KBDFans Athena 1800 vs Ko Onibi1800 or 60%
Choose the Athena 1800 for a full-size, hot-swappable keyboard, or the Ko Onibi if a compact 60% DIY kit is your priority.
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4.7 (7)4.7 · 7 reviews
from$136at KBDfans
Which one should you get?
Get the
KBDFans Athena 1800
Hot-swappable
Build quality in the top 15% of 100% boards under $150.
- 100% layout with ANSI and ISO options.
- Hot-swappable switches and VIAL support.
- Aluminum case, with aluminum, FR4, polycarbonate, carbon fiber, brass, and steel plate options.
Get the
KBDFans Ko Onibi
- Compact 60% layout.
- ANSI layout.
- Listed as a DIY kit/barebones keyboard.
- Switches are soldered. Swapping them means soldering.
- No ISO layout. ISO-DE, UK, and other ISO variants are not offered.
- Compact layout only. No function row, dedicated arrow keys, or numpad.
Choose the Athena 1800 if you want a full-size keyboard with hot-swappable switches, VIAL support, an LCD, and ANSI or ISO layout options. Consider the Ko Onibi if a compact 60% DIY kit is the priority and you are comfortable with soldered switches and an ANSI-only layout.
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 1800
KBDFans Ko Onibi
Layout size
100%
60%
Hot-swappable
Yes
No
Switch changes without soldering
Ergonomics
Split Backspace
Standard
Display
LED, LCD
None
A case display rather than a typing feature
Sound dampening
Yes
No
- KBDFans Athena 1800
- KBDFans Ko Onibi
- Performance
- 6843
- Build quality
- 7953
- Productivity
- 6941
- Customizability
- 8249
- Portability
- 4363
What will you mostly use it for?
The Athena 1800 takes most categories because it combines a full-size layout with hot-swap, VIAL support, and more listed features. Its clearest practical advantage is for buyers who want a numpad or ISO layout. The Ko Onibi's strongest fit is travel, where its 60% layout is more compact. For switch changes, note that the Ko Onibi uses soldered switches.
Pick the KBDFans Athena 1800
- The Athena 1800 is listed as hot-swappable, while the Ko Onibi has soldered switches.
- The Athena includes RGB lighting; the Ko Onibi is listed without RGB.
KBDFans Athena 1800 vs Ko Onibi specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
10 of 18 specs differ
KBDFans Athena 1800
KBDFans Ko Onibi
Hot-swappable
Mount style
Sound dampening
Layout size
Layout standard
Ergonomics
Display
Connection
Max polling rate
USB-C
Case material
Plate material
Keycaps
Weight
Typing angle
Backlight
VIAL
Released
ISO layouts by store
Which stores sell ISO-DE, UK, and the other regional layouts.
KBDFans Athena 1800
KBDfans
ISO
Out of stockShips to you
MonacoKeys
ISO
Out of stockDoes not ship to you
KBDFans Ko Onibi
No ISO layout at the stores we track.
Compare prices
Live prices from the stores we track, cheapest in-stock offer first.
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Lowest price across stores, Amazon excluded.
- Go to KBDfans
KBDfans
Out of stock - Check on Amazon
Amazon
Check price
KBDFans Athena 1800 vs Ko Onibi: your questions
The Athena 1800 is a 100% keyboard with hot-swap, VIAL support, RGB, and an LCD. The Ko Onibi is a 60% DIY kit with soldered switches and no RGB.
No, its compatibility details specify that the switches are soldered. Changing them requires soldering.
Yes, the Athena 1800 is listed with ANSI and ISO layout options. The Ko Onibi is ANSI only.
The Athena 1800 has a 100% layout, which includes a numpad. The Ko Onibi's 60% layout does not have a numpad.
The Ko Onibi's 60% layout is more compact than the Athena 1800's 100% layout. The Athena is listed at 3000g, so buyers prioritizing compactness may prefer the Ko Onibi.
Yes, RGB is listed as a feature of the Athena 1800. The Ko Onibi is listed without RGB.
The Ko Onibi's compact layout has no function row or dedicated arrow keys. It also has no numpad.
VIAL support is listed for the KBDFans Athena 1800. The Ko Onibi's product details do not list VIAL support.
The Athena 1800 lists aluminum, FR4, polycarbonate, carbon fiber, brass, and steel plate options. No plate material is listed for the Ko Onibi.
Yes, the Athena 1800 is listed with an LCD screen. The Ko Onibi is listed without a screen.
The Athena 1800 is listed as hot-swappable, making it the choice for buyers who want to change switches without the soldering requirement specified for the Ko Onibi. The Ko Onibi's switches are soldered.
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