Ducky One 3 SF Aura White 65% Mechanical Keyboard Review: A Compact Masterpiece?

The Ducky One 3 SF Aura White 65% Mechanical Keyboard promises a premium typing experience with its compact design, hot-swappable switches, and vibrant RGB lighting. But does it live up to the hype? I’ve been using this keyboard for several weeks now, putting it through its paces with both typing and gaming, and I’m ready to share my honest thoughts.

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• Key Features
• Performance and Typing Experience
• Pros and Cons
• Final Verdict

Introduction

The Ducky One 3 SF Aura White is a compact 65% keyboard, meaning it lacks the number pad and some function keys, making it ideal for those who value desk space and prefer a more minimalist layout. This keyboard is available with a variety of switch options, including Cherry MX, Kailh, and Gateron. For this review, I’m using the Cherry MX Red switch version.

Key Features

The Ducky One 3 SF Aura White boasts a number of impressive features, including:

• Hot-Swappable Switches: This allows you to easily swap out switches without soldering, making it easy to customize your keyboard to your liking.
• Dual-Layer PCB: This provides greater stability and durability, ensuring that your keyboard can withstand the test of time.
• RGB Lighting: The keyboard features vibrant RGB lighting with customizable effects, allowing you to personalize your setup.
• Detachable Type-C Cable: This allows for easy portability and allows you to replace the cable if needed.
• Anti-Ghosting: The keyboard supports N-key rollover, ensuring that all your keystrokes register, even when pressing multiple keys simultaneously.

Performance and Typing Experience

The Ducky One 3 SF Aura White delivers an excellent typing experience. The Cherry MX Red switches provide a smooth and responsive feel with a linear actuation, making it perfect for both typing and gaming. The keyboard feels very sturdy and well-built, with a solid feel to every keystroke.

The RGB lighting is bright and vibrant, and the customizable effects add a nice touch. I particularly enjoyed the ability to create custom profiles for different applications, allowing me to tailor the lighting to my preferences. The detachable Type-C cable makes it easy to transport the keyboard and the anti-ghosting functionality is excellent, ensuring that all my keystrokes register in even the most intense gaming sessions.

Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Compact 65% design saves desk space.
• Hot-swappable switches offer customization flexibility.
• Dual-layer PCB ensures stability and durability.
• Vibrant RGB lighting with customizable effects.
• Detachable Type-C cable for easy portability.
• Anti-ghosting support for reliable keystrokes.

Cons:

• The keycaps are made of ABS plastic, which can be prone to shine over time.
• Some users may find the lack of a number pad to be inconvenient.

Final Verdict

The Ducky One 3 SF Aura White is a fantastic 65% mechanical keyboard that offers a premium typing experience. Its hot-swappable switches, dual-layer PCB, and vibrant RGB lighting make it a joy to use. While the ABS keycaps might shine over time and the lack of a number pad may be a drawback for some, these are minor drawbacks in an otherwise outstanding keyboard. If you’re looking for a compact, customizable, and high-performance keyboard, the Ducky One 3 SF Aura White is definitely worth considering.

Specifications