Verdict
The Ducky One3 SF is a solid , little - step mechanically skillful keyboard . It ’s reasonably well made , pop the question an excellent typewriting feel with MX Clear switches , and the RGB kindling is especially vibrant . Just watch out for that in high spirits price , and distinct lack of software .
Pros
Cons
Key Features
Introduction
The Ducky One3 SF represents the Taiwanese trade name ’s late unveiling into the public of smaller human body factor keyboards .
Ducky has been making waves on the keyboard scene of belated , so Trusted Reviews has been slap-up to put it through its paces and I ’ve now dumbfound my hands on one . It ’s available for £ 145 or so on average depending on the var. you choose , with wad of different color chassis uncommitted and switch option , as well as different layouts .
It add up with a convenient layout , solid key switches , and the fun of bright , vivacious RGB – whether that ’s enough to take the One3 SF to be one of thebest mechanical keyboardswe’ve tested remains to be see , though – let ’s get cracking .
Design
The One3 is uncommitted in all manner of color selection , include xanthous , blue , and the ashen I ’ve got here . There are also two - timbre variants in a green vividness and many more . It ’s also available in a range of layout choices , ranging from full - sizing options down to the 65 % on offer here , hence the SF tag .
The entirely plastic chassis feels solid , with minimal pack of cards flex , and the small accents of silver on the incline eke out more of a premium flavor . However , consider similarly - priced options such as theDrop Altand theKeychron Q1 Proopt for machine aluminium , the One3 SF ’s outward-bound show is perhaps a petty cheap - looking by comparison .
Its space - saving 65 % layout gives you the introductory alphanumerical keys you need , as well as extra functions with arrow keys and a smaller nav clustering . You wo n’t find a dedicated F - row , though – that , along with a host of other functions , are go forth to . a dedicated Function layer . For the slightly expectant footprint , 65 % is a much more functional layout for most people than 60 % , and is the minimum layout I can apply comfortably . 75 % and TKL are my personal penchant , but for bigger space saver , the One3 SF ’s layout is more than fine .
As much as the charge plate physique on offer may be more or less cheaper feeling , the PBT keycaps employ on the One3 SF palpate excellent under the digit , with a slight texturing . It ’s a much more undestroyable and thicker charge plate than the more common ABS plastics that are found in keyboard of all form and sizes , including a lot of likewise - priced play keyboard . The Panthera tigris pattern present in the space bar provide a courteous accent , as does the dismal blue Enter cay , too .
Other than that , there is n’t much to report , here . The One3 SF ’s connectivity is maintain nice and simple with a singular USB - C port on the top odd - manus side , while the underside is home to some first-class two - level foundation for finer adjustment for a comfortable typewriting slant . Those foot have non - slip rubber pads on the bottom to prevent the One3 SF from moving waywardly while in use .
As for publicity , Ducky does n’t make any claims about its composition , but the One3 is shipped in a cardboard box and is hold in with a plastic top cover and a udder . The cable is also house in a like bag .
Performance
The One3 SF can be shipped with a variety of unlike Cherry MX fundamental switches , including the usual suspects in the var. of the light and linear MX Red , the clicky and tactile MX Blues and the soft tactile MX Browns . Ducky is also kind enough to have bundled in some more left - theater option , such as MX Clears .
MX Clears are essentially heavier interpretation of MX Browns , offering a 60 g weighting that comes complete with a rounded tactile hump about halfway down the key mechanical press . They ’re an especially comfortable switch to type on , although , for those not used to them , you may see them quite heavy at first . They are n’t tetchy or pingy , either . With these switches in spite of appearance , it demonstrates the One3 SF ’s capableness as a typist ’s dining table first and foremost . However , with MX Reds within , the One3 SF could make for a formidable gambling board
The increase of 6 - key NKRO is handy , although seems a little low view we ’re used to suffer full N - fundamental rollover on gaming boards now , cave in you the fortune to fight down as many keys as you like at once With plenty of foam inside , the One3 SF is n’t pingy in the slightest . Its guinea pig acoustics are fantabulous out of the box , make this both a satisfying control board to type on , as well as to listen to .
If you do n’t like the permutation that come ship inside the board , though , you could swap them out quickly , give the One3 SF come with a red-hot - swappable PCB . It features Kalih ’s hot - swap sockets that will patronize maxwell - style substitution whether they are three or five pins . Switch feeling is a strictly personal thing , so it ’s handy to bang you’re able to swap them out for something else if you require to .
Software and Lighting
There is n’t any extra software to go with the One3 SF , which is a shame . There is n’t any compatibility with VIA or QMK for remapping keys or adjusting effects , either . or else , Ducky has opted to house all the functions under some confusing function layers on the keyboard itself .
As much as this is a minute of a painful sensation , there is the option to programme macros and bike through the various light presets on offer , and there are a total of ten modes to pick from . On that note , the nonremittal lighting cheapens the looking at of the One3 SF by quite some way . There is some solace in the fact it ’s especially bright , though .
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Should you buy it?
Where the One3 SF excels is with the great switch feeling afforded by the MX Clears in spite of appearance , and if you do n’t like them , you have the freedom to swap them out .
The One3 SF ’s integrated customisation is gracious , but having real software would have made it easier . If software program is a big deal , you ’ll want to seem elsewhere .
Final Thoughts
So , does the Ducky One3 SF exist up to the expectations I had of the fabled stigma ? Well , yes , and no . It ’s got the fashioning of a marvelous modest human body gene keyboard with a solid chassis , some fantastic - feeling switches , and enthusiast - storey inclusion such as corking acoustic and a red-hot - swappable PCB that look to justify its toll tag .
The fact the human body is pliant , though , means it does n’t feel as expensive as the price shred would otherwise apologize . Do n’t get me wrong , it ’s still a well - made keyboard , but the machined aluminium present in the likes of theKeychron Q1 ProandDrop Altmake them ‘ sense ’ their price tag more than the One3 SF does .
It ’s really the clear-cut want of software program that leaves a more or less dark sense of taste , though . Sure , having the functions integrated into the keyboard is convenient , but really having a GUI where I could see what I ’m doing would be safe . The RGB lighting is bright and vivacious , but it just feels a tad cheesy .
Nonetheless , £ 145 for the Ducky One3 SF makes it a competitively price option for those wanting a flashier 65 % keyboard with a near feature plant , solid grammatical construction and a marvellous typewriting experience .
Trusted Score
How we test
We practice every keyboard we test for at least a week . During that sentence , we ’ll check it for ease of use and put it through its paces by toy a variety of unlike genres , including FPS , scheme and MOBAs .
We also see each keyboard ’s package to see how wanton it is to customise and limit up .
FAQs
The SF in the Ducky One3 SF ’s name stands for ‘ Sixty Five ’ , in reference to its 65 % layout .
Yes , the Ducky One3 SF is hotswappable with either 3 or 5 - pin switching .
