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Turtle Beach Vulcan II TKL Pro specifications and in-depth review

Turtle Beach Vulcan II TKL Pro

Manufacturer: Turtle Beach

The Turtle Beach Vulcan II TKL Pro is a low-profile tenkeyless mechanical gaming keyboard built around Hall effect technology, offering a compact 80% layout that retains most of the standard key arrangement without a dedicated numpad. It ships in black or white and comes with a wrist rest included, along with adjustable feet for positioning. The case is plastic with an aluminum plate, and the detachable cable adds some flexibility for transport and desk management.

At its core, the keyboard uses Gateron KS-20 Magnetic Hall effect switches with a linear feel, an actuation force of 36 g, and a configurable actuation point that ranges from 0.1 mm to 4 mm — enabling features like rapid trigger, dual actuation, and adjustable actuation. Total travel distance sits at 3.5 mm, and the switches are hot-swappable. The layout follows the ANSI standard with OEM-profile double-shot ABS keycaps, RGB backlighting, full N-key rollover, a rotary dial, and media controls accessible through the Fn layer. The keyboard connects via USB at a 1000 Hz polling rate and carries a one-year warranty.

Pros
  • Hot-swappable Hall effect switches allow the actuation point to be set anywhere between 0.1 mm and 4 mm, supporting rapid trigger and dual actuation for precise input control
  • Tenkeyless layout reduces desk footprint while retaining a standard ANSI key arrangement
  • Includes a wrist rest and adjustable feet out of the box, improving ergonomic setup without needing accessories
  • Detachable cable makes transport and cable management more convenient
  • Full N-key rollover ensures every simultaneous keypress is registered accurately
  • Aluminum plate provides a more rigid typing surface within the plastic case
Cons
  • No QMK, ZMK, or VIA support limits firmware customization options for users who prefer open-source remapping tools
  • Media controls are only accessible via the Fn layer, with no dedicated media keys
  • ABS keycaps are more prone to developing shine over time compared to PBT alternatives
  • One-year warranty period is relatively short
  • No USB passthrough, meaning no additional ports are added to the keyboard itself
Who is this for?

This keyboard suits users who want precise, configurable input — particularly those who benefit from rapid trigger and adjustable actuation in fast-paced gaming scenarios where response consistency matters. The tenkeyless form factor works well for setups where desk space is limited, and the included wrist rest and adjustable feet make it a reasonable fit for longer sessions. Those who prefer a low-profile linear typing experience with the option to swap switches without soldering will also find the hot-swap support a practical advantage.

Who is this NOT for?

Users who rely on open-source firmware customization through QMK, ZMK, or VIA will find this keyboard limiting, as none of those platforms are supported. It is also not a strong fit for those who need dedicated media keys for frequent media control without using function layer shortcuts. Additionally, users who prefer PBT keycaps for longer-lasting surface texture may find the ABS double-shot keycaps less suitable for heavy daily use over time.

General info:

Keyboard type Gaming, Mechanical
Keyboard layout size Tenkeyless (80%)
Profile Low-profile
connectivity Wired
connection type USB
polling rate 1000 Hz
Mount type Plate mount
designed for Mac ✕
has a detachable cable ✓
height 138 mm
width 368 mm
thickness 32 mm
weight 626 g
warranty period 1 years

The Turtle Beach Vulcan II TKL Pro is a low-profile mechanical gaming keyboard in a tenkeyless (80%) layout, connecting to a system via USB at a 1000 Hz polling rate with a detachable cable. It uses a plate mount construction and measures 368 mm wide, 138 mm tall, and 32 mm thick, weighing 626 g. The keyboard is not designed for Mac, and connectivity is wired only. It carries a one-year warranty.

Design:

has RGB lighting ✓
Has a backlit keyboard ✓
Case material Plastic
Plate material Aluminum
Case colors Black, White
has adjustable feet ✓
includes a wrist rest ✓

The keyboard features a plastic case with an aluminum plate and is available in black or white. It has a backlit layout with RGB lighting, and the board ships with both a wrist rest and adjustable feet included, giving users some flexibility in how they set it up at their desk.

Switches:

Switch type Hall effect
Switch feel Linear
Hot-swappable switches ✓
Switch name Gateron KS-20 Magnetic
Actuation distance (min) 0.1 mm
Actuation distance (max) 4 mm
Actuation force 36 g
Total travel distance 3.5 mm

The keyboard is equipped with Gateron KS-20 Magnetic Hall effect switches that deliver a linear feel with an actuation force of 36 g and a total travel distance of 3.5 mm. The actuation point is configurable anywhere between 0.1 mm and 4 mm, and the switches are hot-swappable, allowing them to be replaced without soldering.

Features:

has analog input ✓
has rapid trigger ✓
has dual actuation ✓
has adjustable actuation ✓
has NKRO ✓
has USB passthrough ✕
Has a display ✕
has QMK support ✕
has ZMK support ✕
has VIA support ✕

On the feature side, the keyboard supports rapid trigger, dual actuation, and adjustable actuation, all made possible by its analog input capability, along with full N-key rollover for simultaneous keypress registration. It does not include USB passthrough, a display, or support for QMK, ZMK, or VIA firmware.

Keys & layout:

Keyboard layout ANSI (United States)
Keycap type ABS, Double-shot
Keycap profile OEM
uses a standard key layout ✓
Media keys Via Fn key
has a rotary dial ✓

The keyboard uses an ANSI (United States) layout with a standard key arrangement and OEM-profile double-shot ABS keycaps. Media controls are accessed through the Fn key rather than dedicated keys, and a rotary dial is included on the board for additional input control.

Final Verdict

The Turtle Beach Vulcan II TKL Pro is a focused tenkeyless gaming keyboard built around the practical strengths of Hall effect switch technology, delivering a configurable actuation range and rapid trigger support that give it a clear identity in the gaming input space. The inclusion of a wrist rest, adjustable feet, and hot-swappable switches adds everyday usability that goes beyond the spec sheet, while the aluminum plate gives the chassis a degree of structural integrity despite the plastic case. Its limitations — notably the absence of open-source firmware support and the lack of dedicated media keys — narrow its appeal for users who prioritize deep customization, but for those whose needs align with what it does offer, the Vulcan II TKL Pro represents a well-defined and coherent package.