Not sure which keyboard to choose? Try the Keyboard Finder now!

Head to head · Prices checked Nov 9, 2026

KBDFans Athena vs Neo Neo98

Get the KBDFans Athena for via.

KeebFinder may earn a commission when you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you.

Quick verdict

Which one should you get?

Get the

KBDFans Athena

VIA

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

Rules this board out

  • No numpad.

Get the

Neo Neo98

Build quality in the top 25% of 98% boards under $150.

Rules this board out

  • South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
  • Compact full-size layout. The numpad is present, the gaps of a full-size board are not.

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

Neo Neo98

  • Layout size

    75%

    98%

  • Connection

    Wired

    Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired

    Wireless for several devices and wired for lower latency

  • Mount style

    Top Mount

    Gasket Mount, Top Mount

  • Display

    LCD

    None

    A case display rather than a typing feature

  • VIA

    Yes

    No

    GUI remapping without compiling firmware

KeebFinder scores

How we score
  • KBDFans Athena
  • Neo Neo98
Performance
70
68
Build quality
84
72
Productivity
76
76
Customizability
88
56
Portability
63
65

What they share

  • Hot-swappable
  • Case material: Aluminum
  • Sound dampening
See every spec side by side

Full specs

KBDFans Athena vs Neo Neo98 specs

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

11 of 21 specs differ

KBDFans Athena

Neo Neo98

Typing & switches

Hot-swappable

Yes
Yes

Mount style

Top Mount
Gasket Mount, Top Mount

Sound dampening

Yes
Yes

Layout

Layout size

75%
98%

Layout standard

ANSI
ANSI

Ergonomics

Standard
Standard

Display

LCD
None

Connectivity & battery

Connection

Wired
Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired

Battery

Wired only
8,000 mAh

USB-C

Yes
Yes

Build & materials

Case material

Aluminum
Aluminum

Plate material

Aluminum, CarbonFiber, FR4, Polycarbonate
Aluminum, Plastic

Keycaps

—
ABS, PBT

Weight

2,200 g
—

Typing angle

9°
7°

Backlight

RGB
Yes, south-facing

Firmware & software

VIA

Yes
No

VIAL

Yes
No

N-key rollover

No
Yes

Mac & Windows

No
Yes

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.

Neo Neo983 stores

Still torn?

Answer a few quick questions and the keyboard finder ranks 2,000+ boards by how you will actually use yours.