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Ducky ProjectD Tinker 65 Pom Edition Review | 64 Data compared

Avg. price in UK: ~£110
Avg. price in US: ~$120
Layout size: 65%
Connection type: USB
Switch type: mechanical
Polling rate: 1000 Hz

Ducky ProjectD Tinker 65 Pom Edition review. Compare 64 technical specifications and user reviews to see how it ranks among keyboards and if it is worth buying.

6.1

Good

5.8

Good

7.4

Very good

3.5
Gaming
Score components:
28.0%
1.0
Polling rate
24.0%
1.0
Rapid trigger
20.0%
1.0
Adjustable actuation
16.0%
10
Hot-swappable switches
12.0%
10
Onboard memory
7.0
Typing
Score components:
28.0%
4.0
Wrist rest included
24.0%
10
Legend method
20.0%
10
Adjustable feet
15.0%
1.0
Typing angle
13.0%
10
Pre-lubed stabilizers
6.3
Programming
Score components:
30.0%
10
QMK support
26.0%
10
VIA support
18.0%
1.0
Mac compatibility
14.0%
0.0
Multi-device pairing
12.0%
4.0
Connection type

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Verdict

The Ducky ProjectD Tinker 65 POM Edition is a compact 65% mechanical keyboard featuring a flexible gasket-mount design and a specialized POM plate paired with Kailh Box Cream Pro switches for a smooth, soft typing experience. Its key specifications include a hot-swappable, south-facing PCB with 5-pin support, double-shot PBT keycaps in a Cherry profile, and full QMK/VIA programmability for deep customization of its 1000Hz polling rate and vibrant RGB lighting. While it is highly praised for its premium sound profile, pre-lubed screw-in stabilizers, and beginner-friendly customization, it has been criticized for its lightweight ABS plastic case which can feel less premium than aluminum alternatives, and a difficult disassembly process that contradicts its 'Tinker' name.

Technical Specifications of Ducky ProjectD Tinker 65 Pom Edition

Overall score

6.1

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Popularity

What it is: An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the keyboard.

When it matters: When you prefer a keyboard that has already been chosen and reviewed by many other users.

Switches

3.6

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Switch type

What it is: Identifies the switch technology used by the keyboard, such as mechanical, optical, or Hall effect.

When it matters: When you are choosing between different response technologies and their long-term behavior.

Importance: HIGH

mechanical

Switch feel

What it is: Describes the keypress character, such as linear, tactile, or clicky.

When it matters: When the sensation of each keypress changes comfort, control, and noise level for your use.

Importance: HIGH

linear

Switch name

What it is: States the specific switch model used by the keyboard.

When it matters: When the exact switch model matters because small tuning differences affect your preference.

Importance: MEDIUM

Cherry MX

Actuation force

What it is: Measures how much force is needed to actuate a key.

When it matters: When finger fatigue, accidental presses, or key resistance matters to your typing style.

Importance: HIGH

45 g

Min actuation distance

What it is: Measures the shortest key travel needed to register an input.

When it matters: When faster key response matters and you want the shortest possible trigger point under your fingers.

Importance: MEDIUM

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Design

4.6

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Keyboard type

What it is: Identifies the keyboard technology, such as mechanical, membrane, optical, or Hall effect.

When it matters: When you need a keyboard built around a specific switch technology or feel profile.

Importance: HIGH

mechanical

Layout size

What it is: States the keyboard form factor and how much of the standard keyset it includes.

When it matters: When desk space, portability, or access to a full key set affects how you work or play.

Importance: HIGH

65%

Layout standard

What it is: Specifies the regional layout standard, such as ANSI, ISO, or JIS.

When it matters: When you need a regional key layout that matches your language habits or keycap set.

Importance: MEDIUM

ANSI

N. of keys

What it is: States how many keys are present on the keyboard.

When it matters: When you need a certain number of keys for shortcuts, navigation, or a numpad.

Importance: MEDIUM

Profile

What it is: Describes whether the keyboard uses a low-profile or standard-height design.

When it matters: When key height changes your typing comfort, travel distance, or the overall desk setup.

Importance: MEDIUM

standard

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Connectivity & Power

4.8

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Connection type

What it is: Specifies how the keyboard connects, such as USB, 2.4 GHz wireless, or Bluetooth.

When it matters: When latency, cable management, or wireless flexibility is part of your buying decision.

Importance: HIGH

Multi-device pairing

What it is: Shows whether the keyboard can stay paired with multiple devices for quicker switching.

When it matters: When you switch regularly between a laptop, tablet, and other devices on one desk.

Importance: HIGH

N/A

Bluetooth version

What it is: States the Bluetooth generation supported for wireless pairing.

When it matters: When wireless stability, compatibility, and energy efficiency are part of what you compare.

Importance: MEDIUM

N/A

Mac compatibility

What it is: Shows whether the keyboard is intended to work properly with macOS layouts, shortcuts, or legends.

When it matters: When you need the keyboard to work properly with macOS shortcuts and key mapping.

Importance: HIGH

Battery life

What it is: Estimates how long the keyboard can run on a full charge.

When it matters: When the keyboard needs to last through workweeks, travel, or long gaming stretches without constant charging.

Importance: HIGH

N/A

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Features

7.1

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RGB lighting

What it is: Shows whether the keyboard includes customizable RGB lighting effects.

When it matters: When visual customization and desk aesthetics matter to your setup.

Importance: HIGH

Per-key RGB

What it is: Shows whether each key can be lit and controlled independently instead of sharing one uniform lighting zone.

When it matters: When customizing each key individually matters for visuals, games, or shortcut visibility.

Importance: HIGH

RGB zones

What it is: States how many RGB lighting zones can be controlled separately.

When it matters: When you want more lighting control than a simple all-at-once backlight can provide.

Importance: LOW

Underglow / side lighting

What it is: Shows whether the case includes lighting around the underside or outer edges in addition to the keys themselves.

When it matters: When edge lighting is part of the visual style you want from the keyboard.

Importance: MEDIUM

Backlight direction

What it is: Specifies whether the switches use north-facing or south-facing backlighting.

When it matters: When you care about switch compatibility, keycap interference, or lighting placement.

Importance: LOW

south-facing

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Materials

10

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Case material

What it is: Describes the main material used for the keyboard case.

When it matters: When build feel, rigidity, and overall finish influence your sense of quality.

Importance: HIGH

plastic

Plate material

What it is: Describes the material used for the mounting plate beneath the switches.

When it matters: When keyboard stiffness, sound profile, and bottom-out feel matter more than the switch spec sheet alone.

Importance: HIGH

POM

Keycap material

What it is: Describes the material used to make the keycaps.

When it matters: When surface texture, wear resistance, and sound of the keycaps affect your choice.

Importance: HIGH

PBT

Keycap profile

What it is: Describes the shape and height profile of the keycaps.

When it matters: When key shape and sculpting affect comfort, wrist angle, and the sound of each press.

Importance: MEDIUM

OEM

Legend method

What it is: Describes how the legends are applied to the keycaps, which affects durability and visibility.

When it matters: When you care about how long key legends stay readable after heavy use.

Importance: MEDIUM

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Ducky ProjectD Tinker 65 Pom Edition vs the average keyboard

Why is Ducky ProjectD Tinker 65 Pom Edition better than the average keyboard?

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0.3 mm shorter actuation distance
Ducky ProjectD Tinker 65 Pom Edition has a longer maximum actuation distance than the average keyboard (1.7 mm vs 2 mm). The average keyboard has a maximum actuation distance of 2 mm.
What it is: Measures the highest configurable actuation point or trigger position.
When it matters: When you want precise control over how deep a key can be set to trigger for different games or typing styles.
Importance: MEDIUM
Ducky ProjectD Tinker 65 Pom Edition has a longer maximum actuation distance than the average keyboard (1.7 mm vs 2 mm). The average keyboard has a maximum actuation distance of 2 mm.1.7 mm vs 2 mm
Supports QMK
Ducky ProjectD Tinker 65 Pom Edition supports QMK, the average keyboard does not. 28.8% of keyboards support QMK.
What it is: Shows whether the keyboard supports QMK firmware for deeper remapping and behavior customization.
When it matters: When deep remapping, macros, and firmware-level customization matter to your workflow.
Importance: HIGH
Ducky ProjectD Tinker 65 Pom Edition supports QMK, the average keyboard does not. 28.8% of keyboards support QMK.
39.5% lower weight
Ducky ProjectD Tinker 65 Pom Edition weighs less than the average keyboard (590 g vs 976 g). The average keyboard weighs 976 g.
What it is: Measures the total mass of the keyboard.
When it matters: When you care whether the keyboard feels easy to carry or heavy enough to stay planted on the desk.
Importance: HIGH
Ducky ProjectD Tinker 65 Pom Edition weighs less than the average keyboard (590 g vs 976 g). The average keyboard weighs 976 g.590 g vs 976 g
Supports VIA
Ducky ProjectD Tinker 65 Pom Edition supports VIA, the average keyboard does not. 27.1% of keyboards support VIA.
What it is: Shows whether the keyboard supports VIA for live remapping and configuration without rebuilding firmware manually.
When it matters: When quick live remapping without rebuilding firmware is important to you.
Importance: HIGH
Ducky ProjectD Tinker 65 Pom Edition supports VIA, the average keyboard does not. 27.1% of keyboards support VIA.
39.5% lower weight
Ducky ProjectD Tinker 65 Pom Edition weighs less than the average keyboard (590 g vs 976 g). The average keyboard weighs 976 g.
0.3 mm shorter actuation distance
Ducky ProjectD Tinker 65 Pom Edition has a longer maximum actuation distance than the average keyboard (1.7 mm vs 2 mm). The average keyboard has a maximum actuation distance of 2 mm.
Supports QMK
Ducky ProjectD Tinker 65 Pom Edition supports QMK, the average keyboard does not. 28.8% of keyboards support QMK.
Supports VIA
Ducky ProjectD Tinker 65 Pom Edition supports VIA, the average keyboard does not. 27.1% of keyboards support VIA.

Why is Ducky ProjectD Tinker 65 Pom Edition worse than the average keyboard?

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20 fewer keys
Ducky ProjectD Tinker 65 Pom Edition has fewer keys than the average keyboard (67 vs 87). The average keyboard has 87 keys.
2 ° higher typing angle
Ducky ProjectD Tinker 65 Pom Edition has a higher typing angle than the average keyboard (7 ° vs 5 °). The average keyboard has a typing angle of 5 °.
Less versatile connectivity
Ducky ProjectD Tinker 65 Pom Edition offers less versatile connectivity than the average keyboard (USB vs USB / 2.4GHz / Bluetooth). The average keyboard offers USB / 2.4GHz / Bluetooth connectivity.
Limited Mac support
Ducky ProjectD Tinker 65 Pom Edition is not Mac compatible, the average keyboard is. 55.8% of keyboards are Mac compatible.
16 fewer RGB zones
Ducky ProjectD Tinker 65 Pom Edition has fewer RGB zones than the average keyboard (67 vs 83). The average keyboard has 83 RGB zones.
Less versatile connectivity
Ducky ProjectD Tinker 65 Pom Edition offers less versatile connectivity than the average keyboard (USB vs USB / 2.4GHz / Bluetooth). The average keyboard offers USB / 2.4GHz / Bluetooth connectivity.
What it is: Specifies how the keyboard connects, such as USB, 2.4 GHz wireless, or Bluetooth.
When it matters: When latency, cable management, or wireless flexibility is part of your buying decision.
Importance: HIGH
Ducky ProjectD Tinker 65 Pom Edition offers less versatile connectivity than the average keyboard (USB vs USB / 2.4GHz / Bluetooth). The average keyboard offers USB / 2.4GHz / Bluetooth connectivity.USB vs USB / 2.4GHz / Bluetooth
Limited Mac support
Ducky ProjectD Tinker 65 Pom Edition is not Mac compatible, the average keyboard is. 55.8% of keyboards are Mac compatible.
What it is: Shows whether the keyboard is intended to work properly with macOS layouts, shortcuts, or legends.
When it matters: When you need the keyboard to work properly with macOS shortcuts and key mapping.
Importance: HIGH
Ducky ProjectD Tinker 65 Pom Edition is not Mac compatible, the average keyboard is. 55.8% of keyboards are Mac compatible.
20 fewer keys
Ducky ProjectD Tinker 65 Pom Edition has fewer keys than the average keyboard (67 vs 87). The average keyboard has 87 keys.
What it is: States how many keys are present on the keyboard.
When it matters: When you need a certain number of keys for shortcuts, navigation, or a numpad.
Importance: MEDIUM
Ducky ProjectD Tinker 65 Pom Edition has fewer keys than the average keyboard (67 vs 87). The average keyboard has 87 keys.67 vs 87
2 ° higher typing angle
Ducky ProjectD Tinker 65 Pom Edition has a higher typing angle than the average keyboard (7 ° vs 5 °). The average keyboard has a typing angle of 5 °.
What it is: Measures the incline of the keyboard during use.
When it matters: When wrist posture and typing comfort depend on how steeply the keyboard sits.
Importance: MEDIUM
Ducky ProjectD Tinker 65 Pom Edition has a higher typing angle than the average keyboard (7 ° vs 5 °). The average keyboard has a typing angle of 5 °.7 ° vs 5 °
16 fewer RGB zones
Ducky ProjectD Tinker 65 Pom Edition has fewer RGB zones than the average keyboard (67 vs 83). The average keyboard has 83 RGB zones.
What it is: States how many RGB lighting zones can be controlled separately.
When it matters: When you want more lighting control than a simple all-at-once backlight can provide.
Importance: LOW
Ducky ProjectD Tinker 65 Pom Edition has fewer RGB zones than the average keyboard (67 vs 83). The average keyboard has 83 RGB zones.67 vs 83
4.56x less popular
Ducky ProjectD Tinker 65 Pom Edition is less popular than the average keyboard (1.27 vs 5.772).
What it is: An indicator based on the number of reviews received by the keyboard.
When it matters: When you prefer a keyboard that has already been chosen and reviewed by many other users.
Ducky ProjectD Tinker 65 Pom Edition is less popular than the average keyboard (1.27 vs 5.772).1.27 vs 5.77
7.5% worse value for money
Ducky ProjectD Tinker 65 Pom Edition has worse value for money than the average keyboard (7.25 vs 7.802).
What it is: An indicator that combines the keyboard's overall rating with its cost.
When it matters: When you are looking for a keyboard that offers a strong balance of performance, features, and price.
Ducky ProjectD Tinker 65 Pom Edition has worse value for money than the average keyboard (7.25 vs 7.802).7.25 vs 7.8
8.4% lower user score
Ducky ProjectD Tinker 65 Pom Edition has a lower user score than the average keyboard (7.38 vs 8.000).
What it is: A rating that combines user reviews and the total number of reviews received by the keyboard.
When it matters: When you want to understand how a keyboard performs in daily use or gaming and how reliable it is in terms of typing feel, noise level, comfort, and long-term durability.
Ducky ProjectD Tinker 65 Pom Edition has a lower user score than the average keyboard (7.38 vs 8.000).7.38 vs 8

Connectivity & Power

Graphic comparison of Ducky ProjectD Tinker 65 Pom Edition and

Attribute category

Attribute

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Third-party reviews

United Kingdom

United States

(Reviews last updated: Jun 2026)

What customers like about Ducky ProjectD Tinker 65 Pom Edition?

Excellent value for a budget-focused 65% keyboard
Smooth and satisfying typing experience with Kailh Box Cream Pro switches
High-quality gasket mount and FR4 plate design provide balanced flexibility and rigidity
Deep, 'thocky' sound profile appealing to enthusiasts
Full QMK/VIA support for advanced key mapping and macro customization
High-quality double-shot PBT keycaps with crisp, fade-resistant legends
Well-lubricated screw-in stabilizers that eliminate rattle noise

What customers dislike about Ducky ProjectD Tinker 65 Pom Edition?

ABS plastic case can feel and look somewhat cheap compared to premium metal options
Difficult to disassemble, which may discourage deep hardware 'tinkering'
Significant chassis flex due to the thinness of the plastic materials
Software customization (QMK/VIA) has a steep learning curve for beginners
Surprising lightness may make it feel less solid or 'planted' on a desk for some
Isolated quality control reports of loose USB-C ports or sticky backspace keys

Expert reviews

geekhack.org

14/06/2024

Reviewing My Keyboards | Ducky ProjectD Tinker 65 POM Edition", "My Board Reviews | Ducky ProjectD Tinker 65 POM Edition

The Geekhack forum user review of the stock Ducky ProjectD Tinker 65 POM Edition describes it as a cozy, dependable, mid-range keyboard that excels as an out-of-the-box daily driver. Built with a solid plastic frame featuring a little bit of flex and rounded edges, the author compares its dependable user experience to a reliable family car or a pair of Sennheiser 660s headphones. On...Read more

computerbase.de

30/04/2024

Ducky Project D Outlaw 65 Custom Mechanical Keyboard Review

The Ducky Project D Outlaw 65 marks the manufacturer's first entry into the custom DIY mechanical keyboard market, offering a 65% layout complete with a full assembly kit. A major highlight of the keyboard is its native support for QMK/VIA open-source firmware, giving enthusiasts powerful layout customization without needing clunky proprietary software. The kit stands out for its...Read more

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