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Head to head · Prices checked Nov 10, 2026

KBDFans Athena vs HHKB Russ.works Lesley

Get the KBDFans Athena for via.

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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.
$159 at Divinikey

Get the

HHKB Russ.works Lesley

Build quality in the top 35% of 60% boards at any price.

Rules this board out

  • Compact layout only. No function row, dedicated arrow keys, or numpad.
$365 at Divinikey

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

HHKB Russ.works Lesley

  • Layout size

    75%

    60%

  • Ergonomics

    Standard

    Split Backspace

  • Mount style

    Top Mount

    Gasket Mount

  • Display

    LCD

    LED

    A case display rather than a typing feature

  • VIA

    Yes

    No

    GUI remapping without compiling firmware

KeebFinder scores

How we score
  • KBDFans Athena
  • HHKB Russ.works Lesley
Performance
70
47
Build quality
84
70
Productivity
75
60
Customizability
88
63
Portability
63
71

What they share

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

Full specs

KBDFans Athena vs HHKB Russ.works Lesley specs

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

9 of 18 specs differ

KBDFans Athena

HHKB Russ.works Lesley

Typing & switches

Hot-swappable

Yes
Yes

Mount style

Top Mount
Gasket Mount

Sound dampening

Yes
Yes

Layout

Layout size

75%
60%

Layout standard

ANSI
—

Ergonomics

Standard
Split Backspace

Display

LCD
LED

Connectivity & battery

Connection

Wired
Wired

Max polling rate

—
1,000 Hz

USB-C

Yes
Yes

Build & materials

Case material

Aluminum
Aluminum

Plate material

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

Weight

2,200 g
—

Typing angle

9°
8°

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.

KBDFans Athena2 stores
HHKB Russ.works Lesley2 stores

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