Budget RGB Fan Roundup: Are cheap PC fans always this bad?

When it comes to PC cooling, enthusiasts often face a dilemma: should you splurge on premium fans or save money with budget options? To answer this question, we tested five 120mm RGB fans that won't break the bank, pitting them against each other in a comprehensive evaluation of performance, noise levels, and aesthetics.

The Contenders

We rounded up five budget-friendly RGB fans for this comparison:

• Arctic P12 Pro RGB - Known for excellent performance in our previous testing
• be quiet! Light Wings LX - Premium aesthetics with budget pricing
• Fractal Design Aspect 12 RGB - A surprising underperformer
• Phanteks M25 G2 RGB - Feature-rich with infinity mirror design
• Levelplay Combat Fan 12 A-RGB - An unexpected entry from a lesser-known brand

Testing Methodology

For evaluating PC fans, there are two main terms you should be aware of: Airflow and Static Pressure. Airflow measures how much air a fan moves when unrestricted, while static pressure indicates how well a fan can overcome resistance like radiators or filters.

I prefer testing in real-world scenarios rather than relying solely on static pressure measurements, as these better reflect actual usage conditions. Our testing included:

• Unrestricted airflow measurements
• Performance through radiators
• Performance through mesh intake filters
• Maximum RPM testing
• Noise level measurements at various speeds

Performance Results

Noise Floor Performance

All five fans performed admirably at minimum speeds, staying completely inaudible against our office noise floor of 32.4-32.7 dBA. This is impressive for budget fans, as quiet operation at low speeds was traditionally a premium feature.

Unrestricted Airflow Testing

In our unrestricted tests, Arctic's P12 Pro led the pack by a significant margin, followed by be quiet!'s Light Wings LX. The Phanteks M25 G2 performed slightly worse than be quiet!, while Fractal Design's Aspect 12 RGB showed concerning resonance issues at certain RPMs, creating an annoying dip in its performance curve.

Radiator Performance

The Arctic P12 Pro continued its dominance when tested through radiators, with be quiet! following behind. The Levelplay Combat fan performed adequately, while Fractal Design and Phanteks fans struggled significantly, offering only 60% of the P12 Pro's airflow at equivalent noise levels.

Mesh Intake Performance

This test proved most challenging for the fans, as intake mesh fundamentally changes how fans sound and perform. The Arctic P12 Pro maintained its lead, with be quiet! following. The Levelplay Combat fan performed surprisingly well for its price point, while Fractal Design and Phanteks fans again underperformed dramatically.

Feature Set and Pricing Analysis

Fractal Design Aspect 12 RGB ($17.16 per fan)

This fan disappointed on multiple fronts. The RGB lighting is dim due to opaque blades, it lacks a zero-RPM mode (causing constant dust accumulation), and it exhibited the worst performance in our tests. At the highest price point among budget fans, it offers no redeeming features.

Levelplay Combat Fan 12 A-RGB ($12.23 per fan)

Despite being from a lesser-known brand, this fan offers good value with decent RGB lighting, proper zero-RPM implementation, and acceptable performance. However, it suffers from annoying mid-frequency humming at certain speeds.

be quiet! Light Wings LX ($15.97 per fan)

This fan impressed with its clean acoustic profile - just a crisp whoosh without extraneous noises. While slightly louder than some competitors, the pure sound quality makes it my personal favorite. It lacks zero-RPM mode but compensates with extremely low minimum RPM (213).

Phanteks M25 G2 RGB ($12.33 per fan)

This fan prioritizes aesthetics over pure performance. It features gorgeous RGB with an infinity mirror, seamless daisy-chaining capability, and covers for screw holes. While not the quietest or most efficient, it offers the most complete feature set for its price.

Arctic P12 Pro RGB ($9.50 per fan)

The performance champion, this fan offers exceptional airflow at an unbeatable price. It includes zero-RPM mode and bright, uniform RGB lighting. Minor issues include slight imbalance and high-pitched whining at certain speeds, but these are negligible given the price-to-performance ratio.

The Verdict

Best Overall Value: Arctic P12 Pro RGB

At just $9.50 per fan, this offers performance that rivals or exceeds much more expensive options. The combination of excellent airflow, zero-RPM mode, and good RGB makes it the clear winner for value-conscious builders.

Best for Quiet Operation: be quiet! Light Wings LX

If you prioritize acoustic quality over raw performance, this fan delivers a clean, pure sound that's worth the slight premium. The crisp whoosh without extraneous noises makes it ideal for noise-sensitive users.

Best for Aesthetics: Phanteks M25 G2 RGB

For builders who want their PC to look as good as it performs, this fan offers the most complete visual package with infinity mirror effects, seamless daisy-chaining, and comprehensive accessories.

Clear Avoid: Fractal Design Aspect 12 RGB

This fan offers no redeeming qualities to justify its premium price among budget options. Poor performance, dim RGB, lack of zero-RPM mode, and annoying resonance issues make it the only fan in this roundup that I cannot recommend.

Final Thoughts

The budget RGB fan market has matured significantly, with several options offering surprisingly good performance at accessible price points. While premium fans from brands like Noctua still lead in absolute performance, budget options like Arctic's P12 Pro RGB prove that you don't need to spend a fortune for good cooling.

Your choice should depend on your priorities: maximum performance (Arctic), acoustic quality (be quiet!), or aesthetics (Phanteks). Just avoid the Fractal Design Aspect 12 RGB, which fails to deliver value at any level.