Corsair Vanguard Pro 96 Hall Effect Review: The Best Of Both Worlds

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Abdul Hannan

I’ve been the Journalist & Editorial Writer at Tech4Gamers since July 2022. I spearhead our hardware coverage, including overclocking GPUs, benchmarking CPUs, reviewing peripherals, and fine-tuning custom PC builds for every budget. Daily, I report on breaking gaming news, from major launches and studio updates to the latest industry trends, ensuring our community stays informed. Beyond news briefs, I write in-depth feature articles on gaming culture and emerging technologies. And by collaborating closely with the editorial team on content planning, SEO strategy, and our publishing calendar, I help us consistently hit our traffic and engagement targets.

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Corsair’s been in the gaming keyboard scene for a long time. Occasionally, they release something that feels a little experimental. The Vanguard Pro 96 is precisely that. It’s not your average full-size board, but it isn’t a tiny compact either. What makes this keyboard stand out isn’t just the layout, but the switches beneath it, which are their MGX Hall Effect switches.

Moreover, with a built-in LCD screen and Elgato Stream Deck integration, you have a keyboard that is not only aimed at gamers but also suitable for streamers and content creators. Now, I know that you might be thinking that a lot is packed into one keyboard. That’s what I’m trying to find out: whether Corsair has managed to balance all these features without making the Vanguard feel like a gimmick. Let’s dive in!

Key Takeaways

• The Vanguard Pro 96 is designed for competitive esports players, with a primary focus on speed, accuracy, and responsiveness. Its MGX Hall Effect switches allow for fast Rapid Trigger and SOCD, giving you an edge in fast-paced games.
• You should consider the Vanguard Pro 96 if you value cutting-edge switch technology, want a compact yet functional layout, and stream or create content. 
• You should consider skipping the Vanguard Pro 96 if you require wireless flexibility, are budget-conscious, and prefer ultra-light keyboards. 

Here are the technical specifications:

What Makes the Corsair Vanguard Pro 96 Different?

The Corsair Vanguard Pro 96 differentiates itself from its predecessors, such as the K70 series, by adopting a 96% layout, which retains the full functionality of a standard keyboard while offering a more compact footprint. Moreover, it caters to both gamers and content creators by integrating features such as a 320×170 LCD screen, a multi-functional rotary dial, and Elgato Stream Deck compatibility.

Packaging & Unboxing

Packaging & Unboxing

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Opening the box, the Vanguard Pro 96 immediately feels premium, and that classic black-and-yellow Corsair color scheme makes it instantly recognizable. Inside, everything is neatly arranged and placed, keeping the keyboard and accessories well-protected. The keyboard’s wrapped in plastic to keep it safe. Additionally, you receive the standard paperwork, along with a couple of accessories to get you started. Finally, you’ll find the magnetic wrist rest placed underneath.

Box Contents

Here is the list of everything that comes inside the box: 

1. Vanguard Pro 96 Hall Effect Gaming Keyboard
2. Detachable Magnetic Cushioned Palm Rest
3. Detachable Braided USB Type-C Cable 
4. Safety Leaflet
5. Warranty Card
6. 2 in 1 Keycap & Switch Puller

Design

Corsair has opted for a clean, modern design with the Vanguard Pro 96. Slim bezels frame the board, topped with a sturdy sheet of aluminum that gives it a solid feel. The accents are subtle without crossing into RGB territory, and the compact frame gives the whole keyboard a tight look, almost as if every key and extra feature had been carefully thought out before being placed.

Since it leans toward a frameless design, the keycaps sit high and exposed, which not only helps the RGB lighting stand out but also adds to that minimalist vibe. Corsair’s usual design language leans towards a gamer-friendly aesthetic, but here it comes across as a bit more refined. You could keep it on your desk in a professional or work setting, and it wouldn’t look out of place. 

Layout

The 96% form factor provides an adequate balance between compactness and practicality. You’re getting almost everything from a full-size keyboard, which includes a function row, arrow keys, and even a numeric keypad, without the desk-hogging footprint. It doesn’t feel cramped, given its dimensions of 388mm x 141mm x 43mm.

Compared to a full-size board, it’s clearly smaller, and even next to a TKL, it keeps that lean, streamlined look. That little bit of extra desk space comes in handy if you prefer to move your mouse around extensively in games. There are also six low-profile G-keys located on the side, which can be remapped as desired.

Multi-functional Rotary Dial

The rotary dial, placed at the left corner, appears to be a simple volume wheel, but Corsair has made it multi-functional. By default, you can control volume, but through Corsair’s Web Hub, you can remap it to perform various tasks, such as media control, track jogging, backlight control, macro recording, scrolling, zooming, switching between apps, and more. It is tactile and provides smooth steps when turned, ensuring a consistent and precise feeling.

LCD Screen

Sitting right next to the dial is a 320 × 170 LCD screen. You can set custom images, short animations, or keep it practical by displaying system stats, such as temperatures or usage. In terms of responsiveness, the screen refreshes quickly enough that animations appear smooth, and system information doesn’t lag. The lighting remains clear and readable, even under bright room conditions. That matters because a sluggish or dim display would’ve turned this into pure gimmick territory.

Underside

Flipping it over, and you’ll notice Corsair actually put some thought into the back design. Corsair added routing channels across the underside, allowing you to run the cable in the direction you want, rather than having it protrude awkwardly from one side. At the bottom corners, you’ll find the two wide rubber feet, which do a solid job of keeping the board in place. Moreover, it is paired with flip-out feet at the top corners, which provide a comfortable typing angle that I typed on for several continuous hours without any discomfort. 

Build Quality

At roughly 1.09 kg, it has the right balance, being heavy enough to prevent sliding around but not so heavy that it’s a burden to carry around. Fortunately, there is no flex and no hollow spots when pressure is applied, which is always a good sign. The plastic on the underside doesn’t cheapen the experience either. Corsair has effectively mixed different types of materials, resulting in durability without unnecessary weight.

All-metal keyboards can sometimes be challenging to handle, but here the weight feels adequate. It’s put together nicely, with a smooth finish, which adds points to its quality. The wrist rest attaches magnetically, requiring barely any effort. It feels secure when attached, but gets removed just as easily if you want to use the extra desk space. The material is soft and comfortable, providing relief during longer sessions. 

Keycaps

Corsair went with double-shot PBT keycaps. They have a nice matte finish that feels premium. The legends are laser-sharp and perfectly centered, which looks good when RGB lighting passes through. Corsair also used their signature modern, gamer-friendly font, and I think it complements the overall design well without being over-the-top. Another notable aspect is their compatibility.

Because this is a 96% layout, you might expect some weird key sizes, but Corsair kept things fairly standard. That means if you ever want to swap to a custom keycap set, you won’t be stuck finding rare sizes. Moreover, Corsair MGX switches use the same stem design as standard Cherry MX switches, so if you have a set of custom keycaps lying around, you can use them.

RGB Lighting

What makes the RGB lighting pop is how the Corsair MGX switches are built. They don’t house their own LEDs, unlike some switches, but their translucent housing and the transparent panel running through the center allow the PCB-mounted LEDs to shine through without obstruction. The result is an even glow that spreads nicely across the keys, without any weird dim spots.

When it is paired with the translucent legends on the double-shot PBT keycaps. The lighting looks consistent and vibrant across the entire keyboard. Combined with per-key programmability, you have endless ways to customize the lighting effects. With Corsair’s Web Hub, you’re not restricted to just the usual rainbow waves, but you can set up reactive typing, game-specific profiles, or sync the lighting with your other Corsair hardware. 

Switches

Switches

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Instead of relying on traditional metal contacts, MGX Hall Effect switches use magnetic sensors to detect actuation. You can customize exactly where you want your keypress to activate and achieve fine control in 0.1mm steps, ranging from an ultra-fast 0.1mm press all the way down to a full 4.0mm press. Moreover, the actuation force changes with depth, ranging from 30g when set shallow to 55g when set deeper. It adapts to how you configure it rather than forcing you to get used to one fixed feel.

You can even set two actuation points on a single key. For instance, pressing “W” lightly to walk and pushing it further down to sprint. The same could apply to crouch vs prone, or skills in an MMO. Lastly, it supports hot-swapping with compatible magnetic switches. That means you’re not stuck with MGX forever, and you can experiment with other Hall Effect options down the line if you want to customize it even further.

Connectivity

For connectivity, the Vanguard Pro 96 sticks to the basics, offering a single USB-C wired connectivity. However, it makes that choice worthwhile with its ultra-responsive 8,000Hz hyper-polling rate. Instead of the standard 1,000Hz most keyboards stick to, this one transmits signals to your PC up to eight times faster. This results in lower input latency and near-instantaneous keystrokes.

Some people might miss having the option of using it in wireless mode, but Corsair clearly focused on speed and stability here. There is no input lag here, which is precisely what you want when gaming. Lastly, the USB-C cable is braided and detachable, making it both durable and flexible enough to move around your desk. Since you can remove it, swapping in a different cable for aesthetics or just for convenience is possible.

Typing Experience

The MGX magnetic switches feel really smooth across all the keys, and they’re pre-lubed straight out of the box. You can even adjust the actuation point on each key, which makes the board feel like it was specifically designed with your preferences in mind. The PBT double-shot keycaps have a grippy texture that feels comfortable under my fingers. Moreover, stabilizers on larger keys, such as the spacebar and Enter, are free of distracting rattles, which makes the overall typing sound more refined.

Corsair opted for a four-layer damping setup, using Poron sound-absorbing foam beneath the plate and silicone case foam within the body. All those layers complement each other to absorb the unwanted ping and clatter, resulting in a quieter, more refined sound. It’s not entirely silent, but instead leans into that refined thock territory, which is quiet yet satisfying and enjoyable with every press. Lastly, there’s a slight bounciness in the keypress that makes the board feel springy, especially at shallower actuation points.

Performance

In day-to-day use, the Vanguard Pro 96 feels quick and snappy, especially if you’re coming from a standard mechanical board. It features outstanding features, such as Rapid Trigger, which allows the actuation to reset as soon as the key is released. It made rapid taps, such as quick ability spams in MOBAs, much smoother and faster. Then there’s FlashTap SOCD handling, which comes in handy when you press two opposing movement keys simultaneously. 

In FPS titles, it made counter-strafing feel more consistent, and in fighting games, it ensured cleaner directional inputs without weird overlap. Corsair also uses its AXON Hyper-Processing Technology, which facilitates the seamless handling of complex lighting layers and inputs. This means that your keystrokes are registered and processed more quickly. Lastly, there’s the Game Mode button, which you activate by tapping it, and the keyboard would lock itself into a competition-friendly state. 

Software

Software

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Corsair accompanies the Vanguard Pro 96 with its new Web Hub software. Unlike their older iCUE, this one runs entirely through your browser, so there’s no heavy client constantly running in the background. Inside, you get complete control over things like Lighting Effects, key remapping, rotary dial, flash tap, screen, and many more. Compared to iCUE, which often felt cluttered and intimidating due to its numerous menus, Web Hub keeps things simple and straightforward.

For instance, lighting, performance tweaks, and profile management are all logically organized, so you don’t feel like you’re navigating through different layers of UI to find what you need. In my experience, it’s faster and more intuitive, as you spend less time customizing the keyboard. Lastly, it supports Elgato’s Virtual Stream Deck, letting you map Stream Deck functions directly to its six programmable G-keys and it also has a dedicated key for it. You can switch scenes, trigger overlays, control audio, or launch macros all directly from the keyboard.

Should You Buy It or Not?

Buy it if

✅ You value cutting-edge switch technology: The Vanguard Pro 96’s MGX Hall Effect switches offer adjustable actuation points and dual actuation.

✅ You want a compact yet functional layout: Its 96% form factor provides a full function row, arrow keys, and a numeric keypad, saving desk space without sacrificing usability. 

✅ You stream or create content: With the built-in LCD screen and Elgato Stream Deck integration, you can manage overlays, switch scenes, or monitor system stats directly from the keyboard.

Don’t buy it if

❌ You need wireless flexibility: The Vanguard Pro 96 relies solely on a wired USB-C connection, so it’s not made for you if you prefer a wireless keyboard. 

❌ You’re budget-conscious: While feature-packed, this keyboard is positioned at a higher price point than typical gaming keyboards.

❌ You prefer ultra-light keyboards: At over 1 kg with a solid aluminum frame, it’s heavier than most compact keyboards, which might be less convenient for frequent travelers.

Final Verdict

With the Vanguard Pro 96, Corsair has clearly raised the bar once again, and it is successful in doing so. Building on the legacy of the K70 series, this keyboard sets a new benchmark by combining hall-effect switch technology and creator-focused features in a compact 96% layout. This balance makes it a productive and streaming keyboard, as it is a competitive one. I also like how Corsair featured the extras on it. 

The LCD screen and multi-functional knob aren’t just a gimmick, but they’re genuinely helpful. Moreover, for anyone who streams or is into multitasking, the Elgato Stream Deck integration is a real bonus. Obviously, it’s not perfect, since the missing wireless option might be a dealbreaker for some at this price point, and it’s certainly more expensive than typical gaming keyboards. Even so, with its extensive range of features, extensive customization, and focus on both gamers and creators, the Vanguard Pro 96 positions itself as a worthwhile option. 

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Abdul Hannan

[Hardware Reviewer]

After many years of exploiting various pieces of hardware, Abdul Hannan now serves as an editor at Tech4Gamers. He’s been in the PC hardware reviewing industry for almost a decade, and his staff of passionate geeks and reviewers is second to none.

Abdul Hannan is constantly seeking new methods, you will always see him running into New Computer Courses to improve the performance of his computer components since he is an ardent overclocker. He is well-known for providing the most extensive and unbiased analysis of the newest and greatest hardware for PC gaming, including everything from GPUs to PSUs.