The SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini is a compact 60% gaming keyboard designed for players who demand fast response times, deep customization, and a minimalist setup. Available in both wired and wireless variants, this board packs SteelSeries’ OmniPoint adjustable magnetic switches, delivering per-key actuation control and lightning-fast responsiveness.
With a price tag hovering around $179 for wired and $239 for wireless, this is very much a premium-tier device aimed at competitive gamers, FPS/MOBA players, and tech-savvy users who want bleeding-edge performance in a small footprint. But does it deliver enough real-world value to justify the price?
Check out our guide to choosing the best gear for you here…
🛠️ Build Quality
Materials & Frame: The Apex Pro Mini boasts an aircraft-grade aluminum top plate paired with a rigid plastic base. This gives the keyboard a robust, high-end feel while keeping it relatively lightweight. The body feels dense and stable with no flex, and it doesn’t slide around during heated sessions.
Keycaps: SteelSeries uses double-shot PBT keycaps, which are textured, grippy, and resistant to shine over time. The side-printed legends for secondary functions are a nice touch for aesthetics, but they aren’t backlit and can be hard to see in darker rooms.
Form Factor: This is a 60% keyboard, which means there’s no function row, arrow keys, or number pad. It’s a polarizing layout – great for saving desk space and providing more mouse room, but it comes with a learning curve and some productivity trade-offs.
Extras: A detachable braided USB-C cable, two-stage flip-out feet for adjustable angles, and a hidden keycap puller under the chassis round out the package. The wireless model includes both Bluetooth and 2.4GHz connectivity via USB dongle.
⚙️ Features & Performance
OmniPoint Adjustable Switches: This is the Apex Pro Mini’s crown jewel. It features SteelSeries’ Hall Effect-based OmniPoint 2.0 (wired) or OmniPoint 3.0 (wireless) switches:
- Adjustable actuation: Set each key to trigger anywhere from 0.2mm to 3.8mm (2.0) or 0.1mm to 4.0mm (3.0).
- Rapid Trigger: Keys reset as soon as they start to rise, enabling faster re-pressing – ideal for games requiring rapid keystrokes like Valorant or Apex Legends.
- Dual Actuation: Bind two actions to a single key based on actuation depth (e.g., light press to walk, full press to sprint).
Latency & Response: In testing, the wired Apex Pro Mini achieves ~1.9ms latency, putting it on par with or better than most top-tier esports keyboards. The wireless version holds steady with <2.5ms latency over 2.4GHz, maintaining rock-solid performance.
Software Support: SteelSeries GG lets users remap keys, adjust actuation levels per key, assign macros, and create multiple onboard profiles. While powerful, the software can feel bloated and unintuitive at times. Fortunately, changes save directly to the keyboard, so once setup is complete, you can ditch the app.
RGB Lighting: Full per-key RGB with multiple presets and customization options. The shine-through legends are bright and even, though again, side-printed legends aren’t illuminated.
🎮 Gaming Experience
The Apex Pro Mini excels in fast-paced competitive games. The adjustable actuation makes it feel like you’re cheating physics. For example:
- In Valorant, setting keys to 0.2mm actuation made peeking and strafing feel immediate and responsive.
- In Apex Legends, using dual-actuation allowed clever binds like walking on light press and sliding on deep press.
- In League of Legends, shorter travel distances helped reduce fatigue during long play sessions.
The keyboard’s small size also frees up mouse real estate, which is a big win for low-DPI players.
✍️ Typing & Daily Use
Typing on the Apex Pro Mini is a unique experience:
- Feel: The linear OmniPoint switches are smooth and satisfying, though they lack tactile feedback.
- Sound: There’s a noticeable “clack” due to the aluminum plate, which might be loud in shared spaces.
- Accuracy: Faster actuation can lead to accidental key presses until you fine-tune your preferences.
This keyboard is not ideal for heavy typists or those who rely on dedicated arrow keys or macros. Side-printed functions require muscle memory, and productivity workflows suffer unless you’re deeply familiar with 60% layouts.
➔ Alternatives to Consider
- Razer Huntsman Mini Analog: Similar compact form and analog input support, but lacks wireless and has less software customization.
- Wooting 60HE: Another Hall-effect analog keyboard with better out-of-box tuning and hot-swappable switches. Excellent for advanced users.
- HyperX Alloy Origins 60: Budget-friendly option with traditional switches and solid build quality, but no actuation tuning or analog support.
✅ Pros & Cons
Pros
- Ultra-customizable actuation (per-key)
- Dual-actuation and Rapid Trigger features
- Excellent build quality and compact form
- Stellar gaming performance
- PBT keycaps and quality materials
Cons
- Pricey for a 60% board
- Side legends not backlit
- Learning curve for productivity tasks
- No hot-swappable switches
- SteelSeries software feels heavy
🧠 Verdict
The SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini is a niche but mighty tool for serious gamers who value speed, precision, and a sleek setup. Its magnetic switches and per-key actuation customization offer a tangible competitive edge, especially in twitch-sensitive titles.
That said, it’s not for everyone. The 60% layout will alienate heavy typists and productivity-focused users, and its premium pricing isn’t easy to swallow.
Final Score: 8.8/10
Buy this if you’re a competitive FPS/MOBA gamer looking for one of the fastest, smartest keyboards out there. Skip it if you need a full-size board or more mainstream usability.
