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Head to head · Prices checked Nov 10, 2026

Pulsar Xboard MS vs Ktechs Stars80

Get the Pulsar Xboard MS for knob. Get the Ktechs Stars80 for qmk and via.

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Quick verdict

Which one should you get?

Get the

Pulsar Xboard MS

Knob

Build quality in the top 35% of 80% boards under $150.

Rules this board out

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

Get the

Ktechs Stars80

QMK

Build quality in the top 10% of 80% boards under $150.

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.

Pulsar Xboard MS

Ktechs Stars80

  • Case material

    ABS

    Aluminum

  • Mount style

    Gasket Mount

    Plate Mount

  • Knob

    Yes

    No

  • QMK

    No

    Yes

    The deep option when you want to remap every key

  • VIA

    No

    Yes

    GUI remapping without compiling firmware

KeebFinder scores

How we score
  • Pulsar Xboard MS
  • Ktechs Stars80
Performance
85
76
Build quality
63
80
Productivity
85
74
Customizability
69
92
Portability
61
59

What they share

  • Layout size: 80%
  • Hot-swappable
  • Sound dampening
See every spec side by side

Full specs

Pulsar Xboard MS vs Ktechs Stars80 specs

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

10 of 22 specs differ

Pulsar Xboard MS

Ktechs Stars80

Typing & switches

Hot-swappable

Yes
Yes

Mount style

Gasket Mount
Plate Mount

Sound dampening

Yes
Yes

Layout

Layout size

80%
80%

Layout standard

ANSI
ANSI

Ergonomics

Standard
Standard

Knob

Yes
No

Display

None
None

Connectivity & battery

Connection

Wired
—

Max polling rate

8,000 Hz
—

USB-C

Yes
No

Build & materials

Case material

ABS
Aluminum

Plate material

Aluminum
FR4

Keycaps

PBT
—

Weight

—
1,850 g

Dimensions

—
37 x 370 x 146 mm

Backlight

RGB, south-facing
RGB

Firmware & software

QMK

No
Yes

VIA

No
Yes

N-key rollover

No
Yes

Mac & Windows

Yes
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.

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