The SteelSeries APEX M800 is an excellent choice for the gamer who wishes to have a low-profile keyboard; aimed at a gap in the market where other boards lack features, SteelSeries has certainly been able to fill it. In terms of aesthetics, there are very few boards that look as this one does when in use, the side lights and vibrant colors making sure that it suits any setup. The size is somewhat daunting, but makes sure there is enough room for the six extra macro keys. With an all-plastic body, there is a risk that it could feel cheap compared to some competitors, but there are no such worries here as it is sturdy and has a good weight to it.

Performance-wise, there is nothing more that could be asked of it; the QS1 switches are smooth, and when combined with the low profile, feel excellent, and there is very little noise made whilst typing, a bonus for those who want a quiet gaming or typing experience. It is hard for companies to release switches to compete with the likes of Cherry, but it seems as though the QS1 is certainly a contender. Hopefully, SteelSeries will continue with these switches to release others in the same range, but with different properties like there are with other switch ranges to appeal to a larger market. My typing speed whilst using the SteelSeries APEX M800 is almost as good as with my keyboard for daily use, and it was comfortable during long periods of use. The possibility of a wrist rest would have been nice, but the large strip at the front of the board did offer some support.

The software is easy to use as its intuitive layout allows users to do exactly what they want; lighting can be changed very easily, and there are a multitude of presets and options to enable the flashiest of looks or the subtlest. Macros are easily recorded, keys can easily be reprogrammed, and programs can be launched at just a touch of a button.

With a price tag of $170, people might be put off, which could have them look elsewhere, but I think that the price is justified since SteelSeries has really thought about what the customer wants with this keyboard by including features such as the USB pass-through to ensure that we are given back a port even though it takes two USB cables to use all available functions. With a software suite as complete as SteelSeries Engine 3, you are only limited by your imagination in terms of LED profiles, macros, and functionality. This last section is very similar to the review I recently did on the Corsair K70 Rapidfire, which is due to them both standing out in a crowd for me. The biggest difference is the profile. Other than minor differences in switch type and how things work, the rest is very similar as both work flawlessly. If you are a serious gamer looking to make sure you're not limited by your hardware and are looking for a low-profile option, the SteelSeries APEX M800 should seriously be considered