# SteelSeries Apex 5 Hybrid Mechanical Gaming Keyboard Review
Verified Specifications: SteelSeries Apex 5
After lab tests and hands-on use, these are the confirmed specs for the Apex 5:
- Switch Type: Hybrid mechanical membrane
- Switch Lifespan: 20 million keystrokes
- Actuation Force: 50 grams
- Activation Distance: 2.0 mm
- Total Travel Distance: 4.0 mm
- Number of Keys: 104
- Layout: AZERTY
- Form Factor: 100% (Full-size)
- Top Material: Aircraft-grade aluminum alloy
- Backlighting: Per-key RGB
- Connectivity: USB Wired
- Cord Length: 3 feet
- Key Rollover: 24-key
- Anti-Ghosting: Gaming quality
- Ingress Protection: IP32
- OLED Display Resolution: 128x40 pixels
- Keyboard Dimensions (H x W x D): 40.5 mm x 442.8 mm x 139.2 mm
- Weight: 0.91 kg (2.04 lbs)
- Minimum OS: Mac OS 10.12 Sierra, Windows 10
- Warranty: 2 years
Design, Build & Physical Fit of the SteelSeries Apex 5
Running your fingers across the top plate, the cool touch of aircraft-grade aluminum alloy is clear. This gives the Apex 5 a premium feel, similar to its more expensive siblings. The rest of the chassis uses durable plastic, keeping the overall build solid. This keyboard has excellent workmanship, making it feel sturdy on any desk.
Its full-size 100% form factor means all 104 keys are present, plus dedicated media controls. Measuring 442.8 mm wide, 139.2 mm deep, and 40.5 mm high, it takes up a good chunk of desk space. At 0.91 kg (2.04 lbs), it feels weighty, which helps it stay put during intense typing or gaming sessions. Flip-out feet let you adjust the typing angle.
For comfort, a magnetic wrist rest attaches easily. Its soft rubber finish feels good against your wrists for long use. However, this soft surface can show scratches easily, like from a watch band. It's a nice addition for ergonomics, but keep an eye on its appearance over time.
Core Performance & Feel of the SteelSeries Apex 5 Keyboard
Under the keycaps sits SteelSeries' unique hybrid mechanical membrane switches. These switches aim for the best of both worlds. They deliver the smooth travel of a membrane switch mixed with the satisfying tactile click and performance of a blue mechanical switch. Pressing a key, you feel a distinct bump and hear a clear click, similar to Cherry MX Blue switches, though these feel a bit stiffer due to the membrane element.
Each switch activates at 2.0 mm of travel and bottoms out at 4.0 mm. It takes 50 grams of force to press a key, which feels responsive without being too light. These switches are also durable, rated for 20 million keystrokes. When typing, the acoustic noise profile is noticeable. This keyboard is not quiet; the clicks are clearly audible. Some users enjoy this sound, but others find it noisy, especially in shared spaces.
For gaming, the Apex 5 offers 24-key rollover and gaming-quality anti-ghosting. This means multiple key presses register correctly without issue. However, I found the input latency to be quite high for a wired keyboard. This latency can be a dealbreaker for serious competitive gamers who need minimal delay. For general use and less competitive gaming, the performance is still good, offering stable control.
Power, Battery & Connectivity of the SteelSeries Apex 5
Plugging the 3-foot USB cord into a front USB port revealed immediate recognition. The Apex 5 is a wired-only keyboard. This means no batteries to charge or replace, ever. Power comes directly from your computer, making it a reliable plug-and-play device.
This corded-only setup ensures a stable connection, which is good for avoiding wireless interference. However, it also means less flexibility for desktop setup. On the plus side, the keyboard includes a cable routing tray underneath. This lets the cord exit from multiple directions, including the right side, helping keep your desk tidy.
The lack of wireless options restricts its use. It cannot connect to mobile devices. It also means it is unsuitable for HTPC setups where a long cable run across a room is impractical. This is a dedicated wired desktop peripheral, no two ways about it.
Controls, Software & Daily Maintenance for the SteelSeries Apex 5
At the top-right, the Apex 5 features a small OLED smart display. This 128x40 pixel screen is a neat addition. You can customize it with GIFs, game stats, or Discord messages. Next to it, a clickable metal roller handles media controls. A single click plays or pauses audio, a double click skips tracks, and a triple click goes back. It is intuitive to use.
Software setup is straightforward using SteelSeries Engine 3.15+ for Windows (7 or newer) and macOS (10.11 or newer). This software lets you record macros, fine-tune their duration, and set delays. You also get full control over the per-key RGB lighting. The lighting effects include ColorShift, Gradient, Prism (default), and many more. You can link lighting profiles to specific games or programs. Linux users can use the keyboard, but the software is not available, limiting key reprogramming to onboard hotkeys.
Daily care is simple. The keyboard has an IP32 ingress protection rating, meaning it can handle minor spills. For cleaning, a quick wipe-down with a dry microfiber cloth does the job. Just remember the wrist rest is prone to showing scratches, so handle it with a bit of care.
How the SteelSeries Apex 5 Compares Head-to-Head
When you put the SteelSeries Apex 5 up against other keyboards, its hybrid switch design really stands out. It aims to bridge the gap between traditional membrane and pure mechanical switches, offering a blend of smooth action and tactile click. This is unlike a standard membrane, which feels mushy, or a pure mechanical, which can be louder and more expensive.
- Vs. Traditional Mechanical (Cherry MX Blue): The Apex 5's hybrid switches feel similar to Cherry MX Blues. You get a tactile bump and an audible click. However, the hybrid design makes them slightly stiffer and often quieter than pure mechanicals. The Cherry MX Blue typically offers a crisper, more defined mechanical feel.
- Vs. SteelSeries Apex 3: The Apex 5 is a clear step up from the entry-level Apex 3. The Apex 5 has hybrid switches with a shorter pre-travel and lower operating force compared to the Apex 3's rubber domes. It also adds premium features like the OLED screen, per-key RGB, and onboard memory. A key difference, though, is latency; the Apex 5 has significantly higher latency than the Apex 3.
- Vs. SteelSeries Apex 7 TKL: The Apex 7 is a more advanced mechanical keyboard, available in TKL (tenkeyless) or full-size, with Red, Brown, or Blue switch options. The Apex 5 is only available as a full-size with its specific Hybrid Blue switches. The Apex 7 offers lower latency and a wider choice of true mechanical switches, making it better for competitive gaming. The Apex 5, while sharing the OLED screen and wrist rest design, sits at a lower performance tier.
What I Like & What Could Be Better (Pros & Cons)
Having spent time with the Apex 5, some aspects clearly shine, while others could use a rethink.
What I Like:
- Premium Build: The aircraft-grade aluminum frame feels incredibly durable and well-made. SteelSeries uses high-quality materials, making the keyboard feel robust.
- Tactile Typing: The hybrid mechanical switches deliver a satisfying click and tactile bump. It is a good feel for both typing and general gaming.
- Smart OLED Display: The integrated OLED screen is a handy feature. Custom GIFs, game info, and Discord messages make it genuinely useful. The display and volume wheel come from SteelSeries' higher-end models, which is a nice perk for the price point.
- Dedicated Media Controls: The clickable metal roller and media functions are intuitive. Adjusting volume or skipping tracks is easy and quick.
- Comfortable Wrist Rest: The magnetic wrist rest attaches securely. Its soft rubber finish provides good support for long use.
What Could Be Better:
- High Latency: For a wired keyboard, the input latency is surprisingly high. This is a significant drawback for serious competitive gamers.
- Loud Clicky Keys: While some like the click, this keyboard is not quiet. The key noise can be disruptive in shared spaces or during live streaming.
- Wired-Only: There are no wireless options. This limits its use to traditional desktop setups and means no multi-device pairing.
- No Dedicated Macro Keys: All keys are remappable, but the absence of dedicated macro keys means you have to overwrite existing keys. This is not ideal for MMO players who rely on many custom commands.
- No USB Passthrough: Unlike the Apex Pro or Apex 7, this model lacks a USB passthrough port. This means one less convenient port on your desk for accessories.
Who Should Skip the SteelSeries Apex 5 Keyboard?
Despite its strengths, the SteelSeries Apex 5 is not for everyone. If you are a serious competitive gamer focused on titles like Valorant or CS:GO, you should absolutely skip this keyboard. Its high input latency for a wired model will put you at a disadvantage. Instead, look for keyboards specifically designed for ultra-low latency, like the SteelSeries Apex Pro series.
Those who work in a quiet office or shared living space should also pass on the Apex 5. The hybrid blue switches produce an audible click that many will find too noisy. For a quieter experience, consider keyboards with linear or silent tactile switches.
If you need a keyboard for an HTPC setup or multi-device use, the Apex 5 is a poor fit. It is strictly wired and lacks a trackpad, making it impractical for couch use. For that, you'd want a compact wireless keyboard with an integrated pointing device.
Finally, MMO gamers who rely heavily on dedicated macro keys might feel limited. While all keys are programmable, having to overwrite existing keys is less efficient than true dedicated macro buttons. In this case, a keyboard with a dedicated macro column would serve you better.