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Head to head · Prices checked Nov 12, 2026

KBDFans Athena vs Design Roost DRK 601R

Get the KBDFans Athena for hot-swappable. Get the Design Roost DRK 601R for hall effect.

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Quick verdict

Which one should you get?

Get the

KBDFans Athena

Hot-swappable

Build quality in the top 15% of 75% boards under $200.

Rules this board out

  • No numpad.

Get the

Design Roost DRK 601R

Hall effect

Rules this board out

  • Magnetic switches only. Standard MX switches will not fit.

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.

KBDFans Athena

Design Roost DRK 601R

  • Layout size

    75%

    64%

  • Hall effect (magnetic)

    No

    Yes

    Adjustable actuation helps in games and not in normal typing

  • Connection

    Wired

    Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired

    Wireless for several devices and wired for lower latency

  • Hot-swappable

    Yes

    No

    Switch changes without soldering

  • Ergonomics

    Standard

    Split Backspace, Split Spacebar

KeebFinder scores

How we score
  • KBDFans Athena
  • Design Roost DRK 601R
Performance
70
68
Build quality
84
80
Productivity
75
51
Customizability
88
69
Portability
63
79

What they share

  • Case material: Aluminum
  • VIA
See every spec side by side

Full specs

KBDFans Athena vs Design Roost DRK 601R specs

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

16 of 24 specs differ

KBDFans Athena

Design Roost DRK 601R

Typing & switches

Switch options

—
Linear, Magnetic

Hall effect (magnetic)

No
Yes

Hot-swappable

Yes
No

Mount style

Top Mount
Gasket Mount

Sound dampening

Yes
No

Layout

Layout size

75%
64%

Layout standard

ANSI
ANSI

Ergonomics

Standard
Split Backspace, Split Spacebar

Display

LCD
None

Connectivity & battery

Connection

Wired
Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired

Max polling rate

—
1,000 Hz

Battery

Wired only
3,000 mAh

USB-C

Yes
No

Build & materials

Case material

Aluminum
Aluminum

Plate material

Aluminum, CarbonFiber, FR4, Polycarbonate
—

Weight

2,200 g
1,300 g

Dimensions

—
18 x 286 x 96 mm

Typing angle

9°
7°

Backlight

RGB
None

Firmware & software

QMK

No
Yes

VIA

Yes
Yes

VIAL

Yes
No

N-key rollover

No
Yes

Extras

Released

2026
2025

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.

Lowest price across stores, Amazon excluded.

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