PBTfans Athena 1800 vs Meletrix Zoom98 EEWired Build or Wireless?
Get the PBTfans Athena 1800 for its choice of plate materials and VIAL support, or the Meletrix Zoom98 EE for Bluetooth and 2.4 GHz wireless, a split spacebar, and 1000 Hz polling over 2.4 GHz.
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![[In-Stock]Zoom98 EE Wild Green](https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0607/2474/0287/files/Zoom98_Screen_EE_WildGreen_Ano_Black_e643a276-d06e-4aca-b381-da77d27d07ab.jpg?v=1708587782&width=3840&quality=75)
Which one should you get?
Get the
PBTfans Athena 1800
- Plate options include aluminum, FR4, polycarbonate, carbon fiber, steel, and brass.
- VIAL support, with vendor-documented custom GIF support for the LCD.
- The vendor lists both solder and hot-swap PCB options.
Get the
Meletrix Zoom98 EE
Build quality in the top 5% of 98% boards under $300.
- Bluetooth and 2.4 GHz wireless connectivity, plus a listed 4500mAh battery.
- QMK and VIA support, with a split spacebar option.
- A listed 1000 Hz polling rate and N-Key Rollover.
- 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 for its broader plate-material selection, VIAL support, and documented LCD GIF customization. Choose the Meletrix Zoom98 EE for wireless connectivity, QMK and VIA, a split spacebar option, and its listed 1000 Hz polling rate. The Zoom98 EE also has compatibility considerations for shine-through legends and sculpted keycaps, so check your keycap set before buying.
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
Meletrix Zoom98 EE
Layout size
95%
98%
Connection
Wired
Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz, Wired
Wireless for several devices and wired for lower latency
Ergonomics
Standard
Split Spacebar
Switch options
Clicky
Clicky, Linear
Mount style
Top Mount
Gasket Mount
- PBTfans Athena 1800
- Meletrix Zoom98 EE
- Performance
- 6779
- Build quality
- 7588
- Productivity
- 6993
- Customizability
- 7495
- Portability
- 4455
- Hot-swappable
- Case material: Aluminum
- Sound dampening
What will you mostly use it for?
The Zoom98 EE has the edge for gaming, office use, programming, and travel, mainly through wireless modes, its listed polling rate, and additional layout and firmware options. The Athena 1800 is a stronger fit for hands-on build customization, with more listed plate choices and both solder and hot-swap PCB options in the vendor description. For content creation, its documented LCD GIF customization is a distinct draw. Both have an LCD, RGB, hot-swap support, and sound dampening.
Pick the Meletrix Zoom98 EE
- The Zoom98 EE lists a 1000 Hz polling rate, and its vendor description specifies that rate over 2.4 GHz.
- Its 2.4 GHz wireless mode offers an alternative to the Athena 1800's wired-only connection.
- The Zoom98 EE supports N-Key Rollover.
PBTfans Athena 1800 vs Meletrix Zoom98 EE specs
Every tracked spec, side by side. Rows marked with a dot differ between the boards.
16 of 26 specs differ
PBTfans Athena 1800
Meletrix Zoom98 EE
Switch options
Hot-swappable
Mount style
Sound dampening
Screw-in stabilizers
Layout size
Layout standard
Ergonomics
Display
Connection
Max polling rate
Battery
USB-C
Case material
Plate material
Keycaps
Weight
Dimensions
Typing angle
Backlight
QMK
VIA
VIAL
N-key rollover
Mac & Windows
Released
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PBTfans Athena 1800 vs Meletrix Zoom98 EE: your questions
No. Its listed connectivity is wired-only. The Meletrix Zoom98 EE adds Bluetooth and 2.4 GHz wireless modes.
Yes. The Zoom98 EE lists Bluetooth and 2.4 GHz connectivity, as well as wired USB-C. Its vendor description identifies Bluetooth 5.2.
The Zoom98 EE lists a 1000 Hz polling rate. Its vendor description specifies 1000 Hz over 2.4 GHz and 125 Hz over Bluetooth; a polling rate is not listed for the Athena 1800.
Both list hot-swap support. The Athena 1800 vendor description also lists a choice between solder and hot-swap PCB options.
The Athena 1800 lists aluminum, FR4, polycarbonate, carbon fiber, steel, and brass plate materials. The Zoom98 EE lists a polycarbonate plate.
Yes, VIAL support is listed for the Athena 1800. Its vendor description also documents custom GIFs for the LCD.
The Zoom98 EE lists both QMK and VIA support. Its vendor description specifically mentions VIA programmability.
Yes. The Zoom98 EE supports a split spacebar, and its listed layout ergonomics are split spacebar. The Athena 1800 is listed with normal ergonomics.
Both list a screen. The Athena 1800 vendor description identifies an LCD and documents custom GIF support, while the Zoom98 EE vendor description calls its LCD programmable.
The Zoom98 EE has south-facing LEDs. Its compatibility notes warn that shine-through legends stay dark and some sculpted keycaps can clip the LED.
It is listed as a 98% keyboard with a numpad. Its compact full-size layout does not have the gaps of a full-size board.
The Zoom98 EE lists wired USB-C, Bluetooth, and 2.4 GHz wireless connectivity. The Athena 1800 is listed as wired-only.
Not sold on either?
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