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  1. Home
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  3. Compare

SteelSeries Apex 3 vs Razer Cynosa V2

Which Keyboard Is Better?

    Top
    Main Differences
    Design
      DimensionsBuild QualityErgonomicsHardware CustomizabilityBacklight FeaturesBacklight ClarityCable & ConnectorWireless VersatilityMacro Keys And ProgrammingExtra FeaturesIn The Box
    Typing Experience
      Typing QualityTyping NoiseKeystrokesAdjustable Input GranularityLatencySwitches
    Performance
      Single-Key LatencyMulti-Key LatencyData TransmissionChord Split
    Software and Operating System
      Configuration SoftwareComputer CompatibilityWireless Mobile Compatibility
    Comments

Products

SteelSeries Apex 3
Razer Cynosa V2

Tested using Methodology v1.4.3

Updated Mar 13, 2026 06:41 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com

Tested using Methodology v1.2

Updated Jun 21, 2023 03:18 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
SteelSeries Apex 3 Picture

Track

Razer Cynosa V2 Picture

Track

ConnectivityWired
Size
Full-size (100%)
Switch Type
Rubber Dome
Output Type
Non-Adjustable
Hot-Swappable Switches
No
ConnectivityWired
Size
Full-size (100%)
Switch Type
Rubber Dome
Hot-Swappable Switches
Locked
  1. Recommended in 1 article:
  2. RGB

Our Verdict

SteelSeries Apex 3

Razer Cynosa V2

The SteelSeries Apex 3 and the Razer Cynosa V2 are both full-size membrane gaming keyboards. While the Razer scores higher for gaming, it's only so because it has individually-lit keys, while the SteelSeries has 10-zone backlighting. The SteelSeries has a lower input lag, and its keys are a bit easier to actuate because they require less force. It allows for higher incline settings and includes a wrist rest to provide a more comfortable typing experience. Also, its build quality is much better than the Razer.

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Variants

  • Apex 3 (Black)
  • Razer Cynosa V2 (Black)

Review

See SteelSeries Apex 3 Review
See Razer Cynosa V2 Review
4 
0 

Check Price

Black
Apex 3
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
Razer Cynosa V2
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
Apex 3
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
Black
Razer Cynosa V2
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
Black
Apex 3
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
Black
Razer Cynosa V2
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
Black
Apex 3
SEARCH
B&H
Black
Razer Cynosa V2
SEARCH
B&H
Black
Apex 3
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SteelSeries
Black
Razer Cynosa V2
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Read more

Main Differences for
Gaming

Threshold 

0.10

Gaming 
 

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Full Comparison

Design

Dimensions 
 

Top Picture  

SteelSeries Apex 3 Top Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Razer Cynosa V2 Top Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Size 
 

Locked
Locked

Height 
 

Lock" (Lock cm)
Lock" (Lock cm)

Width  

Lock" (Lock cm)
Lock" (Lock cm)

Depth 
 

Lock" (Lock cm)
Lock" (Lock cm)

Depth With Wrist Rest 
 

Lock" (Lock cm)
N/A

Weight 
 

Lock lbs (Lock kg)
Lock lbs (Lock kg)
Show Text 

Build Quality 
 

N/A
N/A

Build Quality Close Up  

SteelSeries Apex 3 Build Quality Close Up Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Razer Cynosa V2 Build Quality Close Up Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Underside Picture   

SteelSeries Apex 3 Underside Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Razer Cynosa V2 Underside Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Keycap Material  

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Ergonomics 
 

N/A
N/A

Side Picture  

SteelSeries Apex 3 Side Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Razer Cynosa V2 Side Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Curved/Angled 
 

Locked
Locked

Split Keyboard 
 

Locked
Locked

Key Alignment 
 

Locked
Locked

Minimum Incline 
 

Lock°
Lock°

Medium Incline 
 

N/A
Lock°

Maximum Incline 
 

Lock°
Lock°

Home Row Height 
 

Lock mm (Lock")
Lock mm (Lock")
Show Text 

Hardware Customizability 
 

N/A
N/A

Customizability Overview  

SteelSeries Apex 3 Customizability Overview Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Razer Cynosa V2 Customizability Overview Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Replaceable Cherry Stabilizers 
 

Locked
Locked

Stabilizer Fixation 
 

Locked
Locked

Spacebar Stabilizer Size 
 

Locked
Locked

Size Of Right Mod Keys 
 

Locked
Locked

Hot-Swappable Switches 
 

Locked
Locked

Switch Stem Shape 
 

Locked
Locked

Mechanical Switch Compatibility 
 

Locked
Locked

Magnetic Switch Compatibility 
 

Locked

North-Facing Cherry MX Interference 
 

Locked
Locked

Backlight Features 
 

N/A
N/A

Backlighting Picture  

SteelSeries Apex 3 Backlighting Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Razer Cynosa V2 Backlighting Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Brightness Max  

SteelSeries Apex 3 Brightness Max Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Razer Cynosa V2 Brightness Max Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Backlighting  

Locked
Locked

Brightness Min  

SteelSeries Apex 3 Brightness Min Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Razer Cynosa V2 Brightness Min Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

RGB 
 

Locked
Locked

Per-Key Backlighting 
 

Locked
Locked

Effects 
 

Locked
Locked

Software Controllable 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Backlight Clarity 
 

N/A
N/A

White Shot  

SteelSeries Apex 3 White Shot Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Razer Cynosa V2 White Shot Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Cable & Connector  

Connectivity  

Locked
Locked

Detachable 
 

Locked
Locked

Length  

Lock ft (Lock m)
Lock ft (Lock m)

Connector (Keyboard side) 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Wireless Versatility 
 

N/A
N/A

Bluetooth 
 

Locked
Locked

Bluetooth Multi-Device Pairing 
 

Locked
Locked

Proprietary Receiver 
 

Locked
Locked

Battery Type 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Macro Keys And Programming 
 

N/A
N/A

Dedicated Macro Keys Count  

Lock
Lock

Onboard Macro Programming 
 

Locked
Locked

Macro Programming With Software 
 

Locked
Locked

Extra Features 
 

Extra Features  

SteelSeries Apex 3 Extra Features Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Razer Cynosa V2 Extra Features Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Media Keys 
 

Locked
Locked

Trackpad / Trackball  

Locked
Locked

Scroll Wheel 
 

Locked
Locked

Control Knob 
 

Locked
Locked

USB Passthrough 
 

Locked
Locked

Numpad  

Locked
Locked

Windows Key Lock 
 

Locked
Locked

Lock Indicator  

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

In The Box  

Bundle Picture  

SteelSeries Apex 3 Bundle Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Razer Cynosa V2 Bundle Picture Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Show Text 
Typing Experience

Typing Quality 
 

N/A
N/A

Key Spacing 
 

Lock mm (Lock")
Show Text 

Typing Noise 
 

N/A
N/A

Typing Sample  

SteelSeries Apex 3 Typing Sample Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for videos & test results

Razer Cynosa V2 Typing Sample Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for videos & test results

Average Loudness 
 

Lock dBA
Lock dBA

High Pitch Clicks 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Keystrokes 
 

Key Switch Actuation Graph  

SteelSeries Apex 3 Key Switch Actuation Graph Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Razer Cynosa V2 Key Switch Actuation Graph Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Initial Force 
 

N/A

Peak Tactile Force 
 

Lock gf
Lock gf

Actuation Force 
 

Lock gf
Lock gf

Bottom-Out Force 
 

Lock gf

Pre-Travel Distance 
 

Lock mm
Lock mm

Total Travel Distance 
 

Lock mm
Lock mm
Show Text 

Adjustable Input Granularity 
 

N/A
N/A

Input Linearity Graph  

SteelSeries Apex 3 Input Linearity Graph Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Razer Cynosa V2 Input Linearity Graph Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Analog Output Graph  

SteelSeries Apex 3 Analog Output Graph Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Razer Cynosa V2 Analog Output Graph Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Top Deadzone 
 

N/A

Bottom Deadzone 
 

N/A

Detection Ratio 
 

N/A

Minimum Step Depth 
 

N/A

Latency 
 

N/A
N/A

Latency Video  

SteelSeries Apex 3 Latency Video Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for videos & test results

Razer Cynosa V2 Latency Video Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for videos & test results

Latency Wired 
 

Lock ms
Lock ms

Latency Receiver 
 

N/A
N/A

Latency Bluetooth 
 

N/A
N/A
Show Text 

Switches 
 

Wobble Video  

SteelSeries Apex 3 Wobble Video Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for videos & test results

Razer Cynosa V2 Wobble Video Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for videos & test results

Switch Name 
 

Locked
Locked

Switch Type 
 

Locked
Locked

Feel 
 

Locked
Locked

Output Type 
 

Locked
Performance

Single-Key Latency 
 

N/A
N/A

Single-Key Latency Graph  

SteelSeries Apex 3 Single-Key Latency Graph Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Razer Cynosa V2 Single-Key Latency Graph Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Best Connection 
 

Lock ms

Best Connection Std Dev  

±Lock ms

Wired 
 

Lock ms
Lock ms

Receiver 
 

N/A
N/A

Bluetooth 
 

N/A
N/A

PCB (Estimated) 
 

Lock ms
Show Text 

Multi-Key Latency 
 

N/A
N/A

Multi-Key Latency Graph  

SteelSeries Apex 3 Multi-Key Latency Graph Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Razer Cynosa V2 Multi-Key Latency Graph Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Connection Evaluated  

Locked

Key Press 
 

Lock ms

Data Transmission 
 

N/A
N/A

Multi-Key Raw USB  

SteelSeries Apex 3 Multi-Key Raw USB Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Razer Cynosa V2 Multi-Key Raw USB Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Connection Evaluated  

Locked

USB Polling Rate 
 

Lock Hz

Effective Update Rate 
 

Lock Hz

N-Key Rollover (NKRO) 
 

Locked

Multiple Keys Per USB Report 
 

Locked

Chord Split 
 

N/A
N/A

Chord Split Graph  

SteelSeries Apex 3 Chord Split Graph Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

Razer Cynosa V2 Chord Split Graph Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for pictures & test results

4 Chord Split Delay 
 

Lock ms

8 Chord Split Delay 
 

Lock ms
Software and Operating System

Configuration Software 
 

Software Tour  

SteelSeries Apex 3 Software Tour Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for videos & test results

Razer Cynosa V2 Software Tour Sample

SAMPLE

JOIN NOW

for videos & test results

Software Name  

Locked
Locked

Software Windows Compatible 
 

Locked
Locked

Software macOS Compatible 
 

Locked
Locked

Onboard Memory 
 

Locked
Locked

Profiles 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Computer Compatibility 
 

N/A
N/A

Windows 
 

Locked
Locked

macOS 
 

Locked
Locked

Linux 
 

Locked
Locked

Media Key Compatibility 
 

Locked
Locked
Show Text 

Wireless Mobile Compatibility 
 

N/A
N/A

Android 
 

Locked
Locked

iOS 
 

Locked
Locked

iPadOS 
 

Locked
Locked

Media Key Compatibility 
 

Locked
Locked

Check Price

Black
Apex 3
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
Razer Cynosa V2
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
Apex 3
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
Black
Razer Cynosa V2
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
Black
Apex 3
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
Black
Razer Cynosa V2
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
Black
Apex 3
SEARCH
B&H
Black
Razer Cynosa V2
SEARCH
B&H
Black
Apex 3
SEARCH
SteelSeries
Black
Razer Cynosa V2
SEARCH
Razer
Back to Top

SteelSeries Apex 3

Razer Cynosa V2

Comments

  1. Comparison
 • Posted 2 years ago

SteelSeries Apex 3 vs Razer Cynosa V2: Main Discussion

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