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SteelSeries Apex Pro vs Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro

Which Keyboard Is Better?

    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
Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro

Tested using Methodology v1.4.1

Updated Aug 21, 2025 06:31 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com

Tested using Methodology v1.4.3

Updated Jan 14, 2026 05:48 PM

SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
SteelSeries Apex Pro Picture
Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro Picture
ConnectivityWired
Size
Full-size (100%)
Switch Type
Magnetic
Output Type
Adjustable Actuation
Hot-Swappable Switches
No
ConnectivityWired
Size
Full-size (100%)
Switch Type
Mechanical
Output Type
Non-Adjustable
Hot-Swappable Switches
No

Our Verdict

SteelSeries Apex Pro

Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro

The SteelSeries Apex Pro and the Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro are full-size mechanical gaming keyboards. The SteelSeries has a customizable OLED screen and uses OmniPoint switches which let you customize the pre-travel distance of each key. On the other hand, the Razer has additional dedicated macro keys, a multi-device roller, and a higher maximum polling rate of 8000Hz. It's available with linear Razer Yellow or clicky Razer Green switches.

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Variants

  • Apex Pro (Black)
  • BlackWidow V4 Pro (Black)

Review

See SteelSeries Apex Pro Review
See Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro Review
3 
4 

Check Price

Black
Apex Pro
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
BlackWidow V4 Pro
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
Apex Pro
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
Black
BlackWidow V4 Pro
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
Black
Apex Pro
SEARCH
B&H
Black
BlackWidow V4 Pro
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
Black
Apex Pro
SEARCH
SteelSeries
Black
BlackWidow V4 Pro
SEARCH
B&H
Black
Apex Pro
SEARCH
Walmart.com
Black
BlackWidow V4 Pro
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Razer
Read more

Main Differences for
Gaming

Threshold 

0.10

Gaming 
 

8.6
8.8
No major differences between these keyboards for gaming. See full list of tests below.

Full Comparison

Design

Dimensions 
 

Top Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
SteelSeries Apex Pro Top Picture
Compare High-Res
Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro Top Picture

Size 
 

Full-size (100%)
Full-size (100%)

Height 
 

1.6" (4.0 cm)
1.7" (4.4 cm)

Width  

17.2" (43.7 cm)
18.4" (46.7 cm)

Depth 
 

5.5" (13.9 cm)
6.0" (15.3 cm)

Depth With Wrist Rest 
 

8.3" (21.1 cm)
8.9" (22.5 cm)

Weight 
 

2.14 lbs (0.970 kg)
2.63 lbs (1.193 kg)
Show Text 

Build Quality 
 

8.0
7.5

Build Quality Close Up 
 

Compare High-Res
SteelSeries Apex Pro Build Quality Close Up
Compare High-Res
Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro Build Quality Close Up

Keycap Material  

ABS
ABS
Show Text 

Ergonomics 
 

6.0
6.0

Side Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
SteelSeries Apex Pro Side Picture
Compare High-Res
Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro Side Picture

Curved/Angled 
 

No
No

Split Keyboard 
 

No
No

Key Alignment 
 

Staggered
Staggered

Minimum Incline 
 

4.5°
4°

Medium Incline 
 

N/A
6°

Maximum Incline 
 

11°
9°

Home Row Height 
 

33.0 mm (1.3")
34.9 mm (1.4")
Show Text 

Hardware Customizability 
 

6.0
5.8

Customizability Overview 
 

Compare High-Res
SteelSeries Apex Pro Customizability Overview
Compare High-Res
Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro 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
No

Switch Stem Shape 
 

Cherry MX Style
Cherry MX Style

Mechanical Switch Compatibility 
 

Soldered
Soldered

Magnetic Switch Compatibility 
 

No Magnetic Switch Support

North-Facing Cherry MX Interference 
 

Yes
Yes
Show Text 

Backlight Features 
 

10
10

Backlighting Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
SteelSeries Apex Pro Backlighting Picture
Compare High-Res
Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro Backlighting Picture

Brightness Max 
 

Compare High-Res
SteelSeries Apex Pro Brightness Max
Compare High-Res
Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro Brightness Max

Backlighting  

Yes
Yes

Brightness Min 
 

Compare High-Res
SteelSeries Apex Pro Brightness Min
Compare High-Res
Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro Brightness Min

RGB 
 

Yes
Yes

Per-Key Backlighting 
 

Yes
Yes

Effects 
 

Yes
Yes

Software Controllable 
 

Yes
Yes
Show Text 

Backlight Clarity 
 

9.0
9.0

White Shot 
 

Compare High-Res
SteelSeries Apex Pro White Shot
Compare High-Res
Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro White Shot
Show Text 

Cable & Connector  

Connectivity  

Wired
Wired

Detachable 
 

No
Yes (Wired Only Keyboard)

Length  

5.9 ft (1.8 m)
6.5 ft (2.0 m)

Connector (Keyboard side) 
 

Not Detachable
USB type-C
Show Text 

Wireless Versatility 
 

0.0
0.0

Bluetooth 
 

No
No

Bluetooth Multi-Device Pairing 
 

No
No

Proprietary Receiver 
 

No
No

Battery Type 
 

No Batteries
No Batteries
Show Text 

Macro Keys And Programming 
 

5.5
9.1

Dedicated Macro Keys Count  

0
8

Onboard Macro Programming 
 

Yes
Yes

Macro Programming With Software 
 

Yes
Yes

Extra Features 
 

Extra Features 
 

Compare High-Res
SteelSeries Apex Pro Extra Features
Compare High-Res
Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro Extra Features

Media Keys 
 

Non-Dedicated
Dedicated

Trackpad / Trackball  

No
No

Scroll Wheel 
 

Yes
Yes

Control Knob 
 

No
Yes

USB Passthrough 
 

Yes
Yes

Numpad  

Yes
Yes

Windows Key Lock 
 

Yes
Yes

Lock Indicator  

Caps & Num Lock
Caps, Scroll & Num lock
Show Text 

In The Box  

Bundle Picture 
 

Compare High-Res
SteelSeries Apex Pro Bundle Picture
Compare High-Res
Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro Bundle Picture
Show Text 
Typing Experience

Typing Quality 
 

8.0
7.5

Key Spacing 
 

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

Typing Noise 
 

7.2
3.1

Typing Sample  

Average Loudness 
 

53.7 dBA
62.2 dBA

High Pitch Clicks 
 

No
Yes
Show Text 

Keystrokes 
 

Key Switch Actuation Graph  

 Preview Graph
SteelSeries Apex Pro Key Switch Actuation Graph
 Preview Graph
Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro Key Switch Actuation Graph
 Compare in Graph Tool

Initial Force 
 

38 gf

Peak Tactile Force 
 

41 gf
59 gf

Actuation Force 
 

41 gf
51 gf

Bottom-Out Force 
 

72 gf

Pre-Travel Distance 
 

2.2 mm
1.8 mm

Total Travel Distance 
 

4.2 mm
3.8 mm
Show Text 

Adjustable Input Granularity 
 

7.8
0.0

Input Linearity Graph  

 Preview Graph
SteelSeries Apex Pro Input Linearity Graph
 Preview Graph
Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro Input Linearity Graph
 Compare in Graph Tool

Analog Output Graph  

SteelSeries Apex Pro Analog Output Graph
Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro Analog Output Graph
 Compare in Graph Tool

Top Deadzone 
 

0.52 mm
N/A

Bottom Deadzone 
 

0.32 mm
N/A

Detection Ratio 
 

79%
N/A

Minimum Step Depth 
 

0.05 mm
N/A
Show Text 

Switches 
 

Wobble Video  

Switch Name 
 

OmniPoint
Razer Green

Switch Type 
 

Magnetic
Mechanical

Feel 
 

Linear
Clicky

Output Type 
 

Adjustable Actuation
Non-Adjustable
Show Text 
Performance

Single-Key Latency 
 

9.0
9.5

Single-Key Latency Graph  

 Preview Graph
SteelSeries Apex Pro Single-Key Latency Graph
 Preview Graph
Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro Single-Key Latency Graph
 Compare in Graph Tool

Best Connection 
 

4.1 ms
1.7 ms

Best Connection Std Dev  

±0.5 ms
±0.1 ms

Wired 
 

4.1 ms
1.7 ms

Receiver 
 

N/A
N/A

Bluetooth 
 

N/A
N/A

PCB (Estimated) 
 

N/A
0.0 ms
Show Text 

Multi-Key Latency 
 

8.8
9.4

Multi-Key Latency Graph  

 Preview Graph
SteelSeries Apex Pro Multi-Key Latency Graph
 Preview Graph
Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro Multi-Key Latency Graph
 Compare in Graph Tool

Connection Evaluated  

Wired
Wired

Key Press 
 

4.1 ms
1.7 ms
Show Text 

Data Transmission 
 

8.7
9.6

Multi-Key Raw USB 
 

Compare High-Res
SteelSeries Apex Pro Multi-Key Raw USB
Compare High-Res
Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro Multi-Key Raw USB

Connection Evaluated  

Wired
Wired

USB Polling Rate 
 

1,000 Hz
8,000 Hz

Effective Update Rate 
 

1,000 Hz
8,000 Hz

N-Key Rollover (NKRO) 
 

Yes
Yes

Multiple Keys Per USB Report 
 

Yes
Yes
Show Text 

Chord Split 
 

7.9
7.8

Chord Split Graph  

 Preview Graph
SteelSeries Apex Pro Chord Split Graph
 Preview Graph
Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro Chord Split Graph
 Compare in Graph Tool

4 Chord Split Delay 
 

5.9 ms
6.1 ms

8 Chord Split Delay 
 

8.7 ms
9.7 ms
Show Text 
Software and Operating System

Configuration Software 
 

Software Tour  

Software Name  

Steelseries Engine
Razer Synapse 3

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 
 

Fully Compatible
Fully Compatible

Media Key Compatibility 
 

Windows, MacOS & Linux
Windows, MacOS & Linux
Show Text 

Wireless Mobile Compatibility 
 

0.0
0.0

Android 
 

Not Compatible
Not Compatible

iOS 
 

Not Compatible
Not Compatible

iPadOS 
 

Not Compatible
Not Compatible

Media Key Compatibility 
 

Not Compatible
Not Compatible

Check Price

Black
Apex Pro
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
BlackWidow V4 Pro
SEE PRICE
Amazon.com
Black
Apex Pro
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
Black
BlackWidow V4 Pro
SEE PRICE
BestBuy.com
Black
Apex Pro
SEARCH
B&H
Black
BlackWidow V4 Pro
SEE PRICE
Walmart.com
Black
Apex Pro
SEARCH
SteelSeries
Black
BlackWidow V4 Pro
SEARCH
B&H
Black
Apex Pro
SEARCH
Walmart.com
Black
BlackWidow V4 Pro
SEARCH
Razer
Back to Top

SteelSeries Apex Pro

Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro

Comments

  1. Comparison
 • Posted 1 year ago

SteelSeries Apex Pro vs Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro: Main Discussion

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