48

Steelseries Apex 7 TKL Review

True Score

77
77
5

Experts

97
2,376

Consumers

Expert Rankings

Expert reviewers lauded the SteelSeries Apex 7 TKL for its customizable RGB lighting and impressive build quality. They liked that it included a wrist rest and that all its keys were macro programmable. Still, they didn’t appreciate its lack of wireless connectivity, non-detachable cable, and wobbly ABS keycaps.

Overview

The SteelSeries Apex 7 TKL is a TenKeyLess mechanical keyboard that was first launched in mid-2019. The premium keyboard is designed for gaming and features customizable RGB lighting.

It measures 14 by 5.5 inches (8.3 inches with the wrist rest included.) Like most top-tier keyboards, the Apex 7 TKL has exceptional build quality, mainly due to its aluminum top plate.

It also has a low latency of 6.8ms, and even though this might not be as low as what the best gaming keyboards offer, it is still low enough for a lag-free experience.

The keyboard also has good ergonomics courtesy of its detachable wrist rest and one incline setting. The OLED screen on its top left also makes changing settings much quicker, and just like the SteelSeries Apex 5 Hybrid, all its keys are macro-programmable.

You can also check out our SteelSeries Apex 5 Hybrid Mechanical Gaming Keyboard review to see what else it’s got in store.

What Is Not on the Box

What the brand doesn’t always tell you…

our Verdict

The SteelSeries Apex 7 TKL had testers pretty happy with its customizable RGB backlighting and the unique OLED screen on its top right.

Product reviewers from Tom’s Hardware liked that they could use its OLED display to navigate keyboard-related settings and also praised its solid aluminum build quality.

During their gaming experiments, they found its linear Red key switches easier to press and liked the comfort its wrist rest provided when typing.

Expert reviewers from Rtings were delighted that its SteelSeries Engine software was easy to use and its keys were programmable – a credit it shares with the System76 Launch, which we’ve covered in our System76 Launch review.

Reviewers also liked its low typing noise and low latency of 6.8ms.

However, they were not as excited about its lack of wireless connectivity and non-detachable cable. If you’d like the convenience of detaching the USB cable when packing, you might also like our Varmilo VA87M review. Testers also didn’t appreciate the Apex 7’s ABS keycaps since they felt wobbly.

True Score

77

Reasons to Buy

  • Great build quality
  • Ships with a wrist rest
  • Customizable RGB lighting
  • User-friendly software
  • All keys are macro-programmable

Reasons to Avoid

  • No wireless connectivity
  • Non-detachable cable
  • Wobbly ABS keycaps

Specifications

Battery LifeWired
Customizable LightingYes
FoldableNo
Form FactorTenkeyless
Key Switch BehaviorTactile
Keyboard TechnologyMechanical
Max Wireless RangeWired
Palm RestYes
Spill ResistantNo
TouchpadNo
WirelessWired
Wireless ConnectivityWired

All Specs

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Product Comparison

True Score

77
79
87
NR

Ranking

#

48

/

75

#

31

/

75

#

4

/

75

#

/

Market Context

The SteelSeries Apex 7 TKL is a TenKeyLess mechanical keyboard that was first launched in mid-2019. The premium keyboard is designed for gaming and features…

The SteelSeries Apex 7 TKL is a TenKeyLess mechanical keyboard that was first launched in mid-2019. The premium keyboard is designed for gaming and features customizable RGB lighting.

It measures 14 by 5.5 inches (8.3 inches with the wrist rest included.) Like most top-tier keyboards, the Apex 7 TKL has exceptional build quality, mainly due to its aluminum top plate.

It also has a low latency of 6.8ms, and even though this might not be as low as what the best gaming keyboards offer, it is still low enough for a lag-free experience.

The keyboard also has good ergonomics courtesy of its detachable wrist rest and one incline setting. The OLED screen on its top left also makes changing settings much quicker, and just like the SteelSeries Apex 5 Hybrid, all its keys are macro-programmable.

You can also check out our SteelSeries Apex 5 Hybrid Mechanical Gaming Keyboard review to see what else it’s got in store.

The SteelSeries Apex 7 TKL is a mechanical keyboard while the SteelSeries Apex 3 TKL is not, and the Apex 7 comes with a wrist…

The SteelSeries Apex 7 TKL is a mechanical keyboard while the SteelSeries Apex 3 TKL is not, and the Apex 7 comes with a wrist rest while the Apex 3 does not. The Apex 7 also has individually backlit keys while the Apex 3 does not, and it has a USB passthrough while the Apex 3 does not. Lastly, the Apex 7 has a much lower latency of 6.8ms than the Apex 3’s 10.6ms. Learn more about the Apex 3 through our SteelSeries Apex 3 TKL review.

The SteelSeries Apex 7 TKL is a TenKeyLess keyboard, while the Corsair K70 RGB MK.2 is a full-size variant. The Apex 7 also has a…

The SteelSeries Apex 7 TKL is a TenKeyLess keyboard, while the Corsair K70 RGB MK.2 is a full-size variant. The Apex 7 also has a lower latency of 6.8ms compared to the K70, with a latency of 5.4ms.

When comparing the SteelSeries Apex 7 TKL to the SteelSeries Apex Pro, most buyers are typically choosing between size and preferred key switches. The Apex…

When comparing the SteelSeries Apex 7 TKL to the SteelSeries Apex Pro, most buyers are typically choosing between size and preferred key switches. The Apex 7 is a TenKeyLess keyboard, while the Apex Pro is a full-size gaming keyboard. Also, the Apex 7 has SteelSeries Brown switches with tactile feedback, while the Apex Pro uses OmniPoint switches that deliver linear feedback.

Battery Life

Wired

Wired

Wired

Customizable Lighting

Yes

Yes

Yes

Foldable

No

No

No

Form Factor

Tenkeyless

Tenkeyless

Full size

Key Switch Behavior

Tactile

Rubber Dome

Different switches available

Keyboard Technology

Mechanical

Mechanical

Mechanical

Dig Deeper

Read review →: Steelseries Apex 3 TKL Review Read review →: Corsair K70 RGB MK.2 Review

All Stores

  • $99.99

    Availability

    In Stock

    Free Shipping

    Yes
  • Save $6
    $129.99
    $123.80

    Availability

    Not available

    Free Shipping

    Yes

Score Card

E

Expert Score

77

*.75

We place a 75% weighted value on Expert Test Scores

C

Customer Score

97

*.25

We place a 25% weighted value on Customer Scores

True Score

77

Any product with a True Score above 80 is a Absolutely Fresh

Expert Score Breakdown

  • Rtings
    A

    Trust Score

    86
    The SteelSeries Apex 7 TKL is an outstanding gaming keyboard. It has an excellent, sturdy-feeling… read more

    By:

    Shaqil Hossain
  • Tom’s Guide
    C

    Trust Score

    70
    Pick up the SteelSeries Apex 7 if you want a keyboard with a mini-OLED screen… read more

    By:

    Marshall Honorof
  • PC Mag
    D

    Trust Score

    90
    A solid aluminum chassis, comfortable custom key switches, and a nifty OLED mini-display set apart… read more

    By:

    Michael Justin Allen Sexton
  • Tom’s Hardware
    D

    Trust Score

    60
    The SteelSeries Apex 7 is a solid keyboard that lacks the per-key customization that made… read more

    By:

    Unknown
  • Overclock 3D
    F

    Trust Score

    NR
    In our review of the Steelseries Apex Pro we spoke about the many qualities it… read more

    By:

    Unknown

Customer Score Breakdown

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