KBDFans recently released the 60% HHKB, Agar, and I’m quite pleased with it. If you like the HHKB layout, a lower-pitched and a “thockier” sound signature, and a simpler build at a reasonable price, I recommend picking one of these up while you can.

Appearance

Agar is KBDFans’ latest 60% keyboard, and it’s a fine addition to their lineup. Unlike many options on the market right now, nearly every line in the case is curved, resulting in a striking, streamlined silhouette that works especially well with rounded keycap profiles like DSA, KAM, XDA, and Marshmallow.

The copper weight has a relatively simple wave pattern that echoes Agar’s curves.

Agar comes in eleven different colors in two different materials: aluminum and PC. The aluminum case comes in six anodized colors–black, pine green, burgundy, silver, light pink, and light blue– and one e-coated color– e-white. The PC case comes in white, purple, amber, and ink black. I’m pretty used to seeing a frosted or purple PC, but the amber is both unusual and striking. All of the colorways feature the same copper weight.

Agar’s anodized finishes

Agar’s PC finishes

Measurements

As with other 60% keyboards, Agar’s footprint is relatively compact, measuring 297 mm by 123 mm. The keyboard’s front is about 15.2 tall and arches upwards to the 32.9 mm back. Agar has a 9° typing angle.

Kits

Agar comes in four different kits: a solder plateless kit, a solder kit with plate, a hotswap kit, and an EC kit. The solder plateless kit is the least expensive kit ($110) followed by the solder kit with plate ($115), hotswap kit ($125), and EC kit ($159). The EC kit comes with switches, but the other kits do not, and none of the kits include keycaps or stablizers. You can also buy just the case without any of the other parts or accessories.

The available layouts vary slightly between the EC PCB and the Hotswap and Solder PCBs, but not by much.

Assembly

I would give Agar a 10/10 for ease of assembly and wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it to a beginner.

Agar’s one-piece case, magnetic daughterboard, and silicone block mount system greatly simplify assembly and modification; just build the plate/PCB assembly, drop it into the case, and you’re done. No need to take the case apart or fiddle with screws because the case is one solid piece, the plate/PCB assembly rests on top of silicone blockers rather than being held in by screws, and the hardy-looking magnetic daughterboard is preinstalled in the case. When you drop the plate/PCB assembly into the case, the magnetic daughterboard cable automatically attaches to the underside of the PCB and just… works. It’s incredibly convenient and beginner-friendly.

Quick Takeaways

Agar is: #compact, #beginner-friendly, and #thocky. Its easy assembly, variety of colors, and marbly sound signature make it a great choice for anyone looking for a straightforward build at a reasonable price.