Ducky Year of the Dragon Zodiac vs MelGeek Pixel PaletteLimited vs Wireless
Choose the Ducky for a premium, limited-edition collector's piece, or the MelGeek for versatile wireless connectivity and a larger layout.
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from$299at MK
from$99at MelGeek
90-day lowLowest price in 90 days
Which one should you get?
Get the
Ducky Year of the Dragon Zodiac
Limited
Build quality in the top 25% of 65% boards under $300.
- CNC machined anodized aluminum case for a premium feel.
- Limited edition design with individually numbered side plate and themed keycaps.
- Full support for QMK and VIA firmware for advanced customization.
- Magnetic switches only. Standard MX switches will not fit.
- South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
- 65% layout. No function row and no numpad.
Get the
MelGeek Pixel Palette
Wireless
Build quality in the bottom 50% of 75% boards under $100.
- Triple-mode connectivity: Bluetooth 5.1, 2.4 GHz, and wired USB-C.
- TKL (80%) layout includes arrow keys, function row, and multimedia keys.
- Includes a 'bricks' system to customize the keyboard's frame aesthetically.
- Magnetic switches only. Standard MX switches will not fit.
- North-facing LEDs. Cherry-profile keycaps can hit the switch housing.
- No numpad.
Your primary need dictates the choice. If you want a rare collector's item with top-tier build materials, deep firmware customization, and a compact form factor, the Ducky Year of the Dragon is the investment. For daily drivers who need wireless freedom, a more practical TKL layout, and unique physical customization, the MelGeek Pixel Palette offers significantly more versatility at a lower cost.
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 Year of the Dragon Zodiac
MelGeek Pixel Palette
Layout size
65%
75%
Connection
Wired
Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
Wireless for several devices and wired for lower latency
Case material
Aluminum
ABS, Plastic, Polycarbonate
Mount style
Gasket Mount
Gasket Mount, Plate Mount
QMK
Yes
No
The deep option when you want to remap every key
- Ducky Year of the Dragon Zodiac
- MelGeek Pixel Palette
- Performance
- 8285
- Build quality
- 7763
- Productivity
- 6584
- Customizability
- 8267
- Portability
- 7395
- Hall effect (magnetic)
- Hot-swappable
What will you mostly use it for?
The MelGeek Pixel Palette wins in most productivity-focused scenarios like Office, Programming, and Travel due to its wireless connectivity and TKL layout. It also takes Content Creation for its multimedia keys. The Ducky Year of the Dragon is the clear choice for enthusiasts focused on Modding, thanks to its QMK/VIA support. For Gaming, the decision is a tie, as both offer core performance features like hot-swap and N-Key Rollover, leaving the choice to layout and connectivity preference.
It's a tie
- Both feature N-Key Rollover and Hall Effect switches for reliable input.
- Both are hot-swappable for easy switch customization.
- The Ducky's south-facing RGB LEDs are better for shine-through keycaps, while the MelGeek offers wireless flexibility.
Ducky Year of the Dragon Zodiac vs MelGeek Pixel Palette specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
13 of 22 specs differ
Ducky Year of the Dragon Zodiac
MelGeek Pixel Palette
Switch options
Hall effect (magnetic)
Hot-swappable
Mount style
Sound dampening
Layout size
Layout standard
Ergonomics
Display
Media keys
Connection
Battery
USB-C
Case material
Plate material
Keycaps
Backlight
QMK
VIA
N-key rollover
Mac & Windows
Released
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Ducky Year of the Dragon Zodiac vs MelGeek Pixel Palette: your questions
Only the MelGeek Pixel Palette is wireless. It connects via Bluetooth 5.1, 2.4 GHz with a dongle, or a wired USB-C cable. The Ducky Year of the Dragon is a wired-only keyboard.
The Ducky features a CNC machined anodized aluminum case. The MelGeek uses a case made from ABS and polycarbonate plastic, which is reflected in its lighter weight.
Yes, but the method differs. The Ducky supports the open-source QMK and VIA firmware for deep reprogramming. The MelGeek uses its own proprietary software, MelGeek Hive, for customization and does not support QMK or VIA.
Neither keyboard includes a dedicated number pad. The Ducky is a 65% layout, and the MelGeek is a TKL (80%) layout. Both omit the numpad for a more compact size.
Yes, both are sold as pre-built keyboards. The Ducky comes with exclusive Cherry MX2A RGB Purple switches. The MelGeek comes with Kailh Pixel switches, available in linear or tactile variants.
According to the manufacturer, the MelGeek includes a set of tiles and bricks that allow you to physically customize and build up the frame surrounding the keyboard for a unique aesthetic.
The Ducky may have an advantage due to its south-facing RGB LEDs. North-facing LEDs, like those on the MelGeek, can sometimes cause interference with the stems of certain Cherry-profile keycaps.
Both keyboards use a gasket mount design. This involves suspending the plate and PCB on soft gaskets to provide a softer, more cushioned typing feel and reduce case noise.
Yes, the MelGeek Pixel Palette includes a 3100mAh rechargeable battery to power its wireless modes. The Ducky, being wired-only, does not have a battery.
The Ducky uses PBT keycaps with a polycarbonate blend for its themed 'Oriental Crystal' set. The MelGeek uses double-shot ABS keycaps with a transparent polycarbonate cover.
Both include standard accessories like a cable and keycap puller. The Ducky adds a themed coiled aviator cable and tassel. The MelGeek includes its brick customization set and a 2.4GHz wireless dongle.
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