Best SAS RAID Controllers of 2025

Tom Law Avatar
Tom Law
Last Updated: 31 Jan 2025

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SAS RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) Controllers are essential components in server systems that require high-performance data storage and management. These controllers offer advanced data protection, improved reliability, and faster data access speeds. They are designed to manage multiple hard drives and provide various RAID configurations, including RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, 10, 50, and 60. SAS RAID Controllers are ideal for businesses that require large data storage and processing capabilities, such as data centers, cloud computing providers, and financial institutions. These controllers are highly recommended for their exceptional performance and reliability.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

IO Crest 8 Port SATA III Controller Card Cover #TOP 1
IO Crest 8 Port SATA III Controller Card
ftb score rating icon 9.9
LSI MegaRAID SAS 9260-4i RAID Controller Kit Cover #TOP 2
LSI MegaRAID SAS 9260-4i RAID Controller Kit
ftb score rating icon 9.8
LSI 9201-8i RAID Controller Card with SFF-8087 Cover #TOP 3
LSI 9201-8i RAID Controller Card with SFF-8087
ftb score rating icon 9.6

Top 10 SAS RAID Controllers

IO Crest 8 Port SATA III Controller Card

SI-PEX40137
IO Crest 8 Port SATA III Controller Card Cover
IO Crest 8 Port SATA III Non-RAID PCI-e x4 Controller Card Supports FreeNAS and ZFS RAID - Includes Mini SAS to SATA Breack out Cables

The IO Crest SATA Controller is designed to enhance your storage capabilities with its advanced features. It utilises an ASM1806 PCIe bridge, removing the need for a Port Multiplier, which allows you to enjoy maximum bandwidth per port. With support for communication speeds of up to 6.0 Gbps, you can expect fast data transfers, making it ideal for demanding applications. The controller also supports Native Command Queue (NCQ), improving the efficiency of operations. Additionally, the hot plug and hot swap capabilities ensure that you can easily manage your drives without powering down your system.

What We Like
High data transfer speeds
Efficient Native Command Queue
Hot plug and hot swap support
Easy compatibility with older systems
#TOP 2

LSI MegaRAID SAS 9260-4i RAID Controller Kit

LSI00201
LSI MegaRAID SAS 9260-4i RAID Controller Kit Cover
LSI MegaRAID SAS 9260-4i 512MB 4 Port 6Gbps PCIe 2.0 SAS SATA RAID Controller Kit

The LSI MegaRAID SAS 9260 offers four internal 6Gb/s SATA and SAS ports, allowing you to connect multiple drives easily. It also features a Mini-SAS internal connector for added flexibility in drive connections. With 512MB of 800MHz DDRII cache memory, this controller enhances data processing speeds significantly, improving your overall system performance. Supporting RAID levels 0, 1, 5, and 6, it provides various configurations to ensure your data is safe and optimised for performance, giving you peace of mind and efficiency.

What We Like
Multiple drive connections
Flexible Mini-SAS connector
High-speed cache memory
Multiple RAID configurations
#TOP 3

LSI 9201-8i RAID Controller Card with SFF-8087

LANPAN
LSI 9201-8I
LSI 9201-8i RAID Controller Card with SFF-8087 Cover
LSI 9201-8i RAID Controller Card 6G HBA FW P20 9211-8i IT Mode ZFS FreeNAS unRAID SAS PCI E Expander Card + 2*SFF-8087 SATA

The LSI 9201-8i Controller offers impressive features for users needing efficient data management. With a robust data transfer rate of 6Gbps, you can expect quick and reliable access to your data, enhancing overall performance. The use of IT Mode firmware ensures compatibility with various systems, making installation straightforward. Additionally, the dual Mini-SAS SFF8087 connectors provide flexibility for connecting multiple drives, allowing for expanded storage options. This means you can easily scale your system to meet your growing data needs.

What We Like
High data transfer rate
Easy installation
Flexible drive connections
Compatible with various systems
#TOP 4

10Gtek 12G Internal PCI-E HBA Controller Card

SAS 9300 8I
SAS 9300-8I
10Gtek 12G Internal PCI-E HBA Controller Card Cover
12G Internal PCI-E SAS/SATA HBA Controller Card, Broadcom's SAS 3008, compatible for SAS 9300-8I

The 10Gtek SAS 3008 Controller offers a 12G Internal PCI-E SAS/SATA HBA RAID Controller Card, providing high-speed data transfer for your storage needs. With the Broadcom SAS 3008 controller, you can expect reliable performance and improved system efficiency. The PCIe 3.0 with X8 Lane enhances connectivity options, while the dual Mini SAS SFF-8643 ports allow for multiple device connections, making it easier for you to expand your storage setup. This card is an excellent choice for boosting your system's data management capabilities.

What We Like
High-speed data transfer
Reliable performance
Multiple device connectivity
Easy storage expansion
#TOP 5

SVNXINGTII 36 Port SAS/SATA RAID Expander Card

SVNXINGTII
2283400-R AEC-82885T
SVNXINGTII 36 Port SAS/SATA RAID Expander Card Cover
SVNXINGTII PCIe 12Gbps 36 Port SAS/SATA RAID Expander Card, Model 2283400-R AEC-82885T, Compatible with Select Personal Computers

The SVNXINGTII RAID Expander Card offers impressive connectivity with seven Mini-SAS HD SFF8643 ports and two Mini-SAS HD SFF8644 ports. This 12Gbps card allows you to expand your storage options efficiently, making it ideal for data-intensive tasks. With the model 2283400-R AEC-82885T, you can easily configure high and low brackets to suit your setup. This flexibility ensures that you can tailor your storage solutions to your specific needs, enhancing your overall computing experience.

What We Like
High-speed 12Gbps connectivity
Multiple port options available
Flexible bracket configuration
Compatible with select PCs
#TOP 6

Broadcom MegaRAID SAS 9361-8i Controller

LSI
05-25420-08
Multi-Colour
Broadcom MegaRAID SAS 9361-8i Controller Cover
Broadcom MegaRAID SAS 9361-8i SGL

The Broadcom MegaRAID 9361-8i is a powerful RAID controller designed to enhance your data management. With its compatibility for DDR3 SDRAM, you can expect improved performance and efficiency in data processing. This product's robust features ensure that you can effectively manage storage devices, providing better data protection and reliability. By utilising this controller, you can streamline your system's performance, making it an excellent choice for users looking to optimise their storage solutions.

What We Like
High-performance data management
Compatible with DDR3 SDRAM
Enhances storage reliability
Streamlines system performance
#TOP 7

SVNXINGTII 16-Port RAID Controller Card

SVNXINGTII
9305-16i + 4* 8643 SATA
SVNXINGTII 16-Port 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 offers a robust solution for expanding your storage capabilities. It supports an X8 PCI Express 3.0 host interface, ensuring fast data transfer. With 16 internal 12Gb/s SATA and SAS ports, you can connect multiple drives for enhanced storage options. Additionally, it accommodates SAS link rates of 3Gb/s, 6Gb/s, and 12Gb/s, allowing you to optimise performance based on your needs. The inclusion of four x4 internal small SAS HD connectors provides versatility in connecting various devices.

What We Like
Fast data transfer rates
Supports multiple drive connections
Versatile connectivity options
High compatibility with devices
#TOP 8

LSI SAS 9300-16I 16 Port HBA Card

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LSI SAS 9300-16I 16 Port HBA Card Cover
LSI SAS 9300-16I 16 Port Controller HBA Card With PCIe Slot, 12Gb/s SAS, for Windows, for Linux, for SUSE, for Red Hat, for VMware, for FreeBSD

The LSI SAS 9300-16I offers high-speed data transfer with a 12Gb/s SAS rate, making it ideal for bandwidth-intensive applications. You can connect up to 1024 non-RAID SAS and SATA devices through its 16 built-in ports, which simplifies your setup and enhances connectivity. The card supports external devices, providing flexibility for large storage systems. Additionally, it is compatible with various operating systems, ensuring that you can easily integrate it into your existing infrastructure.

What We Like
High-speed data transfer
16 ports for multiple connections
Flexible external device support
Wide OS compatibility
#TOP 9

KALEA-INFORMATIQUE LSI 9217-8i RAID Controller

KALEA-INFORMATIQUE LSI 9217-8i RAID Controller Cover
KALEA-INFORMATIQUE PCIe 3.0 SAS 6GB 8 internal ports controller card model LSI 9217-8i with Raid 0 1 1E 10

The KALEA-INFORMATIQUE RAID Controller offers impressive connectivity with eight internal 6Gb/s SATA and SAS ports. This allows you to connect multiple drives, enhancing your data storage capacity significantly. With two internal mini-SAS connectors, you can easily set up advanced configurations to suit your needs. Its compatibility with various operating systems, including Windows and Linux, ensures that you can use it seamlessly across different platforms. This flexibility is particularly beneficial for users looking to streamline their data management processes.

What We Like
High-speed data transfer
Supports multiple operating systems
Flexible drive configurations
Connects up to 256 devices
#TOP 10

LSI Logic SAS9211-8I 8-Port RAID Controller

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

The LSI Logic SAS9211-8I offers a robust solution as a SAS RAID Controller with a PCI Express x8 interface. This allows for efficient data transfer and connectivity to your system. Supporting up to 256 physical drives, it provides scalability for users looking to expand their storage capabilities. With its advanced RAID functionality, you can enhance data protection and improve performance, giving you peace of mind and faster access to your critical data.

What We Like
High drive support capacity
Efficient data transfer
Advanced RAID functionality
Scalable storage solutions
Reliable performance
Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is SAS RAID controllers?

SAS Controllers have all but replaced SATA controllers on the mid and high-end because they are compatible with both high performance SAS hard drives and high capacity SATA drives.

2. What is RAID controller and its types?

RAID controllers contain and manage the guidelines or protocols to achieve this task. There are many classifications of RAID. Commonly used RAID types include RAID 0 (Data Striping), RAID 1 (Disk Mirroring) and RAID 5 controller (Striping with Distributed Parity).

3. What is RAID controller in server?

A RAID controller is a hardware device or software program used to manage hard disk drives (HDDs) or solid-state drives (SSDs) in a computer or storage array so they work as a logical unit.

4. Do I need a RAID controller?

Yes, you need a RAID controller to create a RAID-0 (or any RAID) array, but it's not something you need to buy separately. It's part of whichever method you use to create the RAID. There are 3 methods you can use to create a RAID array: Software RAID: You use Windows operating system to create a RAID-0 array.

Editor's Notes

During our sas raid controller research, we found 86 sas raid controller products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 3,984 customer reviews through our big data system to write the sas raid controllers list. We found that most customers choose sas raid controllers with an average price of £103.58.

The sas raid controllers are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of sas raid controllers, including IO Crest, LSI Logic, LANPAN, 10Gtek, SVNXINGTII.

Written by
Tom Law Avatar

Tom Law is an adventurer who has captured his love for nature into all of his works. A native of Newcastle, Tom has always wanted to share beautiful stories alongside the lovely sights of nature. Fortunately, he took into photography on one of his many journeys and gradually grew a passion for it. Tom Law is now an expert photographer who tours the world while creating and keeping memories of his adventures. He frequently puts his thoughts and experiences into writing.