The SteelSeries Apex 5 is a feature-rich keyboard with proprietary hybrid mechanical switches. These switches have a short pre-travel distance and light operating force, and they provide satisfying tactile and audio feedback, similar to Cherry MX Blues. However, despite having responsive switches, its latency is quite high for a wired keyboard and might be a dealbreaker for serious gamers looking for the lowest input lag. Like other keyboards of the same lineup, it has an OLED screen that you can customize to show almost anything you want, and its software is intuitive and user-friendly. Every key is macro-programmable, and there's full RGB backlighting for those who like to game in the dark.
Our Verdict
The SteelSeries Apex 5 is an outstanding gaming keyboard. However, even though the hybrid switches have a short pre-travel distance and light operating force, the latency is quite high for a wired keyboard, which might be a dealbreaker for some gamers. Every key is programmable, but the absence of dedicated macro keys may be disappointing for some MMO players. On the plus side, it has excellent build quality, and its RGB backlighting is great for gaming in the dark.
- Excellent build quality.
- Good typing experience.
- Outstanding software support.
- Macro-programmable keys.
- No dedicated macro keys for MMOs.
- High latency.
The SteelSeries Apex 5 is a wired-only keyboard and can't be used with mobile devices.
The SteelSeries Apex 5 is okay for office use. It provides a good typing experience, and it comes with a nice wrist rest for extra support. However, typing noise is loud, so it may not be suitable for noise-sensitive offices. It's compatible with all desktop operating systems, but some keys don't work on macOS.
- Excellent build quality.
- Good typing experience.
- Outstanding software support.
- Loud typing noise.
The SteelSeries Apex 5 is a great keyboard for programming. Typing on this keyboard feels good and shouldn't be fatiguing, and you can reprogram or set macros to any key on the keyboard. It's compatible with all desktop operating systems, but Linux users can only reprogram keys using the keyboard's hotkeys, as the customization software is only available for Windows and macOS.
- Excellent build quality.
- Good typing experience.
- Outstanding software support.
- Macro-programmable keys.
- Wired-only.
- No multi-device feature.
The SteelSeries Apex 5 is inadequate for use with a home theater PC. It's a wired-only keyboard with no trackpad, so not only do you need to run a cable from the couch to the computer, but you also need a separate mouse to navigate. On the upside, it has dedicated media controls and backlighting.
- Good typing experience.
- Outstanding software support.
- Wired-only.
- No trackpad.
Changelog
- Updated Jun 21, 2023: We've converted this review to Test Bench 1.2. This update introduces new Backlight Features and Backlight Clarity test boxes. We've also added a new Switches test box, added additional test comparisons to our Hardware Customizability test box that we introduced with our last Test Bench. For an in-depth look at our changes, you can see our full changelog here.
- Updated May 26, 2023: We've converted this review to Test Bench 1.1. This update adds several new tests addressing Hardware Customization, Macro Keys And Programming, and Wireless Mobile Compatibility. We've also added new objective evaluations to the Typing Noise test, and we've simplified several tests and removed several others that were no longer relevant. For an in-depth look at all our changes, you can see our full changelog here.
- Updated Dec 15, 2022: Updated the name of the product within the review to the SteelSeries Apex 5.
- Updated Feb 04, 2021: Converted to Test Bench 1.0.
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Differences Between Sizes And Variants
We tested the SteelSeries Apex 5 Hybrid Mechanical Gaming Keyboard in black, and there are no other variants. However, there are many keyboards in the SteelSeries Apex lineup, including the Apex 3, Apex 7 TKL, and Apex Pro.
Popular Keyboard Comparisons
The SteelSeries Apex 5 is part of a new breed of hybrid mechanical keyboards on the market. There are only a handful of them at this time, such as the Razer Ornata Chroma and the Cougar 450K, though we haven't reviewed the latter. In terms of typing quality, the Apex 5 feels much more like a mechanical keyboard than one with rubber dome switches. Its clicky switches provide satisfying tactile feedback and an audible click that should satisfy most enthusiasts of Cherry MX Blues. For other options, check out our recommendations for the best gaming keyboards, the best mechanical keyboards, and the best keyboards.
The SteelSeries Apex 5 and the SteelSeries Apex 3 are very different despite 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 that the Apex 3 lacks.
The SteelSeries Apex 7 TKL and the SteelSeries Apex 5 are 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 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 5 is better than the HyperX Alloy Origins for gaming, mainly because the SteelSeries has much higher latency. The HyperX's linear 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 customization software is compatible with macOS, while HyperX's NGENUITY software is only available for Windows users.
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