This SteelSeries Apex 3 review is for gamers who want a full-size keyboard with quiet switches, zoned RGB lighting, and easy media adjustments.
Apex 3 Review Summary
The quick verdict
8,000+ ratings
Read Amazon ReviewsSteelSeries Apex 3
A full-size keyboard for gamers who want quiet switches, zoned RGB lighting, and convenient media controls.
- Ten-zone RGB illumination with color schemes and reactive effects.
- IP32 water resistance intended to help prevent damage from accidental liquid spills.
- Whisper-quiet, low-friction gaming switches with a 20 million keypress lifespan.
- Magnetic wrist rest designed to provide full palm support.
Pros
- Quiet switch design suits shared rooms or noise-conscious setups.
- Ten-zone RGB adds reactive lighting and color options.
Consider before buying
- IP32 water resistance is intended for accidental spills, so keep it away from situations where substantial liquid exposure is likely.
- Zone-based RGB cannot provide a distinct lighting setting for every individual key.
Read the full review summary
The Apex 3 combines whisper-quiet gaming switches with ten-zone RGB illumination, a magnetic wrist rest, and dedicated multimedia controls. Its full-size layout suits players who want number-pad access and practical on-keyboard volume or settings adjustments.
Its appeal is straightforward: a quieter typing profile, spill protection for accidental liquid contact, and lighting that can be arranged in zones.
Consider it for gaming and everyday desktop use if those conveniences matter more than mechanical-switch feel or per-key lighting.
The buying factors
Apex 3 Scorecard
Editorial scores reflect listed features and buyer fit; they are not laboratory measurements or customer ratings.
Quiet-switch fit
The nearly silent switch design is a clear fit for players who prefer a quieter keyboard; it does not establish a particular typing feel beyond the stated low-friction design.
Lighting flexibility
Ten-zone RGB offers color schemes and reactive effects, although lighting is organized by zones rather than individual keys.
Spill protection
IP32 water resistance is useful protection against accidental liquid spills, but it should not be treated as waterproofing.
Wrist-rest inclusion
A magnetic wrist rest is included and is designed to provide full palm support, a practical addition for buyers who want one in the box.
Media convenience
Dedicated multimedia controls let users adjust volume and settings on the fly, which can make common changes easier during play or desktop use.
Platform range
Compatibility covers Windows, Mac OS X, Xbox Series S and X, PS4, and PS5, giving it flexibility across desktop and console setups.
Key Features and Specifications of Apex 3
- Ten-zone RGB illumination with color schemes and reactive effects.
- IP32 water resistance intended to help prevent damage from accidental liquid spills.
- Whisper-quiet, low-friction gaming switches with a 20 million keypress lifespan.
- Magnetic wrist rest designed to provide full palm support.
- Dedicated multimedia controls for adjusting volume and settings.
- Compatible with Windows, Mac OS X, Xbox Series S and X, PS4, and PS5.
Pros and Cons of Apex 3
Pros
- Quiet switch design suits shared rooms or noise-conscious setups.
- Ten-zone RGB adds reactive lighting and color options.
- Magnetic wrist rest comes with the keyboard.
- Dedicated media controls make quick volume and settings changes convenient.
- Broad compatibility supports computer and console setups.
Consider before buying
- IP32 water resistance is intended for accidental spills, so keep it away from situations where substantial liquid exposure is likely.
- Zone-based RGB cannot provide a distinct lighting setting for every individual key.
- The whisper-quiet switch design may not suit buyers specifically seeking a loud, clicky mechanical feel.
Who Should Buy Apex 3?
Good fit
Choose the Apex 3 if you want quiet switches and a keyboard that includes a magnetic wrist rest. The wrist rest is intended to provide full palm support, while low-friction switches are designed for nearly silent use.
It also fits buyers who want lighting without per-key programming and prefer physical media controls. Ten-zone effects provide visual customization, and dedicated controls handle volume and settings on the fly.
Who should skip it
Skip it if you specifically want individual RGB control for every key or a pronounced clicky switch sound; its lighting is zone-based and its switches are designed for near-silent use.
If your keyboard is likely to face frequent or heavy liquid exposure, choose a setup suited to that environment. IP32 protection here is framed around accidental spills.
Apex 3 Review: Quiet Features for Everyday Gaming
Quiet switches and typing expectations
The low-friction switches are designed for nearly silent use and a 20 million keypress lifespan.
That makes the keyboard a sensible consideration for shared spaces, while buyers who want a distinct mechanical click should look elsewhere; the available switch description emphasizes quiet operation.
RGB lighting in zones
Ten lighting zones support color schemes and reactive effects, providing visual customization across groups of keys.
This suits buyers who want RGB presence and effects, though it is a different approach from assigning a separate color to each key.
Spill resistance and desk use
IP32 water resistance is aimed at preventing damage from accidental liquid spills, an everyday safeguard around a gaming desk. Treat it as spill protection rather than permission to expose the keyboard to substantial liquid.
Controls, wrist rest, and setup range
A magnetic wrist rest and dedicated multimedia controls bring comfort-oriented and practical touches to the setup, while compatibility spans Windows, Mac OS X, Xbox Series S and X, PS4, and PS5.
Check that your intended device and workflow align with those supported platforms.
Alternatives to Apex 3
Computer Keyboards alternative
4,000+ ratings
Read Amazon ReviewsSteelSeries Apex 5 Hybrid Mechanical Gaming Keyboard
Choose the Apex 3 for whisper-quiet switches and its magnetic wrist rest; choose the Apex 5 if you prefer a tactile click, per-key lighting, and its OLED display.
- The Apex 5 uses hybrid blue mechanical switches and per-key RGB, and adds an OLED smart display and an aircraft-grade aluminum alloy frame.
- The Apex 3 prioritizes whisper-quiet switches, ten-zone lighting, and a magnetic wrist rest for a quieter, straightforward setup.
Computer Keyboards alternative
2,000+ ratings
Read Amazon ReviewsSteelSeries Apex 3 TKL RGB Gaming Keyboard
Pick the full-size Apex 3 if you want its magnetic wrist rest and ten-zone lighting; choose the Apex 3 TKL if you prefer a compact layout and can do without the full-size form factor.
- The Apex 3 TKL has a compact tenkeyless layout, eight-zone RGB, IP32 water and dust resistance, and whisper-quiet switches.
- The Apex 3 is the full-size option with ten-zone lighting and a magnetic wrist rest, suited to users who want a number pad.
Is Apex 3 Worth It?
The SteelSeries Apex 3 is worth considering for gamers who want a quiet full-size keyboard with zoned RGB, dedicated multimedia controls, and a magnetic wrist rest.
Its feature set emphasizes convenience and lower-noise operation over mechanical click or per-key lighting.
Buy it if those priorities match your desk and setup, and treat IP32 as protection for accidental spills rather than heavy liquid exposure. If clicky switches or individual-key RGB matter more, select a keyboard designed around those preferences.
Your review at a glance
8,000+ ratings
Read Amazon ReviewsSteelSeries Apex 3
A full-size keyboard for gamers who want quiet switches, zoned RGB lighting, and convenient media controls.
- Ten-zone RGB illumination with color schemes and reactive effects.
- IP32 water resistance intended to help prevent damage from accidental liquid spills.
- Whisper-quiet, low-friction gaming switches with a 20 million keypress lifespan.
- Magnetic wrist rest designed to provide full palm support.