SteelSeries Apex M500 Mechanical Gaming Keyboard Review

By Legit Staff

SteelSeries Apex M500 Mechanical Pro-Gaming Keyboard

SteelSeries Apex M500

Back in 2008, SteelSeries brought forth the 7G keyboard with Cherry MX mechanical switches at a time well before gamers would appreciate and demand mechanical keyboards. Many today still scoff at the thought of spending more than $20 for a computer keyboard, yet, the market for expensive mechanical keyboards exploded. We now see a tremendous refinement of price points and features-levels even from the manufacturer featured in this review.

SteelSeries Apex M500

Where that puts SteelSeries newest keyboard, the Apex M500 with Cherry MX Red switches, is arguably within the higher-end mechanical keyboard segment for $99.99 from Amazon. With fully programmable keys through the SteelSeries Engine 3 software, N-key rollover, and blue LED backlighting, this keyboard is more feature rich than lower-end offerings, while shying away from the premium space now dominated by RGB mechanicals including SteelSeries very own $150+ Apex M800. Let’s take a complete look at the official features and specifications.

SteelSeries Apex M500 Mechanical Gaming Keyboard Features:

  • Cherry MX Red switches
  • Blue LED illumination
  • 50M click lifespan
  • Full N-Key Rollover

SteelSeries Apex M500SteelSeries Apex M500 Mechanical Gaming Keyboard Specifications:

  • Switches
    • Switch Type: Mechanical
    • Switch Name: Cherry MX Red Gaming Switches
    • Throw Depth: 4 mm
    • Actuation and Reset Depth: 2 mm
    • Actuation Force Needed: 45cN
    • 50 Million Click Lifetime Guarantee
  • Design
    • Layout: Traditional
    • Full Anti-Ghosting Support
    • N-Key Roll Over: 104 Key
    • Illumination: Per-Key Blue LEDs
    • Quick Access Media Keys
    • Fully Programmable Keys
    • Cable Management System
    • Weight: 1241 g, 2.742 lbs
    • Height: 136.43 mm, 5.37 in
    • Width: 440.56 mm, 17.34 in
    • Depth: 39.52 mm, 1.56 in
    • Large Adjustable Rubber Feet
    • Cable Length: 2 m, 6.5 ft
  • Customization Options
    • Engine Support: SSE3
    • Remappable Keys
    • Custom Key Illumination
    • Unlimited Profiles
  • 1-year warranty

The bundle is paltry as far as mechanical keyboards are concerned. Besides the Apex M500 keyboard are two Velcro cable ties already wrapped around the USB cord, a sheet with three SteelSeries logo stickers and a quick start guide. We see nothing in the way of alternate keycaps and keycap pullers. Moving on, we can start looking closer at the keyboard and its software.SteelSeries Apex M500