The cooperation with Varmilo, Ducky x Varmilo Miya Pro is a 65% layout with 68 keys and one of the best stabilizers you will find in a Ducky keyboard.
- 7 Best Ducky Keyboards Reviews in 2021
- Best Ducky Keyboards 2021
- 1. Ducky One 2 Mini Mechanical Keyboard(Cherry MX Brown)
- 2. Ducky One Mini RGB LED PBT Mechanical (Cherry MX Silver)
- Updates
- Best Ducky Keyboard For Office
- Build Quality & Design
- Switches
- Best Ducky Keyboard Comparison Table at a Glance
- 1. Ducky MIYA Mechanical Keyboard
- Genuine Cherry MX Switches
- Beautiful LED Pink Backlight
- Conclusion
- Ducky One 2 Mini
- Build
- Switches/ Keys
- Macros/ Software
- Reasons You Might Want To Avoid Ducky
- A Lack of Software
- No Wireless Options
- Cable Length Trouble
- No Hotswap Sockets
- Older Designs
- The Best Ducky Keyboards
- Ducky One 2 Mini
- Ducky One 2 SF
- Ducky X Varmilo Miya Pro
- What’s Inside The Box?
- Verdict
7 Best Ducky Keyboards Reviews in 2021
Ducky is truly one of the best brands on the market, offering a wide variety of keyboards of all kinds, also in very competitive price ranges. That’s why most people like to use Ducky keyboards with their desktops.
Therefore, if you are interested in purchasing a new keyboard to set up your desktop computer, we have compiled a list of all the best keyboard options from Ducky that you can use with your desktop computer. But before you start spending money on a keyboard, there are some important things you need to consider, such as:
- Keyboard Size: As we said before, Ducky offers a wide variety of keyboard options that include all kinds of keyboards. Whether it’s a ten-key keyboard or a full-sized keyboard, you’ll find all kinds of options in the list. Therefore, decide if you want a keyboard with the full 108 keys or the smaller one with 67 or 61 keys.
- connectivity: In addition to checking other functions on the keyboard, looking for connectivity options is quite important. While some Ducky keyboards are fully wired, some options offer the convenience of a detachable USB cable making it easy to carry the keyboard around while on the go.
- Switch Type: Almost all of the keyboards offered by Ducky are mechanical keyboards. Hence, they use one of the best quality switches. But not every type of switch is liked by everyone, so finding the right type of switch to your taste is quite important. Most Ducky keyboards have Cherry MX switches, and some options even use Kailh switches, which are almost as good, but a bit cheaper.
If you remember these few things, purchasing a new Ducky keyboard will not be a difficult task for you. However, there are a few extra things you can consider before purchasing your new Ducky keyboard. If you want to know everything, we already mentioned the detailed “Buyer’s Guide” later in this article, you may consider reading through to the end. For now, let’s quickly jump into the list and check out the keyboard options Ducky offers.
Best Ducky Keyboards 2021
The best Ducky keyboards | Number of keys | communication | Guarantee | Buy now |
---|---|---|---|---|
Ducky One 2 mini keyboard (Cherry MX Brown) | 61 | USB | 1 year | Check on Amazon |
Ducky One Mini RGB LED (Cherry MX Silver) | 61 | USB | 1 year | Check on Amazon |
Ducky One 2 mini keyboard (Cherry MX Blue) | 61 | USB | 1 year | Check on Amazon |
Ducky One 2 Skyline Keyboard (Cherry MX Silver | 108 | USB | 1 year | Check on Amazon |
Ducky One 2 Horizon Keyboard (Cherry MX Red) | 108 | USB | 1 year | Check on Amazon |
Ducky 31 Keys Set the keyboard | 31 | — | 1 year | Check on Amazon |
Ducky One 2 SF white mechanical keyboard | 67 | USB | 1 year | Check on Amazon |
1. Ducky One 2 Mini Mechanical Keyboard(Cherry MX Brown)
Starting with one of Ducky’s most loved and popular keyboards, the One 2 Mini Keyboard has long been a highly rated keyboard option on the market, so you should definitely check it out.
As the name suggests, the size of the keyboard is actually a Mini as it is a 60% TKL keyboard and only has 61 keys in total. The quality of the keyboard is absolutely impressive as it comes with dual seamless 85% PBT transparent keycaps and a double layer PCB for extra durability. Speaking of other features, this keyboard uses 100% original Cherry MX Brown switches which are quite clickable and sound very good.
Moreover, if you are a gamer, you will definitely like this keyboard as it supports up to 10 different RGB lighting modes. In fact, it uses a detachable USB Type-C interface cable which makes it easy for users to carry this keyboard around when leaving home. Under the keyboard, Ducky has provided two-layer feet with three adjustable angles that are extremely stable.
Best Features:
- 60% TKL keyboard with 61 keys
- Dual PBT keycaps
- Cherry MX Brown switches
- Detachable USB cable
- 10 RGB lighting modes
- It comes with a one year warranty
Pros:
- Durable and compact design
- The keystrokes are very clickable
- The build quality is impressive
Cons:
2. Ducky One Mini RGB LED PBT Mechanical (Cherry MX Silver)
If you need a small and compact desktop keyboard that is not too loud to click and provides a linear and fast response, the Ducky One Mini Keyboard is a good choice.
This keyboard is so impressive and offers linear click feedback, thanks to Cherry MX Silver switches that are much more responsive than any other switch on the market. With such a great switch type, Ducky used double seamless PBT keycaps that make this keyboard one of the best on the market for build quality.
Tekeyless keyboards, on the other hand, are much more compact and more portable. In 60% of keyboards without tenkeyless there are almost 61 keys, while if you need dedicated arrow keys you can choose 65% tenkeyless keyboard which comes with 67 keys including arrow keys and a few extra ones.
Updates
- 6/4/2010 Updated Ducky One 2
- 03/31/2021 Review of Ducky One 2 Mini V2
- 09/29/2020 Review of Ducky One 2 RGB TKL
- August 26, 2020 Review of Ducky One 2 SF
- 2020-01-06 Ducky Mecha Mini V2
Ducky One 2 RGB TKL
The best Ducky gaming keyboard we’ve tested is the Ducky One 2 RGB TKL. It’s an impressively low latency TenKeyLess model that should be responsive enough for most gamers. It feels very well built, with a sturdy plastic body that shows only little flexibility. It also has durable PBT plastic keycaps. The variant we tested has the color Pure White with a blue Enter key and full RGB backlight. It is available with a variety of Cherry MX and Kailh switches. However, the device we purchased has Cherry MX Brown tactile switches that are lightweight and typing-responsive, and have a satisfying tactile punch that can be beaten during startup. This keyboard is also available in the full-size version of Ducky One 2.
Unfortunately, its rubber cable feels generic and cheap. Luckily it is removable which means you can replace it with your own custom wire. Also, while it has RGB lighting customization software, you can’t use it to set macros or remap the keys. However, you can program macros directly on the board itself by following the instructions in the manual. You can also save custom profiles to onboard memory and disable the Windows key so you don’t accidentally minimize the game. Overall, this is a great choice if you’re looking for the best Ducky keyboard for gaming.
Best Ducky Keyboard For Office
Duck Shine 7
The best Ducky keyboard for office use we have tested is the Ducky Shine 7. It is a full size model with excellent build quality and dual PBT keycaps that are durable. Its keys are also very stable and have good spacing between them. Unlike the compact Ducky options, this model has NumPad, dedicated multimedia keys, and dedicated arrow keys, making it more convenient for office use and productivity. It’s also quite comfortable to type for long periods of time, although it doesn’t come with a wrist rest. We purchased our unit with Cherry MX Brown switches which are responsive and provide satisfying tactile feedback. It is available with six other types of Cherry MX switches so you can choose the kit you want.
This keyboard also has DIP switches that allow you to change the location of the Fn key or swap between an N-key and a 6-key rollover. Additionally, all keys are programmable in macros. However, you have to program all the macros directly on the keyboard as the software only allows you to adjust the RGB lighting. Otherwise, the main downside is this keyboard’s rubberized USB-C cable, which feels a bit cheap and tends to keep kinks. However, this cable is removable so it’s easy to replace. All in all, if you’re looking for a good mechanical keyboard for work that has amazing build quality and exceptional typing quality, you won’t go wrong with the Ducky Shine 7.
Prices and product availability are current at the date / time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on the relevant Amazon sites as in effect at the time of purchase will apply to your purchase of this product.
Build Quality & Design
The Ducky One 2 Mini has the quintessence of 60% design with only the essentials, and with the fn layering system you don’t really lose that much in terms of functionality compared to the TKL. The case is made entirely of plastic with a double black top and white undercoat, the plastic and backplate are thick enough to keep the Ducky fairly stiff with little to no deflection.
The case is low-profile with a floating key design, but not as flat and flat as other keyboards such as the K70 or Magicforce. Personally, I like both looks, the half-wall on the duck gives a pretty clean profile while keeping the RGB front and center.
The 60% design obviously gives you a lot of desk space, if you can live without a numeric keypad, I recommend 60% for gaming, your mouse can always take up more space, especially if you play with low sensitivity or your desk space is limited.
Ducky adds a dash of style to his design while maintaining minimalism and class, which is a fan of this design. The white backplate really makes RGB pop out of the keyboard, which is further enhanced by Ducky’s great RGB modes. This is one of the best looking keyboards on the market.
There is branding on this keyboard, but luckily most of them are out of the way and any branded keycaps have a blank alternative to suit your tastes.
There are nice little touches on the keyboard, the connection is USB Type-C, the end of the PC connector is a standard USB A port with the Ducky logo on, another nice little touch, the Ducky includes a Velcro closure to keep the cord tidy just in case, nothing special but always appreciated.
The feet have 2 levels and are rubberized to keep the keyboard in place.
Switches
The Ducky One 2 Mini offers a range of Cherry MX options;
The Ducky I used for this review had Silent Reds in it and was a total typing dream, completely smooth and quiet with no buzzing or echo in the case. The stabilized keys were also rock solid with minimal wobble and no jitter.
The quality of the Ducky One 2 Mini really shows here, it’s the most enjoyable writing experience I’ve had on a motherboard. I recommend Silent Reds, Browns or Speeds to players, and you can’t go wrong with Ducky.
Likewise, there is no software for pre-configuring macros. There are up to six designated macro profiles that can be accessed using the built-in controls. All macros and LED settings are written directly to the PCB, so they will be automatically saved when the board is disconnected.
Best Ducky Keyboard Comparison Table at a Glance
It’s very hard not to like the top-rated Ducky Keyboard. However, keyboards come in a variety of types, sizes, and designs. If you want to choose the most suitable model for your needs, it may be necessary to familiarize yourself with their individual features, functions and design.
That being said, we’ve compiled a list of the best Ducky keyboards. We’re sure they’ll help you make decisions when you need a reliable Ducky keyboard. Read on.
1. Ducky MIYA Mechanical Keyboard
Ducky keyboards are famous for their high-quality packaging. This can be seen again on the example of the arrangement and organization of the device in its box.
Right out of the box, the keyboard comes with several accessories including:
- Detachable USB-C cable
- Spare space
- key puller
- User manual
In terms of design, the Ducky MIYA Mechanical Keyboard is strikingly beautiful, with a pastel pink color that will appeal to any user’s taste.
The keyboard comes with dual PBT keycaps and stable keys for an overall durable and sturdy design.
Most gamers will love the loudspeaker design of the device, thanks to the evenly shaped 5mm bezel on the keys.
The keyboard sits comfortably on any surface as there are up to five flat rubber feet underneath the hob to ensure a firm and stable grip at all times.
Genuine Cherry MX Switches
The keyboard is equipped with top-of-the-line Cherry MX Brown switches that guarantee excellent durability and top performance. The switches are highly sensitive to touch and provide a quick click response every time you press a button.
This keyboard has the tactile feel that is characteristic of Cherry MX Brownswitches. Also, the 2mm trigger point will count for the benefit of all gamers and developers.
You don’t need to exert a lot of pressure to initiate any command, thanks to the super responsive tactile feel.
The Cherry MX Brown switches also keep noise levels significantly low, making the keyboard suitable for use in a library or open office.
It’s quite disappointing to learn that there are no dedicated multimedia keys with the Ducky MIYA keyboard. However, you can always rewrite the keys to serve this purpose, thanks to the programmable macro capabilities.
If you want to prevent any disruption while gaming, you can activate the Windows lock function by pressing the Fn + Windows key on Ducky MIYA.
Beautiful LED Pink Backlight
The Ducky MIYA mechanical keyboard comes with an amazing pink backlight feature that gives a cool magenta effect.
Unfortunately, the keyboard does not support RGB backlighting even though the software does. However, you can always adjust the lights using the special effects available in the software.
The Ducky MIYA Pro comes with a detachable USB Type-C cable for easy and hassle-free connection to compatible Windows, Mac and Linux devices. While the keyboard works with these operating systems, it offers limited software support for Mac OS and Linux.
Conclusion
By now, you should have eliminated all doubts (if you had any) about the plethora of Ducky’s best gaming keyboards.
In addition to beautiful design and high-quality build, they all feature best-in-class Cherry MX switches to make typing and gaming smooth and enjoyable.
If you like games and want to go without backlighting, the Ducky One 2 Skyline Keyboard is the best choice. You can count on high-quality Cherry MX Red switches to give you the best gaming experience all the time.
Ducky One 2 Mini will appeal to lovers of a compact and portable keyboard, while other models also provide high performance and high durability.
Just look for the model that best suits your needs, and you won’t regret any of these Ducky keyboards.
The Ducky Shine 7 Gunmetal Keyboard is a solid option for every gamer and top developer. The Cherry MX Silver switches are among the fastest, so you can count on them to ensure smooth gameplay with excellent feedback at all times.
Ducky One 2 Mini
The Ducky One 2 Mini is the always popular 60% version of the full-size Ducky One 2. Designed for minimalists who prefer a clean desk to extra keys, the reduction in size removes standard features, navigation, and arrow keys in favor of a compact layout.
Build
As a result, the board is extremely light and portable, which is great for many reasons. It can fit in your bag when you need to take it with you, and frees up valuable space for other gaming peripherals that usually sit in front of your monitor.
While the reduced 61 key layout can be a big compromise for those going from a larger size, all secondary functions are still available with the “FN” key. Should you likely forget your keys, the keycaps have dual functions conveniently printed on the side.
The build quality of the Mini is nice and stiff and the board is very small. Due to its two-color ABS coating, it’s basically constructed in the same way as the Ducky One 2. This makes it a great first option for anyone looking to downsize their keyboard to a smaller size.
Switches/ Keys
The stabilizers sound decent straight out of the box and have absolutely no rattles or shakes that you find in other inferior products. Moreover, this also applies to some of the larger keys (e.g. Shift, Enter, Delete) which sound solid and provide a consistent typing experience.
Like the larger model, the One 2 Mini uses original Cherry MX switches and has dual PBT keys. The keyboard we have listed below is available with either Silent Reds or Black toggles, and the legendary legends have distinct accents that light up with the backlight.
Macros/ Software
Unfortunately (unlike the larger boards) the Ducky One 2 Mini does not yet support the latest RGB V1.31 and Ducky Macro V2.0 firmware. This means you’ll need to access the built-in controls to set the customization features, which is a slightly more time-consuming process.
The upside is that all the macros and LED settings go back to the PCB to save the settings when unplugged. The programming modes allow RGB modes for each key and 6 macro profiles you’d expect on any other Ducky keyboard.
All in all, it’s a great Ducky keyboard, and it’s still one of the top 60% models on the market by far.
Prices and product availability are current at the date / time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on the relevant Amazon sites as in effect at the time of purchase will apply to your purchase of this product.
Reasons You Might Want To Avoid Ducky
A Lack of Software
One of the duck’s strengths may also be its weakness.
Ducky keyboards may be programmable on board, but it’s hefty firmware that costs the software.
While the built-in programming is quite powerful, it still seems quite tedious and unintuitive to program at first without instructions.
The lack of software means you lack a simple, visual way to set up your layout, macros, and RGB lighting effects.
Instead, you will have to read the manual and check that your settings were saved.
Again, while not the worst thing in the world, it can certainly be quite boring.
No Wireless Options
Wired USB is the only way to connect the Ducky keyboard to your computer.
Gamers may not mind the lack of Bluetooth, but for others, the lack of any kind of wireless connectivity could be a breakthrough.
While some setups would certainly not benefit you from a wireless keyboard, Ducky keyboards may not be the best option if you’re looking for a mobile, travel, or untethered option.
Cable Length Trouble
Be aware that some Ducky boards, such as the One 2 Mini, may also have power problems through long custom USB-C cables.
Space Cables recommends a maximum of 5 feet collapsed and 13 feet unfolded.
This is also a known issue with Drop and HHKB keyboards.
No Hotswap Sockets
Hotswap jacks are becoming an increasingly popular feature in newer keyboards.
Hotswap is great for beginners and enthusiasts as it allows you to try out multiple switches without having to solder or desolder. This modularity also comes in handy when replacing damaged switches.
While Ducky keyboards offer a plethora of toggle options, you’ll be locked out of your choice unless you know how to use a soldering iron.
Older Designs
Ducky keyboards can actually look quite modern and fun, especially the compact Mini and SF layouts.
However, the larger full-size and TKL keyboards can feel quite dated and boring compared to the larger bezels, sharper edges, and larger exposed surface area which can make your setup less clean and aesthetically pleasing than it could be.
Ducky also offers many “historic” models in its lineup with Ducky Zero, as well as alternative lines such as the Mecha and flagship Shine series.
This can lead to confusion about which version to buy.
If you need solid aluminum structures, choose Ducky Mecha and Shine keyboards.
For fun, inexpensive keyboards and the very latest lineup, look no further than the One 2 Mini, One 2 SF and Miya Pro.
The Best Ducky Keyboards
There are plenty of Ducky keyboards to choose from, but the One 2 series is the one to look for.
The One 2 Mini and Mini SF series are our picks for two of the best Ducky keyboards. We chose them not only for their build quality, but also for their style, size and efficient layout.
Ducky One 2 Mini
One 2 Mini is the most compact layout Ducky has to offer, and a selection of divine Ninja and TFUE players.
The One 2 Mini is a 60% chip that comes in fun colors and sturdy stabilizers from the factory.
There is even a partnership with Hyper-X, which offers faster Hyper-X Red gaming switches and sharp black and red colors.
With a 1000 Hz polling rate, compact design and your choice of Cherry MX switches, the Ducky One 2 Mini will keep you protected in any situation.
The One 2 Mini may have power issues if you’re using a cable longer than 13 feet uncoated, so be aware.
You can check out the Ducky One 2 Mini for a good price.
Find out what makes this board the Ninja’s choice.
Ducky One 2 SF
The One 2 SF is ideal if you need a compact performance of 60% but don’t want to do without arrows or navigation keys.
The layout has 67 keys and is only one column wider than the Mini, so you won’t waste much more desk space or mouse position.
The One 2 SF is otherwise very similar to the One 2 Mini, offering the same excellent build quality, speed and switch options (other than the HyperX edition).
Check out Ducky One 2 SF if you are interested in the amazing gaming keyboard.
Ducky X Varmilo Miya Pro
The cooperation with Varmilo, Ducky x Varmilo Miya Pro is a 65% layout with 68 keys and one of the best stabilizers you will find in a Ducky keyboard.
Available in many colors, including beautiful pink and white. All keycaps are standard sizes for easy compatibility.
Check out Miya Pro for one of the best 65% keyboards money can buy.
For those who are interested in buying one, I have a good deal on Amazon. Or, for more selection you can check out my list of the best ten key mechanical keyboards here.
What’s Inside The Box?
The keyboard is packaged well, fits in a small plastic pocket and a plastic keyboard cover to prevent damage to the keys.
There are extras under the keyboard. This includes warranty information, an instruction manual, a keycap extractor tool, and additional blue and dark gray keycaps.
Verdict
The Ducky One 2 is a solid keyboard and is perfect for anyone looking to pick up their first mechanical keyboard. It is an affordable option compared to most of the competition in the market.
The keys are durable as they are PBT, not ABS, have a nice texture and provide the option to change the look with the included extra keycaps.
The only downside to the keycaps is that the print quality is not what I would expect for a keyboard at this price or by Ducky standards. Some of the prints look a little inconsistent in places. For example, take a look at the home key below, “e” looks like. Maybe it’s a keycap font, but it looks lower quality than other letters.
In addition, the icons on the keys have an unusual position, which took me some time to get used to. Such as square brackets, minus, underline, plus, and equal. This is primarily a personal preference, but something to consider.
I chose the Cherry MX browns because I had owned Cherry MX reds before and found them a little linear and light for me. If you are unsure what type of mechanical switch you would like, I have put together a complete Cherry MX switch guide including weight and switch sounds.
The switches are perfect and I am really happy with the Cherry MX browns. They have a great tactile sensation and I like the activation force. The keys are strong and durable. They are definitely better than the ABS caps I had on my old Ducky.