Buying Guide
The Best RGB Gear for Beginners
Beginner RGB should work without hubs or complex software. These five do.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
12 min read5 products evaluated
RGB is cosmetic, but it is easy to overdo or overcomplicate. The picks here each light up with onboard controls or one app.
We compared lighting and connection from each listing.
Quick Picks
Which of the 5 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Easiest RGB Strip
Govee RGBIC LED Strip Lights 16.4ft (Alexa and Google)RGBIC with voice control.
Best for: Room lighting
Check price for Govee RGBIC LED Strip Lights 16.4ft (Alexa and Google) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Easiest RGB Speakers
Redragon GS520 PC SpeakersSix touch-controlled RGB modes.
Best for: Budget desks
Check price for Redragon GS520 PC Speakers on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best RGB Mic
HyperX QuadCast 2 S USB Microphone100+ addressable LEDs.
Best for: On-camera setups
Check price for HyperX QuadCast 2 S USB Microphone on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best RGB Speaker Upgrade
Edifier Hecate Gaming Speakers12 RGB effects with three inputs.
Best for: Better sound with lighting
Check price for Edifier Hecate Gaming Speakers on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best RGB Keyboard
Redragon K617 60% Hot-Swap Mechanical Keyboard20 onboard RGB presets.
Best for: No-software lighting
Check price for Redragon K617 60% Hot-Swap Mechanical Keyboard on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it stands out | Best for | Check price |
|---|---|---|---|
| RGBIC with voice control. | Room lighting | Check price for Govee RGBIC LED Strip Lights 16.4ft (Alexa and Google) on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| Six touch-controlled RGB modes. | Budget desks | Check price for Redragon GS520 PC Speakers on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| 100+ addressable LEDs. | On-camera setups | Check price for HyperX QuadCast 2 S USB Microphone on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| 12 RGB effects with three inputs. | Better sound with lighting | Check price for Edifier Hecate Gaming Speakers on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| 20 onboard RGB presets. | No-software lighting | Check price for Redragon K617 60% Hot-Swap Mechanical Keyboard on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Easiest RGB Strip1 of 5
Govee RGBIC LED Strip Lights 16.4ft (Alexa and Google)
This 16.4ft Govee strip adds Wi-Fi, Alexa and Google control to the RGBIC design.
Best for
- Room lighting
Skip if
- Look at the other picks if you need a feature not covered above.
Why we like it
It suits a desk that already has a smart speaker nearby. The Govee Home app offers over 64 scenes and AI-generated themes, and music sync has 11 modes that follow game audio. It works with voice assistants.
AI photo-to-theme generation turns an image into a lighting scene. RGBIC lighting is unique to it among these picks, while the GS520 uses 6 touch RGB modes lighting. It also comes with segment color control. Wi-Fi control usually needs a 2.4GHz network.
Key specs
- Type
- LED strip
- Connection
- App, Wi-Fi
- Key spec
- 16.4ft RGBIC with voice control
- Lighting
- RGBIC
Pros
- Alexa and Google Assistant support
- AI lighting effects
- Segment color control
- RGBIC lighting, the only one here
Easiest RGB Speakers2 of 5
Redragon GS520 PC Speakers
Redragon's GS520 is a USB-powered stereo pair with six touch-controlled RGB modes.
Best for
- Budget desks
Skip if
- Look at the other picks if you need a feature not covered above.
Why we like it
It is the budget speaker option. Volume sits on the speaker itself, so you don't need to reach for the keyboard. Separate volume buttons give precise control, and it runs on USB power with 3.5mm audio and mic cables.
The brushed finish suits a minimalist desk. Its full-range 2.0 stereo drivers suit a small desk without a subwoofer. It is the only pick here with a 2.0 stereo key spec; the Hecate has a 32W peak key spec instead.
You get 6 touch RGB modes lighting here, which sets it apart from the Hecate and its 12 RGB effects lighting. It also comes with a low price tier.
Key specs
- Type
- Stereo speakers
- Connection
- USB power, 3.5mm
- Key spec
- 2.0 stereo
- Lighting
- 6 touch RGB modes
Pros
- Six touch-controlled RGB modes
- USB power
- Low price tier
- 2.0 stereo key spec, the only one here
Best RGB Mic3 of 5
HyperX QuadCast 2 S USB Microphone
HyperX's QuadCast 2 S has four polar patterns, tap-to-mute and more than 100 addressable RGB LEDs.
Best for
- On-camera setups
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the Govee 16.4ft Wi-Fi, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
Over 100 addressable RGB LEDs can match stream colours, and a tap-to-mute sensor sits on top. It connects over USB. A 4 polar patterns key spec is unique to it among these picks, while the Hecate uses a 32W peak key spec.
No other pick in this guide offers 100+ aRGB LEDs lighting; compare the Govee 16.4ft Wi-Fi, which has RGBIC lighting. It also comes with a multifunction knob. Only the Hecate came close to it on price at the time of writing; it cost the most of the 5 picks.
Key specs
- Type
- USB microphone
- Connection
- USB
- Key spec
- 4 polar patterns
- Lighting
- 100+ aRGB LEDs
Pros
- More than 100 addressable RGB LEDs
- Tap-to-mute
- Multifunction knob
- 4 polar patterns key spec, the only one here
Cons
- Costs more than the Govee 16.4ft Wi-Fi at the time of writing
Best RGB Speaker Upgrade4 of 5
Edifier Hecate Gaming Speakers
Edifier's Hecate pair tilts its 2.75in drivers 10 degrees toward you and takes USB, AUX and Bluetooth, with 12 RGB effects.
Best for
- Better sound with lighting
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the Govee 16.4ft Wi-Fi, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
Its 2.75-inch drivers produce 16W plus 16W peak, and 12 RGB effects can sync with gameplay. It switches between Bluetooth and wired sources. Matte panels and metal knobs resist scratches, and one-click EQ switches between Gaming, Movie and Music modes.
A 32W peak key spec is unique to it among these picks, while the GS520 uses a 2.0 stereo key spec. No other pick in this guide offers 12 RGB effects lighting; compare the Govee 16.4ft Wi-Fi, which has RGBIC lighting. It also offers a 10-degree tilt and three inputs. It was priced above the K617 and below the QuadCast 2 S at the time of writing.
Key specs
- Type
- Stereo speakers
- Connection
- USB, AUX, Bluetooth 5.1
- Key spec
- 32W peak
- Lighting
- 12 RGB effects
Pros
- 2.75in drivers
- 10-degree tilt
- Three inputs
- 32W peak key spec, the only one here
Cons
- Costs more than the Govee 16.4ft Wi-Fi at the time of writing
Best RGB Keyboard5 of 5
Redragon K617 60% Hot-Swap Mechanical Keyboard
Redragon's K617 is a 60% board with hot-swap sockets for 3-pin and 5-pin switches.
Best for
- No-software lighting
Skip if
- Look at the other picks if you need a feature not covered above.
Why we like it
It frees desk space for mouse movement. Its 60% layout frees desk space for wide mouse swipes, and 20 lighting presets adjust in brightness and speed. The software programs macros.
Its switches are rated for 50 million presses, in a white and grey colourway. No other pick in this guide offers a hot-swap 3-pin and 5-pin key spec; compare the Hecate, which has a 32W peak key spec. A 60% or 65% layout drops the number pad and some navigation keys; check you can live without them.
Key specs
- Type
- Wired 60% keyboard
- Connection
- USB
- Key spec
- Hot-swap 3-pin and 5-pin
- Lighting
- RGB, 20 presets
Pros
- Hot-swap sockets for 3-pin and 5-pin switches
- Red linear switches rated for 50 million presses
- Macro software
- Hot-swap 3-pin and 5-pin key spec, the only one here
How We Chose
Alex Morgan compared the manufacturer specifications, connectivity, warranty terms and compatibility of every pick. Figures come from the makers unless a third-party source is named; we did not test these products ourselves.
- The figures behind the order
- We compared five gear on type, connection, key spec and lighting from manufacturer specifications. Nothing was tested in-house; 4 of the 4 fields compared are stated for every pick.
- What every pick has in common
- All 5, from the Govee 16.4ft Wi-Fi to the K617, state type, connection and key spec.
- Who each pick suits
- The Govee 16.4ft Wi-Fi for RGBIC with voice control; the GS520 for six touch-controlled RGB modes; the QuadCast 2 S for 100+ addressable LEDs.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the Govee 16.4ft Wi-Fi (under $50) to the QuadCast 2 S ($100 to $150).
What to Look for in an RGB Gear for Beginners
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Extras that separate them
The QuadCast 2 S: tap-to-mute. The Hecate: a 10-degree tilt. The K617: red linear switches rated for 50 million presses.
Where your budget lands
Under $50 buys the Govee 16.4ft Wi-Fi, the GS520 and the K617; $100 to $150 buys the Hecate and the QuadCast 2 S at our last check.
Start from what matters most
Room lighting: the Govee 16.4ft Wi-Fi. Budget desks: the GS520. On-camera setups: the QuadCast 2 S.
Keyboard size
A 60% or 65% board frees room for the mouse; a full-size one keeps the number pad. Hot-swap sockets let you change switches later.
Lighting that helps
Bias lighting behind a monitor or a key light for your face does more for a setup than more RGB on the peripherals.
How to Choose an RGB Gear for Beginners
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Room lighting | Govee 16.4ft Wi-Fi | RGBIC with voice control |
| Budget desks | GS520 | Six touch-controlled RGB modes |
| On-camera setups | QuadCast 2 S | 100+ addressable LEDs |
| Better sound with lighting | Hecate | 12 RGB effects with three inputs |
| No-software lighting | K617 | 20 onboard RGB presets |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Govee 16.4ft Wi-Fi, the GS520 and the rest, as their makers list them.
| Gear | Type | Connection | Key spec | Lighting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Govee 16.4ft Wi-Fi | LED strip | App, Wi-Fi | 16.4ft RGBIC with voice control | RGBIC |
| GS520 | Stereo speakers | USB power, 3.5mm | 2.0 stereo | 6 touch RGB modes |
| QuadCast 2 S | USB microphone | USB | 4 polar patterns | 100+ aRGB LEDs |
| Hecate | Stereo speakers | USB, AUX, Bluetooth 5.1 | 32W peak | 12 RGB effects |
| K617 | Wired 60% keyboard | USB | Hot-swap 3-pin and 5-pin | RGB, 20 presets |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The Govee 16.4ft Wi-Fi was the lowest-priced pick (under $50) and the QuadCast 2 S the highest ($100 to $150) when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Gear |
|---|---|
| Under $50 | Govee 16.4ft Wi-Fi, GS520, K617 |
| About $100 to $150 | Hecate, QuadCast 2 S |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the Hecate our Best RGB Speaker Upgrade pick?
The label rests on 12 RGB effects with three inputs. The Govee 16.4ft Wi-Fi, the cheapest pick, sat in the under $50 tier against $100 to $150 here, without out-ranking it on any listed spec. It makes sense for better sound with lighting.
What extras do the Govee 16.4ft Wi-Fi and the GS520 include?
The Govee 16.4ft Wi-Fi: Alexa and Google Assistant support. The GS520: six touch-controlled RGB modes. The QuadCast 2 S: more than 100 addressable RGB LEDs.
Who should choose the Govee 16.4ft Wi-Fi?
The Govee 16.4ft Wi-Fi carries our Easiest RGB Strip label for RGBIC with voice control. It ranks first of 5 here and sat in the under $50 tier at our last price check; it suits room lighting.
Should I pick the Govee 16.4ft Wi-Fi or the K617?
The Govee 16.4ft Wi-Fi suits room lighting; the K617 suits no-software lighting.
What else do the Hecate and the K617 offer?
The Hecate: three inputs. The K617: macro software.
Bottom Line
The Govee Wi-Fi strip is the easiest room-scale RGB. The GS520 and Hecate add lit speakers, the QuadCast 2 S is the lit mic, and the K617 has 20 onboard presets.
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About the author
PC Hardware Editor
Alex covers PC hardware, monitors, components, upgrades and peripherals for The PC Journal, with a focus on helping readers understand specifications, compatibility and meaningful product trade-offs.
Covers: Monitors, Graphics cards, Processors, PC components, Peripherals, Upgrades and compatibility
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