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Head to head · Prices checked Nov 7, 2026

KBDFans Athena vs Agar Mini75% or 40% layout

Choose the Athena for its 75% layout and LCD, or the Agar Mini for a lighter, wireless 40% design.

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Quick verdict

Which one should you get?

Get the

KBDFans Athena

Build quality in the top 10% of 75% boards under $200.

If you want

  • 75% ANSI layout with dedicated arrow keys and a function row.
  • LCD screen supports up to five custom GIF uploads, according to the vendor listing.
  • Hot-swappable, with VIA and VIAL support.

Rules this board out

  • No numpad.

Get the

KBDFans Agar Mini

Build quality in the top 5% of 40% boards under $200.

If you want

  • Bluetooth and wired connectivity, with a 1000mAh battery.
  • 700g weight and listed dimensions of 40 x 250 x 120 mm.
  • Hot-swappable, with QMK, VIA, and VIAL support.

Rules this board out

  • Compact layout only. No function row, dedicated arrow keys, or numpad.

Bottom line

Choose the KBDFans Athena if a 75% layout, dedicated arrow keys, and an LCD are more useful than wireless portability. Choose the Agar Mini if its 40% layout and lower listed weight suit your setup and Bluetooth connectivity matters. Both support hot-swapping and VIA/VIAL, so layout and connectivity are the deciding factors.

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

KBDFans Agar Mini

  • Layout size

    75%

    40%

  • Connection

    Wired

    Bluetooth, Wired

    Wireless for several devices and wired for lower latency

  • Case material

    Aluminum

    Aluminum, Brass, Polycarbonate

  • Mount style

    Top Mount

    Gasket Mount

  • Display

    LCD

    None

    A case display rather than a typing feature

KeebFinder scores

How we score
  • KBDFans Athena
  • KBDFans Agar Mini
Performance
70
63
Build quality
84
94
Productivity
76
94
Customizability
88
94
Portability
63
87

What they share

  • Hot-swappable
  • VIA
  • Sound dampening
  • Plate material: Aluminum, CarbonFiber, FR4, Polycarbonate
See every spec side by side

Best for

What will you mostly use it for?

The Athena's larger layout and LCD give it an edge for tasks that benefit from dedicated navigation keys or a visible display. For travel, the Agar Mini is the clearer fit based on its lower listed weight and wireless connectivity. Modding is a close match: both support hot-swapping and VIA/VIAL, with different mounting and build options described for the Athena. Consider the Agar Mini's compact-layout limits before choosing it for navigation-heavy work.

For gaming

Pick the KBDFans Athena

  • The Athena's 75% layout includes a function row and dedicated arrow keys, unlike the Agar Mini's 40% layout.
  • The Athena has RGB lighting and an LCD, while the Agar Mini has no RGB and no screen.

Full specs

KBDFans Athena vs Agar Mini specs

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

12 of 24 specs differ

KBDFans Athena

KBDFans Agar Mini

Typing & switches

Hot-swappable

Yes
Yes

Mount style

Top Mount
Gasket Mount

Sound dampening

Yes
Yes

Screw-in stabilizers

No
Yes

Layout

Layout size

75%
40%

Layout standard

ANSI
ANSI

Ergonomics

Standard
Standard

Display

LCD
None

Connectivity & battery

Connection

Wired
Bluetooth, Wired

Max polling rate

—
1,000 Hz

Battery

Wired only
1,000 mAh

USB-C

Yes
Yes

Build & materials

Case material

Aluminum
Aluminum, Brass, Polycarbonate

Plate material

Aluminum, CarbonFiber, FR4, Polycarbonate
Aluminum, CarbonFiber, FR4, Polycarbonate

Weight

2,200 g
700 g

Dimensions

—
40 x 250 x 120 mm

Typing angle

9°
9°

Backlight

RGB
None

Firmware & software

QMK

No
Yes

VIA

Yes
Yes

VIAL

Yes
Yes

N-key rollover

No
Yes

Mac & Windows

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.

FAQ

KBDFans Athena vs Agar Mini: your questions

The Athena is a wired-only 75% keyboard with an LCD, while the Agar Mini is a 40% keyboard with Bluetooth and wired connectivity. The Agar Mini is also lighter at 700g, compared with the Athena's 2200g.

No. The Athena's compatibility rules specify that it has no numpad, though its 75% layout includes dedicated arrow keys and a function row.

The Agar Mini's compatibility rules specify that it has no dedicated arrow keys. Its 40% compact layout also omits a function row and numpad.

No, the Athena is listed as wired only. Its vendor listing specifies a USB-C connection.

Yes, the Agar Mini lists Bluetooth and wired connectivity, along with a 1000mAh battery. The listing does not specify a Bluetooth version.

The Agar Mini weighs 700g, while the Athena weighs 2200g. That makes the Agar Mini the lighter option for a setup where carrying weight matters.

Yes, both keyboards are listed as hot-swappable. Both also support VIA and VIAL.

Both list aluminum, FR4, polycarbonate, and carbon fiber plate options. The Athena vendor description also discusses plateless build potential when paired with its solderable PCB.

Yes, the Athena has an LCD screen. Its vendor listing says the display supports up to five custom GIF uploads.

No, the Agar Mini is listed without RGB lighting and without a screen. The Athena, by comparison, lists both RGB and an LCD.

The Agar Mini is the more travel-oriented choice based on its 700g weight, listed dimensions of 40 x 250 x 120 mm, and Bluetooth connectivity. The Athena weighs 2200g and is wired only.

Yes, both list VIA and VIAL support. The Agar Mini also lists QMK support, while the Athena vendor description names VIA, VIAL, and AVA support.

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