TechGamingGaming AccessoriesRoccat Vulcan II Max review: one of the best gaming keyboards you can buyThe Roccat Vulcan II Max shows just how good a premium keyboard can beWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.(Image credit: Future: Sam Cross)T3 VerdictThe Roccat Vulcan II Max is undoubtedly one of the best gaming keyboards on the market. The key action is truly remarkable – it’s unforgiving, but responds incredibly fast thanks to the optical switches, to give you the edge when gaming.Reasons to buy+Incredibly sturdy construction+Optical switches for a ridiculously fast response+Feels fantastic+Media controls are very easy to useReasons to avoid-Pricey-No UK layout optionWhy you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
TechGamingGaming AccessoriesRoccat Vulcan II Max review: one of the best gaming keyboards you can buyThe Roccat Vulcan II Max shows just how good a premium keyboard can beWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.(Image credit: Future: Sam Cross)T3 VerdictThe Roccat Vulcan II Max is undoubtedly one of the best gaming keyboards on the market. The key action is truly remarkable – it’s unforgiving, but responds incredibly fast thanks to the optical switches, to give you the edge when gaming.Reasons to buy+Incredibly sturdy construction+Optical switches for a ridiculously fast response+Feels fantastic+Media controls are very easy to useReasons to avoid-Pricey-No UK layout optionWhy you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
The Roccat Vulcan II Max shows just how good a premium keyboard can be
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Future: Sam Cross)T3 VerdictThe Roccat Vulcan II Max is undoubtedly one of the best gaming keyboards on the market. The key action is truly remarkable – it’s unforgiving, but responds incredibly fast thanks to the optical switches, to give you the edge when gaming.Reasons to buy+Incredibly sturdy construction+Optical switches for a ridiculously fast response+Feels fantastic+Media controls are very easy to useReasons to avoid-Pricey-No UK layout option
(Image credit: Future: Sam Cross)
(Image credit: Future: Sam Cross)
T3 VerdictThe Roccat Vulcan II Max is undoubtedly one of the best gaming keyboards on the market. The key action is truly remarkable – it’s unforgiving, but responds incredibly fast thanks to the optical switches, to give you the edge when gaming.Reasons to buy+Incredibly sturdy construction+Optical switches for a ridiculously fast response+Feels fantastic+Media controls are very easy to useReasons to avoid-Pricey-No UK layout option
T3 VerdictThe Roccat Vulcan II Max is undoubtedly one of the best gaming keyboards on the market. The key action is truly remarkable – it’s unforgiving, but responds incredibly fast thanks to the optical switches, to give you the edge when gaming.
T3 Verdict
The Roccat Vulcan II Max is undoubtedly one of the best gaming keyboards on the market. The key action is truly remarkable – it’s unforgiving, but responds incredibly fast thanks to the optical switches, to give you the edge when gaming.
Reasons to buy+Incredibly sturdy construction+Optical switches for a ridiculously fast response+Feels fantastic+Media controls are very easy to useReasons to avoid-Pricey-No UK layout option
Reasons to buy+Incredibly sturdy construction+Optical switches for a ridiculously fast response+Feels fantastic+Media controls are very easy to use
Incredibly sturdy construction
Optical switches for a ridiculously fast response
Feels fantastic
Media controls are very easy to use
Reasons to avoid-Pricey-No UK layout option
Pricey
No UK layout option
Why you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
Why you can trust T3Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
Roccat Vulcan II Max deals
$141.51$125.40View$229.99$129.99View$229.99$145.99View
$141.51$125.40View
$141.51$125.40View
$141.51$125.40View
$141.51$125.40
$125.40
$229.99$129.99View
$229.99$129.99View
$229.99$129.99View
$229.99$129.99
$129.99
$229.99$145.99View
$229.99$145.99View
$229.99$145.99View
$229.99$145.99
$145.99
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When you’re looking for thebest gaming keyboard, the name Roccat will likely catch your eye. The brand are part of the Turtle Beach group, so they’ve got some fairly substantial gaming accessory credentials – Turtle Beach were renowned for making some of thebest gaming headsets, for example.
There’s no doubt, though, that it can be a minefield. Thankfully, here at T3, we’ve been testing the best gaming accessories – like thebest gaming chairs, keyboards and headsets – for years. We’ve gotten to know what makes good gaming keyboards in that time, and can use that knowledge to help you make the best buying decisions.
Here, I’m looking at the Roccat Vulcan II Max. It’s the top of the line keyboard from Roccat, and features all of the latest technology they can pack into their devices. Lets dive in and take a look.
Roccat Vulcan II Max: Design and Setup
(Image credit: Future: Sam Cross)
(Image credit: Future: Sam Cross)
This doesn’t stray too far from the aesthetic of other Roccat keyboards like theRoccat Vulcan TLK Pro. But why would you? They say if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, and this design language is anythingbutbroken.
The keyboard itself measures 463mm x 153mm, with an extra 83mm for the included wrist rest. It’s far from the smallest keyboard you’ll find, but it’s not uncomfortably large either, particularly as it packs in a full number pad, too.
The base of the keyboard is incredibly sturdy – reassuringly so, in fact. My review unit features a matte black design, with textured black accents for the Roccat logo and the media control centre. It looks undeniably sleek and minimalist.
The keys sit above the base, meaning dropped crumbs will no longer kill your keyboard!(Image credit: Future: Sam Cross)
The keys sit above the base, meaning dropped crumbs will no longer kill your keyboard!
The keys sit above the base, meaning dropped crumbs will no longer kill your keyboard!
(Image credit: Future: Sam Cross)
The keys are raised and sit atop the switch base, which is clear and allows the RGB lighting to shine through. This raised design looks great, but it’s also practical. Any dust and dirt that may fall onto your keyboard just sits on the base, rather than felling below the keycap, never to be seen again.
Setting up the keyboard is effortlessly simple. A substantial braided USB cable is hardwired into the base, with two different USB-A connections on the end. Older devices may need both to power the myriad of lighting functions on the Vulcan II Max, but all of my devices were fine using just one. The cable is 1.8m long too, so you should have no problem reaching your computer.
Image1of3The kick stand allows for three different heights – though it is a dust magnet!(Image credit: Future: Sam Cross)(Image credit: Future: Sam Cross)(Image credit: Future: Sam Cross)
Image1of3The kick stand allows for three different heights – though it is a dust magnet!(Image credit: Future: Sam Cross)(Image credit: Future: Sam Cross)(Image credit: Future: Sam Cross)
Image1of3
The kick stand allows for three different heights – though it is a dust magnet!(Image credit: Future: Sam Cross)(Image credit: Future: Sam Cross)(Image credit: Future: Sam Cross)
The kick stand allows for three different heights – though it is a dust magnet!(Image credit: Future: Sam Cross)(Image credit: Future: Sam Cross)(Image credit: Future: Sam Cross)
The kick stand allows for three different heights – though it is a dust magnet!(Image credit: Future: Sam Cross)
The kick stand allows for three different heights – though it is a dust magnet!(Image credit: Future: Sam Cross)
The kick stand allows for three different heights – though it is a dust magnet!(Image credit: Future: Sam Cross)
The kick stand allows for three different heights – though it is a dust magnet!(Image credit: Future: Sam Cross)
The kick stand allows for three different heights – though it is a dust magnet!(Image credit: Future: Sam Cross)
(Image credit: Future: Sam Cross)
(Image credit: Future: Sam Cross)
(Image credit: Future: Sam Cross)
(Image credit: Future: Sam Cross)
(Image credit: Future: Sam Cross)
(Image credit: Future: Sam Cross)
(Image credit: Future: Sam Cross)
(Image credit: Future: Sam Cross)
(Image credit: Future: Sam Cross)
(Image credit: Future: Sam Cross)
There’s a well-designed kickstand on the bottom, too, allowing you to have the keyboard flat, or at two different angles. It doesn’t offer the kind of camber you’d write home about, but it’s useful for finding a comfortable typing angle.
The included wrist rest is easy to attach, too. The tabs simply slot into the keyboard – you’ll need two hands, as it can be a bit fiddly. The RGB lighting projects through the wrist rest, making for a lovely visual spectacle. It’s not the thickest wrist rest though, so don’t expect worlds of comfort.
Roccat Vulcan II Max: Features and Performance
The Vulcan II Max offers a full range of customisation in the Roccat Swarm app. Users can do everything from setting profiles for particular games, to full customisation of each individual key. The possibilities are, essentially, limitless.
The main event here is switch itself – the Titan II Optical Switch. In particular, this features the linear red variant, which means the keys have an extra fast travel. It features an actuation distance – how far you have to press the key before it registers – of just 1.4mm. That means you barely even have to touch the key, quickening up every keystroke you make.
There is a downside though. That actuation distance makes itincrediblysensitive. You will need to be super accurate with your typing, or you’ll end up pressing all 8 keys that surround the one you’ve aimed for. What’s more, because of the raised keys, I found it really odd coming back to this keyboard after using others, making a lot more mistakes than usual until I’d become reacquainted.
The media control centre has become quite a standard on modern gaming keyboards, and this unit is no exception. An infinite-turn knob on the right hand side controls volume, while smaller physical buttons are present for skipping back and forth, and for play/pause. Interestingly, the play/pause button is convex, while the other two are concave, making it sure easy to find the right button without looking.
Roccat Vulcan II Max: Price and Verdict
(Image credit: Future: Sam Cross)
(Image credit: Future: Sam Cross)
Let’s tackle the elephant in the room then. This keyboard is expensive, make no mistake about it. It’ll set you back £199 / $179 / AU$369.95 which is no chump change, even in the world of premium gaming keyboards.
But that is exactly what you’re getting here. It feels every bit as premium as its price tag would suggest, and then some. It’s a truly wonderful experience – whether you’re looking to shave a few milliseconds off keystrokes while gaming, or just fancy a premium typing experience in regular use.
Personally, I absolutely adore the noise of a mechanical keyboard. It reminds me of a typewriter, and just feels very homely. This ticks that box, but also happens to be one of the best gaming keyboards you can buy, and I think it’s that wide-range that really makes the Vulcan II Max tick. I did find myself flicking back and forth between the preset for sweeping rainbow RGB lighting and the block white, in a business-in-the-front, party-in-the-back kind of manner.
In the end, I found that I missed it a lot more than I expected when I didn’t have it around. All in all, it’s a fantastic option, and worth every penny if you spend a lot of time using your keyboard.
Roccat Vulcan II Max: Price Comparison
$141.51$125.40View$229.99$129.99View$229.99$145.99View$196.32View$229.99View
$141.51$125.40View
$141.51$125.40View
$141.51$125.40View
$141.51$125.40
$125.40
$229.99$129.99View
$229.99$129.99View
$229.99$129.99View
$229.99$129.99
$129.99
$229.99$145.99View
$229.99$145.99View
$229.99$145.99View
$229.99$145.99
$145.99
$196.32View
$196.32View
$196.32View
$196.32
$196.32
$229.99View
$229.99View
$229.99View
$229.99
$229.99
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