SteelSeries Apex 9 TKL Gaming Keyboard - UK

Most gaming keyboards ask you to accept a fixed actuation point and move on. The Apex 9 TKL doesn't. Its optical switches let you toggle between 1mm and 1.5mm actuation mid-use, which means you can tighten things up during fast-paced shooters where a hair-trigger response matters, then switch to the more deliberate 1.5mm setting when you're typing or playing something where accidental keypresses cost you. That physical toggle over how the keyboard behaves is genuinely rare at this price point, and it solves a real problem for players who move between game genres or split time between gaming and work.

Who Is This For?

This keyboard suits competitive PC gamers — particularly FPS and battle royale players — who want optical switch speed without committing to a boutique brand at a higher price. The tenkeyless layout also makes it a sensible choice for anyone with a cramped desk who needs more room for mouse movement. If you predominantly type for work and only game occasionally, a quality membrane or tactile mechanical keyboard will likely serve you better and cost you less.

What Buyers Say

Owners consistently praise the build quality and the satisfying, responsive feel of the optical switches — particularly how quickly inputs register compared to traditional mechanical alternatives. The per-key RGB lighting also draws positive comments for its brightness and customisation depth via SteelSeries GG software. The most common complaint, however, is that the software itself can feel bloated and occasionally unreliable, with some users reporting that profiles don't always save correctly between sessions.

The Deal

Currently priced at £89.99, down from £134.99, the saving is £45 — roughly 33% off. Because this product is newly tracked, there's no historical data to confirm whether £134.99 is a genuine regular retail price or an inflated reference point, so treat that "was" figure with caution. At £89.99 this is competitively priced for an optical tenkeyless keyboard, but worth watching for another few weeks to see if the price holds or softens further.