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- #5 Kraken X73 360mm Liquid Cooler with RGB From NZXT
- #4 NH-D15 From Noctua
- #3 Liquid ML240L V2 RGB From Cooler Master
- #2 Hyper 212 RGB From Cooler Master
- #1 NH-D15 – Premium CPU Cooler From Noctua
The Best CPU Coolers
When you’re building a PC, cooling is one of the most important (if not the most important) component to consider. The best CPU coolers will keep your chip cool, preventing overclocking disasters and ensure peak performance, even if your specs aren’t the most impressive.
If you want the best PC build, you’ll need a top-tier CPU cooler that’s as powerful as your processor but won’t break the bank. We’ve rounded up the best CPU coolers to add to your cart. If you’re building a PC, chances are you already have a processor in mind.
You’ll want a good CPU cooler, but you don’t have to spend a lot of money on it. With the right model, your processor won’t run hot, and overclocking will not cause your chip to overheat. The items mentioned in this guide are in no exact order, so be sure to stay to the end, so you don’t miss the perfect model for your needs.
To give you this top 5 review, we have looked at 151 products and analyzed 3235 customer reviews.
#1. NH-D15 – Premium CPU Cooler From Noctua
Best Overall CPU Cooler
Best of the Best
Noctua NH-D15 is the best air cooler you can buy in 2021. It performs just as well – if not better – than some liquid coolers. If you’re looking for the lowest temperatures possible, this is the product for you.
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The Noctua NH-D15 is the best air cooler you can buy in 2021 simply because it performs just as well – if not better than some liquid coolers, while costing a fraction of the price. If you’re looking for the lowest temperatures possible, this is the best cooler you can buy. If you’re looking for a high-end AIO cooler, then the Noctua NH-D15 is a good choice.
#2. Hyper 212 RGB From Cooler Master
Best Budget Option
Budget Option
The Cooler Master Hyper 212 is a tried-and-true CPU cooler that never fails to deliver excellent performance at an excellent price. It comes standard with a 120mm SF120R RGB fan that boasts nine RGB lighting modes. Both coolers support nearly every current desktop processor socket except for Threadripper.
- Two-Year Warranty
- Six-Pin Fan Header
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The Cooler Master Hyper 212 is a tried-and-true CPU cooler that never fails to deliver excellent performance at an excellent price. The latest version of the Hyper 212 features an updated design that improves upon its predecessors in nearly every way. It comes standard with a 120mm SF120R RGB fan that boasts nine RGB lighting modes and a dark chrome finish to match the finish of the cooler.
On top of all that, the cooler is backed by a two-year warranty. The RGB model comes with a special six-pin fan header for connecting to RGB lighting fixtures. If you want to upgrade your existing fan, there is a separate RGB fan controller included with the Hyper 212 RGB model, but that isn’t really necessary since the core cooler is the same.
Both coolers support nearly every current desktop processor socket except for Threadripper and offer a two-year warranty.
#3. Liquid ML240L V2 RGB From Cooler Master
Best Water Cooler
Top Pick
The Cooler Master Master Liquid ML240L V2 RGB features a new 3rd generation pump with an increased chamber capacity. It’s also equipped with a new halo radiator with a 120mm radiator, so it should be able to handle most builds without too much trouble. Its fan is also a bit more powerful than previous iterations, with a claimed 1280Watt of continuous power at 2,000 rpm.
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At around $80 it’s certainly not a budget radiator, but the Master Liquid ML240L V2 RGB is a worthy contender. It features a new 3rd generation pump with an increased chamber capacity for improved flow and heat exchange, as well as new SickleFlow 120mm RGB fans providing higher static pressure.
It has two RGB lighting zones, with the pump top sporting a Cooler Master halo logo illuminated, and the fans have a rifle bearing core. Like the previous ML240L, the fan has a large blade area with a large blade pitch to improve light dispersion.
It’s also equipped with a new halo radiator with a 120mm radiator, so it should be able to handle most builds without too much trouble. Its fan is also a bit more powerful than previous iterations, with a claimed 1280Watt of continuous power at 2,000 rpm.
While our testing found the ML240L to be largely successful, it certainly isn’t the best choice for those who are looking for a truly budget-minded liquid cooler.
#4. NH-D15 From Noctua
Best Cooling For Large CPU
Top Pick
Noctua NH-D15 is the most comprehensive and capable air cooler we’ve looked at to date. If you’re building a PC with a large number of fans, this cooler should be at the top of your list. The Noctua comes in three different versions, with the RGB chromax black finish being our favorite. It’s certainly not cheap, but you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better cooler.
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The Noctua NH-D15 is the most comprehensive and capable air cooler we’ve looked at to date, and it’s certainly worth the investment if you’re planning to use it for a large build. If you can fit it in your case, then this is the best solution we’ve found for AMD’s Ryzen Threadripper CPUs. When it comes to sheer size and power, it’s hard to go wrong with the NH-D15. The Noctua comes in three different versions, with the RGB chromax black finish being our favorite.
If you’re building a PC with a large number of fans, then this cooler should be at the top of your list. It’s certainly not cheap, but you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better cooler with these specs. If you’re building a high-end system then this is a fantastic option, and we would wholeheartedly recommend it.
#5. Kraken X73 360mm Liquid Cooler with RGB From Nzxt
High Cooling Power
Top Pick
Kraken X73 360mm liquid cooler has more surface area than the smaller X53. Rotatable top to the head unit, RGB lighting in the head units, and increased viewable area. Uses seventh generation of Asetek coolers.
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As the big brother to the X53, the Kraken X73 360mm liquid cooler offers more surface area than the smaller X53, but also includes a rotatable top to the head unit, RGB lighting in the head unit, and an increased viewable area where the ring effect and logo are displayed. The cooler uses the seventh generation of Asetek coolers, and we are seeing some of the first signs of their success.
