have to press them all the way down.And god are mechanical keyboards loud. Why are people so obsseesed with ahving an extremely silent pc when you can hear every single click on your keyboard louder than anythign else?. Im a casual gamer, but also aprogrammer and can only say that i relly like this keyboard. Yes it is true you have to get used to it the keys are closer together than on other keyboards but u get used to them pretty quick. I bought the non rgb one becaus eits cheaper and the rgb does not give you a benefit at all. But i would also never ever buy a pc witha window in it. I look at my Screen not at my tower. Would rate the keyboard 8/10, have had a g15 1st and 2nd gen before and this one goes even or even better.
i have to agree. this is an old post bt i just purchased it on Amazon for cheap, $30. it is difficult to type, i constantly am correcting myself. the button feel CHEAP! i love the extra macro keys ontop of the F keys, but im not a gamer im a comp user so typing is critical. i will def return this..
I was very shocked that the key spacing was not standard, so it will take time to adjust. Why oh why non-standard? Especially since the keyboard is so large.
I bought this keyboard due to it’s back-lighting, RGB color choices (I prefer to choose colors that enable me to see most clearly. Diff people see colors differently) plus it has a “ton” of macro keys which are extremely useful as a programmer.
My 2 main complaints:
– non-standard sized keys!!!
– wish it was brighter
Nitpick: as mentioned in the article, the media keys alongside the numpad, I regularly use the Enter key on the numpad and so I tend to hit the large Play button instead. Good thing is I can reprogram that key to use Enter when I hit it 😉
So it comes down to whether I will be able to adjust to the non-standard sized keys. If I do then using other keyboards could be an issue. Think I will move on to a different keyboard because of that.. 🙁
Hi – could you tell me how you managed to re-programme the bizarrely positioned multimedia keys? I’m stumped.
I own raw version. it is just as bad as they say in this review. For office use, it’s one the worse I ever used. It’s beautiful, it looks great, but it takes a lot of effort to write a text. I can’t express in English what exactly is not good with this keyboard. It’s just there are a lot of keys you need to press hard twice or more in order to type. I think Ciprian did a honest review. I used this keyboard daily for more then 2 years now. I simply didn’t want to waste money for a new one.
sorry, but this not a review except for what i would consider “personal” like/dislike.
a review should show the good/bad things about a product (doesnt perform up to spec, “lags” etc) and not about your personal preference.
i got the RAW/300 because i wanted to try a different brand this time, and got a got deal on a refurb (12$).
and so far, its the best keyboard i used in the past 15y up to the 80$ range.
I personally NEVER cared for ergonomical boards, i DONT want mech keys (yes, the space button is a bit louder than the other keys, but overall better than any silent mech), still use the arrow buttons when playing shooters (incl the additional ones for “leaning”), and like the fact i can customize stuff like brightness much finer than on other brands like logitech.
so i would rate it 8 from 10 (not all buttons are “identical” in brightness; overall size could be larger incl keys).
I have to agree with the other commenters. This review is overly harsh. Bad for your health? I’m sorry you had a bad experience but I’ve used the keyboard to type quite a bit and have never even felt discomfort, let alone pain. Maybe that’s a personal issue based on an existing RSI? Not fair to criticize the board based on something that you’re not sure will even impact anyone else. Likewise, if you’re down on the colors, why are you reviewing an RGB keyboard? Ignore them. That’s personal preference and not a fair critique either. People who buy this will do so because of the customizable backlight. Further, why would you ever compare this to a mechanical keyboard? OF COURSE it’s not as good — you’re talking entirely different technologies. That’s like downrating a car because it doesn’t carry as much as a truck.
I’m sorry — the actual writing here was decent, but your opinions are unfair based on the product you’re reviewing. Sounds like a clear reviewer/product mismatch.
I actually use this keyboard for work, have for about 3 months now. No ergonomic problems. They only negatives are that I have to look at the keys when I first sit down at another type of keyboard, because the spacing is wider,and had to get used to the placement of the enter key. I have reprogrammed almost all macro keys, some function keys, and the pause and screen break (?) keys. If I need an original keyboard key back, I just hit layer two (default) and use it quick. The ability to use keypress macros is probably the best. I can direct my keyboard type ‘username + tab + password + enter’ for 8 systems that constantly autolog out after a few minutes of inactivity. That uses up like 6 macro keys total, but saves endless frustration. From there, any key sequence I have to press more than a few times a day for basic navigation is programmed. Why should I have to stop and type ‘unk + enter’ or ‘d + tab’ when I can press a single button and go on with my day? Excellent keyboard. Most of the others I’ve seen don’t have as many reprogrammable keys. If I run out of keys on this later I can always setup a layer for specific programs and just switch to that configuration. Bam – whole new set of keys.
But really – copy and paste keys…. My heroes.
I have owned this keyboard for over a year and I can say that I have no problems with it except for a few minor driver issues. Typing is not an issue for me personally and I prefer the quiet response of the non-mechanical keys. I feel that there definitely are people who would love this keyboard. Also, what is the big deal about the colors? They just put rgb LEDs in and separated them into zones. The variety of colors available is just a result of that. It’s useful for setting up different color schemes for different macro arrangements so you easily know you a using the right setup.
i have the 350 variant since last december. The only 2 Problems i have with it are the w key beeing used off already adn the logo light not working in white (white is purple) i didn´t even get done reading with this horrible review
https://steelseries.com/gaming-keyboards/apex
Great keyboard!!
It’s confusing and I’m sure people like you don’t like that!
So lets say how bad it is instead!
It’s not for typing all day!
It’s for playing games all day!
I have the RAW version without different Colors and less extrabuttons.
You are right if you say that the Keyboard is different and you need some weeks to acclimate with it, and yes this is really a negative point. But as soon as you have aclimatized with it, its a very nice keyboard.
(Sorry if some words are strange, english is not my first speek )
love this keyboard 🙂 worth every penny, ignore the review!
I don’t understand it, is such a great keyboard I love it. I use to write a lot on my PC and after 3-4 hours of intense writing I don’t feel any sign of pain. Maybe you where not in a good position.
The reality is that I forgot that is made of plastic when I see the keyboard doesn’t look bad and personally I really like the type and material of the keys, they have a really nice response.
I don’t understand what you’re on about. It’s a great keyboard!
Yup one of the worse products I’ve ever owned just threw it away and got a Corsair K95 keyboard biggest joke I’ve bought in a while
since when is a 200-250$ keyboard NOT supposed to be better than one for 100$??
Yeah compare a keyboard which is 2 times as expensive with this one. Also i tested both and the K95 does have useless rgb and also keys which you have to press half a mile to actually get them down.
Yeah u threw it away. Sure. No refund sure. Gawd. Also this Review is totally crap. They are reviewing the apex showing the apex raw without rgb and complaining about the rgb. Yeah its useless and tahst why the Apex 300 / Apex RAW doesnt have rgb. I dont want to miss the configurable keys. Its awesome to reconfigure some keys for moba games for example. The Software detects the game and switches the profiles accordingly. If i tab out of the game i just press L2 and i got the usual keyboard again.Just awesome.