Best RGB Fans

The Corsair LL120 light up like a Christmas tree but, where the company's products are concerned, this is nothing new. These hardware and peripherals privateers have always been always delivering flashy items, so the 16 independent RGB LEDs across two separate light loops that produce vibrant visual effects is not quite what sells this kit.

No, before that, what sells these RGB PC fans is excellent airflow, with the fans reaching 1500 RPM, and quiet operation, keeping the noise levels below 25 dBA. Still, between the two light loops, the fans provide endless customization options, so we appreciate them as well.

What we do not necessarily appreciate is the company's proprietary software. As thorough as it is, setting the fans up takes ages. On the bright side (pun intended), the software enables pairing dynamic lighting effects with other iCUE-supported devices.

Of course, as quiet as the fans are, at 1500 RPM, they're not necessarily silent. The good news is that you can switch between 600 and 1500 PRM, prioritizing silence or maximizing the fans' effectiveness.

Bottom line, if you want something that matches flashy aesthetics with high-end performance and endless customization options, prepare to pony up some extra dough for the Corsair LL120.

The Thermaltake Pure Plus is a beast setup, delivering top-notch cooling with a bright RGB accompaniment. Reviewing the lightning schemes, the fans let you select between 10 light modes. These include Thermal, Wave, Sound Control, RGB Spectrum, Full Lighted, Ripple, Flow, Blink, and Pulse. Aside from that, you can also switch the colors between RGB and Single modes and pick among 4 light speed settings (Slow, Normal, Fast, and Extreme).

Circling towards cooling, working with 9 blades each, the fans generate an above-average airflow with an almost silent operation, capping the noise levels at 25.8 dBA. The self-lubricating bearings that these fans use will be lowering the noise, while the tight seal cap will be preventing lubricant leakage, extending the coolers' lifespan.

The company's proprietary app is where things get a little hairy. On the one hand, you can manage the app via voice control. On the other hand, the software is buggy, so there's a pretty good chance you will have a frustrating moment or two with the app. Provided that doesn't bother you, the Thermaltake Pure Plus will not leave you disappointed. With each fan featuring 9 addressable LEDs, you can play with the lights knowing that the cooling part is always covered.

Where solid yet affordable gaming RGB fans are? Up here. To be more precise, they're with the UpHere C8123. These fans are almost as good as the ones from Corsair and Thermaltake. In 60 seconds, they can produce as many as 1100 revolutions, which is not necessarily comparable with the 1500 RPM production that high-end fans can give you but the 'issue' here is that most systems are just as fine with 1100 as they are with 1500 RPM. Even when turned up to the max, the LEDs inside these fans are not quite as bright as the ones we've reviewed above, but this is where the kit's drawbacks begin and conclude.

Peaking at 23.9 dBA, they're the quietest RGB fans we've seen yet, at least counting those that minimize noise without sacrificing performance. In the same vein, measuring the usual 120mm x 120mm x 25mm, they're compatible with most chassis types, which means that 99/100 computers will have no problems with these fans.

Despite coming at less than $35, the package includes 5 fans, an RGB controller, a remote control, and mounting screws and cables, so you can install the fans without purchasing separate hardware.

RGB fans are a luxury. But the UpHere C8123 is a luxury that you can afford on a tight budget, so kudos to the folk behind this package for pulling it off.

The Cooler Master MF200R is huge. At 200 x 200 x 25 millimeters the fan will fit full-tower cases but even mid-towers will have issues with providing sufficient space. That said, with size come certain performance perks, including the hybrid design that employs both jet engine blades and helicopter blades, applying just the right amount of status air pressure that comes out without compromising airflow.

The fan reaches 800 RPM tops. In theory, this is not great. In practice, the aforementioned hybrid design and the fan's size have cooling covered.

The weak link here is the noise department. Despite best efforts from the sound-absorbing rubberized pads, when the load gets high/heavy enough, the fan goes above 27-28 dBA, which is not necessarily loud but noticeable when the room is silent otherwise.

There's nothing necessarily interesting about the single RGB light ring with 8 independent RGB LEDs but the same sentiment cannot be extended towards the smart fan sensor. Automatically stopping the motor when the fan's jammed by some object, the sensor prevents breakage.

All things considered, people with full-tower systems will not regret purchasing the Cooler Master MF200R. Everyone else should check the available space that they have inside the case first.

The GIM RGB Case Fan Kit costs almost nothing. When you pay $20, receiving 3 fans, mounting screws, cables, an RGB controller, and remote control almost sounds like fiction. Nevertheless, this kit from GIM makes this fiction reality. We're not crazy about the mounting screws that come with the package but, again, we're not really complaining since they're basically free at this point, so you can always replace them without suffering a noticeable financial loss.

What's surprising is that these are not some cheap fans either. No, every fan employs a single light ring that features 16 independent RGB LEDs, giving you more customization options than, truth be told, anyone needs. The hydraulic bearings that these fans use lubricate themselves with a friction-reducing substance that keeps them at 23.5 dBA without conceding performance. Furthermore, the fans come equipped with shock-absorbing pads on all 4 corners, minimizing vibrations and stretching the lifespan somewhere around 35,000 - 40,000 hours. They're also pretty good at dissipating heat, preventing not just the system but also themselves from overheating.

In closing, as long as you're fine with putting your trust in an unknown brand, there are very few downsides to the GIM RGB Case Fan Kit.