How is the VANGUARD PRO 96 different from the standard VANGUARD 96?

The switches. The PRO uses MGX Hyperdrive Hall Effect magnetic switches with an actuation point you can set anywhere from 0.1mm to 4.0mm, plus Rapid Trigger and dual actuation points. The standard VANGUARD 96 uses fixed-actuation MLX mechanical switches. The PRO also adds double-shot PBT keycaps and 8MB of onboard memory.

What is a Hall Effect switch?

It reads the position of a magnet rather than closing a physical contact. Because it measures travel continuously, the point at which a key registers becomes a setting rather than a fixed property of the switch.

What are dual actuation points?

One key can trigger two different actions at two different depths - a light press does one thing, a full press does another. It effectively doubles the inputs available without adding keys.

What does the recommended 0.3-3.6mm range mean?

The switches physically read from 0.1mm to 4.0mm, but Corsair recommends staying between 0.3mm and 3.6mm. Setting actuation at the extreme ends can make keys either over-sensitive or hard to trigger reliably.

Why do double-shot PBT keycaps matter?

PBT resists the shine that develops on ABS caps with use, and double-shot means the legend is a second piece of plastic moulded through the cap rather than printed on top, so it cannot wear off.

Yes, with compatible magnetic switches. Note that magnetic Hall Effect switches are not interchangeable with standard mechanical switches.

What platforms does it work with?

PC, Mac and Xbox One, requiring Windows 10 or later or macOS 10.15 or later.

Corsair VANGUARD PRO 96 Hall Effect Keyboard

Cutaway diagram of the CORSAIR MGX Hyperdrive magnetic switch showing the double-rail structure and 0.1mm to 4.0mm actuation range

MGX Hyperdrive Magnetic Switches, 0.1mm To 4.0mm

Hall Effect switches read key position magnetically instead of closing a physical contact, so you set the actuation point anywhere from 0.1mm for hair-trigger inputs to 4.0mm to avoid accidental presses. CORSAIR recommends 0.3mm to 3.6mm for the most consistent tracking. The switches are pre-lubricated, use a double-rail stem structure, are rated for 150 million keypresses, and hot-swap for other compatible magnetic switches.

MGX Hyperdrive Magnetic Switches, 0.1mm To 4.0mm

Hall Effect switches read key position magnetically instead of closing a physical contact, so you set the actuation point anywhere from 0.1mm for hair-trigger inputs to 4.0mm to avoid accidental presses. CORSAIR recommends 0.3mm to 3.6mm for the most consistent tracking. The switches are pre-lubricated, use a double-rail stem structure, are rated for 150 million keypresses, and hot-swap for other compatible magnetic switches.

Comparison graphic showing a regular switch reset point against CORSAIR Rapid Trigger dynamic reset

Rapid Trigger Resets Actuation On The Way Up

Rapid Trigger moves the reset point dynamically as you release a key, so the next press registers without waiting for the switch to travel back to a fixed reset height. In practice that means faster repeated taps and cleaner counter-strafing, because the keyboard stops the input the moment you begin lifting rather than at a fixed depth.

Rapid Trigger Resets Actuation On The Way Up

Rapid Trigger moves the reset point dynamically as you release a key, so the next press registers without waiting for the switch to travel back to a fixed reset height. In practice that means faster repeated taps and cleaner counter-strafing, because the keyboard stops the input the moment you begin lifting rather than at a fixed depth.

FlashTap SOCD diagram showing A and D key priority handling

FlashTap SOCD Decides Which Direction Wins

FlashTap handles simultaneous opposing cardinal directions, the moment you press A while D is still held. You choose how the board resolves it, so the last key pressed takes priority instead of the two inputs cancelling each other out. It is configured per profile and aimed at movement techniques that depend on instant direction changes.

FlashTap SOCD Decides Which Direction Wins

FlashTap handles simultaneous opposing cardinal directions, the moment you press A while D is still held. You choose how the board resolves it, so the last key pressed takes priority instead of the two inputs cancelling each other out. It is configured per profile and aimed at movement techniques that depend on instant direction changes.

Graphic illustrating the 8,000Hz polling rate with AXON technology

8,000Hz Polling Sends Input Every 0.125ms

AXON hyper-processing reports keypresses 8,000 times per second, against the 1,000Hz and one millisecond interval of a standard keyboard. That drops the reporting gap to 0.125ms, so the delay between the keypress and the game receiving it is a fraction of what a conventional board introduces.

8,000Hz Polling Sends Input Every 0.125ms

AXON hyper-processing reports keypresses 8,000 times per second, against the 1,000Hz and one millisecond interval of a standard keyboard. That drops the reporting gap to 0.125ms, so the delay between the keypress and the game receiving it is a fraction of what a conventional board introduces.

Top-down view of the VANGUARD PRO 96 showing the compact 96 percent layout with numpad, arrow keys, G-keys and rotary dial

Full Key Count With More Room For The Mouse

The 96% layout removes the empty gaps between the main cluster, navigation keys and numpad rather than removing keys. You keep the number pad, arrow keys and F-row while the board occupies about the same desk width as a tenkeyless, which frees noticeably more space for low-sensitivity mouse movement.

Full Key Count With More Room For The Mouse

The 96% layout removes the empty gaps between the main cluster, navigation keys and numpad rather than removing keys. You keep the number pad, arrow keys and F-row while the board occupies about the same desk width as a tenkeyless, which frees noticeably more space for low-sensitivity mouse movement.

Close-up of the integrated 1.9 inch LCD screen and rotary dial on the VANGUARD PRO 96

A 1.9-Inch 320 x 170 IPS Screen On Board

An integrated colour IPS display sits in the top right corner at 320 x 170 resolution. It shows custom animations and images, system readouts, or the current state of the rotary dial, so volume, brightness and profile changes are confirmed on the keyboard itself instead of by an on-screen overlay.

A 1.9-Inch 320 x 170 IPS Screen On Board

An integrated colour IPS display sits in the top right corner at 320 x 170 resolution. It shows custom animations and images, system readouts, or the current state of the rotary dial, so volume, brightness and profile changes are confirmed on the keyboard itself instead of by an on-screen overlay.

VANGUARD PRO 96 showing Elgato Virtual Stream Deck icons mapped on screen

Virtual Stream Deck Runs On The G-Keys

Elgato Virtual Stream Deck integration turns the six G-keys and the LCD into a control surface for scene switches, audio triggers and macros, and a dedicated launch key calls it up. The rotary dial handles audio levels, which covers the common streaming controls without a separate hardware deck taking up desk space.

Virtual Stream Deck Runs On The G-Keys

Elgato Virtual Stream Deck integration turns the six G-keys and the LCD into a control surface for scene switches, audio triggers and macros, and a dedicated launch key calls it up. The rotary dial handles audio levels, which covers the common streaming controls without a separate hardware deck taking up desk space.

Six Low-Profile G-Keys Down The Left Edge

The six dedicated macro keys sit flush along the left flank in a low-profile shape, so they are easy to find by feel but sit below the height of the main keys to reduce mispresses while typing. Each one is programmable, and Game Mode disables the Windows key and switches lighting to a single colour.

Six Low-Profile G-Keys Down The Left Edge

The six dedicated macro keys sit flush along the left flank in a low-profile shape, so they are easy to find by feel but sit below the height of the main keys to reduce mispresses while typing. Each one is programmable, and Game Mode disables the Windows key and switches lighting to a single colour.

Exploded view of the keyboard showing the plate, sound optimisation shim, socket foam and case foam layers

Four Layers Of Damping Foam Inside The Case

A plate layer, sound optimisation shim, socket foam and case foam stack inside the aluminium body to absorb case resonance and hollow keypress echo. The result is a lower, denser typing sound, which also matters on a streaming setup where an open microphone would otherwise pick up the board.

Four Layers Of Damping Foam Inside The Case

A plate layer, sound optimisation shim, socket foam and case foam stack inside the aluminium body to absorb case resonance and hollow keypress echo. The result is a lower, denser typing sound, which also matters on a streaming setup where an open microphone would otherwise pick up the board.

CORSAIR Web Hub browser interface shown alongside the keyboard

Configured In A Browser, Stored On 8MB Onboard

CORSAIR Web Hub programs macros, remaps keys, sets per-key RGB and adjusts actuation from the browser with no client software to install. Profiles save to 8MB of onboard memory, so actuation points and lighting travel with the keyboard to another PC. Full N-key rollover with 100% anti-ghosting is active regardless of profile.

Configured In A Browser, Stored On 8MB Onboard

CORSAIR Web Hub programs macros, remaps keys, sets per-key RGB and adjusts actuation from the browser with no client software to install. Profiles save to 8MB of onboard memory, so actuation points and lighting travel with the keyboard to another PC. Full N-key rollover with 100% anti-ghosting is active regardless of profile.

VANGUARD PRO 96 on a desk with the IGN Editors Choice badge and score of 9

IGN Editors Choice With A Score Of 9

IGN awarded the VANGUARD PRO 96 a score of 9 along with its Editors Choice badge. Gumayusi, a three-time consecutive world champion, says the board "feels like nearly zero latency" and that "each keystroke is immediately reflected in-game", describing the layout as "highly practical and gamer-focused, very ergonomic to use for gaming".

IGN Editors Choice With A Score Of 9

IGN awarded the VANGUARD PRO 96 a score of 9 along with its Editors Choice badge. Gumayusi, a three-time consecutive world champion, says the board "feels like nearly zero latency" and that "each keystroke is immediately reflected in-game", describing the layout as "highly practical and gamer-focused, very ergonomic to use for gaming".

What Six Professional Players Said About It

Ryujehong says it "removes the unnecessary space between keys" and that the screen "makes it feel like this is a new keyboard generation". Suruga Monkey says it "got all the keys you need, but it is still crazy small". 23savage calls it "the first time I have used a full-function keyboard that is the size of a TKL". SuperBusS, who used boards without a numpad for years to keep mouse room, says it "answers all my needs". Restia notes the side G-keys "do not get in the way" and that the switches are "very quiet". Bunny says it "makes all my victories shine brighter".

What Six Professional Players Said About It

Ryujehong says it "removes the unnecessary space between keys" and that the screen "makes it feel like this is a new keyboard generation". Suruga Monkey says it "got all the keys you need, but it is still crazy small". 23savage calls it "the first time I have used a full-function keyboard that is the size of a TKL". SuperBusS, who used boards without a numpad for years to keep mouse room, says it "answers all my needs". Restia notes the side G-keys "do not get in the way" and that the switches are "very quiet". Bunny says it "makes all my victories shine brighter".

VANGUARD PRO 96 retail box shown next to the keyboard and magnetic palm rest

What Comes In The Box

The box holds the VANGUARD PRO 96 keyboard, a detachable magnetic palm rest with a leatherette cover over memory foam, a braided USB Type-C cable, a 2-in-1 keycap and switch puller, and the safety documentation. The board weighs 1.097kg on its own and connects over a USB Type-A port.

What Comes In The Box

The box holds the VANGUARD PRO 96 keyboard, a detachable magnetic palm rest with a leatherette cover over memory foam, a braided USB Type-C cable, a 2-in-1 keycap and switch puller, and the safety documentation. The board weighs 1.097kg on its own and connects over a USB Type-A port.