Battle of the Titans: Apex Pro TKL Gen 3 vs. Vulcan 2 TKL Pro – My Ultimate Choice Revealed!

SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Gen 3 vs Turtle Beach Vulcan 2 TKL Pro: specifications

SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Gen 3 vs Turtle Beach Vulcan 2 TKL Pro: price and availability

The SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Gen 3 is priced at $219 / £209 (approximately AU$336), while the Turtle Beach Vulcan 2 TKL Pro retails for $149 (around £113 / AU$219). Both keyboards are currently available in black and white variants, and each includes a wrist rest.

Considering the cost, the Vulcan 2 TKL Pro is significantly more affordable and appears to offer better value initially, as both utilize the same Hall-effect technology in their analog switches, resembling some of the finest gaming keyboards. However, the Vulcan 2 TKL Pro does not quite reach the exceptional build quality and performance of the Apex Pro TKL.

A wireless variant of the Apex Pro TKL exists, which of course comes at a higher price, although the difference isn’t as substantial as one might anticipate. Conversely, the Vulcan 2 TKL Pro is exclusively wired.

SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Gen 3 vs Turtle Beach Vulcan 2 TKL Pro: design and features

Even though both keyboards share the same TKL configuration, they are remarkably different in nearly every other aspect. The Vulcan 2 TKL Pro is slender and appears more elegant overall, while the Apex Pro TKL is noticeably more robust. It features a very thick chassis and has a greater weight compared to the Vulcan 2 TKL Pro, although it’s not as heavy as one might assume.

Both keyboards showcase floating keys, yet they are more visibly distinct on the Vulcan 2 TKL Pro. The keys are extremely thin and reveal the switches underneath much more prominently. A significant advantage of this design is that cleaning becomes easier, as debris has fewer spots to hide or accumulate.

The T-shaped ABS keycaps on the Vulcan 2 TKL Pro are entirely smooth with a subtle indentation, aside from those in the lower row, which are instead convex. This design facilitates ease of use with thumbs and little fingers.

In contrast, the standard keycaps of the Apex Pro TKL are thicker and have a slight texture, yet they remain smooth to the touch. They are also crafted from Double Shot PBT, known as the gold standard for gaming keycap material due to their premium quality and longevity. Both keyboards allow for keycap replacement.

Each model includes wrist rests. However, I found the Vulcan 2 TKL Pro didn’t require one – the slim chassis enabled me to find a comfortable position right away. In contrast, I had to use the wrist rest with the Apex Pro TKL, which is regrettable as it is one of the keyboard’s drawbacks. It is relatively short and lacks an incline, causing my left hand to slightly hang off the edge while in the WASD position, which led to minor discomfort.

Customization and adjustments are available for both keyboards through their respective software. The Vulcan 2 TKL Pro works with Turtle Beach’s Swarm 2, which at first impression did not inspire much confidence. The interface is poorly designed, making text difficult to read. Navigation is not very intuitive, with a lack of clarity regarding several features worsening the experience. Moreover, when remapping keys, you can’t see the current assignments without clicking on each key one by one, which is quite inconvenient.

Nonetheless, Swarm 2 offers numerous rebinding options, including various system-level shortcuts and multiple binding layers thanks to features like Easy Shift among others. Naturally, for a gaming keyboard, RGB customization is also supported.

Being an analog keyboard, there are various actuation modifications available too, such as Multi-input and Rapid Trigger features. However, the standout feature of the Vulcan 2 TKL Pro and Swarm 2 is the Controller mode, which allows you to simulate a game controller by mapping keys to buttons, triggers, and analog sticks.

On the other hand, SteelSeries’ GG software provides many similar options for lighting, key remapping, and actuation. However, it doesn’t offer as many binding layers as Swarm 2, nor does it match its selection of shortcuts. What’s more, controller emulation is also absent.

However, GG does provide customization choices for its integrated display (the Vulcan 2 TKL Pro lacks a screen), offering options to upload personal GIFs and display in-game stats for numerous popular titles, such as Counter-Strike 2, Minecraft, and League of Legends.

GG is also generally more user-friendly. However, both software solutions share a common limitation: the absence of visual feedback when modifying actuation points. While Swarm 2 offers this in some situations, it is completely missing from GG.

SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Gen 3 vs Turtle Beach Vulcan 2 TKL Pro: performance

Both keyboards deliver solid gaming performance. It took me a while to adapt to the narrower, T-shaped keycaps of the Vulcan 2 TKL Pro, and the deep indentations made it challenging to glide over them smoothly, despite their low profile.

However, those indentations provided assistance in maintaining the WASD position. An additional benefit for gaming is the adjustable actuation, as responsiveness can be increased when quick presses are necessary. However, the switches do not dampen as effectively as those on the Apex Pro TKL, resulting in a less pleasant experience for those who tend to press harder, causing the plastics to collide.

The Rapid Trigger function, however,

functions effectively, enabling rapid-twitch actions while simultaneously sustaining lower sensitivity levels for initial presses.

Multi-input mode wasn’t as effective in my experience, as it proved challenging to apply the precise amount of pressure required to consistently hit preset actuation points for activating those secondary inputs. The keys and switches fail to deliver sufficient refinement or control, as they are devoid of adequate feedback.

Regarding Controller mode, this is somewhat disappointing on the Vulcan 2 TKL Pro. Once more, the keys and switches simply don’t offer enough precision to accurately simulate analog triggers and sticks. I discovered that modifying the response curve in Swarm 2 made some improvement, but not enough. This implies that for situations requiring detailed control, such as racing, the Vulcan 2 TKL Pro cannot compete with a gamepad.

There are also concerns surrounding functionality, with numerous games lacking a suitable combination of gamepad and keyboard controls for smooth transitions between both. For instance, in Grand Theft Auto V, you could assign the W and S keys to R2 and L2 to facilitate vehicle acceleration and braking, but then you wouldn’t be able to maneuver your character on foot. Solutions are feasible, such as employing the Easy Shift feature, but I found this still too cumbersome to justify the hassle.

In contrast, the Apex Pro TKL does not offer controller emulation, probably due to its impractical attributes; I surmise that it may simply be a fact that keyboards will never achieve the analog accuracy of triggers and sticks found in controllers.

Nevertheless, it compensates for this absence with its other capabilities. In practice, the overall experience of the Apex Pro TKL is outstanding. The switches are exceptionally dampened, delivering a satisfying thock while remaining responsive. The bottom row is also easily accessible and user-friendly, owing to the relatively compact arrangement and the angled keys present here.

Moreover, hitting specific actuation points is significantly easier compared to the Vulcan 2 TKL Pro, as the measured nature of the keys and switches, along with the tactile feedback they provide, instills considerable confidence.

Similar to the Vulcan 2 TKL Pro, the fundamental actuation modifications are efficient, yielding noticeable and beneficial alterations to response times. The Rapid Trigger mode on the [] is equally proficient as well.

SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Gen 3 vs Turtle Beach Vulcan 2 TKL Pro: verdict

The Vulcan 2 TKL Pro does a commendable job given its relatively modest price, featuring valuable actuation modifications alongside numerous other attributes and functionalities available through Swarm 2. Although the analog performance is sufficient in certain respects, it isn’t quite as impressive as one might hope, and controller emulation doesn’t completely meet expectations either.

On the flip side, the performance and feel of the Apex Pro TKL surpasses virtually every aspect. Thanks to the feedback provided by the switches, consistently hitting actuation points is much easier, leading to enhanced analog functionality. The construction quality is also unmatched in this category, and the elegance it exudes certainly justifies its price. If you’re willing to shell out the cash, the Apex Pro TKL is destined to impress.