SteelSeries APEX M800

96 reviews

Dec, 2024

Positive
usability (25)
size (17)
design (8)
durability (5)

Negative
price (41)
reliability (8)

General overview
Price comparison

alaTest has collected and analyzed 96 reviews of SteelSeries APEX M800. The average rating for this product is 3.9/5, compared to an average rating of 4.1/5 for other products in the same category for all reviews. Reviewers are impressed by the durability. The design also gets good reviews. There are mixed opinions on the size and usability. Many are less positive about the reliability and price.

design, durability

price, reliability

We analyzed user and expert ratings, product age and more factors. Compared to other products in the same category the SteelSeries APEX M800 is awarded an overall alaScore™ of 90/100 = Excellent quality.

Review analysis

(Based on 96 reviews)

Expert Reviews

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Review Ratings

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Showing 39 review(s)

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Showing 1 - 10 of 39 Show Reviews: in English | in other languages (57)

Expert review by : Hayden Dingman (pcworld.com)

SteelSeries Apex M800 review: Yet another custom keyboard switch, but it's compelling

The SteelSeries Apex M800 and its custom QS1 switch put on a good light show, but it falls just shy of outdoing keyboards with Cherry MX keys.

Brilliant and uniform lighting ; QS1 is a solid stand-in for the Cherry Red switch ; Creative handling of Caps Lock/Num Lock indicators

Proprietary keycaps are flimsy, not easily replaced ; The thing is huge ; Tiring to type on after a few hours

If you can get past its biggish bones and that absurd spacebar, the Apex M800 is a solid option for those who want ultra-responsive keyboard switches—especially when it’s on sale. SteelSeries’ asking price of $200 is more than a bit ridiculous,...

Apr, 2017

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Expert review by : Matthew Buzzi (pcmag.com)

SteelSeries Apex M800

The SteelSeries Apex M800 is a premium gaming keyboard outfitted with high-performance mechanical switches and a staggering number of customization options for key lighting and programming.

Top-quality mechanical switches. Nearly unlimited key lighting and programming customization options. USB pass-through.

Expensive. Large frame. Plastic body.

Conclusion The SteelSeries M800 is a premium gaming keyboard at a premium price, and delivers consistent performance while offering high levels of customization. The software is helpful in setting up the keyboard to your preferences, and the lighting...

Nov, 2015

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Expert review by : Chris Scott Barr (slashgear.com)

Steelseries Apex M800 Keyboard Review

When it comes to desktop keyboards, there are generally two types to choose from. There are those with the typical rubber-dome keys, and those that use mechanical switches. Gamers tend to gravitate toward the latter for many reasons, and the latest...

Excellent keyboard for twitch-based games ; Every keys is remappable

Pricing could be a bit more competitive ; Lack of dedicated media keys ; Keys are too sensitive

SteelSeries appears to be targeting twitch-based games with their Apex M800 keyboard, and I’d say that it does a great job in those scenarios. You only need to press the keys 1.5mm before they’re registered, and that can be the difference between...

Aug, 2016

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Expert review by : Jonathan Kwan (aphnetworks.com)

SteelSeries Apex M800 Review

What is the difference between a luxury and an overkill? As I sit here at 2:25pm on a Tuesday afternoon contemplating about this question, the more I think, the more I realize the line is not as clear as I have first imagined. In my opinion, luxury has...

Sep, 2015

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Expert review by : Mike Jennings (trustedreviews.com)

SteelSeries Apex M800

The Apex M800's £140 price makes it one of the most expensive gaming keyboards on the market. SteelSeries tries to justify the price by loading this unit with new features, from specially-designed mechanical switches to RGB-backlit keys.

Quiet, low-profile keys ; Consistent, comfortable typing ; Good software ; RGB backlighting

No dedicated media buttons ; Awkward USB ports ; Only plastic throughout

Nov, 2015

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Expert review by : Abhijit Dey (digit.in)

SteelSeries Apex M800 Review

With the exclusive QS1 mechanical switches, SteelSeries is essentially trying to present a new switch design with beautiful RGB lighting on the Apex M800.

Brilliant RGB lighting ; Software has better control over lighting modes and macros ; Keys have good feedback for gaming ; Two USB 2.0 passthrough ports

Expensive ; Bad typing experience ; Applying and retaining effects are buggy in the software

Mechanical keyboards are expensive because of their unique feedback given from the tactile and clicky switches. This is absent on the keyboard, hence we are sceptical about the extremely high price on the Apex M800. The new switch design brings along...

Feb, 2017

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Expert review by : Daniel Wilks (pcauthority.com.au)

One Minute Review: Steelseries Apex M800 Keyboard

Rather than follow the normal mechanical keyboard bandwagon and use Cherry switches, Steelseries has gone its own way with the Apex M800, designing a new mechanical switch the company calls the QS1. The proprietary switch is less clicky than many...

A great keyboard, but heavily overpriced.

Jun, 2015

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Expert review by : Chris 747 Articles (funkykit.com)

SteelSeries APEX M800 Mechanical Gaming Keyboard Review - FunkyKit

Today I will be reviewing the SteelSeries Apex M800 Mechanical Gaming Keyboard. This will my first review of a mechanical keyboard. In my opinion the worst thing about mechanical keyboards are the price. Most mechanical keyboards carry a higher price...

Mechanical ; QS1 Switches ; Superb lighting capabilities ; Every key programmable ; SteelSeries Software easy to use ; Multimedia keys ; Anti-Ghosting

Price

In conclusion, the SteelSeries Apex M800 Mechanical Gaming Keyboard is a fantastic pice of hardware. The Price may be pretty hefty but break that down in the how long this keyboard will last and the unlimited customization capabilities and the price...

Jun, 2015

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Expert review by : Jon Martindale (kitguru.net)

Steelseries Apex M800 mechanical keyboard

Even though most serious gamers use mechanical keyboards these days, many do not realise that the te Even though most serious gamers use mechanical keyboards these days, many do not realise that the technology behind those key-switches is over 30 years...

QS1 switches are excellent. Cartainly comparable to Cherry MX.

Expensive.

Mar, 2015

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Extreme Ultra Award

Expert review by : Matthew Lambert (bit-tech.net)

SteelSeries Apex M800 Review

SteelSeries' latest mechanical keyboard has RGB backlighting and a new low-profile switch

The Apex M800 was always going to be a tough sale for SteelSeries at £160, especially given that it uses an entirely new and thus largely unproven mechanical switch, but we have to say we like what it's done. Firstly, the QS1 switches are a joy to use...

Feb, 2015

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