SteelSeries Apex Pro vs GLORIOUS GMMK 2: Which Keyboard Is Better?

Tested using Methodology v1.3.1

Updated Mar 29, 2024 01:42 AM

See SteelSeries Apex Pro Review

ConnectivityWired

Size Full-size (100%)

Switch Type Magnetic

N-Key Rollover (NKRO) Yes

Output Type Adjustable Actuation

Hot-Swappable Switches No

ConnectivityWired

Size Compact (96%)

Switch Type Mechanical

N-Key Rollover (NKRO) Yes

Output Type No

Hot-Swappable Switches Yes

Our Verdict

SteelSeries Apex Pro

GLORIOUS GMMK 2

The SteelSeries Apex Pro and the GLORIOUS GMMK 2 are both mechanical keyboards designed for gaming use. However, the SteelSeries performs better overall for this use as it has lower latency, and it has a unique feature that allows you to adjust the pre-travel distance on a per-key basis. On the other hand, the GLORIOUS is hot-swappable, so you're able to swap out the stock switches for any of your choosing.

Variants

Apex Pro (Black)

GMMK 2 (Black - 65%)
GMMK 2 (Black - 96%)
GMMK 2 (Pink - 65%)
GMMK 2 (Pink - 96%)
GMMK 2 (White - 65%)
GMMK 2 (White - 96%)

Review

See GLORIOUS GMMK 2 Review

Check Price

Black

Apex Pro

Black - 65%

GMMK 2

Black

Apex Pro

Black - 96%

GMMK 2

Black

Apex Pro

B&H

Pink - 65%

GMMK 2

Black

Apex Pro

Walmart.com

Pink - 96%

GMMK 2

White - 65%

GMMK 2

White - 96%

GMMK 2

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

8.1

Single-Key Latency

9.0

8.1

Multi-Key Latency

8.8

7.8

Chord Split

7.9

6.5

Full Comparison

Gaming

8.6

8.1

Office

7.0

7.2

Mobile/Tablet

1.0

1.2

Programming

7.5

7.7

Entertainment / HTPC

3.3

2.8

Raw Performance

8.7

7.6

Design

Dimensions

Top Picture

Size

Full-size (100%)

Compact (96%)

Height

1.6" (4.0 cm)

1.8" (4.5 cm)

Width

17.2" (43.7 cm)

14.8" (37.6 cm)

Depth

5.5" (13.9 cm)

4.9" (12.5 cm)

Depth With Wrist Rest

8.3" (21.1 cm)

N/A

Weight

2.14 lbs (0.970 kg)

2.89 lbs (1.311 kg)

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Build Quality

8.0

8.5

Build Quality Close Up

Keycap Material

ABS

Show Text

Ergonomics

6.0

Side Picture

Curved/Angled

Split Keyboard

Key Alignment

Staggered

Minimum Incline

4.5°

5.5°

Medium Incline

N/A

Maximum Incline

11°

10.5°

Home Row Height

33.0 mm (1.3")

35.0 mm (1.4")

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Hardware Customizability

6.0

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

Switch PCB Socket

Soldered

5-pin Cherry

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

Detachable

Yes (Wired Only Keyboard)

Length

5.9 ft (1.8 m)

6.4 ft (2.0 m)

Connector (Keyboard side)

Not Detachable

USB type-C

Show Text

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

4.0

Dedicated Macro Keys Count

Onboard Macro Programming

Yes

Macro Programming With Software

Yes

Extra Features

Media Keys

Non-Dedicated

Trackpad / Trackball

Scroll Wheel

Yes

Control Knob

USB Passthrough

Yes

Numpad

Yes

Windows Key Lock

Yes

Lock Indicator

Caps & Num Lock

Caps 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")

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Typing Noise

7.2

Typing Sample

Average Loudness

53.7 dBA

53.5 dBA

High Pitch Clicks

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Keystrokes

Key Switch Actuation Graph

Operating Force

41 gf

50 gf

Actuation Force

41 gf

50 gf

Pre-Travel

2.2 mm

2.7 mm

Total Travel

4.2 mm

4.3 mm

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Adjustable Input Granularity

7.8

Input Linearity Graph

Analog Output Graph

Top Deadzone

0.52 mm

Bottom Deadzone

0.32 mm

Detection Ratio

79%

Minimum Step Depth

0.05 mm

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Switches

Wobble Video

Switch Name

OmniPoint

Glorious Fox

Switch Type

Magnetic

Mechanical

Feel

Linear

Output Type

Adjustable Actuation

Show Text

Performance

Single-Key Latency

9.0

8.1

Single-Key Latency Graph

Best Connection

4.1 ms

11.9 ms

Best Connection Std Dev

±0.5 ms

±1.0 ms

Wired

4.1 ms

11.9 ms

Receiver

N/A

Bluetooth

N/A

PCB (Estimated)

N/A

9.6 ms

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Multi-Key Latency

8.8

7.8

Latency Video

Multi-Key Latency Graph

Connection Evaluated

Wired

Key Press

4.1 ms

12.3 ms

Key Release

12.4 ms

Data Transmission

8.7

7.8

Multi-Key Raw USB

Connection Evaluated

Wired

USB Polling Rate

1,000 Hz

Effective Update Rate

1,000 Hz

333 Hz

N-Key Rollover (NKRO)

Yes

Multiple Keys Per USB Report

Yes

Chord Split

7.9

6.5

Chord Split Graph

4 Chord Split Delay

5.9 ms

8.7 ms

8 Chord Split Delay

8.7 ms

21.0 ms

Software and Operating System

Configuration Software

Software Tour

Software Name

Steelseries Engine

Glorious Core

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

Show Text

Check Price

Black

Apex Pro

Black - 65%

GMMK 2

Black

Apex Pro

Black - 96%

GMMK 2

Black

Apex Pro

B&H

Pink - 65%

GMMK 2

Black

Apex Pro

Walmart.com

Pink - 96%

GMMK 2

White - 65%

GMMK 2

White - 96%

GMMK 2