SteelSeries Apex 150 Gaming Keyboard Review. Everything You Need To Know Update 12/2024

There are several high-end gaming accessories from SteelSeries, including mouse and headphones. We’re here to talk about their keyboards.

In the Apex line, SteelSeries keyboards range in price from $30 to $150. The Apex 150 is the second-most cheap model in the Apex range, so we’ll focus on that one.

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For several years now, the gaming industry has seen a resurgence in the use of mechanical keyboards. This is a trend not everyone will enjoy, therefore SteelSeries has created the Apex 150 gaming desk with membrane switches for those who want to play in silence.

Specifications

Look and Design

The matte black deck of the Apex 150 is offset by glossy embellishments on its plastic body. The Apex 150 weighs in at a hefty 2.35 pounds, despite its plastic construction.

Also, the body has a concave effect because to its angular design.

The Apex 150 costs $50, but it doesn’t come with any extras like media controls or macro buttons, or even a wrist rest.

SteelSeries’ Quick Tension Membrane switches, designed to mimic mechanical switches and rated for 20 million clicks, are used in the Apex 150.

Using a metal foundation and an unique membrane sheet and individual inlays for each key, SteelSeries has come up with an innovative design. Over typical membrane or rubber dome keyboards, this is designed to reduce friction and increase key actuation

Ingress Protection standards like IP32, which some water and splash-resistant keyboards offer, are not met by the keys.

Features and Software

While the Apex 150 does have SteelSeries’ Quick Tension membrane switches, the RGB lighting is what really sets it apart from the competition. SteelSeries Engine 3, the proprietary software that powers all of the company’s peripherals, may be used to customize the RGB backlighting’s five zones.

It appears that SteelSeries spent a lot of time and resources building peripheral software, which cannot be stated about other programs, making SteelSeries Engine one of the finest programs.

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If you’re looking for an easy-to-use UI, SteelSeries Engine might be your best bet. In addition to the Discord connection and the Audio Visualizer, you’ll discover illumination settings for the Apex 150 here.

Discord notifications and in-game events can be linked to distinctive color effects on the Apex 150 thanks to the integration of Discord and GameSense.

Although this function was first included in the more expensive SteelSeries Apex M750, it has since spread to lower-tier models as well. As a bonus, there are 24 anti-ghosting keys, or rollovers, as they are more commonly known.

The Apex 150 does not have a wrist rest as previously stated. However, because of its angular shape, it may be difficult to attach a wrist rest to it. As a cost-cutting measure, SteelSeries decided to omit USB passthrough from its Apex 150 gaming headset.

Gaming and Typing

The Apex 150’s keys don’t have a mushy feel, yet they are responsive and agile.

For those who dislike the noisy clacking of a Cherry MX Red bottoming out, these keys provide a surprise tactile feel while remaining silent.

Steel Engine makes it simple to set up macros, but the lack of specific macro keys may be a deal breaker for MMO and MOBA players.

Design and Features

The Apex 150 is a big, robust keyboard, despite its plastic exterior. The board’s weight and high-quality finish are immediately obvious. SteelSeries has used glossy plastic accents around the border to break up the matte black deck. The end result is subtle, but the Apex 150 is a gorgeous keyboard that looks far more expensive than its “budget” price tag would imply.

Even the keycaps have an angular, blocky appearance that carries over into the rest of the design. While the keys are bit small in size, the slightly tapered and concave surface of the keycaps feels excellent while typing.

It has “splash resistance,” which is a feature offered by most (if not all) membrane keyboards. While this isn’t as unique as it previously was, it’s still a great addition if you’re playing an RPG while drinking a Big Gulp next to the keyboard.

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Membrane switches designed to simulate mechanical switches have been installed by SteelSeries. To achieve a faster response from the keyboard, it is recommended to press the key down halfway, according to SteelSeries. I was surprised by how responsive they were with my fingertips and how sensitive they felt. Compared to the Corsair K55, for example, the keyboard doesn’t provide quite as much pleasant feedback, but when typing, each press lands with a satisfying bounce. You won’t have to worry about waking up your roommate with loud clicks when you’re writing or playing a game.

RGB lighting is usual for keyboards in this price range, and the Apex 150 offers five zones. However, even at its brightest setting, I wished the illumination were a little more vibrant. The SteelSeries Engine software has a variety of color-changing presets that can be applied to each zone. Toggling effects and brightness can be done with the function keys, but changing the colors themselves cannot be done this way. That must be done in software. But as I’ll discuss later, the software is actually pretty great and makes up the difference.

Gaming

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For a keyboard in this price range, the Apex 150 features five zones of RGB lighting. Lights in this room are vibrant yet a little too dim, even at their highest level. As well as several color-changing presets, SteelSeries Engine software allows users to customize each zone’s hue. You can alter effects and brightness with the function keys, but you can’t change the colors themselves because that must be done in software. However, as I’ll explain later, the software makes up for the lack of hardware.

For MOBA and MMO gamers, macros are a must-have feature on the Apex 150. Once set up, macros are simple to utilize. My personal preference would be for dedicated keys like those on the Corsair K55, however the sheer number of assignable macros that can be created by simply pressing any key on the keyboard can be very appealing. For example, instead of having dedicated keys, assigning nine macros to the numpad is a reasonable compromise.

Verdict

For the money, the SteelSeries Apex 150 is an excellent keyboard. Even if a few major features are sacrificed in order to keep the price cheap, it’s still worth a look.

FAQS:

Is SteelSeries Apex 150 good?

a score of 5.0 out of 5 Good hardware and software go hand in hand.

Is the SteelSeries Apex 150 mechanical?

The matte black deck of the Apex 150 is offset by glossy embellishments on its plastic body. … Speaking of keys, the SteelSeries Quick Tension Membrane switches used in the Apex 150 are rated for 20 million clicks and are designed to mimic mechanical switches.

Is Apex 150 waterproof?

SteelSeries has assured that the Apex 150 can resist being immersed without drowning thanks to a membrane layer protecting the electronic internals and drainage cavities on either side of the keyboard.

Conclusion:

SteelSeries’ Apex 100 and Corsair’s K55 are the closest competitors for the Apex 150, which is presently priced around $50. The former is essentially the same keyboard, but the latter from Corsair is an excellent choice.

The Apex 150 appears to be a specialized product in its own right. You can get into the SteelSeries ecosystem for a fraction of the price of an Apex M750 by purchasing this headset.

Cost-cutting options like as the lack of separate media and macro buttons, USB pass-through or wrist rest are all appropriate.

In terms of gaming keyboards, there is a market for silent gaming with membrane switches as well.

In terms of overall value, the Apex 150 can be recommended, but that does not mean that it can be recommended as a best buy. Corsair’s K55, which costs the same as the Apex 150, is the clear winner in this category.

The Apex 150, on the other hand, isn’t exactly a bad deal. The Apex 150 is a good choice for budget-conscious gamers or SteelSeries fans who want to keep their setup in sync with their keyboard.

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