KBDFans Athena 1800 vs RF 8XFull Size or 80%
Choose the Athena 1800 for a full-size, hot-swappable board, or the RF 8X if your priority is a case built around compatible Realforce R1 internals.
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4.7 · 17 reviews
from$136at KBDfans
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from$350at KBDfans
Which one should you get?
Get the
KBDFans Athena 1800
Hot-swappable
Build quality in the top 10% of 100% boards under $150.
- 100% layout with ANSI and ISO options, plus split backspace.
- Hot-swappable switches and VIAL support.
- RGB lighting and an LED/LCD screen.
Get the
KBDFans RF 8X
Build quality in the top 45% of 80% boards at any price.
- 80% top-mount design with aluminum and polycarbonate case materials listed.
- Vendor describes compatibility with Realforce R1 86/87/88/89u internals.
- Optional custom PCB and stainless steel plate upgrades are described by the vendor.
- Switches are soldered. Swapping them means soldering.
- No ISO layout. ISO-DE, UK, and other ISO variants are not offered.
- No numpad.
For a ready-to-customize full-size board with hot-swap, VIAL support, RGB, and multiple plate choices, choose the Athena 1800. Consider the RF 8X if you specifically want a case designed around compatible Realforce R1 internals and are comfortable with soldered switches and an 80% layout. Check its group-buy timing and availability before buying, as the listing gives shipping timing as undetermined and no vendors are shown in stock.
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 RF 8X
Layout size
100%
80%
Hot-swappable
Yes
No
Switch changes without soldering
Ergonomics
Split Backspace
Standard
Case material
Aluminum
Aluminum, Polycarbonate
Display
LED, LCD
LED
A case display rather than a typing feature
- KBDFans Athena 1800
- KBDFans RF 8X
- Performance
- 6845
- Build quality
- 7961
- Productivity
- 6846
- Customizability
- 8254
- Portability
- 4353
- Max polling rate: 1,000 Hz
- Mount style: Top Mount
What will you mostly use it for?
The Athena 1800 is the more versatile choice for desk use, with the larger layout, hot-swap, and VIAL support. Its full-size layout and RGB also give it an edge for gaming and content workflows based on listed features, though both keyboards have the same listed polling rate. The RF 8X is more travel-oriented by layout and included carrying case. For modding, the better fit depends on whether you want general switch and plate options or a Realforce-focused custom build.
Pick the KBDFans Athena 1800
- Both list a 1000 Hz polling rate, so that specification does not distinguish them.
- The Athena 1800 has RGB and hot-swappable sockets, while the RF 8X lists no RGB and soldered switches.
KBDFans Athena 1800 vs RF 8X specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
11 of 18 specs differ
KBDFans Athena 1800
KBDFans RF 8X
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 RF 8X
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.
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KBDFans Athena 1800 vs RF 8X: your questions
Both keyboards list a 1000 Hz polling rate, so that specification does not separate them. The Athena 1800 adds RGB and hot-swappable switches, while the RF 8X lists no RGB and soldered switches.
Yes, the Athena 1800 lists hot-swappable switches. The RF 8X compatibility rules say its switches are soldered, so changing them requires soldering.
No, the RF 8X is an 80% layout and its compatibility rules specify that it has no numpad. The Athena 1800 is a 100% layout.
No, the RF 8X has no ISO layout, including ISO-DE and UK variants. The Athena 1800 lists both ANSI and ISO layouts.
The RF 8X is the more travel-oriented option by layout, at 80% compared with the Athena 1800's 100%. Its vendor listing also includes a protective carrying case.
The Athena 1800 lists ANSI and ISO layouts, along with split backspace and a normal ergonomic layout. The RF 8X is listed as a normal 80% layout and does not offer ISO.
The vendor says both WK and WKL versions are compatible with Realforce R1 86/87/88/89u internals. It also names compatibility with Cipulot’s RF_R1_8-9Xu PCB.
The Athena 1800 lists hot-swappable switches and VIAL support. Its listed plate options are carbon fiber, polycarbonate, FR4, aluminum, brass, and steel.
The vendor describes optional stainless steel plates and a custom PCB, including a Via-supported PCB option. It also describes custom builds using aftermarket EC parts such as Dynacap, Deskeys, and Metapulse.
The vendor says the RF 8X does not include keycaps, stabilizers, or switches. The listed package includes the top and bottom housing, USB-C daughterboard PCB, JST cables, screws, rubber feet, and a protective carrying case.
The Athena 1800 lists RGB lighting. The RF 8X lists no RGB, though its product details include an LED screen.
The listing shows no vendors in stock for the RF 8X and describes it as a group buy. Its expected shipping time is listed as undetermined, so check current availability and timing before ordering.
Not sold on either?
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