KBDfans Agar Mini Review: A Clear 40% Kit That Converts Stab Skeptics

The Agar Mini is KBDfans' spin on the 40% HHKB-style layout, and honestly? In clear polycarbonate, it's a stunner. But here's what really got me: those wire stabilizers that come in the box. After just a light lube, they feel tight and rattle-free—tight enough to convert someone (like me) who'd basically written off PCB stabs years ago. Throw in FBB's S9000 Retro keycaps and you've got something that actually feels like a solid first custom board.

Case, Layout, and Stabilizers That Won Me Over

The see-through polycarbonate is the eye candy, sure, but what actually matters is what's hiding inside. This board uses a custom 40% layout that's 13U wide—bigger than your standard 12U 40%, which means the modifier keys don't feel cramped together. The bottom row takes cues from HHKB, and you can run either MX or EC switches on a hot-swap PCB. You can go wired-only or add Bluetooth (ZMK firmware) if you want that flexibility. The whole thing sits on a silicone gasket mount, and that replaceable mirror-polished stainless weight on the bottom? Yeah, it looks legitimately cool.

Now, the stabilizer thing—this matters to me because I'd basically given up on PCB satellite switches. But the wire stabs in this kit? They're actually well-built. Lube 'em lightly and the spacebar, shift, enter, backspace—everything just works. No rattle, no weird binding. For a stock set of stabilizers, that's honestly impressive.

Quick specs: aluminum or PC case, super low profile with a 9° angle, comes with a nice carry pouch, and it'll run you around $110 overseas (¥855 in China). Switches and keycaps are sold separately, so budget accordingly.

FBB S9000 Retro Keycaps: Great Box, One Color Problem

These are FBB's S9000 Retro keycaps—my first buy from FBB—and the packaging alone made an impression. For around $26 (¥200), you get a plastic three-tier storage box. That's basically the cheapest way to grab a proper 1.25u Tab key. Definitely a repeat purchase for me.

One real complaint though: the 3u spacebar in this set has a warmer white tone, while the standard N9-colored caps run cooler. So if you're the type who wants everything to match perfectly? You're out of luck. It's a small thing, but if you're picky about uniform blanks, it stings a little.

Before You Order

A few heads-up points before you pull the trigger:

1. The ¥855 kit price ($110) is just the case and PCB. Switches, keycaps, and stabs are extra. You're realistically looking at ¥1,200–1,500 total ($155–195), so ask the seller directly. The product page doesn't make this super clear, which is annoying.

2. It's still a 40% board. No number row, everything lives on layers. Plan for a two-to-four-week learning curve, and seriously think about whether you use function keys and symbols constantly. If you do, this might not be your thing.

3. The EC version has patent questions hanging over it. Future firmware and parts support are unclear. The MX version is the safer bet.

4. It's pre-order with a 90-day lead time listed, though some early orders apparently showed up way faster than expected.

Editor's Notes & Summary

The Agar Mini is a thoughtfully designed 40% kit: the 13U layout sidesteps that cramped feeling, you get a choice between MX and EC, and that clear case with the polished weight looks genuinely nice on a desk. The wire stabilizers actually perform out of the box, and going through a reputable seller takes some of the stress out of importing. Just make sure to budget for keycaps and watch out for that spacebar color mismatch.