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Head to head · Prices checked Nov 14, 2026

KBDFans Athena75 vs PBTfans Athena 1800

Get the KBDFans Athena75 for its compact 75% layout, ISO option, and VIA support, or the PBTfans Athena 1800 for its larger 95% layout, included PBT keycaps, and ready-to-use setup.

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Quick verdict

Which one should you get?

Get the

KBDFans Athena75

VIA

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

If you want

  • 1000 Hz polling rate and VIA support.
  • ANSI and ISO layout options, including split backspace listed in its layout ergonomics.
  • DIY kit with solder and hot-swap PCB options, plus a vendor-described plateless build configuration.

Rules this board out

  • No numpad.

Get the

PBTfans Athena 1800

If you want

  • Pre-built and ready to use, with a PBT keycap set included.
  • 95% layout and clicky switch type are listed.
  • Vendor-described LCD indicators for Caps Lock and Scroll Lock, with a GIF customization guide.

Rules this board out

  • No ISO layout. ISO-DE, UK, and other ISO variants are not offered.

Bottom line

Choose the KBDFans Athena75 for its 75% footprint, ISO option, 1000 Hz polling rate, VIA support, and more configurable DIY build choices. Choose the PBTfans Athena 1800 for its larger 95% layout, included PBT keycaps, pre-built setup, and explicitly documented LCD indicator and GIF features.

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 Athena75

PBTfans Athena 1800

  • Layout size

    75%

    95%

  • Ergonomics

    Split Backspace

    Standard

  • Weight

    2,300 g

    2,500 g

    Heavier boards stay planted and lighter ones travel

  • VIA

    Yes

    No

    GUI remapping without compiling firmware

  • Layout standard

    ANSI, ISO

    ANSI

    ISO and JIS exist so regional layouts fit

KeebFinder scores

How we score
  • KBDFans Athena75
  • PBTfans Athena 1800
Performance
70
67
Build quality
84
75
Productivity
75
69
Customizability
88
74
Portability
63
44

What they share

  • Connection: Wired
  • Hot-swappable
  • Case material: Aluminum
  • Mount style: Top Mount
  • Display: LCD
  • Sound dampening
See every spec side by side

Best for

What will you mostly use it for?

The Athena75 is the stronger fit for buyers prioritizing a compact board, gaming polling-rate information, ISO, or hands-on build options. The Athena 1800 favors buyers who want a larger layout and included keycaps without starting from a barebones kit. For LCD customization, the Athena 1800 has explicitly described GIF guidance and Caps Lock and Scroll Lock indicators. Both boards are wired, aluminum, top-mount, hot-swappable, and VIAL-supported.

For gaming

Pick the KBDFans Athena75

  • The Athena75 lists a 1000 Hz polling rate.
  • Its 75% layout is more compact than the Athena 1800's 95% layout.

Full specs

KBDFans Athena75 vs PBTfans Athena 1800 specs

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

8 of 21 specs differ

KBDFans Athena75

PBTfans Athena 1800

Typing & switches

Switch options

—
Clicky

Hot-swappable

Yes
Yes

Mount style

Top Mount
Top Mount

Sound dampening

Yes
Yes

Layout

Layout size

75%
95%

Layout standard

ANSI, ISO
ANSI

Ergonomics

Split Backspace
Standard

Display

LCD
LCD

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, Brass, CarbonFiber, FR4, Polycarbonate, Steel

Keycaps

—
PBT

Weight

2,300 g
2,500 g

Dimensions

39 x 314 x 139 mm
9 x 1800 x 300 mm

Typing angle

9°
9°

Backlight

RGB
RGB

Firmware & software

VIA

Yes
No

VIAL

Yes
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.

For EU buyers

ISO layouts by store

Which stores sell ISO-DE, UK, and the other regional layouts.

KBDFans Athena75

Listed on the product, not split by store: ISO.

PBTfans Athena 1800

No ISO layout at the stores we track.

FAQ

KBDFans Athena75 vs PBTfans Athena 1800: your questions

The Athena75 is a 75% DIY kit, while the Athena 1800 is a pre-built 95% keyboard. The Athena75 also lists VIA support and ISO layout options, which are not listed for the Athena 1800.

The Athena 1800 is listed as a 95% layout, while the Athena75 compatibility note explicitly says its 75% layout has no numpad. The product listing does not separately spell out a numpad specification for the Athena 1800.

Yes, the Athena75 lists ANSI and ISO layout standards. The Athena 1800 is listed as ANSI only, and its compatibility note says ISO variants are not offered.

Yes, it is listed as pre-built and ready to use. Its vendor listing also says a keycap set is included, with PBT keycaps specified in the product metadata.

The Athena75 is the smaller layout category at 75%, compared with the Athena 1800 at 95%. The Athena75 is also listed at 2300g, while the Athena 1800 is listed at 2500g.

The Athena75 lists VIA and VIAL support. The Athena 1800 lists VIAL support, but VIA support is not listed in its product metadata.

Yes, hot-swap support is listed for both keyboards. The Athena75 vendor description also identifies solder and hot-swap PCB options.

The Athena75 lists a 1000 Hz polling rate. No polling-rate figure is listed for the Athena 1800, so a direct specification comparison is not available.

The Athena 1800 is listed with PBT keycaps, and its vendor description says a keycap set is included. The Athena75 is described as a DIY kit or barebones board.

The vendor describes plateless build potential for the Athena75 when using its solderable PCB. This build option is not stated for the Athena 1800.

The vendor description specifies RGB LCD indicators for Caps Lock and Scroll Lock. It also provides a GIF customization guide for the display.

Both are listed as wired-only keyboards with USB-C. Neither product is described as offering wireless connectivity.

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