The perfect gaming keyboards can take your efficiency to the subsequent stage by lending you a aggressive benefit. Corsair is not any stranger to creating some tremendous gaming decks, and the Vanguard Air 99 Wi-fi comes near being a formidable beast — but it surely falls simply quick. The Air 99 Wi-fi packs extremely responsive low-profile mechanical switches, 8,000Hz polling and N-key rollover, all of which work very effectively.
It’s a shocking keyboard to sort on too, and it is also acquired the appears to be like. The keyboard is accompanied by intuitive web-based companion software program… however that’s about it. Sadly, the Air 99 Wi-fi critically falters behind the competitors on account of subpar battery life, finicky Stream Deck compatibility, a lackluster display, and a frankly outrageous price ticket.
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- Corsair Vanguard Air 99 Wi-fi (White) at Amazon for $259.99
Corsair Vanguard Air 99 Wi-fi assessment: Specs
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Value
$259 / £239
Switches
Corsair OPX Low-Profile
Keycaps
Double-shot PBT
Development
Aluminum + ABS
Mount
Gasket
Structure
99%, 108 keys
Working system
macOS, Home windows, PS5, Xbox Sequence X, Xbox Sequence S
Backlighting
Per-key RGB
Polling price
8,000Hz
Paired gadgets max
3
Connectivity
Bluetooth, 2.4GHz dongle, wired
Battery
Rechargeable Lithium-ion polymer
Measurements
16.76 x 5.42 x 0.7 inches
Weight
1.98lbs
Colours
Black, White
Corsair Vanguard Air 99 Wi-fi assessment: Cheat sheet
- What’s it? A low-profile mechanical keyboard with devoted Stream Deck keys and eight,000Hz polling
- Who’s it for? For aggressive players and severe typists… with fairly a bit of cash
- How a lot does it value? The Corsair Vanguard Air 99 Wi-fi is offered for $259 / £239
- What can we like? The beautiful design and construct, pretty switches for typing and gaming, versatile compatibility, and intuitive web-based software program
- What don’t we like? The low-key ineffective display, finicky Stream Deck assist, poor battery life, and costly value
Corsair Vanguard Air 99 Wi-fi assessment: The ups
The Corsair Vanguard Air 99 Wi-fi is an excellent wanting and well-built keyboard, and it boasts wonderful gaming efficiency and a beautiful typing expertise.
Gorgeous design and construct
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There’s no denying that the Corsair Vanguard Air 99 Wi-fi is a ravishing keyboard. It’s a sight for sore eyes. Fitted with a strong, well-finished aluminum body and a plastic chassis, the Air 99 Wi-fi looks like it might stand the take a look at of time. Twisting the physique didn’t reveal any flex, and I didn’t discover the keys dipping too far into the PCB both — one thing I’ve skilled with all-plastic keyboards earlier than.
Including to the Air 99 Wi-fi’ sturdiness are the double-shot PBT keycaps. These are extra immune to put on and tear than their ABS counterparts. The matte end on the PBTs feels mushy to the touch, and I didn’t discover any remnants of oil or fingerprints after a full day’s work. The keycaps are lit up by customizable, per-key RGB lighting, including a beautiful gamer-esque flare to the in any other case inconspicuous board.
(Picture credit score: Tom’s Information)
When you’re after a compact, almost full-size keyboard, the Air 99 Wi-fi is an excellent alternative. Although the keyboard makes use of a good bit of aluminum in its building, the Air 99 Wi-fi continues to be pretty light-weight at 1.98lbs. It’s even lighter than its essential competitors, the Cherry XTRFY MX 10.1 Wi-fi ($249) which weighs 2.43lbs. I’ve had no bother carrying it round in my already-full backpack. The Air 99 Wi-fi measures 16.76 x 5.42 x 0.7 inches so it doesn’t take up too a lot house in your desk both.
PC and consoles assist
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The Corsair Vanguard Air 99 Wi-fi is sort of a flexible keyboard, and it may be used both wired with the included USB-C cable, or wi-fi over Bluetooth and a pair of.4GHz. The keyboard comes with macOS and Home windows keycaps which will be simply swapped, and there’s a toggle change on the again that allows you to change between keyboard layouts.
What’s extra, the Air 99 Wi-fi is suitable with the PlayStation 5 in addition to the Xbox Sequence X and S consoles. You’ll want to make use of the USB-A to USB-C cable to attach the keyboard to your Xbox, and you need to use the two.4GHz dongle together with your PS5. There’s additionally a small display on the Air 99 Wi-fi (extra on that shortly) which you need to use to place the keyboard into PS5 mode — this primarily ensures full compatibility by remapping the interface.
Personally, I choose the most effective controllers for console gaming on my PS5, but it surely’s good to know that this compatibility exists on the Air 99 Wi-fi for many who like utilizing a keyboard and mouse. It labored effectively once I tried it briefly with my PS5 Slim, however I’d suggest doing a fast Google search to see which PS5 video games are suitable with keyboards.
Glorious gaming efficiency
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The Corsair Vanguard Air 99 Wi-fi is a gaming-first keyboard, and it packs efficiency in spades. It’s fitted with pre-lubed Corsair OPX low-profile switches which have an actuation level of 1.5mm and a complete journey distance of two.5mm. As a result of the journey distance is sort of quick, you don’t have to press the switches all the best way down in your instructions to be registered, which ends up in a much less fatiguing gaming (and typing) expertise.
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These switches require simply 45g of drive to activate too — the identical because the Cherry MX Low Profile 2.0 Reds within the Cherry XTRFY MX 10.1 Wi-fi, and lighter than the 57g Bananas within the Keychron V1 Extremely 8K ($114). I’ve discovered the switches to be extremely responsive in my testing, and so they received’t offer you a lot to complain about.
The Air 99 Wi-fi additionally options N-key rollover (NKRO) with 100% anti-ghosting. NKRO, primarily, permits a number of inputs to be registered on the identical time, so you possibly can execute two instructions concurrently. As a easy instance, in the event you press Q, A, S and D collectively in a doc, each Q, A, S and D will seem on the display without delay.
(Picture credit score: Tom’s Information)
This, mixed with the responsive switches, gave me a aggressive benefit in video games like Counter-Strike 2, the place I used to be capable of duck and draw my weapon on the identical time. Equally, in Cyberpunk 2077, I may brake or speed up whereas driving my bike and swapping weapons instantaneously. I didn’t need to let go of 1 or the opposite to execute one other motion.
You too can allow FlashTap via the companion software program, and it’s an SOCD decision like Razer’s Snap Faucet. It prioritizes the final key pressed so, as an illustration, you possibly can draw to an entire cease from a sideways strafe by urgent the other way key (A and D or vice versa). It’s helpful in single participant video games, like Cyberpunk 2077, however in Counter-Strike 2 and Valve’s official servers, you’ll get kicked out, so beware.
(Picture credit score: Tom’s Information)
Along with this, you additionally get 8,000Hz polling over wired and wi-fi connections. 8K polling is okay, but it surely’s largely a gimmick that each keyboard producer loves including to their boards. We’ve seen it with the not too long ago up to date Keychron Extremely collection, and now within the Air 99 Wi-fi. For 99% of players, 1,000Hz polling is nice sufficient, and most gamers can’t inform the distinction between 1KHz and 8KHz.
Each negate enter lag, and each guarantee your inputs are registered instantaneously. Utilizing 8KHz is a large drain on system sources and battery life — and the latter is already a troubled space for the Air 99 Wi-fi (extra on that quickly). That stated, I didn’t discover any enter lag or unresponsiveness over each 8,000Hz and 1,000Hz polling.
Pretty switches for typing, too
(Picture credit score: Tom’s Information)
Alongside being a gaming powerhouse, the Corsair Vanguard Air 99 Wi-fi is a implausible keyboard for productiveness too. Its 99% format means you’re getting a full row of Perform keys in addition to a quantity pad. The low-profile design means the keyboard has a shallow depth, so that you don’t want to boost your wrists an excessive amount of to succeed in the keys. Your arms additionally sit nearer to the floor of the desk, which eliminates the necessity for a devoted wrist relaxation.
Having used this keyboard for gaming in addition to a full day’s value of typing, I can affirm that it’s, in truth, very snug. The Air 99 Wi-fi feels and sounds pretty too, that includes a gasket mount which affords a cushioned really feel and reduces vibrations from key presses. There are 5 layers of sound dampening foam too, which lend the keyboard a muted however creamy sound profile.
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I took a typing take a look at at 10fastfingers.com to see how the Air 99 Wi-fi fared in opposition to different mechanical keyboards I’ve examined not too long ago. As you possibly can see from the desk above, I used to be capable of obtain 102WPM with 94% accuracy, and I’m more than happy. It speaks to the Air 99 Wi-fi’ calibre very well.
Intuitive web-based software program
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I find it irresistible when peripherals, together with keyboards and mice, make the most of web-based software program for personalization. It saves me from downloading bloatware and third-party software program. The Corsair Vanguard Air 99 Wi-fi is accompanied by the web-based Corsair Internet Hub, and to personalize your keyboard, all you might want to do is plug it into your machine and also you’re good to go.
Corsair Internet Hub incorporates a clear and user-friendly interface, and there aren’t any intrusive pop-ups or obnoxious advertisements to destroy the consumer journey — not like some proprietary software program (taking a look at you, Asus Armoury Crate). With Corsair Internet Hub, you possibly can remap the keys, document macros, allow options like FlashTap, replace or flash the keyboard’s firmware, and extensively regulate the RGB lighting. You too can add GIFs (beneath 2MB) to show on the display, which I discovered very simple to do, and inside seconds, Kathryn Hahn from Agatha All Alongside was on the Air 99 Wi-fi.
Corsair Vanguard Air 99 Wi-fi assessment: The downs
Sadly, the Corsair Vanguard Air 99 Wi-fi has appreciable flaws, such because the low-key ineffective display, underwhelming battery life, finicky Stream Deck assist… and that price ticket.
Display screen might be extra helpful
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Small TFT, LCD and even OLED screens have turn out to be a commonplace prevalence on keyboards. I’ve seen them on the Epomaker RT100 ($115), the Hexgears Immersion A3 TKL ($129) and the Razer BlackWidow V4 Professional 75% ($299), to call a number of. It’s then not shocking that Corsair has added a 1.9-inch LCD IPS show to the Vanguard Air 99 Wi-fi too. Screens on keyboards will be fairly helpful as they permit you to alter sure settings on the fly — which is why it pains me to say that the Air 99 Wi-fi’ is so user-unfriendly.
(Picture credit score: Tom’s Information)
The display itself is brilliant and responsive, however I’d be mendacity if I stated it was simple to make use of. As an alternative of utilizing the metallic rotary knob to swap between, say, RGB brightness and quantity, it’s a must to use various key combos to entry totally different settings. For instance, to regulate the backlighting, you might want to maintain Fn and Num collectively after which rotate the dial. Why make it so sophisticated, Corsair?
To provide you some context, adjusting settings is far simpler to do on a keyboard just like the Hexgears Immersion A3 TKL (the one I take advantage of once I do business from home). All you might want to do is push the dial up and all the way down to entry totally different settings. Easy, appropriately. I’ve discovered the display solely to be helpful for seeing how a lot battery is left, and displaying a GIF, which I spoke about earlier. Apart from that, the display’s pretty pointless, and it’s a large battery sink.
Poor battery life
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This brings me to my subsequent level: the Corsair Vanguard Air 99 Wi-fi’ poor battery life. The keyboard is fitted with a chargeable Lithium-ion polymer battery, and Corsair says that with the LCD display set to twenty% brightness and the RGB lighting off (over Bluetooth), the keyboard can last as long as 55 hours. Crank the RGB brightness up and set the LCD brightness to twenty% (over 2.4GHz), and also you’re taking a look at a runtime of 29 hours.
In my testing, I set the RGB and LCD brightness to 100% and so they chewed up the battery life, and I used to be capable of get nearly 20 hours. I received’t sugarcoat it: that is unhealthy. Given how a lot you’re paying for the Air 99 Wi-fi, you’d count on extra. The Cherry XTRFY MX 10.1 Wi-fi can last as long as 900 hours in complete, whereas the cheaper Keychron V1 Extremely 8K can last as long as 660 hours. I’m not offended; I’m simply upset.
Finicky Stream Deck compatibility
(Picture credit score: Tom’s Information)
When you have a look at the left-hand facet of the Corsair Vanguard Air 99 Wi-fi, you’ll discover a row of six programmable SD keys powered by the Elgato Stream Deck app. The keyboard packs built-in Stream Deck assist, and in the event you obtain the software program, you possibly can assign particular features and hotkeys to stated row.
(Picture credit score: Corsair / Elgato / Tom’s Information)
In idea, this sounds helpful as you possibly can launch whichever app you want with the faucet of a button. In follow, I didn’t discover it so simple. I used to be capable of program the keys at first, however once I plugged the keyboard in and booted up the software program, the Stream Deck had forgotten I’d executed this earlier than. This was moderately disappointing as a result of it may have actually streamlined my workflow, however as an alternative, I used to be left feeling short-changed and pissed off.
Overpriced
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Final however not least, the Corsair Vanguard Air 99 Wi-fi is pricey, and it’s frankly overpriced, given that you just’re getting suboptimal battery life, a not-very-useful display that eats up stated poor battery life, and finicky Stream Deck compatibility. The Air 99 Wi-fi retails for a whopping $259 / £239 at Amazon.
Sure, it prices both the identical or greater than extra superior Corridor Impact decks as we speak, just like the Lemokey P1 HE ($169) or the Keychron Q6 HE 8K ($239). After all, you could be after a mechanical deck with pretty mech switches, besides, I don’t suppose you might want to spend greater than $200 on a reliable one. The Lofree Movement Lite100 ($139) and the NuPhy Node100 ($109) are implausible, low cost alternate options, and whilst you’ll be lacking out on 8,000Hz polling, 1,000Hz is greater than loads for many video games.
Corsair Vanguard Air 99 Wi-fi assessment: Verdict
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The Corsair Vanguard Air 99 Wi-fi is a masterpiece of design and efficiency, sadly marred by irritating practical oversights. Typing and gaming efficiency are excellent due to the response switches, 8,000Hz polling, and options like FlashTap. Intuitive, bloatware-free web-based software program makes customizing the keyboard a stroll within the park, too.
However the expertise stumbles once you look previous the aesthetics. Whereas the built-in display is brilliant and enjoyable to show a GIF on, it doesn’t have a lot utility, and adjusting settings through key combos is irritating. It additionally considerably impacts the already-struggling battery life, and the touted Stream Deck integration proved unreliable in my testing.
It’s very tough to look previous these evident points when the keyboard prices a whopping $259. When you prioritize uncooked efficiency and desk aesthetics above all else, the Air 99 Wi-fi isn’t a foul alternative. However these after a cultured, hassle-free day by day driver will need to discover different choices.
Corsair Vanguard Air 99 Wi-fi: Value Comparability
