SteelSeries Apex 5 Review (2024)

Tested using Methodology v1.2

• 8.7 Gaming
• 1.2 Mobile/Tablet
• 6.8 Office
• 7.4 Programming
• 3.6 Entertainment / HTPC

The SteelSeries Apex 7 TKL and the SteelSeries Apex 5are wired mechanical keyboards with similar features but a few important differences. The Apex 7 we tested is a TenKeyLess keyboard, though there’s also a full-sized variant. It’s available with tactile SteelSeries Brown, linear SteelSeries Red, or clicky SteelSeries Blue switches. On the other hand, the Apex 5 is a full-sized keyboard without any smaller variants and is only available with clicky Hybrid Blue Mechanical switches that feel similar to Cherry MX Blue switches. Unfortunately, it also has extremely high latency, which likely won't be a problem for slower-paced gaming, but it's less suitable for competitive and reaction-based games.

The SteelSeries Apex 5andthe SteelSeries Apex 3 are very differentdespite being from the same lineup. In terms of gaming performance, the Apex 5's hybrid mechanical switches have a shorter pre-travel distance and a slightly lower operating force than the rubber dome switches on the Apex 3, making them more responsive and easier to actuate. However, the Apex 5's latency is much higher than the Apex 3's and likely a dealbreaker for some. Other than that, the Apex 5 has an OLED screen, individually-lit RGB backlighting, and onboard memory, all features thatthe Apex 3 lacks.

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.

The SteelSeries Apex 5is better than the HyperX Alloy Origins for gaming, mainly because the SteelSeries has much higher latency.The HyperX'slinear switches are easier to actuate and provide a better typing experience. However, the SteelSeries has some extra features like its OLED screen and volume wheel. Also,its customizationsoftware is compatible with macOS, while HyperX's NGENUITY software is only available for Windows users.

The Razer BlackWidow Eliteis much better for gaming than the SteelSeries Apex 5, mainly due to the SteelSeries' high latency. The Razer provides a better typing experience overall, and it's available in a variety of mechanical switches, including linear, clicky, and tactile options. The SteelSeries has hybrid switches that also provide a good typing experience, but they're louder, which isn't ideal for quiet office environments. Feature-wise, the SteelSeries has an OLED screen, while the Razer has a USB passthrough.

The SteelSeries Apex 5is better than the Razer Ornata V2 if you like the feeling of mechanical switches.The SteelSeries isnoticeably better built and feels more durable. The Razer's switches feel a lot more like rubber domes than actual mechanical switches, and the SteelSeries' actuate quicker. However, the Razer has much lower latency, which is great for reaction-based games.

The SteelSeries Apex 5and the Logitech G815 LIGHTSYNC RGB are quite different. The Logitech is a low-profile mechanical keyboard that's available in various switch types, while the SteelSeries has a fairly standard height and only comes in one switch type. Gaming-wise, the Logitech is better simply because it has much lower latency. However, the SteelSeries provides a better typing experience, albeit a louder one, so it might not be ideal for noise-sensitive offices. Every key is macro-programmable on the SteelSeries, but on the Logitech, you can only program the dedicated macro keys.

The SteelSeries Apex 5 and the Razer BlackWidow Liteare quite different. The SteelSeries is a full-size keyboard with hybrid mechanical switches, while the Razer is a TenKeyLess keyboard with Razer Orange (tactile) switches. Although both switches have similar pre-travel distance and operating force, the Razer is better for gaming because it has lower latency. That said, the Razer's latency is still a bit high for a wired keyboard. The Razer provides a better and quieter typing experience, so it's a better choice for office use. On the other hand, the SteelSeries has more features, like an OLED screen, onboard memory, and a wrist rest. It also has full RGB backlighting, whereas the Razer is limited to a single white color.

For gaming, the Ducky Shine 7 is better than the SteelSeries Apex 5, mainly because it has much lower latency. The Ducky also provides a better typing experience, and it's available in various Cherry MX switches, whereas the SteelSeries only has one option. The SteelSeries has more features, though, like a customizable OLED screen and dedicated media controls, and it comes with a wrist rest. Also, it has software support for macOS, which the Ducky lacks.

The SteelSeries Apex 5and the ROCCAT Pyro are wired full-size gaming boards with customizable RGB backlighting. The SteelSeries has a dedicated media button, and all of its keys are macro-programmable. It also has an OLED screen that you can set to display almost anything. On the other hand, the ROCCAT has much lower latency than the SteelSeries, but you can't program macros.

The keyboard comes with a magnetic wrist rest, similar to the SteelSeries Apex Pro and SteelSeries Apex 7 TKL, but it feels a bit more plasticky.

Like the Apex Pro, the SteelSeries Apex 5 has a good number of extra features. It has an OLED screen that can be customized to show virtually anything you want. You can access the screen's menu by long-pressing the OLED menu button situated next to the screen, and this button also allows you to control media playback.

There are hotkeys that let you control the backlight's brightness, record macros, and change profiles. These can be accessed by pressing the SteelSeries key and the corresponding hotkey (F9-F12). You can lock the Windows key to prevent accidentally minimizing your game by pressing the SteelSeries key and the Windows key.

• SteelSeries Apex 5 keyboard
• User guide
• Wrist rest

LEARN ABOUT KEYSTROKES

LEARN ABOUT TYPING QUALITY

LEARN ABOUT TYPING NOISE

LEARN ABOUT LATENCY