Hey there gamers! Has the thought ever crossed your mind that maybe your PC doesn’t know how to cool itself properly? Has it been having cooling issues? Maybe it starts up the fans way too early when they’re not even needed, leading to unnecessary fan noise at inconvenient times. Or perhaps it doesn’t use the fans adequately, which causes your PC to heat up often.
Either way, you might be wondering if you could do a better job at controlling your PC’s fans.
Well then this article was written for you! In this article, we’ve curated a wonderful list of the 7 best fan controllers you can buy in 2023. All of the products on our list will meet and surpass your expectations for fan controllers and will give you the control over your PC’s fans that you deserve!
In a hurry? Here are our top 3 favorite picks when it comes to the best fan controllers in 2023!
Best Overall
Budget Pick
Premium Pick
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What are Fan Controllers?
If the name itself isn’t enough of a definition, let’s define a fan controller to let you know what you’re getting into.
To put it simply, fan controllers are devices that allow you to control the fans within your PC to modulate the cooling your PC is getting at any given moment, thereby also giving you control over the noise your PC makes.
Are Fan Controllers Worth It?
Short answer: Yes, if you know what you’re doing.
Long Answer: Fan controllers allow you to fine tune the cooling your PC gets and you can provide adequate cooling on your own terms. If done correctly, this can mean that your PC is cooled more efficiently. A major highlight of fan controllers is that they give you control over the noise that your PC’s fans can generate and if you use them properly, you can significantly reduce fan noise. Honestly, this feature alone makes buying a fan controller worth it.
The reason why we said they’re worth it if you know what you’re doing is because if you play around with the settings too much and don’t allow your PC to get cooled properly, your PC’s internal components can overheat. Frequent overheating and improper cooling can lead to severe damage over time, which can decrease your PC’s lifespan. In this case, you’re better off without one.
What Fan Controller Should You Use On Your PC?
In 2022, you have a wide variety of fan controllers to choose from. The fan controller that you should choose really depends on your PC and your requirements. You need to make sure the fan controller you purchase is compatible with your PC/fans, can connect to all the fans in it and can give you control over your desired factors.
1. Razer PWM PC Fan Controller – Best Overall
Kicking off our list, we have the Razer PWM PC Fan Controller, which is our top pick for the best overall fan controller you can buy in 2023. The amount of features this fan control comes with completely justifies its price and placement on this list. This fan controller from Razer can connect with and provide PWM control for up to 8 fans.
You can design custom fan curve profiles using Razer Synapse. The controller can also make your fans run at zero RPM to mute any noise and give you a noise-free environment to work in. Through this device, you can have the fans in your PC Case regulate their speeds automatically based on the system temperature.
The fan controller works through the Razer Synapse software, through which you can adjust fan speeds and keep track of all the fans.
Specifications
- Number of Fans Supported: Up to 8
- Dimensions: 5.47 x 2.95 x 2.01 inches
- Key Features: Custom Fan Curve Profiles, Intuitive Razer Synapse Software
Why is this the best fan controller in 2023?
To begin with, the fan controller comes from Razer, a brand that has built a solid reputation in the world of gaming and is known for high-quality gaming tech. The product itself certainly lives up to the Razer name.
The Razer Synapse software is an intuitive interface that makes controlling and keeping track of the fans in your PC a breeze. The controller provides PWM control for up to 8 fans, which should be more than enough for most gaming setups.
The custom fan curve profiles are a great feature to have and give even more control to the user. This offering from Razer is our top pick for the best fan controller in 2023 because it simply is the best fan controller in 2023.
2. DEEPCOOL FH-10 Integrated Fan Hub – Budget Pick
At number two, we have the DEEPCOOL FH-10 Integrated Fan Hub. This fan controller is our budget pick of the lot, which will provide you with all the control you need, at an approachable price. This fan controller can connect to up to 10 fans at the same time! It uses a SATA connection to the system PSU which is very stable.
If you’re looking to attach it to the interiors of your PC Case, you should know that it has two attachment configurations: velcro and screw.
There are a couple of things that the manufacturer thinks you should know about this fan controller. The first is that it can’t add the PWM function to 3-pin non-PWM fans if they’re connected to this fan hub and they will run at full speed. The second is that once connected, all four-pin fans will run on the same duty ratio and the system can only identify the speed of Fan I.
Specifications
- Number of Fans Supported: Up to 10
- Dimensions: 8.39 x 4.41 x 1.18 inches
- Key Features: Powered by SATA connection, velcro and screw mounting options
3. Corsair iCUE Commander PRO Smart RGB Lighting and Fan Speed Controller – Premium Pick
The third product on this list is our premium pick out of the options on this list. Feel free to purchase this fan controller if you don’t mind paying a little extra for some more features. The Corsair iCUE Commander PRO is not just a fan controller, but also an RGB controller.
It uses the Corsair iCUE software to control up to 6 fans and 2 RGB channels. You can also use the same software to monitor CPU and coolant temperatures. To do this, the fan controller comes with 4 repositionable temperature sensors that allow you to accurately monitor your system temperatures.
You can also set up custom fan curves and lighting profiles using this fan controller.
Specifications
- Number of Fans Supported: Up to 6 DC or PWM fans
- Dimensions: 5.24 x 2.72 x 0.61 inches
- Key Features: RGB customization and control, ability to run fans at 0 RPM, powerful software with multiple uses
4. Thermaltake Commander FP – Runner Up
The fifth product on our list and the runner up to the best fan controller in 2023 is the Thermaltake Commander FP. The Thermaltake Commander FP supports 10 4-pin PWM fans. It gets a stable SATA power input that can power up to 9 PWM fans at the same time.
Port 1 (channel port) on the fan hub is the only port that supports RPM signal detection, all of the other fans run on the same duty ratio. For installation purposes, it gets velcro, reusable ties and a single PWM signal cable. The fan controller also features a cool blue LED power indicator to let you know its power status. If the fans you use aren’t 4-pin, they will just run at full speed.
Specifications
- Number of Fans Supported: Up to 10 4-pin PWM fans
- Dimensions: 3.2 x 1.7 x 0.7 inches
- Key Features: stable SATA power input, blue power indicator
5. NZXT RGB & Fan Controller
Moving on, we have the NZXT RGB and Fan Controller. As the name suggests, this product controls both fans and their RGB lighting. Speaking of the fan part, the controller has 3 fan channels with a maximum of 10W per channel. This NZXT product features a built-in noise detection module.
It has two RGB lighting channels, with support for 40 LEDs each. On the software front, the controller works using the NZXT CAM application that comes with custom controls along with easy to use presets to control your PC’s fans and RGB lighting.
Specifications
- Number of Fans Supported: Up to 5 DC or PWM fans
- Dimensions: 6.54 x 2.76 x 1.54 inches
- Key Features: NZXT CAM application with presets and custom controls, RGB lighting accessories
6. Kingwin Fan Controller 4 Channel w/LED
Coming in at number five, we have the Kingwin Fan Controller. This is a 4 channel fan controller using a SATA cable connection that supports up to 20 W per channel. The Kingwin Fan Controller uses an easy-to-use dial style setup to control each channel. The controller can monitor your PC’s temperature and show it on the wide LED display on it.
Specifications
- Number of Fans Supported: Up to 4 fans
- Dimensions: 5 7/8 x 3 1/16 x 1 5/8 inches
- Key Features: Wide LED display, ability to turn off all fans at the same time
7. SilverStone PWM Fan Hub System
Last, but certainly not the least, we have the SilverStone PWM Fan Hub System. This fan controller supports up to 8 PWM 4-pin fans. It also features speed detection to ensure accuracy while controlling up to eight fans simultaneously. It uses a SATA cable for connection and comes with a built-in 2200μF capacitor to keep power nice and stable.
Some points to note with this fan controller are that it does not provide speed control for 3-pin fans and the fans themselves won’t start running till the SATA power cable is connected. Additionally, PWM speed control and speed detection are only functional when the motherboard is connected to the fan hub.
Specifications
- Number of Fans Supported: Up to 8 4-pin PWM fans
- Dimensions: 2.13 x 0.75 x 1.57 inches
- Key Features: Built-in 2200μF capacitor, speed detection feature
How to Choose the Best Fan Controller?
After going through that list of the best fan controllers that you can buy in 2023, you might be a little confused. “Which one should I buy? They all seem pretty convincing.” Your confusion is completely valid, with so many different options in so many different configurations, deciding on a single fan controller seems like a Herculean task.
Don’t fret, we’re here to turn this task into a walk in the park. We present to you, an easy-to-understand buyer’s guide that will tell you all that you need to know about buying a fan controller.
Control Offered
The control that the fan controller offers is no doubt an integral factor while deciding on which one to buy. If you want real control over your PC’s fans, the controller you choose should allow you to control the fans’ RPM manually and/or do it automatically based on temperature or noise. A nifty feature to have is the ability to bring the fans’ RPM down to absolute zero for complete silence.
Some of the fans on this list also have RGB channels, with which you can customize the RGB lighting in the fans.
Medium of Control
This is a subjective factor, but an important one nonetheless. Some of the fan controllers we’ve listed use software to control fans, some use hardware like dials. The important thing is that you should be comfortable with the medium your fan controller uses to control fans.
Looks
This might be an important factor for some people more than others, but it makes sense. If you’re carefully selecting each component of your gaming/work setup to fit a particular aesthetic, why should you cheap out on a fan controller? Try to find a controller that fits in with the rest of your setup and doesn’t stick out like a sore thumb.
Compatibility and Pin Support
Check the number of fan channels and maximum number of fans supported by the fan controller and make sure that you can use it to control all the fans you have to.
The fan controller you buy should be able to support the connectors your fans come with.
These can either be 3-pin or 4-pin. 3-pins have two pins for the positive and negative currents along with a third pin to allow for RPM monitoring. 4-pins can, in addition to that, use their fourth pin for pulse width modulation (PWM). PWM regulates the amount of power that your fans receive, thus controlling their speed effectively, efficiently and at the lowest possible noise level.
Price
This ultimately depends on how much you actually need the fan controller. If all you need is a 3-pin supporting controller that can give you basic control, you don’t have to spend big bucks and get a high end fan controller. However, if you do feel the need for it and will be using the controller regularly, invest in a high end fan controller, it will do you well.
Connectivity
In 2022, we don’t think getting a fan that uses IDE for its power is a good idea. IDE connections take power from the motherboard and can be dangerous and inefficient. Instead, look for fan hubs/controllers that use a SATA cable connection. Controllers using a SATA cable connection will give you safe, consistent and stable performance.
Other Useful Features
It’s always a good idea to be on the lookout for some extra useful features that your fan controller can offer you. For example, the Thermaltake Commander FP’s blue power indicator or the Kingwin Fan Controller’s LCD Display. It’s these little things that really add to the whole experience.
Final Thoughts
We have now arrived at the end of the article. We hope that the information and products mentioned in this article help you make a wise purchase. Let’s go through a quick recap to summarize the contents of the article and make them easy to remember.
Quick Recap:
- Fan controllers are devices that allow you to control the fans in your PC to cool it adequately and also gain control over the noise they make.
- Mess around with the settings on fan controllers only when you know what you’re doing to avoid any mishaps.
- The Razer PWM PC Fan Controller is currently the best fan controller that you can buy in 2023.
- If you’re on a budget, you can opt for the DEEPCOOL FH-10 Integrated Fan Hub.
- The Corsair iCUE Commander PRO is the most premium fan controller on the market right now and is worth every extra penny you spend on it.
- While choosing a fan controller, you should keep the following parameters in mind: control offered by the controller, the medium of enforcing said control, the aesthetic appeal of the controller, compatibility and pin support, price, connectivity and some extra useful features.
(5 votes, average: 4.40 out of 5)
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