This SteelSeries Apex 3 review looks at a full-size gaming keyboard built around whisper-quiet switches, 10-zone RGB lighting, and a magnetic wrist rest.
Apex 3 Review Summary
The quick verdict
8,000+ ratings
Read Amazon ReviewsSteelSeries Apex 3
A full-size gaming keyboard for players who want quiet switches, zone lighting, spill resistance, and an included magnetic wrist rest.
- Ten-zone RGB illumination with color schemes and reactive effects.
- IP32 water resistance intended to help prevent damage from accidental liquid spills.
- Whisper-quiet gaming switches designed for nearly silent use and 20 million low-friction keypresses.
- Magnetic wrist rest designed to provide full-palm support.
Pros
- Whisper-quiet switches suit buyers who want a quieter gaming keyboard.
- IP32 resistance helps protect against accidental liquid spills.
Consider before buying
- The 10-zone lighting groups illumination, so buyers who want to customize each key individually may prefer a different lighting layout.
- IP32 protection is aimed at accidental liquid spills; keep the keyboard away from situations that could submerge it.
Read the full review summary
The Apex 3 suits gaming and everyday desktop use when a quieter typing profile is a priority.
Its whisper-quiet switches are designed for near-silent use, while 10-zone RGB illumination provides color schemes and reactive effects across groups of keys.
It is a practical fit for players who want a wrist rest and dedicated multimedia controls alongside spill resistance.
The design focuses on quiet membrane-style gaming switches and zone-based lighting, so buyers seeking per-key RGB or a compact layout should check the alternatives section before deciding.
The buying factors
Apex 3 Scorecard
Editorial scores reflect listed features and buyer fit; they are not laboratory measurements or customer ratings.
Quiet switch design
The switches are designed for nearly silent use, which is a useful fit for shared rooms or late sessions where a quieter keyboard is preferred.
Spill resistance
IP32 water resistance is intended to help prevent accidental liquid-spill damage, offering some peace of mind around a desk without making the keyboard suitable for submersion.
Lighting flexibility
Ten lighting zones and reactive effects allow color customization, though the zone-based approach is less granular than per-key lighting.
Included wrist support
The magnetic wrist rest provides full-palm support, adding a useful ergonomic feature for buyers who like resting their hands at the keyboard.
Media access
Dedicated multimedia controls let users adjust volume and settings directly, which can reduce the need to switch windows during play or other desktop tasks.
Platform flexibility
Compatibility spans Windows, Mac OS X, Xbox Series S and X, PS4, and PS5, making it a flexible option for buyers using more than one listed platform.
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 gaming switches designed for nearly silent use and 20 million low-friction keypresses.
- Magnetic wrist rest designed to provide full-palm support.
- Dedicated multimedia controls for volume and settings.
- Compatible with Windows, Mac OS X, Xbox Series S and X, PS4, and PS5.
Pros and Cons of Apex 3
Pros
- Whisper-quiet switches suit buyers who want a quieter gaming keyboard.
- IP32 resistance helps protect against accidental liquid spills.
- Magnetic wrist rest provides full-palm support.
- Dedicated multimedia controls put volume and settings within reach.
Consider before buying
- The 10-zone lighting groups illumination, so buyers who want to customize each key individually may prefer a different lighting layout.
- IP32 protection is aimed at accidental liquid spills; keep the keyboard away from situations that could submerge it.
- For sustained typing sessions, consider whether the low-friction, whisper-quiet switch feel matches your preference before buying.
Who Should Buy Apex 3?
Good fit
Choose the Apex 3 if quiet use is high on your list and you want RGB effects, spill resistance, and a wrist rest in one gaming keyboard.
Its switches are designed for near-silent use, and the magnetic rest provides full-palm support.
It also makes sense for a multi-platform setup: compatibility includes Windows, Mac OS X, Xbox Series S and X, PS4, and PS5. Dedicated multimedia controls add convenient access to volume and settings during gaming or desktop use.
Who should skip it
Skip it if per-key lighting is a must. The Apex 3 uses 10-zone RGB illumination, which is organized by zones rather than individual key lighting.
If desk space is limited, check the keyboard’s dimensions before buying to make sure it fits your setup.
Apex 3 Review: What Matters for Gaming and Daily Use
A quieter setup for shared spaces
The low-friction switches are designed for nearly silent use, which makes the Apex 3 worth considering when keyboard noise is a concern at home or in a shared room.
That describes the intended switch profile; individual typing preferences still matter, so buyers who care about feel should make that a priority in their choice.
Spill protection has a defined role
IP32 water resistance is aimed at accidental liquid spills and may help protect the keyboard in the kinds of desk mishaps that happen around drinks.
It is not a reason to expose the board to immersion or heavy water contact.
Zone lighting and controls
The 10-zone RGB system offers color schemes and reactive effects, while dedicated multimedia controls handle volume and settings. Together, those features favor convenient customization and access over the finer control buyers may expect from a per-key lighting system.
Wrist support and platform reach
A magnetic wrist rest provides full-palm support, and compatibility covers several computer and console platforms.
That combination makes the Apex 3 a reasonable single-keyboard option for buyers moving between a desktop and supported console, provided the full-size format suits the space available.
Alternatives to Apex 3
Computer Keyboards alternative
4,000+ ratings
Read Amazon ReviewsSteelSeries Apex 5 Hybrid Mechanical Gaming Keyboard
Prefer the Apex 5 if hybrid blue mechanical switches, per-key lighting, and its OLED display match your priorities; choose the Apex 3 for its near-silent switch design and zone lighting.
- The Apex 5 pairs hybrid blue mechanical switches with per-key RGB, an OLED smart display, and an aircraft-grade aluminum frame.
- The Apex 3 prioritizes near-silent switches, 10-zone RGB illumination, 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 a compact tenkeyless layout matters more to you; choose the Apex 3 if you prefer its 10-zone lighting and magnetic wrist rest.
- The Apex 3 TKL has a compact tenkeyless form factor, eight-zone lighting, and IP32 water and dust resistance.
- The Apex 3 has 10-zone lighting, IP32 water resistance, whisper-quiet gaming switches, a magnetic wrist rest, and dedicated multimedia controls.
Is Apex 3 Worth It?
The SteelSeries Apex 3 is worth considering for players who value a quieter switch design, spill resistance, customizable zone lighting, and an included magnetic wrist rest.
Its multimedia controls and broad platform compatibility also make it useful beyond PC gaming.
Buy it if 10-zone lighting, spill resistance, quiet switches, a magnetic wrist rest, and dedicated multimedia controls suit your priorities. Check the keyboard’s dimensions against your desk before deciding whether it will fit.
Your review at a glance
8,000+ ratings
Read Amazon ReviewsSteelSeries Apex 3
A full-size gaming keyboard for players who want quiet switches, zone lighting, spill resistance, and an included magnetic wrist rest.
- Ten-zone RGB illumination with color schemes and reactive effects.
- IP32 water resistance intended to help prevent damage from accidental liquid spills.
- Whisper-quiet gaming switches designed for nearly silent use and 20 million low-friction keypresses.
- Magnetic wrist rest designed to provide full-palm support.