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Head to head · Prices checked Oct 28, 2026

8BitDo Retro87 vs KBDFans Athena 1800 Configurator

Get the 8BitDo Retro87 for knob.

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Quick verdict

Which one should you get?

Get the

8BitDo Retro87

Knob

Build quality in the bottom 40% of 80% boards under $150.

Rules this board out

  • No ISO layout. ISO-DE, UK, and other ISO variants are not offered.
  • No numpad.
$109 at Mechkeys

Get the

KBDFans Athena 1800 Configurator

Check on Amazon

What actually differs

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.

8BitDo Retro87

KBDFans Athena 1800 Configurator

  • Layout size

    80%

    95%

  • Ergonomics

    Standard

    Split Backspace

  • Case material

    Aluminum, Plastic

    Aluminum

  • Knob

    Yes

    No

  • Display

    None

    LED

    A case display rather than a typing feature

KeebFinder scores

How we score
  • 8BitDo Retro87
  • KBDFans Athena 1800 Configurator
Performance
63
45
Build quality
53
73
Productivity
73
54
Customizability
68
63
Portability
77
42

What they share

  • Hot-swappable
  • Max polling rate: 1,000 Hz
  • Mount style: Top Mount
See every spec side by side

Full specs

8BitDo Retro87 vs KBDFans Athena 1800 Configurator specs

Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.

14 of 22 specs differ

8BitDo Retro87

KBDFans Athena 1800 Configurator

Typing & switches

Switch options

Clicky
—

Hot-swappable

Yes
Yes

Mount style

Top Mount
Top Mount

Sound dampening

No
Yes

Layout

Layout size

80%
95%

Layout standard

ANSI
ANSI, ISO

Ergonomics

Standard
Split Backspace

Knob

Yes
No

Display

None
LED

Connectivity & battery

Connection

Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
—

Max polling rate

1,000 Hz
1,000 Hz

Battery

4,000 mAh
—

USB-C

Yes
No

Build & materials

Case material

Aluminum, Plastic
Aluminum

Plate material

Aluminum
Aluminum, CarbonFiber, FR4, Polycarbonate

Keycaps

ABS
PBT

Weight

1,100 g
—

Dimensions

46 x 169 x 376 mm
—

Backlight

RGB
None

Firmware & software

N-key rollover

Yes
No

Mac & Windows

Yes
No

Extras

Released

2024
2026

For EU buyers

ISO layouts by store

Which stores sell ISO-DE, UK, and the other regional layouts.

8BitDo Retro87

No ISO layout at the stores we track.

KBDFans Athena 1800 Configurator

  • KBDfans

    ISO

    Out of stockShips to you

Where to buy

Compare prices

Live prices from the stores we track, cheapest in-stock offer first.

Prices in USD are converted to your currency and can change at any time. KeebFinder may earn a commission when you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you.

8BitDo Retro873 stores
KBDFans Athena 1800 Configurator2 stores

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