Ducky is one of the long-standing names in the mechanical keyboard ever since the resurgence of the market more than a decade ago. The Ducky Zero 6108 is one of their “budget-oriented” full-sized mechanical keyboards this year packing the new Cherry MX2A switches. Though it has new switches, does this unassuming-looking keyboard be feature-packed?
| Switches | Cherry MX2A Brown, MX2A Blue, MX2A Red, MX2A Speed Silver; 5-pin Hotswappable |
| Switch Durability | Up to 100 Million Keystrokes |
| Layout | 108-key, Volume Keys |
| Connectivity | USB-C, 2.4Ghz, Bluetooth |
| Build | Plastic Chassis |
| RGB Lighting | On-Board RGB Lighting |
| Software | N/A, Layered Function Keys |
| Keycaps | OEM Double-Shot PBT |
| Features | USB N-Key Rollover |
| Battery | 2,500mAh |
| Weight | 1.2kg |
| Dimensions | 435 x 135 x 40mm |
| Colors | Black, White |
| Accessories | Keycap and Switch Puller, 2.4GHz Adapter with Stand, Extra Spacebar, USB-A to USB-C cable |
The Ducky Zero 6108 ships out in an uncomplicated carboard box with the brand’s logo at the front and minimalist renditions of switches. The keyboard is protected by a plastic bag with a plastic cover, and comes with an extra dragon-themed spacebar, keycap and switch puller, a 2.4GHz receiver on a repurposed keycap, and a USB-A to USB-C cable.
The keyboard is a standard full layout keyboard with an additional 4 keys at the top of the numpad to deliver a total of 108 keys. Frankly, we do prefer a knob for volume controls rather than traditional keys especially since most mechanical keyboards now come with that feature. Its chassis is made out of plastic and weighs in at 1.2kg – pretty average for a mechanical keyboard.
It comes in two color variants: White and Black. The black variant that we have on review only has its colorway on the top case with the base still having a white paint job. Its cable can be routed in 3 ways to make cable management easier. A switch is placed near the USB-C port to toggle its Bluetooth and 2.4GHz connections on or off.
There are four rubber feet at each corner of the bottom to keep the keyboard from slipping. There are 2 sets of flip out feet with two stages so you can adjust your typing angle to your liking. The feet
Its keycaps are generic double-shot PBT keycaps with a Cherry Profile. While they are decent, they are far from the quality we usually see from Ducky’s aftermarket keycaps which are thicker and look better.
It’s equipped with the new Cherry MX2A switches. We’ll talk about their performance later in the review, but their top switches are clear to let more lighting through. RGB lighting intensity and uniformity is further assisted by its white backplate.
Its switches can be removed since the board is hotswappable. Most aftermarket switches should be compatible as the keyboard supports 3-pin and 5-pin switches.
The Ducky Zero 6108 does not come with any software. Any controls that the keyboard has is through layers and function keys. Pressing Fn + F1 to F4 will let you connect to up to four separate Bluetooth connections, Fn + F5 links you to the 2.4GHz adapter, and Fn + F6 toggles wired mode. You can also check its battery life by pressing Fn + Right Alt.
Its RGB is bright enough thanks to the per-key RGB lighting, transparent top housing of the switches, and the white backplate. RGB modes, however, are barebones due to the lack of software for customization. You do get the usual lighting modes single color mode, pulse, steady, per key, rainfall, and other patterned movements.
Its lighting can be cycled through different function keys. Fn + F10 switches lighting mode, and Fn + Left or Right Shift switches to the previous or next set of lighting modes, respectively. They can be sped or slowed down using Fn + Left or Right Arrow, respectively, while brightness is controlled through Fn + Up or Down arrow. Finally, you can turn off RGB lighting via Fn + X.
The Ducky Zero 6108 sports the new Cherry MX2A switches. Hailed as “The New Gold Standard,” these switches now have a redesigned inner housing and stems, a new spring barrel, crosspoint gold contacts, and are now pre-lubed out of the factory. These improvements promise a quieter and smoother typing experience.
We received the Cherry MX2A Brown variant of the Zero 6108. They do feel smoother than the original Cherry MX Brown back in 2010s. The scratchiness is significantly less in these versions compared to older Cherry switches. The tactile bump is still weak, which leads to a softer typing experience.
Much like the new switches, all of its PCB mount stabilizers are pre-lubed out-of-the-box. This gets rid of the awful rattle that some cheap stabilizers have, which leads to a smoother and deep-sounding stabilizers.
Here’s a quick typing sound test of the Ducky Zero 6108.
The Ducky Zero 6108 does sound clean, but not deep nor thocky. This can be attributed to its plastic case and lightweight. Thankfully, it doesn’t sound pingy when bottoming out even if it has an aluminum backplate. Ducky says that there is a PU bottom foam, but there’s isn’t enough mass on the keyboard to remove the hollowness.
As mentioned, the Ducky Zero 6108 comes with 2.4GHz and Bluetooth wireless connectivity. It is powered by a 2,500mAh internal battery. The battery last around 12 hours with its RGB on full blast. You can extend this by backing down or turning off the RGB lights and it should last for a couple of days. Turns out, lighting up 108 keys can be a battery drain.
The Ducky Zero 6108 is priced competitively at USD 99. There are keyboards in the market cheaper than Ducky’s offering, but they don’t have the refinement that the Zero 6108 offers. While hotswap switches, PBT keycaps, and RGB lighting are pretty much standard offerings for mechanical keyboards in its price range, Ducky one ups the competition by offering pre-lubed switches and stabilizers.
Its Cherry MX2A switches are definitely an improvement, but they are pretty much the baseline for other switches. Its plastic shell does hold it back when it comes to the build department and also affects the sound when typing. Given its price, however, the plastic exterior could be forgiven.
RGB lighting is bright though limited due to the lack of software, but this could be a good thing for those who don’t like to mess around with software and wants a keyboard that just works.
The addition of USB-C, Bluetooth, and 2.4GHz connectivity is definitely nice as it gives you the flexibility to connect with the medium that you prefer. Its battery life, however, is a bit short lasting just over 12 ho urs with RGB on.
Overall, the Ducky Zero 6108 is a solid choice for the money. While it doesn’t do anything mind-blowing, its strong features set it apart from other full-sized mechanical keyboard at its price point. Even though its simple, it will get the job done.
