Turtle Beach Burst 2 Pro: Dominating Ranked Matches Without a Fingertip Grip | Review

The Turtle Beach Burst 2 Pro may not have the appearance of a $139.99 / £119.99 gaming mouse, but it packs enough features, comfort, and sensor performance to rival pricier models. Its design is particularly suited for gamers who prefer a relaxed palm grip.

This isn’t a common trait among top gaming mice. While its wider shape may not appeal to hardcore esports competitors, casual gamers looking for comfort during ranked matches will find a lot to appreciate. Although it sits slightly higher in price compared to some mid-range options, the Burst 2 Pro is a worthy alternative to the usual Razer and Logitech choices.

The Burst 2 Pro maintains the signature design of its series, featuring a wide body that accommodates a comfortable palm grip and a soft-touch finish for a smooth feel. Its pear-shaped design allows for easy control with the thumb and pinky, while the dome shape provides solid support for the palm. This design may limit precision movements, as the rear can sometimes bump against the palm during fine adjustments, but it excels in comfort for a relaxed grip.

This mouse is tailored for those who primarily use their forefingers and thumb for movement, making it ideal for palm and claw grip users. Those who rely on their fingertips for more delicate maneuvers might find it less suitable.

Visually, the Burst 2 Pro has a bulkier appearance compared to many gaming mice. It’s smaller than the larger Glorious Model O 3 Wireless, presenting a more streamlined profile. The design features a gradient that slopes down towards the front, contrasting with the more blocky shape of the Glorious model. However, it is chunkier than the ultra-light Corsair Sabre Pro V2, lacking that slim feel.

In terms of build quality, the Burst 2 Pro feels decent overall. While I noticed some creaking from the sides and back when pressure is applied, the main clicks are solid, and the scroll wheel remains as responsive as when I first unboxed it.

Weighing in at 57g, it’s not as light as Corsair’s 36g mouse, but Turtle Beach has done well to keep the weight down given its size. The underside is designed with cutouts that help reduce weight, and it feels similar in hand to the Razer Deathadder V4 Pro, with a balanced weight distribution and no drag from the larger rear section.

The mouse includes two side buttons alongside the main clicks and a tactile scroll wheel. A DPI shifting button is located at the top, but its position makes it hard to access during gameplay. Still, it’s preferable to the underside placement found on some other brands, even if it requires a firm grip to activate.

The scroll wheel has a satisfying notch and enough tension to prevent accidental scrolling, while remaining responsive in-game. Although it lacks advanced features like side-to-side scrolling, it performs well overall. I did find it a bit challenging for weapon selection due to softer notches than I’m used to, which occasionally led to over-extension.

Unlike many brands that are shifting to web-based configuration tools, the Burst 2 Pro still relies on the Swarm software, now in its second iteration, which is a significant improvement over the original.

The software is user-friendly, featuring a straightforward keybinding system and easy macro recording. Advanced customizations, such as lift-off distance and angle tuning, are accessible through dedicated panels. It runs smoothly without excessive ads or CPU usage, and it provides a reliable battery indicator.

The Burst 2 Pro boasts an 8,000Hz polling rate, which may seem more like a checkbox feature than a priority for most gamers. While competitive players might notice a difference, it’s unlikely to be significant for casual users, especially given the mouse’s bulkier design.

Fortunately, Turtle Beach hasn’t focused solely on esports connections. It includes versatile Bluetooth connectivity and a USB-A 2.4GHz receiver for a quicker connection. Switching between modes is easy with a toggle on the underside, and I found it simple to alternate between devices.

Turtle Beach claims up to 150 hours of battery life, a figure I can confirm after several weeks of use. I only needed to recharge once or twice during this time, averaging around 53 hours of use per week. While battery life dips with a higher polling rate, I typically stick to 1,000Hz, with 4,000Hz available if needed.

While it lacks the hot-swappability of some newer models, the Burst 2 Pro’s larger battery makes it unnecessary. The only other mouse that matches its battery performance is the Razer DeathAdder V4 Pro, which has been my top pick for battery life.

The Owl-Eye sensor returns with a 30,000 DPI and 750 IPS tracking speed. While it doesn’t quite match Razer’s Focus Pro or Logitech’s Hero 2, it still delivers a reliable experience. Tracking is stable on both fabric and hard surfaces, with no noticeable stuttering during fast-paced gameplay. However, I did notice some juddering at lower battery levels, which is less common with other devices.

The Burst 2 Pro also includes a range of additional sensor features. While premium models often excel in this area, Turtle Beach is closing the gap with adjustable lift-off distances of 0.7mm, 1mm, and 2mm, along with fine-tunable angle snapping and motion sync.

Interestingly, this is one of the few gaming mice I’ve tested where the main clicks feel softer than the side buttons. Typically, I find side buttons too squishy, but the optical switches here are surprisingly fast and comfortable. However, the main clicks feel slightly too cushioned to provide a truly tactile response, while the side buttons offer a more traditional feel. This doesn’t significantly impact gameplay, but if you prefer a sharper click, you might want to consider alternatives like the Logitech G Pro X Superlight.

Overall, the Turtle Beach Burst 2 Pro has a lot to offer: impressive battery life, lightweight design, comfortable shape, and a dependable sensor with extra features. It’s quick yet comfortable, easy to control, and includes software options that are hard to find in lower-priced models.

While it’s a premium option, it’s not as pricey as the top-tier offerings from other brands. It may not be the cheapest among similar feature-rich mice, but if you’re looking for a more relaxed grip without sacrificing speed in FPS games, it’s a solid choice. However, with the NZXT Lift Elite offering a similar shape with minor sensor compromises for just $79.99 / £79.99, it’s wise to assess your specific needs first.

If you’re after a comfortable feel with the sensor capabilities to keep pace with fast gameplay, this mouse is a strong recommendation. Just remember, it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution.

I used the Turtle Beach Burst 2 Pro exclusively for four weeks, making it my go-to device for both work and gaming. During this time, I played through Doom: The Dark Ages, enjoyed Planet Coaster, and explored Clair Obscur: Expedition 33. I also put the mouse to the test in Apex Legends and CS:2 during focused sessions.