SteelSeries Apex 3 Review: A Quiet Full-Size Gaming Keyboard

This SteelSeries Apex 3 review looks at a full-size gaming keyboard built around whisper-quiet switches, 10-zone lighting and a magnetic wrist rest.

Apex 3 Review Summary

The quick verdict

SteelSeries Apex 3

A full-size gaming keyboard for buyers who want quiet switches, spill resistance, customizable zone lighting and a magnetic wrist rest.

• IP32 water resistance is intended to prevent accidental liquid-spill damage.
• Ten-zone RGB illumination supports color schemes and reactive effects.
• Whisper-quiet gaming switches are designed for nearly silent use and 20 million low-friction keypresses.
• A magnetic wrist rest provides full palm support.

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✓ Pros

• Whisper-quiet switches are designed for nearly silent use.
• Ten lighting zones offer color schemes and reactive effects.

− Consider before buying

• The 10-zone lighting is organized by zones, so buyers seeking separate lighting for every key should check that distinction before choosing.
• Its switches prioritize whisper-quiet use, which may not suit buyers who specifically want a tactile, audible mechanical-style keystroke.

Read the full review summary

The Apex 3 suits players and everyday users who prefer quieter key presses and want multimedia controls within reach.

Its 10-zone RGB lighting adds room for color effects, while the magnetic wrist rest offers a supported place to rest the palms during longer desk sessions.

Its water-resistant design is intended to help prevent damage from accidental liquid spills, and compatibility spans Windows, Mac OS X, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X, PS4 and PS5.

Consider it if those practical features matter more than a mechanical switch feel or lighting assigned to each key.

Editorial scores reflect listed features and buyer fit; they are not laboratory measurements or customer ratings.

Key Features and Specifications of Apex 3

• IP32 water resistance is intended to prevent accidental liquid-spill damage.
• Ten-zone RGB illumination supports color schemes and reactive effects.
• Whisper-quiet gaming switches are designed for nearly silent use and 20 million low-friction keypresses.
• A magnetic wrist rest provides full palm support.
• Dedicated multimedia controls adjust volume and settings on the fly.
• Compatibility includes Windows, Mac OS X, Xbox Series S and X, PS4 and PS5.

Pros and Cons of Apex 3

Who Should Buy Apex 3?

Good fit

Choose the Apex 3 if you want a full-size gaming keyboard with quiet switches, dedicated media controls and a wrist rest included. The combination is also practical for a shared room where minimizing keyboard noise is a priority.

It is a sensible fit for buyers who want some spill resistance and cross-platform flexibility alongside gaming features.

Check that your setup uses one of the listed systems, and treat IP32 as spill protection rather than permission to expose the keyboard to heavy liquid or submersion.

Who should skip it

Skip it if per-key lighting is essential or you want a compact keyboard layout; the Apex 3 is presented as a 10-zone RGB gaming keyboard with a wrist rest rather than a compact form factor.

Look elsewhere if the defining appeal of your keyboard is a loud, tactile switch feel. The Apex 3 emphasizes whisper-quiet switches and nearly silent use.

Apex 3 Review: Quiet Typing, Lighting and Desk Fit

Quiet switch design

The keyboard is built around whisper-quiet gaming switches, with nearly silent use as the stated design goal.

That makes noise-conscious rooms and shared workspaces a natural fit, though switch feel is personal; buyers who want a pronounced click should consider whether quiet operation is the right priority.

Lighting and controls

Ten lighting zones provide color schemes and reactive effects, while dedicated multimedia controls handle volume and settings. Together, they cover visible customization and quick adjustments without relying on lighting being independently assigned to every key.

Spill protection and platform fit

IP32 water resistance is aimed at accidental liquid spills, so it is a useful desk-side measure rather than a reason to treat the keyboard as waterproof.

Platform support includes major desktop systems and current as well as earlier named console generations, which may help households that switch between devices.

Wrist rest in the setup

The included magnetic wrist rest is designed to provide full palm support, adding a comfort-oriented element to the full-size configuration.

Its usefulness depends on personal posture and desk height, so buyers who already have a preferred wrist-support arrangement should factor that into their setup.

Alternatives to Apex 3

Computer Keyboards alternative

SteelSeries Apex 5 Hybrid Mechanical Gaming Keyboard

Prefer the Apex 5 if hybrid blue switches, per-key lighting and an OLED display matter more to you; choose the Apex 3 if quiet switches and its 10-zone lighting better match your priorities.

• The Apex 5 pairs hybrid blue mechanical switches with per-key RGB, an OLED smart display and an aircraft-grade aluminum alloy frame. It also includes a magnetic wrist rest.
• The Apex 3 uses whisper-quiet switches, 10-zone lighting and includes a magnetic wrist rest, making it a fit for buyers who value quieter use and palm support.

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Computer Keyboards alternative

SteelSeries Apex 3 TKL RGB Gaming Keyboard

Choose the Apex 3 TKL if its compact tenkeyless format is the priority; stay with the Apex 3 if you prefer the full-size layout and 10-zone lighting.

• The Apex 3 TKL has a compact tenkeyless layout, 8-zone lighting and IP32 water and dust resistance. It retains whisper-quiet switches and dedicated multimedia controls.
• The Apex 3 is a full-size model with 10-zone lighting, a wrist rest and whisper-quiet switches, a combination for buyers who want those features at the desk.

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Is Apex 3 Worth It?

The SteelSeries Apex 3 is worth considering if you want quiet gaming switches, a wrist rest, accessible multimedia controls and lighting that covers multiple zones.

IP32 resistance adds a degree of spill protection, while compatibility across Windows, Mac OS X and several consoles gives it flexibility across desk setups.

Choose it when quiet operation and included palm support matter more than a tactile click or per-key lighting.

If your priority is compactness or those more mechanical-style features, use the alternatives to match the keyboard to your desk and preferred switch experience.

Your review at a glance

SteelSeries Apex 3

A full-size gaming keyboard for buyers who want quiet switches, spill resistance, customizable zone lighting and a magnetic wrist rest.

• IP32 water resistance is intended to prevent accidental liquid-spill damage.
• Ten-zone RGB illumination supports color schemes and reactive effects.
• Whisper-quiet gaming switches are designed for nearly silent use and 20 million low-friction keypresses.
• A magnetic wrist rest provides full palm support.

Check Price on Amazon