PBTfans Athena 1800 vs Yunzii AL98 ProLCD or Wireless
Choose the Athena 1800 for its LCD, VIAL support and multiple plate materials, or the AL98 Pro for wireless connectivity, an 8000Hz polling rate and an 8000mAh battery.
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Which one should you get?
Get the
PBTfans Athena 1800
- LCD screen with vendor-described custom GIF support.
- VIAL support for configuration.
- Multiple listed plate materials: aluminum, FR4, polycarbonate and carbon fiber.
Get the
Yunzii AL98 Pro
Knob
Build quality in the top 35% of 98% boards under $150.
- Bluetooth and 2.4 GHz wireless connectivity, alongside wired USB-C.
- 8000Hz polling rate and N-key rollover.
- 8000mAh battery and a multifunction knob.
- South-facing LEDs. Shine-through legends stay dark, and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
- Compact full-size layout. The numpad is present, the gaps of a full-size board are not.
Choose the PBTfans Athena 1800 if you want an LCD with custom GIF support, VIAL and several plate material options. Choose the Yunzii AL98 Pro if wireless connectivity, an 8000Hz polling rate, a large battery and a knob matter more. The AL98 Pro has keycap considerations for shine-through legends and some sculpted profiles, while its compact layout retains a numpad without full-size spacing.
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.
PBTfans Athena 1800
Yunzii AL98 Pro
Layout size
95%
98%
Connection
Wired
Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
Wireless for several devices and wired for lower latency
Switch options
Clicky
Linear
Mount style
Top Mount
Gasket Mount
Knob
No
Yes
- PBTfans Athena 1800
- Yunzii AL98 Pro
- Performance
- 6889
- Build quality
- 7568
- Productivity
- 6973
- Customizability
- 7469
- Portability
- 4466
- Hot-swappable
- Case material: Aluminum
What will you mostly use it for?
The AL98 Pro has the clearer fit for gaming, office use and travel, chiefly because it combines wireless modes, a battery and an 8000Hz polling rate. Programming is a close call: the Athena 1800 offers VIAL, while the AL98 Pro listing describes key mapping and macros. For hands-on customization, the Athena 1800 stands out with VIAL and multiple plate materials. Its LCD and custom GIF support also make it the more distinctive content-creation pick.
Pick the Yunzii AL98 Pro
- The AL98 Pro lists an 8000Hz polling rate and N-key rollover.
- Its Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz and wired modes offer connection choices beyond the Athena 1800's wired-only connection.
- The Athena 1800's listed switch type is clicky, while the AL98 Pro is listed with linear switches.
PBTfans Athena 1800 vs Yunzii AL98 Pro specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
15 of 24 specs differ
PBTfans Athena 1800
Yunzii AL98 Pro
Switch options
Hot-swappable
Mount style
Sound dampening
Layout size
Layout standard
Ergonomics
Knob
Display
Connection
Max polling rate
Battery
USB-C
Case material
Plate material
Keycaps
Weight
Dimensions
Typing angle
Backlight
VIAL
N-key rollover
Mac & Windows
Released
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PBTfans Athena 1800 vs Yunzii AL98 Pro: your questions
The AL98 Pro is the more gaming-focused choice on listed specifications, including an 8000Hz polling rate and N-key rollover. The Athena 1800 is wired-only and lists a clicky switch type.
Yes, its listed connection modes are Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz and wired USB-C. It also has an 8000mAh battery.
Yes, the Athena 1800 has an LCD screen. KBDfans describes support for custom GIFs on that screen.
The Athena 1800 lists VIAL support. The AL98 Pro's product description instead discusses key mapping, macros and RGB customization.
Both product listings identify the boards as hot-swappable. The AL98 Pro vendor description specifies support for 3-pin and 5-pin mechanical switches, while the Athena 1800 listing identifies a solder or hot-swap PCB.
The AL98 Pro is listed at 1800g, while the Athena 1800 is listed at 2500g. The Athena vendor description gives different built weights for versions with different cover plates, so its final weight can vary by configuration.
Its listed plate materials are aluminum, FR4, polycarbonate, carbon fiber, steel and brass. The vendor description specifically lists aluminum, FR4, polycarbonate and carbon fiber plates.
Yes, the AL98 Pro uses a compact full-size layout with an integrated number pad. Its compatibility notes clarify that this layout does not have the gaps of a full-size board.
The compatibility notes warn that its south-facing LEDs leave shine-through legends dark. They also note that some sculpted keycaps can clip the LEDs.
The Athena 1800 is a strong fit if VIAL support and plate choices are priorities. The AL98 Pro is also hot-swappable, and its vendor description says its PCB supports 3-pin and 5-pin switches.
Yes, its product description identifies a multifunction knob with a default media mode. The Athena 1800's listed extra features do not include a knob.
Not sold on either?
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