SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL (2023) vs ASUS ROG Azoth: Which Keyboard Is Better?

Tested using Methodology v1.3.1

Updated Jul 17, 2025 06:35 PM

See SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL (2023) Review

ConnectivityWired

Size TenKeyLess (80%)

Switch Type Magnetic

N-Key Rollover (NKRO) Yes

Output Type Adjustable Actuation

Hot-Swappable Switches No

ConnectivityWireless

Size Compact (75%)

Switch Type Mechanical

N-Key Rollover (NKRO) Yes

Output Type No

Hot-Swappable Switches Yes

Our Verdict

SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL (2023)

ASUS ROG Azoth

The SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL (2023) and the ASUS ROG Azoth are mechanical gaming keyboards with programmable OLED screens and similarly outstanding gaming performance. The SteelSeries is a wired-only model that allows you to adjust the pre-travel distance of individual switches. On the other hand, the ASUS is a wireless model that provides a better overall typing experience due to its gasket-mounted design and layers of sound-dampening material.

Variants

Apex Pro TKL (2023) (Black)

ROG Azoth (Black)
ROG Azoth (Moonlight White)

Review

See ASUS ROG Azoth Review

Check Price

Black

Apex Pro TKL (2023)

Black

ROG Azoth

Black

Apex Pro TKL (2023)

BestBuy.com

Moonlight White

ROG Azoth

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

8.6

8.7

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

Full Comparison

Gaming

8.6

8.7

Office

6.9

8.2

Mobile/Tablet

2.1

7.2

Programming

7.5

8.3

Entertainment / HTPC

3.3

6.6

Raw Performance

8.7

Design

Dimensions

Top Picture

Size

TenKeyLess (80%)

Compact (75%)

Height

1.7" (4.2 cm)

1.6" (3.9 cm)

Width

13.9" (35.4 cm)

12.8" (32.6 cm)

Depth

5.1" (12.8 cm)

5.4" (13.6 cm)

Depth With Wrist Rest

8.3" (21.1 cm)

N/A

Weight

1.62 lbs (0.737 kg)

2.54 lbs (1.152 kg)

Show Text

Build Quality

8.0

8.5

Build Quality Close Up

Keycap Material

PBT

Show Text

Ergonomics

6.0

Side Picture

Curved/Angled

Split Keyboard

Key Alignment

Staggered

Minimum Incline

4°

Medium Incline

7°

8°

Maximum Incline

11°

Home Row Height

34.1 mm (1.3")

30.2 mm (1.2")

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Hardware Customizability

6.1

8.7

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

Soldered

5-pin Cherry

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

9.0

8.0

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)

6.6 ft (2.0 m)

Connector (Keyboard side)

USB type-C

Show Text

Wireless Versatility

0.0

Bluetooth

Yes

Bluetooth Multi-Device Pairing

Proprietary Receiver

Yes

Battery Type

No Batteries

Rechargeable

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Macro Keys And Programming

5.5

Dedicated Macro Keys Count

Onboard Macro Programming

Yes

Macro Programming With Software

Yes

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Extra Features

Media Keys

Non-Dedicated

Trackpad / Trackball

Scroll Wheel

Yes

Control Knob

Yes

USB Passthrough

Numpad

Windows Key Lock

Yes

Lock Indicator

Caps Lock

Caps & Scroll Lock

Show Text

In The Box

Bundle Picture

Show Text

Typing Experience

Typing Quality

8.0

8.5

Key Spacing

19.0 mm (0.748")

Show Text

Typing Noise

6.9

8.9

Typing Sample

Average Loudness

55.2 dBA

46.0 dBA

High Pitch Clicks

Show Text

Keystrokes

Key Switch Actuation Graph

Operating Force

40 gf

46 gf

Actuation Force

40 gf

44 gf

Pre-Travel

2.1 mm

1.6 mm

Total Travel

4.2 mm

4.1 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

OmniPoint 2.0

ROG NX Red

Switch Type

Magnetic

Mechanical

Feel

Linear

Output Type

Adjustable Actuation

Show Text

Performance

Single-Key Latency

9.0

9.4

Single-Key Latency Graph

Best Connection

3.8 ms

1.8 ms

Best Connection Std Dev

±0.6 ms

±0.3 ms

Wired

3.8 ms

2.7 ms

Receiver

N/A

1.8 ms

Bluetooth

N/A

8.9 ms

PCB (Estimated)

N/A

0.2 ms

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Multi-Key Latency

8.9

Latency Video

Multi-Key Latency Graph

Connection Evaluated

Wired

Receiver

Key Press

3.7 ms

2.5 ms

Key Release

10.3 ms

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Data Transmission

8.7

Multi-Key Raw USB

Connection Evaluated

Wired

Receiver

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

7.7

7.4

Chord Split Graph

4 Chord Split Delay

5.6 ms

6.9 ms

8 Chord Split Delay

16.1 ms

13.3 ms

Software and Operating System

Configuration Software

Software Tour

Software Name

SteelSeries GG

Armoury Crate

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

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)

Black

ROG Azoth

Black

Apex Pro TKL (2023)

BestBuy.com

Moonlight White

ROG Azoth

Black

Apex Pro TKL (2023)