Ducky One 2 Phantom vs One 2
The Ducky One 2 standard offers stronger overall performance scores and pudding keycaps for better RGB, while the Phantom uses a different aesthetic and is more expensive.
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Which one should you get?
Get the
Ducky One 2 Phantom
Build quality in the bottom 10% of 100% boards under $100.
- All-black aesthetic with a sleek, low-visibility look.
- Double-shot PBT keycaps with seamless legends offer a clean, durable finish.
- Includes Cherry MX Silent Black switch option for near-silent operation.
- Switches are soldered. Swapping them means soldering.
- North-facing LEDs. Cherry-profile keycaps can hit the switch housing.
Get the
Ducky One 2
Build quality in the bottom 10% of 100% boards under $100.
- Higher performance score (72.3) suggests improved gaming and typing responsiveness.
- Double-shot PBT pudding keycaps with translucent sides enhance RGB brightness and diffusion.
- Includes dual-layer PCB for potentially better electrical stability.
- Switches are soldered. Swapping them means soldering.
- North-facing LEDs. Cherry-profile keycaps can hit the switch housing.
If you want a keyboard that stands out under RGB lighting and offers slightly better performance metrics, go with the standard Ducky One 2. It has the pudding keycaps and dual-layer PCB that enthusiasts will appreciate. If you prefer a more uniform, understated black look and are comfortable with a potentially higher price, the Ducky One 2 Phantom is still a solid Ducky board but offers less visual contrast.
The differences that matter
Skip the 40-row spec sheet. These are the specs that change how each board feels, sounds, and fits your desk.
Ducky One 2 Phantom
Ducky One 2
Case material
Plastic
ABS, Plastic
Backlight
Yes, north-facing
RGB, north-facing
RGB for looks and low light rather than speed
- Ducky One 2 Phantom
- Ducky One 2
- Performance
- 6272
- Build quality
- 4444
- Productivity
- 5959
- Customizability
- 4853
- Portability
- 4444
- Layout size: 100%
- Connection: Wired
- Switch options: Clicky, Linear, Silent, Tactile
- Mount style: Plate Mount
- Plate material: Plastic
- Keycaps: PBT
What will you mostly use it for?
For gaming and content creation, the standard Ducky One 2 edges ahead with its higher performance score and specialized pudding keycaps that enhance RGB diffusion. The Phantom's aesthetic is more subdued, but both keyboards are otherwise mechanically identical. In productivity-focused categories like office work, programming, and travel, the two are effectively tied, as they share the same layout, connectivity, and build materials.
Pick the Ducky One 2
- Slightly higher performance score (72.3 vs 62.7) suggesting better gaming responsiveness.
- Pudding keycaps are designed to maximize RGB brightness, enhancing the gaming aesthetic.
- Supports RAZER Chroma Broadcast for game-integrated lighting effects.
Ducky One 2 Phantom vs One 2 specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
2 of 17 specs differ
Ducky One 2 Phantom
Ducky One 2
Switch options
Mount style
Layout size
Layout standard
Ergonomics
Display
Media keys
Connection
Max polling rate
USB-C
Case material
Plate material
Keycaps
Backlight
N-key rollover
Mac & Windows
Released
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Ducky One 2 Phantom vs One 2: your questions
Both the Ducky One 2 Phantom and the standard Ducky One 2 are tenkeyless (TKL) keyboards with 87 keys. They share the same ANSI physical layout and US QWERTY logical layout.
Yes, both the Ducky One 2 Phantom and the standard Ducky One 2 feature RGB lighting with north-facing LEDs. The standard One 2 also lists 'RGB / All LED' and uses pudding keycaps with translucent sides for better light diffusion.
No, they differ in style. The Phantom has all-black double-shot PBT keycaps with seamless white legends. The standard One 2 uses double-shot PBT 'pudding' keycaps with translucent sides and opaque tops, which allow more RGB light to pass through.
Based on relative scores, the standard Ducky One 2 has a slightly higher performance score (72.3 vs 62.7) than the Phantom. It also supports RAZER Chroma Broadcast for game-integrated lighting, making it a better pick for gaming.
Neither keyboard has hotswap sockets, so switches are soldered to the PCB. Changing switches requires desoldering the existing ones. The standard One 2 has a dual-layer PCB, which may be more modding-friendly, but both require technical skill to modify.
The Ducky One 2 Phantom is available with Cherry MX switches including Silent Black, Black, Brown, Blue, Red, Silver, and Silent Red. All are German-made Cherry MX switches.
Yes, both the Ducky One 2 Phantom and the standard Ducky One 2 are listed as compatible with Windows, Mac, and Linux operating systems. They also both have Mac/Win support in their extra features.
No, the Ducky One 2 Phantom is a wired-only keyboard with a USB-C connection. The standard Ducky One 2 is also wired-only with a detachable 1.5-meter USB-C cable.
Both keyboards have a plastic top case and plastic plate. The standard One 2 additionally lists an ABS bottom material. Build quality scores are nearly identical (45.2 for the Phantom, 43.9 for the standard), so they are very similar in construction.
Neither the Ducky One 2 Phantom nor the standard Ducky One 2 includes a wrist rest in their listed features. Some user reviews mention that prolonged use may be more comfortable with an aftermarket wrist rest.
The Ducky One 2 Phantom is priced between $85 and $99 from 2 vendors. The standard Ducky One 2 has a wider price range from $65 to $139 across 3 vendors, offering both more budget-friendly and potentially more expensive options.
Yes, the standard Ducky One 2 is listed as supporting Ducky Macro 2.0 software, which allows for advanced macro programming. The Phantom's support for macro software is not explicitly mentioned in the provided details.
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