This SteelSeries Apex 3 review looks at a full-size gaming keyboard built around whisper-quiet switches, zone-based RGB lighting and a magnetic wrist rest.
Apex 3 Keyboard Review Summary
The quick verdict
8,000+ ratings
Read Amazon ReviewsSteelSeries Apex 3
A fit for buyers who want quiet gaming switches, zone-based RGB lighting and a magnetic wrist rest for everyday play.
- Whisper-quiet gaming switches are designed for nearly silent use and 20 million low-friction keypresses.
- Ten-zone RGB lighting supports color schemes and reactive effects.
- IP32 water resistance is intended to help prevent damage from accidental liquid spills.
- A magnetic wrist rest provides full palm support.
Pros
- Whisper-quiet switches suit buyers who want to limit keyboard noise.
- Ten-zone RGB lighting offers color schemes and reactive effects.
Consider before buying
- The lighting is arranged in ten zones, so buyers who specifically want individually customizable lighting for every key should check that this layout meets their needs.
- Its quiet switch design is a poor fit for anyone who prioritizes a pronounced mechanical click.
Read the full review summary
The Apex 3 is aimed at players who want a quieter keyboard and practical desk controls. Its switches are designed for near-silent use, while dedicated multimedia controls make volume and settings accessible without leaving the keyboard.
Its full-size layout, ten-zone lighting, magnetic wrist rest and IP32 water resistance make it a considered choice for a gaming desk that also handles everyday computer use.
The water resistance is intended to help with accidental spills, not to make the keyboard waterproof.
The buying factors
Apex 3 Keyboard Scorecard
Editorial scores reflect listed features and buyer fit; they are not laboratory measurements or customer ratings.
Switch noise and feel
The whisper-quiet switches suit shared rooms or late sessions; buyers seeking a mechanical click may prefer a different switch style.
Spill protection
IP32 water resistance is a useful safeguard against accidental liquid spills, though it should not be treated as waterproofing.
RGB lighting
Ten lighting zones provide room for color schemes and reactive effects, with zone-level rather than per-key customization indicated.
Wrist support
The included magnetic wrist rest provides full palm support, a useful addition for buyers who want a rest integrated with the keyboard.
On-keyboard controls
Dedicated multimedia controls allow volume and settings adjustments from the keyboard, a practical convenience during play or media use.
Platform compatibility
Compatibility spans Windows, Mac OS X, Xbox Series S and X, PS4 and PS5, giving it flexibility across computer and console setups.
Key Features and Specifications of Apex 3 Keyboard
- Whisper-quiet gaming switches are designed for nearly silent use and 20 million low-friction keypresses.
- Ten-zone RGB lighting supports color schemes and reactive effects.
- IP32 water resistance is intended to help prevent damage from accidental liquid spills.
- A magnetic wrist rest provides full palm support.
- Dedicated multimedia controls adjust volume and settings from the keyboard.
- Compatibility includes Windows, Mac OS X, Xbox Series S and X, PS4 and PS5.
Pros and Cons of Apex 3 Keyboard
Pros
- Whisper-quiet switches suit buyers who want to limit keyboard noise.
- Ten-zone RGB lighting offers color schemes and reactive effects.
- The magnetic wrist rest provides full palm support.
- Multimedia controls put volume and settings adjustments on the keyboard.
- IP32 water resistance helps protect against accidental liquid spills.
Consider before buying
- The lighting is arranged in ten zones, so buyers who specifically want individually customizable lighting for every key should check that this layout meets their needs.
- Its quiet switch design is a poor fit for anyone who prioritizes a pronounced mechanical click.
- Treat IP32 water resistance as spill protection rather than permission to expose the keyboard to substantial liquid.
Who Should Buy Apex 3 Keyboard?
Good fit
Choose the Apex 3 if you game or work in a shared space and want a quieter typing setup.
The whisper-quiet switches are designed for near-silent use, while the magnetic wrist rest adds palm support for a more complete desk setup.
It also suits buyers who value quick volume adjustments, zone-based lighting and some protection against accidental spills. Its listed console and computer compatibility makes it relevant to mixed-device setups.
Who should skip it
Skip it if a tactile, audible mechanical click is central to your typing preference; the Apex 3 is designed around whisper-quiet switches.
Look elsewhere if you require per-key RGB customization or a keyboard designed for frequent liquid exposure. Its lighting is specified by zones, and its water resistance is framed around accidental spills.
Apex 3 Keyboard: What Matters for Everyday Gaming
Quiet switches for shared spaces
The near-silent switch design makes this a sensible candidate for bedrooms, shared rooms or late-night play where keyboard noise matters.
It is designed for 20 million low-friction keypresses, but that figure is a durability specification rather than a promise about how a particular user will experience the keys.
Spill resistance with a clear limit
IP32 water resistance can reduce worry about an accidental splash at the desk, but the spill-focused wording calls for ordinary care around drinks. Buyers should not interpret it as a keyboard for washing, submersion or persistent moisture.
Lighting and controls
Ten-zone RGB is suited to buyers who want adjustable color and reactive effects without needing a separate lighting zone for every key.
Dedicated multimedia controls also keep basic volume and settings adjustments within reach during a game or while using the computer for media.
A wrist rest for a fuller desk setup
The magnetic wrist rest provides full palm support, so buyers who prefer an attached rest have one included in the design.
Comfort remains personal, so consider your desk height and hand position when deciding whether a wrist rest suits your setup.
Alternatives to Apex 3 Keyboard
Computer Keyboards alternative
4,000+ ratings
Read Amazon ReviewsSteelSeries Apex 5 Hybrid Mechanical Gaming Keyboard
Prefer the Apex 5 if you want a tactile, clicky hybrid switch and per-key lighting with an OLED display; stay with the Apex 3 if near-silent switches and ten-zone lighting fit your priorities better.
- The Apex 5 pairs hybrid blue switches with per-key RGB, an OLED smart display and an aircraft-grade aluminum frame.
- The Apex 3 prioritizes whisper-quiet switches, ten-zone lighting and an included magnetic wrist rest.
Computer Keyboards alternative
2,000+ ratings
Read Amazon ReviewsSteelSeries Apex 3 TKL RGB Gaming Keyboard
Choose the Apex 3 TKL if you want a compact tenkeyless layout; choose the full-size Apex 3 if you prefer its magnetic wrist rest and ten-zone lighting.
- The Apex 3 TKL uses a compact tenkeyless layout, eight-zone RGB lighting, IP32 water and dust resistance and anti-ghosting technology.
- The full-size Apex 3 has ten-zone lighting and a magnetic wrist rest, alongside quiet switches and dedicated multimedia controls.
Is Apex 3 Keyboard Worth It?
The SteelSeries Apex 3 is worth considering for gamers and everyday users who want quiet switches, a magnetic wrist rest, handy multimedia controls and RGB lighting organized into ten zones.
Its IP32 water resistance is useful for accidental spills, while its broad computer and console compatibility adds flexibility to a mixed-device setup.
Pass if you need a pronounced mechanical click, per-key lighting or protection for regular liquid exposure.
For buyers whose priorities align with its quiet switches and spill-conscious design, it offers a practical feature mix for a gaming and general-use desk.
Your review at a glance
8,000+ ratings
Read Amazon ReviewsSteelSeries Apex 3
A fit for buyers who want quiet gaming switches, zone-based RGB lighting and a magnetic wrist rest for everyday play.
- Whisper-quiet gaming switches are designed for nearly silent use and 20 million low-friction keypresses.
- Ten-zone RGB lighting supports color schemes and reactive effects.
- IP32 water resistance is intended to help prevent damage from accidental liquid spills.
- A magnetic wrist rest provides full palm support.