KBDFans Agar vs Athena 1800Compact or Full-Size
Choose Agar for a compact, gasket-mounted build; choose Athena 1800 for a full-size layout with an LCD and more plate choices.
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5.0 (8)5.0 · 8 reviews
from$110at KBDfans
4.7 (7)4.7 · 7 reviews
from$136at KBDfans
Which one should you get?
Get the
KBDFans Agar
Build quality in the top 5% of 60% boards under $150.
- 60% layout with split backspace and stepped Caps Lock options.
- Gasket-mount and plate-mount options.
- Supports both VIA and VIAL.
- No ISO layout. ISO-DE, UK, and other ISO variants are not offered.
- Compact layout only. No function row, dedicated arrow keys, or numpad.
Get the
KBDFans Athena 1800
Build quality in the top 15% of 100% boards under $150.
- 100% layout available in ANSI and ISO.
- LCD screen.
- Hot-swappable switches and VIAL support.
Pick the KBDFans Agar if you want a compact board with gasket-mount and plate-mount options, VIA support, and a listed 1000 Hz polling rate. Choose the Athena 1800 if you need a full-size ANSI or ISO layout, an LCD, or more plate-material choices. The key decision is compactness and customization options versus a complete key layout and display.
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 Agar
KBDFans Athena 1800
Layout size
60%
100%
Connection
Bluetooth, Wired
Wired
Wireless for several devices and wired for lower latency
Case material
Aluminum, Polycarbonate
Aluminum
Mount style
Gasket Mount, Plate Mount
Top Mount
Display
LED
LED, LCD
A case display rather than a typing feature
- KBDFans Agar
- KBDFans Athena 1800
- Performance
- 6368
- Build quality
- 9079
- Productivity
- 8268
- Customizability
- 9082
- Portability
- 8443
- Hot-swappable
- Ergonomics: Split Backspace
- Max polling rate: 1,000 Hz
- Sound dampening
- Keycaps: PBT
What will you mostly use it for?
The Athena 1800 is the more direct fit for office and content-creation workflows that benefit from a full-size layout or LCD. Agar suits buyers who want a smaller board, lighter listed weight, and additional VIA support. Gaming is close on the listed features: both have hot-swap and RGB, but only Agar has a specified polling rate. For customization, Agar has the edge in mount choices and VIA support, while both support VIAL.
It's a tie
- Both keyboards list hot-swappable switches and RGB.
- Agar lists a 1000 Hz polling rate, while Athena's metadata does not specify one.
- Agar's 60% layout is compact, while Athena has a 100% layout.
KBDFans Agar vs Athena 1800 specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
10 of 21 specs differ
KBDFans Agar
KBDFans Athena 1800
Hot-swappable
Mount style
Sound dampening
Screw-in stabilizers
Layout size
Layout standard
Ergonomics
Display
Connection
Max polling rate
USB-C
Case material
Plate material
Keycaps
Weight
Dimensions
Typing angle
Backlight
VIA
VIAL
Released
ISO layouts by store
Which stores sell ISO-DE, UK, and the other regional layouts.
KBDFans Agar
No ISO layout at the stores we track.
KBDFans Athena 1800
KBDfans
ISO
Out of stockShips to you
MonacoKeys
ISO
Out of stockDoes not ship to you
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 Agar vs Athena 1800: your questions
The Agar is a 60% keyboard, while the Athena 1800 is a 100% keyboard. Athena also has an LCD, while Agar does not.
No. The Agar's compact 60% layout has no numpad, dedicated arrow keys, or function row. Choose the Athena 1800 if you need a 100% layout.
Yes. Its listed layout standards include ANSI and ISO. The Agar does not offer ISO layouts.
The Agar is listed at 1300g, while the Athena 1800 is listed at 3000g. Agar is also the smaller layout at 60%, compared with Athena's 100% layout.
Yes. Both keyboards list hot-swappable support, so switches can be changed without soldering. The Agar vendor description also specifies a hotswap PCB.
Yes. Agar lists VIA and VIAL support, and its vendor description says it is programmable with VIA. Athena lists VIAL support but does not list VIA.
Yes. The Athena 1800 lists an LCD screen. The Agar's screen specification is No.
The Agar lists gasket mount and plate mount. The Athena 1800 lists top mount.
Its listed options include aluminum, FR4, polycarbonate, carbon fiber, brass, and steel. The Agar metadata lists aluminum and polycarbonate plates, and its vendor description specifies an aluminum plate.
Yes. Agar lists a 1000 Hz polling rate, which is also mentioned in its vendor product description. No polling rate is listed for the Athena 1800.
The Agar may suit programmers who prefer a compact HHKB-style layout: its vendor description calls the layout suitable for programmers and notes split backspace. The Athena 1800 is a better fit if your work benefits from a full-size layout.
Yes. The Agar does not offer ISO layouts, including ISO-DE and UK variants. The Athena 1800 lists both ANSI and ISO.
Not sold on either?
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