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

Head to head · Prices checked Oct 28, 2026

KBDFans GT 80 MX Version vs Pulsar Xboard QS

Get the KBDFans GT 80 MX Version for sound dampening. Get the Pulsar Xboard QS for knob and qmk.

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 GT 80 MX Version

Sound dampening

Build quality in the top 15% of 80% boards under $200.

$174 at KBDfans

Get the

Pulsar Xboard QS

Knob

Build quality in the top 25% of 80% boards under $300.

Rules this board out

  • South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
$290 at MK

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 GT 80 MX Version

Pulsar Xboard QS

  • Mount style

    PCB Mount

    Plate Mount

  • Knob

    No

    Yes

  • Display

    LED

    None

    A case display rather than a typing feature

  • QMK

    No

    Yes

    The deep option when you want to remap every key

  • Sound dampening

    Yes

    No

KeebFinder scores

How we score
  • KBDFans GT 80 MX Version
  • Pulsar Xboard QS
Performance
75
74
Build quality
79
72
Productivity
66
87
Customizability
76
88
Portability
53
60

What they share

  • Layout size: 80%
  • Connection: Wired
  • Hot-swappable
  • Case material: Aluminum
  • VIA
See every spec side by side

Full specs

KBDFans GT 80 MX Version vs Pulsar Xboard QS specs

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

11 of 20 specs differ

KBDFans GT 80 MX Version

Pulsar Xboard QS

Typing & switches

Hot-swappable

Yes
Yes

Mount style

PCB Mount
Plate Mount

Sound dampening

Yes
No

Layout

Layout size

80%
80%

Layout standard

—
ANSI

Ergonomics

Standard
Standard

Knob

No
Yes

Display

LED
None

Connectivity & battery

Connection

Wired
Wired

Max polling rate

8,000 Hz
—

USB passthrough

No
Yes

USB-C

No
Yes

Build & materials

Case material

Aluminum
Aluminum

Plate material

Aluminum, FR4, Polycarbonate
Plastic

Keycaps

—
PBT

Backlight

None
RGB, south-facing

Firmware & software

QMK

No
Yes

VIA

Yes
Yes

Mac & Windows

No
Yes

Extras

Released

2025
2024

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.

KBDFans GT 80 MX Version2 stores
Pulsar Xboard QS2 stores

Keep exploring

Not sold on either?

Still torn?

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

Find my keyboardBrowse all keyboards