SteelSeries Apex 9 TKL

SteelSeries · TKL · standard height

SteelSeries Apex 9 TKL mechanical keyboard
Image courtesy of SteelSeries

The SteelSeries Apex 9 TKL is an 87-key wired tenkeyless gaming keyboard with hot-swappable OptiPoint optical switches offering dual actuation points at 1mm and 1.5mm, double-shot PBT keycaps, and an aluminum alloy top plate with adjustable tilt legs.

Best for: gaming, enthusiast.

SteelSeries Apex 9 TKL specs

Layout TKL
Height Standard
Connectivity Wired
Hot-swap Yes
Stock switches SteelSeries OptiPoint Linear, OptiPoint Tactile, OptiPoint Clicky
Keycaps PBT double-shot
Case aluminum alloy top plate
Mount n/a
Backlight RGB
QMK / VIA No
Battery n/a
Typical price $140
Sound (stock) Crisp, consistent linear sound from the OptiPoint optical switches with light PBT keycap clack; no factory lube needed since actuation is optical.
Released 2022

Fields marked n/a are unpublished by the maker; we list only verifiable numbers rather than guesses.

Unverified: specs compiled from manufacturer listings

Stock switches in the database

The SteelSeries Apex 9 TKL is offered with these switches. Open a switch page for force, travel, materials, and similar alternatives.

SteelSeries OptiPoint Linear linear · 35g actuation The SteelSeries OptiPoint Linear is a hot-swappable optical switch shipped stock in the Apex 9 lineup, with dual actuation points at 1mm and 1.5mm and roughly 3.2mm of total travel; SteelSeries also sells Tactile and Clicky OptiPoint variants separately.

Where to buy

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Alternatives to the SteelSeries Apex 9 TKL

Corsair K70 Core TKL TKL · $100 The Corsair K70 Core TKL is an 87-key wired tenkeyless gaming keyboard with pre-lubricated Corsair MLX Red v2 linear switches, two layers of sound-dampening foam, and a multi-function rotary dial, though switches are soldered rather than hot-swappable.
Keychron Q3 TKL · $90 The Keychron Q3 is a wired tenkeyless full-aluminum double-gasket QMK/VIA custom keyboard, fully hot-swappable with screw-in stabilizers and an optional knob.
MonsGeek M3 V5 HE TKL · $125 An 80% TKL Hall Effect magnetic switch keyboard with an 8000Hz polling rate, 32K scanning rate, rapid disassembly aluminum case, and PORON plate foam for noise dampening.

Not sure this is the one?

Answer five questions in KeebScout and it narrows every mechanical board we track to ones that match your use case, size, and budget. Since the SteelSeries Apex 9 TKL is hot-swap, you can also pick your feel from the switch database and change it any time.

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