Choosing a Gaming Keyboard
Okay, so you’re trying to pick a new gaming keyboard, right? It’s a tough call between Corsair and SteelSeries, they’re both pretty big names. We’re looking at the Corsair K70 MAX and the SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Wireless from last year. These are basically top-tier keyboards. They both have cool features like keys you can adjust and they feel really well-made. We can figure out which one makes more sense for you – how you game, what else you do on your computer, and what kind of look you prefer. I’ll just talk you through what makes each one special.
Let’s start with the Corsair K70 MAX. It’s like an updated version of their really famous K70 keyboards. This one uses their new MGX switches, which are pretty neat. It’s a full-size keyboard, so you get all your keys, including the number pad, if you use that a lot. The best part about these keys is you can change how sensitive each one is. You can set them super light, like a hair trigger at 0.4mm, or deeper, up to 3.6mm. So, you could make your ‘W’ key really fast for moving, but maybe your ‘ultimate’ ability key a bit deeper so you don’t hit it by accident.
It’s also super tough, by the way. It’s got an aluminum frame, like from an airplane, so it feels really solid. The keycaps are PBT, which means they won’t get shiny or wear out quickly. You also get dedicated buttons for playing music or videos, plus that cool volume wheel that Corsair is known for. And it comes with a super comfy wrist rest that just snaps on. For connecting, you can use it wired with a USB-C cable, or go wireless with their fast SLIPSTREAM tech, or even Bluetooth. Oh, and if you use it wired, it’s crazy fast – 8,000 times a second fast, so almost no lag.
Now for the SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Wireless, the 2023 model. This one is all about being compact and wireless. TKL means ‘tenkeyless,’ so it doesn’t have the number pad. This is great if you want more space for your mouse, which many shooting game players love. It also means it’s easier to carry around. It uses their OmniPoint 2.0 switches. These are actually even more adjustable than the Corsair ones, from a super light 0.2mm to 3.8mm. And here’s a really unique trick: you can set two different actions for one key. Like, a light press for walking, and a harder press for sprinting. That’s pretty clever for gaming.
It’s also built really well, with an aluminum top plate and those good PBT keycaps, just like the Corsair. A big standout feature is the little OLED screen right on the keyboard. It shows you stuff like your game stats, who’s talking on Discord, or what song is playing, without you having to switch screens on your monitor. For connecting, it’s got their super-fast Quantum 2.0 Wireless, a newer Bluetooth 5.0, and you can also use it wired with a detachable USB-C cable. It comes with a comfy magnetic wrist rest too, though it feels a bit different than Corsair’s.
When it comes to those adjustable keys, both keyboards have them, and that’s a game-changer for competitive play. Corsair’s K70 MAX lets you adjust from 0.4mm to 3.6mm. But the SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL pushes it a bit further, from 0.2mm to 3.8mm. That tiny difference on the really light end, 0.2mm versus 0.4mm, might sound small, but for really high-level pros, it could actually make a difference in how fast you react. Plus, remember that ‘two actions per key’ thing on the SteelSeries? Corsair doesn’t have that right now. That’s a pretty neat trick.
The size and overall design are probably the biggest differences. The K70 MAX is a full-size keyboard. So, you get the number pad on the side, plus those dedicated media buttons. If you work with numbers a lot or just prefer that traditional layout, this one is for you. It looks really solid and a bit more like a classic gaming keyboard. The Apex Pro TKL Wireless, though, is ‘tenkeyless.’ It completely drops the number pad. This frees up a lot of desk space for your mouse, which is super important for many shooting game players. It looks really clean and modern, especially with that little screen built-in. If you go to gaming events or just have a smaller desk, the TKL size is a clear win.
For how they connect, both are great wirelessly. The Corsair has their SLIPSTREAM wireless, which is really fast, and Bluetooth 4.2. The SteelSeries has its Quantum 2.0 wireless, also super fast, and a newer Bluetooth 5.0. So, wireless gaming will be awesome on either one. But here’s a cool fact: if you use the Corsair K70 MAX *wired*, it’s incredibly fast, checking for your key presses 8,000 times a second. The SteelSeries is 1,000 times a second, whether wired or wireless. So, if you’re always wired, the Corsair *might* feel a tiny bit faster, but honestly, 1,000Hz is still extremely good.
As for how they’re built, both are really, really good. They both use that aircraft-grade aluminum, so they feel super sturdy and premium. And both have those tough PBT keycaps. Those are definitely better than the cheaper kind, so they’ll last a long time and keep looking good.
