Best Pc Fans of 2023
Alex Wawro Jun 2, 2023 2:52 AM
Even the most intense gaming setup will stay cool with the best PC fans. Fans are sometimes overlooked by PC builders when choosing components, yet without them, your GPU and CPU won't operate at their peak efficiency. In other words, the best game requires great hardware. Since they're so crucial, we frequently advise inspecting the fans first in the event of a problem. Therefore, if you're building a battlestation, pay attention to them since things will get quite heated.
Overview
The best PC fans will silently increase cooling in your system. My life is ruined by PCs with cheap fans, so I've taken care to choose fans that function well without causing a tornado. I put each of the fans below to the test in real-world gaming scenarios and general use, and I've brought you the ones with the best airflow and the most tolerable noise levels. Acceptable is a relative term, therefore I'll leave it up to you to define it.
I've chosen a few of the best PC fans I evaluated and gathered them together, emphasizing the salient features that set them apart below. Remain calm.
Check out our list of Best Pc Fans suggested by Experts.
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Best overall: Noctua NF-S12B redux-1200
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Best RGB: Corsair LL120 RGB
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Best RGB on a budget: Cooler Master MF120R A-RGB
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Best for radiators and small cases: Thermaltake Toughfan 12 Turbo
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Best for moving a lot of air: Noctua NF-A12x25 PWM
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Best RGB with a subtler effect: NZXT Aer RGB 2 120mm
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Best best budget PC fans: Scythe Kaze Flex 120 PWM
1. Noctua NF-S12B redux-1200
The best PC fan in 2022
Product’s Specifications
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Bearing type: Self-Stabilising Oil Pressure Bearing
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RPM range: 400–1200
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Listed CFM: 59.2
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Listed dBA: 18.1
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RGB: No
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140mm model no.: NF-P14s Redux–1200 PWM
Product’s Highlight
Noctua is probably a name you are familiar with if you have even the slightest interest in case fans. For good reason, it's a well-known choice among many do-it-yourself builders. Noctua creates fans that operate quietly, efficiently, and for a very long period. The issue is that purchasing Noctua fans up until recently required you to commit to an awful khaki and mud color scheme from the 1970s. An technical marvel that would impress any enthusiast who glanced at your PC but repulse everyone else, Noctua was the epitome of function over form.
This problem was fixed by Noctua's Redux line, which reimagined time-tested designs in a contemporary gray-and-black style that wouldn't compete with the rest of your PC build. And the NF-S12B quickly emerged as the testers' favorite of the two Redux models Noctua provided. Although another blacked-out Noctua model, the NF-S12A, is more efficient and quiet, this one is less expensive. The NF-S12B redux strikes a mix between excellent performance and an affordable price while also having a stunning appearance.
Here, there are no frills of any kind, including RGB lighting. Although the NF-S12B moves more air at mid-range speeds than any other non-Noctua fan we tested and manages to remain quieter than the competition, its Self-Stabilizing Oil Pressure Bearings will survive for years. It's a definite victor.
Pros
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Cheap but excellent performance.
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More attractive than the previous Noctua models.
Cons
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No RGB
2. Corsair LL120 RGB
The best fan for RGB builds
Product’s Specifications
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Bearing type: Hydraulic Bearing
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RPM range: 600–1500
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Listed CFM: 43.3
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Listed dBA: 24.8
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RGB: Yes, with Corsair Lighting Node Pro
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140mm model no.: LL140 RGB
Product’s Highlight
Are RGB fans necessary? No. Would you prefer RGB fans? No doubt. Corsair's LL120 Pro RGB fans are the best you can purchase if you're going for that full-cyberpunk aesthetic. They can look amazing in an all-glass case or even via a conventional side window.
The LL120s include a large number of RGB LEDs. Each one contains an equal number of LEDs that shine out from the rotor and spread light along the length of the blades as they rotate. Then the perimeter of the housing is surrounded by a different ring of light. The LL120s are the most colorful and eye-catching fans we tested as a consequence, making them the ideal choice for any RGB enthusiast.
But they're not just for show. Without lights, the LL120s are also reliable fans. They tend to be a little louder than the competition at mid-range speeds, but under load, they are generally quieter than any non-Noctua fan we tested. This is primarily because the LL120 has a higher maximum speed than most Noctua fans, which is 1500 RPM.
Pros
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High-quality RGB lighting.
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Surprisingly quiet at maximum speed.
Cons
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Really not for low-budget constructions.
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3. Cooler Master MF120R A-RGB
Best RGB fans on a budget
Product’s Specifications
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Bearing type: Rifle Bearing
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RPM range: 650–2000
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Listed CFM: 59.0
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Listed dBA: 31.0RGB: Yes, either through motherboard or Cooler Master's controller
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140mm model no: N/A
Product’s Highlight
Compared to the Corsair LL120s, Cooler Master's RGB design is a little less sophisticated because it just has illumination on the fan blades, not the second ring around the outside. Although bright and with smooth transitions, the fan is still beautiful. The package is listed for $99, but you can typically find it on sale for far less. You may save a ton of money on your cooling setup when you consider that additional fans only cost $20 each.
What then is the catch? They make noise. extremely loud. Even Cooler Master concedes as the MF120R is listed at 31 dBA. The MF120R kit recorded the loudest measurements of any fan we tested during our tests, being completely unusable at its maximum speed of 2000 RPM. It was louder than the other 2000 RPM fans we tested, the NZXT Aer RGB 2 and the Noctua NF-A12x25.
Granted, the MF120Rs move a lot of air at top speed, tying the Noctua NF-A12x25 for the highest airflow. There's no way you'd want to run them at that speed, though, at least not for typical gaming use. Still, you get a full RGB lighting setup and some pretty strong fans for a fraction of the cost of Corsair's kit. As long as you limit the MF120Rs to running at 1200 or 1500 RPM max, they might be a good alternative.
Pros
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Low-cost RGB lighting
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A lot of possibilities for airflow.
Cons
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Below that, it's not exactly silent either.
4. Thermaltake Toughfan 12 Turbo
The ideal fans for use with radiators and small cases
Product’s Specifications
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Bearing type: Hydraulic Bearing Gen.2
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RPM range: 500–2500
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Listed CFM: 72.69Listed d
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BA: 28.1RGB: No
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140mm model no.: N/A
Product’s Highlight
The Thermaltake Toughfan 12 Turbo's simplistic design is a welcome break in a market where the quantity of RGB LEDs on a fan is sometimes its primary selling feature. These aren't your typical, everyday case fans. High static pressure fans, which are perfect for use with radiators and forcing air through grills and limited spaces, are not your typical case fans. These are the kind of fans you need if you want to change your CPU cooler or build a custom system.
They can be used as straight case fans, however doing so will cost you more money. These are on the more expensive end of the price scale at $30 each, but the specifications are at least noteworthy. With a maximum speed of 2,500RPM and a 3.78mm-H2O air pressure and 72CFM airflow, these are PWM regulated. Impressive considering that they operate at a maximum noise level of 28.1 dBA, which is audible but not bothersome. You may also run them much more slowly and quietly.
These fans are also available in non-Turbo versions that cost $5 less each and have a top speed of 2,000 RPM, which is 500 RPM lower than ours. The choice is yours because they are quieter despite not being able to shift as much air as the Turbos can.
Pros
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At maximum speed, the airflow is pretty remarkable.
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A great way to upgrade your radar.
Cons
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Pricey.
Antec RGB Fans, PC Fans 120mm RGB Fans, 5V-3PIN Addressable RGB Fans, Motherboard SYNC with 5V-3PIN, 120mm Fan 5 Packs with controller, Prizm Series RGB Fans
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- Prime
EZDIY-FAB Moonlight 120mm RGB Case Fan with Fan Hub X and Remote,Motherboard Aura SYNC,Speed Control,Addressable Fan for PC Case-6 Pack
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Asiahorse Matrix-Black 56 Addressable RGB LEDs 360MM All-in-One Square Frame Integrated Fan with MB Sync/Analog Controller, Integrated PWM Control Fan for Computer Case and Liquid Cooling System
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- BrandCorsair
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- BrandNoctua
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Noctua NF-P12 redux-1700 PWM, High Performance Cooling Fan, 4-Pin, 1700 RPM (120mm, Grey)
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Antec PWM PC Fans, 120mm Fan, 4-pin PWM High Performance Case Fans, 12V 4-pin PWM Connector, Computer Fans with 1600 RPM, P12 Series 5 Packs
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ThreeBulls PWM Fan Hub, PC CPU Cooling 4 PIN/3PIN Fan Power Cable Hub Splitter Adapter Sleeved PWM Case Fan Splitter for 12V Desktop Computer Cooler Case Fans 1 to 5 Way (15.7 Inch)
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PCCOOLER 120mm Case Fan 3 Pack Magic Moon Series, PC-FX120 High Performance Cooling PC Fans - RGB Case Fans with Hydraulic Bearing - Low Noise Computer Fans for PC Case
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Antec 120mm Case Fan, PC Case Fan High Performance, 3-pin Connector, F12 Series 5 Packs
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upHere RGB Series Case Fan, Wireless RGB LED 120mm Fan,Quiet Edition High Airflow Adjustable Color LED Case Fan for PC Cases-3 Pack,RGB123-3
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PCCOOLER 120mm Case Fan 3 Pack Dark Night Series, DN-120 High Performance Cooling PC Fans - Efficient Hydraulic Bearing - Low Vibration and Quiet Computer Fans for PC Case
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DEEPCOOL FH-10 Integrated Fan Hub, Powering up to 10 Fans (3-pin Non-PWM or 4-pin PWM), Occupying only One 4-pin Motherboard Header
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Last update on 2023-06-02 / Affiliate links / Images, Product Titles, and Product Highlights from Amazon Product Advertising API
Which PC fan size do I need: 140mm or 120mm?
This largely depends on whether your computer case has room for 140mm fans. They are probably the greatest choice if you do. 140mm PC fans are as effective, if not more effective, while being significantly quieter because they can move more air while operating at a slower RPM.
Although 140mm fans will be louder but may be more effective at transporting air to the higher and lower ranges of your PC case, 120mm fans have the advantage of being small enough that you can fit in three 120mm fans in place of two 140mm fans.
How can I boost the PC's airflow?
The performance of your PC will be significantly impacted by poor airflow. Different people have different ideas on where to put fans and how to get the optimal airflow. Avoiding a neutral pressure environment is a smart place to start because heated, stagnant air accumulating around your components won't benefit any PC.
In order to ensure that air is moving inside your PC case, you should essentially have fans for intake and exhaust. Both positive and negative air pressure setups will work well and make sure that heated air is being released while cool air is being drawn into your case.
How many PC fans is enough?
Usually, two fans are plenty. Maximum temperature drops of 2-3 degrees are possible for two more. Any additional fans rarely provide any real advantages. A good airflow from the case fans benefits the GPU and CPU's own fans, so keep that in mind.
So we have just introduced to you the top 14 Best Pc Fans that is loved and trusted by many people. These are advice drawn from the expertise of our professionals. Numerous factors, including budgets, wants, and other considerations, influence which product is best for your family. Therefore, think carefully before making a purchase and seek guidance from your loved ones if you are unsure.