The Best AIO Cooler for CPUs to Buy in 2023

The best AIO cooler handles everything in one. It spares you the effort of putting together a liquid cooling solution and keeps your CPU at a reasonable temperature. If you intend to strain it with high-graphics settings in the newest games, a low-temperature gaming PC is crucial. AIO coolers can manage hot CPUs and aid in maintaining whatever overclocking you intend to conduct. A high-quality AIO cooler can have a direct impact on the performance of your system, in addition to keeping it cool and quiet.

1. EK-AIO Basic 240

Product’s Specifications

• Item Dimensions LxWxH: 10.83 x 47.24 x 1.06 inches

• Brand: EK

• Power Connector Type: 4-Pin

• Voltage: 5 Volts

• Wattage: 7.8 watts

• Cooling Method: Air

Product’s Highlights

EK is a name that requires little introduction in the world of liquid cooling. The EK Basic series emphasizes performance and value for the money. Additionally, the absence of RGB altogether contributes to the low price. If you find this interesting, the EK AIO Basic 240 is worth a look.

The build quality of the EK Basic 240 makes it stand out. It is substantial and well-made. The EK- Vardar fans that come with the kit are excellent and have a large speed range. If you require some high-speed headroom, you should have access to it. It essentially remains silent most of the time.

We are very impressed by the cooling capacity on offer. It does get noisy if you attempt to push an overclocked Rocket Lake CPU, but then again, pretty much every other cooler does too. We find that it comes very near to 360mm levels of cooling capability.

The EK-AIO basic 240 is ideal for closed-case projects or builds with a stealthy focus where lighting is unimportant. It's a cooler that you can set and forget, out of sight, out of mind, and out of earshot, thanks to its excellent performance and solid construction.

Pros

• The cooling performance of 360mm coolers is closely followed

• reasonable price

• No RGB

Cons

• It is pretty plain-looking if the cooler aesthetics annoy you at all

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2. Deepcool Gammaxx L240 V2

Product’s Specifications

• Item Dimensions LxWxH: 7.72 x 5.16 x 13.82 inches

• Brand: DEEP COOL

• Power Connector Type: 3-Pin

• Voltage: 12 Volts

• Wattage: 2.04 watts

• Cooling Method: Water

Product’s Highlights

One of the more reasonably priced 240mm coolers on the market is the Gammaxx L240 V2. Deepcool is widely known for producing capable AIOs at affordable prices. Therefore, it's an excellent option for those looking to go from air cooling to AIO cooling.

The fans and pump head of the Gammaxx 240mm include simple RGB illumination. If you really want it, there is an ARGB version that costs more money. Deepcool frequently mentions its "Anti-leak technology," which aims to keep the pressure inside the loop at its ideal balance. Which undoubtedly won't harm.

The Gammaxx 240 can also cool the majority of processors, however, like many other chip coolers on this list, it can't handle AMD's Thread Ripper monsters. One of the key reasons we advise it is because it maintains the rest going while making astonishingly little noise.

The L240 is practically silent when idling. With high TDP processors, especially when overclocked, you will start to notice an increase in temperatures and noise levels, as you may anticipate. The highest CPU we'd consider suitable for a 240mm cooler is our 5800X CPU with PBO enabled. The fans can and often do ramp up significantly when under stress.

Pros

• Fantastic value

• Decent cooling capacity.

• Essentially silent when idling

Cons

• Can get loud when the CPU is heavily used.

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3. MSI MAG CoreLiquid P240

Product’s Specifications

• Item Dimensions LxWxH: 10.71 x 1.06 x 4.72 inches

• Brand: MSI

• Cooling Method: Water

• Compatible Devices: Radiator

• Noise Level: 18 dB

• Material: Ceramic

Product’s Highlights

Fancy panels and ARGB fans are standard components of AIO coolers. However, they typically increase the cost of the device while adding nothing to its cooling capacity. Let's introduce the MSI MAG CoreLiquid P240. It won't place first in the neighborhood AIO beauty contest, but it will effectively cool your CPU for a low cost.

Because the P240 is a more recent model, it is LGA 1700 compatible right out of the box. All sockets from the past ten years, with the exception of AMD's Threadripper versions, will fit pretty nearly.

The P240 has a somewhat unique design. Contrary to what you might assume, the pump is found inside the radiator rather than the head unit. By removing the pump from the CPU block's fast temperature swings, according to MSI, you can increase its lifespan.

The P240 has excellent noise levels, but when put under stress by the taxing all-core load of our Ryzen 5800X test system with PBO, the fan speeds and noise levels increased. It won't be able to handle a hot CPU like a 12900K, especially if you overclock it.

Pros

• High-quality AIO cooling

• Low amounts of idle noise

• No RGB gimmicks

Cons

• You should search elsewhere if you're looking for an attention-getter 

• Gets louder when carrying a hefty load

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4. Asus TUF Gaming LC 240 ARGB

Product’s Specifications

• Item Dimensions LxWxH: 9.84 x 4.8 x 1.06 inches

• Brand: ASUS

• Voltage: 12 Volts

• Wattage: 2.4 watts

• Cooling Method: Water

• Noise Level: 29 dB

Product’s Highlights

The TUF Gaming LC 240 provides fantastic value for the money, and, because of its compatibility with addressable RGB, it's a good way to add color and capable cooling at the same time, all without having to spend a lot of your hard-earned money. When it comes to pricing, Asus may not be the first brand that springs to mind for most people.

It is similar to many other coolers in many aspects because it was created by Asetek below, but Asus has decided to integrate fans that are designed to operate quietly, with a maximum noise rating of just 29dB. (A). Although it doesn't produce the low temperatures of some other 240mm units, it is incredibly quiet even when running at full speed. This won't be a problem, though, unless you're using a high-core count processor continuously.

The LC 240 ARGB is a highly recommended option if you're looking for a quiet, cheap AIO that supports ARGB. When you install it, you won't even be aware that a liquid cooler is functioning. Reliability is another important aspect of the TUF brand, and the LC 240 ARGB comes with a six-year warranty for a little more assurance.

Pros

• Excellent performance with low noise under load

• Reasonable price

• Dependable warranty offer

Cons

• Low noise implies slightly greater operating temperatures

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5. MasterLiquid ML360R

Product’s Specifications

• Item Dimensions LxWxH: 15.5 x 4.7 x 1.1 inches

• Brand: Cooler Master

• Voltage: 12 Volts

• Wattage: 12

• Cooling Method: Water

• Compatible Devices: Desktop

Product’s Highlights

Although it isn't the newest cooler on the market, the Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML360R RGB has long been our favorite. It provides a nice balance of cooling capability and aesthetically pleasing ARGB customization. It just so happens to be one of the most affordable 360mm coolers on the market that supports RGB. What is there to dislike?

The ML360R has its own RGB controller, which is perfect if you detest loading up your computer with tons of software. There may be some wire spaghetti, but this shouldn't be a problem with careful routing.

Although AIO manufacturing has advanced significantly and the ML360R is no longer the class-leading performer it once was, it still offers excellent performance. That undoubtedly sounds too harsh, considering the ML360R is unquestionably not a dud and can easily handle a modern processor with a high core count.

An excellent all-arounder is the Cooler Master ML360R. Suppose your case is capable of supporting a 360mm radiator. In that case, you'll discover that it provides an excellent balance of cooling performance, low noise levels, ARGB nice looks, and offers excellent value for money because it is now a mature market entrant. The ML360R is a classic AIO that is still one of our favorites today.

Pros

• Worth the money

• Cooling efficiency

Cons

• A large radiator necessitates checking your casing for scale

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1. Are AIO coolers worth the price?

If you really want to go all out, a totally tailored water-cooling loop would be a better option, but they are difficult, expensive, maintenance-intensive, and have a lot more potential sites of failure. AIOs are easy to use, almost maintenance-free, less expensive, and cool nearly as well—at least the 360mm ones do.

2. If compared to an air cooler, is an AIO better?

Typically, this is the first query that people ask: air or water? In general, air cooling is easier and less expensive. Even though premium air coolers are more effective than ever, they are still incredibly heavy and inefficient compared to high-quality AIOs. Since water is a greater thermal conductor than air, which means that it is better at moving heat away from your CPU, water cooling is more effective. Leakage is still a very remote possibility, but it is getting less and less common.

A decent quality AIO will be quieter than an air cooler when faced with a high heat load, with the exception of outliers like comparing a 120mm AIO to a twin tower/fan combo. Noise levels are greatly dependent on the fans utilized.

3. Can an AIO be used with any CPU?

Socket support is a crucial factor to think about as we approach the end of 2021. Compatibility with LGA1700 is only now coming up for debate. So, pay special attention to the list of supported sockets if you're intending to design a 12th Generation system. 2021 stock prices won't be supported. Manufacturers should provide appropriate mounting kits and updated SKUs, but if you're unsure, make sure to ask the shop or manufacturer to confirm that the cooler of your choice supports LGA 1700.

Above is a list of our best AIO CPU coolers, all of which have passed our testing. We chose a variety of options to fit all budgets and use cases because we are aware that our readers have a variety of needs and preferences. Your specific needs will determine the one you choose. There's a lot to think about: radiator size and case compatibility, cooling capacity, value for money, noise levels, reliability, and yes, looks.