Corsair has announced the Vanguard 96 and Vanguard Pro 96 keyboards, targeting gamers who have high demands. They carry on the legacy of their predecessors while adding the hottest features going around in the peripheral scene. From programmable G-keys and ultra-fast polling rates to the latest switch technologies and build techniques, if enthusiasts like it, chances are the Vanguard 96 series has it.
As their name implies, the Vanguard 96 gaming keyboards follow the 96% format, squeezing the numpad and function keys closer to the main keys. The idea is to offer a compact-ish keyboard that retains all the functionality of a full-size model. Both feature native Elgato Stream Deck and Virtual Stream Deck integration, giving access to shortcuts from the Stream Deck app. This is complemented by a 320×170 full-colour LCD screen that shows various information, or simply funny gifs if that’s your thing. Either one would be perfect for both gaming and work, though the Pro model has something special going for it.
Both boast an 8,000Hz polling rate and come topped with double-shot PBT keycaps that allow RGB to shine through. Corsair claims 0.59ms of latency on average, which is great, though beyond what a human can notice anyway. Those who type a lot will especially appreciate the quad-layer sound-damping foam which should keep unwanted noises to a minimum. Add to that the pre-lubed switches and you have a great feel on top of great acoustics.
The Vanguard 96 and Vanguard Pro 96 mainly differ in their switch type, though a big enough difference that it requires a whole new PCB. The former comes equipped with the mechanical switches we learned to love, while the latter takes things to the next level, featuring the new and fancy Hall Effect switches. Instead of using mechanical/physical contact to detect keystrokes, Hall Effect switches induce a magnetic field, which gets detected and measured by a dedicated chip on the keyboard’s PCB. This gives them outstanding versatility, allowing them to be actuated at any press distance the user wishes. In this instance, the Vanguard Pro 96 lets you choose from 0.1mm to 4.0mm actuation.
Due to their customisable nature, these switches open up a whole new range of handy gaming features. From Rapid Taps, which enable fast consecutive clicks that don’t require the switch to fully reset, to SOCD (Snap Tap), which prioritises the last button press, gamers have rarely had so many advantages. In fact, SOCD has been banned in multiple games due to its great advantage. That said, don’t panic, Corsair ships the Vanguard Pro 96 with SOCD disabled by default. You can enable it alongside all the lighting and switch customisation through the brand’s web hub.
I recently started experimenting with Hall Effect keyboards, not even expensive ones, and I can tell you, if you play a lot of games, you won’t be disappointed. I only wish there were more full-size options to choose from, since I can’t live without a numpad. The Vanguard Pro 96 and the K70 Max fill that void, but I have yet to find the perfect one.
The Vanguard Pro 96 (Hall Effect) seems promising but there is a big catch, namely its £209.99/$229.99 price tag. It’s quite steep for a wired-only keyboard. The Vanguard 96 (mechanical) is a bit cheaper at £159.99/$179.99 but still outside of many budgets. The integration of a screen and Stream Deck features may have ballooned the cost too much, in my opinion. That said, if you want a keyboard that does it all, the Vanguard 96 series is meant for you.
