- Table of Contents
- Intro
- Updates
- Comparison
- Best Keyboards
- Conclusion
- Discussions
Ducky manufactures gaming peripherals with its primary focus on mechanical keyboards. Their keyboards are highly customizable, and you can purchase them in a variety of Cherry MX switches, so you can get the ones you feel most comfortable using. Ducky keyboards stand out against the competition with their unique and colorful aesthetics, and they often include Chinese zodiac-branded spacebars. Most of their keyboards have very similar features, and they're available in a variety of sizes, from 60% to full-sized variants. However, Ducky lags behind other companies in terms of dedicated software, as they've only recently released software to customize the RGB lighting.
Updates
- 09/29/2020 Ducky One 2 RGB TKL reviewed
- 08/27/2020 Ducky One 2 reviewed
- 08/26/2020 Ducky One 2 SF reviewed
- 06/01/2020 Ducky Mecha Mini reviewed
- 05/22/2020 Ducky MIYA Pro reviewed
Best Ducky Keyboards
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Best Ducky Keyboard For Gaming
Connectivity WiredSizeTenKeyLess (80%)MechanicalYesThe best Ducky keyboard for gaming that we've tested is the Ducky One 2 RGB TKL. The smaller size gives you more space on your desk to move your mouse, and you have enough buttons to set many different macros if you wish. We tested the Pure White variant with RGB lighting and Cherry MX Brown switches. It comes with some extra blue keycaps and a spacebar that represents the year of the rat in the Chinese calendar. It's available in a variety of colors, some of which don't have any lighting, and for the most part, each variant is also available in a full-sized version, such as the Ducky One 2.
It actually has dedicated software called Ducky RGB, but as the name suggests, it only allows you to customize the RGB settings, and you can't set any macros. It's only available on Windows and lets you save many profiles. This is just like any other Ducky keyboard, as it has an excellent build quality, outstanding typing quality, and each key is macro-programmable. It surprisingly doesn't have media hotkeys, but you can easily program them. There's a Windows Key Lock that prevents you from accidentally minimizing your game. All in all, this is the best Ducky keyboard we've tested.
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Best Ducky Keyboard For Office
Connectivity WiredSizeFull-size (100%)MechanicalYesThe Ducky Shine 7 is the best keyboard for office use that we've tested. It's a full-sized option that gives you a NumPad and dedicated media keys. It's well-made with an alloy plate on top that feels very solid, and the doubleshot PBT keycaps also feel great. The keys are well-spaced and very stable, and the Cherry MX Brown switches on our unit provide outstanding typing quality, one of the best we've tested. It's also available in a variety of switches, but unlike the One 2 Series, it's only available in two colors: black and gray. Each variant has full RGB lighting if you work in a dark environment.
Like the Ducky One 2 RGB TKL, this one has the same dedicated software through which you can only customize the RGB lighting. It doesn't offer much in terms of ergonomics as it doesn't come with a wrist rest, and even though it has two incline settings, you may feel a bit of fatigue after long periods of typing. You can use it on most operating systems, but some function keys don't work on macOS. If you want a mechanical model for the office, this one offers outstanding typing quality, making it one of the best Ducky keyboards we've tested.
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Best Compact Ducky Keyboard
Connectivity WiredSizeCompact (60%)MechanicalYesThe best compact Ducky keyboard that we've tested is the Ducky One 2 Mini. Unlike most other brands, they produce a variety of options available in a 60% size (Mini) or compact 65% (SF), which has dedicated arrow keys. In reality, the Mini and the Ducky One 2 SF are similar, and choosing one over the other comes down to personal preference and whether you want arrow keys. The Mini we tested is basically a smaller version of the Ducky One 2 RGB TKL, as they both have a pure white body with RGB backlighting. It's also available in different color variants, and some don't have any backlighting.
Unfortunately, there isn't dedicated software, so all macro-programming and RGB customization is done directly on the keyboard. You can find instructions on how to do so in the user manual. There are media hotkeys, and it also has DIP switches that allow you to remap the location of some function keys. Our unit has Cherry MX Brown switches that offer outstanding typing quality, but without arrow keys, it may be a bit difficult to navigate text. If you want a small, compact keyboard, this is one of the best Ducky keyboards we've tested.
Compared to other brands
- Easily customizable. Ducky keyboards are some of the most customizable on the market. You can purchase them in a wide variety of switches, designs, and sizes. Each keyboard comes with a keycap puller, and you can purchase different colored keycaps on their website, allowing you to design your keyboard how you like.
- Excellent typing quality. Their keyboards are very well-made with doubleshot PBT keycaps that feel excellent to type on. There's enough spacing between each key to help reduce typos.
- Tons of features. Ducky keyboards are loaded with extra features. Every key is macro-programmable, and there are two layers of hotkeys you can access. There are DIP switches that allow you to change the location of the Windows, Fn, and Caps Lock keys.
- Limited software. The main downside to a Ducky keyboard is the lack of dedicated software. Although some now have software to customize RGB settings, you can't set macros. All macro programming is done directly on the keyboard, which is a bit difficult to do.
- Cheap USB-C cable. Even though the keyboards are well-built, Ducky usually includes a cheap and generic USB-C cable. It retains kinks easily and may even have generic markings on it. Luckily, it's detachable if you want to replace it.
Ducky vs Razer
Razer also makes gaming keyboards, but they make office-oriented options too. Razer has dedicated software that you can use to set macros, and some of their keyboards come with wrist rests. However, you can purchase Ducky keyboards in a variety of Cherry MX switches, while some of Razer's are only available with one type of switch.
Ducky vs Corsair
Corsair produces a variety of mechanical and non-mechanical keyboards. They have wireless options, and their full-sized boards usually have dedicated macro keys. Corsair's iCUE software is available on both Windows and macOS, and it allows you to set macros. Ducky keyboards are usually better-built than Corsair, and they also sell compact versions.
Other companies, such as Razer and Corsair, have bigger lineups aimed at both office and gaming use compared to Ducky. However, you know what you're getting with a Ducky keyboard since most of them are so similar, they're all well-built, and quality control is excellent. Ducky offers more customization options in terms of aesthetics and switch types. If you don't mind the lack of dedicated software, Ducky's options are as good as the competition.
Conclusion
Overall, Ducky produces highly customizable keyboards, and you can purchase them in a variety of color variants, giving your gaming setup a unique aesthetic. They have outstanding typing quality, which is great if you also want to use it for the office, and they're very well-made. No matter what size keyboard you want to get, you'll find one available with Ducky.
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