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Head to head · Prices checked Nov 7, 2026

KBDFans Athena vs Ko Onibi75% vs 60%

Choose the Athena for its 75% layout, hot-swap PCB and LCD, or the Ko Onibi if a smaller 60% kit is your priority.

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Quick verdict

Which one should you get?

Get the

KBDFans Athena

75%

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

If you want

  • 75% ANSI layout with a function row and dedicated arrow keys.
  • Aluminum case, top mount, and a 9° typing angle.
  • Hot-swap PCB options, with VIA and VIAL support.

Rules this board out

  • No numpad.

Get the

KBDFans Ko Onibi

60%

If you want

  • 60% ANSI layout offers a more compact arrangement than the Athena's 75% layout.
  • Listed as a DIY keyboard kit.
  • No RGB is listed, for buyers who prefer a keyboard without listed RGB lighting.

Rules this board out

  • Switches are soldered. Swapping them means soldering.
  • Compact layout only. No function row, dedicated arrow keys, or numpad.

Bottom line

Choose the KBDFans Athena if you want dedicated arrow keys, hot-swap switches, VIA and VIAL support, or its integrated LCD. Choose the Ko Onibi if the 60% layout is your priority and you are comfortable with soldered switches and fewer dedicated keys. For travel, its smaller layout is an advantage, but the available details do not confirm that it is lighter.

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 Ko Onibi

  • 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

KeebFinder scores

How we score
  • KBDFans Athena
  • KBDFans Ko Onibi
Performance
70
43
Build quality
84
53
Productivity
76
41
Customizability
88
49
Portability
63
63
See every spec side by side

Best for

What will you mostly use it for?

The Athena is the more capable choice across gaming, office use, programming, modding, and content creation, mainly because it combines a larger layout with more listed features. The Ko Onibi's clearest advantage is its more compact 60% layout for buyers prioritizing a smaller keyboard. Its listed product details are limited, so the comparison does not establish a weight advantage or additional travel features. Consider how much you rely on dedicated keys before choosing the smaller layout.

For gaming

Pick the KBDFans Athena

  • The Athena supports wired connectivity and hot-swappable switches, including a wired RGB hot-swap PCB option.
  • Its 75% layout retains a function row and arrow cluster, unlike the Ko Onibi's 60% layout.

Full specs

KBDFans Athena vs Ko Onibi specs

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

8 of 17 specs differ

KBDFans Athena

KBDFans Ko Onibi

Typing & switches

Hot-swappable

Yes
No

Mount style

Top Mount
—

Sound dampening

Yes
No

Layout

Layout size

75%
60%

Layout standard

ANSI
ANSI

Ergonomics

Standard
Standard

Display

LCD
None

Connectivity & battery

Connection

Wired
—

USB-C

Yes
No

Build & materials

Case material

Aluminum
—

Plate material

Aluminum, CarbonFiber, FR4, Polycarbonate
—

Weight

2,200 g
—

Typing angle

9°
—

Backlight

RGB
None

Firmware & software

VIA

Yes
No

VIAL

Yes
No

Extras

Released

2026
2026

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.

FAQ

KBDFans Athena vs Ko Onibi: your questions

The Athena is a 75% keyboard with hot-swap PCB options, VIA and VIAL support, and an LCD. The Ko Onibi is a 60% DIY kit with soldered switches.

Yes, the Athena listing includes hot-swap PCB options. It also lists wired RGB hot-swap ANSI as an available PCB option.

The Ko Onibi uses soldered switches, so changing them means soldering. Its listing does not describe hot-swap sockets.

Yes, the Athena product details list VIA and VIAL support. The Ko Onibi listing does not specify either.

Yes, the Athena has an integrated HD display. Its vendor description says it supports up to five custom GIF uploads.

No dedicated arrow keys are listed for the Ko Onibi, whose 60% layout is described as lacking them. The Athena has a 75% layout and an arrow cluster.

The Ko Onibi is the more compact option, with a 60% layout compared with the Athena's 75% layout. The listing does not provide the Ko Onibi's physical dimensions or weight.

The Athena is listed as wired only, with a USB-C connection. Wireless connectivity is not listed for the Ko Onibi.

The Athena metadata lists aluminum, FR4, polycarbonate, and carbon-fiber plates. Its vendor description also says the solderable PCB can be used for a plateless build.

Yes, RGB is listed for the Athena, and its vendor description includes a wired RGB hot-swap PCB option. RGB is listed as absent on the Ko Onibi.

The Athena is the more suitable choice if you want a function row, dedicated arrow keys, or VIA and VIAL support. The Ko Onibi's 60% layout omits a function row and dedicated arrow keys, and its listing does not specify firmware support.

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