- 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, Gateron, TTC, and Kailh switches, depending on what model you're interested in. 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% compact 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
- 02/11/2022 Ducky One 3 reviewed
- 04/06/2021 Ducky One 2 updated
- 03/31/2021 Ducky One 2 Mini V2 reviewed
- 09/29/2020 Ducky One 2 RGB TKL reviewed
- 08/26/2020 Ducky One 2 SF reviewed
Best Ducky Keyboards
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Best Ducky Keyboard For Gaming
Gaming9.0Mobile/Tablet2.8Office8.0Programming8.1Entertainment / HTPC4.8The best Ducky keyboard for gaming that we've tested is the Ducky One 3. This colorful model comes in a variety of sizes and switch types. It uses doubleshot PBT keycaps that feel excellent on the fingertips, and overall its body feels solid and well-built. The latency is remarkable and low enough to handle fast-paced competitive games without delay. We bought and tested the full-size, yellow variant with Cherry MX Brown switches, which feel light to type on and provide excellent tactile feedback to know when a key's been registered. Although Cherry MX Brown switches aren't usually the first choice for gamers, this keyboard is hot-swappable, so you can swap out the stock switches for any that you prefer, like a linear or clicky switch, without having to solder.
Unfortunately, you can't customize the RGB backlighting as there's no dedicated software. Also, its keycaps aren't shinethrough, making the legends harder to see in the dark. Although it lacks software, you can still program macros directly onto the board using a hotkey sequence, and there are DIP switches on top of the board that allow you to lock the Windows key and adjust other settings. Overall, this option offers an excellent typing experience, and it makes a superb choice if you're looking for a colorful and customizable gaming keyboard.
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Best Ducky Keyboard For Office
Gaming9.2Mobile/Tablet2.8Office8.0Programming8.3Entertainment / HTPC4.9If you're looking for a Ducky keyboard to brighten up your office, the best we've tested is the Ducky Shine 7. It's a full-size model with superb build quality and doubleshot PBT keycaps that feel durable. Its keys are also very stable and have good spacing between them. Unlike compact Ducky options, this model has a Numpad, dedicated media keys, and dedicated arrow keys, making it more convenient for office and productivity use. It's also reasonably comfortable to type on for extended periods, though it doesn't come with a wrist rest. We purchased our unit with Cherry MX Brown switches, which feel responsive and give satisfying tactile feedback. It's available with six other types of Cherry MX switches, so you can choose the set you prefer the most.
This keyboard also has DIP switches that allow you to change the location of the Fn key or swap between N-key rollover and 6-key rollover. Additionally, all the keys are macro-programmable. However, you have to program all the macros directly on the keyboard since the software only allows you to customize the RGB lighting. Otherwise, the main downside is this keyboard's rubberized USB-C cable that feels cheap and tends to retain kinks. However, this cable is removable, so it's easy to swap out. Overall, if you're looking for a good mechanical keyboard for work that has an incredible build quality and offers outstanding typing quality, you won't go wrong with the Ducky Shine 7.
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Best Compact Ducky Keyboard
Gaming8.6Mobile/Tablet4.8Office8.0Programming8.1Entertainment / HTPC4.8The best compact Ducky keyboard we've tested is the Ducky One 2 Mini V2. It's a 60% mechanical gaming keyboard nearly identical to the Ducky One 2 Mini V1, but it has some minor physical and performance differences. While it doesn't have customization software, you can still customize the RGB backlighting and set macros to any key directly from the board. You can also change the location of the Fn key and switch between N-key rollover and 6-key rollover by using the DIP switches on the underside. We tested this keyboard with tactile Cherry MX Brown switches, which feel light and responsive, but it's also available in a variety of Cherry MX, Gateron, and Kailh switches, so you can get the brand and feel you prefer.
Unfortunately, this keyboard has high latency for a wired gaming keyboard. It may not feel as responsive as other options, especially if you play fast-paced or competitive games. Also, like other Ducky keyboards, it has a cheap and generic cable. Thankfully, it's removable, so you can switch it out for another custom cable of your choice if you wish. Overall, this keyboard offers many customization options and is an all-around excellent compact mechanical option for work, everyday browsing, or casual gaming.
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, colorways, 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 feel very well-made, and they have doubleshot PBT keycaps that feel excellent to type on. There's also good spacing between the keys to help you avoid making 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 also 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 models have software to customize RGB lighting settings, you can't set macros. All macro programming is done directly on the keyboard, which can be hard to learn for some people. That said, some people may prefer the ability to program without installing additional software on their computer.
- Cheap USB-C cable. Even though the keyboards are typically very 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've begun making more office-oriented options. Razer has dedicated software to easily set macros, and some of their keyboards come with wrist rests. However, you can purchase Ducky keyboards in several 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 a few 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 lets you set macros. However, Ducky keyboards are usually better built than Corsair.
Other major companies, like Razer and Corsair, have bigger lineups 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.
Recent Updates
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May 04, 2022: Replaced the Ducky One 2 RGB TKL with the Ducky One 3 as 'Best Ducky Keyboard For Gaming' as the One 3 has better latency and is more readily available.
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Jan 07, 2022: Verified product availability and made minor alterations for text accuracy; no changes to our picks.
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Sep 09, 2021: Updated text for clarity and accuracy.
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May 12, 2021: Replaced the Ducky One 2 Mini V1 with the Ducky One 2 Mini V2 since it's the upgraded version of the same board.
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 them for the office, and they're very well-made. Taken together, these qualities all but guarantee that you can find a Ducky keyboard that suits your needs.