Typically, when reviewing budget hardware such as this, we need to constantly remind ourselves of the price and why certain features are missing or performance is lacking. The Apex 3 is the exception to that rule. What a keyboard SteelSeries have made here.
First off, build quality. Sure, it’s only made from plastic and is missing the “aircraft-grade aluminium” that manufacturers love to use on their high-cost keyboards, but it certainly doesn’t feel like it needs anything like that from where we’re sitting. There are also the incredibly stable keycaps, they just don’t wobble at all; very few keyboards, even those equipped with Omnipoint or Cherry MX mechanical switches, can’t live with this level of stability. It truly adds to the feel of the keyboard and makes it a real pleasure to type on, or use for gaming.
The RGB lighting, while lacking a little in brightness through the keycaps and only being 10-zone, is more than enough for a keyboard of this value. Per-key lighting is handy for highlighting specific keys in your games but very few active gamers will need to look at their keyboard to find the keys anyway. SteelSeries could perhaps invest a little more time into including more preset lighting effects within the software though.
Including a wrist rest, something we feel is important for prolonged use, is lovely. There’s also the cable routing options and media controls, all for £60/$50/$149. Truly excellent value for money. Add that to the amazing Rival 3 and super comfortable Arctis 1, and throw in one of SteelSeries’ mouse pads and you can have a fully-featured peripheral setup for less than £150, typically what a “gaming keyboard” would cost on its own. SteelSeries are on a roll here.
The Apex 3, as far as we’re concerned, is the best way you can spend £60 for a new keyboard. It has truly blown our expectations right out of the water.
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First off, build quality. Sure, it’s only made from plastic and is missing the “aircraft-grade aluminium” that manufacturers love to use on their high-cost keyboards, but it certainly doesn’t feel like it needs anything like that from where we’re sitting. There are also the incredibly stable keycaps, they just don’t wobble at all; very few keyboards, even those equipped with Omnipoint or Cherry MX mechanical switches, can’t live with this level of stability. It truly adds to the feel of the keyboard and makes it a real pleasure to type on, or use for gaming.
The RGB lighting, while lacking a little in brightness through the keycaps and only being 10-zone, is more than enough for a keyboard of this value. Per-key lighting is handy for highlighting specific keys in your games but very few active gamers will need to look at their keyboard to find the keys anyway. SteelSeries could perhaps invest a little more time into including more preset lighting effects within the software though.
Including a wrist rest, something we feel is important for prolonged use, is lovely. There’s also the cable routing options and media controls, all for £60/$50/$149. Truly excellent value for money. Add that to the amazing Rival 3 and super comfortable Arctis 1, and throw in one of SteelSeries’ mouse pads and you can have a fully-featured peripheral setup for less than £150, typically what a “gaming keyboard” would cost on its own. SteelSeries are on a roll here.
The Apex 3, as far as we’re concerned, is the best way you can spend £60 for a new keyboard. It has truly blown our expectations right out of the water.
Pros
+ Incredible performance for the money
+ Rubber dome keys feel really nice
+ RGB lighting
+ Media controls
+ Including wrist rest
+ Good build quality
+ Great SteelSeries Engine 3 software
Cons
- Software lacks preset RGB lighting effects
- Delay on the play/pause button
+ Incredible performance for the money
+ Rubber dome keys feel really nice
+ RGB lighting
+ Media controls
+ Including wrist rest
+ Good build quality
+ Great SteelSeries Engine 3 software
Cons
- Software lacks preset RGB lighting effects
- Delay on the play/pause button
Click here for an explanation of our awards at Vortez.net.
Stay connected with the Vortez Social Media pages:
Join in with the discussions on Discord
