This is because they are meant to provide you with those tactile bumps and audible clicks for feedback as you trigger those keys while playing games. Whenever you read “Blue mechanical switches”, you know that they are loud. The SteelSeries Apex 5 is equipped with Hybrid Blue mechanical gaming switches.

Speaking of roommates, they will hate you for this. I can also press that roller to mute sound instantly – perfect for those moments when someone calls you for dinner, or your roommate is trying to talk to you. The volume roller is a bit stiff but probably for a good reason because you can feel each rolling step for adjusting volume controls on Windows, for example – which I really like.

They still look amazing though on the desk. We should thank SteelSeries for not cutting corners in the area of craftsmanship.Īpex 5 also has per-key RGB backlighting, though I feel that the lights are not as bright as the Apex Pro. It has a detachable, magnetic wrist rest, as premium as the Apex Pro.īuilt with Aircraft aluminum alloy chassis, the keyboard is durable and sturdy. The keyboard has a compact design, but can still incorporate many important elements like the numpad, an OLED screen, and even my favourite volume roller. The Apex 5 has a similar look and feel to the Apex Pro and Apex 7. While there’s no doubt that the Apex Pro OmniPoint switches are much better compared to the Apex 5’s hybrid switches, you still get a solid gaming keyboard from SteelSeries. SteelSeries Apex 5 retails at A$219, so you can save the extra dollars to upgrade your mouse to the A$69 SteelSeries Rival 3 (which I just finished reviewing and in awe of its sensor performance) and still have spare money left in your pocket. However, if you’ve been longing to have a SteelSeries gaming keyboard to complete your collection without paying that much, then this is the right time to. However, Apex Pro does have a high price point at around A$349, so not many SteelSeries fans can probably afford it. I also loved typing on those switches for coding and other desktop work. I’m in love with the “OmniPoint” switches the moment I put my fingers on them, and love how responsive and customisable they are. SteelSeries Apex 5 Review – I’ve been using the SteelSeries Apex Pro as my main keyboard since early January this year.

Steel series apex 5