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Head to head · Prices checked Oct 30, 2026

KBDFans Athena vs KBD75 V3Screen or DIY Build

Choose the Athena for its LCD and VIA/VIAL support, or the KBD75 V3 for a kit that includes an RGB-lit acrylic mid-layer and screw-in stabilizers.

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KBDfans Athena75 Keyboard

VIA

KBDFans Athena

5.0 · 6 reviews

from$159at Divinikey

KBDFans KBD75 v3.1 KBD75 v3.1 Barebones 75% DIY Kit Light Blue Barebones 75% DIY Kit

Screw-in stabilizers

KBDFans KBD75 V3

No reviews

from$197at MK

90-day low

Quick verdict

Which one should you get?

Get the

KBDFans Athena

VIA

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

If you want

  • LCD screen, with vendor-listed support for up to 5 custom GIF uploads.
  • VIA and VIAL support are listed, and the vendor also names AVA.
  • Plate options include aluminum, FR4, polycarbonate, and carbon fiber.

Get the

KBDFans KBD75 V3

Screw-in stabilizers

Build quality in the top 40% of 75% boards under $200.

If you want

  • Vendor describes a barebones 75% DIY kit with a hot-swap PCB.
  • Top-mount aluminum case with an RGB-lit acrylic mid-layer, according to the vendor.
  • Cherry screw-in stabilizers and PCB and case foam are listed by the vendor.

Bottom line

Pick the KBDFans Athena if you want an LCD, VIA/VIAL support, and broader plate choices, or if you plan to explore its vendor-described plateless build. Choose the KBD75 V3 if its barebones kit format, RGB-lit acrylic mid-layer, and Cherry screw-in stabilizers better fit your build plans. Both are wired 75% ANSI boards with hot-swap support.

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 KBD75 V3

  • Case material

    Aluminum

    Acrylic, Aluminum

  • Display

    LCD

    None

    A case display rather than a typing feature

  • VIA

    Yes

    No

    GUI remapping without compiling firmware

  • Plate material

    Aluminum, CarbonFiber, FR4, Polycarbonate

    Aluminum, Brass, Polycarbonate

  • Screw-in stabilizers

    No

    Yes

    Easier to tune than the plate-mount stabs you get prebuilt

KeebFinder scores

How we score
  • KBDFans Athena
  • KBDFans KBD75 V3
Performance
70
65
Build quality
84
73
Productivity
75
74
Customizability
88
63
Portability
63
64

What they share

  • Layout size: 75%
  • Connection: Wired
  • Hot-swappable
  • Mount style: Top Mount
  • Sound dampening
See every spec side by side

Best for

What will you mostly use it for?

Athena takes most categories on the strength of its display, firmware support, and plate and build options. The KBD75 V3 has the edge for travel based on its compact description and lower listed typing angle, though both require a wired connection. For office and gaming, the comparison is less about layout or connectivity, which they share, and more about Athena’s interface features versus the KBD75 V3’s described foam and stabilizers.

For gaming

Pick the KBDFans Athena

  • Both are wired, hot-swappable 75% ANSI keyboards with RGB.
  • Athena adds an integrated display and command button, which its vendor says can be used for macros and media controls.

Full specs

KBDFans Athena vs KBD75 V3 specs

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

8 of 19 specs differ

KBDFans Athena

KBDFans KBD75 V3

Typing & switches

Switch options

—
Clicky

Hot-swappable

Yes
Yes

Mount style

Top Mount
Top Mount

Sound dampening

Yes
Yes

Screw-in stabilizers

No
Yes

Layout

Layout size

75%
75%

Layout standard

ANSI
ANSI

Ergonomics

Standard
Standard

Display

LCD
None

Connectivity & battery

Connection

Wired
Wired

USB-C

Yes
Yes

Build & materials

Case material

Aluminum
Acrylic, Aluminum

Plate material

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

Weight

2,200 g
—

Typing angle

9°
7°

Backlight

RGB
RGB

Firmware & software

VIA

Yes
No

VIAL

Yes
No

Extras

Released

2026
2023

Where to buy

Compare prices

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

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FAQ

KBDFans Athena vs KBD75 V3: your questions

The Athena includes an LCD and lists VIA and VIAL support, while the KBD75 V3 is described as a barebones kit with an RGB-lit acrylic mid-layer and Cherry screw-in stabilizers. Both are wired, hot-swappable 75% ANSI keyboards.

Yes. Its specifications list an LCD, and the vendor says the display supports up to 5 custom GIF uploads.

No screen is listed for the KBD75 V3. Its vendor description instead highlights an RGB-lit acrylic mid-layer.

The Athena lists VIA and VIAL support, and its vendor also names AVA support. The KBD75 V3 description does not list those options.

Both list hot-swap support. The KBD75 V3 vendor specifically describes an included hot-swap PCB, while the Athena vendor lists a wired hot-swap ANSI PCB option.

Athena lists aluminum, FR4, polycarbonate, and carbon fiber plates. The KBD75 V3 lists aluminum, polycarbonate, and brass.

The Athena is listed with a 9° typing angle, while the KBD75 V3 is listed at 7°. Both use a 75% ANSI layout.

Both are listed as wired-only keyboards. Each has a USB-C connection listed or described.

The KBD75 V3 vendor description lists Cherry screw-in stabilizers. The Athena vendor lists PCB-mount and plate-mount stabilizer options.

Athena lists sound dampening, and its vendor describes an optional foam kit with Poron plate and case foam, an IXPE switch pad, and PET sound and insulation pads. The optional kit should not be confused with the listed base features.

The KBD75 V3 vendor description lists PCB foam and case foam. It does not specify their material in that description.

The Athena vendor describes a plateless build option when paired with its solderable PCB. That is distinct from the vendor-listed plate choices of aluminum, FR4, polycarbonate, and carbon fiber.

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