This SteelSeries Apex 3 review looks at a gaming keyboard with whisper-quiet switches, IP32 water resistance, ten-zone RGB illumination, a magnetic wrist rest and dedicated multimedia controls.
Its palm support and media adjustments suit buyers looking for added comfort and convenient control.
Apex 3 keyboard Review Summary
The quick verdict
8,000+ ratings
Read Amazon ReviewsSteelSeries Apex 3
A spill-resistant, quiet gaming keyboard for buyers who want RGB lighting, a wrist rest and easy multimedia controls.
- Whisper-quiet gaming switches are intended for nearly silent use and low-friction keypresses.
- IP32 water resistance is designed to help prevent accidental damage from liquid spills.
- Ten-zone RGB illumination offers color schemes and reactive effects.
- A magnetic wrist rest provides full palm support.
Pros
- Whisper-quiet switches are suited to quieter gaming and shared spaces.
- IP32 water resistance helps guard against accidental liquid spills.
Consider before buying
- The lighting is organized into ten zones, so buyers seeking individually configurable key lighting should check whether that distinction fits their preferences.
- IP32 resistance is intended for accidental spills, so it is not a reason to use the keyboard around heavy splashes or submersion.
Read the full review summary
The Apex 3 combines whisper-quiet switches, ten-zone RGB illumination, IP32 water resistance and a magnetic wrist rest. Its quiet design and spill protection make it worth considering for shared rooms or gaming setups where convenient media adjustments matter.
It is best suited to buyers who prefer a quieter switch feel and want a wrist rest included.
The spill resistance can help protect against accidental liquid damage, but it should be treated as protection from spills rather than permission to expose a keyboard to substantial liquid.
The buying factors
Apex 3 keyboard Scorecard
Editorial scores reflect listed features and buyer fit; they are not laboratory measurements or customer ratings.
Switch noise
Whisper-quiet switches are designed for nearly silent use, making this a strong fit for buyers who want to reduce keyboard noise in shared spaces.
Spill protection
IP32 water resistance is intended to help prevent accidental liquid-spill damage, a useful safeguard around drinks.
RGB lighting
Ten-zone RGB illumination supports colorful schemes and reactive effects, though the lighting is divided into zones rather than specified per key.
Wrist support
The magnetic wrist rest provides full palm support, and its included design gives the keyboard a comfort-oriented feature without requiring a separate accessory purchase.
Media controls
Dedicated multimedia controls let users adjust volume and settings directly, which is convenient when switching between play and other desktop tasks.
Platform compatibility
Compatibility covers Windows, Mac OS X, current Xbox Series consoles and PlayStation 4 and 5, supporting a multi-device gaming setup.
Key Features and Specifications of Apex 3 keyboard
- Whisper-quiet gaming switches are intended for nearly silent use and low-friction keypresses.
- IP32 water resistance is designed to help prevent accidental damage from liquid spills.
- Ten-zone RGB illumination offers color schemes and reactive effects.
- A magnetic wrist rest provides full palm support.
- Dedicated multimedia controls allow on-the-fly volume and settings adjustments.
- Compatibility includes Windows, Mac OS X, Xbox Series S and X, PS4 and PS5.
Pros and Cons of Apex 3 keyboard
Pros
- Whisper-quiet switches are suited to quieter gaming and shared spaces.
- IP32 water resistance helps guard against accidental liquid spills.
- The magnetic wrist rest provides full palm support.
- Dedicated multimedia controls make volume and settings easy to reach.
Consider before buying
- The lighting is organized into ten zones, so buyers seeking individually configurable key lighting should check whether that distinction fits their preferences.
- IP32 resistance is intended for accidental spills, so it is not a reason to use the keyboard around heavy splashes or submersion.
- Buyers who prefer a pronounced mechanical click may want a different switch feel than the nearly silent design here.
Who Should Buy Apex 3 keyboard?
Good fit
Buy the Apex 3 if quiet typing and gaming are priorities, especially in a shared room where keyboard noise can be distracting. Its whisper-quiet switches are designed for nearly silent use.
It also makes sense for desktop users who want built-in palm support, quick media adjustments and RGB effects without adding separate controls or a wrist rest.
Consider it for a setup that moves between a Windows or Mac computer and supported Xbox or PlayStation consoles, or where accidental drink spills are a concern.
Who should skip it
Skip it if you specifically want a tactile, audible mechanical-style click; the Apex 3 is built around whisper-quiet switches and nearly silent use.
Also look elsewhere if individually controlled RGB for every key is central to your setup, since this keyboard's lighting is organized into ten zones.
Apex 3 keyboard: what matters for everyday gaming
Quiet switches for shared spaces
The Apex 3's whisper-quiet switches emphasize low-noise use. That can suit gaming or general desktop work in a shared room, while buyers who enjoy a louder, more pronounced keypress should make switch feel a priority before choosing.
Spill resistance in context
IP32 water resistance is aimed at accidental liquid spills.
It is a useful layer of protection for a desk where drinks may be nearby, but it does not make the keyboard suitable for submersion or careless exposure to liquids.
Lighting and controls
Ten-zone RGB provides color schemes and reactive effects, while dedicated multimedia controls handle volume and settings adjustments. Together, these features suit buyers who value visible customization and quick access to common desktop controls.
Comfort and device range
The magnetic wrist rest is designed to provide full palm support, and the compatibility list spans Windows, Mac OS X, Xbox Series S and X, PS4 and PS5.
That combination makes the Apex 3 a flexible option for buyers sharing one keyboard across a supported computer or console setup.
Alternatives to Apex 3 keyboard
Computer Keyboards alternative
4,000+ ratings
Read Amazon ReviewsSteelSeries Apex 5 Hybrid Mechanical Gaming Keyboard
Choose the Apex 3 for quieter switches and ten-zone lighting; choose the Apex 5 if you prefer a tactile click, per-key RGB and an OLED display. Both include a magnetic wrist rest.
- The Apex 5 uses hybrid blue mechanical switches that combine tactile click with a smooth membrane, adds per-key RGB and an OLED smart display, and includes a magnetic wrist rest.
- The Apex 3 favors nearly silent use, ten-zone lighting and spill resistance, with a magnetic wrist rest and dedicated multimedia controls.
Computer Keyboards alternative
2,000+ ratings
Read Amazon ReviewsSteelSeries Apex 3 TKL RGB Gaming Keyboard
Choose the Apex 3 for its 10-zone RGB illumination and dedicated multimedia controls; choose the Apex 3 TKL if you want a compact tenkeyless design with 8-zone lighting.
The TKL model also has whisper-quiet switches and IP32 water and dust resistance.
- The Apex 3 TKL uses a compact tenkeyless form factor with eight-zone RGB, IP32 water and dust resistance, quiet switches and anti-ghosting technology.
- The full Apex 3 pairs ten-zone RGB with spill resistance, whisper-quiet switches and dedicated multimedia controls.
Is Apex 3 keyboard Worth It?
The SteelSeries Apex 3 is worth considering if you want a quiet gaming keyboard with ten-zone RGB, a magnetic wrist rest, convenient multimedia controls and IP32 protection against accidental spills.
Those features give it a useful balance for everyday gaming and desktop use.
Choose it when quiet switches and spill resistance matter more than a tactile, audible click or per-key lighting.
For buyers whose priorities center on a more pronounced switch feel or individually lit keys, the Apex 3's ten-zone layout and nearly silent design may not be the right match.
Your review at a glance
8,000+ ratings
Read Amazon ReviewsSteelSeries Apex 3
A spill-resistant, quiet gaming keyboard for buyers who want RGB lighting, a wrist rest and easy multimedia controls.
- Whisper-quiet gaming switches are intended for nearly silent use and low-friction keypresses.
- IP32 water resistance is designed to help prevent accidental damage from liquid spills.
- Ten-zone RGB illumination offers color schemes and reactive effects.
- A magnetic wrist rest provides full palm support.