KBDFans Athena vs Cat75% or 60%?
Choose the Athena for its 75% layout, hot-swap support, and LCD, or the Cat if a compact 60% layout is your priority.
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5.0 (6)5.0 · 6 reviews
from$159at Divinikey
Which one should you get?
Get the
KBDFans Athena
Hot-swappable
Build quality in the top 10% of 75% boards under $200.
- 75% ANSI layout with a dedicated arrow cluster and function row.
- Aluminum case with aluminum, FR4, polycarbonate, and carbon fiber plate options.
- Hot-swappable configuration, with VIA and VIAL support.
- No numpad.
Get the
KBDFans Cat
- 60% ANSI layout for buyers seeking a compact keyboard.
- DIY kit format for a buyer assembling a keyboard.
- Smaller layout than the Athena's 75% design.
- Switches are soldered. Swapping them means soldering.
- Compact layout only. No function row, dedicated arrow keys, or numpad.
Choose the KBDFans Athena if you want a 75% layout with dedicated arrow keys, hot-swap support, multiple plate choices, and an LCD. Choose the KBDFans Cat if a compact 60% layout matters more than easy switch changes or dedicated navigation keys. The Athena is the more versatile option on the features listed, while the Cat's main distinction is its smaller layout.
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.
KBDFans Athena
KBDFans Cat
Layout size
75%
60%
Hot-swappable
Yes
No
Switch changes without soldering
Display
LCD
None
A case display rather than a typing feature
VIA
Yes
No
GUI remapping without compiling firmware
Sound dampening
Yes
No
- KBDFans Athena
- KBDFans Cat
- Performance
- 7043
- Build quality
- 8453
- Productivity
- 7641
- Customizability
- 8849
- Portability
- 6363
What will you mostly use it for?
The Athena takes most categories because its larger layout and listed features give buyers more built-in options. The Cat's clearest advantage is its smaller 60% footprint for buyers prioritizing compactness. For modding, the Athena's hot-swap option and plate choices matter, particularly because the Cat requires soldering to swap switches. The Athena's display and integrated button distinguish it for buyers who want onboard visual or control features.
Pick the KBDFans Athena
- The Athena offers an RGB hot-swap configuration, while the Cat has no RGB.
- The Athena's 75% layout retains a dedicated arrow cluster, unlike the Cat's 60% layout.
KBDFans Athena vs Cat specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
8 of 17 specs differ
KBDFans Athena
KBDFans Cat
Hot-swappable
Mount style
Sound dampening
Layout size
Layout standard
Ergonomics
Display
Connection
USB-C
Case material
Plate material
Weight
Typing angle
Backlight
VIA
VIAL
Released
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KBDFans Athena vs Cat: your questions
The Athena is a 75% keyboard with an LCD, RGB, and a hot-swappable option. The Cat is a 60% DIY kit with no screen or RGB listed.
The Athena product listing includes a wired hot-swap ANSI configuration, including an RGB hot-swap option. The Cat's switches are soldered, so swapping them means soldering.
The Cat has soldered switches, according to its compatibility rules. Replacing them requires soldering rather than a hot-swap change.
Yes, the Athena has an LCD, described by the vendor as an HD display. It supports up to five custom GIF uploads.
The Cat is listed without a screen and without RGB. The Athena, by contrast, has an LCD and RGB.
The Athena's 75% layout has a dedicated arrow cluster. The Cat's compact 60% layout does not have dedicated arrow keys.
The Athena is listed with VIA and VIAL support. No comparable firmware support is listed for the Cat.
The Cat's 60% layout is more compact than the Athena's 75% layout. The Athena is listed at 2200g, and no weight is listed for the Cat, so there is not enough information here to compare their weights.
The Athena is listed with aluminum, FR4, polycarbonate, and carbon fiber plate options. No plate material options are listed for the Cat.
The Athena vendor description lists a carrying case among the included items. The Cat product description does not list included accessories.
Neither layout includes a numpad. The Athena's compatibility rule specifies no numpad, and the Cat's compact layout also omits one.
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