Ducky OK-M keyboard overview: A brand new funds champ

Worth When Reviewed

$69

Greatest Costs Right this moment: Ducky OK-M 65 keyboard

It’s been nearly three years since I reviewed the G.Ability KM250, and declared it the gold commonplace in mechanical keyboard worth. Ever since then I’ve been looking out for one thing that may dethrone that design. And I feel Ducky has finished that with the OK-M. 

Ducky is a model that keyboard nuts like me are in all probability acquainted with, however it doesn’t have the identical clout as Razer, Corsair, and even Keychron. Which may change very quickly. The OK-M is a unbelievable funds design, providing all the things you want (and wish), nothing you don’t, and some different creature comforts apart from. All in a $65 $69 bundle, with wi-fi. It’s merely one of the best deal you will discover in a keyboard proper now. 

A protracted listing of options

The OK-M is available in three totally different sizes, 65%, 75%, and a very-nearly-full measurement (1800 structure). As a result of I used to be most within the funds angle for the board, I opted for the smallest and most cost-effective. However for the sake of completeness, you need to know that OK-M 75 prices simply $69, whereas the OK-M 98 prices $79. These are unimaginable costs for wi-fi boards from a recognized model — examine them to Keychron’s V Max collection with roughly the identical options, beginning at $50 extra. 

Replace: Shortly after ending this overview, Ducky knowledgeable me that the costs can be rising, to $69/79/89. That’s a disgrace…however that is nonetheless one of the best funds keyboard round.

Michael Crider/Foundry

Right here’s a fast hit listing of the notable options on this design, and why you need to care: 

• Wi-fi — the massive lacking piece of my final funds choose; the OK-M options each Bluetooth and a 2.4GHz USB dongle, which may deal with 1,000Hz polling. 
• Programming — the opposite lacking characteristic from the G.Ability; the OK-M can deal with commonplace VIA programming. Hell yeah. 
• Scorching-swap swap sockets — one in all my must-have options for any mechanical keyboard, which helps you to check out totally different switches appropriate with the Cherry MX commonplace.
• PBT doubleshot keycaps — extra premium plastic than commonplace ABS, with legends that may by no means put on or fade. 
• RGB lighting — sure, you are able to do the entire disco mild present on this factor if you’d like. It even has a few RGB lighting strips on the aspect for some additional bling. 
• Gasket mounting and layers of dampening — these are extra frequent lately, however nonetheless good to see in a funds construct. 
• Aluminium quantity knob — ditto.

At first look, the OK-M appears to be like like a reasonably commonplace 65% design, and it’s. However there are a number of notes of distinction that make it just a little extra interesting. The ABS black plastic casing will get a little bit of flare from a little bit of blue trim, highlighted by the identical hue on the house bar, Escape, Backspace, Enter, and arrow keys. 

A number of goofy touches

You additionally get a Ducky gamer brand on the amount knob, which I feel appears to be like just a little goofy. (That’s purported to be a cartoon duck carrying a Roman centurion helmet, in the event you’re questioning.) I feel that’s the one draw back of the keyboard from an aesthetic illustration, however all of that is fairly subjective. A extra typical Ducky brand, with a special cartoon duck, is engraved on a small metallic plate on the entrance edge. 

With reference to these logos: This factor was included within the field, subsequent to a USB-C cable and keycap puller. Cute, however principally ineffective as an precise brush. I get the sensation that Ducky is actually making an attempt to ascertain itself as a model, possibly hoping this squishy little man will present up in some desktop “battlestation” photographs on social media. 

Michael Crider/Foundry

Beneath you discover extra black plastic and a little bit of moulding. However you additionally discover dual-stage plastic keyboard ft, one thing that’s usually ignored even on premium designs. Good on ya, Ducky. You don’t see any uncovered screws or bolts. So between that and the shortage of any point out of it within the handbook, I’m going to imagine that it isn’t meant to be disassembled by the tip consumer. And that’s advantageous for a funds board. 

All in all it’s a purposeful however not particularly eye-catching design…at the very least till you activate the lights. Each key will get RGB lighting, although considerably muted because the keycaps usually are not shine-through. The board makes up for it with additional aptitude on the edges, actually: two RGB strips that may illuminate the aspect of your desk. I like the way in which they observe the angles of the case, just a little bit of additional distinction. Enjoyable, however I flip all of the RGB stuff off at any time when I’m utilizing it, in favor of battery life. 

Michael Crider/Foundry

On the highest fringe of the board you discover all of the management components: a three-way swap for energy and wi-fi, and a “WIN/IOS” swap for shortly shifting between the semi-standard layouts. You additionally get just a little hole within the case the place you may stow the USB-A dongle, a considerate addition. 

Typing and gaming

Typing on the OK-M is a strong, if not superb expertise. The PBT keycaps are in an ordinary profile and just a little extra slick than this materials normally is — with out a little bit of scratchy texture I normally get from extra premium designs, I needed to verify the spec sheet to ensure they weren’t ABS. Between the gasket mounting, plastic (not metallic) plate, and a number of layers of froth or silicone padding, the keys have numerous give and bounce. Should you favor stiff typing, you received’t prefer it, however I feel most customers can be okay. 

Michael Crider/Foundry

If the keyboard has a weak spot, it’s the switches. Ducky went with KTT for this board, the identical model of switches you’ll usually discover within the backside rung of funds designs. The tactile (“child blue”) switches I spent most of my time typing on had been advantageous, and surprisingly quiet, appropriate for utilizing within the espresso store the place I’m banging out this overview.

However the switches are undoubtedly a bit rougher than comparable switches from Kailh or Gateron. Additionally they lack a tunnel within the stem for extra steady typing, and are significantly extra wobbly than the superb Kailh switches within the KM250. 

It’s factor, then, that this keyboard presents tons of customization choices. You get a semi-standard 65% structure, the place solely the right-shift, Alt, Fn, and Ctrl keys differ from ANSI (and even these are included in most keycap units lately). And hot-swap switches will allow you to check out another set you need with the puller included within the field. 

Michael Crider/Foundry

The OK-M additionally has programming choices, one thing that was sorely missing within the final Ducky keyboard I reviewed. And never simply any programming, VIA programming. This technique is browser-based so doesn’t want any additional software program in your machine, and it’s standardized throughout tons of (possibly hundreds?) of various boards now. All you could do is monitor down the JSON file and also you’re good to utterly program any structure you need, together with macros, lighting, and wi-fi controls. I instantly modified the PgDn button to screenshot (because it’s one thing I want continuously for work), and had no points. 

VIA programming (or any form of programming or remapping) is one thing that the KM250 went with out. And at its worth I didn’t complain — to be frank, even at $65 it’s a little bit of a shock that programming is included. That is freakin’ unbelievable to see on a funds keyboard, and I hope different manufacturers are watching. 

VIA

There’s a downside within the VIA system: As a result of it depends on an internet app, there’s no method to robotically swap layouts when launching totally different video games. (I suppose you may set one of many two structure modes, Home windows or iOS, as a single different structure.) However importantly, Ducky is promoting the OK-M as an “entry-level mechanical keyboard designed for on a regular basis use.” Even with the RGB bling and 1,000Hz polling, it’s not being positioned as a devoted gaming keyboard. So the shortage of per-game profiles is appropriate. 

Battery is just a little…little

I additionally discovered the battery life on the OK-M just a little weak. Even with all these RGB lights turned off, it solely lasted a few weeks of day by day typing and gaming earlier than the warning mild began blinking. That’s fairly low for a contemporary design — even low-cost boards can go months on a cost. Contemplating how mild this plastic board is (.7 kilograms, a couple of pound and a half), you may be tempted to throw it in a bag for journey…simply be sure to have a USB charger in there too. 

Michael Crider/Foundry

Neatly, you may verify the battery life by urgent Fn+Tab by default, at which level you’ll get a readout by way of the LEDs on the quantity row. The smallest OK-M 65 has a 1,000mAh battery — the spec sheets for the bigger 75 and 98 fashions say they’ve 4,000mAh, which ought to, clearly, final about 4 instances as lengthy.

Is the Ducky OK-M value it?

That being stated, at $65, all of those points are greater than forgivable. For simply $20 greater than the G.Ability, and with solely a little bit of compromise on the switches, you get all the identical options plus dual-mode wi-fi help and VIA programming. (And a metallic quantity knob, a pleasant little bonus.)

Michael Crider/Foundry

The battery life may very well be longer, and I want the switches had been a bit higher. However you’d battle to seek out the identical set of options in any keyboard from a serious provider underneath $100. Yeah, there are many alphabet soup manufacturers on Amazon that may match that worth, however I’d hesitate to belief them for supplies or service. 

The OK-M is an incredible worth, and my new funds champion. Choose it up on this 65% measurement or the 2 bigger choices…and possibly use the financial savings to get a set of Kailh switches for an improve.