SteelSeries Apex 9 Review 2024

Discover the SteelSeries Apex 9, a premium mechanical keyboard with fast QS1 switches, customizable RGB lighting, and a sleek design tailored for gamers and professionals alike.

SteelSeries Apex 9

About The Keyboard

The SteelSeries Apex 9 is designed for gamers who demand the highest level of performance and customization. Featuring SteelSeries' proprietary QS1 mechanical switches, it provides an impressive actuation point of just 1.5 mm, making it an ideal choice for fast-paced gaming sessions. The quiet linear switches ensure a smooth typing experience without the clicky sounds often associated with mechanical keyboards, making it suitable for both work and play.

type

Wired

compactness

Full-sized

switches

SteelSeries QS1

keycap material

PBT

switch lifespan

80 million actuations

polling rate

1000 Hz

actuation point

1.5 mm

response time

1 ms

Performance & Build

Mechanical Switches
Anti-Ghosting
Media Keys
Programmable Keys
Customizable Macros
Custom Key Mapping
Profile Switching
Onboard Memory
Bluetooth
Rechargeable Battery
Detachable Cable
Usb Passthrough
Backlight
RGB Lighting
Per-Key Lighting
Layer Indicator Lights
OLED Display
Height Adjustment Feet
Wrist Rest
Swappable Keycaps
Volume Wheel
Water Resistant
Numpad

Additional Features

Beyond its impressive performance, the Apex 9 also shines in terms of build quality. With a sleek aluminum top plate and customizable RGB lighting, users can create a unique gaming setup that matches their style. The full-sized layout includes a numpad, which is beneficial for those who also use the keyboard for productivity tasks. The inclusion of features such as detachable cable and programmable keys further enhances its versatility, making it a top contender in the mechanical keyboard market.

Target Users

Gaming/General Use

Fast actuation for gamingRGB for customizationLow profile for comfortMinimalistic designDurable keycapsCustomizable macrosAnti-ghosting for accuracyDetachable cable for easy transport

Build Quality

  • Frame Material: Plastic/Metal
  • Durability: IP32
  • Material Details: Aluminum top plate

Lighting

  • RGB: Yes
  • Zones: 5
  • Modes: Solid, Breathing, Reactive
  • Sync Features:
    • Game Sync
    • SteelSeries Engine

Ergonomics

  • Noise Level: Linear
  • Wrist Support: None
  • Angles: Adjustable height

Tuomas Jokela

Keyboard Enthusiast & Developer