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 Keyboard Review Summary
The quick verdict
8,000+ ratings
Read Amazon ReviewsSteelSeries Apex 3
A full-size gaming keyboard for buyers who want quiet switches, spill resistance, customizable lighting, and a wrist rest.
- IP32 water-resistant design intended to help prevent damage from accidental liquid spills.
- Ten-zone RGB illumination with color schemes and reactive effects.
- Whisper-quiet gaming switches designed for nearly silent use.
- Switches are rated for 20 million low-friction keypresses.
Pros
- Quiet switch design suits buyers trying to limit keyboard noise.
- IP32 water resistance helps with accidental liquid spills.
Consider before buying
- The 10-zone lighting is organized into zones, which may not suit buyers who want a distinct lighting choice for every key.
- The quiet switch design prioritizes subdued use over a tactile, clicky keystroke feel.
Read the full review summary
The Apex 3 brings together a quiet typing design, spill-resistant construction, zoned RGB lighting, and dedicated multimedia controls.
That combination suits a gaming or everyday desk where you want useful controls and visual customization without a clicky switch feel.
It is a sensible fit for buyers who want a full-size layout and included palm support, and who value quieter keypresses over a tactile, clicky mechanical feel.
Its features cover routine gaming and media adjustments, while the stated spill protection is aimed at accidental liquid mishaps rather than immersion.
The buying factors
Apex 3 Keyboard Scorecard
Editorial scores reflect listed features and buyer fit; they are not laboratory measurements or customer ratings.
Quiet switch design
Whisper-quiet switches make this a stronger fit for buyers who prefer subdued keypresses during gaming or shared-room use.
Spill resistance
IP32 water resistance is useful for accidental spills, but it should be treated as limited protection rather than a washable or waterproof design.
Lighting flexibility
Ten lighting zones provide room for color schemes and reactive effects, though the lighting is organized by zones rather than individual keys.
Desk comfort features
The magnetic wrist rest adds palm support as part of the package, a useful inclusion for buyers who want a place to rest their hands.
Media access
Dedicated multimedia controls allow volume and settings adjustments on the fly, reducing the need to leave a game or app to make routine changes.
Platform compatibility
Compatibility spans Windows, Mac OS X, Xbox Series S and X, PS4, and PS5, giving it flexibility across common computer and console setups.
Key Features and Specifications of Apex 3 Keyboard
- IP32 water-resistant design intended to help prevent damage from accidental liquid spills.
- Ten-zone RGB illumination with color schemes and reactive effects.
- Whisper-quiet gaming switches designed for nearly silent use.
- Switches are rated for 20 million low-friction keypresses.
- Magnetic wrist rest intended to provide full palm support.
- Dedicated multimedia controls for on-the-fly volume and settings adjustments.
- Compatible with Windows, Mac OS X, Xbox Series S and X, PS4, and PS5.
Pros and Cons of Apex 3 Keyboard
Pros
- Quiet switch design suits buyers trying to limit keyboard noise.
- IP32 water resistance helps with accidental liquid spills.
- The magnetic wrist rest provides a palm-support option in the box.
- Multimedia controls put volume and settings adjustments within reach.
Consider before buying
- The 10-zone lighting is organized into zones, which may not suit buyers who want a distinct lighting choice for every key.
- The quiet switch design prioritizes subdued use over a tactile, clicky keystroke feel.
- IP32 protection is for accidental spills, so keep liquids away and do not treat the keyboard as waterproof.
Who Should Buy Apex 3 Keyboard?
Good fit
Buy the Apex 3 if you want a full-size gaming keyboard with quieter switches and practical media controls.
Volume and settings adjustments are available on the keyboard, and the included magnetic wrist rest adds a palm-support option for a gaming desk.
It also fits users who want RGB effects and a measure of spill protection in the same setup.
The IP32 rating is aimed at accidental liquid spills, while the lighting offers ten zones for color schemes and reactive effects.
Its stated compatibility makes it a candidate for a mixed computer-and-console desk, provided your setup uses one of the listed platforms.
Who should skip it
Skip it if your priority is a tactile, clicky switch experience; this model is positioned around whisper-quiet switches and nearly silent use.
Look elsewhere if your lighting preference depends on assigning effects to individual keys, or if you need a keyboard designed for exposure beyond accidental spills.
Apex 3 Keyboard: How Its Features Fit a Gaming Desk
Quiet switches for shared spaces
The switch design is presented for nearly silent use, making the Apex 3 more appropriate for buyers who want to keep keyboard noise subdued.
That same priority means it is a poor match for someone who specifically wants a pronounced tactile click.
Spill resistance with a clear limit
IP32 water resistance addresses accidental liquid spills, a useful consideration for a desk with drinks nearby. Treat it as a buffer against mishaps, not permission to rinse the keyboard or use it around sustained moisture.
Lighting and controls
Ten RGB zones enable color schemes and reactive effects, while dedicated multimedia controls handle volume and settings adjustments. Together, these features favor convenient desk customization over a minimal, no-frills setup.
Wrist support and platform reach
A magnetic wrist rest provides full palm support, and compatibility covers Windows, Mac OS X, Xbox Series S and X, PS4, and PS5.
That breadth suits multi-device households, though buyers should still check their own setup and preferred layout before choosing.
Alternatives to Apex 3 Keyboard
Computer Keyboards alternative
4,000+ ratings
Read Amazon ReviewsSteelSeries Apex 5 Hybrid Mechanical Gaming Keyboard
Choose Apex 5 if tactile, clicky switches, per-key lighting, and an OLED display matter more to you; stay with the Apex 3 if whisper-quiet switches and ten-zone lighting better match your preferences.
- The Apex 5 uses hybrid blue mechanical switches with a tactile click, per-key RGB lighting, and an OLED smart display. It also includes a magnetic wrist rest.
- The Apex 3 uses whisper-quiet switches and ten-zone lighting, making it the quieter, zone-based option for buyers who prefer subdued keypresses.
Computer Keyboards alternative
2,000+ ratings
Read Amazon ReviewsSteelSeries Apex 3 TKL RGB Gaming Keyboard
Pick the Apex 3 TKL if a compact tenkeyless layout matters more than retaining a full-size keyboard; choose the Apex 3 if you prefer its full-size format and ten-zone lighting.
- The Apex 3 TKL has a compact tenkeyless form factor, eight-zone RGB lighting, and whisper-quiet switches. Its design is intended to free desk space while allowing keyboard positioning.
- The Apex 3 offers ten-zone lighting and whisper-quiet switches in a full-size gaming keyboard.
Is Apex 3 Keyboard Worth It?
The SteelSeries Apex 3 is worth considering for buyers who want a quiet full-size gaming keyboard with RGB zones, spill resistance, media controls, and a magnetic wrist rest.
Its most useful strengths are practical desk features rather than a clicky switch feel or individually configurable lighting.
Choose it when those priorities and its platform compatibility line up with your setup. Pass if you need tactile, clicky switches, per-key lighting, or protection beyond accidental spills.
Your review at a glance
8,000+ ratings
Read Amazon ReviewsSteelSeries Apex 3
A full-size gaming keyboard for buyers who want quiet switches, spill resistance, customizable lighting, and a wrist rest.
- IP32 water-resistant design intended to help prevent damage from accidental liquid spills.
- Ten-zone RGB illumination with color schemes and reactive effects.
- Whisper-quiet gaming switches designed for nearly silent use.
- Switches are rated for 20 million low-friction keypresses.