Verdict
The Ducky One3 SF is a strong, smaller-footprint mechanical keyboard. It’s moderately effectively made, affords a superb typing really feel with MX Clear switches, and the RGB lighting is particularly vibrant. Simply be careful for that increased value, and distinct lack of software program.
Execs
- Strong plastic chassis
- Wonderful typing expertise
- Considerate enthusiast-level options
Cons
- No devoted software program
- Lighting feels low-cost
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MX Clear switchesTender tactile Cherry MX Clear switches which can be hotswappable -
House-saving structureSmaller footprint structure for many who might not need or want a full dimension keyboard -
Removable USB-C cableIt features a removable USB-C cable, making it a good selection for typists on the go
Introduction
The Ducky One3 SF represents the Taiwanese model’s newest entry into the world of smaller type issue keyboards.
Ducky has been making waves on the keyboard scene of late, so Trusted Opinions has been eager to place it via its paces and I’ve now bought my palms on one. It’s obtainable for £145 or so on common relying on the variant you select, with plenty of completely different color chassis obtainable and swap decisions, in addition to completely different layouts.
It comes with a handy structure, strong key switches, and the enjoyable of shiny, vibrant RGB – whether or not that’s sufficient to take the One3 SF to be top-of-the-line mechanical keyboards we’ve examined stays to be seen, although – let’s get cracking.
Design
- White colourway seems good
- 65% structure affords good performance
- Wonderful feeling PBT keycaps
The One3 is accessible in all method of color choices, together with yellow, blue, and the white I’ve bought right here. There are additionally two-tone variants in a inexperienced color and lots of extra. It’s additionally obtainable in a spread of structure decisions, starting from full-size choices all the way down to the 65% on supply right here, therefore the SF tag.
The fully plastic chassis feels strong, with minimal deck flex, and the small accents of silver on the edges eke out extra of a premium look. Nevertheless, contemplating similarly-priced choices such because the Drop Alt and the Keychron Q1 Professional go for machined aluminium, the One3 SF’s outward look is probably a bit cheap-looking by comparability.
Its space-saving 65% structure offers you the essential alphanumeric keys you want, in addition to extra features with arrow keys and a smaller nav cluster. You received’t discover a devoted F-row, although – that, together with a number of different features, are left to. a devoted Perform layer. For the marginally bigger footprint, 65% is a way more purposeful structure for most individuals than 60%, and is the minimal structure I can use comfortably. 75% and TKL are my private choice, however for greater house savers, the One3 SF’s structure is greater than high-quality.
As a lot because the plastic chassis on supply could also be barely cheaper feeling, the PBT keycaps utilised on the One3 SF really feel wonderful underneath the finger, with a slight texturing. It’s a way more sturdy and thicker plastic than the extra widespread ABS plastics which can be present in keyboards of all sizes and styles, together with plenty of similarly-priced gaming keyboards. The tiger sample current within the house bar supplies a pleasant accent, as does the darkish blue Enter key, too.
Aside from that, there isn’t a lot to report, right here. The One3 SF’s connectivity is stored good and easy with a singular USB-C port on the highest left-hand facet, whereas the underside is residence to some wonderful two-level toes for finer adjustment for a snug typing angle. These toes function non-slip rubber pads on the underside to stop the One3 SF from transferring waywardly whereas in use.
As for packaging, Ducky doesn’t make any claims about its composition, however the One3 is shipped in a cardboard field and is enclosed with a plastic prime cowl and a bag. The cable can also be housed in an analogous bag.
Efficiency
- Strong MX swap choice from Ducky
- MX Clears supply a snug typing expertise
- Sizzling-swappable PCB is mighty handy
The One3 SF will be shipped with quite a lot of completely different Cherry MX key switches, together with the standard suspects within the type of the sunshine and linear MX Purple, the clicky and tactile MX Blues and the tender tactile MX Browns. Ducky can also be variety sufficient to have bundled in some extra left-field decisions, comparable to MX Clears.
MX Clears are primarily heavier variations of MX Browns, providing a 60g weighting that comes full with a rounded tactile bump about midway down the important thing press. They’re an particularly comfy swap to sort on, though, for these not used to them, chances are you’ll discover them fairly heavy at first. They aren’t scratchy or pingy, both. With these switches inside, it demonstrates the One3 SF’s capabilities as a typist’s board before everything. Nevertheless, with MX Reds inside, the One3 SF may make for a formidable gaming board
The addition of 6-key NKRO is helpful, though appears a bit low contemplating we’re used to having full N-Key rollover on gaming boards now, supplying you with the prospect to push down as many keys as you want without delay With loads of foam inside, the One3 SF isn’t pingy within the slightest. Its case acoustics are wonderful out of the field, making this each a satisfying board to sort on, in addition to to take heed to.
For those who don’t just like the switches that come shipped contained in the board, although, you possibly can swap them out rapidly, given the One3 SF comes with a hot-swappable PCB. It options Kalih’s hot-swap sockets that may assist MX-style switches whether or not they’re three or 5 pins. Change feeling is a purely private factor, so it’s helpful to know you possibly can swap them out for one thing else if you wish to.
Software program and Lighting
- No software program in sight
- Shiny RGB lighting, however it may cheapen the look of the keyboard
There isn’t any extra software program to go together with the One3 SF, which is a disgrace. There isn’t any compatibility with VIA or QMK for remapping keys or adjusting results, both. As a substitute, Ducky has opted to accommodate all of the features underneath some complicated perform layers on the keyboard itself.
As a lot as it is a little bit of a ache, there may be the choice to program macros and cycle via the varied lighting presets on supply, and there are a complete of ten modes to choose from. On that word, the default lighting cheapens the look of the One3 SF by fairly a way. There may be some solace within the truth it’s particularly shiny, although.
Newest offers
Do you have to purchase it?
You desire a incredible typing expertise
The place the One3 SF excels is with the nice swap feeling afforded by the MX Clears inside, and when you don’t like them, you could have the liberty to swap them out.
You need software-based customisation
The One3 SF’s built-in customisation is sweet, however having precise software program would have made it simpler. If software program is a giant deal, you’ll need to look elsewhere.
Last Ideas
So, does the Ducky One3 SF dwell as much as the expectations I had of the legendary model? Properly, sure, and no. It’s bought the makings of a incredible smaller type issue keyboard with a strong chassis, some fantastic-feeling switches, and enthusiast-level inclusions comparable to nice acoustics and a hot-swappable PCB that look to justify its price ticket.
The very fact the chassis is plastic, although, means it doesn’t really feel as costly as the value tag would in any other case justify. Don’t get me mistaken, it’s nonetheless a well-made keyboard, however the machined aluminium current within the likes of the Keychron Q1 Professional and Drop Alt make them ‘really feel’ their price ticket greater than the One3 SF does.
It’s actually the distinct lack of software program that leaves a barely bitter style, although. Positive, having the features built-in into the keyboard is handy, however really having a GUI the place I may see what I’m doing can be higher. The RGB lighting is shiny and vibrant, but it surely simply feels a tad low-cost.
Nonetheless, £145 for the Ducky One3 SF makes it a competitively priced possibility for these wanting a flashier 65% keyboard with an excellent function set, strong development and a marvellous typing expertise.
How we take a look at
We use each keyboard we take a look at for no less than per week. Throughout that point, we’ll verify it for ease of use and put it via its paces by taking part in quite a lot of completely different genres, together with FPS, technique and MOBAs.
We additionally verify every keyboard’s software program to see how simple it’s to customize and arrange.
Spent no less than per week testing
Examined the efficiency on quite a lot of video games
In contrast the construct high quality with comparable priced keyboards.
FAQs
The SF within the Ducky One3 SF’s title stands for ‘Sixty 5’, in reference to its 65% structure.
Sure, the Ducky One3 SF is hotswappable with both 3 or 5-pin switches.
