The best air cooler for your CPU is one of the most important parts of your PC, it keeps your processor cool and avoids overheating or high temperatures. If you are building a new computer or upgrading to something better, you shouldn’t forget about getting yourself the best CPU cooler.
There are many types of coolers available in different sizes, colors, and prices. You need to find out how much space you have inside your PC case and choose the air cooler that fits it the best.
As we all know your CPU gets extremely hot during heavy work like gaming, video rendering and streaming. If you want to avoid high temperatures and even permanent damage to your processor make sure to get yourself a great CPU cooler.
In order to keep your computer running as cool as possible, you’ll need to invest in a CPU air cooler. These coolers can be expensive, but they’re worth the investment if you want to keep your computer running well. Luckily, there are a number of great air coolers on the market that will fit any budget.
In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the best CPU air coolers available. We’ll also provide some tips on how to choose the right air cooler for your needs. So if you’re looking for a new CPU cooler, be sure to read on!
| Award | Design | CPU Coolers | Retailer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Easy to Install |  | Check Price | |
| Good Value for Money |  | Check Price | |
| Premium Edition Liquid CoolingSystem |  | Check Price | |
| Dual NF-A15 140mm Fans |  | Check Price | |
| 5-year Warranty Included |  | Check Price | |
| All-in-One CPU Cooler with 120mm PWM Fan |  | Check Price | |
| All-in-One Liquid Cooler |  | Check Price | |
| Elite Capellix Liquid CPU Cooler |  | Check Price | |
| 5-year warranty |  | Check Price | |
| Pre-applied thermal paste<br> |  | Check Price |
1. EK-AIO Basic 240ml
Easy to Install
EK-AIO is a pre-filled and pre-assembled All In One CPU liquid cooling unit with the popular Quick Disconnect Coupling or QDC which allows for almost instant CPU water block disconnection from the loop.
The unit is self-priming thanks to its ability to create a vacuum which is created as the coolant goes through the pump.
It has a vast amount of flow rate due to its design, so it can be easily used in low-power systems too without any worries about performance. It is recommended to prime your loop before filling it with coolant, and the procedure is very quick and straightforward.
It is a complete kit that comes with everything you need to build your custom loop. The only thing missing from the box is the coolant which we recommend and will be covering in just a bit!
This eco-friendly pre-filled and pre-assembled CPU liquid cooling unit is a complete all-in-one solution with Quick Disconnect Coupling or QDC that can be used with any computer.
EK-AIO is truly one of the best all-around water cooling units that provides everything you need in one package. It is ready to use, pre-filled, maintenance-free, and also comes with a 5-year warranty provided by EK Waterblocks.
Pros
- High performing enough for most users’
- Solid performance
- Included QDC is convenient and easy to use.
- Great build quality.
- Installation was quick and painless
- Replacing the tubing is simple and effortless.
Cons
- DeepCool Gammaxx L240 RGB V2 Cooling System
- Only comes with 2 fans, more are needed for high performance
2. Deepcool Gammaxx L240 RGB V2 Cooling System
Good Value for Money
The DeepCool Gammaxx L240 is a mid-sized 240mm radiator CPU cooler with an attractive design and capable thermal performance.
It comes with black anti-vibration pads on all four corners, has a pre-applied thermal compound, and includes two 120mm RGB LED fans, which are behind the grill next to LEDs that can be turned on or off.
It is compatible with all modern CPU sockets, including Intel’s new LGA 2066 socket for Skylake-X processors, AMD’s AM4 socket for Ryzen CPUs, andLGA775 socket for older Intel CPUs.
It has a 6mm thick copper radiator, two quiet 120mm RGB LED fans, and a relatively affordable price tag. With a thickness of only 6mm, the Gammaxx L240 will fit into almost any case.
With two 120mm RGB LED fans behind the grill that can be individually controlled, it maintains a very understated look
The DeepCool Gammaxx 240 comes with 2 fans and is capable of keeping your CPU at an acceptable temperature even while overclocking or heavily taxing your CPU. It has a great design and allows you to choose from the many LED colors on offer.
Deepcool Gammaxx L240 is a great choice for those who want a cost-effective 240mm radiator cooler without buying a full-fledged water cooling kit.
It offers good performance and comes with a pre-pre-applied thermal compound to save you time and effort.
Pros
- Has a good value for its price
- Provides a decent thermal performance
- Quiet
- Dual fans included in the box
Cons
- Only comes with one RGB fan controller
3. Thermaltake WATER3.0 Riing RGB 360 TT
Premium Edition Liquid CoolingSystem
The Thermaltake Water 3.0 Riing RGB 360 TT Premium Edition Liquid Cooling System is designed to fit all popular desktop PC cases and supports motherboards up to standard ATX.
It comes with 2 x 120mm LED water cooling fans providing 27.5 CFM airflow, 1350 RPM speed, together with RiingRGB Software and one Thermal sensor cable.
It is easy to install and has a good build quality and performance which provides superior cooling capacity, at an affordable price point.
The new Thermaltake Water 3.0 Series is the updated version of the Contac Silent Fan Series of CPU coolers for DIY professionals with improved compatibility, new fan blade design, and the new concept Riing RGB radiator.
Thermaltake Water 3.0 Series is a 120mm all-in-one liquid cooler designed for CPU cooling performance with the 360mm radiator built for ultimate cooling performance.
It has a large 240W TDP cooling capacity which means you can choose from a variety of CPUs to install this on.
This cooler will easily allow you to overclock CPUs with ease with no increased noise levels. The Thermaltake Water 3.0 Series is truly one of the best all-around water cooling units that provides everything you need in one package.
It is ready to use, pre-filled, maintained free and also comes with a 5-year warranty.
Pros
- Good build quality
- Includes high-performance fans
- Relatively easy to install
- Comes with pre-applied thermal compound and an RGB fan controller which is pretty good for the price point of the cooler
Cons
- Only comes with one RGB fan controller.
4. Noctua NH-D15, Premium CPU Cooler
Dual NF-A15 140mm Fans
Noctua NH-D15, a high-end premium cooler that costs around $90 US is one of the most popular coolers among enthusiasts.
This monster has dual 140 mm fans with PWM support for automatic fan speed control and comes with 3 nickel-plated heat pipes that have a square cross-section.
With a thickness of 165mm (a bit more than 6 inches), Noctua NH-D15 may not fit in HTPCs and Mini ITX cases.
It is compatible with Intel’s LGA 2011/2066 and AMD’s AM4 sockets and comes with a 6-year manufacturer warranty. Noctua NH-D15 is designed to give an ultimate quiet cooling performance.
It comes with both low noise adapters and provides very good thermal performance while remaining very quiet in idle mode, even if your room’s ambient noise level is quite high.
With two premium built fans included in the box, you can just install
The cooler has an asymmetrical design to be compatible with and provide the best performance for both Intel and AMD motherboards. This cooler has a perfect balance between price, cooling capacity, fan noise level, and looks.
Noctua NH-D15 is the best value cooler that provides similar performance as other high-end all-in-one liquid coolers at a much lower cost.
Pros
- Has good build quality
- Wide compatibility with modern Intel and AMD sockets
- Quiet fans included in the box
- Low noise adapters are provided to reduce fan noise levels at idle mode
- Proper size for high-performance air cooling
Cons
- Thick at 165mm which may not fit some HTPCs and mini ITX cases.
5. Be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 4, BK022, 250W TDP,
5-year Warranty Included
Be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 4, BK022 is a high-end CPU cooler capable of providing 250W TDP cooling capacity. It comes with two be quiet! Silent Wings 3 PWM fans which use advanced fluid dynamic bearing (FDB) technology, 6 high-performance heat pipes, and 6 copper heat pipes.
be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 4, BK022 is an improved version of the be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 3. The aluminum top cover has a slightly higher performance than its predecessor.
It also comes with pre-applied thermal compound inside which is pretty good for the price point of the cooler
The low noise adapters reduce the max fan speed down to 1200 RPM. This cooler has a useful LED light built-in which can be controlled using the be quiet! software included in the package, an easy way to change colors in accordance with your case’s color scheme.
The installation process is pretty much straightforward and quiet! Dark Rock Pro 4, BK022 is compatible with Intel’s LGA 20XX/15XX/1150/1.
Pros
- Outstanding performance
- Comes with high-quality heat pipes and fans
- Easy installation process
- Includes LED light
- 5-year warranty included in the package
Cons
- A bit expensive than other all in one liquid cooler
6. ARCTIC Liquid Freezer 240
All-in-One CPU Cooler with 120mm PWM Fan
ARCTIC’s Liquid Freezer 240 is a self-contained liquid cooling system that comes with everything you will need to install it out of the box.
It’s compact in size, easy to install, and can fit in pretty much any case without taking too much space due to its slim design.
The liquid CPU cooler comes with a 120mm PWM fan that is inaudible even at max speed, providing excellent performance for its class.
Even when the room’s ambient noise level is fairly high, the fans are still mostly silent.
With this cooler, you can easily overclock CPUs that have TDP up to 130W using just the standard Intel/AMD heatsink fans which is pretty impressive.
It’s a great choice for gamers and users who need a powerful CPU cooling system that won’t break the bank.
The liquid cooler’s radiator comes with aluminum fins and has a thickness of 27mm providing a higher cooling capacity than other all-in-one liquid coolers.
It is compatible with the latest Intel and AMD sockets and comes with a 5-year warranty.
Pros
- Installation is very easy
- Slim design
- Very quiet
- Outstanding performance even on overclocked CPUs
- 5 year warranty included in the package
Cons
- Fixed tubes
7. NZXT Kraken Z73 360mm
All-in-One Liquid Cooler
NZXT Kraken Z73 is another all-in-one cooling system for gamers with an attractive price tag. This is the first time NZXT releases a 360mm CLC which provides more surface area than standard 280mm coolers.
It comes with pre-applied MX1 thermal compound inside the package
The Pump unit is very quiet even at full speed and keeps the coolant in the system under a certain pressure allowing for better thermal transfer to take place. The fans have a maximum speed of 1200 RPM and generate 34dBA of noise.
The NZXT Kraken Z73 360mm CL has a thickness of 50mm which means it’s pretty much a standard in the CLC market, but if you take into account that this is one of the first 360mm coolers from NZXT then this is pretty impressive
Out of the box, this cooler is compatible with pretty much every recent Intel and AMD motherboard on the market which makes it a great choice for gamers.
You can use NZXT’s CAM software or other monitoring tools such as HWiNFO, Speedfan, etc. To control fan speeds and configure other custom settings. Its slim design enables it to fit in pretty much any case.
The Kraken series is compatible with the latest AMD and Intel sockets as well as most modern mainboards, so you won’t have issues putting it together. It comes with a 4-year warranty from NZXT.
Pros
- Slim design
- Good performance
- Easy installation process
- Quiet even at full speed
- 4-year warranty from NZXT is included in the package
Cons
- Corsair better make room for this CLC as it will take over some of their markets.
8. Corsair iCUE H115i
Elite Capellix Liquid CPU Cooler
The Corsair iCUE H115i Elite is the first CLC from Corsair that comes with an asymmetrical design, allowing for better cable management.
It draws power directly from the motherboard and has a digital RGB pump head which you can configure using Corsair’s iCUE software or other monitoring tools such as Speedfan et al.
The H115i Elite is compatible with most modern Intel and AMD sockets as well as mainboards.
The cooler comes with 2x140mm ML Series fans that run between 600-2700 RPM. It has a slim design of 27mm which makes it compatible with pretty much every recent motherboard on the market, allowing for better case compatibility.
The new pump unit has a water block design with vibration isolating pads, providing an extra level of stability. It has a 4-pin header and can be controlled in the software or via other monitoring tools.
The fans have a maximum speed of 2700 RPM and provide good airflow even when running at full speed.
The Corsair iCUE H115i Elite comes with a pre-pre-applied thermal compound included inside the package which results in reduced installation time.
The H115i Elite has the same radiator thickness as other CLCs in this list which means it’s around 25mm thick and suitable for CPUs that have TDP up to 250W. Pre Applied MX4 thermal paste is included in the package and its installation is very easy.
The iCUE H115i Elite is compatible with all modern Intel and AMD sockets as well as most mainboards. It comes with a 5-year warranty from Corsair.
Pros
- Stylish design
- Hassle-free installation process
- Good performance even on overclocked CPUs
- Digital RGB pump head
- 5 year warranty from Corsair included in the package
Cons
- Bit pricey especially if you decide to buy this cooler for it’s RGB feature.
9. Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML120L RGB V2
5-year warranty
The Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML120L RGB V2 is the successor of one of the best performing CLCs on the market. It has an asymmetrical design with 2x20mm thin fans, allowing for better cable management. Out of the box it is compatible with most modern Intel and AMD sockets as well as mainboards.
The MasterLiquid ML120L RGB V2 provides excellent cooling performance and is compatible with Intel and AMD sockets as well as most modern motherboards.The fans have a max speed of 2400 RPM and are very quiet even when running at full speed.
Installation process is very easy just connect the fans to the radiator, install the mounting bracket on your RAMs, snap in the pump unit onto the CPU cooling block and you are good to go. No need for removing your motherboard from the case! The cooler comes with a 3-year warranty from CoolerMaster.
It has a thicker radiator of 37mm compared to the original version which means it might struggle fitting inside compact cases. The MasterLiquid ML120L RGB V2 has pre applied thermal paste included in the package and comes with a 5-year warranty from CoolerMaster.
Pros
- Excellent performance on stock settings
- Good performance under overclocked conditions
- Pre-applied thermal compound is included in the package
- 5-year warranty from Cooler Master included in the package
- 37mm radiator
Cons
- Expensive compared to other CLCs with similar performance
10. Noctua NH-D15S
Pre-applied thermal paste
The NH-D15S is a larger version ofNoctua’s highly popular NH-D15 cooler. It features a dual tower design with two NF-A15 PWM fans both having max speeds of 1500 RPM.
The fans are PWM type so you can save even more energy than you already do by using your motherboard to control them. Despite the massive specs, the Noctua NH-D15S is one of the quietest coolers on this list.
It provides good performance even when overclocked and features excellent compatibility with all modern Intel and AMD sockets as well as mainboards. It comes fully assembled apart from the fans which you should connect to your cooler before installing it onto your CPU.
There are rubber spacers included in the package, pre-applied thermal paste is also included which means the installation process can be done in less than 5 minutes.
The NH-D15S is compatible with all modern Intel and AMD sockets as well as mainboards.
The NH-D15S has a 55mm thick radiator which means it’s compatible with almost all types of modern cases.
It provides excellent performance on stock settings and is very quiet when running at full speed. Furthermore, it also comes with a 6-year warranty from Noctua which is one of the best in the industry.
Pros
- Very quiet even on full speed (1500 RPM)
- Excellent performance on overclocked CPUs
- Great build quality
- Pre-applied thermal paste
- Fully assembled
Cons
- Compatibility with some motherboards might be a problem because of their size
Buying Guide Best CPU Air Coolers
If you are looking for a CPU cooler to buy, then this small buying guide should help you out. It will give you some information about what to look for when shopping for the best CPU air coolers.
What is an Air Cooler?
Air coolers are basically heated sinks that are used to dissipate heat from your CPU/GPU using air instead of liquid.
When shopping for an air cooler, it’s important to consider what you are going to use the air cooler for i.e. Do you want to overclock your CPU or are you just looking for a better stock cooling solution?
If you’re looking to overclock your CPU and need something more than a stock cooler, then you should be looking for an aftermarket air cooler that can support a large amount of heat dissipation at once.
It’s also important that the air cooler has a high RPM stat because it will allow your fans to run more efficiently and quietly when they are at full speed. This is not necessary if you’re only going to use the cooler for stock speeds.
On the other hand, if you’re looking to replace a stock cooler and keep overclocking, then you should also look at your CPU’s TDP (Thermal Design Power) amount because it shows how much heat dissipation power will be needed from your air cooler.
For example, if you have an a95W TDP, then you need to find a cooler that can dissipate 95W or more without getting too hot.
What to Look for When Buying an Air Cooler?
There are some things you should consider when shopping for the best air cooler: Price The price of the cooler is determined by its cooling capacity and whether or not you are looking to overclock. If you’re overclocking, you should expect to pay more for a cooler that can handle your PC’s heat output.
Fan noise The fan noise of an air cooler is determined by the RPM (revolutions per minute) of the fans on Its radiator. Higher RPM means higher cooling capacity but also more noise.
PWM fans are designed to adjust their RPM dynamically depending on CPU temperature which helps keep the cooling capacity while maintaining low noise levels.
Size The size of an air cooler is determined by its radiator’s surface area and thickness. A good starting point for choosing the right size is your PC case’s compatibility with the dimensions of the cooler.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an air cooler good for overclocking?
An air cooler might not be as efficient as a liquid cooler, but it doesn’t mean that they are bad for overclocking. In fact, most of the best CPU air coolers can easily handle CPUs with high TDPs and maintain low noise at full speed so if you are looking for something good but don’t have a big budget, then an air cooler is just what you need.
What is the best CPU cooler in 2022?
Right now, the best CPU cooler is the Noctua NH-D15. It’s a dual fan air cooler that can handle high TDP CPUs and maintain much lower noise levels compared to stock coolers.
Are CPU air coolers effective?
Yes, they are. Air coolers have become a lot more efficient in the last few years and they have been able to consistently outperform stock coolers when used with CPUs that have high TDPs.
Is a CPU water cooler better than air?
A water cooler is typically more efficient than an air cooler because it has a higher heat dissipation rate. However, if you don’t have a big budget and want something better than a stock cooler, then an air cooler is probably your best bet.
Conclusion
Buying the best CPU air coolers depends on whether or not you are looking to overclock your PC. If you’re only looking to replace a stock cooler and keep overclocking, then an air cooler is probably what you need and if you want something with the best cooling capacity, then Noctua NH-D15 will serve you well.
Either way, we hope that our guide on the top 10 bestCPU air coolers has helped you to find the best cooler for your needs.
