The best keyboard mouse combo in 2020?

Introduction

Exactly how good are our cheap gaming peripherals that we are going to be reviewing? So here we have
the Rivals 3 and Apex 3 from SteelSeries. Both of these together cost as much as a single Razer Viper
Mouse. Are these the best keyboard mouse combo in 2020? Exactly how are these? Let’s find out.

Rival 3

Body

First, I want to cover about the Rivals 3 and at the price of 29$, it is actually impressive. It has the same
shape as the Rivals 110 so it is not new. Its in the same size category as the G Pro. It is an ambidextrous
shape but for right hand use only. The build quality is actually surprisingly good feels better than the
shape of the MM711.

As for the body shape it is pretty good, not bulky looking but smart and casual. Overall, this mouse
would be comfy for medium to large hands. Its also pretty light at 77 grams I am not sure if this is the
lightest mouse from SteelSeries but let’s say their latest mouse Sensei 10 was 92 grams so they are
moving with market trends minimizing on the weight of the mice for the better.

Cable and Illumination

However, the cable is quite bad with hard to remove turns and rolls and is not soft. But the glide feet
make it up for it with smooth motion than the MM711. And probably the most surprising thing about
this mouse is the illumination. It is very smooth and can be customized in three zones with smooth
transitions.

This kind of lighting is usually seen on higher level and expensive mice so this kind of illumination for 29$
is actually AWESOME. Th scroll wheel is soft but distinct scroll steps and like meta click, which is good
for 29$. The primary switches are rated at 60 million with satisfying quiet actuations with less than usual
travel distance.

Sensor

Probably the reason why this mouse is cheap is because of the sensor. But they didn’t cheap out on the
quality of it. It is an optical sensor but is a budget derivative of their true move of pro sensor. This goes
up to 8500 dpi adjusted in 100 increments and with up to five profiles but still delivering that true one-
to-one tracking throughout the entire range.

And honestly it’s a very good performer however the lift off is slightly higher which means if you like to
lift your mouse off the mouse pad at lower dpi settings and when you place it down there will be a little
cursor jiggle when the mouse is about to hit the surface.

But seriously at 29$ I am impressed and the only thing that’s trash is the cable however they use the
same cable on all of their other mice so it is not technically a downgrade for their Rival 3.
Apex 3

Body

The Apex 3 keyboard is a basic full-size layup with the same frame as their higher end stuff that includes
soft magnetic wrist rest all for $49.

It is weird that SteelSeries are not exactly competing within the lightweight keyboard market. The
keyboard is decent and is amusing and useful only for a specific audience. The price point for this is fairly
low in the budget territory but it is not exactly meant to compete with mechanical keyboards because
there are options that exist under $50 and are full on MX chair and mechanical switches.

Keyboard Excessive Features

If you are after the rubber dome switches for the sound profile and the still resistance then the Apex 3 is
okay. The wrist rest is very comfy and magnetic but the coating isn’t very oil friendly so don’t wipe it all
the time. The 3-way cable routing is very appreciating. The single step height adjustment is present
along with an awesome volume wheel that is super responsive and the multifunction button here as
well.

Illumination

And just as with the mouse illumination on the Apex 3 is pretty gorgeous all thanks to the white under
plate that helps to diffuse all color. It looks great in either static or rainbow effect by the 10-zone
customization is kind of a joke as the transition areas between colors look awful.

Switches

The switches used are SteelSeries’ new whisper quiet, low friction 20 million rated keystroke switches.
With the soft resistance at the top that’s kind of like a tactile brown but not as smooth when it comes
down. I actually don’t mind the operation and character of the switches even when you bottom out
because they are heavily muted do for night gaming it’s a pretty alternative.

Keycaps

Now the keycaps are standard; ABS plastic with clean font. They are not interchangeable due to the
nature of the mount itself that is also the reason why the keyboard is rated for water resistance as
unless you actually submerge it in water no liquid should its way to the center.

Conclusion

So, overall, the combo is very good. It is a bare-bones deal for just 80$. But is this the best gaming
keyboard-mouse combo in 2020?

Links:

Apex 3

Rivals 3