SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini Wireless Review

The Apex Pro Mini Wireless Keyboard is the SteelSeries latest addition to its of Apex series of products. This is a high-performance wireless gaming keyboard in a 60% form factor and comes with adjustable OmniPoint 2.0 switches and RGB lighting.

The aluminum-frame mechanical keyboard is powered by OmniPoint 2.0 adjustable switches. SteelSeries says these are the world’s fastest OmniPoint 2.0 adjustable switches with 11x quicker response and 10x swifter actuation.

The SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini Wireless Keyboard is purely intended for portability and competitive gaming. It comes without a numpad, top row of function keys or dedicated media shortcut keys. So, it will be a bit more difficult to multi-task, access quick shortcuts or enter numbers, but will save a lot of space on your desk.

The keyboard has a detachable braided USB-C cable. The frame is made of aluminum and comes with adjustable switches, per-key RGB illumination, and the ability to program two different actions to the same key.

In terms of connectivity, there are three ways to connect – via wireless, low latency Bluetooth or USB wired. The keyboard is compatible with Windows, Xbox, PlayStation, and Mac OS. SteelSeries promises up to 30 hours of wireless battery life via 2.4GHz connection or 40 hours via Bluetooth 5.0 with default backlighting.

Specifications

Read the full specifications here.

Packaging

The Apex Pro Mini Wireless comes in a SteelSeries branded cardboard packaging, in a mix of grey and orange colors. On the front is a photo of the keyboard along with features and compatibility, while on the sides and back are the detailed specifications of the product. The box is durable and the keyboard and accessories are well protected. You have to download the SteelSeries Engine software manually.

The packaging includes the below:

• Apex Pro Mini Wireless Gaming Keyboard
• USB-C to USB-A Cable
• Keycap Puller
• Product Information Guide
• USB-C Wireless Dongle
• Wireless Extension Adapter

Design

Intended for portability and competitive gaming, the keyboard measures 293mm x 103mm x 40.3mm (LxWxH) and is lightweight at 0.543kg. It is slightly more compact than the K70 Pro Mini Wireless we reviewed earlier. There is also no wrist rest included.

The wireless keyboard also comes with a detachable braided cable. It can be connected in three ways – via Quantum 2.0 wireless, Bluetooth 5.0 or USB wired.

The top plate on the Apex Pro Mini Wireless is built with aircraft-grade aluminum and the rest of the chassis is made of hard plastic. At the rear is a power switch and a switch to shift between wireless or Bluetooth mode.

The keyboard comes without a numpad, top row of function keys, dedicated media shortcut keys or even dedicated arrow keys. To make up for this, the keyboard supports 2-in-1 action keys. You can program two actions to a single key, depending on how you press it. For example, walk forward with a light keypress, and then sprint by pressing that same key deeper. Some of the shortcut keys are also side-printed on the keys.

At the base are two height-adjustable tilt legs with flexibility for three ergonomic options: flat, half, and full extension.

Performance

The Apex Pro Mini Wireless with the OmniPoint 2.0 adjustable switches. These new switches let you customize the sensitivity of every key to provide super-fast response times with an extremely short actuation distance of just 0.2mm, perfect for fast-paced competitive gameplay and a maximum of 3.8mm for a firmer press. SteelSeries also promises 100 million keystrokes with these key switches.

The keys are PBT double-shot keycaps that resists wear and fade-out. The come with a unique texture that feels nice on the fingertips while providing extra grip. The keys are RGB illuminated and can be further customized via the SteelSeries Engine software.

In terms of performance, the keystrokes are audible, the buttons are very sturdy but there is less spacing between the keys which takes some time getting used to. However, the click sound is a little too loud and may not be a good solution for an office environment. When it comes to gaming and working alone, you will love these switches.

When it comes to gaming, you will love these switches, the slightly curved keys help a lot with hitting the keys perfectly every time. There is also onboard storage that can store up to 5 onboard profiles with custom macros and effects.

Apex Pro Mini Wireless Software

As with most SteelSeries products, SteelSeries Engine is used for customizing the SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini Wireless.

Adjusting the wireless lighting effects, recording macros, profile settings and upgrading the firmware can be done via the SteelSeries software which can be downloaded from the company’s website.

The software enables the creation of several profiles, five of which can also be saved on the keyboard. Profiles can be switched automatically depending on the game. You can also sync all your supported peripherals using the same software.

Apex Pro Mini Wireless Verdict

Designed for portability, the SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini Wireless comes with advanced features such as OmniPoint 2.0 adjustable switches, 2-in-1 Action Keys and different pairing modes.

It also comes with an elegant design that looks good on any desktop and comes packed with features. The PBT double-shot keycaps are durable and feels nice on the fingertips. The detachable USB-C cable is useful for easy removal and placement. The keyboard is ideal for professional gamers looking for an esports-grade wireless keyboard for gaming on the go.

Some of the draw backs are getting used to the close spacing between the keys, the lack of a wrist-rest, and the expensive pricing.  With that said this is a top-of-the-line portable mechanical keyboard that’s great for enthusiast gamers and is built to last long. The SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini Wireless keyboard retails for $239.