With the Corsair Vanguard Pro 96, the manufacturer is offering a new reverb effect keyboard that is primarily aimed at competitive gamers. It has a polling rate of 8,000 Hz, comes with an LCD screen and virtual stream deck and, thanks to its 96 percent layout, is just as compact as a keyboard with a TKL layout. Our test clarifies whether it is worth buying.
Technical data
| Product name | Vanguard Pro 96 |
| Switch type | Reverb effect |
| Button switch type | Corsair MGX linear Hall Effect |
| Switch types offered | Linear |
| Switch interchangeable | Yes |
| Keycaps interchangeable | Yes |
| material | Plastic, aluminum |
| Dimensions (L x W x H) | 388 mm x 141 mm x 43 mm |
| Onboard memory | 5 profiles |
| Cable connection | USB type C |
| Rollover technology | N-Key Rollover |
| Keycaps | PBT Double-Shot |
| Operating modes | Typing; Gaming |
| Sampling rates | 8,000 Hz |
| Price: RRP | RRP: 229.99 euros |
Corsair Vanguard Pro 96 review: design and workmanship
- Compact and versatile
- Practical LC display and additional keys
- excellent workmanship
Measuring 388 mm x 141 mm x 43 mm and weighing 1.095 kg, the Corsair Vanguard Pro 96 comes in the manufacturer’s typical black color scheme. A special feature is immediately apparent at first glance, as the keyboard not only has a pleasantly ribbed metal rotary control on the right edge, above the numeric keypad, but also features a color LCD display that can be used to make various settings.
The display not only shows a logo, but also displays various settings. You can switch between them using the FN key combination. From adjusting the volume and switching between active apps to scrolling vertically or horizontally, a lot can be done via the display and rotary wheel, which represents real added value in practice.
The Corsair Vanguard Pro 96 itself has a robust, anodized housing that looks absolutely classy and of course comes with customizable per-key RGB lighting. The range of functions is also extended by a total of six dedicated G-Key function keys, which can be used to switch to gaming mode or make other freely configurable settings, for example.
The keyboard also comes with a pleasantly soft palm rest that attaches magnetically to the underside of the keyboard. Also included is a combined keycap and switch puller, which already reveals that both the keycaps and the reverb effect switches can be replaced.
Top features in the Corsair Vanguard Pro 96
- Excellent switches
- Ingenious reverb effect features
- 8,000 Hz
The Corsair Vanguard Pro 96 comes with state-of-the-art features that leave absolutely nothing to be desired. One of the highlights is of course the magnetic MGX linear swiches, which are already pre-lubricated and offer a release force of 30-35g.
The key travel is 4.0 millimetres, while the release point can of course be freely adjusted between 0.1 mm and 4.0 mm.
As with all Hall Effect keyboards, the Vanguard Pro naturally also has numerous advantages. These include dual actuation (two different triggers with different pressure points), Rapid Trigger and FlashTap SOCD. However, Corsair has a special feature in that the keyboard supports the Elgato Virtual Stream Deck.
This means that you can store and call up typical functions of the Stream Deck virtually. The Corsair Vanguard Pro 96 has a dedicated Elgato key that takes the place of the Copilot key. Here you can assign the Stream Deck functions to the side G-keys and thus realize lighting, streaming, app calls and much more with a key combination. Pretty cool.
The switches are also particularly durable and designed for 150 million keystrokes. Thanks to the hot-swap functionality, not only the keycaps but also the switches can be easily replaced without additional tools.
Full N-key rollover is offered as well as a sampling rate of a whopping 8,000 Hz, which enables incredibly low latency.
Corsair claims that in combination with the polling rate of 8,000 Hz (but also at 1,000 Hz), the lowest latency can be realized compared to other reverb effect keyboards such as the Wooting 80HE or ASUS ROG Falchion Ace HFX (our test): Even at 1,000 Hz, the Vanguard Pro 96 achieves an average of 1.365 ms, while the competition is over 2 ms.
At 8,000 Hz, it is even only 0.571 ms (compared to 0.7 for Wooting and 1.4 for ASUS ROG). However, we didn’t notice any significant differences in the practical test.
The Corsair Vanguard Pro 96 is only connected via cable, with the USB-C cable being held in position by an intelligent cable guide on the underside. A wireless connection is not possible, but the gaming keyboard can also be used on consoles such as Xbox Series X/S and PlayStation 5/4.
Customization via web interface
- Clear web interface
- Powerful customization options
The customizability of the Corsair Vanguard Pro 96 has once again earned high praise, as configuration is not carried out via the iCUE software, but conveniently via a web interface in the browser.
And here you can choose from a number of settings that can be customized in detail. This starts with the RGB lighting in a number of customizable effects, through to the customization of all keys and the setting of dual triggers for two actions per key.
The actuation points can also be set individually for each button, and detailed adjustments can be made for FlashTap and Rapid Trigger. Even the rotary wheel can be equipped with its own individual functions.
Even the keyboard display can be customized with your own logo, while the sampling rate can be adjusted and firmware updates checked for in the device settings. You can also select the PlayStation mode here if you want to use the Corsair Vanguard Pro 96 on the console.
Corsair Vanguard Pro 96 in practical test
- excellent switches
- great ergonomics
- practical additional functions
The practical impressions of the Corsair Vanguard Pro 96 are outstanding. The Hall effect switches are particularly impressive, with a pleasant pressure point and extremely precise and fast triggering.
The keyboard makes excellent use of the advantages of this magnetic technology, in particular the adjustment of the trigger points and the rapid trigger function prove to be extremely useful in gaming use, especially in shooters.
I also find the sound of the keystrokes on the Vanguard Pro 96 very pleasant. Not too loud, but not too quiet or clattering either. The stability of the keys is also excellent: Even large keys such as Space or Enter are extremely stable, so there is no wobbling, as is the case with many other keyboards.
However, two features of the Corsair Vanguard Pro 96 stand out particularly positively for me. On the one hand, there is the metal wheel, which is found in many other gaming keyboards. However, Corsair’s implementation is second to none. Not only in terms of the quality of the robust and pleasantly notched wheel, but also in terms of the functions. Features such as app switching or vertical and horizontal scrolling are a real game changer – especially for creative work.
The second special feature is the virtual Stream Deck. The advantages of the desktop solution such as the original (our test) are already well known. These are now available in virtual form via a keyboard shortcut, without taking up any space on your desk. App launches, lighting adjustment, media control, screen recording, and so on – the possibilities are almost endless.
This makes the Vanguard Pro 96 a unique keyboard that not only impresses in gaming use, but also provides creative professionals with some truly impressive unique selling points.
In my opinion, the compact 96-percent design, which creates a full-size layout that is barely larger than a classic TKL keyboard, is also worth mentioning. This gives you a number pad, but still saves valuable desk space.
Corsair Vanguard Pro 96 test: Conclusion
The Corsair Vanguard Pro 96 is an outstanding gaming keyboard that impresses with its excellent workmanship and cutting-edge features. The reverb effect technology has some unique features, including the adjustment of the trigger point or Rapid Trigger. The keyboard is also ergonomically impressive with its compact full-size design and soft palm rest.
Especially (but not only) for creators, the Corsair Vanguard Pro 96 has some special features that set it apart from the competition. The LC display is practical, but by no means a unique selling point. However, the range of functions of the rotary control and the integration of the virtual stream deck are. Practical additional functions that, once experienced, you will definitely not want to do without.
VORTEILE
- Excellent workmanship
- Great reverb effect switches
- 8,000 Hz
- Palm rest
- Ingenious rotary control
- Virtual stream deck
NACHTEILE
- High price
Fazit
High-quality, durable, elegant and ultra-fast. But it is the excellent additional functions in particular that make the Corsair Vanguard Pro 96 one of the best keyboards on the market.
