SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL

Sarah Jacobsson Purewal from Tom’s Hardware highlights the SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Wireless as a highly customizable and well-built gaming keyboard that strikes a good balance between compactness and functionality with its tenkeyless layout. She praises the keyboard’s premium materials, bright per-key RGB, and the innovative OmniPoint 2.0 optical switches, which offer adjustable actuation and excellent responsiveness for gaming. The detachable magnetic wrist rest and customizable OLED smart display add to its appeal. However, she notes that the typing experience is somewhat less satisfying than traditional mechanical switches due to a slight sponginess. While the wireless performance is solid and low-latency, early firmware issues during testing gave the impression of a somewhat rushed launch, though these are expected to be resolved. Overall, the Apex Pro TKL Wireless is a predictable but strong evolution of the Apex Pro line, offering extensive customization and solid gaming performance, though she remains eager for a future full-size model update.

RTINGS highlights the SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL (2023) as an excellent gaming keyboard with standout features like remarkably low latency and highly customizable OmniPoint 2.0 switches, allowing users to fine-tune actuation points between 0.2mm and 3.8mm. The keyboard impresses with solid build quality, including an aluminum top plate and textured PBT keycaps, plus a rare included wrist rest for a TKL form factor. Unique dual-function programming at different actuation points and the Rapid Trigger firmware update enhance responsiveness, especially for gaming. However, the review notes some drawbacks: slight key wobble, lack of tactile switch options, and the wired-only design (though a wireless variant exists). While well-suited for gaming, programming, and office use, it’s less ideal for mobile or home theater setups due to its wired nature. The companion software is robust but can be resource-heavy. Overall, RTINGS offers a balanced, detailed assessment praising the Apex Pro TKL’s innovation and performance while acknowledging minor ergonomic and connectivity limitations.

Jacob Ridley from PC Gamer highlights the SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Wireless (2023) as a fast, well-made tenkeyless keyboard that excels with its highly adjustable OmniPoint 2.0 magnetic switches. He praises the keyboard’s ability to fine-tune actuation points between 0.2mm and 3.8mm, making it superbly responsive for gaming, especially with rapid key presses. The dual actuation feature adds versatility, though it requires some adaptation. Ridley appreciates the ease of switching profiles via the keyboard and the OLED screen’s customizable images, despite some quirky results. Battery life is solid, but the default sleep timer and occasional slow wake-up from wireless mode are minor annoyances. The review notes the high price, especially for the wireless model, suggesting the wired Apex Pro TKL offers better value. While it competes with premium alternatives like the Asus ROG Azoth and Wooting Two HE, Ridley ultimately finds the Apex Pro TKL impressive but leans toward the wired version as the smarter purchase for most users.

Michael Higham from IGN praises the SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Gen 3 as one of the best gaming keyboards available, highlighting its exceptional OmniPoint 3.0 Hall Effect switches that offer buttery smooth, highly customizable keystrokes with adjustable actuation and reset points. He emphasizes the keyboard’s sturdy build, sleek design, and pleasing RGB lighting, noting the tactile OLED control panel as a convenient feature for on-the-fly adjustments. While the SteelSeries GG software is described as somewhat bloated and less intuitive, the overall customization experience remains strong. Higham appreciates the keyboard’s versatility across gaming genres—from competitive shooters to MMOs—and its comfortable typing feel, calling it a rare product that fits all his preferences. The main drawback is the high price point of $269.99 for the wireless TKL model, which may be a barrier for some. Still, he considers it a worthy investment for gamers seeking top-tier performance and flexibility.

Michelle Rae Uy from TechRadar praises the SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL as one of the most feature-rich tenkeyless gaming keyboards available, highlighting its standout adjustable and dual-actuation OmniPoint 2.0 mechanical switches that deliver fast, responsive, and satisfying performance ideal for fast-paced gaming. The review appreciates the robust build quality, including an aircraft-grade aluminum frame and textured PBT keycaps, as well as useful extras like the OLED smart display and magnetic wrist rest. While the design is described as functional rather than flashy, the keyboard’s compact size and inclusion of dedicated arrow keys make it appealing for gamers who want both space-saving and practicality. The main criticisms focus on its relatively high price compared to competitors and somewhat buggy software that requires patience to master. Overall, the review conveys a balanced but enthusiastic tone, recommending the Apex Pro TKL especially for gamers who will fully utilize its advanced customization features.

Tabitha Baker from GamesRadar+ highlights the SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Gen 3 as a standout Hall effect keyboard that builds impressively on its predecessor’s strengths. Praising its robust build quality, slim design, and especially the new OmniPoint 3.0 adjustable HyperMagnetic switches, she emphasizes the keyboard’s exceptional typing feel—energetic, springy, and precise—with a wide actuation range that supports nuanced customization, including per-key settings and dual-step inputs. The OLED display and software add useful functionality, though the software’s ad-heavy marketplace and slightly cramped display controls draw mild criticism. While the keyboard’s price is steep for a wired model, and the omission of Hall effect switches on arrow and nav keys limits full customization, Baker finds the typing experience satisfying and the customization options extensive. Tested extensively across multiple games over two months, the review conveys genuine enthusiasm tempered by practical caveats, making the Apex Pro TKL a compelling choice for power users seeking advanced customization and a premium feel.

Cianna Garrison from How-To Geek highlights the SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Wireless (2023) as a feature-rich, high-performance mechanical keyboard that largely lives up to its hype. Praising its revolutionary OmniPoint 2.0 adjustable switches, solid aluminum frame, and extensive customization options via the SteelSeries Engine app, Garrison emphasizes the keyboard’s versatility for both gaming and typing. The review conveys genuine enthusiasm for the tactile typing experience, responsive wireless mode, and innovative dual actuation profiles that enhance gameplay precision. However, Garrison also offers measured critiques, noting the non-hot-swappable switches, the relatively high $250 price tag, and Bluetooth’s latency issues during gaming. The detachable magnetic wrist rest and durable PBT keycaps add to its appeal, though keycap upgrades may be costly. Overall, the review balances excitement with practical considerations, positioning the Apex Pro TKL Wireless as a top-tier choice for serious gamers willing to invest in premium quality and customization.

João Carrasqueira from XDA Developers highlights the SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL (2023) as a standout mechanical keyboard that transformed his appreciation for the category. He praises its premium build quality, featuring a sturdy aluminum top plate and thoughtful design touches like adjustable feet and a magnetic wrist rest. The review enthusiastically details the innovative OmniPoint 2.0 magnetic switches, emphasizing their smooth, quiet linear feel and highly customizable actuation points, including dual actuation for advanced gaming macros. The OLED display and extensive customization options via the SteelSeries GG app add unique functionality, though Carrasqueira criticizes the app’s large size and resource demands. While noting the lack of swappable switches and wireless connectivity as minor drawbacks, he finds these limitations understandable given the keyboard’s custom technology. Overall, he expresses genuine enthusiasm for the Apex Pro TKL, calling it one of the best keyboards he’s ever used and a compelling choice for both typing and gaming.