The Best CPU Coolers of 2023
Erik Newton Oct 4, 2023 3:23 AM
Choosing the right CPU cooler depends on a number of variables. Here we will provide you with the buying guide to help you make a better purchase.
Overview
CPU coolers help the PC to stay at a safe temperature because too much heat may destroy your computer. More stronger cooling techniques are, of course, required for more powerful computers. If you want the greatest performance possible, investing in good CPU cooling is a must. However, which CPU cooler is best for you and your budget? Do you want to obtain a lower noise level, a better overclock, or simply have a window in your PC case look awesome? This buyer's guide will assist you in picking your new CPU cooler.
Top Picks
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Best Overall: Cooler Master Hyper 212 Black Edition CPU Air Cooler
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Runner up: NZXT Kraken X62 280mm CPU Liquid Cooler
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Best quiet: Noctual Premium Dual-Tower CPU Cooler
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Best affordable: EVGA CLC All-In-1 RGB LED CPU Liquid Cooler
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Best performance: Corsair Hydro Series H60 AIO Liquid CPU Cooler
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Best with RGB fans included: Thermaltake CPU Liquid Cooler
Buying Guide - What To Consider Before Buying
1. Air Coolers or Liquid Coolers
If you need more space in your case for components and your hands, or if you require a really good cooling solution for a build that does not have enough capacity for a tower-style air cooler, you should acquire a liquid cooler. Keep in mind that due to the pump noise, liquid coolers are never silent, even while idling. Cooler Master MasterLiquid is worth considering as it comes with an anti-leaking controller and ensures the best performance. In contrast, when not in use, air coolers like Cooler Master Hyper 212 Black Edition CPU Air Cooler are quite silent but still perform well.
Image: Amazon
2. Performance
All of the CPU coolers on our list have been shown to function well for the price. The only cool task is to keep temps down and provide you, the client, with more money with your CPU. So, having a cooler will help you compress more power to your CPU when overclocking, and it is ideal to keep it as cool as possible. In this category, a good product that we highly recommend is Corsair Hydro Series H60 AIO Liquid CPU Cooler
3. Noise
There are many builders out there who place a high value on creating as quiet a PC as possible. In fact, larger fan coolers are often quieter than smaller fan coolers. The reason for this is that larger fans do not need to spin as rapidly as smaller fans to achieve the same amount of cooling. Nowadays, cooler manufacturers test high noise levels to identify the sound impacts that other coolers will have on our system. You can have a look at Noctua NH-D15S Premium Dual-Tower CPU Cooler and Noctua NH-L12S Premium Low Profile CPU Cooler due to their handful of all-in-one liquid coolers with great performance and low noise levels
Image: Amazon
4. Budget
If you're selecting a cooler as part of a new system construction, it's critical that you designate the proper portion of your budget to your cooler. You don't want to underspend on your cooler and end up with something that isn't designed to cool the CPU you've chosen, and you don't want to overpay and squander money that might have been used to upgrade more important components. As a general rule, the better the CPU and the hotter it runs, the better the CPU cooler and the more money you'll have to spend on it. We would like to suggest you the EVGA CLC All-In-1 RGB LED CPU Liquid Cooler and Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo CPU Cooler for their budget-friendly price but still meet up your expectations.
5. Aesthetics
Aesthetics play an important role in selecting a CPU cooler. AIO coolers are popular among builders because of their sleek, low-profile design. Other builders appreciate the dramatic appearance of specialized liquid cooling installations. Whereas many people enjoy the appearance of a large bulky high-end air cooler. If you're not sure which option is best for you, our advice is to look at photographs of finished projects done by others and see which kind of CPU cooler you think looks the best.
EK AIO Basic 240mm All-in-One Liquid CPU Cooler with EK-Vardar High-Performance PMW Fans, Water Cooling Computer Parts, 120mm Fan, Intel 115X/1200/2066, AMD AM4
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- BrandEK
- Prime
CoolerMaster MasterAir MA624 Stealth CPU Air Cooler, 6 Heat Pipes, Nickel Plated Base, Dual Aluminum Black Fins, Push-Pull Dual SickleFlow 140mm/120mm Fan RAM Clearance for AMD Ryzen/Intel 1200/1152
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- BrandCooler Master
- Prime
DeepCool Gammaxx L240 RGB V2 Cooling System Anti-Leak Radiator 240mm Liquid Heatsink RGB 12V 4-Pin Compatible Intel 115X/2066 and AMD AM4
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- BrandDEEP COOL
Corsair Hydro Series H60 AIO Liquid CPU Cooler, 120mm Radiator, 120mm SP Series PWM Fan
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- BrandCorsair
DeepCool AS500 Plus CPU Air Cooler, Universal RAM Height Compatibility, Two 140mm PWM Fan, A-RGB Top Cover, 5 Heat Pipe Design for Intel Core/AMD Ryzen CPUs
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- BrandDEEP COOL
- SCORE9.2PF Score
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- Brandbe quiet!
- Prime
Noctua NH-D15S chromax.Black, Premium Dual-Tower CPU Cooler with NF-A15 PWM 140mm Fan (Black)
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- BrandNoctua
- Prime
- SCORE9.0PF Score
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- BrandNoctua
- Prime
- SCORE9.2PF Score
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- BrandDEEP COOL
- Prime
Cooler Master MasterAir MA410M ARGB CPU Air Cooler, Independently LEDs, Aluminum Fins, Push-Pull Dual MF120R Fans, 4 Copper Direct Contact Heat Pipes for AMD Ryzen/Intel1151
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- BrandCooler Master
- Prime
Noctua NH-U12S Redux, High Performance CPU Cooler with NF-P12 redux-1700 PWM 120mm Fan (Grey)
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- BrandNoctua
- Prime
Cooler Master Hyper 212 Black Edition CPU Air Cooler, Silencio FP120 Fan, Anodized Gun-Metal Black, Brushed Nickel Fins, 4 Copper Direct Contact Heat Pipes for AMD Ryzen/Intel LGA1700/1200/1151
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- BrandCooler Master
- Prime
Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML240L RGB V2, Close-Loop AIO CPU Liquid Cooler, 240 Radiator, SickleFlow 120mm, RGB Lighting, 3rd Gen Dual Chamber Pump for AMD Ryzen/Intel LGA1700*/1200/115X
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- BrandCooler Master
- Prime
NZXT Kraken X53 240mm - RL-KRX53-01 - AIO RGB CPU Liquid Cooler - Rotating Infinity Mirror Design - Improved Pump-Powered By CAM V4-RGB Connector-Aer P 120mm Radiator Fans (2 Included), Black, X Gen 3
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- BrandNZXT
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ID-COOLING SE-214-XT ARGB White CPU Cooler 4 Heatpipes CPU Air Cooler Addressable RGB Light Sync with Motherboard(5V 3-PIN Connector) CPU Fan for Intel/AMD, LGA 1700 Compatible
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- BrandID-COOLING
- Prime
Thermaltake TH240 ARGB Motherboard Sync Edition Intel LGA1700 Ready/AMD All-in-One Liquid Cooling System 240mm High Efficiency Radiator CPU Cooler CL-W286-PL12SW-C, Black
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- BrandThermaltake
- Prime
Last update on 2023-10-04 / Affiliate links / Images, Product Titles, and Product Highlights from Amazon Product Advertising API
1. How does liquid cooling work anyway?
The coolant circulates in a closed-loop via a plate attached to your CPU, and it cools the CPU in conjunction with the associated radiator and fan. It's easy and a hundred times easier to set up than a full water-cooling loop. Noctua NH-L12S Premium Low Profile CPU Cooler can be a great option.
2. Is liquid cooling less noisy than air cooling?
An all-in-one liquid CPU cooler will generally be quieter than an air cooler positioned directly on top of the processor. However, there are enormous air coolers with large heatsinks and fans that can compete with the noise generated by an AIO liquid cooler.
3. Are PC water coolers safe?
If done correctly, liquid cooling is typically safe. There have been several reports of individuals causing harm to their components, particularly the GPU, CPU, and motherboard, as a result of leaks. Thermaltake CPU Liquid Cooler should be added to your shopping list right now. When these parts are exposed to liquids while the computer is functioning, they are permanently damaged.
Choosing the correct CPU cooler, like most other components, is dependent on a number of factors. If you're not sure whether you need an air cooler or a liquid cooler, you should think of cost and compatibility. If you have a little extra money to spend, liquid coolers can bring about more advantages. Hope that our recommendations and buying guides will help you choose the right product for your PC!