One of the best gaming keyboards out there has always been the SteelSeries Apex series. This award-winning series of keyboards has spawned numerous variations, with one of the best normally being the Apex Pro version. SteelSeries, never resting and always improving, has released its latest version of the Apex Pro with the SteelSeries Apex Pro Gen 3. The Apex Pro Gen 3 has much in common with the previous gen iteration but with some interesting changes and updates.
DESIGN
First, let’s talk about the design which really hasn’t changed much. At first glance, it doesn’t look too different from the previous version. It still has that stylish and modern design built with a combination of plastic and aircraft-grade aluminum. The Series 5000 metal frame is manufactured for a lifetime of unbreakable durability and sturdiness. It is of a matte dark metallic gray color and feels cool to the touch. The surface reflects the RGB lighting subtly, with most of the under glow confined to the underside of the keys.
Like the original, the keyboard has a lot of weight to it and feels really sturdy and strong. There’s still the built-in OLED Smart Screen display, but a lot of what you don’t see or notice has changed.
What you don’t see is that SteelSeries has enhanced the build quality and refined it. They’ve added new stabilizers to eliminate keycap wobble. They’ve also added triple-layer foam and per-key lubrication for a smoother feel and sound. This was immediately noticeable to me as typing on the new Apex Pro Gen 3 sounds much different and feels much different, too. The keys sound quieter and feel buttery smooth now.
Another difference that you might now immediately notice is that the USB passthrough port is no longer what it was. This is now a USB-C port that is used to connect the keyboard to your computer. That means there is also no longer a built-in cable and now you have to use a detachable cable. In one respect, this is a better design since you can now use any USB_C cable, but on the other hand, you lose the convenience of having a USB port that you could use to plug in a wireless dongle from your Apex 5 mouse for instance.
Despite these changes, the Apex Pro Gen 3 is still a fantastic design.
OMNIPOINT 3.0 SWITCHES
Aside from the physical changes, the main draw of the Apex Pro Gen 3 is the inclusion of the new OmniPoint 3.0 Hall Effect switches. These have been redesigned and are supposedly the most technically advanced Hall Effect switches out there, featuring Rapid Trigger and a full adjustability range from 0.1 mm to 4.0 mm. This allows you to use SteelSeries new RapidTap settings for faster gameplay.
EXPERIENCE
Immediately, I can tell that the SteelSeries Apex Pro Gen 3 is much improved from the original. For starters, the sound of the keys is amazing. I’ve been using a lot of mechanical keyboards lately, and the sound of the original Apex Pro never sounded as good. This one sounds much better, and it’s most likely due to the new sound-dampening foam and key lubrication.
Next up, the keycaps feel a little different, too. The previous ones seemed smoother, while these new ones have a matte surface and a bit of texturing. The font is also a bit different on these as well. Programming the Apex Pro Gen 3 is exactly the same as it was previously with the use of the SteelSeries GG app.
There are some tradeoffs with the Apex Pro Gen 3. You do lose the USB port passthrough that the original one. Also, the bottom of the keyboard had cable management channels so you could have the cable come out on either the left, middle, or right side of the keyboard. Those are useless now since the USB port is on the left side, and that’s where the cable stays.
That’s basically it for the negatives. Everything else about the Apex Pro Gen 3 is on point.
FINAL THOUGHTS
The SteelSeries Apex Pro Gen 3 is a very good gaming keyboard. The new OmniPoint 3.0 Hall Effect Switches help differentiate this keyboard from other gaming keyboards that use regular mechanical switches. The Apex Pro Gen 3 is infinitely more customizable thanks to the software and the OmniPoint 3.0 switches.
Is the new Apex Pro Gen 3 worth a pickup if you already own one of the other non-Gen 3 versions of SteelSeries Apex lineup? Depends. If you’re happy with what you got, then no. However, the upgrades are pretty noticeable when it comes to performance and key presses. These just sound so good compared to the original and I don’t think I would even go back.
With that said, the decision is yours. If you are looking for a great gaming keyboard, however, consider the SteelSeries Apex Pro Gen 3. There’s a reason why they are the top choice for eSport professionals.
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