Turtle Beach Vulcan II TKL Review | 64 Data compared

Turtle Beach Vulcan II TKL The Turtle Beach Vulcan II TKL is a highly responsive mechanical gaming keyboard that offers an exceptional balance of performance and value at a competitive price of €99.99. Built with a premium brushed aluminium top plate, this tenkeyless (TKL) form factor keyboard maximizes desk space for mouse movement while maintaining structural rigidity. It features pre-lubricated Titan HS linear switches with a well-balanced 1.8mm actuation point, alongside sound-dampening foam and upgraded stabilizers that deliver a quiet, satisfying "poc" typing acoustic. Gamers benefit from custom features like ReactTap SOCD technology for faster directional movements, 100% anti-ghosting N-Key Roll Over (NKRO), an ARM Cortex M3 32-bit chip, onboard storage for up to five profiles, and a dedicated volume wheel. Additionally, it features spectacular customizable RGB lighting where nearly all keycap inscriptions are backlit, and it supports hot-swappable 3-pin or 5-pin switches for easy customization. Despite its strengths, the reviewer notes a few notable drawbacks. On the technical side, the keyboard is limited to a 1000 Hz polling rate, falling short of the increasingly common 4000 Hz standard found...

This review covers Turtle Beach’s Burst II Air wireless mouse and Vulcan II TKL Pro mechanical keyboard, evaluating their performance and design for PC gaming. The Burst II Air mouse stands out for its ultra-lightweight design, weighing a mere 47 grams, and its exceptional battery life of up to 120 hours. It provides great precision with a 26K/650 IPS optical sensor and utilizes the Swarm II application for extensive profile and button customisation. However, its hollow plastic construction yields a loud, cheap-sounding click that lacks a premium feel. It also suffers from a rigid scroll wheel and the absence of a lateral wheel. The Vulcan II TKL Pro keyboard excels with robust material quality, customizable analog switches, and quiet, cushioned keystrokes rated for 150 million strikes. Powered by a 32-bit ARM Cortex M3 processor, it allows users to adjust key actuation between 1 and 4 millimetres and map lighting effects via the software. On the downside, it requires a wired USB connection with no wireless options, lacks a standard numpad, and features an unattachable memory foam wrist rest. Additionally, the...

The Turtle Beach Vulcan II TKL Pro is a wired, 75%-format mechanical gaming keyboard priced at €160, featuring an aluminum chassis and linear Hall Effect magnetic switches. The review praises its minimalist aesthetic and excellent build quality, highlighting that the pre-lubricated stabilizers and fine manufacturing prevent annoying metallic sounds or reverberation. Furthermore, its individual per-key RGB backlighting is powerful and visually striking, enhanced by the standard low-profile keycaps that leave the switches exposed. The accompanying Swarm II software is also noted as a solid, modernized improvement over its predecessor, allowing smooth customization of games macros, RGB lighting profiles, and adjustable actuation points ranging from 0.1 to 4 mm. However, the keyboard falls short in ergonomics, connectivity, and accessories. The low-profile keycaps are spaced too closely together, causing frequent accidental typos and increased hand fatigue during long typing sessions. A major disappointment is the total lack of wireless connectivity, which is highly expected at this €160 price point. Additionally, the included wrist rest is criticized as a cheap, unattachable piece of foam that lags far behind competitors. Ultimately, while it delivers...

The Turtle Beach Vulcan II TKL is a compact, tenkeyless mechanical gaming keyboard that pairs a distinctive, industrial visual style with solid gaming performance. Built around a rigid anodised aluminium top plate, it features a eye-catching "floating key" design with slim keycaps that showcase its transparent switch housings. In terms of pros, the keyboard excels during fast-paced gaming thanks to its smooth, linear red mechanical switches, 1000 Hz polling rate, and full N-key rollover anti-ghosting. Practical hardware additions like a detachable 1.8-metre braided USB cable, a dedicated volume wheel with a mute button, and the Easy-Shift[+] technology—which expands available commands by allowing a secondary action for most keys—add strong functional value. Furthermore, its Swarm II software successfully lets players configure per-key RGB lighting and utilise 4 MB of onboard memory to save up to five custom profiles. However, the review highlights a few notable drawbacks that impact overall comfort and ease of use. The primary ergonomic omission is the total absence of an included wrist rest in the box, an accessory frequently expected at this tier for sustained, long-term comfort....

The Turtle Beach Vulcan II TKL is a low-profile, tenkeyless gaming keyboard that provides exceptional customisation options at an affordable price point of around €100. Originally a staple of the Roccat brand, this iteration preserves its signature build quality, featuring a brushed aluminium top plate and sound-dampening acoustic foam. A major highlight of this model is its hot-swappable TITAN HS linear mechanical switches, which are pre-lubricated and fully compatible with any 3-pin or 5-pin aftermarket switches. Gamers will also benefit from high-performance specifications, including a 1000 Hz polling rate, full N-key rollover, anti-ghosting, a dedicated volume wheel with push-to-mute, and the advanced ReactTap SOCD technology designed to optimise counter-strafing in competitive first-person shooters. The reviewer highlights several significant advantages, giving the device an overall score of 9 out of 10. Key pros include its unmatched value for money, hot-swappable capability at a sub-€100 price, extensive compatibility with third-party keycaps, and the ability to save up to 5 custom profiles directly onto the onboard memory using the Swarm software. The inclusion of three replacement switches and a keycap puller in the...

The Turtle Beach Vulcan II TKL is a compact, tenkeyless gaming keyboard priced under €100 that balances robust performance with a sleek design. Upgraded from its predecessor, it features rounded corners, a distinct aluminium chassis frame, and an updated volume dial that can now be clicked to mute audio. It utilises pre-lubricated, hot-swappable Titan HS linear mechanical switches with a 1.8mm actuation point, allowing users to swap in 3- or 5-pin third-party switches without soldering. Additionally, it supports N-Key rollover and 100% anti-ghosting to ensure all simultaneous keypresses register accurately during intense gaming. Customisation is handled via the Swarm II software, allowing users to map up to three inputs per key and sync the RGB lighting with AIMO-compatible devices. A major advantage (pro) of the keyboard is its durable, brushed aluminium chassis, which provides excellent stability and an incredibly quiet typing profile free of parasite clicking sounds. The hot-swappable switch design offers great value and customisation flexibility at its price point, standing strong as a durable option even after several months of testing. However, a notable disadvantage (con) is the...

The Turtle Beach Vulcan II TKL is a highly capable, wired gaming keyboard that packs premium performance into a compact, TenKeyLess (TKL) form factor for a budget-friendly price of €99. Positioned as a more affordable alternative to the Vulcan II Pro TKL, this non-Pro model swaps out the expensive magnetic Hall Effect switches for factory-lubricated TITAN HS mechanical linear switches. It retains the signature brushed aluminium top plate, vibrant RGB lighting, a dedicated volume wheel, and complete remapping support via the Swarm II software. Additionally, it features full anti-ghosting and a 1000 Hz polling rate, providing an incredibly fluid, responsive, and precise gaming experience out of the box. Pros and Cons Premium Materials: Brushed aluminium plate and durable build. Excellent Performance: Pre-lubricated TITAN HS linear switches ensure smooth, quiet keystrokes. Great Value: High-end features at a competitive price under €100. Swarm II Integration: Simple, user-friendly profile mapping and RGB controls. Included Tools: Comes with keycap/switch pullers and spare parts. No Wrist Rest: Lacks the foam wrist rest included with the Pro model. Limited Customisation: Mechanical switches mean you cannot adjust...