This SteelSeries Apex 3 review looks at a full-size gaming keyboard built around whisper-quiet switches, ten-zone 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 value quiet switches, spill resistance, customizable lighting and a magnetic wrist rest.
- IP32 water-resistant design intended to help prevent accidental liquid-spill damage.
- Ten-zone RGB illumination with color schemes and reactive effects.
- Whisper-quiet switches with low-friction keypresses, rated for 20 million presses.
- Magnetic wrist rest designed to provide full palm support.
Pros
- Whisper-quiet switches suit shared rooms and quieter gaming setups.
- Ten-zone RGB lighting offers color schemes and reactive effects.
Consider before buying
- The keyboard uses zone-based RGB illumination, so buyers seeking individually lit keys should check whether that distinction suits their setup.
- Whisper-quiet switches prioritize near-silent use; buyers who prefer a pronounced mechanical click may want a different switch feel.
Read the full review summary
The Apex 3 combines nearly silent, low-friction switches with 10-zone RGB lighting, dedicated multimedia controls and a magnetic wrist rest.
Its IP32 water resistance is intended to help prevent accidental damage from liquid spills, making it a practical fit for a gaming desk where quiet operation and everyday convenience matter.
Consider it if you want a full-size layout and value quiet keypresses, lighting zones and quick access to volume and settings.
Its listed compatibility spans Windows, Mac OS X, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X, PS4 and PS5, so it can suit a mixed-device setup when those platforms match your needs.
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 and low-friction keypresses make a quieter desk setup a central part of the Apex 3’s appeal.
Lighting flexibility
Ten lighting zones support color schemes and reactive effects, with zone-based rather than per-key illumination.
Spill protection
IP32 water resistance is a useful safeguard against accidental liquid spills, though it is not a reason to expose a keyboard to liquids.
Wrist support
The included magnetic wrist rest provides full palm support, a helpful inclusion for buyers who want a rest at the keyboard.
Desk controls
Dedicated multimedia controls let you adjust volume and settings without relying only on keyboard shortcuts.
Platform compatibility
Compatibility covers Windows, Mac OS X, Xbox Series S and X, PS4 and PS5, giving it broad potential use across common gaming and desktop systems.
Key Features and Specifications of Apex 3 Keyboard
- IP32 water-resistant design intended to help prevent accidental liquid-spill damage.
- Ten-zone RGB illumination with color schemes and reactive effects.
- Whisper-quiet switches with low-friction keypresses, rated for 20 million presses.
- Magnetic wrist rest designed to provide full palm support.
- Dedicated multimedia controls for 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
- Whisper-quiet switches suit shared rooms and quieter gaming setups.
- Ten-zone RGB lighting offers color schemes and reactive effects.
- The magnetic wrist rest provides full palm support.
- Dedicated controls put volume and settings adjustments within reach.
- IP32 water resistance can help guard against accidental liquid spills.
Consider before buying
- The keyboard uses zone-based RGB illumination, so buyers seeking individually lit keys should check whether that distinction suits their setup.
- Whisper-quiet switches prioritize near-silent use; buyers who prefer a pronounced mechanical click may want a different switch feel.
- IP32 water resistance is aimed at accidental spills, so treat it as a safeguard rather than permission to clean or use the keyboard with liquids nearby.
Who Should Buy Apex 3 Keyboard?
Good fit
Choose the Apex 3 if you want a full-size gaming keyboard with quiet switches and a wrist rest included. The ten lighting zones and reactive effects add visual customization without making per-key lighting the focus.
It is a sensible option for a desk shared with others, or for players who want to change volume and settings from dedicated controls.
Check platform compatibility against your own device before buying, particularly if you plan to move the keyboard between a computer and console.
Who should skip it
Skip it if your priority is a tactile, audible mechanical click. The Apex 3’s switches are designed for nearly silent use, which points toward a quieter typing character instead.
Look elsewhere if individual key lighting is essential, or if you need a compact tenkeyless layout. The Apex 3 provides 10-zone illumination and is presented as a full-size RGB gaming keyboard.
Apex 3 Keyboard Review Analysis
Quiet switches for shared spaces
The whisper-quiet switch design is the clearest reason to consider this keyboard if noise is a concern at a shared desk.
Its low-friction keypresses are rated for 20 million presses, but the quiet character may not suit someone who specifically wants a loud, tactile switch.
Lighting by zone
Ten-zone RGB illumination gives the Apex 3 room for color schemes and reactive effects. That supports visual customization across the keyboard, while buyers who want control over each individual key should confirm the lighting approach meets their preference.
Spill resistance and desk controls
IP32 water resistance is intended to help prevent damage from accidental spills, a useful feature for a busy desk.
Dedicated multimedia controls also make volume and settings adjustments convenient during play or general computer use; the wrist rest adds full-palm support as part of the overall desk setup.
Check the platform fit
The listed compatibility includes Windows and Mac OS X, plus Xbox Series S and X, PS4 and PS5. Confirm your intended device is among them before choosing it for a multi-platform desk.
Alternatives to Apex 3 Keyboard
Computer Keyboards alternative
4,000+ ratings
Read Amazon ReviewsSteelSeries Apex 5 Hybrid Mechanical Gaming Keyboard
Prefer the Apex 3 if nearly silent switches and a magnetic wrist rest matter most; choose the Apex 5 if you want hybrid blue switches, per-key lighting and an OLED display.
- The Apex 5 uses hybrid blue switches, per-key RGB, an OLED smart display and an aircraft-grade aluminum alloy frame.
- The Apex 3 is the quiet-focused choice, with whisper-quiet switches, 10-zone lighting and a magnetic wrist rest.
Computer Keyboards alternative
2,000+ ratings
Read Amazon ReviewsSteelSeries Apex 3 TKL RGB Gaming Keyboard
Choose the Apex 3 if you want the full-size layout, 10 lighting zones and magnetic wrist rest; the Apex 3 TKL suits a smaller desk where a tenkeyless layout is preferable.
- The Apex 3 TKL has a compact tenkeyless design, 8-zone RGB lighting, IP32 water and dust resistance, and dedicated multimedia controls with a clickable volume roller.
- The Apex 3 is a full-size RGB keyboard with 10-zone illumination, quiet switches, a wrist rest and multimedia controls.
Is Apex 3 Keyboard Worth It?
The SteelSeries Apex 3 is worth considering if you want a full-size gaming keyboard centered on quiet switches, zone-based RGB and a magnetic wrist rest.
Dedicated multimedia controls, broad listed platform compatibility and IP32 spill resistance round out a practical desk-focused feature set.
Buy it for a quieter setup and spill-conscious everyday use, not for a pronounced click or individually controlled key lighting.
If those tradeoffs fit your priorities and your device is compatible, the Apex 3 makes a coherent choice for gaming and general desktop use.
Your review at a glance
8,000+ ratings
Read Amazon ReviewsSteelSeries Apex 3
A full-size gaming keyboard for buyers who value quiet switches, spill resistance, customizable lighting and a magnetic wrist rest.
- IP32 water-resistant design intended to help prevent accidental liquid-spill damage.
- Ten-zone RGB illumination with color schemes and reactive effects.
- Whisper-quiet switches with low-friction keypresses, rated for 20 million presses.
- Magnetic wrist rest designed to provide full palm support.