Buying Guide
The Best ARGB Controllers
Five ARGB controllers compared, from the Thermalright Rev.A to the Vetroo hub with remote, with the trade-offs of each named.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
An ARGB controller adds lighting ports or lighting control beyond what the motherboard offers. Every pick here connects 5V 3-pin addressable devices and says how you control it.
We sorted these picks by ARGB ports, how you control it and power input, working from the makers' own data; if a maker skips fan speed ports, the guide says so, and no figure here comes from our own testing.
Quick Picks
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Lowest Price Here
Thermalright ARGB Hub Controller Rev.A
The lowest price of the group at our last check.
Best for: Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the Thermalright ARGB Hub.
Our take Check price for Thermalright ARGB Hub Controller Rev.A (opens in a new tab)
Premium Pick
Vetroo ARGB and PWM Case Fan Hub with Remote
Support for up to ten 5V 3-pin ARGB fans at the highest price in the group.
Best for: Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the Thermalright Rev.A costs less.
Our take Check price for Vetroo ARGB and PWM Case Fan Hub with Remote (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
upHere PWM and ARGB Magnetic Fan Hub (9 Port)
A front RGB panel that syncs with the fans.
Best for: Buyers who want front RGB panel that syncs with the fans.
Our take Check price for upHere PWM and ARGB Magnetic Fan Hub (9 Port) (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
ShakingTank 9-Port ARGB PWM Fan Hub
A compact 4.64 x 2.2 inch body.
Best for: Buyers who want compact 4.64 x 2.2 inch body.
Our take Check price for ShakingTank 9-Port ARGB PWM Fan Hub (opens in a new tab)
Worth a Look
Thermalright ARGB Fan Hub Controller (8 Port)
Support for ARGB fans and light bars.
Best for: Buyers who want support for ARGB fans and light bars.
Our take Check price for Thermalright ARGB Fan Hub Controller (8 Port) (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Lowest Price Here1 of 5
Thermalright ARGB Hub Controller Rev.A on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Thermalright Rev.A stands out for a 90 x 46 x 16mm body, and it adds support for ARGB fans and light bars.
Best for
- Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the Thermalright ARGB Hub.
Skip if
- Look at the other picks if you need a feature not covered above.
Why we like it
It also offers a 10 ports port count. It matches the Vetroo hub with remote on port count (10 ports). It shares a motherboard sync only how you control it with the ShakingTank 9-port hub and Thermalright ARGB Hub; the upHere 9-port hub goes with a remote how you control it.
You get an adhesive mounting here, which sets it apart from the Thermalright ARGB Hub and its an adhesive and magnetic mounting. It also comes with five lighting ports on each side. Use it only with 5V 3-pin addressable (ARGB) devices; the 12V 4-pin RGB standard uses a different connector and can damage ARGB parts if mixed up. Line up the arrow or pin 1 marking on each plug. It was the cheapest of the group when we checked; the Thermalright ARGB Hub was the next step up.
Key dimensions & specs
- ARGB ports: 10 ports
- How you control it: Motherboard sync only
- Power input: SATA
- Mounting: Adhesive
Pros
- 10 ARGB ports
- 90 x 46 x 16mm body
- Support for ARGB fans and light bars
- Five lighting ports on each side
Premium Pick2 of 5
Vetroo ARGB and PWM Case Fan Hub with Remote on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Vetroo hub with remote stands out for support for up to ten 5V 3-pin ARGB fans, and it adds automatic PWM speed adjustment.
Best for
- Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the Thermalright Rev.A costs less.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the Thermalright Rev.A, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It also offers a 10 ports port count. On port count it ties with the Thermalright Rev.A at 10 ports. Like the upHere 9-port hub, it has a remote how you control it, while the Thermalright ARGB Hub uses a motherboard sync only how you control it.
10 PWM fan ports is unique to it among these picks, while the ShakingTank 9-port hub uses a PWM ports on every fan. Use it only with 5V 3-pin addressable (ARGB) devices; the 12V 4-pin RGB standard uses a different connector and can damage ARGB parts if mixed up. Line up the arrow or pin 1 marking on each plug. Only the ShakingTank 9-port hub came close to it on price at the time of writing; it cost the most of the 5 picks.
Key dimensions & specs
- ARGB ports: 10 ports
- How you control it: Remote
- Power input: SATA
- Fan speed ports: 10 PWM fan ports
- Mounting: Magnetic
Pros
- 10 ARGB ports
- Control through remote
- Also expands PWM fan connections
- Support for up to ten 5V 3-pin ARGB fans
Cons
- Costs more than the Thermalright Rev.A at the time of writing
Also Consider3 of 5
upHere PWM and ARGB Magnetic Fan Hub (9 Port) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The upHere 9-port hub is built around a front RGB panel that syncs with the fans, with a remote, SATA cable and sync cable in the kit on top.
Best for
- Buyers who want front RGB panel that syncs with the fans.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the Thermalright Rev.A cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
On the spec sheet, it offers a 9 ports port count. It shares a remote how you control it with the Vetroo hub with remote; the Thermalright ARGB Hub goes with a motherboard sync only how you control it. No other pick in this guide offers 9 PWM fan ports; compare the Thermalright ARGB Hub, which has an 8-port 4-pin PWM expansion.
It shares a magnetic mounting with the Vetroo hub with remote and ShakingTank 9-port hub; the Thermalright ARGB Hub goes with an adhesive and magnetic mounting. You also get PWM and ARGB control in one hub. Use it only with 5V 3-pin addressable (ARGB) devices; the 12V 4-pin RGB standard uses a different connector and can damage ARGB parts if mixed up. Line up the arrow or pin 1 marking on each plug. Its price falls between the Thermalright ARGB Hub and the ShakingTank 9-port hub, based on our last check.
Key dimensions & specs
- ARGB ports: 9 ports
- How you control it: Remote
- Power input: SATA
- Fan speed ports: 9 PWM fan ports
- Mounting: Magnetic
Pros
- 9 ARGB ports
- Control through remote
- Also expands PWM fan connections
- Front RGB panel that syncs with the fans
Cons
- Costs more than the Thermalright Rev.A at the time of writing
Strong Alternative4 of 5
ShakingTank 9-Port ARGB PWM Fan Hub on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
What the ShakingTank 9-port hub brings to the table is a compact 4.64 x 2.2 inch body, plus support for 5V 3-pin ARGB fans and LED strips.
Best for
- Buyers who want compact 4.64 x 2.2 inch body.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the Thermalright Rev.A, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
Like the Thermalright Rev.A and Thermalright ARGB Hub, it has a motherboard sync only how you control it, while the Vetroo hub with remote uses a remote how you control it. A PWM ports on every fan is unique to it among these picks, while the Vetroo hub with remote uses 10 PWM fan ports. Like the Vetroo hub with remote and upHere 9-port hub, it has a magnetic mounting, while the Thermalright Rev.A uses an adhesive mounting.
It also offers individual PWM speed control on each port. Use it only with 5V 3-pin addressable (ARGB) devices; the 12V 4-pin RGB standard uses a different connector and can damage ARGB parts if mixed up. Line up the arrow or pin 1 marking on each plug. It was priced above the upHere 9-port hub and below the Vetroo hub with remote at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- ARGB ports: 9 ports
- How you control it: Motherboard sync only
- Power input: SATA
- Fan speed ports: PWM ports on every fan
- Mounting: Magnetic
Pros
- 9 ARGB ports
- Also expands PWM fan connections
- Compact 4.64 x 2.2 inch body
- Support for 5V 3-pin ARGB fans and LED strips
Cons
- Costs more than the Thermalright Rev.A at the time of writing
Worth a Look5 of 5
Thermalright ARGB Fan Hub Controller (8 Port) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Thermalright ARGB Hub is built around support for ARGB fans and light bars, with SATA power direct to the hub on top.
Best for
- Buyers who want support for ARGB fans and light bars.
Skip if
- Skip it if port count matters most to you; the Thermalright Rev.A offers 10 ports.
Why we like it
On the spec sheet, it offers an 8 ports port count. On port count it trails the group at 8 ports, while the Thermalright Rev.A offers 10 ports. Like the Thermalright Rev.A and ShakingTank 9-port hub, it has a motherboard sync only how you control it, while the Vetroo hub with remote uses a remote how you control it.
You get an 8-port 4-pin PWM expansion here, which sets it apart from the upHere 9-port hub and its 9 PWM fan ports. No other pick in this guide offers an adhesive and magnetic mounting; compare the upHere 9-port hub, which has a magnetic mounting. It also comes with fan speed reading from one marked port. When we checked, only the Thermalright Rev.A cost less, and the upHere 9-port hub cost more.
Key dimensions & specs
- ARGB ports: 8 ports
- How you control it: Motherboard sync only
- Power input: SATA
- Fan speed ports: 8-port 4-pin PWM expansion
- Mounting: Adhesive and magnetic
Pros
- 8 ARGB ports
- Also expands PWM fan connections
- Support for ARGB fans and light bars
- SATA power direct to the hub
Cons
- Port count trails the Thermalright Rev.A (10 ports)
- Costs more than the Thermalright Rev.A at the time of writing
How We Chose These ARGB Controllers
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- What we compared
- We compared five ARGB controllers on port count, how you control it, power input and fan speed ports as the makers state them. Nothing was tested in-house; 4 of the 5 fields compared are stated for every pick, while fan speed ports has gaps.
- The shared baseline
- All 5, from the Thermalright Rev.A to the Thermalright ARGB Hub, state port count, how you control it and power input and share SATA power input.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Thermalright Rev.A gives no fan speed ports.
- Price range
- From the Thermalright Rev.A to the Vetroo hub with remote, all sat in the under $50 tier when we checked.
What to Look for in an ARGB Controller
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Port count across these picks
The Thermalright Rev.A tops port count at 10 ports and the Thermalright ARGB Hub sits lowest at 8 ports; 2 picks share the top figure. If port count is your first filter, the Thermalright Rev.A sets the ceiling at 10 ports.
Fan speed ports
The Vetroo hub with remote lists 10 PWM fan ports; the upHere 9-port hub lists 9 PWM fan ports; the ShakingTank 9-port hub lists PWM ports on every fan; the Thermalright ARGB Hub lists 8-port 4-pin PWM expansion. Settling fan speed ports first narrows 4 picks to 1, 1 or 1 or 1.
Features beyond the spec table
The upHere 9-port hub: a remote, SATA cable and sync cable in the kit. The ShakingTank 9-port hub: support for 5V 3-pin ARGB fans and LED strips. The Thermalright ARGB Hub: SATA power direct to the hub.
How much to spend
Price does little to separate these 5: the Thermalright Rev.A through the Vetroo hub with remote all landed in the under $50 tier, which leaves port count to decide it.
Match the pick to your priority
Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the Thermalright ARGB Hub: the Thermalright Rev.A. Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the Thermalright Rev.A costs less: the Vetroo hub with remote.
How to Choose an ARGB Controller
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the Thermalright ARGB Hub | Thermalright Rev.A | The lowest price of the group at our last check |
| Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the Thermalright Rev.A costs less | Vetroo hub with remote | Support for up to ten 5V 3-pin ARGB fans at the highest price in the group |
| Buyers who want front RGB panel that syncs with the fans | upHere 9-port hub | A front RGB panel that syncs with the fans |
| Buyers who want compact 4.64 x 2.2 inch body | ShakingTank 9-port hub | A compact 4.64 x 2.2 inch body |
| Buyers who want support for ARGB fans and light bars | Thermalright ARGB Hub | Support for ARGB fans and light bars |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Thermalright Rev.A leads on port count at 10 ports, ahead of the Vetroo hub with remote at 10 ports. "Not listed" marks fan speed ports where the Thermalright Rev.A leaves the figure out.
| ARGB Controller | ARGB ports | How you control it | Power input | Fan speed ports |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thermalright Rev.A | 10 ports | Motherboard sync only | SATA | Not listed |
| Vetroo hub with remote | 10 ports | Remote | SATA | 10 PWM fan ports |
| upHere 9-port hub | 9 ports | Remote | SATA | 9 PWM fan ports |
| ShakingTank 9-port hub | 9 ports | Motherboard sync only | SATA | PWM ports on every fan |
| Thermalright ARGB Hub | 8 ports | Motherboard sync only | SATA | 8-port 4-pin PWM expansion |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes the Thermalright Rev.A the Lowest Price Here?
The label rests on the lowest price of the group at our last check. It is aimed at anyone who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the Thermalright ARGB Hub.
Do the Thermalright Rev.A and the Vetroo hub with remote differ on how you control it?
The Thermalright Rev.A, the ShakingTank 9-port hub and the Thermalright ARGB Hub use Motherboard sync only; the Vetroo hub with remote and the upHere 9-port hub use remote.
Beyond the specs, what sets the Thermalright Rev.A and the Vetroo hub with remote apart?
The Thermalright Rev.A: a 90 x 46 x 16mm body. The Vetroo hub with remote: support for up to ten 5V 3-pin ARGB fans. The upHere 9-port hub: a front RGB panel that syncs with the fans.
Who should choose the Vetroo hub with remote?
The Vetroo hub with remote carries our Premium Pick label for support for up to ten 5V 3-pin ARGB fans at the highest price in the group. It ranks second of 5 here and sat in the under $50 tier at our last price check; it suits buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor, since the Thermalright Rev.A costs less.
Should I pick the Thermalright Rev.A or the Thermalright ARGB Hub?
The Thermalright Rev.A suits buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the Thermalright ARGB Hub; the Thermalright ARGB Hub suits buyers who want support for ARGB fans and light bars.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Thermalright Rev.A, chosen for the lowest price of the group at our last check. Look at the Vetroo hub with remote for support for up to ten 5V 3-pin ARGB fans at the highest price in the group, the upHere 9-port hub for a front RGB panel that syncs with the fans and the ShakingTank 9-port hub for a compact 4.64 x 2.2 inch body if those matter more to you.
Match the 5V 3-pin plugs by their arrow marking; never connect an ARGB hub to a 12V 4-pin RGB header.