10 Best PC Cases (Tested) 2023

1. Lian Li O11 Air Mini-ITX Chassis w/Tempered Glass

The O11 Air is LianLi’s latest case to come out of their premium O-series. At first glance, it looks like a standard mid-tower ATX chassis. However, the unique and clean design is where this case really shines.

The front and top panels are both fully made from tempered glass, which gives off a very premium feel to the entire build.

Lian Li may not be as popular as Corsair or NZXT when it comes to PC cases but they definitely deserve more recognition than what they currently receive.

This case features one USB 3.1 Type C connector on the front I/O panel, as well as two USB 2.0 ports and HD audio connections for your microphones and speakers.

There is also a single fan speed controller located on the top I/O panel. The motherboard tray can hold up to an ATX form factor but there is also support for Mini-ITX builds. 

The case itself only requires a single 24 pin connection, which is located on top of the power supply cover at the back of the case. This is both extremely convenient and aesthetically pleasing.

There are no drive bays on this case, so any storage devices you need will have to be mounted externally via two USB 3.0 ports or one eSATA port towards the front of the chassis.

If you’re looking for a premium PC case with some innovative features that stands out from other typical cases on the market then look no further than LianLi’s O11 Air! With all of its great features, it’s one of the best PC cases on the market.

This case has a huge advantage for anyone who owns or plans to install an AIO liquid cooler as its tempered glass panels give you the best view of your coolant tubes and pump.

2. Fractal Design Meshify 2

If you’re looking for a sleek and slim PC case that can hold up to 11 fans then the Meshify 2 may be right for you. Fractal Design is known in the PC building community for its unique cases that look beautiful while still being functional.

The Meshify  2 is no exception, holding to Fractal Design’s reputation of creating some of the best cases on the market.

The front panel has a very clean and understated design with two mesh panels on both sides of the glass window, which is only interrupted by an I/O panel in between them.

This modern design is further accentuated by three RGB intake fans (two 140mm at the front and one 120mm at the rear). The top panel also has a very clean design with two Fractal Design Dynamic GP14 140mm fans.

The Meshify 2 can hold up to an E-ATX motherboard and has 8 PCI slots, which is great for anyone who wants multiple graphics cards or additional expansion cards.

The case itself only requires one 4 pin power connection at the top of the power supply cover in the back of the case but does require two separate 3 pin fans connections (one for each set of intake fans).

Overall, the Fractal Design Meshify 2 is a great case for anyone who wants to build a high-end PC that looks good and has some innovative cooling technology.

3. Fractal Design Define Nano S Mini-ITX Case

The Define Nano S is a small form factor case that can fit in even the smallest of builds. Like its predecessor, the Define C, it features the signature ‘Define’ sound dampening technology which adds to the premium feeling this case provides.

This, paired with Fractal’s understated design makes this an excellent choice if you need a PC case that will not stand out in your living space while still looking good aesthetically.

The front panel has a clean design with no visible drive bays or mesh panels, giving off a very minimalist look. However, it is not without its flair as the front panel has a small indicator on the bottom that can either be turned on or off depending on your preference.

 The right side of the case holds the power button and headphone and mic jacks while the top I/O panel allows you to connect your power supply to whatever motherboard you choose to use along with two USB 3.0 ports, one USB 2.0 port, and full audio support for any headphones or microphones you may have.

The Nano S supports Mini-ITX motherboards only so if you want to build a high-end rig then this probably isn’t going to be the case for you unless it’s going into a dedicated living space where aesthetics are more important than actual performance.

However, if you’re looking for something that will look great on your desk and won’t take up too much room then the Fractal Design Define Nano S may be a good fit for you. 

4. Silverstone PM01 mATX Case

This case has an understated yet elegant design with clean lines and plenty of cable management space along the back of the motherboard tray.

Along with its sleek looks, this case also offers top-tier cooling performance as it can house two 120mm fans at the front (one of which is included) or up to six 120mm fans at the front, top, and rear.

The two tempered glass side panels are also home to LED strip lighting that can be synced to whatever you may have installed inside your PC. This allows for some cool effects as all of your components light up when turned on. The power supply cover in the back is well built too allowing for an easy time with cable management.

The Silverstone PM01 comes with great support in terms of ease of installation, compatibility with larger components, and cooling performance. There are 8 expansion slots available for extra graphics cards or other add-in cards you might want to use in the future.

 Installation is done by sliding off both sides of the case which are attached by fourthumb screws each. Once they’re off, the panel comes right out and all you have to do is put your motherboard into place slide it back in.

This case also has a PSU shroud at the bottom of the case which hides most of the cables from view making for a cleaner look without having to hide them behind your motherboard tray.

5. NZXT S340 ATX Mid Tower Case

Next on our list is another NZXT case, this time being their more budget-friendly option, the S340. This case has been around since 2015 and was one of NZXT’s first cases to include a PSU cover and a sleek minimal design that has been the standard for all of their mid-range and high-end cases.

The S340 comes with just enough storage spaces for two 3.5″ drives and one 2.5″ drive so it’s not meant to house any large storage drives unless you want them installed externally on the back of the case or get an enclosure to go along with it.

On top of this, two SSD trays can be found behind the front panel which is easily removed to install your 2.5″ drive into.

The S340 comes with plenty of cable management options as well making for an overall excellent option if you’re looking for a budget-friendly case that still has premium features like NZXT’s quick release side panels and SSD trays right upfront.

The front panel looks just as good as any other NZXT case with the signature mesh design covering the front intake area where you would put your 360mm radiator or extra fans if you chose to use them.

The S340 also features easy installation, plenty of space inside for cable management, and full dust filtration on both sides through removable panels which can be accessed simply by lifting from one side at a time.

This may not have been NZXT’s first case but it is proof that even an older case still packs a punch in terms of aesthetics and performance while keeping costs down for their customers which is why we’ve chosen it as one of our top choices this year.

6. Nanoxia Deep Silence 4

Another older model, this time coming from fellow German company Nanoxia, the Deep Silence 4 is an excellent option for those who value silence above all else in the PC building community.

The Deep Silence 4 features two 140mm front fans that are mounted with rubber grommets to reduce vibration and noise when running at high RPMs.

This helps outsiders have a good idea of what kind of load your PC is under without their ear next to it so they can tell if you’re gaming or just using the web, for example.

This case also comes with an empty HDD cage along with 3 empty fan mounts inside which can be used for extra airflow if need be but doesn’t specifically provide fans to fill them unlike other cases mentioned here.

The top panel has another dust filter on it too which isn’t difficult to remove either making this case even easier to maintain than some of its competitors.

The Deep Silence 4 also comes with a convenient carrying handle that can be used to carry the case around by easily placing your fingers in the grooves on either side of it for support. The front panel entirely meshes which allows air to pass through freely without any obstructions but doesn’t make up for the lack of fans included with this particular model or room for water cooling radiators, etc.

This may not have all the bells and whistles as some other cases featured here but what you are getting is an excellent foundation for airflow, dust filtration, easy removability, and noise reduction which are features that many builders look for before they buy their next case.

7. NZXT H200i

One of the newer cases from NZXT, the H200i is among the growing list of ITX cases coming out from big-name companies like Corsair and NZXT.

NZXT has recently come out with their H series of cases which are designed to be aesthetically pleasing but not compromise performance.

This case, in particular, is the smallest one that they offer and comes loaded with features like an idle LED strip at the bottom for monitoring your PC’s vitals, a power button hidden underneath it along with a reset button on the side to help maintain NZXT’s clean exterior design,

The front panel is made entirely of tempered glass meaning you will get a full view of all the components inside without having to constantly open up your chassis.

The glass also helps improve airflow by acting as a dust filter like most other designs found here although I’d recommend taking extra precaution when handling this material since it can easily scratch or break during installation

The H200i features a luxurious tempered glass panel upfront allowing you to see all your components in one place without having to open it up first which also comes with two pre-installed fans that help bring cool air into your case and push warm air out through your exhaust ports at the top and rear respectively.

NZXT has made sure that this model, like other premium options on the market, have amenities such as quick release dust filters installed for easy removal/cleaning so if you live in a dusty environment or just want to keep an eye on how much dust has been collecting inside your PC without having to open it up every few weeks then this is a good choice.

Another feature unique to the H200i as well as other NZXT models is that they all come with an app for smartphones that allows you to change fan speeds, configure LED lighting/other options, and display various stats for CPU and GPU temps remotely.

This can be especially useful if you’re hardcore about maintaining a cool environment in your room but don’t want to leave your computer on 24/7 due to safety reasons or simply not being able to trust others around you not to mess with it.

8. Fractal Design Nano S Window

The Fractal Design Nano S Window is a compact Mini ITX case that has mostly the same features as its bigger brother, the Define S, but in a more condensed size to fit your next HTPC build or gaming pc while still being able to provide you with all of its perks such as pre-installed noise dampening material and 2included fans to help keep things cool. Weighing at a mere 5lbs means transportability isn’t an issue either.

As the name suggests, the Define Nano S is a mini version of its elder brother and Fractal managed to fit all that it does into this small chassis which isn’t much bigger than your average console controller.

If you’re planning on putting up a PC in your living room or anywhere near you then this would stand out as an eye-catcher due to its unique design as well as quiet acoustics.

The front panel comes with a door for those who want better dust filtration from their intake fans/radiator but still want quick access without having to take off the entire panel every time they need to clean them since manual cleaning can be quite a hassle at times depending on the case’s design/layout.

One of the benefits to having a smaller case like this would be portability since it’s easier to carry around and doesn’t take up as much space in general.

The Define Nano S comes with both front and top intakes fitted with easily removable dust filters which help keep your components running cool by allowing only clean air to enter through them while pushing out any hot air inside so if you’ve been on the lookout for a new PC that can also double as an entertainment center then Fractal might have just what you need at a reasonable price.

9. Corsair Carbide 100R

The Carbide 100R is a classic Corsair product that has chosen to forgo all the bells and whistles of other models in favor of focusing on performance, cooling, and acoustics to appeal more to hard-core gamers who know what they’re looking for when it comes to PC cases instead of casual users or gamers who are just building their first rig.

What makes this case stand out from its counterparts would probably be the side panel doors which act as intakes since they not only provide an aesthetically pleasing look by hiding your case’s internals but also helps keep dust build-up down to a minimum while still providing enough ventilation so you can have better airflow.

The side panels also have a section where you can install your custom water cooling solution so you don’t have to worry about restrictions due to the size of your case if you plan on overclocking or doing some heavy-duty gaming sessions.

The 100R comes with 2 pre-installed fans (1x120mm and 1x140mm) which not only help provide airflow but also sound dampening material for quiet acoustics while keeping everything running cool.

If these aren’t enough for what you need then there are plenty of spots left open for more fans or even a fan controller that will fit into one of the case’s 3 5.25″ drive slots since it doesn’t come with any built-in fan control option.

The Carbide 100R isn’t the most stylish case out on the market nor does it have any built-in fan controller/fan hub which some gamers might find inconvenient but if you’re looking for a more basic gaming-oriented case that can still get the job done then this might be an option worth looking into unless you plan on building something that’s over the top.

10. Phanteks Evolv Shift X

The Phanteks Evolv Shift X is a great option for those who want to not only look good while building their PC but also need something that can accommodate large components like motherboards, video cards, radiators, and the like.

The panel design has been shifted towards the right side of the case allowing your components to be visible through it while its other panels are attached via magnets making them easy to remove if you ever need to clean dust filters or make changes without having to completely take apart the case every time.

If you plan on overclocking or doing some heavy duty gaming sessions then this might be one of the better choices out there because it comes with 2 pre-installed fans (1x200mm front intake and 1x140mm rear exhaust) which are more than capable of keeping anything you’ve built cool while being quiet enough that it won’t be a distraction.

The Evolv Shift X comes with plenty of space for adding additional components like more fans or fan hubs/controllers to keep your PC running at optimal temperatures without the need to spend extra on external solutions.

It also has enough room for installing larger radiators near the front panel if you don’t mind sacrificing some storage space in favor of better cooling performance. 

This case is perfect for those who want their desktops to look good but also plan on overclocking since it’s able to not only house all high-end components but can still retain its stylish appearance even after it’s been filled with dust filters.

Buying guide of Top 10 Best PC Cases

Before buying the best PC case for you, note that there are many factors to consider first. Some of them include 

• Which components do you plan on installing in your gaming rig?
• What size of motherboard will you be using? Do they have different mounting holes?
• Will this be a new build or are some parts being reused from previous builds? If so what are those parts and how much space is available left inside the case where they can be installed?

If you’re building a new system then these questions might not need to be asked but if you’re migrating some older components over then make sure it’s still functional by looking up their dimensions on your specific model’s website.

While cases usually don’t vary too much in size or weight no matter what brand they come from it’s still advisable to look up the dimensions of the case you’re planning on getting and compare them with your components to see if it’s capable of housing everything you’ve got planned.

Additionally, pay attention to where the power supply is positioned within your PC case as well because if it’s too close towards the top then there could be clearance issues with thicker radiators and CPU coolers. 

The only real way to find out how many fans will need to be installed and where is by knowing what kind of hardware that will be going into this build so we recommend doing some research before making a final decision about which one would fit best for your gaming rig as there are plenty of different PC cases out there to choose from.

With every build quality is key and that’s why we recommend you don’t look at price alone when deciding on a new computer case for your next project because the cheapest might not always be the best option. If a well-known brand offers a cheaper model with equally good reviews then it’s worth comparing this two side by side before making a final decision.

The last thing anyone wants is for their system to crash or something else going wrong after only a month of use so budgeting for an extra accessory or two just in case isn’t such a bad idea if it means ensuring peace of mind.

In this guide, our team has put together some information about what to consider when buying a new PC case such as cooling, layout, and design. All of this information (and more) can be found below so feel free to read on for some helpful hints and advice before deciding on a final purchase.

Final words

The PC case is without a doubt one of the most important components in your build when it comes to performance, noise levels, and ease of use. Whether you are looking for something that’s inexpensive but will get the job done or want something that has more features than most enthusiast-grade cases then there’s a case out there for everyone. Just take some time planning out what you need and then go from there, this is the best way to ensure that your money will be well spent.