Steelseries Apex 3 TKL keyboard review

Steelseries Apex 3 TKL overview and features

Like Logitech, Corsair or Roccat, Steelseries offers a wide range of “gaming” keyboards at different prices. The top of the range is the Apex Pro, a model for $229, while the Apex 5 tested last year is positioned in the middle with its entry price of $129. But if you’re really on a budget and tight on your desk, the brand offers the Apex 3 TKL, a keyboard without a numeric keypad (TKL is short for “Ten Key Less”) that looks very basic, and for $54.99 $ is offered. It is currently the cheapest model from Steelseries.

Buy the Steelseries Apex 3 TKL on Amazon

Design, construction: simplicity and efficiency, with some good ideas

When you take the Apex 3 TKL out of the box, the first thing you notice is its lightness. The keyboard weighs only 639 grams and feels like a feather in your hand. It doesn’t look cheaply built and leaves a solid impression. The polymer plastic that completely encases the chassis is therefore of high quality and doesn’t sound hollow. It also benefits from effective anti-fingerprint matting, but dust tends to accumulate quickly. Note that this model has an IP32 certification, which makes it splash-proof. You won’t regret leaving a full glass next to you.

The Apex 3 TKL weighs only 639 g

The general design of the keyboard is very sober, even simple. The Apex 3 TKL gets straight to the point and doesn’t dwell on frills. However, it is effective and, above all, offers good ergonomics. We regret that it’s not possible to add a palm rest (even as an option), but we appreciate the retractable feet that allow the whole thing to be raised on a level. Typing is then very comfortable, with wrists resting securely on the table but keys high enough to be accessible.

On the plug side, a simple straight plastic cable is connected to the PC via USB. This measures 1.8 m and is not removable. Under the keyboard, we really appreciate the three cable passages that allow coming out on the left, right or center. A silly idea, but aesthetically very clever.

Although the Apex 3 TKL is a compact keyboard for 55 dollars, it still offers multimedia keys. A small dial in the top right corner adjusts the volume and mutes the sound when pressed. However, it doesn’t come out of the chassis enough and it often happens that you accidentally press it when you want to change the volume. Just below, a square button lets you pause a piece of music or a video by default. Double tapping also allows you to skip to the next track, while triple tapping skips to the previous track. The button lacks some accessibility, being a little too close to the M3/PG UP button.

In terms of backlighting, the Apex 3 TKL benefits from RGB in 8 zones, which can be fine-tuned via the Steelseries GG application (see below). The colors are well emphasized and do not run into each other.

Ease of use: a quiet but disconcerting keystroke

First, a key clarification: the Steelseries Apex 3 TKL is not a mechanical keyboard. It uses a membrane design and therefore offers very different typing feels…which can be very confusing if you’re used to mechanical switches. But there is one major advantage: silence.

This membrane keyboard therefore has no activation click and typing is therefore much quieter. The result is unfailing discretion for a keyboard with a gamer stamp. We’re not on the level of a “chiclet” type keyboard (found on laptops or MacBooks), but the difference with, for example, a Corsair K100 or a Logitech G915 (although this is thanks to the low profile key) is edifying.

The counterpart, however, is a certain callousness when typing. The feedback is less present and a soft impression dominates, at least in the first hours of use. That’s the price to pay for membrane keyboards: the silence is there, but typing is less easy and can seem less precise. Whether for gaming or work, the experience can therefore be confusing at first.

But after a few hours of use and getting used to it, typing becomes quite comfortable and you can write and play without tiring. One thing to note is that the keycaps (the detachable keys) are made of ABS plastic and have a matte and soft coating. The feeling under the fingers is very pleasant, which clearly improves the writing comfort.

Full Steelseries software but with a messy user interface

Before we wrap up, a few words about the Steelseries GG software, which centralizes all your branded products for better interaction. Nothing new on this point as most of the props offer the same (Synapse at Razer, G Hub at Logitech…). For the keyboard, GG allows you to configure the backlight quite finely (by zones and not by keys, remember) and create macros. The options are classic and the set is complete, but you must be prepared to enjoy yourself in front of a somewhat chaotic interface.

Buy the Steelseries Apex 3 TKL on Amazon

Conclusion