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  1. Home
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SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL (2023) vs 8BitDo Retro Mechanical Keyboard

Side-by-Side Comparison

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

Products

SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL (2023)
8BitDo Retro Mechanical Keyboard

Tested using Methodology v1.4

Updated Jun 02, 2025 04:34 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com

Tested using Methodology v1.3.1

Updated May 13, 2025 08:00 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL (2023) Picture
8BitDo Retro Mechanical Keyboard Picture
ConnectivityWired
Size
TenKeyLess (80%)
Switch Type
Magnetic
N-Key Rollover (NKRO)
Yes
Output Type
Adjustable Actuation
Hot-Swappable Switches
No
ConnectivityWireless
Size
TenKeyLess (80%)
Switch Type
Mechanical
N-Key Rollover (NKRO)
Yes
Output Type
No
Hot-Swappable Switches
Yes

Our Verdict

SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL (2023)

8BitDo Retro Mechanical Keyboard

The SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL (2023) and the 8BitDo Retro Mechanical Keyboard are gaming keyboards with tenkeyless layouts but are otherwise very different. The SteelSeries has better overall performance and uses hall-effect switches that allow you to adjust individual keys' actuation and reset distance. The 8BitDo has a much more retro-inspired look and feel and uses clicky mechanical switches. It also includes a separate two-button gamepad module. The SteelSeries also has full RGB backlighting, which the 8BitDo lacks.

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Variants

  • Apex Pro TKL (2023) (Black)
  • Retro Mechanical Keyboard (Fami Edition)
  • Retro Mechanical Keyboard (N Edition)
  • Retro Mechanical Keyboard (Xbox Edition)

Review

See SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL (2023) Review
See 8BitDo Retro Mechanical Keyboard Review
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Check Price

Black
Apex Pro TKL (2023)
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Fami Edition
Retro Mechanical Keyboard
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Black
Apex Pro TKL (2023)
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
N Edition
Retro Mechanical Keyboard
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Finding store
Black
Apex Pro TKL (2023)
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
Xbox Edition
Retro Mechanical Keyboard
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Black
Apex Pro TKL (2023)
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Read more

Main Differences for
Gaming

Threshold 

0.10

Gaming 

8.6
7.0

Backlight Features 
 

10
0.0

Backlight Clarity 
 

9.0
0.0

Chord Split 
 

7.7
9.5

Multi-Key Latency 
 

8.7
7.8

Full Comparison

Design

Dimensions 
 

Top Picture  

SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL (2023) Top Picture
8BitDo Retro Mechanical Keyboard Top Picture

Size 
 

TenKeyLess (80%)
TenKeyLess (80%)

Height 
 

1.7" (4.2 cm)
1.8" (4.6 cm)

Width  

13.9" (35.4 cm)
14.8" (37.6 cm)

Depth 
 

5.1" (12.8 cm)
6.7" (17.0 cm)

Depth With Wrist Rest 
 

8.3" (21.1 cm)
N/A

Weight 
 

1.62 lbs (0.737 kg)
2.29 lbs (1.039 kg)
Show Text 

Build Quality 
 

8.0
8.0

Build Quality Close Up  

SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL (2023) Build Quality Close Up
8BitDo Retro Mechanical Keyboard Build Quality Close Up

Keycap Material  

PBT
PBT
Show Text 

Ergonomics 
 

6.0
6.0

Side Picture  

SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL (2023) Side Picture
8BitDo Retro Mechanical Keyboard Side Picture

Curved/Angled 
 

No
No

Split Keyboard 
 

No
No

Key Alignment 
 

Staggered
Staggered

Minimum Incline 
 

4°
7°

Medium Incline 
 

7°
N/A

Maximum Incline 
 

11°
N/A

Home Row Height 
 

34.1 mm (1.3")
31.8 mm (1.3")
Show Text 

Hardware Customizability 
 

6.0
8.9

Customizability Overview  

SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL (2023) Customizability Overview
8BitDo Retro Mechanical Keyboard Customizability Overview

Replaceable Cherry Stabilizers 
 

Yes
Yes

Stabilizer Fixation 
 

Plate-Mounted
Plate-Mounted

Spacebar Stabilizer Size 
 

6.25u
6.25u

Size Of Right Mod Keys 
 

1.25u
1.25u

Hot-Swappable Switches 
 

No
Yes

Switch Stem Shape 
 

Cherry MX Style
Cherry MX Style

Switch PCB Socket 
 

Soldered
5-pin Cherry

North-Facing Cherry MX Interference 
 

Yes
Yes
Show Text 

Backlight Features 
 

10
0.0

Backlighting Picture  

SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL (2023) Backlighting Picture
8BitDo Retro Mechanical Keyboard Backlighting Picture

Brightness Max  

SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL (2023) Brightness Max
8BitDo Retro Mechanical Keyboard Brightness Max

Backlighting  

Yes
No

Brightness Min  

SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL (2023) Brightness Min
8BitDo Retro Mechanical Keyboard Brightness Min

RGB 
 

Yes
No

Per-Key Backlighting 
 

Yes
No

Effects 
 

Yes
No

Software Controllable 
 

Yes
No
Show Text 

Backlight Clarity 
 

9.0
0.0

White Shot  

SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL (2023) White Shot
8BitDo Retro Mechanical Keyboard White Shot
Show Text 

Cable & Connector  

Connectivity  

Wired
Wireless

Detachable 
 

Yes (Wired Only Keyboard)
Yes (Wired Mode and Charge)

Length  

7.4 ft (2.3 m)
6.0 ft (1.8 m)

Connector (Keyboard side) 
 

USB type-C
USB type-C
Show Text 

Wireless Versatility 
 

0.0
7.5

Bluetooth 
 

No
Yes

Bluetooth Multi-Device Pairing 
 

No
No

Proprietary Receiver 
 

No
Yes

Battery Type 
 

No Batteries
Rechargeable
Show Text 

Macro Keys And Programming 
 

5.5
6.7

Dedicated Macro Keys Count  

0
4

Onboard Macro Programming 
 

Yes
No

Macro Programming With Software 
 

Yes
Yes
Show Text 

Extra Features 
 

Extra Features  

SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL (2023) Extra Features
8BitDo Retro Mechanical Keyboard Extra Features

Media Keys 
 

Non-Dedicated
Non-Dedicated

Trackpad / Trackball  

No
No

Scroll Wheel 
 

Yes
No

Control Knob 
 

No
Yes

USB Passthrough 
 

No
No

Numpad  

No
No

Windows Key Lock 
 

Yes
Yes

Lock Indicator  

Caps Lock
Caps & Scroll Lock
Show Text 

In The Box  

Bundle Picture  

SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL (2023) Bundle Picture
8BitDo Retro Mechanical Keyboard Bundle Picture
Show Text 
Typing Experience

Typing Quality 
 

8.0
7.0

Key Spacing 
 

19.0 mm (0.748")
19.0 mm (0.748")
Show Text 

Typing Noise 
 

6.9
4.5

Typing Sample  

Average Loudness 
 

55.2 dBA
54.6 dBA

High Pitch Clicks 
 

No
Yes
Show Text 

Keystrokes 
 

Key Switch Actuation Graph  

See details
See details
 Compare in Graph Tool

Operating Force 
 

40 gf
57 gf

Actuation Force 
 

40 gf
47 gf

Pre-Travel 
 

2.1 mm
1.9 mm

Total Travel 
 

4.2 mm
3.6 mm
Show Text 

Adjustable Input Granularity 
 

7.8

Input Linearity Graph  

See details

Analog Output Graph  

SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL (2023) 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 
 

OmniPoint 2.0
Kailh Box White V2

Switch Type 
 

Magnetic
Mechanical

Feel 
 

Linear
Clicky

Output Type 
 

Adjustable Actuation
No
Show Text 
Performance

Single-Key Latency 
 

9.0
8.5

Single-Key Latency Graph  

See details
See details
 Compare in Graph Tool

Best Connection 
 

3.8 ms
8.1 ms

Best Connection Std Dev  

±0.6 ms
±0.7 ms

Wired 
 

3.8 ms
8.1 ms

Receiver 
 

N/A
10.0 ms

Bluetooth 
 

N/A
13.8 ms

PCB (Estimated) 
 

N/A
6.5 ms
Show Text 

Multi-Key Latency 
 

8.7
7.8

Latency Video  

Multi-Key Latency Graph  

See details
See details
 Compare in Graph Tool

Connection Evaluated  

Wired
Receiver

Key Press 
 

3.7 ms
11.0 ms

Key Release 
 

11.1 ms
16.7 ms
Show Text 

Data Transmission 
 

8.7
8.7

Multi-Key Raw USB  

SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL (2023) Multi-Key Raw USB
8BitDo Retro Mechanical Keyboard Multi-Key Raw USB

Connection Evaluated  

Wired
Receiver

USB Polling Rate 
 

1,000 Hz
1,000 Hz

Effective Update Rate 
 

1,000 Hz
1,000 Hz

N-Key Rollover (NKRO) 
 

Yes
Yes

Multiple Keys Per USB Report 
 

Yes
Yes
Show Text 

Chord Split 
 

7.7
9.5

Chord Split Graph  

See details
See details
 Compare in Graph Tool

4 Chord Split Delay 
 

5.6 ms
1.2 ms

8 Chord Split Delay 
 

16.1 ms
4.9 ms
Show Text 
Software and Operating System

Configuration Software 
 

Software Tour  

Software Name  

SteelSeries GG
8BitDo Ultimate Software V2

Software Windows Compatible 
 

Yes
Yes

Software macOS Compatible 
 

Yes
No

Onboard Memory 
 

Yes
Yes

Profiles 
 

6+
6+
Show Text 

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
Show Text 

Wireless Mobile Compatibility 
 

0.0
10

Android 
 

Not Compatible
Fully Compatible

iOS 
 

Not Compatible
Fully Compatible

iPadOS 
 

Not Compatible
Fully Compatible

Media Key Compatibility 
 

Not Compatible
Android, iPhone & iPad
Show Text 

Check Price

Black
Apex Pro TKL (2023)
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Fami Edition
Retro Mechanical Keyboard
Searching
Finding store
Black
Apex Pro TKL (2023)
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
N Edition
Retro Mechanical Keyboard
Searching
Finding store
Black
Apex Pro TKL (2023)
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
Xbox Edition
Retro Mechanical Keyboard
Searching
Finding store
Black
Apex Pro TKL (2023)
SEARCH
B&H
 
Back to Top

SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL (2023)

8BitDo Retro Mechanical Keyboard

Comments

  1. Comparison
 • Posted 1 year ago

SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL (2023) vs 8BitDo Retro Mechanical Keyboard: Main Discussion

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