If you're wondering what lighting is best for your gaming setup, you’re not alone. LED technology continues to evolve with smart features and gaming integrations, meaning more ways to experience interactivity and incredible immersion. So, which is best for your game room? Neon lighting or RGB LED lighting?
RBG lights combine with smart tech to create a “the-future-is-now” lighting experience. App-control means that lights can change colors in a snap and gaming integrations allow lights to mirror your every in-game move. On the other hand, traditional neon lights cast a surreal glow with once-upon-a-time-in New York City vibes. And what’s not to love about custom-crafted glass designs?
Let’s get into the specifics – including the main differences between RGB and Neon gaming lights, focusing on aesthetics, functionality, and cost – to give you a clear idea of which is the best design for your gaming style and needs.
1. What Are RGB and Neon Lights?
RGB lighting: Gamers’ favorite
RGB lighting is essentially LED light that shines in a spectrum of colors based on the simple combination of RGB – red, green, blue. RGB lighting is a staple in smart gaming setups. Gamers rely on smart RGB LED lights because the smart features can mix colors in dynamic ways, allowing for millions of combinations – ranging from subtle ambient effects to synchronized animations that react to gameplay in real time. RGB lighting provides customization that is unmatched by any other lighting type.
The LEDs are extremely tiny and can be integrated into any style of lighting – from bulbs to strips, strings, panels and tubes. CLICK HERE to read more about the benefits of LED lighting.
Smart lights offer more than just full app control, they come in different styles and can be virtually grouped together to act as one light set. They also integrate with your smart home and can be synced to sound using Twinkly Music (sold separately).
Twinkly smart LED gaming lights bring this personalization to an unprecedented level with gaming integrations (read more below) and effects that shine in over 16 million colors and play on precise, mapped layouts. Twinkly smart lights feature patented mapping technology that generates a virtual layout of your lights in seconds using the Twinkly App and your smartphone camera – no matter how you position them. Multiple lights can also be mapped together to turn your game room into a single 3-D LED display.
CLICK HERE to read more about Twinkly technology.
Neon lights: Retro vibes
Neon lights use gas-filled tubes made out of glass. Hand-made neon signs can be custom-made into any shape and designed to show the colors of your choice. The colors are fixed – meaning they do not change – and cast a magical neon glow.
Don’t want real neon? LED neon alternatives offer all the energy efficiency and reactivity that LED lights offer. Twinkly Flex, neon LED tubes, also give you the chance to custom-design your own layout. They map and pair just like all other Twinkly lights to play coordinated effects that sync to gaming.
2. Aesthetics: Transform your game room
RGB: The ultimate customization
RGB lighting contributes to a fully immersive environment with endless lighting styles and customization options:
LED strips
Create a fully engaging experience and place Twinkly Line LED light strips around your gaming station and game room. Then virtually connect them using the Twinkly App. The result is seamlessly synchronized backlighting and peripheral lighting that reacts to gameplay. Line comes with magnetic and adhesive backing to make installation a cinch.
Mini LED strings
Twinkly Dots are mini LEDs on a flexible, transparent wire, perfect for decorating walls, perimeters and even furniture. Let your creative mind guide you. They come with transparent adhesives for easy decorating. No matter how you place them, they play precise effects that mirror the on-screen action thanks to mapping technology.
Light curtain
Twinkly Curtain is perfect for hanging over windows and bare walls to add instant light and dynamism to your game room. They are easy to install with a hang-and-play design. The LED drops cascade down for a stunning, immersive gaming experience. Twinkly Curtain is also suitable for outdoor use, so you can move it outdoors for holiday or summer décor.
Paneles LED
Want more from LED lights? Try extending your screen with Twinkly Squares, modular smart LED panels. Create your own layout and fix it to the wall behind your gaming monitor. Once mapped, Squares act like a pixel-perfect screen and can be fully customized to mirror your gameplay using the Twinkly Screen Mirror Tool.
CLICK HERE for inspiration and tips on how to install and use Twinkly Squares.
Dense LED curtain
Twinkly Matrix offers a different kind of a screen-like setup. The densest LED curtain yet features a lightweight, premium design with an aluminum bar along the top and bottom of the curtain design – this guarantees an easy-to-install, hang-and-play design, precise LED positioning, and a sleek look even when the lights are not in use. Position one or more Matrix behind your monitor for full game immersion. Multiple Matrix lights (and any other Twinkly lights) can be virtually connected to act as one using the Twinkly App.
Neon Lighting: A Bold, Eye-Catching Statement
There is no doubt that neon lights stand out with their vibrant glow. They work well for gamers who want to showcase their personality with neon wall fixtures in custom shapes.
“Neon” tubes
You can get the same neon flare with RGB LED reactivity using neon-LED tubes like Twinkly Flex Lights. These tubes are flexible and can be shaped into infinite forms, while the diffused glow can be animated to play any color. Flex comes with a mounting kit and design templates for easy installation. For bigger designs, group multiple Flex together and map them to react to gaming as one single LED display.
3. Functionality: Which works best for gamers?
RGB: Dynamic and interactive
One of the biggest advantages of RGB lighting is its smart functionality. Unlike traditional lighting, RGB lights can be controlled via app and even voice assistant. RGB lights can also be integrated with gaming peripherals such as keyboards, mice, and monitors, making them a fully immersive experience. Twinkly Smart Lights, for example, allow users to create custom lighting effects that adapt in real time, adding an extra layer of depth to their gaming sessions.
Twinkly smart gaming lights provide powerful gaming integrations:
- Twinkly Screen Mirror Tool
- OMEN light studio
- Razer Chroma RGB
- CLICK HERE to read more about Twinkly gaming integrations.
Neon: Vibrant but limited
Neon lights, while visually striking, are more decorative than functional. They usually feature a single-color design. So while they don’t offer the interactivity of RGB lighting, they do make any gaming space look unique.
Real neon lights can be a great addition for gamers who prefer a low-maintenance lighting option. However, they don’t provide dynamic lighting effects or game-reactive features, making them less ideal for an immersive gaming experience.
4. Cost comparison: Is RGB or neon more budget-friendly?
RGB: A range of options
RGB lighting comes in various price ranges, from simple LED strips to smart light solutions. Smart RGB lights can cost as little as $20 -30$ per device - even the premium lines. The price varies according to LED count and style. They are also generally more energy-efficient, have longer lifespans, and offer greater flexibility – meaning they can be used as decorative lighting when not gaming. They are a solid investment for serious gamers.
Neon lights: Higher upfront cost
Traditional neon lights tend to be more expensive upfront due to the craftsmanship involved in shaping the glass tubes. Prices for custom neon signs can start at $100-$500, depending on the size and complexity and size of the design.
LED neon alternatives have made neon-like lighting more affordable.
5. Choose the right lighting for your gaming setup
Now that we’ve gone over the main differences between RGB and neon, how do you know which one is right for you?
Best for competitive gamers & streamers
If you’re a competitive gamer or a streamer, smart RGB lights are the best choice for interactive lighting customization. The smart features are perfect for anyone who wants to customize colors, sync with in-game actions, and adjust brightness levels – in other words, it’s ideal for both functional and aesthetic reasons.
Best for casual gamers & retro fans
If you’re a casual gamer who loves retro aesthetics, neon lighting may be a better fit. It provides a cool, nostalgic vibe and adds personality to your gaming room. Neon signs can come in custom gaming logos or personal designs which ultimately make your gaming space unique.
Hybrid setup: The best of both
Why choose one when you can have both? A hybrid lighting setup in your game room can combine RGB lights for functionality and neon lights for personal style.
You’ll find that the best lighting choice for you is one that enhances your gaming experience and reflects your personality.
