Customer Ratings & Reviews

I absolutely love this Keyboard, as soon as I tested it in store, I fell in love with it. The feel, the quietness, the comfortability, and the size doesn’t take up that much space as a normal 98% keyboard would. If I were looking for a keyboard I’d 100% buy this again.

After carefully reviewing all the different corsair keyboards available, I couldn’t be happier with choosing this one. I was looking for a keyboard that was not too big but a lot of the smaller keyboards came with sacrifices but not this one. This keyboard is smaller but yet still found a way to incorporate the number key pad. The feel and keys when you are typing are so satisfying and the overall look speaks for itself. This is a sleek looking keyboard. I am still familiarizing myself with the screen included on the keyboard (which I thought was cool and unique to incude) and figuring out the included keys on the side of the keyboard. The power cable can connect in three different spots on the keyboard allowing it to adjust for whichever side you need it to come from to adequately fit your desk. The price I believe was fair for what this keyboard offers and I couldn’t be happier with my selection. I honestly think there is more to learn about this keyboard but for the time being I am content. Highly recommend if looking to upgrade or just change things up on your desk.

The keyboard is extremely solid and has a good feel to it the sound can be improved upon but for company switches they are extremely nice.

Corsair Vanguard 96 Mechanical Gaming Keyboard – 96% Layout, MLX Fusion Tactile Switches, 8000Hz Polling, LCD Display, Virtual Stream Deck, G-Keys, SOCD Flashtap, QWERTY Layout The Corsair Vanguard 96 Mechanical Gaming Keyboard, featuring a 96% Layout, is my new favorite gaming keyboard. The 96% layout is exceptionally comfortable and shrinks a full keyboard with arrow keys, a ten-key pad, an LCD screen with a rotary dial, and six programmable G-keys into a frame that is 96% the size of a standard keyboard. It features pre-lubricated CORSAIR MLX switches and is also hot-swappable, supporting compatible 3-pin and 5-pin switches. My keyboard came with the MLX Quantum keys. The lighting is fully adjustable, and the lenses on the light distribute the light and color evenly, no matter the level. There are currently four different mechanical switches that are currently listed on Corsair's website. An interesting feature that can be activated is CORSAIR FlashTap SOCD Handling. One can choose how the keyboard should handle accidental SOCD (Simultaneous Opposing Cardinal Directions) inputs and the keyboard display lighting when such inputs occur. You can select Last Priority, First Priority or Neutral, which cancels both keypresses once and opposing input is pressed. The color can also be selected. An example of SOCD is holding the keys for up and down at the same time, or left and right. The keys' four layers of sound-dampening foam help keep the clicking to a minimum, resulting in a soft click noise. The magnetic, detachable wrist rest, featuring a leatherette cover and memory foam cushion, pleases my wrists and makes me a smooth operator. You can adjust the polling rate of the keys from 12Hz/8msec to 8,000Hz/0.125msec hyper-polling. There are six programmable, Stream Deck-enabled G-keys, a rotary dial, and are customizable via CORSAIR Web Hub. iQue is not available at this time. Custom key macros can be created and configured via CORSAIR Web Hub. The on-board memory of 8MB allows for custom profiles and settings to be stored locally, with additional space available on the Web Hub. The Web Hub also allows for doing a firmware update to the keyboard, which, in my case, was necessary to correct some keys that were not functioning correctly out of the box. The only downside to the Web Hub is that it uses a web-based app, which would not be available during a local LAN party with no internet connection to the outside Internet. It didn’t take me long to adjust to the keyboard layout, as I am accustomed to many gaming keyboards that feature custom key layouts. I found that I really like the small keyboard format. The G keys on the side of the keyboard are not only clever but allow for quick use after some hand/brain adjustments, which I am sure you will quickly pick up. Did I mention I really like this small keyboard with the mechanical keys? I can see my son upgrading his setup to go with the PRO unit to take advantage of the Hall Effects switches. He is far more competitive than I nowadays, but I can see myself with the magnetic switches in the future. The LCD screen, paired with a rotary dial, allows for easy adjustment of volume levels, image details, camera zoom, and brightness. Any incremental setting can be easily fine-tuned with the dial. You can even sync the dial to the LCD screen to monitor your adjustments. I included a picture of the default settings. Additionally, note that you can utilize the feature to make more customizations and easily toggle them on and off. In the box is a key puller and a USB-C to USB-A cable for connecting the keyboard to the bottom of the unit. You can then direct the cable through different channels according to your setup. I was somewhat surprised that a USB-A to USB-C adapter wasn’t included, as many computers are transitioning to USB-C connectors for space-saving reasons and are less accommodating of USB-A connections. There is a dedicated Virtual Stream Deck Launch Button to summon a Virtual Stream Deck instantly. The keyboard requires support for the Elgato Beta version of the Stream Deck software (version SW Stream_Deck_7.0.0.21998 or above) to enable the Virtual Stream Deck function. I was surprised that the keyboard has a feature to connect to the Vanguard 96 keyboard to a PlayStation 5. You just need to hold the FN plus Windows keys for 5 seconds, and the PS logo will appear in the bottom right corner, and you're up and running. I can tell that I will be experimenting with the features of this keyboard for gaming, and its customization will give me a significant advantage. I will have to look into the Virtual Stream Deck after I gain mastery of my regular computer keyboard use with the large selection of custom setups. The feel of the keys and the keyboard's setup, including its size, have won me over. And not just for games, it works well for everyday productivity tasks and is a joy to use.

Absolutely amazing keyboard. Corsair Web Hub works insanely well to modify keyboard. Can’t recommend this keyboard enough. Great feel to mechanical keys.

Easy to use. Still have to figure out what somethings on the keyboard do as this is my first real gaming keyboard. Like the feel of the keys under my fingers not to loud but satisfying.

i havent had Corsair Mechanical Keyboard in a long time. so having this latest Vanguard 96 from Corsair is definitely something that makes me say “okay corsair youre up to something. its been so long that I dont even know if this is Corsair first hot swap able keyboard or not but im so static to hear that they are finally moving on the right direction on the relm of all thw keyboard lovers out there. The package is honestly still pretty straight forward nothing too special but whats inside is something special. DEVICE: Imma say it right now this has to be the best sounding and feeling of a keyboard that I currently have from Corsair and this is coming from someone who enjoys all types of keyboard. the looks is also a great refresh from the company I they should continue this look. Vanguard 96 also bundled with an arm rest, the keyboard itself is equip with a small 1.9 IPS screen and media dial. double shot PBT keycaps, Vanguard 96 also comes with G1 to G5 keys for extra programmable buttons on the left side whats great about it its not on the way like their previous design. this keyboard support 1k to 8k pooling rate with 0.125ms. Vanguard 96 is mechanical keyboard with pre lubed switches ( corsair MLX quantum) fast and linear. FEATURES: Vanguard 96 also support PC/MAC/Xbox/Playstation. again this is hot swappable with support of 3 pin and 5 pin mechanical switches. Corsair finally decided a web hub which i prefer I wont have to download iCUE app but the hub supports all the customization you need including Corsair Flashtap, its latest feature that most keyboard supports these day and technically like a Rappy Snappy by Wooting. beside the G side buttons you also have game mode button on the left by pressing you keyboard can switch from 1k to 8k pooling. the IPS screen is also fully customizable that you can an image or a gifs. EXPERIENCE: again I love this keyboard, the keys sounded great, it has that creamy sounds and just an enjoyable keyboard to type with. the 96% layout is fine I dont find it to be any issues, one thing I did not like about this keyboard is where the USBC plug is located, some people might think its great but honestly its a terrible design. looking at the back you have multiple route you can use for your cord but the thing about this design is very limited to the type of cord you can use. if you use a coiled cable you are out of luck. I have a different cord as well and im not able to use it due to the side of the wire, so I was stuck using Corsaie stock wire. its a bad design honestly and I hope in the future corsair would ditch this and keep it simple next time. CONCLUSION with out a doubt I still highly recommend people to get this keyboard it performs amazingly welll sounds great and it supports 8k poolinh rate, this is a mechanical keyboard not an Hall effect version just to be clear ( you will want the Vanguard Pro 96 for that). about the keyboard routing some people might find it fine but for me that needs to be moved. Vanguard 96 is all you need for gaming or some serious competitive gaming this one performs so well.

Works great with my new Corsair Vengeance gaming pc!! Love it!

Corsair is a Top-Of-The-Line manufacturer, highly respected around the world, for cutting edge, high-performance gear and technology products. Best known for stellar gaming PC’s, gaming keyboards, streaming equipment and smart lighting, Corsair is a familiar name on the Nasdaq market. Corsair just introduced a stunning new keyboard: the Vanguard 96 Mechanical Gaming Keyboard. Featuring an 8000 Hz hyper-polling, the input is more responsive than any gaming keyboard I have tested! I love the ideal compact size of this keyboard. it has a 96% form factor, so the keys feel curved and full size. A numeric keyboard, arrow keys, even 6 programmable G-keys are onboard. This is a Dual Tone keyboard boldly displaying white and black keys with curved tops. Every key is built with Fresnel lensing; the configurable RGB color on each key is amazing! Corsair even built a 1.9” LCD screen on the upper right corner of the keyboard that is ready to be personalized! This full-color screen can show custom images and animations. Adjacent to this keyboard is a rotary dial standing slightly higher than the keys, with both grooves & slots for precise grip access to control the volume. The sound from this mechanical keyboard is quieter than any mechanical keyboard I have used for gaming until now. Corsair built in 4 layers of sound dampening. The result is immediately obvious when you press the first key! CONCLUSION: Corsair Vanguard 96 Gaming Keyboard enhances player capability. The wobble-free Corsair MLX key switches with pre-lubricated stems are rated at 80 million keypresses. This gaming keyboard earns my highest recommendation.

As someone who owns most of the top-tier gaming keyboards on the market, I went into this with fairly low expectations, not looking to replace my current favorites. I've always been a fan of Corsair and prefer full-size keyboards that don't take up my entire desk, so this model's compact, 96% full-size layout caught my eye. After using it, I was completely blown away. This keyboard is so good that I'm now trying to decide which of my other expensive keyboards must go. Corsair got almost everything right. Features & Performance: 9.5/10 This keyboard is packed with premium features. It hits all the high-end checkmarks except for being wired-only and using standard mechanical switches instead of optical or analog ones. The Good: - 8,000 Hz Hyper-Polling: Your keystrokes are registered almost instantly. It feels exceptionally fast and smooth in games. - Enthusiast-Grade, Right Out of the Box: It comes with pre-lubed switches, quality stabilizers, and internal sound-dampening foam. These are upgrades enthusiasts usually do themselves, and Corsair nailed the execution. The keyboard sounds and feels incredible without any modifications. - Hot-Swappable Switches: You can easily pull out the included switches and replace them with almost any 3 or 5-pin mechanical switch you want. This is great for customization or if a switch ever fails. It also comes with a high quality switch and keycap puller. - Smart Onboard Controls: It has five dedicated macro keys, a programmable volume knob that also functions as a button, and onboard memory to save your profiles. My entire setup—8,000 Hz polling, complex three-layer lighting, and custom knob settings—is saved directly to the keyboard, making it truly plug-and-play on any computer. Instead of using the heavy iCUE software, all customization and updates are handled through a web-based tool, which is a much lighter and smarter approach. The Could-Be-Better: - LCD Screen Feels Like a Gimmick: The small screen is a neat idea but doesn't add much practical value. It feels like a missed opportunity for more useful features. Mostly, you can just put a custom picture. - No Dedicated Media Keys: While you can use shortcuts, the dedicated macro keys, or program the knob, I miss having separate, dedicated buttons for play/pause and skipping tracks, as I actually use that a lot. The Typing Experience: 10/10 For me, this is the most important category, and the experience is nothing short of premium. - Switches & Feel: The Corsair MLX Red linear switches are incredibly smooth (similar to Cherry MX Speed switches) and have minimal key wobble, making them perfect for both rapid typing and gaming. Also, don't have the annoying sound associated with analog keyboards. - Sound Profile: It has a deep, satisfying "thock" sound—a sound profile that is genuinely hard to achieve, even on custom builds. The fact that you get this right out of the box is incredibly impressive. - Excellent Layout: The design is brilliant. It’s only slightly larger than a 75% keyboard but still includes a full number pad. The key spacing is great, and the high-quality keycaps feel good to the touch. Design, Build & RGB: 9/10 - Build Quality: The keyboard feels solid, with a sturdy metal plate where the keys sit inside a plastic frame. It also includes a comfortable magnetic wrist rest. - Clever Cable Management: The USB-C port is on the bottom with channels that let you route the cable out the top, left, or right side. It’s a genius design that ensures the cable is always perfectly placed for any desk setup. - RGB Lighting: The RGB is excellent—bright, even, and with accurate colors. I really appreciate that the secondary functions on the keys are also illuminated and that the font is clean and not overly aggressive. A thoughtful touch is that holding the FN key illuminates only the relevant function keys, which is also fully customizable. Conclusion: Easy recommendation. This isn’t just the best GAMING keyboard I've ever used; it's one of the best keyboards I've used, period. It perfectly hits the trinity of elite gaming performance, a phenomenal typing experience, and an enthusiast-grade sound profile. Even at full price, this is an easy recommendation for anyone looking for a top-tier, wired mechanical gaming keyboard that excels in nearly every way. I think my biggest complaints are the spacebar could be a bit quieter and isn't "perfect". But very solid. The LCD screen is essentially pointless. No dedicated play/pause. Some of the layout gets takes mild adjustment. And the plastic outer body makes this feel cheaper than it actually is with some flex. But I'm absolutely splitting hairs at this point.

On my gaming rigs, for YEARS I have used the K95 Platinum as my daily driver. Corsair always blows it out of the park with their keyboards. Comfort, responsiveness, quality, you name it, they beat it. Personally I prefer keyboards with a 10 key vs TKL for all games, it just feels better for me. Once I got to use the Vanguard 96, I fell in love. Not only does it have a small form factor like most "gaming" KBs, it still fits a 10 key with a minimum learning curve. I had to train myself on the 0 key as it became a single key vs a dbl wide and the Delete button being repositioned. After about 2 days, everything felt natural. In the box is the Keyboard, wrist rest, USB C to A cable and the 2-in-1 keycap/switch puller. The MLX key switches are prelubed and feel amazing. Sounds great as a mechanical KB should. A lot less noisier than my older K95. I love how you can route the USB cable under the KB to let it lie flat with the cable going up, left or right in the precut grooves. Something a lot of people will like is the fact that you can completely customize everything from Corsair's web-hub on their site vs using iCue software. I know a lot of people (sometimes me) can't stand the buggy app, and this is a great thing. The rotary dial I left as my volume control and it works perfectly. The 1.9" IPS LCD screen is a nice touch with it's customizable display. One thing I had to get used to is going from physical keys on my K95 Platinum to integrated macro button built into the left side on the keyboard. Functions exactly the same, but now my travel time is increased trying to press in the correct button. Lastly as a bonus, you can connect the Vanguard to a Playstation 5. You just need to hold the FN+Windows for 5 seconds and the screen will show you on the bottom right the PS logo and you're good to go. Comfort is 2nd to none. Using the KB for roughly 6-8 hours a day and I can tell you I do not have any aches or discomforts at all. the included wrist rest, while optional, does feel good and I recommend using it if you have the desktop real estate. In fact, I love this one so much, I do want to eventually get the PRO model with the Hall Effects switches in the future, but until then, the Vanguard 96 is still a beast.

I got the Corsair Vanguard 96 RGB Wired keyboard about a week ago and so far I’ve been using it for gaming and school work. First thing, I love the 96% size, I ran 70% before and to be honest I forgot how much I missed the numpad keys. Also the RGB lighting is very nice and looks great on my desk. Typing on it feels really good, I'd describe it as pretty "creamy" sound that is slightly dampened. The switches are super fast and smooth, I barely have to press them. I don’t know if I can actually “feel” the 8000hz polling thing, maybe it’s better for esports pros or whatever, but it sounds impressive. Also the sound dampening layers makes it quieter than my old mechanical keyboard which was very clicky. The little LCD screen on top is fun, I put a gif of my dog on there and it makes me laugh every time. You can also put system info or random stuff which is kinda overkill but cool anyway. And the Stream Deck integration is nice, I don’t stream often but I did test the shortcuts and they work fine. Now honestly the only thing I don’t like is that the USB-C port is on the bottom of the keyboard instead of the back, so the cable routing is kinda weird but honestly not the biggest deal. Overall tho, I’m happy with it. It’s definitely more feature-packed then a normal keyboard, with the LCD, hot-swappable switches, Stream Deck stuff and all that. If you just want something to type on you prob don’t need this, but if you like toys, or if you're a gamer or you just like customizing your setup, it’s worth it.

I’ve tested plenty of gaming keyboards, but the Vanguard 96 immediately stood out because it crams a full layout, dedicated G-keys, an LCD screen, and a rotary dial into a compact footprint. Corsair set out to make this a compact all-in-one "command center" keyboard, and it absolutely delivers. The Vanguard 96 uses a 96% layout: you still get a numpad, arrow keys, and six dedicated G-keys, but in a footprint close to a tenkeyless keyboard. Out of the box, the first thing I noticed was the weight. It feels dense and premium at just under 1kg (~2.2 lbs). The included wrist rest magnetically attaches to the keyboard, which is a neat quality-of-life feature. There’s no wireless option, but given how feature-rich this keyboard is, that trade-off makes sense. Typing feels and sounds super satisfying. Corsair MLX switches are pre-lubed, wobble-free, and rated for 80 million presses, and they’re hotswappable (3-pin and 5-pin compatible) if you want to change them out. Multiple switch options are available to customize feel and responsiveness, and Corsair even includes a 2-in-1 keycap and switch puller in the box. The 1.9” IPS LCD screen is more than a gimmick. I found it handy for displaying system stats and track info. Paired with the rotary dial, you get quick access to volume by default, with options to customize it for media controls, lighting, macros, or even application switching. Lighting effects are plentiful and easy to toggle through with Fn shortcuts, and the six G-keys are another highlight, perfect for macros, shortcuts, or in-game binds. Game Mode unlocks polling up to 8,000Hz via AXON processing, which feels lightning fast, though the default 1,000Hz is more than enough for daily use. Combined with the smooth MLX switches, typing and gaming both felt crisp and consistent, with no chatter or missed presses. The compatibility with PlayStation and Steam Deck is also a nice feature for those who want to use this on their respective systems, though I stuck to PC gaming exclusively. Overall, the Vanguard 96 strikes a great balance between build quality, customization, and performance, making it a strong choice for both gaming and everyday use.

The new Corsair Vanguard 96 is an amazing keyboard for all purposes. Be it gaming or general use, you will find a lot of good use out of this keyboard. The keyboard is also customizable. For example, the Vanguard 96 comes with pre lubed Corsair MLX Quantum switches, but if you don't like them or would rather just use something else, you're able to hot swap the switches out for a switch you like. There's support for both 3 pin and 5 pin switches, so you can change the switches as you see fit. If you're a gamer, you'll really like this keyboard. The board is able to put out 8,000 Hz of polling, meaning you're inputs will go through faster. Normal gaming keyboards normally have 1,000 Hz polling. Having inputs come through 8x faster could make the difference between winning and losing an important round if you're a tac FPS player. There's a button on the side that activates "Game mode". You can customize it how you see fit, but for me I have it so it increasing my polling speed from the 1,000 base to 8,000, turns on my FlashTap, and disables the windows key. Now with all this considered, why not 5 stars? There are a few irks with this keyboard that I have. For one, the software is web based, and doesn't run through Corsair's current ICUE software. I can't have ICUE running either while I have the web hub running. The keyboard also comes with a wrist wrest, which is nice if you like using it, but I don't. This means that my wrist is bent a lot more when using it, particulary for MOBA's. Finally, the port you plug the keyboard into is in the back middle of the keyboard, rather than in the side. You also have to wind they wire through some of the notches on the bottom of the keyboard so you're not just resting you're entire keyboard on the wire. For me, this meant I couldn't use my own wire, and I was forced to use the one that came with the keyboard. If the charging port was on one of the sides like normal, this wouldn't be a problem. Maybe it's necessary for how the keyboard is designed, but for me, it's just really inconvienent.

Corsair makes some great gaming keyboards and this Vanguard 96 is definitely worth purchasing if it fits your needs. The smaller size and full 10 keys are nice in this layout because you get the benefits of a larger keyboard with a much smaller footprint. I plan on using this keyboard in my sim racing stand where space is limited so it definitely fits my needs. If size is not an issue I actually prefer the full size Corsair K70 pro or the K95 pro layout better but they take up a lot more space – see comparison photo. Pros: - Full keyboard in a smaller frame - 6 Programmable G keys for quick access to macros and supports 5 onboard profiles in the keyboard memory - Sound dampening so it’s reasonably quiet for work and play - Swappable key switch sets which allow you to customize the keyboard - Programmable Rotary Dial - Great RGB control - Functions are customizable via the Corsair Web Hub Software Cons: - Heavy composite / plastic build - Not customizable using iCUE but hopefully this will change soon - Wired only, no Bluetooth or 2k wireless connectivity Overall: I like this keyboard because its quiet enough to be used during a video call but fast enough to be used for gaming. I have mixed thoughts on the small display because its not very informative and I am not sure I would ever be looking at it while gaming. The feel and responsiveness of the keys are good but I think they take slightly more pressure to actuate than my other Corsair keyboards. The polling rate and overall specs for the keyboard are great and what you would expect from a gaming keyboard. The Corsair Web Hub software is browser based so it doesn’t require an app to be running. It offers a lot of customization to configure Macros, Profiles and key functions along with a large selection of RGB lighting options. Hopefully these functions will be added to the iCUE app since I already have it installed for my memory, mouse and RGB lighting in the case.

This Corsair Vanguard 96 series keyboard is fantastic from casual gamers to hardcore first-person shooters. It’s fun to type on and can easily be one keyboard for productivity and gaming. This is especially true since it has a real set of 10 key. Cramming all this into a 96%, space saving form factor is no easy feat. This makes finding the arrow keys a bit tricky without looking as it’s now adjacent to the Shift and number 1 on the 10 key. Like many other gaming keyboards, this Vanguard comes with RGB lighting, macro keys and dial. What made me do a double take was the included LCD screen. At glance, it can tell you if you’re in 8k vs 1k polling rates, caps lock, and even your favorite photo or meme gifs. The photo and gif have to be under 500kb but fun nonetheless. Setup was relatively easy. No more traditional iCue app but launch iCue via web browser. From your web browser, you can change RBG colors, assign macros, upload pics to the built-in screen, change polling rates, etc. You can even activate “Flash Tap”. This is a mode that makes strife, or complex key strokes with ease. The Vanguard I got came with MLX Quantum keys. There is 3 other styles to choose from that can change the way they feel, actuation points, and total travel. The Quantum are the keys you want for fast and linear with the smallest actuation point. The included wrist pad feels very squishy and premium. Magnetically attaches to the keyboard. In summary, the Vanguard 96 is a must have for the serious gamer looking to up their game. 8k polling means ultra-responsive. Fresh looking RGB scenes and fun color screen for your favorite meme gifs is totally worth updating your setup.

PROS: The best feeling keys I've ever experienced Rapid Trigger feature (turn style knob and instant control) Corsair Web Hub (web-based firmware and customization hub) Game-mode SO-SO: $180 is a lot for a keyboard, but given how flawless the experience of using this is, it's justifiable. It's that amazing. CONS: none Corsair has quickly become one of my favorite gaming accessory companies ever since I tried one of their flagship Xbox/PC headsets. They are a company known for their quality, and from my experience, their customer service has upheld their great reputation. I've started to dig more into their products that can do more than just enhance my gaming experiences, and I'm excited to share what I've found as the first standout item. I've been excited for Corsair's Vanguard Pro 96 since it was announced. Corsair's take on their magnetic switch tech has me intrigued. Unlike traditional mechanical keyboards, which have long been my favorite for years due to their tactile and clicky keys, magnetic switch technology offers a distinct approach to key presses. When I say this keyboard is a dream to type on (or game on), I am not exaggerating. Whether you're a writer, internet user, gamer, or engaged in any other activity that requires typing, you'll never want to go back to a traditional setup. Are the keys loud? With magnetization, they are much quieter than a standard mechanical keyboard. I actually enjoy the sound, but the feel of the keys beneath my fingers far outweighs any noise they make. It's incredibly satisfying. Everyone appreciates future-proofing and customization, right? This keyboard features a swappable design, allowing users to experiment with various magnetic options in the future. Suppose you're happy with the other features of this keyboard (more details on those coming up). In that case, there's no reason to consider upgrading from this model anytime soon. Let's get into those other features. Besides the phenomenal typing experience, this keyboard does offer more to be excited about. First, there's a feature that Corsair calls Rapid Trigger. The Rapid Trigger feature is a significant advancement for gamers who rely on rapid key presses, offering responsiveness with minimal latency. For those gamers who play "twitch shooters" or competitive multiplayer games, this could mean an advantage when playing with this keyboard. For example, in a game where you can quickly dodge or switch positions, the Rapid Trigger allows for instantaneous input. Whereas, using a controller or regular keyboard may create a feeling of delay between the end of one dodge animation and the beginning of the next. The Rapid Trigger eliminates this delay, making the response feel instantaneous. In addition to this advantage, you can also time any key to elicit specific responses. It's completely customizable. Multi-actuation is another feature available through the Corsair Web Hub, allowing you to customize the depth of your key presses. This is one of my favorite features that I will experiment with to find my ideal preference. The Corsair Web Hub is great too. As soon as your PC recognizes your keyboard, it'll ask if you're ready to upgrade the firmware. Afterwards, you can explore the different customizations the hub provides. According to Corsair, this keyboard integrates a compact 96% layout that includes a full number pad, all while maintaining a footprint that is only slightly larger than that of a standard tenkeyless board! It's amazing, really. This keyboard is replacing a Logitech wireless one that I assumed was smaller, yet still had the number keys. This one looks smaller, but feels bigger; if that makes sense. Game Mode is a button located on the left-hand side of the keyboard that activates a simple, one-tone RGB lighting effect when gaming. For example, when you're gaming at night and don't want the brightness or colorful lighting to distract you, you can press the button. It'll turn all the lights to a dimmed red (or whatever you prefer). I didn't think this feature would be that appealing. Still, after using it, it is great to be able to switch the lighting without digging into the settings every time I want to game versus when I want to write. I am thoroughly impressed with this keyboard. At $180, the price is justified. I use my PC daily for gaming, work, writing, and various other tasks. Treat yourself to a high-quality keyboard that can handle it all.

This is probably the best gaming keyboard I have ever experienced. The build, the design, the features, and performance, just work for my set up. HARDWARD AND BUILD So first off, the overall build is of high quality. The base is stable, each piece looks durable, and the details are crisp: All keys, the dial, the casing. The hues of the keys, the finish of the material, the shade of the lights illuminating the keys and the way the characters glow from the keys, even the color of the white keys look beautiful, the small screen details and its swirling logo, the dial design, feel and response—you can nit pick on it and probably not find anything substandard. The size is perfect. I know it is not much different but for some reason, it looks densely compact to me. PERFORMANCE The feedback on the return—not even talking about the response of the keys when pressed yet, the comfort on the presses, the subtle softness but with definite response on the keys (which I think is very unique to all mechanical keyboards I have owned) – all are very comfortable. I like typing on it. I like spamming a key. I don’t feel fatigue. Polling rate can even go high as 8K and I keep it there. I don’t think it will affect battery life, or read on my machine, even if the Corsair software is web based. At first I was afraid that there could be lags because some settings are web-based but I guess it has a built in memory anyway, and it loads it onto the actual keyboard at set up. That means, no delay and smooth response. My Call of Duty and Fortnite sessions are smooth and without hiccups—especially when strafing or duck/shoot spamming. I think the main thing it gives me is confidence that I know I will not punch the wrong key. FEATURES The features are good too, like the game button being one click at the side of the keyboard. As well as the other setting keys. I have yet to see the benefit of the dial—I usually use it for volume, at least for this keyboard. But I am so used to just using the rocker volume on my headset. The lighting effects are cute. I was hoping I can isolate only the WASD keys with a different color, but I can only color by straight sections. Maybe I’ll just replace the color of the WASD keys, because it does come with the handy tool for replacing. Profile features are easy, be it for lighting or macros. I did get to experience a firmware update on the web hub, and it was fairly fast—and it added the lighting feature. Overall, I love this. I am happy with it and definitely recommend this to my fellow first-person shooters out there. Is it a game-changer? Probably not stark. But is it a confidence and reliability feel changer—definitely. I know I am not going to mess up when the team victory is on the line.

I’m no stranger to mechanical keyboards. From the low end to the high end, I can’t get enough. The Corsair Vanguard 96 is a solid, well built keyboard, that stands out of the typical mainstream gaming pack. The metal top plate and sturdy frame make it feel like a high end device, even with a plastic case. The switches are custom Corsair “MLX” switches that come factory lubed. My board has MLX Quantums, a fast and linear 3 pin switch. It’s smooth and responsive, which makes both typing and gaming a real pleasure. At only 45g of actuation force, and 3.4mm of travel, you may find that they resemble a Cherry MX Silver. I love the rotary knob. It makes adjusting volume or scrolling through options fast and easy, and I found myself using it more than expected. The LED backlighting is bright and customizable, adding a fun touch that looks great in any setup. The LCD screen is a cool idea, but I found it a bit limited in what it can actually do. It displays some information, but I didn’t find it essential for daily use. If you love programmable keys, multiple polling rates, and the El Gato VSD integration, you might fall in love. The iCue software can be clunky and confusing sometimes, but it’s not currently available for use with the Vanguard. The good news is that with the introduction of the new web hub, iCue is optional. The web hub allows for firmware updates and general customization. Overall, the Corsair Vanguard 96 is a joy to use thanks to its build quality and switches. If you can look past the software challenges and layout quirks, it is a strong choice for both gaming and typing.

The Corsair Vanguard 96 is a beautiful and robust keyboard for users who want a premium experience during those long gaming sessions. I’ve owned lots of Corsair products in the past, but this one takes the cake in terms of fit, finish, and overall quality. I’ll be breaking down the keyboard and giving you my thoughts in this review. Design The Vanguard 96 is a looker, truly. The RGB lights are bright, the LCD screen is readable, and the MLX Quantum keys are akin to Cherry MX Reds but have a bit more spring to them. Every key press feels incredible. There’s no metal reverb from the backplate, either, thanks to the extra cushioning Corsair included in the keyboard. The 96-key layout means you get a numpad while still retaining a smaller-sized keyboard. This is ideal for gamers who still do a little more than just gaming on their PC. I’m that guy, so I appreciated having the extra keys for productivity work. The dual-tone white/black coloring looks remarkable on this thing, too. Paired with the RGB customization via the iCUE software or the Corsair Web Hub, this keyboard looks stunning. Features You get a few G keys, which serve as macro keys on the left side of the keyboard, making them easy to reach when you’re gaming. Adding to that is a customizable LCD screen next to a metal spinning knob. What you do with this screen and knob is entirely up to you. You can choose to have it be your volume control, your audio controls, or upload your own image and have it control various other system and keyboard functions. You might even want to upload an animated image to it—who knows? If you can think it, you can probably display it on this little LCD. Via iCUE or the Web Hub, you’ll be able to adjust your lighting settings, create new lighting patterns, bind your macro keys, adjust your polling rate, and much more. Please make sure you start there when you first plug in the keyboard, as there are several settings that will make your experience with the keyboard much better. Performance Every key press feels amazing on the Vanguard 96 with these MLX Quantum switches. The switch is linear but has enough resistance that you aren’t typically having accidental double actuations of keys, which is nice. I still occasionally type a character twice, but not as often as with other Cherry Red keyboards I’ve used in the past. While I’m not a competitive gamer, I can see the advantage of having slightly less input lag between when you press a key and when the action appears on-screen. So, setting the polling rate to 8000Hz is an impressive feature that I don’t typically see on other keyboards that would facilitate that reduced input latency. I tested all the different polling speeds and noticed no discernible difference, but I’m also old, so take that with a grain of salt. The macro keys are a little awkward to use at first, but after a while, I was able to bind some repetitive actions to them when playing New World. I was wishing I had this keyboard when I had more time to play MMOs. Overall The Corsair Vanguard 96 might just be the perfect keyboard for gamers looking for something small, but not too small, with several switch choices, and that just looks incredible. Honestly, this is a very good-looking and solidly built keyboard that has enough options for any serious gamer, while still retaining enough keys to get the job done when you’re not concentrating on your K/D ratio. Corsair builds solid gaming accessories, and the Vanguard 96 is no different. The price may seem a bit high to some, but you get what you pay for, and this keyboard delivers quality in spades.