A rehash or a rebirth? Turtle Beach Kone II gaming mouse review

Turtle Beach, famous for its gaming headsets, has taken some pretty big steps lately. Acquiring (and recently absorbing) fellow computer peripherals company Roccat has allowed it to expand the roster of products it makes, including computer mice. Though Turtle Beach has made big waves in the headset world, thanks to Roccat, it's ready for what comes next. The Turtle Beach Kone II.

Based on the design of the Roccat Kone, the II makes some new moves, notably with the integration of Turtle Beach's control software for configuring the RGB and buttons, as well as some notable quality-of-life upgrades. But how different is it really from previous versions, and does it stand out as a wired gaming mouse?

Though the market may be saturated when it comes to gaming mice, Turtle Beach still manage to stand out here with one of the most ergonomically friendly designs out there for a price that's within reaching distance for many gamers. But how much of it is an original design, and how much is simply left over from the bones of Roccat? Olivia tests and reviews the mouse, and sees if it's a simple rehash, or a new contender in the peripheral's industry.

Understated but not overwhelming

Some gaming mice can look intimidating. Both theRazer Naga Pro and theCorsair Scimitar Elite come to mind – too many edges, textures, and buttons to make much sense of it for someone who doesn't peruse gaming forums in their spare time. The simplicity of the Kone II is what endeared me to it in the first place.

The software is easy to use, and unlike some other configuration apps, understandable to those uninitiated in the intricacies that can come with this level of customisation. And there is a lot. With the Easy Shift button on the left side of the mouse, all I needed to do was move my thumb a little down from where it already naturally was, and you can unlock a whole new range of functionality. Acting as a button to change the function of mouse keys, this is especially useful for those who play high-intensity games such as Apex Legends or MOBAs like League of Legends. This quick function change can allow for even faster reactions, not relying on keyboard macros so much, is always handy in the panic situations where you need to act first and think later.

The software Turtle Beach provides comes with a list of macro arrangements for games built in, so you’ll never need to worry about setting them up yourself. If you’re someone who runs a particularly niche set-up, you’re still able to fully customise exactly what the mouse does, and thanks to the Easy Shift, you have twice the amount of customisation available to you. If this is a little overwhelming, or you’re not someone who would find need of all those extra functions, the Easy Shift button can be configured to do something as simple as a left click, or maybe opening a new tab in your browser.

The Kone II can be as simple or complex as you want it to be, which is part of its charm. Not only does it function as a great shooter mouse, but can easily pass as a particularly fancy ergonomic office mouse. Without the over-the-top gamer branding, just the subtle top lighting, this would be just as comfortable in an office as it would be on a Twitch stream. Turtle Beach tread the line very carefully, and have managed to have what is maybe the sleekest looking mouse of 2024.

Ergonomic ingenuity

When using this mouse, it felt like this was the shape we were really waiting for. Though I have smaller hands, it still fit well in it, and the contours around the side hug my right hand just right. The included grip tape comes in very useful, though you could get away without it if you really wanted to, though the plastic is smooth it is still very easy to manoeuvre.

It is definitely best suited to a palm grip due to the weight and shape, but that's the only one you'll be needing. Thanks to the contours, there was no adjustment needed from the grip that comes natural to me, my thumb able to quickly move between the Easy Shift and forward/back buttons with ease. I am an existing enjoyer of the more ergonomic mouse, but if this is your first outing with one, it may take some time to adjust, but it's worth it. The comfort afforded by this shape is unrivalled for long-term gaming sessions (or, like me, where it's mostly long-term spreadsheet working).

When it comes to ease of use, the wire may feel like an anchor keeping you from true freedom of movment. You'd be forgiven for thinking so as I was in the same boat, but this is the least fussy cable I've come across. Braided, durable, not pure white to as to attract every spec of dirt in a mile radius and still flexible enough not to feel as I'm using it. It wouldn't surprise me if they use this cable material on the space station thanks to how light it feels. Though it may be on the heavier end of conventional gaming mice, thanks to the hidden honeycomb design it means you can save a precious few grams without worrying about the inside getting all mucky. Turtle Beach focused on lightness, not just RGB lighting.

That being said, for how good the shape works for me as a right-handed user, this would be very tricky to use for a left-handed person, and with no alternative version currently available I'd say this mouse is not accessible to 10 per cent of the world. That is a shame, as I think Turtle Beach has managed to find a great niche with the Kone II when it comes to affordability and customisability, and it would be a shame for it to follow in the footsteps of many other companies and treat left-handed users as a second thought.

The question of how much of the good left in the Turtle Beach Kone II is leftover from Roccat is debatable, there have been some definite improvments but I wouldn't exactly call it a revolution. That doesn't stop it from being a great mouse, just one that sticks to the safety of its roots. It would be nice in future to see something entirely Turtle Beach, and see what they do with its place in this industry.

Who is it for?

Though billed as a gaming mouse, I'd argue that it has a much wider appeal. Thanks to the well-designed ergonomics, this mouse is well suited for anyone who just wants a more comfortable experience while at their computer. Though it may look a little "gamery", it is subtle enough not to stick out on a desk if you were to take it to work. The lights can be customised, but can also be turned off if you want to be even more understated. You can store several user profiles so switching from work to play is just the press of a button on the mouse.

In saying this, you'll definitely get the most out of it if you're using it for gaming. Having as high a DPI as this, using it in an office would be like using a sports car to get the weekly shop. Yes it may do the job, but it can shine much brighter in gaming.

Would we recommend it?

When it comes to the world of gaming mice, any individual one can be a drop in the ocean. Most have RGB, most have adjustable DPI settings, most have configurable software. The thing that sets the Kone II apart is what made the original design so great, the ergonomics and the Easy Shift button. Those are the main merits to recommend this mouse over others, the design and lighting is great but is by no means the thing that tip it over the edge over other mice in the same spec/price range. Not to mention, the weight of the mouse edges it out of the hyper-light categories, and at a certain point professional e-sports competitors will not be interested owing to the weight of it compared to other models. The industry has been chasing lighter and lighter mice for years now, and though it isn't the main draw of this mouse, it definitely bears mentioning.

If you're someone who doesn't play games such as Valorant, Apex Legends or League of Legends and prefers the quiet life of single player games, then the mouse will do you a lot of good, but so would something cheaper. I found it very comfortable to use, and the price very reasonable for the quality you're getting, and though it's a wired model it was very easy to use thanks to the flexible cable. But to get the most value out of it, you'd have to be someone who knows what DPI is before googling it.

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Olivia Sheed is a Tech Writer and Reviewer at What's The Best. Here she writes reviews, how-to guides and articles across all things technology.

Her interests align with "anything nerdy ". Olivia is an avid fan of TTRPGs, board games, miniature painting, and video games. Outside of that, she loves to discuss horror films, campy classics such as those from Hammer Film Productions in the 70s are her favourite for a comfy watch. An avid hiker, she visits the Lake District often, for both walking and wild swimming.

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