SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Gen 3 LTD Review: Dual Threat Keyboard

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There are a few things I look for in particular on a keyboard, and it's immediately obvious that the SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Gen 3 LTD gaming keyboard has them all — mechanical keys, customizable RGB backlighting, and a volume scroll wheel. That basically checks off the essentials for me in a keyboard. However, that only scratches the surface of what the Apex Pro TKL Gen 3 LTD has going for it, and there's a lot more going on under the hood than the admittedly very attractive exterior reveals.

The big deal here is SteelSeries' use of OmniPoint 3.0 technology, which utilizes Hall Effect switches that allow for a level of customization and functionality that is pretty impressive. It offers a great degree of possibilities, particularly for enthusiasts and competitive gamers. On paper, this is a pretty compelling TKL (TenKeyLess) gaming keyboard, but it all depends on how this works out in the real world, and how much that cutting-edge tech will cost you.

From the perspective of durability and overall quality, these keyboards are certainly robust, with a premium look and feel. You get per-key lubrication, a high degree of dampening to reduce noise, and a really solid aluminum frame. The double shot PBT keycaps should also prove their durability over time, and you shouldn't have to worry about the lettering wearing off. One of my few complaints here is that the translucent keys can be a little hard to read with the backlighting, so you may want to swap them out for an alternative style of keycap. Conveniently, a tool for this comes with the keyboard, located in a component on the underside of the board.

Andy Zahn/BGR

Andy Zahn/BGR

Andy Zahn/BGR

The LTD (limited edition) version of the Apex Pro TKL Gen 3 comes in two different variants — Cyber and Steel — but they're nearly identical save for one key difference. The Cyber version has faster and lighter "speed" switches, while the Steel version has heavier "control" keys that require a more deliberate press. Personally, I found that I loved the feel of both after using them alternately.

Andy Zahn/BGR

Andy Zahn/BGR

Other features I really appreciated are, of course, the volume wheel, as well as the integrated OLED display. The magnetic palm wrest is also really nice, and I like that the keyboard includes a high quality and quite long USB cable to connect to your PC. As with many modern keyboards, the Apex Pro TKL Gen 3 LTD features extending feet to provide a more comfortable angle for typing.

First of all, the OmniPoint 3.0 Hall Effect switches and keycaps on the Apex Pro TKL Gen 3 LTD feel great. I'd go so far as to say this is among the very best feeling keyboards I've used. Typing this review on the "Speed" version, I did in fact find these particular switches made for especially fast typing. I really enjoyed using the "Control" version for gaming. For a mechanical keyboard, sound dampening is pretty good.

Andy Zahn/BGR

What makes this line of SteelSeries keyboards special, though, is the extreme level of customization possible via those OmniPoint 3.0 switches. These allow you to adjust the actuation from as low as 0.1mm all the way up to 4.0mm, as well as the ability to set double-actuation so that individual keys can perform multiple functions depending on how hard they're pressed.

Considered along with fully customizable RGB backlighting and the built-in OLED panel, there's a lot for enthusiast gamers to dig into here to personalize their gaming experience. The OLED panel can be used to change settings (combined with the adjacent scroll wheel), and to show custom text, images, or even moving GIF videos.

Andy Zahn/BGR

You also have access to some other really cool features. Rapid Trigger allows you to press the same key again without needing to wait for it to fully return. Protection Mode prevents accidental keystrokes, while Rapid Tap can help to improve aim and speed up input in high intensity games. For the average casual gamer, it's a lot to take in, so it's fortunate that SteelSeries GG companion software has a QuickSet feature which applies optimal presets for various games.

At its $239 MSRP, the SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Gen 3 LTD keyboard is definitely on the pricier end of the spectrum. Given the features and quality of the Apex Pro Gen 3 LTD, it's an understandable price point. It's also just $20 less than the MSRP of the full size Apex Pro Gen 3, and I should note that while writing this review, that full size keyboard was on sale for nearly the same cost as the TKL version, so it really comes down to whether you want a numeric keypad on your keyboard or if you prefer a more compact tenkeyless keyboard.

The problem comes when you start looking around at the wider market and realize you can get other great gaming keyboards for less. The Corsair Vanguard 96 Mechanical Gaming Keyboard ($179.99) is on sale for $139.99 as of this writing, and though I am impressed by the SteelSeries Apex Pro Gen 3, the penny-pincher in me would probably hesitate over the price difference. The Razer Huntsman Pro V3 TKL is also currently listed for close to $100 less than the Apex Pro Gen 3 LTD TKL, so this keyboard is definitely facing some competitively priced competition.

With that said, the OmniPoint 3.0 switches and their unique abilities are compelling selling points. They enable you to pull off tricks that just aren't capable with other keyboards, and it will be enough for some people to shrug off the cost of the Apex Pro Gen 3 LTD. The "Steel" and "Cyber" versions will only be available for a limited time, and cost $239. The standard black and white versions are on sale for $204 and $188 respectively (with the same $239 MSRP), with a wireless model also being available in black for $299.

My overall experience with the SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Gen 3 LTD gaming keyboard was phenomenal. From writing to surfing the web, editing photos and videos, and of course gaming, I found this to be one of the most comfortable keyboards I've ever used, and certainly among the most responsive. I'm no stranger to high end mechanical gaming keyboards, and I was surprised by the performance boost I saw with the Apex Pro immediately after hooking it up.

I played a lot of "Battlefield 6" while testing this keyboard, and while I can't say for sure that it was the influence of the Apex Pro, I did see a noticeable uptick in my REDSEC Solo kill counts, match placement, and victories in compared to when playing on the Corsair keyboard I've been using for the past few years. The Apex Pro TKL Gen 3 LTD really does live up to other excellent SteelSeries devices I've reviewed recently, such as the Aeon Pro controller and the Arctis Nova Elite headset.

Between the superb build quality, impressive performance, and wonderful tactile feel of the keyboard, those factors alone would be enough for the SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Gen 3 LTD gaming keyboard to win my recommendation. However, the OmniPoint 3.0 switches really put it over the top, particularly for enthusiasts who want to dive into the deep levels of customization they enable. While it is certainly more expensive than other perfectly good keyboards, I believe it more than justifies its price point. If you're looking for a top-of-the-line TKL keyboard, it's hard to beat the SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Gen 3 LTD.