Best RAID Controllers of 2025

Mike Davis Avatar
Mike Davis
Last Updated: Jan 8, 2025

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RAID Controllers are essential components in modern computer systems that require high levels of data protection and performance. These devices are designed to manage and optimize multiple hard drives in a RAID array, ensuring that data is distributed evenly and redundantly across the disks. With a RAID Controller, users can benefit from faster data read and write speeds, improved data reliability, and better fault tolerance. These devices come in various configurations, including hardware-based and software-based controllers, and can be used in various applications, such as servers, workstations, and gaming computers. Overall, RAID Controllers are an essential tool for anyone who values data protection and performance in their computer systems.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

LSI MegaRAID SAS 9361-8i Cover #TOP 1
LSI MegaRAID SAS 9361-8i
ftb score rating icon 9.8
ASUS Hyper M.2 x16 Gen5 Card Cover #TOP 2
ASUS Hyper M.2 x16 Gen5 Card
ftb score rating icon 9.7
LSI SAS 9300-8i Host Bus Adapter Cover #TOP 3
LSI SAS 9300-8i Host Bus Adapter
ftb score rating icon 9.5

Top 10 RAID Controllers

#TOP 1

LSI MegaRAID SAS 9361-8i

LSI
05-25420-08
8-Ports
LSI MegaRAID SAS 9361-8i Cover
LSI MegaRAID SAS 9361-8i 8-Port 12Gb/s SATA+SAS PCI-Express 3.0 Low Profile RAID Controller, Single

The LSI MegaRAID SAS 9361-8i is a high-performance RAID controller that is designed to provide fast and reliable data storage for your computer. With a PCI Express 3.0 x8 interface, this controller offers a seamless connection to your system. It supports both 12Gb/s SAS and Serial ATA/600 interfaces, allowing you to connect a wide range of storage devices. The RAID support enables you to configure your drives for enhanced data protection and performance. Whether you need to store large amounts of data or run demanding applications, the LSI MegaRAID SAS 9361-8i is a reliable choice that offers convenience and flexibility.

What We Like
High-performance
Fast data storage
RAID support
#TOP 2

ASUS Hyper M.2 x16 Gen5 Card

HYPER M.2 X16 GEN5 CARD
ASUS Hyper M.2 x16 Gen5 Card Cover
ASUS Hyper M.2 x16 Gen5 Card (PCIe 5.0/4.0) Supports Four NVMe M.2 (2242/2260/2280/22110) Devices up to 512 Gbps for AMD and Intel® Platform RAID Functions.

The ASUS Hyper M.2 Card is designed to elevate your storage capabilities by supporting up to four PCIe 5.0/4.0 M.2 drives. This allows you to benefit from impressive data transfer speeds of up to 512 Gbps, ensuring a smooth experience during heavy tasks. With a dedicated 6-pin PCIe power connector and an efficient two-phase power solution, you can confidently run the latest NVMe drives. Additionally, the large heatsink and active fan help keep your SSDs cool, preventing throttling and extending their lifespan. Furthermore, you can create a bootable RAID array across different platforms, enhancing your system's performance.

What We Like
High-speed data transfer
Effective cooling system
Supports RAID functions
Powerful performance for NVMe drives
#TOP 3

LSI SAS 9300-8i Host Bus Adapter

LSI
H5-25573-00
LSI SAS 9300-8i Host Bus Adapter Cover
LSI Broadcom SAS 9300-8i 8-port 12Gb/s SATA+SAS PCI-Express 3.0 Low Profile Host Bus Adapter

The LSI SAS Adapter offers exceptional performance with its dual SFF-8643 mini-SAS HD internal connectors, allowing for data transfer speeds of up to 12Gb/s. This high-speed capability ensures you can efficiently manage large data volumes, making it ideal for demanding storage solutions. The improved connectivity enhances your system's ability to connect multiple devices seamlessly. Additionally, the easy installation process means you can set it up quickly without hassle, saving you valuable time and effort. Overall, this adapter is designed to elevate your storage experience with high performance and convenience.

What We Like
High-speed data transfer
Improved device connectivity
Easy to install
High performance
#TOP 4

LSI Logic SAS9211-8I

LSI00194
LSI Logic SAS9211-8I Cover
LSI LOGIC SAS9211-8I 8PORT Int 6GB Sata+SAS Pcie 2.0

The LSI Logic SAS9211-8I, also known as LSI Logic RAID Controller, is a high-speed PCI Express card designed for managing multiple hard drives efficiently. With a data transfer rate of 600mbps per port, this RAID controller supports up to 8 internal SATA and SAS drives. Its dual SFF-8087 connectors enable seamless connectivity. The SAS9211-8I is perfect for users looking to enhance storage performance, ensure data redundancy, and streamline data management tasks effortlessly.

What We Like
High-speed data transfer
Supports multiple drive types
Efficient data management
#TOP 5

LTERIVER PCIE 3.0 X1 to 4-Ports SATA III Host Controller

PCE-G3S4
LTERIVER PCIE 3.0 X1 to 4-Ports SATA III Host Controller Cover
LTERIVER PCIE 3.0 X1 to 4-Ports Serial ATA/SATA 3.0 Host Controller, Plug and Play on Windows OS, MAC OS and Linux Kernel Systems-4X 6Gbps Max SATA 3.0 None Raid Ports-Support AHCI Boot Up (PCE-G3S4)

The LTERIVER PCIE 3.0 X1 to 4-Ports SATA III Host Controller allows users to add 4 SATA III ports on desktop PCs, workstations, MAC Pros, and NAS systems for storage expansions or boot use. It supports Plug and Play on Windows OS, MAC OS, and Linux systems, and works seamlessly on AMD, ARM, INTEL, and MAC hardware platforms. The PCIE X1 interface design provides 8Gbps total bandwidth and works on PCIE X1, X2, X4, X8, and X16 slots.

What We Like
Easy installation with Plug and Play
Works on various hardware platforms
Provides 4 additional SATA III ports for storage expansions or boot use
#TOP 6

HighPoint RocketRAID 3720C

HighPoint
RR3720C
HighPoint RocketRAID 3720C Cover
HighPoint Technologies RocketRAID 3720C 8-Port 12Gb/s PCIe 3.0 x8 SAS/SATA RAID Controller (RR3720C)

The HighPoint RocketRAID 3720C is a high-performance RAID controller that offers a range of features to enhance your storage capabilities. With its PCIe 3.0 x8 host interface, you can achieve fast data transfer speeds and seamless connectivity. The controller comes with 8 12Gb/s SAS/SATA ports, allowing you to connect multiple storage devices. It also supports flexible SAS + SATA storage configurations, giving you the freedom to customize your setup according to your needs. Whether you are using Windows, macOS, or Linux, this RAID controller is compatible with all major operating systems. With support for RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, 1/0, 5/0, JBOD, and single disk configurations, you can easily optimize your storage performance and protect your data. Upgrade your storage capabilities with the HighPoint RocketRAID 3720C and experience enhanced speed, flexibility, and reliability.

What We Like
Fast data transfer speeds
Flexible storage configurations
Compatible with multiple operating systems
#TOP 7

BEYIMEI PCIE 1X SATA Card with 10 Ports

BEYIMEI PCIE 1X SATA Card 10 Ports
PCIE 1X 10SATA
BEYIMEI PCIE 1X SATA Card with 10 Ports Cover
BEYIMEI PCIE 1X SATA Card 10 Ports,6 Gbps SATA 3.0 Controller PCIe Expansion Card,Non-Raid,Support 10 SATA 3.0 Devices,with Low Profile Bracket and 10 SATA Cables(Chip:ASM1166)

The BEYIMEI PCIE 1X SATA Card with 10 Ports allows you to add up to 10 SATA 3.0 6Gbps devices to your computer. It has a powerful ASMedia ASM1166 chip with a heat sink for long-lasting high temperature resistance and high-speed, stable transmission. It is compatible with Windows/8/10/Ubuntu/Linux and supports SATA interface hard disk/optical drive/SSD solid-state drive. It is also backward compatible with PCI-Express 2.0.

What We Like
Easy plug-and-play installation, no need for drivers
Compatible with a variety of PCI-Express slots
Powerful ASMedia ASM1166 chip with heat sink for high-speed, stable transmission
#TOP 8

KCMconmey LSI 9207-8i HBA Card

KCMconmey
KCMconmey LSI 9207-8i HBA Card Cover
KCMconmey LSI 9207-8i Controller HBA Card, LSI 2308 SATA SAS Host Bus Adapter. 2 * SFF-8087 Internal 6Gbps, PCI-e 3.0 x8. IT Mode Firmware. Non RAID.

The KCMconmey HBA Card is powered by the LSI SAS2308 chipset, ensuring reliable performance for your system. With its IT Mode firmware, you can enjoy seamless connectivity without the complexities of RAID configurations. The card features two SFF-8087 internal connectors, enabling fast 6Gbps data transfer speeds, which is ideal for connecting multiple drives efficiently. It also supports PCI-e 3.0 x8, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of motherboards, making installation straightforward and convenient for users.

What We Like
High-performance chipset
IT Mode firmware
Fast data transfer speeds
Easy installation
#TOP 9

StarTech.com 4 Port SATA III 6Gbps RAID Controller Card

PEXSAT34RH
Green
4x SATA III
StarTech.com 4 Port SATA III 6Gbps RAID Controller Card Cover
StarTech.com 4 Port PCI Express 2.0 SATA III 6Gbps RAID Controller Card with HyperDuo SSD Tiering - PCIe SATA 3 Controller Adapter , TAA (PEXSAT34RH)

Add four SATA III 6Gbps ports to your desktop or server with StarTech.com 4 Port PCI Express 2.0 SATA III 6Gbps RAID Controller Card. It features Marvell RAID Controller that can be configured through BIOS and HyperDuo technology that allocates frequently accessed files to faster SSD drives. It is compatible with Windows, Mac, and Linux and can be easily installed with the included full and low-profile brackets.

What We Like
High-performance SATA III 6Gbps ports
Marvell RAID Controller with HyperDuo technology
Compatible with Windows, Mac, and Linux
#TOP 10

SVNXINGTII 9305-16i RAID Controller Card

SVNXINGTII
9305-16i + 4* 8643 SATA
SVNXINGTII 9305-16i RAID Controller Card Cover
SVNXINGTII SAS9305-16i SATA SAS 16 Port HBA 12Gbs RAID Controller Card Host Bus Adapter PCIe 3.0 x8 IT-Mode 05-25703-00 Card (9305-16i + 4 * 8643 SATA)

The SVNXINGTII RAID Controller is designed to enhance your system's performance with its robust features. It supports an X8 PCI Express 3.0 interface, ensuring fast data transfer rates. With 16 internal ports for 12Gb/s SATA and SAS devices, you can easily connect multiple drives for increased storage capacity. The controller accommodates various link rates of 3Gb/s, 6Gb/s, and 12Gb/s, allowing you to choose the speed that best fits your needs. Additionally, it comes with four small SAS HD connectors, making it convenient to set up and manage your storage solutions efficiently.

What We Like
High-speed data transfer
Multiple drive connectivity
Flexible link rate options
Convenient setup with connectors
Buying Guide Image

How to Choose the Best RAID Controllers

Introduction to RAID Controllers

RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) controllers are specialized hardware that manage and control access to storage devices in a computer system. They are essential components in any system that requires high-speed and/or redundant data storage. Choosing the right RAID controller can greatly improve the performance and reliability of your system, but with so many options available, it can be difficult to know where to start.

Understanding the Different RAID Levels

Before choosing a RAID controller, it's important to understand the different RAID levels and how they affect performance and data redundancy. The most commonly used RAID levels are:

  • RAID 0: This level offers striping, which means that data is split across multiple disks to improve performance. However, it offers no redundancy, so a failure of any disk will result in the loss of all data.

  • RAID 1: This level offers mirroring, which means that data is duplicated across multiple disks to provide redundancy. If one disk fails, the other disks can continue to operate without interruption.

  • RAID 5: This level offers striping with distributed parity, which means that data is split across multiple disks, and a portion of each disk is dedicated to storing parity information used for error correction. This provides some performance improvement and data redundancy, but the performance can be impacted by the need to calculate and store parity information.

  • RAID 6: This level offers striping with double distributed parity, which means that data is split across multiple disks, and a portion of each disk is dedicated to storing parity information used for error correction. This provides even better data redundancy than RAID 5, but at the expense of additional overhead and reduced performance.

Factors to Consider When Choosing a RAID Controller

When choosing a RAID controller, there are several factors to consider, including:

  • Compatibility: The RAID controller must be compatible with your system's motherboard, operating system, and storage devices.

  • Performance: The RAID controller must be able to handle the performance requirements of your system, including the data transfer rates and number of disks.

  • Features: The RAID controller should offer the features that you need, such as support for multiple RAID levels, hot-swapping, and advanced management tools.

  • Price: The RAID controller should be within your budget, but be careful not to sacrifice performance and reliability for the sake of cost.

Conclusion

In conclusion, choosing the right RAID controller is an important decision that can greatly affect the performance and reliability of your system. By understanding the different RAID levels and considering factors such as compatibility, performance, features, and price, you can make an informed decision that will help ensure the success of your system.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is it necessary to have a RAID controller?

Yes, a RAID controller is necessary for hardware-based RAID. It is a dedicated controller that needs to be installed in the server to manage the RAID arrays effectively.

2. What is the main downside to using RAID?

The main downside of using RAID is that it does not provide advance warning of drive failure. While you can rebuild an array after a drive failure, the process can be time-consuming, especially for large arrays. Additionally, there is a risk of a second drive failing during the rebuild process or encountering unreadable data on a drive.

3. Can you set up RAID without a RAID controller?

Yes, it is possible to set up RAID without a RAID controller using software RAID. In this configuration, the drives are connected directly to the server motherboard, and the RAID configuration is managed by the operating system's software. This option is generally more cost-effective, requiring only drive connection and OS configuration.

4. Which is faster RAID 1 or 5?

RAID 5 is generally faster than RAID 1 in terms of write speeds. RAID 1 does not utilize a parity disk, while RAID 5 effectively uses parity information. However, it's important to note that RAID 1 provides better data security and does not tolerate data loss, whereas RAID 5 offers better failure resistance.

Editor's Notes

During our raid controller research, we found 24 raid controller products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 5,527 customer reviews through our big data system to write the raid controllers list. We found that most customers choose raid controllers with an average price of $65.51.

The raid controllers are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of raid controllers, including LSI, ASUS, LSI Logic, LTERIVER, HighPoint. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 122 consumers with an average rating of 4.7.

Written by
Mike Davis Avatar

Mike Davis is a professionally trained electrician with six years of working experience in the electronics industry. He has written an array of web and mobile-based articles for e-magazines and blogs. He loves trying out some novel and popular gadgets and his expertise is in the areas of electronics and computers which is built over many years of working and personal experiences.