SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini Gen 3 Review: Compact Yet Flawed

The SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini Gen 3 is a compact gaming keyboard with a true 60% layout and Hall effect switches. While its design and customizable features are appealing, the high price, plastic casing, and software limitations hinder its overall value. Despite its smooth switches and robust build, the keyboard struggles to justify its cost compared to competitors like the Keychron K2 HE and Wooting 60HE. For those interested in a 60% layout, waiting for a sale might be advisable.

The SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini Gen 3, priced at $220, aims to be a standout in the compact gaming keyboard market with its true 60% layout and Hall effect switches. While it offers a sleek design and customizable features, it falls short in several areas, making it a less compelling choice for its price range. The keyboard's compact size is ideal for saving desk space and enhancing portability, making it a favorite for those who appreciate efficient use of function layers. However, the high price tag, plastic casing, and mediocre typing experience detract from its appeal.

The Apex Pro Mini utilizes OmniPoint 3.0 switches, known for their smoothness and minimal wobble due to a dual-rail design. Despite these improvements, the typing experience is not significantly better than other Hall effect keyboards, and the stabilizers are inconsistently tuned. The tray mount design, while avoiding typical dead zones, lacks the responsive feel of a gasket-mounted keyboard.

In gaming scenarios, the keyboard performs well with responsive switches and customizable actuation distances. However, these features are common among Hall effect keyboards, and the Apex Pro Mini does not significantly outperform its competitors. The SteelSeries GG software, essential for customizing the keyboard, is cluttered and difficult to navigate, detracting from the overall user experience. Features like Protection Mode, which prevents mis-inputs, are useful but require further refinement.

The keyboard's build quality is robust, with sound-dampening layers and internal steel weights adding to its heft. However, the use of T6 torx bolts for assembly complicates disassembly for average users. Despite its solid construction, the Apex Pro Mini struggles to justify its price compared to alternatives like the Keychron K2 HE and Wooting 60HE, which offer similar features at a lower cost.

Overall, while the SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini Gen 3 has potential with its compact design and smooth switches, its high price and software limitations make it a less attractive option. For those interested in a 60% layout, waiting for a sale might be advisable.