The Ducky One 2 RGB TKL is a very good wired mechanical gaming keyboard. Our unit uses Cherry MX Brown switches, which offer tactile feedback and very little noise. If that's not to your liking, it's also available in a wide variety of switch and color options. That said, every key is macro-programmable, but all the recording is done on the keyboard itself. Unlike the Ducky One 2 and Ducky One 2 Mini V1, it has dedicated software to customize the RGB backlighting. Certain variants of this keyboard may be difficult to find through all retailers.
Our Verdict
The Ducky One 2 TKL is an outstanding keyboard for gaming. The Cherry MX Brown switches on our unit have low pre-travel and don't require a lot of force to actuate. That said, it's available in a wide variety of switches. It has full RGB backlighting, which can be customized with the Ducky RGB companion software. Also, every key is macro-programmable and recording is done on the keyboard. Ergonomics are decent, and while there's no wrist rest, the straight design should be comfortable enough for most people.
- Available in a variety of switches.
- Solid PBT keycaps.
- Macro-programmable keys.
- Outstanding typing experience.
- Clunky method of adjusting RGB backlight.
- No wrist rest.
The Ducky One 2 RGB TKL is a wired-only keyboard and can't be used with a mobile device.
The Ducky One 2 RGB TKL is a very good keyboard for office use. The ergonomics are only okay as it lacks a wrist rest, but typing should still feel comfortable. With the Cherry MX Brown switches on our unit, typing quality is outstanding and quiet and shouldn't bother those around you. That said, it's also available in a wide variety of switches. The build is also great, with a solid plastic frame and double-shot PBT keys that feel stable and well-spaced out.
- Available in a variety of switches.
- Solid PBT keycaps.
- Outstanding typing experience.
- No wrist rest.
The Ducky One 2 RGB TKL is a great keyboard for programmers. The Cherry MX Brown switches on our unit provide outstanding typing quality and should be quiet enough to not disturb those around you. That said, it's also available in a wide variety of switches. There are macro-programmable keys, but you have to record them on the board yourself. Also, there's RGB backlighting, but the companion software to customize it is limited to Windows.
- Available in a variety of switches.
- Solid PBT keycaps.
- Macro-programmable keys.
- Outstanding typing experience.
- Clunky method of adjusting RGB backlight.
- No wrist rest.
The Ducky One 2 TKL is bad for use with a home theater PC. It doesn't have a trackpad for navigation, and you can only use it wired. On the upside, it has full RGB backlighting for those who like to watch TV in the dark.
- Available in a variety of switches.
- Outstanding typing experience.
- Wired-only.
- No trackpad.
Changelog
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Updated Nov 19, 2024:
We've added a link to our 'Best Ducky Keyboards' recommendation article in the Compared to Other Keyboards section.
- Updated Feb 04, 2021: Converted to Test Bench 1.0.
- Updated Sep 29, 2020: Review published.
- Updated Sep 24, 2020: Early access published.
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Differences Between Sizes And Variants
Our unit has Cherry MX Brown switches, but you can choose to get it with Cherry MX Red, Blue, Black, Nature White, Silent Red, Silent Black, or Silver switches as well. It's also available in a variety of color variations, such as the One 2 Horizon TKL, One 2 Skyline TKL, and the One 2 Skyline TKL, all of which are listed below and may be easier to find on Ducky's website. Also, while this is the RGB model, you can also get it with White LED backlighting. You can see the label of our unit here.
| Variant | Color | Sizes | Backlighting | Note | Switches |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Horizon | Blue | Compact 60%, TKL, Full | - | Cherry MX Black, Brown, Blue, Red, White, Clear, Silver, Silent Red, Green | |
| Bon Voyage | White/Blue | Full Size, TKL | - | Cherry MX Black, Brown, Blue, Red, Silver,Silent Red | |
| Skyline | Gray | Full Size, TKL | - | Cherry MX Black, Brown, Blue, Red, White, Silver, Clear, Silent Red, Green | |
| White | White | TKL | RGB | The 'Enter' button is blue. | Cherry MX Black, Brown, Blue, Red, Nature White, Silver, Silent White, Silent Red |
| Pure White | White | Compact 60%, 65%, TKL | RGB | The 'Enter' button is red. | Cherry MX Black, Brown, Blue, Red, Silver, Silent Black, Silent Red |
| Black | Black | TKL | RGB | Cherry MX Black, Brown, Blue, Red, Nature White, Silver, Silent White, Silent Red | |
| Midnight | Black | Full Size, TKL, Compact 60% | - | Cherry MX Black, Brown, Blue, Red, White, Silver, Clear, Silent Red, Mixed, Green | |
| White Edition | White | Full Size, TKL | White | All keycaps are white. | Cherry MX Black, Brown, Blue, Red, Silver |
| White LED | White | TKL, Compact | White | Cherry MX Black, Brown, Blue, Red, Silver | |
| Blue LED | Black | Full Size, TKL | Blue | Cherry MX Black, Brown, Blue, Red, Silver | |
| Pudding Edition | Black | TKL | - | Cherry MX Black, Brown, Blue, Red, Silver, Silent Red |
If we missed any variants, let us know in the discussions.
Popular Keyboard Comparisons
The Ducky One 2 TKL is a wired, mechanical TenKeyLess (80%) keyboard with great build quality. Like many keyboards on the market, it's available in a wide variety of colors and switches. It has an outstanding typing experience with the Cherry MX Brown switches on our unit and can be compared to the Ducky One 2 Mini V1, the Ducky One 2 Mini V2, and the Ducky One 2, which are compact (65%) and full-sized keyboards respectively. Unfortunately, the companion software to customize the RGB backlighting is limited to Windows.
For other options, check out our recommendations for the best RGB keyboards, the best gaming keyboards, and the best mechanical keyboards. For more Ducky options, see our recommendations for the best Ducky keyboards.
The Ducky One 2 RGB TKL and the Ducky One 2 are practically the same keyboards, but the One 2 RGB TKL has an 80% TenKeyLess layout and full RGB backlighting. It also comes with Ducky RGB companion software, which allows you to program the backlighting. That said, the full-sized One 2 we tested has dedicated hotkeys for media control and a Numpad. It's also possible to get it in smaller sizes or with full RGB backlighting, though our unit didn't have it.
The Ducky One 2 RGB TKL and the Varmilo VA87M are very similar. The main differences are that the Ducky has lower latency, macro-programmable keys, and software for customization. Both keyboards are available in a wide variety of Cherry MX switches.
The Ducky One 2 RGB TKL is essentially a TKL version of the Ducky One 2 SF. The main differences are that the One 2 RGB TKL has much lower latency and software for customization. Both keyboards are available in various switch options.
The Ducky One 2 RGB TKL and the Ducky MIYA Pro are fairly similar. The One 2 RGB TKL is an 80% keyboard, while the MIYA Pro is a 65%. The One 2 RGB TKL is better for gaming mainly because it has much lower latency. Also, its customization software is easier to use, and it offers two incline settings, whereas the MIYA Pro only offers one. Both keyboards are available in a wide variety of switch options.
Test Results
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