The Apex Pro is not a keyboard you buy for the badge. You buy it for the one feature almost nothing else offers at any price: adjustable-actuation magnetic switches that let you set exactly how far a key travels before it registers. That technology does not wear out the way a membrane dome or a cheap mechanical switch does, which is precisely why a used Apex Pro can be one of the smartest second-hand purchases an Australian gamer or typist makes.
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Top used steelseries apex pros on eBay right now
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Why second-hand is not “second best”
The headline component of the Apex Pro is the OmniPoint magnetic switch. Instead of a metal contact that physically scrapes shut, it senses the position of a magnet using a Hall-effect sensor. There is nothing to oxidise, no contact to fatigue, and the rated lifespan runs into the tens of millions of presses per key. A keyboard that has already seen a year or two of hard gaming has barely touched that budget. In practical terms, the switches on a used unit behave like the switches on a new one.
The aluminium top plate is the other reason these age gracefully. It is a single brushed alloy slab that shrugs off the desk knocks and drink scares that crack plastic boards. A few light scuffs on the frame are cosmetic only and have zero effect on how the board feels under your fingers. So when you buy used, you are mostly paying for the rarest part of the package, the per-key adjustable actuation, and getting the hard-wearing chassis essentially for free.
A magnetic switch has no contacts to wear, so a two-year-old Apex Pro types like a two-week-old one. You are buying the technology, not the mileage.
The savings are real
The Apex Pro sits at the premium end of the gaming-keyboard market new, and that price gap is exactly what makes the used market attractive. Because the line spans several generations and form factors, you will find sellers offloading a perfectly good earlier model to fund the latest one, and that turnover keeps used prices soft. A saving in the 20 to 60 per cent range against new is realistic, and on a keyboard this expensive that difference is real money you can put toward a mouse, a headset or a deskmat instead. You also skip the new-product premium for features, like an aluminium volume roller and the OLED screen, that have not changed meaningfully for years.
New vs used, side by side
| Brand new | Used / refurbished | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Full premium RRP | Roughly 20-60% less |
| OmniPoint switch feel | As-new | Effectively identical (Hall-effect, no wear) |
| Keycaps | Fresh, unshined | May show shine on WASD; cheaply replaced |
| OLED screen | Pristine | Check for burn-in or dead pixels |
| Warranty | Full manufacturer term | Often expired; ACL still applies via a business seller |
| Software (SteelSeries GG) | Free download | Free download, same features |
The five-minute checklist before you pay
- Confirm the exact model and form factor. Apex Pro comes as full-size, TKL (tenkeyless), Mini, and wireless versions, plus distinct generations. Ask the seller to name it and match the photo, so you do not pay full-size money for a Mini.
- Ask whether per-key actuation still adjusts. The whole point of this board is setting actuation per key in SteelSeries GG. Ask the seller to confirm a few keys respond to actuation changes, or test it yourself before money changes hands.
- Inspect the OLED smart display. Look at clear photos with the screen on. You want even brightness, no dead pixels, and no faint ghost of a static logo (burn-in) from years on the same screensaver.
- Check the detachable USB-C cable and the magnetic wrist rest. These ship in the box; a missing wrist rest or proprietary cable is a small but annoying replacement cost. Confirm what is included.
- For the wireless model, ask about battery and the dongle. Bluetooth and 2.4GHz both rely on a healthy battery and the original USB receiver. A lost dongle is a real problem on wireless variants.
You have more protection than you think
Buying second-hand in Australia does not mean buying without a safety net. When you purchase from a business, including an eBay store or a refurbisher, the Australian Consumer Law gives you guarantees that the goods are of acceptable quality and match their description, and these apply regardless of any expired manufacturer warranty. If a used Apex Pro arrives with switches that do not register or an OLED that will not light, you have a clear right to a remedy. Pay with a method that adds its own buyer protection, keep the listing description and your messages, and you are well covered.
Ready to find yours?
Compare current prices across trusted Australian retailers and marketplaces below, then buy with confidence.
Red flags to walk away from
- “Some keys are sticky or need a hard press.” On a Hall-effect board that should never happen from wear. It points to liquid damage or a fault, not normal ageing.
- No photo of the OLED powered on. A seller who will not show you the smart display switched on may be hiding burn-in or a dead screen.
- Refusal to name the precise model. Vague “SteelSeries Apex” listings often turn out to be the cheaper non-Pro boards without the magnetic switches you are paying for.
- Wireless unit sold without the 2.4GHz dongle. Treat it as a wired-only keyboard and price it accordingly, or skip it.
- Heavy keycap shine plus a “barely used” claim. When the wear and the story do not match, trust the wear.
Frequently asked questions
Do the magnetic OmniPoint switches really last on a used board? Yes. They are rated for tens of millions of presses per key and have no physical contacts to corrode or fatigue, so even a well-used unit has barely dented its lifespan.
Will the SteelSeries GG software still work on a second-hand keyboard? It will. The software is a free download tied to the hardware, not to the original owner, so per-key actuation, lighting and the OLED display are all fully configurable for you.
Is OLED burn-in a deal-breaker? Not necessarily. The smart display is a convenience feature, not core to typing or gaming. If burn-in bothers you, factor it into your offer, but it does not stop the keyboard working.
Should I buy the wired or wireless version used? Wired Apex Pro models have fewer things to go wrong second-hand. The wireless versions add battery health and the dongle as extra checkpoints, so only pay the wireless premium if both are confirmed good.
The bottom line
Few keyboards justify the second-hand route as cleanly as the Apex Pro. Its signature feature, adjustable magnetic actuation, is also its most durable, and its aluminium chassis is built to outlast several owners. Check the model, the actuation, the OLED and the included accessories, lean on your Australian Consumer Law rights when buying from a business, and you can own genuinely premium, configurable gear for a fraction of the new price, while keeping one more piece of electronics out of the waste stream.
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