KBDFans Agar Micro vs Athena 1800
Choose the Agar Micro for a compact Alice layout with wireless options, or the Athena 1800 for a full-size layout with RGB and an LCD.
KeebFinder may earn a commission when you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you.
No reviews
from$79at KBDfans
90-day lowLowest price in 90 days
4.7 (7)4.7 · 7 reviews
from$136at KBDfans
Which one should you get?
Get the
KBDFans Agar Micro
Build quality in the top 10% of 40% boards under $150.
- Compact 40% ANSI Alice layout with a 7° typing angle.
- Listed at 280g, substantially lighter than the Athena 1800.
- Connectivity includes wired and wireless options.
- 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 with ANSI and ISO options.
- Aluminum case and plate options including aluminum, FR4, polycarbonate, carbon fiber, brass, and steel.
- Hot-swappable DIY kit with VIAL support.
Pick the Agar Micro if a very light 40% Alice board and wireless options matter more than having a complete key set. Choose the Athena 1800 if you want a full-size ANSI or ISO layout, RGB, and an LCD, and do not need a lighter travel board. The two are not close substitutes in layout or weight, so start with the form factor you can work with every day.
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 Micro
KBDFans Athena 1800
Layout size
40%
100%
Connection
Wired, Bluetooth
Wired
Wireless for several devices and wired for lower latency
Ergonomics
Alice
Split Backspace
Case material
Aluminum, Polycarbonate
Aluminum
Mount style
Gasket Mount
Top Mount
- KBDFans Agar Micro
- KBDFans Athena 1800
- Performance
- 4668
- Build quality
- 8279
- Productivity
- 6569
- Customizability
- 7282
- Portability
- 7743
- Hot-swappable
- Max polling rate: 1,000 Hz
- Sound dampening
What will you mostly use it for?
The Athena 1800 is the more practical fit for office work, programming, gaming, and content workflows that benefit from a full-size layout, though individual preferences for key arrangement still matter. Its RGB and LCD add visible features, and its wider plate selection gives modders more material choices. The Agar Micro stands out for travel because it is far lighter, much smaller, and offers wireless options. Buyers who prefer an Alice layout may still favor it for daily typing despite its compact key set.
Pick the KBDFans Athena 1800
- The Athena 1800 has a full-size layout, unlike the Agar Micro's compact 40% layout.
- The Athena includes RGB, while the Agar Micro has no RGB.
- The metadata lists wired-only connectivity for the Athena and both wired and wireless options for the Agar Micro, though it does not specify gaming latency.
KBDFans Agar Micro vs Athena 1800 specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
15 of 20 specs differ
KBDFans Agar Micro
KBDFans Athena 1800
Hot-swappable
Mount style
Sound dampening
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 Micro
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 Micro vs Athena 1800: your questions
The Agar Micro is a 40% ANSI Alice keyboard, while the Athena 1800 has a 100% layout with ANSI and ISO options. The Agar Micro offers wireless options, whereas the Athena has RGB and an LCD screen.
The Agar Micro's listed connectivity includes wired and wireless options. The vendor description also identifies a dual-mode hot-swap PCB option, but buyers should check the selected configuration for its exact connection mode.
The Athena 1800 is listed as wired only. Its metadata also lists USB-C, but does not list wireless connectivity.
The Agar Micro is listed at 280g, while the Athena 1800 is listed at 3000g. That makes the Agar Micro the substantially lighter option for carrying between locations.
The Agar Micro's compatibility notes specify that its compact layout has no dedicated arrow keys or numpad, and no function row. The Athena 1800 is a 100% layout.
Yes, the Athena 1800 lists both ANSI and ISO layout standards. The Agar Micro is ANSI only, with no ISO-DE, UK, or other ISO variants offered.
The Athena 1800 lists RGB lighting and an LCD screen. The Agar Micro lists no RGB and no screen.
Both keyboards list hot-swap support and DIY kit or barebones configurations. The Agar Micro vendor page describes MX hot-swap PCB options as well as a solder PCB option, so check which PCB configuration you are buying.
Both offer hot-swap support and a DIY kit format. The Athena lists VIAL and plate options in aluminum, FR4, polycarbonate, carbon fiber, brass, and steel, while the Agar Micro lists VIA and PC, FR4, aluminum, or carbon-fiber plates.
The Agar Micro lists aluminum and polycarbonate case materials, with PC, FR4, aluminum, and carbon-fiber plate options. Its vendor description also lists optional foam and plate items, which are not identified as included by default.
The Athena 1800 metadata lists PBT keycap material. It also identifies the keyboard as both a DIY kit and a pre-built option, so confirm the selected product configuration before assuming what is assembled.
The Agar Micro is the more portable choice based on its 40% size, 280g listed weight, and wireless connectivity options. The Athena 1800 is a 100% wired-only keyboard listed at 3000g.
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.