Products
SteelSeries Apex 9
ROCCAT Vulcan II Max/Mini
Tested using Methodology v1.3.1
Updated Feb 06, 2025 09:55 PM
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Tested using Methodology v1.2
Updated May 13, 2024 08:37 PM
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
ConnectivityWired
Size
TenKeyLess (80%)
Switch Type
Optical
N-Key Rollover (NKRO)
Yes
Hot-Swappable Switches
Yes
ConnectivityWired
Size
Full-size (100%)
Switch Type
Mechanical
Hot-Swappable Switches
No
Our Verdict
SteelSeries Apex 9
ROCCAT Vulcan II Max/Mini
The ROCCAT Vulcan II and the SteelSeries Apex 9 are wired mechanical gaming keyboards. The ROCCAT boards are available in a full-size or compact (65%) form factor, with linear Red or tactile Brown ROCCAT Titan II Optical switches. On the other hand, the SteelSeries boards are available in a TKL (80%) or Compact 60% form factors and use OptiPoint optical switches. These keyboards have higher-quality keycaps and better build quality overall. They also have lower latency, though both the ROCCAT and SteelSeries keyboards offer exceptional gaming performance.
Variants
- Apex 9 TKL (Black)
- Apex 9 Mini (Black)
- Apex 9 Mini (FaZe Clan Limited Edition)
- Vulcan II Max (Black)
- Vulcan II Mini (Black)
- Vulcan II Max (White)
- Vulcan II Mini (White)
Check Price
Black
Apex 9 TKL
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
Vulcan II Max
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
Black
Apex 9 Mini
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
Vulcan II Mini
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
FaZe Clan Limited Edition
Apex 9 Mini
SEARCH
Amazon.com
White
Vulcan II Max
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
White
Vulcan II Mini
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Main Differences for
Gaming
Gaming
Threshold
Gaming
8.7
9.0
Operating Force
34 gf
46 gf
Build Quality
8.5
7.5
Single-Key Latency
9.2
10
Full Comparison
Design
Dimensions
Top Picture
Size
TenKeyLess (80%)
Full-size (100%)
Height
1.6" (4.1 cm)
1.3" (3.3 cm)
Width
14.0" (35.5 cm)
18.2" (46.2 cm)
Depth
5.0" (12.8 cm)
6.0" (15.3 cm)
Depth With Wrist Rest
N/A
9.3" (23.5 cm)
Weight
1.41 lbs (0.640 kg)
2.27 lbs (1.030 kg)
Build Quality
8.5
7.5
Build Quality Close Up
Keycap Material
PBT
ABS
Ergonomics
6.0
6.0
Side Picture
Curved/Angled
No
No
Split Keyboard
No
No
Key Alignment
Staggered
Staggered
Minimum Incline
4°
2°
Medium Incline
7°
4.5°
Maximum Incline
11°
7°
Home Row Height
33.3 mm (1.3")
30.8 mm (1.2")
Hardware Customizability
7.4
3.8
Customizability Overview
Replaceable Cherry Stabilizers
Yes
No
Stabilizer Fixation
Plate-Mounted
Non-Customizable Design
Spacebar Stabilizer Size
6.25u
6.25u
Size Of Right Mod Keys
1.25u
1.25u
Hot-Swappable Switches
Yes
No
Switch Stem Shape
Cherry MX Style
Cherry MX Style
Switch PCB Socket
Non-Customizable Design
Soldered
North-Facing Cherry MX Interference
Yes
Yes
Backlight Features
10
10
Backlighting Picture
Brightness Max
Backlighting
Yes
Yes
Brightness Min
RGB
Yes
Yes
Per-Key Backlighting
Yes
Yes
Effects
Yes
Yes
Software Controllable
Yes
Yes
Backlight Clarity
8.0
9.0
White Shot
Cable & Connector
Connectivity
Wired
Wired
Detachable
Yes (Wired Only Keyboard)
No
Length
7.5 ft (2.3 m)
5.9 ft (1.8 m)
Connector (Keyboard side)
USB type-C
Not Detachable
Wireless Versatility
0.0
0.0
Bluetooth
No
No
Bluetooth Multi-Device Pairing
No
No
Proprietary Receiver
No
No
Battery Type
No Batteries
No Batteries
Macro Keys And Programming
5.5
5.5
Dedicated Macro Keys Count
0
0
Onboard Macro Programming
Yes
Yes
Macro Programming With Software
Yes
Yes
Extra Features
Extra Features
Media Keys
Dedicated
Dedicated
Trackpad / Trackball
No
No
Scroll Wheel
Yes
No
Control Knob
No
Yes
USB Passthrough
No
No
Numpad
No
Yes
Windows Key Lock
Yes
Yes
Lock Indicator
Caps Lock
Caps, Scroll & Num lock
In The Box
Bundle Picture
Typing Experience
Typing Quality
8.0
7.5
Key Spacing
19.0 mm (0.748")
Typing Noise
7.5
7.8
Typing Sample
Average Loudness
52.2 dBA
50.9 dBA
High Pitch Clicks
No
No
Switches
Wobble Video
Switch Name
SteelSeries Linear OptiPoint Optical
ROCCAT Titan Linear
Switch Type
Optical
Mechanical
Feel
Linear
Linear
Analog
No
Keystrokes
Key Switch Actuation Graph
Operating Force
34 gf
46 gf
Actuation Force
35 gf
47 gf
Pre-Travel
1.1 mm
1.8 mm
Total Travel
3.2 mm
3.8 mm
Latency
9.2
10
Latency Video
Latency Wired
3.0 ms
2.0 ms
Latency Receiver
N/A
N/A
Latency Bluetooth
N/A
N/A
Performance
Single-Key Latency
9.2
10
Single-Key Latency Graph
Best Connection
3.0 ms
Best Connection Std Dev
±0.4 ms
Wired
3.0 ms
2.0 ms
Receiver
N/A
N/A
Bluetooth
N/A
N/A
PCB (Estimated)
2.0 ms
Multi-Key Latency
8.9
Latency Video
Multi-Key Latency Graph
Connection Evaluated
Wired
Key Press
3.0 ms
Key Release
9.0 ms
Data Transmission
8.7
Multi-Key Raw USB
Connection Evaluated
Wired
USB Polling Rate
1,000 Hz
Effective Update Rate
1,000 Hz
N-Key Rollover (NKRO)
Yes
Multiple Keys Per USB Report
Yes
Software and Operating System
Configuration Software
Software Tour
Software Name
SteelSeries GG
ROCCAT Swarm
Software Windows Compatible
Yes
Yes
Software macOS Compatible
Yes
No
Onboard Memory
Yes
Yes
Profiles
6+
5
Computer Compatibility
10
10
Windows
Fully Compatible
Fully Compatible
macOS
Fully Compatible
Fully Compatible
Linux (Ubuntu 22)
Fully Compatible
Fully Compatible
Media Key Compatibility
Windows, MacOS & Linux
Windows, MacOS & Linux
Wireless Mobile Compatibility
0.0
0.0
Android
Not Compatible
Not Compatible
iOS
Not Compatible
Not Compatible
iPadOS
Not Compatible
Not Compatible
Media Key Compatibility
Not Compatible
Not Compatible
Check Price
Black
Apex 9 TKL
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
Vulcan II Max
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
Black
Apex 9 Mini
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
Vulcan II Mini
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
FaZe Clan Limited Edition
Apex 9 Mini
SEARCH
Amazon.com
White
Vulcan II Max
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
White
Vulcan II Mini
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
To access
and
Become an Insider
unlimited full product reviews,
product prices
other exclusive site features
SteelSeries Apex 9
ROCCAT Vulcan II Max/Mini
Comments
SteelSeries Apex 9 vs ROCCAT Vulcan II Max/Mini: Main Discussion
What do you think of these products? Let us know below.
Looking for a personalized buying advice from the RTINGS.com experts? Insiders have direct access to buying advice on our insider forum.