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SteelSeries Apex 3

SteelSeriesGaming keyboard

Apex 3

Released January 2020.3Press releasesteelseries.com/press/67-steelseries-launches-rival-3-gaming-mouse-apex-3-and-apex-5-gaming-keyboardsRead 15 October 2026Press release dated January 21, 2020: 'The Apex 3 is available now globally'. Last checked 21 October 2026.

Form factor
Full size
Switch sensing technology
Membrane
Connections
USB (wired)
Max polling rate
1,000Hz

68 of 164 fields known.

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All specs

SourceCalculated

General

Series
Not available
Model numbers
64795, 64796, 64806, 648031Maker product pagesteelseries.com/gaming-keyboards/apex-3Read 15 October 2026SKUs 64795, 64796 and 64806 from the maker. 64803 from the Multitronic listing.4Retailer pagemultitronic.fi/en/products/2437848/steelseries-apex-3-gaming-keyboard--whisper-quiet--blackRead 15 October 2026
GTIN / EAN
5707119038805, 813682026561, 5707119038829, 813682026578, 5707119039024, 813682026677, 57071190389661Maker product pagesteelseries.com/gaming-keyboards/apex-3Read 15 October 2026EAN and UPC of each regional SKU from the maker's product data.4Retailer pagemultitronic.fi/en/products/2437848/steelseries-apex-3-gaming-keyboard--whisper-quiet--blackRead 15 October 2026
Announced
21 January 20203Press releasesteelseries.com/press/67-steelseries-launches-rival-3-gaming-mouse-apex-3-and-apex-5-gaming-keyboardsRead 15 October 2026Press release dated January 21, 2020 announces the Apex 3 and says it is available now globally. The Spanish spec database geektopia gives the same presentation date.
Status
Available1Maker product pagesteelseries.com/gaming-keyboards/apex-3Read 15 October 2026
Predecessor
Not available
Successor
Not available
Launch price (US)
$49.993Press releasesteelseries.com/press/67-steelseries-launches-rival-3-gaming-mouse-apex-3-and-apex-5-gaming-keyboardsRead 15 October 2026'The Apex 3 is available now globally for $49.99.' US dollar price at launch. Sales tax is not included.
Launch price (EU)
€79.998Reviewgameswelt.de/steelseries/test/neue-maus-und-tastaturen-im-test-301137Read 15 October 2026German review dated 5 February 2020 of the Rival 3, Apex 3 and Apex 5: SteelSeries Apex 3 at 79,99 Euro. Germany, VAT included as published. The US maker price is $49.99.9Spec databasegeektopia.es/es/product/steelseries/apex-3Read 15 October 2026Spanish spec database: launch price 79.99 EUR and presentation date 21 January 2020. Matches the German review.
Markets
Not available
Colours
Black1Maker product pagesteelseries.com/gaming-keyboards/apex-3Read 15 October 2026
Segment
Gaming1Maker product pagesteelseries.com/gaming-keyboards/apex-3Read 15 October 2026Listed in the maker's Gaming Keyboards category.
Sold as
Complete1Maker product pagesteelseries.com/gaming-keyboards/apex-3Read 15 October 2026Sold fully assembled. The box holds the keyboard and the wrist rest.

Layout

Form factor
Full size1Maker product pagesteelseries.com/gaming-keyboards/apex-3Read 15 October 2026Maker page calls Apex 3 a full-fledged gaming keyboard. The product images and reviews show a full-size layout with numpad.
Layout standard
ANSI, ISO1Maker product pagesteelseries.com/gaming-keyboards/apex-3Read 15 October 2026US is ANSI. The Nordic layout is ISO with 105 keys per the retailer. BR and SP standards are not stated.4Retailer pagemultitronic.fi/en/products/2437848/steelseries-apex-3-gaming-keyboard--whisper-quiet--blackRead 15 October 2026
Regional layouts
US English, Brazilian, Spanish, Nordic1Maker product pagesteelseries.com/gaming-keyboards/apex-3Read 15 October 2026Maker store variants Apex 3 US, Apex 3 BR and Apex 3 SP. Nordic from a Finnish retailer.4Retailer pagemultitronic.fi/en/products/2437848/steelseries-apex-3-gaming-keyboard--whisper-quiet--blackRead 15 October 2026
Keys in regional layout
Not available
Key legends for
Not available
Numpad
Yes1Maker product pagesteelseries.com/gaming-keyboards/apex-3Read 15 October 2026Product images show a numpad.
Function row
Yes1Maker product pagesteelseries.com/gaming-keyboards/apex-3Read 15 October 2026Product images show F1 to F12 above the number row.
Dedicated arrow keys
Yes1Maker product pagesteelseries.com/gaming-keyboards/apex-3Read 15 October 2026Product images show a separate arrow cluster.
Navigation keys
Full1Maker product pagesteelseries.com/gaming-keyboards/apex-3Read 15 October 2026Product images show Ins, Home, Pg Up, Del, End and Pg Dn as separate keys. Game Revolution lists the same six keys.6Reviewgamerevolution.comRead 15 October 2026Review: six keys from Ins to Pg Dn above the arrows.
Key stagger
Row-staggered1Maker product pagesteelseries.com/gaming-keyboards/apex-3Read 15 October 2026Product images show a standard row-staggered layout.
Bottom row
Not available
Low profile
Not available

Switches

Switch sensing technology
Membrane1Maker product pagesteelseries.com/gaming-keyboards/apex-3Read 15 October 2026Product data field switch type is 'membrane'. Maker name for the switch is Whisper-Quiet Switches.5Reviewtechradar.com/reviews/steelseries-apex-3Read 15 October 2026Review calls the switches Whisper-Quiet membrane switches.
Switch feel
Not available
Switch maker
SteelSeries1Maker product pagesteelseries.com/gaming-keyboards/apex-3Read 15 October 2026
Switch models
SteelSeries Whisper-Quiet Switches1Maker product pagesteelseries.com/gaming-keyboards/apex-3Read 15 October 2026
Switch stem
Not available
Actuation force
Not available
Bottom-out force
Not available
Tactile bump force
Not available
Actuation point
Not available
Total travel
Not available
Rated keystrokes
20million1Maker product pagesteelseries.com/gaming-keyboards/apex-3Read 15 October 2026Specification: 'Switch Lifetime: 20 Million Keypresses'.
Factory-lubed switches
Not available
Adjustable actuation
No12Reviewrtings.com/keyboard/reviews/steelseries/apex-3Read 21 October 2026Public summary box: Output Type Non-Adjustable, Switch Type Rubber Dome. The measured results behind the membership wall were not used.
Actuation range
Not available
Actuation step
Not available
Per-key actuation
Not available
Rapid trigger
Not available
Minimum rapid trigger movement
Not available
Multi-action keys
Not available
SOCD handling
Not available
Analog input
Not available
Hot-swap sockets
None10Spec databasekeybumps.com/keyboard/steelseries-apex-3.htmlRead 15 October 2026Spec list: Hot-Swap No. A Riga retailer spec table says the same. The maker does not state it. The board has membrane switches.11Retailer page4games.pro/en/shop/pcperepherias/keyboards/steelseries-apex-3-usRead 15 October 2026Retailer specification table for SKU 64795: Hot-Swap No.
Compatible switches
Not available
Stabilizers
Not available
Factory-lubed stabilizers
Not available

Keycaps

We could not find any of these 5 fields. Show them
Keycap material
Not available
Legend method
Not available
Keycap profile
Not available
Keycap thickness
Not available
Shine-through legends
Not available

Performance

Polling rate per connection
ConnectionPolling rate (Hz)
USB (wired)1,000
Source4Retailer pagemultitronic.fi/en/products/2437848/steelseries-apex-3-gaming-keyboard--whisper-quiet--blackRead 15 October 2026Retailer specification: 'Polling rate 1000 Hz'. The maker does not publish it. Reviews say the rate is set in SteelSeries Engine.5Reviewtechradar.com/reviews/steelseries-apex-3Read 15 October 2026Review: the polling rate can be edited in SteelSeries Engine. The 1000 Hz value comes from the retailer specification.
Max polling rate
1,000Hz
Polling rate (wired)
1,000Hz
Polling rate (2.4 GHz)
Not available
Polling rate (Bluetooth)
Not available
Scan rate
Not available
Input latency (claimed)
Not available
Key rollover per connection
ConnectionRollover
USB (wired)NKRO
Source1Maker product pagesteelseries.com/gaming-keyboards/apex-3Read 15 October 2026Specification: 'N-Key Roll Over: 24 Keys'. Wired connection only. Stored as nkro because the maker uses the N-key name.4Retailer pagemultitronic.fi/en/products/2437848/steelseries-apex-3-gaming-keyboard--whisper-quiet--blackRead 15 October 2026
Anti-ghosting
Yes1Maker product pagesteelseries.com/gaming-keyboards/apex-3Read 15 October 2026Specification: 'Anti-ghosting: Gaming Grade'.
Adjustable debounce
Not available
Minimum debounce
Not available

Measured

We could not find any of these 7 fields. Show them
Latency per connection (measured)
Not available
Actuation point (measured)
Not available
Total travel (measured)
Not available
Operating force (measured)
Not available
Typing noise (measured)
Not available
Battery life (measured)
Not available
Weight (measured)
Not available

Connectivity

Connections
USB (wired)1Maker product pagesteelseries.com/gaming-keyboards/apex-3Read 15 October 2026Product data field connectivity is 'Wired'.
Wireless technology
Not available
Bluetooth
Not available
Bluetooth device slots
Not available
Devices it can switch between
Not available
Device switching
Not available
Receiver connector
None2Owner's manualdownloads.steelseriescdn.com/guides/KB_apex_3_pig_web.pdfRead 15 October 2026Wired USB plug only. Package contents list the keyboard and the wrist rest, with no receiver.
Receiver storage in keyboard
Not available
Receiver shared with other devices
Not available
Wireless range
Not available
Detachable cable
No4Retailer pagemultitronic.fi/en/products/2437848/steelseries-apex-3-gaming-keyboard--whisper-quiet--blackRead 15 October 20266Reviewgamerevolution.comRead 15 October 2026Review: no detachable cable. The cable routes left, middle or right under the board.
Port on keyboard
None6Reviewgamerevolution.comRead 15 October 2026Attached cable, so the keyboard has no port.
Cable plug
USB-A4Retailer pagemultitronic.fi/en/products/2437848/steelseries-apex-3-gaming-keyboard--whisper-quiet--blackRead 15 October 2026Retailer specification: 'Device interface USB Type-A'.
Cable
Not available
Cable length
Not available
USB passthrough
No5Reviewtechradar.com/reviews/steelseries-apex-3Read 15 October 2026Review cons list: no USB passthrough.
Works with
Windows, macOS, ChromeOS1Maker product pagesteelseries.com/gaming-keyboards/apex-3Read 15 October 2026Specification: 'Windows, Mac OS X, Chromebook (ChromeOS), Xbox, and PlayStation. USB port required'.2Owner's manualdownloads.steelseriescdn.com/guides/KB_apex_3_pig_web.pdfRead 15 October 2026Platform compatibility: PC, Mac, Xbox One, PS4. Maker page adds ChromeOS.
Consoles
PlayStation, Xbox1Maker product pagesteelseries.com/gaming-keyboards/apex-3Read 15 October 2026Same specification line: Xbox and PlayStation.2Owner's manualdownloads.steelseriescdn.com/guides/KB_apex_3_pig_web.pdfRead 15 October 2026Platform compatibility: Xbox One and PS4.

Battery

We could not find any of these 16 fields. Show them
Battery type
Not available
Number of batteries
Not available
Battery capacity
Not available
User-replaceable battery
Not available
Battery life per mode (claimed)
Not available
Longest battery life (claimed)
Not available
Battery life, lighting off
Not available
Battery life, lighting on
Not available
Battery life, backlight on (claimed)
Not available
Battery life, backlight off (claimed)
Not available
Charging port
Not available
Full charge time
Not available
Quick charge
Not available
Use while charging
Not available
Solar charging
Not available
Battery indicator
Not available

Build

Case material
High Quality Polymer Frame1Maker product pagesteelseries.com/gaming-keyboards/apex-3Read 15 October 2026Specification: 'Top Material: High Quality Polymer Frame'.
Plate material
Not available
Mount style
Not available
Flex cuts in PCB
Not available
Sound dampening
Not available
Typing angles
Not available
Spill resistant
Yes1Maker product pagesteelseries.com/gaming-keyboards/apex-3Read 15 October 2026Maker page: rated water and dust resistant. The 2020 press release says IP32 water resistant to prevent damage from accidental spills.3Press releasesteelseries.com/press/67-steelseries-launches-rival-3-gaming-mouse-apex-3-and-apex-5-gaming-keyboardsRead 15 October 2026'IP32 water resistant to prevent damage from accidental spills.'
IP rating
IP321Maker product pagesteelseries.com/gaming-keyboards/apex-3Read 15 October 2026IP32 stated on the maker page and in the press release.

Lighting

Backlight
RGB zones1Maker product pagesteelseries.com/gaming-keyboards/apex-3Read 15 October 2026Specification: '10-Zone RGB Illumination'.
LED position
Not available
Lighting zones
101Maker product pagesteelseries.com/gaming-keyboards/apex-3Read 15 October 2026Specification: '10-Zone RGB Illumination'.
Brightness levels
Not available
Side or underglow lighting
Not available
Lighting sensors
Not available
Lighting sync
SteelSeries Prism14Maker product pagesupport.steelseries.com/hc/en-us/articles/4995636454285-Apex-3-RGB-configurationRead 21 October 2026Maker support article: in GG open the Engine tab, then PRISM, then choose Apex 3 to set zone colours, effects and brightness.

Controls

Media keys
Dedicated1Maker product pagesteelseries.com/gaming-keyboards/apex-3Read 15 October 2026Page copy: a clickable metal roller and media keys for rewind, skip and pause.2Owner's manualdownloads.steelseriescdn.com/guides/KB_apex_3_pig_web.pdfRead 15 October 2026Overview items 01 and 02: volume roller and multimedia button.
Separate media buttons
11Maker product pagesteelseries.com/gaming-keyboards/apex-3Read 15 October 2026One Multimedia Button per the product information guide. The roller is counted as volume control.2Owner's manualdownloads.steelseriescdn.com/guides/KB_apex_3_pig_web.pdfRead 15 October 2026Overview item 02: Multimedia Button. Play and pause with one press, skip with two, previous with three.
Volume control
Roller1Maker product pagesteelseries.com/gaming-keyboards/apex-3Read 15 October 2026Clickable metal roller.2Owner's manualdownloads.steelseriescdn.com/guides/KB_apex_3_pig_web.pdfRead 15 October 2026Overview item 01: Multimedia Volume Roller. Scroll for volume, press to mute.
Knobs
02Owner's manualdownloads.steelseriescdn.com/guides/KB_apex_3_pig_web.pdfRead 15 October 2026Overview item 01 is the multimedia volume roller. The overview lists no knob.
Programmable knob
Not available
Knob press
Not available
Separate macro keys
012Reviewrtings.com/keyboard/reviews/steelseries/apex-3Read 21 October 2026Verdict: any key can take a macro, but there are no dedicated macro keys.
Built-in screen
None12Reviewrtings.com/keyboard/reviews/steelseries/apex-3Read 21 October 2026Public Apex 5 comparison text: the Apex 5 has an OLED screen, a feature the Apex 3 lacks. GamesRadar also says there is no OLED display on the Apex 3.13Reviewgamesradar.com/steelseries-apex-3-reviewRead 21 October 2026Review of the full-size Apex 3: there is no tiny OLED display like the Apex 5 has.
Touchpad
No2Owner's manualdownloads.steelseriescdn.com/guides/KB_apex_3_pig_web.pdfRead 15 October 2026Product overview page lists eight controls: volume roller, multimedia button, SteelSeries function key, USB plug, profile switching key, macro recording key and two brightness keys. No touchpad.
Fingerprint reader
No2Owner's manualdownloads.steelseriescdn.com/guides/KB_apex_3_pig_web.pdfRead 15 October 2026Same overview of eight controls. No fingerprint reader.
OS mode switch
None2Owner's manualdownloads.steelseriescdn.com/guides/KB_apex_3_pig_web.pdfRead 15 October 2026Overview lists no OS switch. The only combination key is the SteelSeries function key.
Windows key lock
No7Reviewtomsguide.com/reviews/steelseries-apex-3Read 15 October 2026Review: the Apex 3 does not offer a game mode that disables the Windows key and similar commands.

Software

Software
SteelSeries Engine1Maker product pagesteelseries.com/gaming-keyboards/apex-3Read 15 October 2026Specification: 'SteelSeries Engine 3.15+ for Windows (7 or newer) and Mac OS X (10.11 or newer)'. The same page shows this line marked 'coming soon'.
Software runs on
Windows, macOS1Maker product pagesteelseries.com/gaming-keyboards/apex-3Read 15 October 2026Windows and Mac OS X per the same specification line.
Open firmware
Not available
Onboard memory
No12Reviewrtings.com/keyboard/reviews/steelseries/apex-3Read 21 October 2026Public Apex 5 comparison text: onboard memory is a feature the Apex 3 lacks.
Onboard profiles
Not available
Macros
Yes2Owner's manualdownloads.steelseriescdn.com/guides/KB_apex_3_pig_web.pdfRead 15 October 2026On-the-fly macro recording with the SteelSeries Function Key and the macro recording key. Needs SteelSeries Engine.7Reviewtomsguide.com/reviews/steelseries-apex-3Read 15 October 2026
Macros stored onboard
No2Owner's manualdownloads.steelseriescdn.com/guides/KB_apex_3_pig_web.pdfRead 15 October 2026SteelSeries Engine is required for on-the-fly macro recording. RTINGS says the Apex 3 has no onboard memory.12Reviewrtings.com/keyboard/reviews/steelseries/apex-3Read 21 October 2026Public comparison text says the Apex 3 has no onboard memory, so macros are not stored on the keyboard.
Key remapping
Yes7Reviewtomsguide.com/reviews/steelseries-apex-3Read 15 October 2026Review: SteelSeries Engine 3 can adjust lighting, program macros and remap almost every key.
Layers
Not available
User firmware updates
Yes7Reviewtomsguide.com/reviews/steelseries-apex-3Read 15 October 2026Review says the multimedia button did not respond even after updating the keyboard firmware, so a user firmware update exists.

Ergonomics

Wrist rest
Detachable1Maker product pagesteelseries.com/gaming-keyboards/apex-3Read 15 October 2026Premium magnetic wrist rest in the box.
Wrist rest material
Soft touch finish1Maker product pagesteelseries.com/gaming-keyboards/apex-3Read 15 October 2026Page copy: 'durable soft touch finish'.
Tenting
Not available
Tenting angles
Not available

Dimensions and weight

Front and side, drawn to scale.

Dimensions
Width444.7Depth151.62Height39.69mm(17.5 × 6 × 1.6 in)1Maker product pagesteelseries.com/gaming-keyboards/apex-3Read 15 October 2026Specification: Width 444.7 mm, Depth 151.62 mm, Height 39.69 mm. Feet state and wrist rest are not stated. The depth fits the keyboard alone, without the wrist rest.
Dimensions with wrist rest
Not available
Keyboard weight
816.4g(1.8 lb)4Retailer pagemultitronic.fi/en/products/2437848/steelseries-apex-3-gaming-keyboard--whisper-quiet--blackRead 15 October 2026Retailer specification: 'Keyboard weight 816.4 g'. The maker publishes 1.8 lbs. The two agree. The maker does not say if the wrist rest is included.
Weight including wrist rest
Not available
Box dimensions
Not available
Box weight
Not available

Certifications

Platform certifications
Not available
Other certifications
FCC Part 15 Class B, ICES-003 Class B, EU Declaration of Conformity, UK Declaration of Conformity, KC R-R-SS4-KB-00014, VCCI Class B, Customs Union compliance, ACMA compliance2Owner's manualdownloads.steelseriescdn.com/guides/KB_apex_3_pig_web.pdfRead 15 October 2026Regulatory pages: EU and UK declarations of conformity, FCC Part 15 Class B, Canadian ICES-003 Class B, Korea KC certificate R-R-SS4-KB-00014, VCCI Class B for Japan, Custom Union and ACMA compliance marks. Regulatory model KB-00014, rated 5 V and 400 mA.

In the box

In the box
Apex 3 Gaming Keyboard, Magnetic Wrist Rest, Product Information Guide1Maker product pagesteelseries.com/gaming-keyboards/apex-3Read 15 October 2026
Cables included
Not available
Spare switches
Not available

Warranty

Manufacturer warranty (source market)
1year1Maker product pagesteelseries.com/gaming-keyboards/apex-3Read 15 October 2026Product data: SteelSeries Limited Warranty, 12 months. US store.

Compare with

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Variants

Each variant lists only what differs from the specs above.

Model numberGTINLayout standardRegional layoutsKeys in regional layout
647955707119038805ANSIUS English104
647965707119038829Not availableBrazilianNot available
648065707119039024Not availableSpanishNot available
648035707119038966ISONordic105

Sources

We read 14 sources for this keyboard. The numbers match the markers in the sheet.

  1. Read 15 October 2026Backs 40 fields
  2. Read 15 October 2026Backs 14 fields
  3. Read 15 October 2026Backs 4 fields
  4. Read 15 October 2026Backs 10 fields
  5. Read 15 October 2026Backs 3 fields
  6. Read 15 October 2026Backs 3 fields
  7. Read 15 October 2026Backs 4 fields
  8. Read 15 October 2026Backs 1 field
  9. Read 15 October 2026Backs 1 field
  10. Read 15 October 2026Backs 2 fields
  11. Read 15 October 2026Backs 2 fields
  12. Read 21 October 2026Backs 5 fields
  13. Read 21 October 2026Backs 1 field
  14. Read 21 October 2026Backs 1 field

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