SteelSeries Apex Pro vs Razer BlackWidow V3 Mini HyperSpeed: Which Keyboard Is Better?

Tested using Methodology v1.0

Updated May 30, 2025 04:04 PM

See SteelSeries Apex Pro Review

Razer BlackWidow V3 Mini HyperSpeed Picture

ConnectivityWired

Size Full-size (100%)

Switch Type Magnetic

Output Type Adjustable Actuation

Hot-Swappable Switches No

ConnectivityWireless

Size Compact (65%)

Mechanical Yes

Our Verdict

SteelSeries Apex Pro

Razer BlackWidow V3 Mini HyperSpeed

The SteelSeries Apex Pro and the Razer BlackWidow V3 Mini HyperSpeed are fantastic mechanical gaming keyboards, but the SteelSeries offers more features. The SteelSeries is a full-size board with a programmable OLED screen, a USB passthrough, and a volume control wheel. The SteelSeries comes with proprietary linear OmniPoint switches, which let you change the pre-travel distance needed to actuate a key. On the other hand, the Razer is a 65% compact board that can pair with up to three devices at once via Bluetooth, and it's available with linear Razer Yellow or clicky Razer Green switches. The Razer also has lower latency.

Variants

Apex Pro (Black)

BlackWidow V3 Mini HyperSpeed (Black)
BlackWidow V3 Mini HyperSpeed (Phantom Edition)

Review

See Razer BlackWidow V3 Mini HyperSpeed Review

Check Price

Black

Apex Pro

Black

BlackWidow V3 Mini HyperSpeed

Black

Apex Pro

BestBuy.com

Phantom Edition

BlackWidow V3 Mini HyperSpeed

Black

Apex Pro

Black

Apex Pro

SteelSeries

Black

Apex Pro

Walmart.com

Notice: Two or more of the products being compared have been tested with different test methodologies. Some of the results 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

9.0

Pre-Travel

2.2 mm

1.8 mm

Single-Key Latency

9.0

Operating Force

41 gf

58 gf

Full Comparison

Gaming

8.6

9.0

Office

7.0

6.9

Mobile/Tablet

1.0

7.4

Programming

7.5

7.8

Entertainment / HTPC

3.3

7.1

Raw Performance

8.7

Design

Dimensions

Top Picture

Compare High-Res

Razer BlackWidow V3 Mini HyperSpeed Top Picture

Size

Full-size (100%)

Compact (65%)

Height

1.6" (4.0 cm)

1.6" (4.1 cm)

Width

17.2" (43.7 cm)

12.5" (31.8 cm)

Depth

5.5" (13.9 cm)

5.1" (13.1 cm)

Depth With Wrist Rest

8.3" (21.1 cm)

N/A

Weight

2.14 lbs (0.970 kg)

1.59 lbs (0.723 kg)

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Build Quality

8.0

7.5

Build Quality Close Up

Compare High-Res

Razer BlackWidow V3 Mini HyperSpeed Build Quality Close Up

Keycap Material

ABS

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Ergonomics

6.0

6.5

Side Picture

Compare High-Res

Razer BlackWidow V3 Mini HyperSpeed Side Picture

Curved/Angled

Straight

Split Keyboard

Key Alignment

Staggered

Minimum Incline

4.5°

4°

Medium Incline

N/A

6°

Maximum Incline

11°

8°

Home Row Height

33.0 mm (1.3")

Wrist Rest

Show Text

Hardware Customizability

6.0

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

Switch Stem Shape

Cherry MX Style

Switch PCB Socket

Soldered

North-Facing Cherry MX Interference

Yes

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Backlight Features

9.9

Backlighting Picture

Compare High-Res

Razer BlackWidow V3 Mini HyperSpeed Backlighting Picture

Brightness Max

Compare High-Res

Razer BlackWidow V3 Mini HyperSpeed Brightness Max

Backlighting

Yes

Brightness Min

Compare High-Res

Razer BlackWidow V3 Mini HyperSpeed Brightness Min

White Shot

Compare High-Res

Razer BlackWidow V3 Mini HyperSpeed White Shot

RGB

Yes

Per-Key Backlighting

Yes

Effects

Yes

Software Controllable

Yes

Color

RGB

Color Mixing

Good

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Backlight Clarity

9.0

White Shot

Compare High-Res

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Cable & Connector

Connectivity

Wired

Wireless

Detachable

Yes (Wired Mode and Charge)

Length

5.9 ft (1.8 m)

6.6 ft (2.0 m)

Connector (Keyboard side)

Not Detachable

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

Extra Features

Compare High-Res

Razer BlackWidow V3 Mini HyperSpeed Extra Features

Media Keys

Non-Dedicated

Hot Keys

Trackpad / Trackball

Scroll Wheel

Yes

Control Knob

USB Passthrough

Yes

Numpad

Yes

Windows Key Lock

Yes

Lock Indicator

Caps & Num Lock

Caps Lock

Macro Programmable Keys

All

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In The Box

Bundle Picture

Compare High-Res

Razer BlackWidow V3 Mini HyperSpeed Bundle Picture

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Typing Experience

Typing Quality

8.0

7.0

Key Spacing

19.0 mm (0.748")

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Typing Noise

7.2

7.0

Typing Sample

Average Loudness

53.7 dBA

High Pitch Clicks

Noise

Loud

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Keystrokes

Key Switch Actuation Graph

Preview Graph

Razer BlackWidow V3 Mini HyperSpeed Key Switch Actuation Graph

Key Switches

OmniPoint

Razer Green

Mechanical

Yes

Feel

Linear

Clicky

Operating Force

41 gf

58 gf

Actuation Force

41 gf

54 gf

Pre-Travel

2.2 mm

1.8 mm

Total Travel

4.2 mm

4.0 mm

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Adjustable Input Granularity

7.8

Input Linearity Graph

Preview 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

Razer Green

Switch Type

Magnetic

Feel

Linear

Clicky

Output Type

Adjustable Actuation

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Latency

9.0

Latency Video

Latency Wired

4.1 ms

1.2 ms

Latency Receiver

N/A

0.8 ms

Latency Bluetooth

N/A

9.5 ms

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Performance

Single-Key Latency

9.0

Single-Key Latency Graph

Preview Graph

Best Connection

4.1 ms

Best Connection Std Dev

±0.5 ms

Wired

4.1 ms

1.2 ms

Receiver

N/A

0.8 ms

Bluetooth

N/A

9.5 ms

PCB (Estimated)

N/A

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Multi-Key Latency

8.8

Multi-Key Latency Graph

Preview Graph

Connection Evaluated

Wired

Key Press

4.1 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

Chord Split

7.9

Chord Split Graph

Preview Graph

4 Chord Split Delay

5.9 ms

8 Chord Split Delay

8.7 ms

Software and Operating System

Configuration Software

Software Picture

Software Tour

Software Name

Steelseries Engine

Razer Synapse 3

Software Windows Compatible

Yes

Software macOS Compatible

Yes

Onboard Memory

Yes

Profiles

Account Required

Cloud Sync

Yes

Macro Programming

Software and Onboard

Ease Of Use

Easy

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Computer Compatibility

8.5

Windows

Fully Compatible

Full

macOS

Fully Compatible

Partial

Linux (Ubuntu 22)

Fully Compatible

Partial

Media Key Compatibility

Windows, MacOS & Linux

Android

Not Compatible

Partial

iOS

Not Compatible

Partial

iPadOS

Not Compatible

Partial

Show Text

Wireless Mobile Compatibility

0.0

Android

Not Compatible

Partial

iOS

Not Compatible

Partial

iPadOS

Not Compatible

Partial

Media Key Compatibility

Not Compatible

Check Price

Black

Apex Pro

Black

BlackWidow V3 Mini HyperSpeed

Black

Apex Pro

BestBuy.com

Phantom Edition

BlackWidow V3 Mini HyperSpeed

Black

Apex Pro