Customer Ratings & Reviews

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.

This CORSAIR VANGUARD 96 RGB keyboard completely exceeded my expectations. The 96% layout is genius — it saves space without losing any keys, including the numpad. The build feels premium and solid, and the dual-tone design gives it a sleek, modern look. The MLX Quantum Linear switches are incredibly smooth and responsive. Typing feels effortless, and gaming performance is next-level. The FlashTap SOCD tech really makes a difference for competitive play — fast and accurate every time. RGB lighting is bright, vibrant, and easy to customize through CORSAIR iCUE. Whether I’m working or gaming, this keyboard delivers top-notch performance and comfort. If you want a high-end keyboard that’s compact but doesn’t compromise on quality, this is the one. Highly recommend it!

The new Vanguard keyboard lineup by Corsair feels great! I originally used an old bluetooth apple keyboard and needed to upgrade, and this was a perfect option for me! The keys aren't too sensitive like some keyboards, they do take a little force to fully press, and the cherry layout is something I feel comfortable with using.

Great Keyboard. The sound and feel are amzing, and i love all the features that come with it, like the LCD screen, the dial, the virtual steam deck button, and the extra G keys. The only issue i have with it is the software it uses (corsair webhub) it is awful, hopefully they fix this soon... overall amazing product.

Bought this and I think it’s a very nice feeling keyboard for my standards, I can at least say that either this or webhub was not ready to go. The fact that Icue isn’t supported is very annoying. I’m not a big fan of Icue either, because of how many issues it has. I get webhub is a new early feature, it’s so clunky and annoying to navigate. Having to disable Icue to tweak something is so tedious and it gets old after a few times. Not to mention that whenever I alter something on the vanguard pro 96, the keyboard softlocks and I can’t use the fn key or change things so I have to unplug and re-plug it in. The changes take forever to take effect. I really like the keyboard, it just sucks that I have to wait even longer to be able to utilize it properly, because Icue support was over looked. Would have been better to just have support and then end support when webhub was ready to take over.

Excellent keyboard. Very fast response, smooth switches, and the RGB looks awesome. My grandson absolutely loves it.

Got it because i liked the size with all the same keys. The enter key can be annoying at times as you kit the key directly to the right of it and delete the last sentence you typed. Will not work with the coil cables sold at bestbuy. The coil is too close to the plug and the plug socket on the keyboard requires a very thin male plug. I will be getting an extension to see if that is a viable option to use the coil cable.

Coming from a Glorious GMMK Pro, I will say the build quality is really good but not a fan of the connector for the usb c being under and far in the back

Great keyboard very comfy and sounds great and very responsive

Not a big Corsair person but this is the best keyboard I've ever owned as far as feel goes. The switch is so quiet and smooth. Very responsive. I may buy one for my station at work. First time I've ever thought that I finally found THE keyboard I've been chasing.

Simply put this is an amazing gaming keyboard with very good response on key press. And they silky smooth typing will definitely satisfy all you ASMR people. 3 things that do bug me but do not affect in any way how the keyboard operates. 1. They keyboard doesn’t always intialize on computer power on, the keyboard is on and fully powered however doesn’t let you type. You have unplug and plug it back in and then it works. 2. When the computer is off you normally expect the rest of your peripherals to be off as well , well with this keyboard if you happen to touch the keyboard, rgb led’s turn on, kinda of an annoyance if you game in your bedroom, the RGBs are bright. 3. The web based iCUE software is very inconvenient, I don’t agree that in order to modify your settings or change lighting you must have internet access. That’s just disappointing. It’s annoying having to open a tab to access setting when I have a full iCUE program with all the rest of my other Corsair components on the program. Other than those 3 things I love the keyboard.

This keyboard is extreme versitile. It is silent as can be which was something I was looking for in a new mechanical gaming keyboard. The RGB backlights add a nice touch to my layout. Overall, I am really happy with my decision. I will add this to anyone looking at this option who is not used to the compact style of a full keyboard, which before this I was not either. The keyboard layout will take a little time to get used to especially if you are a person who types fast with set in muscle memory to where keys generally are. Definitely not a negative as with anything, practice makes perfect.

Great keyboard, the keys are clicky and responsive but without being too loud. Currently no I-Cue support but that’s okay with me. I prefer it to my older k70. I like the fact that it comes black and white as it matches my black and white build.

It's pretty nice. The keys are smooth and bright. easy to remove if needed, and having an easy detachable wrist rest is something I didn't think I would like, but I kind of like it. Macro keys on the side are amazing. Couldn't tell you how many times I have been coding or fast typing and accidentally hit the older model ones, and it starts running through my tank macro... not fun. for the price.. Yea,h I guess it's worth it, maybe $30 less and it would be hands down best bang for your buck.

This keyboard feels and looks great. The screen is kinda gimmicky but it could have potential. As of this review it does NOT support ICUE which makes things difficult if you have other Corsair products. This would be a 5 star if it did. They did state at some point it will be added to ICUE. Till this just be aware of that