SteelSeries Apex 3 TKL: Specs, Features, Pros & Cons
This review measures the SteelSeries Apex 3 TKL against the full 34-spec sheet we track for keyboards, comparing it like for like with the 74 other models in our database. It earns a VS Score of 30 out of 100 — the weighted result of every verified specification measured against the class average.
On the spec sheet it is strongest in features and weakest in build & sound. None of our retail partners currently lists the SteelSeries Apex 3 TKL, so availability may be limited; a missing price never affects the VS Score. A transparency note: this spec sheet is 47% complete. Anything unverified shows as Unknown and is left out of the score — we never estimate a missing value.
Category strengths
Where the SteelSeries Apex 3 TKL beats the average
- Has rotary knob ?
- Has n-key rollover ?
- Has configuration software ?
- Has programmable keys ?
- Has media controls ?
Where the SteelSeries Apex 3 TKL trails the average
- 0.96 less connection ?1 vs 1.96 (avg)
- No hot-swappable ?
- 16.15 g more actuation force ?60 g vs 43.85 g (avg)
- No analog input ?
- No USB passthrough ?
Editor’s note
The Apex 3 TKL is a practical choice for people who want a compact gaming layout without the price or noise of a mechanical keyboard. Removing the number pad creates more room for broad mouse movement, while the function row, arrows, and navigation keys remain available. SteelSeries’ Whisper Quiet membrane switches have a soft, subdued response that can be preferable in shared rooms, late-night setups, or offices.
It should not be mistaken for a mechanical or hot-swappable board. The switches cannot be replaced individually, actuation is not adjustable, and there is no rapid-trigger or analog input. The typing feel is softer and less defined than a good mechanical keyboard, which some users find comfortable and others find vague. The membrane design is rated for 20 million presses, and IP32 resistance provides limited protection from drips and dust, not full spill immunity.
Eight-zone RGB, a dedicated volume wheel, and media controls are useful at this price. SteelSeries GG supports lighting and programmable commands, while anti-ghosting covers common gaming combinations. The connection is wired, so there is no battery to maintain and no Bluetooth device switching. Keycaps are standard ABS rather than premium PBT.
The Apex 3 TKL suits budget gaming, school desks, and mixed work/play spaces where quiet operation matters. It is not for users seeking crisp mechanical feedback, switch experimentation, a number pad, or wireless freedom. Competitive players should compare it with entry-level mechanical TKL boards before deciding. Verify regional key layout and the TKL name in listings, because the full-size Apex 3 is a different product with a number pad and larger footprint.
Specifications
Quality bars are generated automatically against 74 other keyboards.
Switches & typing
The key switch technology; later types are generally more responsive.
The specific switch used (e.g. Cherry MX Red).
The force needed to register a key; lower is lighter to type on.
Swap switches without soldering.
Registers every simultaneous keypress.
Set the actuation point per key (analog / Hall-effect boards).
Keys report their travel depth for variable gamepad-style input and multi-stage actions.
Performance
How often the keyboard reports input; higher can reduce latency.
End-to-end keypress latency over a wired connection; lower is better.
End-to-end keypress latency over the fastest wireless mode; lower is better.
Resets a key dynamically as it moves, enabling faster repeated inputs.
Layout & size
The keyboard size and layout.
The number of keys.
The overall width.
The overall depth.
The front case height without keycaps; lower boards can reduce wrist extension.
The keyboard's weight.
Connectivity
The supported connection types.
How many paired devices it can switch between.
Battery life for wireless models.
The rated capacity of the internal battery.
A built-in USB port for other devices.
Build & sound
Keycap plastic; PBT resists shine and wear better than ABS.
The case material (e.g. aluminium, ABS plastic).
The switch plate material, which influences stiffness and typing sound.
How larger keys are stabilised (e.g. screw-in PCB or plate-mounted).
The plate / PCB mounting style (e.g. gasket mount).
Internal foam or dampening for a quieter, fuller sound.
The per-key lighting.
Features
Remap keys and record macros.
Dedicated volume and playback controls.
A control knob for volume or custom actions.
Stores layouts on the board itself.
Companion configuration software (e.g. VIA / QMK).
How the VS Score works — and what it can’t tell you
Every measurable spec is scored against the average of all the keyboards we track: matching the class average scores 50, clearly beating it climbs towards 100, and each spec counts according to an editorial weight that reflects real-world impact — a battery-capacity gap moves the score far more than a colour-options list. The quality bars on the spec cards above show where this model sits inside the full range for its class, and the overall VS Score rolls every weighted result into one number.
Unknown values are never estimated. A spec this product doesn’t report simply drops out of its scoring — it isn’t penalised with a guess — but a thinner spec sheet does mean a score built on fewer data points, which is why completeness is disclosed under About this data.
Most importantly: a spec-sheet lead is not the same as a better product. Megapixels, gigahertz and benchmark points describe capacity, not experience — image processing, software optimisation, thermals, haptics and ergonomics decide how a device actually feels, and no table captures reliability or long-term support quality. Treat the VS Score as a structured summary of what can be measured, not a substitute for your own priorities.
About this data
- Specifications are compiled from each manufacturer’s official spec sheet, cross-checked against trusted specification databases, and normalised into one schema so identical things are compared identically.
- Specifications last verified August 3, 2026.
- Data completeness: 16 of the 34 specs in this category are verified (47%). Anything we could not verify is shown as Unknown — never estimated — and is excluded from the score.
- Prices and availability come from live retailer feeds via our shopping partners and refresh throughout the day; a missing price means no partner currently lists the product, not that it is discontinued.
- Want the full picture? Our editorial guidelines explain how we research products, weight the scores and stay independent.
- Spotted an error in a spec? Tell us and we will correct the sheet.
Keyboards with similar specs to the SteelSeries Apex 3 TKL
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The bottom line
The SteelSeries Apex 3 TKL earns a VS Score of 30, trailing most of the 75 keyboards we compare here, at least on the spec sheet. It stands out for has rotary knob, has n-key rollover and has configuration software. Just be aware of 0.96 less connection and no hot-swappable before you buy. Weigh those trade-offs against what matters most to you.
The VS Score is generated automatically from the weighted specifications above, measured against all other keyboards in our database. Treat it as a shortlisting guide — not a substitute for your own priorities.
