SteelSeries Apex 9 vs Apex Pro TKL (2023): Which Keyboard Is Better?

Tested using Methodology v1.4.2

Updated Sep 25, 2025 06:17 PM

See SteelSeries Apex 9 Review

ConnectivityWired

Size TenKeyLess (80%)

Switch Type Optical

N-Key Rollover (NKRO) Yes

Output Type No

Hot-Swappable Switches Yes

ConnectivityWired

Size TenKeyLess (80%)

Switch Type Magnetic

N-Key Rollover (NKRO) Yes

Output Type Adjustable Actuation

Hot-Swappable Switches No

Our Verdict

SteelSeries Apex 9

SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL (2023)

The SteelSeries Apex 9 and the SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL (2023) are TenKeyLess mechanical gaming keyboards with switches that allow you to adjust the auction point of individual keys. The Apex 9 uses OptiPoint switches that offer only two actuation point settings. On the other hand, the Apex Pro TKL (2023) uses OmniPoint switches which let you adjust the actuation point more precisely by increments of 0.1mm within a wider range. It also has an OLED screen and an included wrist rest, both of which the Apex 9 lacks.

Variants

Apex 9 TKL (Black)
Apex 9 Mini (Black)
Apex 9 Mini (FaZe Clan Limited Edition)

Apex Pro TKL (2023) (Black)

Review

See SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL (2023) Review

Check Price

Black

Apex 9 TKL

Black

Apex Pro TKL (2023)

Black

Apex 9 Mini

Black

Apex Pro TKL (2023)

BestBuy.com

FaZe Clan Limited Edition

Apex 9 Mini

Black

Apex Pro TKL (2023)

Walmart.com

Black

Apex Pro TKL (2023)

B&H

Notice: Two or more of the products selected have been tested with different test methodologies, so some of the results below aren't directly comparable. Learn how our test benches and scoring system work, and read more about the latest changes to our keyboards test methodology.

Threshold

0.10

Gaming

8.7

8.6

No major differences between these keyboards for gaming. See full list of tests below.

Full Comparison

Gaming

8.7

8.6

Office

7.0

6.9

Mobile/Tablet

2.4

2.1

Programming

7.6

7.5

Entertainment / HTPC

3.9

3.3

Raw Performance

8.7

Design

Dimensions

Top Picture

Size

TenKeyLess (80%)

Height

1.6" (4.1 cm)

1.7" (4.2 cm)

Width

14.0" (35.5 cm)

13.9" (35.4 cm)

Depth

5.0" (12.8 cm)

5.1" (12.8 cm)

Depth With Wrist Rest

N/A

8.3" (21.1 cm)

Weight

1.41 lbs (0.640 kg)

1.62 lbs (0.737 kg)

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Build Quality

8.5

8.0

Build Quality Close Up

Keycap Material

PBT

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Ergonomics

6.0

Side Picture

Curved/Angled

Split Keyboard

Key Alignment

Staggered

Minimum Incline

4°

Medium Incline

7°

Maximum Incline

11°

Home Row Height

33.3 mm (1.3")

34.1 mm (1.3")

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Hardware Customizability

7.4

6.1

Customizability Overview

Replaceable Cherry Stabilizers

Yes

Stabilizer Fixation

Plate-Mounted

Spacebar Stabilizer Size

6.25u

Size Of Right Mod Keys

1.25u

Hot-Swappable Switches

Yes

Switch Stem Shape

Cherry MX Style

Mechanical Switch Compatibility

Non-Customizable Design

Soldered

Magnetic Switch Compatibility

Non-Standard Magnetic Switch

North-Facing Cherry MX Interference

Yes

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Backlight Features

Backlighting Picture

Brightness Max

Backlighting

Yes

Brightness Min

RGB

Yes

Per-Key Backlighting

Yes

Effects

Yes

Software Controllable

Yes

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Backlight Clarity

8.0

9.0

White Shot

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Cable & Connector

Connectivity

Wired

Detachable

Yes (Wired Only Keyboard)

Length

7.5 ft (2.3 m)

7.4 ft (2.3 m)

Connector (Keyboard side)

USB type-C

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Wireless Versatility

0.0

Bluetooth

Bluetooth Multi-Device Pairing

Proprietary Receiver

Battery Type

No Batteries

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Macro Keys And Programming

5.5

Dedicated Macro Keys Count

Onboard Macro Programming

Yes

Macro Programming With Software

Yes

Extra Features

Media Keys

Dedicated

Non-Dedicated

Trackpad / Trackball

Scroll Wheel

Yes

Control Knob

USB Passthrough

Numpad

Windows Key Lock

Yes

Lock Indicator

Caps Lock

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In The Box

Bundle Picture

Show Text

Typing Experience

Typing Quality

8.0

Key Spacing

19.0 mm (0.748")

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Typing Noise

7.5

6.9

Typing Sample

Average Loudness

52.2 dBA

55.2 dBA

High Pitch Clicks

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Keystrokes

Key Switch Actuation Graph

Operating Force

34 gf

40 gf

Actuation Force

35 gf

40 gf

Pre-Travel

1.1 mm

2.1 mm

Total Travel

3.2 mm

4.2 mm

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Adjustable Input Granularity

7.8

Input Linearity Graph

Analog Output Graph

Top Deadzone

0.54 mm

Bottom Deadzone

0.27 mm

Detection Ratio

80%

Minimum Step Depth

0.06 mm

Switches

Wobble Video

Switch Name

SteelSeries Linear OptiPoint Optical

OmniPoint 2.0

Switch Type

Optical

Magnetic

Feel

Linear

Output Type

Adjustable Actuation

Performance

Single-Key Latency

9.2

9.0

Single-Key Latency Graph

Best Connection

3.0 ms

3.8 ms

Best Connection Std Dev

±0.4 ms

±0.6 ms

Wired

3.0 ms

3.8 ms

Receiver

N/A

Bluetooth

N/A

PCB (Estimated)

2.0 ms

N/A

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Multi-Key Latency

8.9

Latency Video

Multi-Key Latency Graph

Connection Evaluated

Wired

Key Press

3.0 ms

3.7 ms

Key Release

9.0 ms

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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

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Chord Split

7.6

7.7

Chord Split Graph

4 Chord Split Delay

6.8 ms

5.6 ms

8 Chord Split Delay

9.7 ms

16.1 ms

Software and Operating System

Configuration Software

Software Tour

Software Name

SteelSeries GG

Software Windows Compatible

Yes

Software macOS Compatible

Yes

Onboard Memory

Yes

Profiles

Show Text

Computer Compatibility

Windows

Fully Compatible

macOS

Fully Compatible

Linux (Ubuntu 22)

Fully Compatible

Media Key Compatibility

Windows, MacOS & Linux

Show Text

Wireless Mobile Compatibility

0.0

Android

Not Compatible

iOS

Not Compatible

iPadOS

Not Compatible

Media Key Compatibility

Not Compatible

Check Price

Black

Apex 9 TKL

Black

Apex Pro TKL (2023)

Black

Apex 9 Mini

Black

Apex Pro TKL (2023)

BestBuy.com

FaZe Clan Limited Edition

Apex 9 Mini

Black

Apex Pro TKL (2023)