Review for SteelSeries Apex Pro Gen 3 gaming keyboard.

My desk usually has a bunch of SteelSeries equipment. Even so, I receive gear that I prefer and switch devices on a frequent basis. I’ve really like my Apex Pro keyboard, and even after evaluating a couple other wonderful keyboards, I’ve always returned to it. It was getting a little old, so when SteelSeries’ Gen 3 refresh arrived, I wanted to check it out to see whether what I liked about the Apex 9 TKL carried over. To no one’s surprise, this generation could be the finest keyboard I’ve ever used.

The packaging includes the Apex Pro Gen 3 Gaming Keyboard (hence referred to as the Apex Pro Gen 3), a wrist rest, a braided USB-C cable, and a keycap puller. All of this is normal for a keyboard. Compared to my previous Apex Pro Gen 3, I’m pleased with the braided cable, which is less invasive than the dual USB cable that was permanently attached to my former one. This makes the Apex Pro Gen 3 much more portable, despite its large size.

This full-size beauty features a robust plastic base and a light metal faceplate. All of the keycaps are great double shot PBT, with a texture that I enjoy typing on. With the added roller and button next to the amazing OLED display, this is simply a well-built keyboard that did not need to reinvent the wheel, but rather improved on what was already available. I’m unhappy that the USB passthrough connector isn’t returning, but it’s hardly a deal-breaker for me. The magnetic silicone wrist rest is also not a revelation, but it works just as well as it always has; if it ain’t busted, don’t fix it.

If you, like me, prefer to keep your 10 keys on your desk, this will take up a lot of space. Thankfully, SteelSeries did not just renew this model. You can choose between a tenkeyless model and a wireless variant. Having options is welcomed.

As soon as I put up the keyboard, I knew it was going to be exactly the update I was looking for. The build quality has improved with this third generation, so my keyboard isn’t nearly as noisy as it formerly was. The thonky clacks sound wonderful, and I’m not sure why, but my fingers feel like they move more freely across the keyboard than on the previous Apex Pro Gen 3 model. Whatever changes have been done have undoubtedly improved my typing reviews.

SteelSeries manufactures their own switches for the Apex Pro Gen 3, branded as OmniPoint switches. This design differs not only in terms of sound, but also in how they are used. If you’re new with them, OmniPoint switches allow you to register a key press based on the force you apply. That is, if I want to mash my keyboard, I may set the actuation to the highest setting. If I like a lighter touch, I may alter the pressure. On an Apex Pro Gen 3, you can now fine-tune it even further, from as heavy as a full 4mm press to as light as a 0.1mm push. A gamer must have control over his or her keyboard, and SteelSeries allows you to do it like no one else. Even better, every key on your keyboard has this functionality, allowing you to tune each one individually if desired.

It’s difficult for me to talk about the keyboard’s physical updates beyond that, because there aren’t many. The Apex Pro Gen 3 is already an excellent keyboard, so improving it makes more sense than a complete rebuild. While gaming with it, I noted how great it feels, with the OmniPoint 3.0 switches being really responsive while I played games like Halo Infinite, Blindfire, Counterstrike 2, and more. Shooters, in particular, require precision, and while your gaming mouse may have a greater impact on aim, this version of the Apex Pro Gen 3 efficiently handles all of your movement and equipment functions. One of the finest compliments I can give this gaming keyboard is that the Apex Pro Gen 3 makes using it feel natural, which is an exceptional feature.

The Apex Pro Gen 3 has received the majority of its software updates. I’ve always praised SteelSeries for their GG and Sonar software, and they’ve done it again with this release. There are various functions accessible, but they all come down to the new GG QuickSet menu. Using these new features, you can create up to five profiles to use for various purposes.

Where SteelSeries Sonar succeeded was in providing a great set of EQ profiles at your fingertips. The design team aimed to reproduce this, but for keyboards. Consider this: you boot into Fortnite. Instead of having to set everything up yourself, or if you’re like me and don’t know how to use these extra tools that can give you an advantage, GG QuickSet will recognize Fortnite as a supported game and, if you have an Apex Pro Gen 3 Gen 3 connected, it’ll automatically switch your presets over. It’s exactly like EQ, but for a keyboard, which is fantastic. More games will acquire profiles in the future, as well as esport pro-made tunings, making it a feature that will only expand.

Some of the functions listed here can be automated, but you can also tune them manually. Rapid tap favors your first tapped key when attempting to out-strafe an enemy, ensuring that no keys overlap. This functionality is essential for individuals who rely heavily on slide-canceling or counter-strafing. Rapid trigger allows you to reset your press more rapidly, which is only possible because OmniPoint switches are so precise. If you’re like me and enjoy playing shooters, you know that a split second can mean the difference between killing an opponent and dying.

One of the most exciting features is 2-1 Action. PlayStation introduced us to adaptable triggers on the DualSense controller, and in the game Returnal (one of my favorites and our 2021 Game of the Year), you could half-pull your right trigger to aim down sights and fully pull it for the weapon’s special fire mode. This is essentially what 2-1 Action does on the Apex Pro: it allows you to use the incredibly adjustable actuation to hit two keys while barely moving your finger. A nice approach to use this function is to push a kay to the first threshold for walking and to the full press for running. There are also other inventive ways to build these; for example, in Call of Duty, you can easily slip cancel or snake a heady.

Protection mode is a great new feature of the software, which we can all support. This eliminates a disease we’re all infected with: fat-fingering keys. We’ve all played Call of Duty and panicked when a whole team approached a corner, pressing every key but run. While you’ll still have to remember to do the right thing ultimately, this means that if you accidently knock into your R key while attempting to press D to move right, the R key will already be on a reduced sensitivity due to your previous press. This is assigned to individual keys, so don’t worry about it effecting certain keys. The nicest aspect about protective mode is that you may continue to benefit from rapid, responsive, high-actuation keys while avoiding a misfire in an adrenaline-fueled press.

I really like the OLED display on the top right of SteelSeries keyboards. In fact, it influenced my original purchase of an Apex Pro. This addition has been a hit when it first appeared on the market, and you’ve been able to use it for a variety of functions via SteelSeries GG. Now, you can use it outside of the program, with a menu of settings appearing after holding down the media button. It’s also not at random; illumination, macros, and even the new actuation choices like rapid tap can all be modified here. Even without installed applications, the level of customization accessible to you is incredible.

Finally, you knew we couldn’t get out of here without discussing RGB lighting. A gaming keyboard wouldn’t be complete without some flashing lights, and SteelSeries has plenty of possibilities. There are numerous methods to modify yours in GG, right down to individual keys. My only issue with the Apex Pro Gen 3 is that the lights aren’t as bright as I would want. While you can buy Prism Caps to let more of it through, the textured grip on the present PBT keycaps gives me pause, as function takes precedence over fashion in this case.