SteelSeries Apex Pro Gen 3 vs SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini
The SteelSeries Apex Pro Gen 3 and the SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini are close alternatives. The main differences: the SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini is the cheaper of the two at $180 versus $260; the SteelSeries Apex Pro Gen 3 is a full layout and the SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini is a 60%; stock, the SteelSeries Apex Pro Gen 3 sounds dampened, muted for a gaming board and the SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini fairly clacky stock sound from the magnetic switches and aluminum top plate; some reviewers note hollow case resonance without added dampening..
- Lower priceSteelSeries Apex Pro Mini$180 versus $260
Choose the SteelSeries Apex Pro Gen 3 if
- its overall balance fits you: the steelseries apex pro gen 3 is the full-size version of the apex pro tkl gen 3, adding a numpad and a larger chassis for about $20 more; it runs the same omnipoint 3.0 adjustable hall-effect switches (0.1 to 4.0 mm, rapid trigger, rapid tap) and oled display, wired-only through steelseries gg rather than qmk.
Choose the SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini if
- you mainly want it for enthusiast.
- you want to spend less ($180).
SteelSeries Apex Pro Gen 3 vs SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini, spec by spec
| SteelSeries Apex Pro Gen 3 | SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini | |
|---|---|---|
| Layout | full | 60% |
| Height | Standard | Standard |
| Connectivity | Wired | Wired |
| Hot-swap | No | No |
| Keycaps | PBT double-shot | PBT double-shot |
| Case | plastic with aluminum alloy top plate | aluminum top plate |
| Mount | Tray (triple-layer dampened) | n/a |
| Backlight | RGB | RGB |
| QMK / VIA | No | No |
| Battery | n/a | n/a |
| Typical price | $260 | $180 (stronger spec) |
| Sound (stock) | dampened, muted for a gaming board | Fairly clacky stock sound from the magnetic switches and aluminum top plate; some reviewers note hollow case resonance without added dampening. |
| Released | 2024 | 2022 |
Highlighted rows are where the two differ; a check marks the objectively stronger spec (price, battery, modability). Feel and preference rows never get a check. Fields marked n/a are unpublished by the maker; we list only verifiable numbers.
Where they sit among all 509 boards we track
91% of the 509 boards tracked here cost less than the SteelSeries Apex Pro Gen 3; 75% of the 509 boards tracked here cost less than the SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini.
Where to buy the SteelSeries Apex Pro Gen 3
Where to buy the SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini
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