Corsair Vanguard Pro 96 review: everything Hall effect keyboards have been working towards

The Corsair Vanguard Pro 96 isn't the brand's first Hall effect keyboard, but its switch upgrades and slick form factor show a real glow up from the K70 released earlier in the year. This is a 96% magnetic keyboard that puts customization front and center, all while keeping a fresh balance between functionality and compact design.

At a $229.99 / £209.99 MSRP it's going directly up against the best gaming keyboard I've tested so far, the SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Gen 3 and, honestly, it takes the lead. This is one of the best Hall effect keyboards on the market right now, and my first recommendation for the majority of players.

Design

This 96% form factor isn't common at all, essentially taking a full sized deck and squishing it all together. Its width is still a little longer than most TKL options, but doesn't take up the whole desk - all while still offering full number pad controls. There are a few keys missing here, but it's the spacing between those clackers that's been sacrificed. Everything is bunched together, shoving the arrow keys directly under the Enter and right Shift and cramming the number pad on top.

That takes a little getting used to, after two weeks of testing I still cast an eye down towards the keyboard when I need to hit a directional button. It is possible to re-learn, though, and considering the space you're saving it's a step I'm happy to take to keep this thing on my desk.

An aluminium case keeps everything feeling sturdy, with a matte black finish that blends nicely into a range of setups. There's also a black and white dual-tone option for those who want a little lift in their caps. Either way, you're getting a solid build with plenty of quality of life features built in.

A cable trail runs along the bottom of the chassis, along with those elevation feet. It allows for your detachable USB-C cord to run away from the keyboard in three directional, but I'd argue it's more of a faff to squeeze the wire in these chasms than its worth. The included magnetic wrist rest is a welcome addition, though, offering a firm plush landing spot for the palms, with a smooth leatherette finish. It's a small enhancement, but it's actually the best wrist rest I've used on a gaming keyboard so far.

There's also a full-color LCD display to play with, but it's so under-utilized it's a little maddening. This is a feature shared by a huge number of high-end keyboards, but models like the SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Gen 3 and Asus ROG Azoth are limited to a black and white display. Still, at least those keyboards actually use the screen. This one will only show you the images you add to it, no system specs, media information, or Discord integration here.

Keycaps

Corsair has redeemed itself after the K70 Pro TKL incident earlier this year. While that older deck shipped with PBT keycaps in the US, UK folk had to make do with some of the cheapest-feeling ABS clackers I've seen on a mainstream gaming deck in some time. All is right in the world now.

The keycaps on the Vanguard Pro 96 are thick, heavy PBT with a particularly textured surface and doubleshot legends. That's a winning combination personally, with plenty of grit to each cap offering greater precision and keeping things satisfyingly tactile. Those shinethrough legends are nicely uniform across the main alphas, through the Enter key does show some uneven lighting towards the edges.

Switches

The Corsair Vanguard Pro 96 is outfitted with the brand's new MGX V2 Hall effect switches, and they feel so so much better than the originals featured in the K70 Pro TKL. In fact, these magnetic switches are second only to the Asus ROG Falcata and its ROG HFX V2 clackers. They're not quite as smooth in their operation as Asus, but they're certainly far more mechanical-feeling than the likes of SteelSeries, Logitech, and previous Corsair magnetic releases. There's a satisfying thock to each keypress that's often lost with these more adjustable decks, making both typing and gaming more comfortable and satisfying.

The switches themselves allow for all your usual Hall effect tricks. Rapid trigger, SOCD controls, and adjustable actuation points (from 0.1mm to 4mm) are all present and accounted for. The first also benefits from customizable sensitivity and the option to enable continuous rapid trigger as well. Two-step actuation is also available for more complex macro setups, though it's not quite hitting the four-step heights of the Falcata or Glorious GMMK 3 Pro HE.

Software

All those tools are run through Corsair's lighter Web Hub program. Like many gaming keyboards, the Vanguard Pro 96 steps away from cumbersome programs and uses a web-based tool for all its configuration tools. You've got everything you need in here, from complicated multi-step macros to RGB settings, all laid out in a series of menus along the left side of the screen.

Once connected, the browser remembers your keyboard quickly for returning settings tweaks and can also flash new firmware as well.

Setting everything from your everyday keybindings to adjusting switch actuation points is easily and simple, though lacks some of the quality of life features competitors use in their own downloadable programs. Razer, for example, includes a visualization of just how far you're actually pushing each key down when setting multiple actuations for a particularly easy setup process across its Huntsman V3 Pro Mini analog deck.

Controls

We've got a set of comfortable keys, a sturdy build quality, super slick Hall effect switches, and plenty of extra quality of life design features already in the bank, but Corsair keeps rolling on. The Vanguard Pro 96 also benefits from a plethora of additional controls that make sure all those boxes are ticked. First up you've got that control dial in the top right corner. Configurable to everything from volume control to playback, scrolling, application switching, and zoom, with your own custom dial modes available, it's a slick addition that goes beyond offerings by its competitors.

Then there are five dedicated macro buttons running down the left panel of the keyboard itself. That's a lot of extra clickers to squeeze into a keyboard with this more compact footprint, but they're angled beautifully down the side to avoid feeling clunky (or accidentally being hit). It's this kind of extra control that makes the Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro the best full-sized deck I've tested yet, but Corsair's found a way to do it all without taking over your desk.

Connection

Like most Hall effect keyboards, this is a fully wired affair but considering the full-sized form factor and excellent wrist rest it's unlikely you're after anything too portable. The included USB-C cable feels sturdy, and can be detached and swapped out if need be. It also unlocks a speedy 8,000Hz polling rate to boot. That's not going to be a game-changer for most players, but esports hopefuls should take note. If you're after one of the best wireless gaming keyboards but still want those magnetic clackers, the Falcata is your top shelf option and the Glorious GMMK 3 Pro HE is slightly cheaper.

Typing

Those new generation magnetic switches and super tactile keycaps work in tandem with four layers of sound dampening to provide a fantastic typing experience, second only to the $420 Asus ROG Falcata in my testing. Everything feels and sounds rich and robust, but there's an excellent spring to each keypress that maintains the energy and spring you'll need for particularly fast movement across the deck.

There's a little resistance persisting underneath each keypress, but it's far crisper than that of the Corsair K70 Pro TKL. Each press has a mechanical-feeling clack to it that you rarely find in magnetic keyboards, and the result is a best-of-both-worlds approach to tactility and personalization. Throw that plush wrist rest into the battlefield and I was able to type all day without feeling a hint of fatigue. The only issue I ran into was reliably hitting those squished arrow buttons.

My average WPM speed over the last few years of keyboard tests currently sits at 95WPM, with my average accuracy sitting at 95.5%. I scored slightly higher on pure speed with the Corsair Vanguard Pro 96 at the helm (96WPM), though I dropped a tiny bit off that accuracy score (95%).

Gaming

Of course, that satisfying key feel runs through to gaming as well, with the additional benefit of those super adjustable switches. Doom: The Dark Ages felt snappy and responsive, even in more lumbering Atlan chapters, while competitive endeavors held up particularly well. Setting a higher actuation point for Apex Legends always feels like a hack and continues to perform well in the Vanguard, while setting my regular accidental hits to a super deep actuation made for excellent precision.

The presence of those additional macro buttons even made slower simulation games like Planet Coaster more enjoyable, mapping frequent object changes to individual macro buttons for a speedier interface overall.

Should you buy the Corsair Vanguard Pro 96?

If you're upgrading your gaming keyboard and want all the latest features in a macro-heavy control panel that still keeps all your controls at your fingertips without taking up the whole desk, the Corsair Vanguard Pro 96 should absolutely be on your radar. All of these keys are adjustable, unlike the SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Gen 3, and you're getting a wad of extra controls without sacrificing mouse space, unlike the Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro. While it doesn't quite hit the typing feel of the Asus ROG Falcata or Asus ROG Azoth, and drops the wireless connectivity from both, the Corsair Vanguard Pro 96 is as close to perfect as you're going to get for $229.99 / £209.99.

How I tested the Corsair Vanguard Pro 96

I used the Corsair Vanguard Pro 96 for two weeks, running the keyboard across all my daily work and play. In that time I primarily tested in Apex Legends and Doom: The Dark Ages, while also running Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, The Outer Worlds 3, and Planet Coaster. I also ran through my usual speed benchmarks in Typing Speed Test. For more information on how we test gaming keyboards, check out the full GamesRadar+ Hardware Policy.

I've also been busy hunting down all the best hot-swappable keyboards and the best membrane keyboards on the market. If you're kitting out your whole setup, though, you can always check out the best gaming mouse models I've tested so far.