Corsair Vanguard Pro 96 Review: Is It Worth It?
▼ Summary
– The reviewer highly praises the Corsair Vanguard Pro 96 keyboard, particularly enjoying its 1.9-inch LCD screen for displaying a personal image.
– The keyboard features a compact 96% layout with a full set of keys, a versatile screen and dial combo, macro keys, and a high-quality magnetic wrist rest.
– It uses Corsair’s own customizable Hall effect switches (MGX Hyperdrive), which offer adjustable actuation points and rapid trigger technology for fast response.
– Corsair has replaced its iCUE software with a lightweight, web-based software for easy customization of keys, RGB, and the screen/dial functions.
– The keyboard is strictly wired with a high build quality, but its premium features come at a considerable cost of £210/$240.
Finding the perfect keyboard often feels like a balancing act between features, performance, and price. The Corsair Vanguard Pro 96 enters the arena as a premium, feature-packed contender that aims to deliver a complete desktop experience without compromise. It combines a space-efficient 96% layout with advanced magnetic switches and a surprisingly versatile LCD screen, positioning itself as a top-tier option for gamers and power users who demand both functionality and flair.
My initial attraction was admittedly superficial: the 1.9-inch LCD screen can display a custom image, and I have mine set to the classic Bullseye game show logo. Beyond that personal amusement, this screen is genuinely useful. By pressing Fn+F12, you can cycle through various functions controlled by the accompanying hefty rotary dial, including volume, macro recording, and even screen scrolling. It’s one of the most practical implementations of this combo I’ve seen.
The build quality is immediately impressive. The keyboard features a metal top plate and feels solidly constructed, with a weight of 1.095 kg that keeps it firmly planted during intense use. Corsair has managed to pack in a full set of macro keys, a dedicated Elgato Stream Deck key, and that LCD into a chassis that remains relatively compact for its 1800 layout. You also get a magnetically attaching plush wrist rest included in the box, which is a welcome comfort addition.
Under the hood, this is a Hall effect keyboard equipped with Corsair’s own MGX Hyperdrive switches. The key appeal here is extensive customizability via Corsair’s new, streamlined web-based software. You can adjust the actuation and reset points across a 0.1 mm to 4.0 mm range, enabling incredibly light and fast rapid trigger responses. Corsair claims a super-light 30g actuation force at the highest setting. In practice, during sessions of Counter-Strike 2, the switches felt consistently brisk, smooth, and snappy, contributing to a very responsive experience bolstered by an 8000 Hz polling rate.
The software shift is a notable upgrade. Corsair has moved away from iCUE for this model, adopting a lighter, web-based platform that handles key remapping, RGB configuration, and all the deep switch adjustments with ease. Technically, the MGX switches are hot-swappable, and a puller is included, but compatibility with third-party Hall effect switches is unclear as they don’t use standard MX pinouts.
Connectivity is strictly wired via a detachable braided USB-C cable. The keyboard offers multiple routing channels on its underside for cable management, though the USB-C port itself is recessed quite deeply into the chassis, which can make initial connection a bit fiddly.
Buy if… You want a powerful, full-featured keyboard with a premium build, highly customizable magnetic switches, and unique extras like an LCD screen and macro keys. It’s a potent package with few compromises.
Don’t buy if… You require wireless connectivity or are on a strict budget. The £210/$240 price tag is significant, and the wired-only design may not suit everyone’s setup.
Ultimately, the Vanguard Pro 96 is more than a keyboard with a fun screen. It stands as a seriously capable Hall effect board that successfully merges Corsair’s legacy of feature-rich designs with modern switch technology and smart software. While the price is steep, it delivers a compelling, high-performance package for those seeking a top-end typing and gaming instrument.
(Source: PC Gamer)
