Corsair’s Vanguard Pro 96 keyboard has convinced me that magnetic switches aren’t just hype

Opinion
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The off-the-shelf option that made me rethink my custom-built mechanical keyboard

Corsair Vanguard Pro 96 keyboard on computer desk
(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

As someone who tried to assemble one of the best mechanical keyboards from a barebones kit last Christmas, Corsair’s Vanguard Pro 96 has unexpectedly caught my attention with its magnetic, Hall effect switches.

Initially, I wasn't totally sold on the idea of keyboards with magnetic switches, believing the (relatively) new tech didn't offer enough switch options. Mechanical switches, on the other hand, are available in countless linear, tactile and clicky types.

Close-up of the Corsair Vanguard Pro 96 keyboard's space bar

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

I'm a believer

After trying Corsair’s new Vanguard Pro 96 keyboard, it didn’t take me long to realise how silly it was to resist the allure of Hall effect switches, because I instantly fell in love with them.

Unlike the traditional metal contacts I'm used to, the Vanguard Pro 96’s MGX Hyperdrive switches rely on magnetic sensing for actuation, delivering an ultra-smooth, linear-like feel that I find immensely satisfying.

The switches are also hot-swappable, giving me the option of trying out different magnetic options further down the line. These are already compelling reasons to explore further, but it's the added functionality afforded by these switches that truly piques my interest.

Corsair Vanguard Pro 96 keyboard on computer desk

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

Rapid trigger is amazing

Rapid Trigger, for instance, is a game-changer for repeated key presses, offering minimal latency without fixed reset points. As a competitive player in online shooters, I would describe myself as ‘just okay’. That said, I feel like this feature could genuinely elevate my gaming performance, especially in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6.

The game’s excellent ‘omni-movement’ can now be taken to new heights with the ability to perform faster slide-cancels, along with strafes and dives that are harder to predict, essentially allowing for combat that’s even more fluid and dynamic.

A screenshot showing the options available to the Corsair Vanguard Pro 96 keyboard in Corsair Web Hub

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

Adjustable actuation points are fantastic

And the ability to set incredibly precise actuation points, from 0.1mm to 4mm, on a per-key basis? That’s customization beyond anything my mechanical keyboard offers.

I could go ultra-shallow for lightning-fast inputs during competitive play, or alternatively I could opt for a deeper actuation when I’m working, for more deliberate, mistake-free typing.

The keyboard’s ability to register inputs almost instantly also provides an edge while jiggle-peeking in and out of cover, letting me line up my shots quicker than any mechanical keyboard I’ve used.

Corsair Vanguard Pro 96 keyboard on computer desk

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

Multi-actuation is a game-changer

Then there's multi-actuation, which, when set in the Corsair Web Hub, allows for different actions based on how far down a single key is pressed. The concept of switching from a jog to a full sprint based on keystroke depth is frankly mind-blowing and opens up a whole new realm of control.

Beyond the magnetic switches themselves, the Vanguard Pro 96's thoughtful design elements also impress me. It manages to pack a 96% layout with a full numpad into a footprint not much larger than a standard tenkeyless board.

Corsair Vanguard Pro 96 keyboard on computer desk

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

Incredible keys

The low-profile, angled programmable G keys, which you can use to assign macros, are a subtle but smart improvement, making them much harder to accidentally press (an issue that drove me nuts on Logitech’s G915 X a few years back), while the dedicated 'Game Mode' button is a very convenient addition, instantly adjusting the Vanguard Pro 96's RGB lighting to a simplified colour scheme and disabling the Windows key with a single press.

Finally, the sound profile. Although I chased a near-silent experience while assembling my own mechanical keyboard, I must admit that I’m a huge fan of the Vanguard Pro 96's perfect balance between "thocky" and "creamy". This balance is largely thanks to its MGX Hyperdrive switches, complemented by four layers of sound-dampening foam.

Corsair Vanguard Pro 96 keyboard on computer desk

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

Seriously tempting

In short, the Vanguard Pro 96 just provides an incredibly satisfying typing experience. Each silky keystroke with a soft edge rounded out by a pleasant, buttery tone? That's music to a keyboard enthusiast's ears.

While I've always been loyal to my mechanical setup, the Corsair Vanguard Pro 96 presents a compelling argument for embracing magnetic switches. The precision, speed and advanced customization it offers could genuinely enhance my gaming and typing experience, making me seriously consider a switch (pun intended) from my beloved mechanical hobby keyboard.

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Stephen Lambrechts
Stephen Lambrechts

Stephen Lambrechts is the Managing Editor of Tom's Guide AU and has written professionally across the categories of tech, film, television and gaming for the last 15 years. Before Tom's Guide, he spent several years as a Senior Journalist at TechRadar, had a brief stint as Editor in Chief at Official Xbox Magazine Australia, and has written for such publications as APC, TechLife Australia, T3, FilmInk, AskMen, Daily Telegraph and IGN. He's an expert when it comes to smartphones, TVs, gaming and streaming. In his spare time, he enjoys watching obscure horror movies on physical media, keeping an eye on the latest retro sneaker releases and listening to vinyl. Occasionally, he also indulges in other non-hipster stuff, like hiking.

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