I'm convinced — Corsair's Vanguard Pro 96 is the high-end keyboard upgrade you need

With a custom magnetic switch and adjustable actuation, Corsair leads from the front with the Vanguard 96 Pro.

Corsair Vanguard Pro 96 review on Windows Central
(Image: © Apoorva Bhardwaj / Windows Central)

Windows Central Verdict

The Vanguard Pro 96 has it all: a custom magnetic hall effect switch that's excellent at gaming, great build quality, dedicated macros, and 8,000Hz polling. The linear switch has adjustable actuation going down to just 0.1mm, allowing instantaneous key triggers. There's diffused RGB lighting, plenty of customizability, and decent acoustics. The web driver is glitchy, but Corsair is remedying that issue, and on the whole, the Vanguard Pro 96 proves that the brand knows how to make a standout gaming keyboard.

Pros

  • +

    Good design and build quality

  • +

    Custom hall effect switches are fantastic

  • +

    Adjustable actuation is a game-changer

  • +

    Diffused RGB lighting with shine-through keys

  • +

    8,000Hz polling

Cons

  • -

    USB-C port is inconveniently located

  • -

    No VIA integration

  • -

    iCUE web driver is glitchy

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Corsair makes some of the best gaming keyboards; that much is clear after using all of the brand's keyboards over the last four years. But with the likes of Keychron dominating mechanical keyboards thanks to its value-focused products and gasket-mounted designs, and a wave of Chinese brands rolling out budget hall effect keyboards — like the Syntech Chronos 68 I tested recently — it's evident that Corsair needed to switch up its strategy.

It managed to do just that; the acquisition of Drop allowed Corsair to overhaul its keyboards, and the K65 and K70 showcased what's possible. The Vanguard Pro 96 is the natural evolution of this journey, with the keyboard offering Corsair's custom hall effect magnetic switches, a slate of gaming features, and all the extras that are limited to DIY boards. So, is it any good? I used the Vanguard Pro 96 for a month, and I think this is the best Corsair keyboard yet.

Disclaimer

This review was made possible thanks to a review sample provided by Corsair. The company had no input nor saw the contents of this review prior to publication.

Corsair Vanguard Pro 96: Pricing and availability

(Image credit: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Windows Central)

Corsair introduced the Vanguard Pro 96 on September 25, and the keyboard is now on sale globally. It costs $229 on Amazon in the U.S., £209 in the U.K., and the equivalent of $229 in other global markets. As of writing, the keyboard comes in a standard black model, and Corsair may roll out additional colors later on. Similar to other keyboards, the Vanguard Pro 96 gets a standard two-year warranty.

Corsair Vanguard Pro 96: What I like

(Image credit: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Windows Central)

Corsair's keyboards have evolved quite a bit over the years; I still like the K100 and K100 Air, but they look archaic next to the ever-shifting designs in this category, so it's good to see the brand overhauling its aesthetic. The Vanguard Pro 96 looks similar to the K65 and K70, and Corsair did a decent job stuffing a 96% layout into a chassis that isn't much bigger than your usual TKL keyboard.

Basically, you get a dedicated number pad as well as the navigation cluster, so you're not really missing out on a traditional full-size board. The overall aesthetic immediately screams gaming keyboard, and the build quality is great. The keyboard has an aluminum frame around a plastic body, and while it isn't as heavy as the Keychron Q1 Pro or other boutique brands, it still has a decent amount of heft. It stays planted on a desk, and I didn't notice any issues with the build in the month I used the board.

(Image credit: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Windows Central)

Interestingly, Corsair added six macro keys to the left side of the chassis, giving you added customizability without taking up much any room. I also like that there's a rotary knob that you can use to adjust the volume; the aluminum knob has a good texture and tactility, and it doubles as a way to interact with the menu.

Another new feature is the built-in LCD panel; the keyboard gets a 1.9-inch panel with 320 x 170 resolution, and it serves as a visual indicator to see settings that are currently active. You can also add your own imagery to the panel, which is pretty good. Corsair includes a magnetic wrist rest with the board, and while it isn't as good as aftermarket options, it's good to see that you get one in the box.

The key selling point of the Vanguard Pro 96 is the Corsair MGX V2 hall effect switch. It has linear actuation and is even pre-lubed at the factory — something that you usually only see with boutique brands or Glorious. The switch has 35gf actuation and 4.0mm travel, but the best part is that you can adjust the actuation point, going from 4.0mm all the way down to 0.1mm.

The MGX V2 switch is easily the best the brand has delivered yet, and it has smooth actuation and is terrific while gaming.

Just like other hall effect switches, you get the ability to set dual actuation on the same key, and while it takes a while to get used to the feature, it's an instant differentiator while gaming. The MGX V2 switch is easily the best the brand has delivered yet, and it has smooth actuation and is terrific while gaming.

(Image credit: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Windows Central)

In fact, the board sounds much better than its siblings, with Corsair noting that it used several foam layers to deliver better acoustics. It isn't something I usually look for in a gaming keyboard, but it genuinely makes a difference and makes the Vanguard Pro 96 stand out from its rivals.

Other niceties include 8,000Hz polling and the ability to swap out switches. This has been a point of contention with earlier Corsair boards, so it's good to see that it isn't an issue here; if you want to use any other magnetic switches, you can do so with ease.

(Image credit: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Windows Central)

The keyboard gets PBT double-shot keys, and I like that the legends are shine-through, which allows the RGB lighting to diffuse to a greater degree. On that note, the Vanguard gets bright LEDs, and you get a good amount of customizability when it comes to lighting effects.

Corsair Vanguard Pro 96: What I don't like

(Image credit: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Windows Central)

Corsair got its iCUE software to a point where it's actually good to use, so it is puzzling to see that the Vanguard Pro 96 doesn't use that — it has a web driver instead. Annoyingly, Corsair built out its own solution called Web Hub instead of using the industry-standard VIA, and the result is needless fragmentation.

The web driver is clunky to use, and I had issues while tweaking settings and macros. Thankfully, Corsair has indicated that it will add Vanguard Pro 96 integration into its standard iCUE suite, and that should be available via an update.

(Image credit: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Windows Central)

The only other issue I have with the keyboard is the location of the USB-C cable. It's tucked into the chassis at the back, and it prevents me from using my coiled keyboard cable. Corsair bundles a USB-C cable in the box, but I like using my custom CableMod keyboard cable, and not being able to use that with the Vanguard Pro 96 is annoying.

Corsair Vanguard Pro 96: The alternatives

(Image credit: Harish Jonnalagadda / Windows Central)

I'm partial to Keychron, and its Lemokey gaming sub-brand's L5 HE is a terrific alternative. It has an aluminum body, has magnetic switches with adjustable actuation, and is built like a tank. You miss out on a control panel and macro keys, but if you don't need those and just want a high-end keyboard, the L5 HE is a standout choice.

Corsair Vanguard Pro 96: Should you buy it?

(Image credit: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Windows Central)

✅You should buy this if ...

  • You want a high-end gaming keyboard
  • You need fast magnetic switches
  • You want near-instantaneous key triggers

❌You should not buy this if ...

  • You need reliable software

Overall, there's no doubt that the Vanguard Pro 96 is the best keyboard yet from Corsair. The brand's hall effect switch is terrific, and it is at its best while gaming. You get all the extras that you need in a gaming keyboard, including vibrant RGB lighting, dedicated macro keys, and a control panel.

It's just as good in daily use as gaming, and I'm glad to see the brand evolving in line with the mech keyboard category as a whole. It's costlier than most boutique brands, but you get a great feature set and plenty of reliability, and what is arguably one of the best gaming-focused magnetic switches yet.


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Harish Jonnalagadda
Senior Editor - Asia

Harish Jonnalagadda is a Senior Editor overseeing Asia for Android Central, Windows Central's sister site. When not reviewing phones, he's testing PC hardware, including video cards, motherboards, gaming accessories, and keyboards.

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