Corsair Vanguard Pro 96 Wins
Winner
Corsair Vanguard Pro 96 Hall Effect keyboard with LCD screen

Corsair Vanguard Pro 96

8.6

Gamers and content creators who want a full-featured 96% keyboard with an LCD screen

VS
SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Gen 3 HyperMagnetic keyboard in black

SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Gen 3

8.4

Competitive gamers who want the most adjustable Hall Effect switches with dual-action keys

Marcus Rivera
Marcus Rivera

Score Comparison

Criteria
Corsair Vanguard Pro 96
SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Gen 3
Overall Score
8.6
8.4
Typing Feel
8.8
9.0
Build Quality
9.0
8.5
Features
9.5
8.8
Connectivity
7.5
8.0
Customization
8.5
8.5
Value
7.0
6.5

Pricing & Features

Specification
Corsair Vanguard Pro 96
SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Gen 3
Price
$230
$240
Released
25-Sep-25
01-Sep-24

Making Your Decision

Corsair Vanguard Pro 96 logo

When to Choose Corsair Vanguard Pro 96

Gamers and content creators who want a full-featured 96% keyboard with an LCD screen

The Vanguard Pro 96 is Corsair's flagship keyboard with a standout LCD touchscreen. The 96% layout with numpad and premium build make it ideal for users who want gaming performance without sacrificing productivity keys.

Strengths

  • LCD touchscreen for system monitoring, media, and iCUE integration
  • MGX Hall Effect switches with 8KHz polling and Rapid Trigger
  • 96% layout offers numpad in a compact form factor
  • Premium aluminum frame with magnetic wrist rest

Limitations

  • Wired only despite $230 price tag
  • LCD screen is a battery drain (moot for wired)
  • Heaviest keyboard in the category at ~1.2kg
SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Gen 3 logo

When to Choose SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Gen 3

Competitive gamers who want the most adjustable Hall Effect switches with dual-action keys

The Apex Pro TKL Gen 3 pushes Hall Effect innovation with 11 actuation presets and dual-action keys. Its OmniPoint 3.0 switches are among the most versatile, though the premium price demands consideration.

Strengths

  • OmniPoint 3.0 HyperMagnetic switches with 11 actuation presets
  • 8KHz polling rate with Rapid Trigger and Rapid Tap
  • OLED display for real-time info and GIFs
  • Dual-action keys with two functions per keystroke

Limitations

  • Most expensive TKL in the mid-to-premium range at $240
  • Wired only in base model (wireless version costs more)
  • SteelSeries GG software can be buggy

Ready to Get Started?

Corsair Vanguard Pro 96 Hall Effect keyboard with LCD screen

Corsair Vanguard Pro 96

Score: 8.6
SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Gen 3 HyperMagnetic keyboard in black

SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Gen 3

Score: 8.4