The Corsair Vanguard Pro 96: The Pinnacle of Hall Effect Keyboards This Year | Review

The Corsair Vanguard Pro 96 marks a significant upgrade from the earlier K70 model, showcasing enhanced switches and a sleek design. This 96% magnetic keyboard emphasizes customization while striking a balance between functionality and a compact footprint.

With a price tag of $229.99 / £209.99, it competes directly with the top gaming keyboard I’ve encountered, and it arguably comes out on top.

Key Specs

Price	$229.99 / £209.99
Type	Magnetic
Connection	Wired
Size	96%
Switches	Corsair MGX V2
Keycaps	PBT Doubleshot
Media keys	Dedicated rotary dial
Wrist rest	Included, magnetic
USB passthrough	No

The 96% layout is quite unique, effectively condensing a full-sized keyboard into a more compact form. While it’s slightly wider than most TKL keyboards, it doesn’t dominate your desk space and still includes full number pad functionality. Some keys are omitted, but the real trade-off is in the spacing, which places the arrow keys directly beneath the Enter and right Shift keys, with the number pad stacked above.

Adjusting to this layout takes some time; even after two weeks of use, I still find myself glancing down for directional inputs. However, the space-saving design is worth the adjustment, making it a welcome addition to my setup.

The aluminum casing provides a solid feel, finished in matte black to seamlessly fit into various setups. For those wanting a bit of flair, there’s also a black and white dual-tone option. Regardless of the choice, the build quality is impressive, featuring numerous quality-of-life enhancements.

A cable management system runs along the bottom of the chassis, accommodating the detachable USB-C cable in three directions. While it can be a bit tricky to manage the cable in these channels, the included magnetic wrist rest is a fantastic touch, offering a comfortable spot for your palms with its smooth leatherette surface. It’s the best wrist rest I’ve encountered on a gaming keyboard.

The keyboard also boasts a full-color LCD display, but it feels underutilized. While many high-end keyboards have this feature, they often provide more functionality than this model, which only displays user-uploaded images without system specs or media information.

Corsair has made amends after the K70 Pro TKL incident earlier this year, where the US version featured PBT keycaps while the UK version had subpar ABS caps. The Vanguard Pro 96 comes equipped with thick, heavy PBT keycaps that have a textured surface and doubleshot legends, providing a satisfying tactile experience. The shine-through legends are mostly uniform, although the Enter key has some uneven lighting.

The Vanguard Pro 96 features Corsair’s new MGX V2 Hall effect switches, which are a significant improvement over those in the K70 Pro TKL. These magnetic switches rank just below the Asus ROG Falcata in terms of performance. While they may not be as smooth as Asus’s offerings, they provide a more mechanical feel compared to other brands. Each keypress delivers a satisfying thock, enhancing both typing and gaming experiences.

These switches support all the typical Hall effect features, including rapid trigger, SOCD controls, and adjustable actuation points ranging from 0.1mm to 4mm. The rapid trigger also allows for customizable sensitivity and continuous activation. Two-step actuation is available for complex macros, though it doesn’t quite reach the four-step capabilities of the Falcata or Glorious GMMK 3 Pro HE.

Corsair’s lighter Web Hub program manages all these features. Unlike cumbersome software, this web-based tool simplifies configuration, offering everything from multi-step macros to RGB settings in an easy-to-navigate menu.

Once connected, the browser quickly remembers your keyboard for future adjustments and can also update firmware.

Customizing keybindings and switch actuation points is straightforward, though it lacks some of the user-friendly features found in competitors’ software. For instance, Razer provides a visualization of key travel when setting multiple actuation points, making the process easier.

With comfortable keys, robust build quality, and impressive Hall effect switches, the Vanguard Pro 96 also includes a range of additional controls. The control dial in the top right corner can be configured for volume, playback, scrolling, application switching, and zoom, with custom modes available. This feature adds a level of versatility that surpasses many competitors.

Additionally, five dedicated macro buttons are positioned along the left side of the keyboard. This thoughtful design maximizes functionality without feeling cluttered, making it a great alternative to larger keyboards.

As a fully wired keyboard, the Vanguard Pro 96 is designed for stability rather than portability. The sturdy detachable USB-C cable supports an impressive 8,000Hz polling rate, which may not be crucial for all players but is beneficial for esports enthusiasts. For those seeking wireless options with magnetic switches, the Falcata is a top-tier choice, while the Glorious GMMK 3 Pro HE offers a more budget-friendly alternative.

The combination of the new magnetic switches and tactile keycaps, along with four layers of sound dampening, creates an exceptional typing experience, second only to the Asus ROG Falcata in my tests. Each keypress feels rich and responsive, with a satisfying spring that enhances fast movements across the keyboard.

There’s a slight resistance with each keypress, but it’s much crisper than the Corsair K70 Pro TKL. The mechanical clack of each keypress is a rarity in magnetic keyboards, providing a perfect blend of tactility and personalization. The plush wrist rest allows for extended typing sessions without fatigue, although hitting the compact arrow keys consistently can be a challenge.

After two weeks of testing, my average typing speed was 96 WPM, slightly higher than my usual 95 WPM, though my accuracy dipped just a bit.

This satisfying key feel translates well into gaming, with the adjustable switches enhancing responsiveness. Games like Doom: The Dark Ages felt quick and agile, while competitive titles like Apex Legends benefited from higher actuation points for improved performance. The macro buttons also made simulation games like Planet Coaster more enjoyable, allowing for quicker object changes.

If you’re looking to upgrade your gaming keyboard and want a feature-rich, macro-friendly option that doesn’t take up too much space, the Corsair Vanguard Pro 96 is definitely worth considering. It offers adjustable keys, a wealth of controls, and a compact design, making it a strong contender against the SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Gen 3 and Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro. While it may not quite match the typing experience of the Asus ROG Falcata or Azoth, and lacks wireless connectivity, the Vanguard Pro 96 is an outstanding choice for $229.99 / £209.99.

Ratings

Speed	5/5
Customization	5/5
Typing feel	5/5
Portability	3/5
Comfort	5/5
Controls	5/5

I spent two weeks with the Corsair Vanguard Pro 96, using it for both work and gaming. My primary tests included Apex Legends and Doom: The Dark Ages, along with Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, The Outer Worlds 3, and Planet Coaster. I also completed my usual speed benchmarks in Typing Speed Test. For more details on how gaming keyboards are tested, refer to the full hardware policy.

Additionally, I’ve been exploring the best hot-swappable keyboards and membrane keyboards available. If you’re looking to enhance your entire setup, consider checking out the best gaming mouse models I’ve tested.