KBDFans Athena vs Agar75% vs 60% layout
Choose the Athena for its 75% layout and integrated LCD, or the Agar if you prefer a more compact, lighter 60% board.
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5.0 (6)5.0 · 6 reviews
from$159at Divinikey
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from$110at KBDfans
Which one should you get?
Get the
KBDFans Athena
75%
Build quality in the top 10% of 75% boards under $200.
- 75% ANSI layout with a dedicated arrow cluster.
- Integrated LCD supports up to five custom GIF uploads, according to the vendor.
- Plate choices include aluminum, FR4, polycarbonate, and carbon fiber.
- No numpad.
Get the
KBDFans Agar
60% layout
Build quality in the top 5% of 60% boards under $150.
- Compact 60% layout and 1300g listed weight.
- Aluminum or polycarbonate case options, with an aluminum plate.
- Hot-swappable PCB with VIA and VIAL support.
- Compact layout only. No function row, dedicated arrow keys, or numpad.
Pick the Athena if you want a 75% layout, an integrated LCD, and a broader selection of plate materials. Choose the Agar if reducing size and weight matters more, or if you specifically want its HHKB-style layout. Both offer hot-swap and VIA/VIAL support, so the main decision is the layout and the Athena’s display.
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 Agar
Layout size
75%
60%
Connection
Wired
Bluetooth, Wired
Wireless for several devices and wired for lower latency
Ergonomics
Standard
Split Backspace
Case material
Aluminum
Aluminum, Polycarbonate
Mount style
Top Mount
Gasket Mount, Plate Mount
- KBDFans Athena
- KBDFans Agar
- Performance
- 7063
- Build quality
- 8490
- Productivity
- 7582
- Customizability
- 8890
- Portability
- 6384
- Hot-swappable
- VIA
- Sound dampening
What will you mostly use it for?
The Agar’s listed polling rate and lighter, smaller format make it the more suitable pick for compact gaming and travel setups. The Athena is more accommodating for general office use because its 75% layout retains more keys, and its LCD gives it a distinct content-display feature. Programmers who want the Agar’s HHKB-style layout may prefer its compact arrangement. For customization, both offer hot-swap and VIA/VIAL support, but the Athena has more plate material options.
Pick the KBDFans Agar
- The Agar lists a 1000 Hz polling rate.
- Its 60% layout keeps the keyboard more compact than the Athena’s 75% layout.
KBDFans Athena vs Agar specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
11 of 21 specs differ
KBDFans Athena
KBDFans Agar
Hot-swappable
Mount style
Sound dampening
Screw-in stabilizers
Layout size
Layout standard
Ergonomics
Display
Connection
Max polling rate
USB-C
Case material
Plate material
Keycaps
Weight
Dimensions
Typing angle
Backlight
VIA
VIAL
Released
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KBDFans Athena vs Agar: your questions
The Athena is a 75% keyboard with an integrated LCD, while the Agar is a compact 60% keyboard without a screen. The Athena provides a larger layout, and the Agar is lighter at 1300g compared with the Athena’s 2200g.
Yes, the Athena has an integrated LCD. Its vendor says the HD display supports up to five custom GIF uploads.
No, the Agar is listed without a screen. The Athena is the choice between these two if an integrated display is important.
The Agar is the smaller option, with a 60% layout compared with the Athena’s 75% layout. Its listed dimensions are 15 x 297 x 123 mm.
The Agar weighs 1300g, while the Athena weighs 2200g. The Agar also has the more compact 60% layout.
Both keyboards are listed as hot-swappable. The Agar vendor description also identifies its PCB as a hotswap PCB.
Both are listed with VIA and VIAL support. The Athena vendor also names AVA support, while the Agar vendor description specifically confirms VIA compatibility.
The Athena’s 75% layout is the more suitable choice if you want a function row and dedicated arrow keys. The Agar’s compact layout has no function row or dedicated arrow keys.
The Agar vendor describes its HHKB layout as suited to programmers. It also supports split backspace and stepped Caps Lock.
The Athena lists aluminum, FR4, polycarbonate, and carbon fiber plate options. The Agar lists an aluminum plate.
The Agar vendor explicitly describes it as a barebones kit that does not include switches or keycaps. The Athena vendor lists a kit with a PCB, plate, and stabilizers, but does not list switches or keycaps among the included items.
The Agar is listed with a 1000 Hz polling rate. A polling rate is not listed for the Athena, so this comparison cannot establish a polling-rate advantage for it.
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