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The best CPU air cooler will let you enjoy the full power of your processor without having to resort to pricey liquid cooling systems. These air coolers are compact, efficient, affordable, and they get the job done with the minimum of fuss.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Improper or insufficient cooling not only affects performance but also the stability of your entire gaming rig. The most common solution is air cooling, but if you want to be fancy, All-in-one liquid coolers are a great choice too for truly low temps and less noise.\u00a0<\/p>\n\nThere’s a lot to consider when shopping around for the best CPU air cooler. In this situation, however, you can go with ‘bigger is better,’ just make sure to it actually fits inside your PC case. If you’re an overclocker, there’s a cooler for you as well as folks who like to spice up their rigs with some flashy RGB.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Below I picked out six of the best CPU air coolers from the dozens I tested for over a year or so. I made sure to pick coolers for almost every budget that will fit different cases. This way, you’re not from choosing a very expensive option to only a slightly less expensive option.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Best CPU air cooler<\/h2>\n\n\n
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(Image credit: DEEPCOOL)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n
1. Deepcool AS500 Plus<\/h3>\n <\/span> <\/span> <\/span> <\/span> <\/span>A fantastic all round cooler that won’t empty your wallet<\/p>\n
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Specifications<\/h4>\n\n
Socket support: <\/span>Intel 1200, 1150, 1151, 1155, 2011, 2066, AMD AM4, AM3, AM2, FM2 & FM1 compatible<\/span><\/p>\nFans: <\/span>2x 140mm PWM<\/span><\/p>\nFan speeds: <\/span>500-1200RPM<\/span><\/p>\nDimensions (L x W x H): <\/span>140 x 102 x 164mm<\/span><\/p>\nNoise level: <\/span>Max 31.5dB(A)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
Reasons to buy<\/h4>\n+<\/span><\/p>\nGreat value<\/p>\n
<\/span>+<\/span><\/p>\nLow noise levels<\/p>\n
<\/span>+<\/span><\/p>\nEfficient cooling<\/p>\n
<\/span>+<\/span><\/p>\nBuild Quality<\/p>\n
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Reasons to avoid<\/h4>\n–<\/span><\/p>\nNot built for high-end overclocked CPUs<\/p>\n
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The Deepcool AS500 received worthy attention when it was released, but the AS500 Plus with its additional fan elevates it to the point where it can compete with any single tower cooler on the market.\u00a0<\/p>\n
At the same time, it undercuts competitors in price. There aren’t many dual-fan ARGB supporting coolers at this price. Even if you spent double the money on a premium single tower cooler, your cooling performance won’t be a lot better.<\/p>\n
Its cooling ability belies its compact dimensions. Only more expensive dual-tower coolers beat it, and even then, not by a whole lot. Its dual-fan design no doubt helps. It\u2019s also surprisingly quiet. Even when pushed hard the cooler doesn\u2019t get excessively loud.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\nIt even comes with its own ARGB controller.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/figure>\n
Cooling and low noise levels are welcome, then add to that great build quality and subtle ARGB good looks and there\u2019s nothing to complain about. It even comes with its own ARGB controller, and there\u2019s a white version too if you like.<\/p>\n
The Deepcool AS500 Plus punches above its weight and price. It cools very well, stays quiet, offers great build quality, and has a subtle ARGB splash with its own controller. Finally, it offers great value for money relative to many dual-fan single tower coolers. Short of stressing it with a heavily overclocked high-end processor, the AS500 Plus ticks all the boxes. Highly recommended.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n
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(Image credit: DEEPCOOL)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n
2. Be Quiet! Pure Rock 2<\/h3>\n <\/span> <\/span> <\/span> <\/span>An affordable and effective cooler that really can be quiet<\/p>\n
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Specifications<\/h4>\n\n
Socket support: <\/span>Intel LGA 1150, 1151, 1155, 1200, 2011, 2011-3, 2066, AMD AM3 & AM4 compatible<\/span><\/p>\nFans: <\/span>1x Pure Wings 2 120mm<\/span><\/p>\nFan speeds: <\/span>Up to 1500RPM<\/span><\/p>\nDimensions (L x W x H): <\/span>87 x 121 x 155mm<\/span><\/p>\nNoise level: <\/span>Max 26.8dB(A)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
\nToday’s Best Deals<\/p>\n
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Reasons to buy<\/h4>\n+<\/span><\/p>\nVery quiet operation<\/p>\n
<\/span>+<\/span><\/p>\nGreat price<\/p>\n
<\/span>+<\/span><\/p>\nGood build quality<\/p>\n
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Reasons to avoid<\/h4>\n–<\/span><\/p>\nSuper basic looks<\/p>\n
<\/span>–<\/span><\/p>\n150W TDP is a touch optimistic<\/p>\n
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If the brand name didn\u2019t already give it away, the Be Quiet Pure Rock 2 really is quiet. It\u2019s a single tower cooler equipped with the company’s highly regarded Pure Wings 2 PWM fan which carries a low 26.8 dB(A) noise rating. That means it’s very quiet indeed. It feels really solid too, an indicator of good build quality and it comes in at a low price.<\/p>\n
We wouldn\u2019t describe the Pure Rock 2 as the most beautiful cooler on the market. But if you do have a windowed case, you could consider the black version which is certainly more attractive than the plain aluminum finish of the base version.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The Pure Rock 2 is primarily designed to cool\u2014unseen and unheard. It’s rated to cool CPUs with a 150W TDP.\u00a0Though perhaps this is a touch optimistic, but that\u2019s down to the CPU manufacturers and their ‘real’ TDPs. An Intel Core i5 11600K (opens in new tab)<\/span> or AMD Ryzen 7 5800X (opens in new tab)<\/span> won’t present a problem for the Pure Rock 2.<\/p>\nFor anything other than high-end CPUs, the Pure Rock 2 will keep your chip cool and quiet. If you’re not interested in bling and want something that’s a step up from bundled coolers, the Pure Rock 2 is a fantastic choice. It will cool out of sight, mind, and earshot.<\/p>\n\n\n
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(Image credit: Noctua)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n
3. Noctua NH-D15 Chromax Black<\/h3>\n <\/span> <\/span> <\/span> <\/span>You’ll be hard pressed to find a better performing air cooler than the Noctua NH-D15 Chromax Black<\/p>\n
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Specifications<\/h4>\n\n
Socket support: <\/span>Intel LGA 1150, 1151, 1155, 1156, 1200, 2011, 2011-3, 2066, AMD AM4, AM3, AM2, FM2 & FM1 compatible<\/span><\/p>\nFans: <\/span>2x NF-A15 HS-PWM<\/span><\/p>\nFan speeds: <\/span>300-1500RPM<\/span><\/p>\nDimensions (L x W x H): <\/span>161 x 150 x 165mm<\/span><\/p>\nNoise level: <\/span>Max 24.6dB(A)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
Reasons to buy<\/h4>\n+<\/span><\/p>\nAwesome cooling performance<\/p>\n
<\/span>+<\/span><\/p>\nQuiet under typical loads<\/p>\n
<\/span>+<\/span><\/p>\nSolid build quality<\/p>\n
<\/span>+<\/span><\/p>\nAll black good looks<\/p>\n
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Reasons to avoid<\/h4>\n–<\/span><\/p>\nIt’s really quite large<\/p>\n
<\/span>–<\/span><\/p>\nLouder than you might expect under load<\/p>\n
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The Noctua NH-D15 Chromax Black is considered by many to be the best air cooler on the market. We love it too, and it’s an easy inclusion on our list of recommended coolers.\u00a0<\/p>\n
It performs brilliantly and has excellent fans that are a welcome black color instead of that rather unsightly beige and maroon (sorry, Jacob (opens in new tab)<\/span>.) Its build quality is fantastic and Noctua’s packaging, accessories, and documentation are second to none.\u00a0<\/p>\nReally, only 360mm AIO coolers outperform it. If you want an air cooler that can handle any consumer CPU on the market, you might find one to match the Noctua flagship, but you won\u2019t find anything that truly beats it.<\/p>\n\n\nNoctua has a long tradition of adding support for new sockets.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/figure>\n
Under normal operation, the NH-D15 can be considered truly silent. When pushed hard it becomes louder than you might expect, such as you might get when hammering out an AVX load, but we don\u2019t mind having some optional cooling headroom when you need it. Even a 5GHz+ Core i9 11900K (opens in new tab)<\/span> will result in quiet running while gaming.\u00a0<\/p>\nSo why isn’t it number one on our list? Its expense, and the perhaps sheer size, are the only things that count against it.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Notably, Noctua has a long tradition of adding support for new sockets. An investment in an NH-D15 Chromax Black means you’ll have a top-shelf cooler that will last you for many years.<\/p>\n\n\n
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(Image credit: Cryorig)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n
4. Cryorig C7<\/h3>\n <\/span> <\/span> <\/span> <\/span>A great choice for a truly tiny system, just don’t ask too much of it<\/p>\n
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Specifications<\/h4>\n\n
Socket support: <\/span>Intel 1200, 1150, 1151, 1155, 1156, AMD AM4, AM3, AM2, FM2 & FM1 compatible<\/span><\/p>\nFans: <\/span>1x 92mm Quad Air Inlet<\/span><\/p>\nFan speeds: <\/span>600\u20132500RPM<\/span><\/p>\nDimensions (L x W x H): <\/span>97 x 97 x 47mm<\/span><\/p>\nNoise level: <\/span>Max 30dB(A)<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
\nToday’s Best Deals<\/p>\n
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Reasons to buy<\/h4>\n+<\/span><\/p>\nTruly tiny size<\/p>\n
<\/span>+<\/span><\/p>\nCools better than you’d expect for its size<\/p>\n
<\/span>+<\/span><\/p>\nQuiet low load operation<\/p>\n
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Reasons to avoid<\/h4>\n–<\/span><\/p>\nNot one for overclocked, high core-count CPUs<\/p>\n
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The Cryorig C7 has been on the market for some time, but it’s still been updated to handle newer sockets. It\u2019s perfect for a truly compact small form factor system thanks to its 47mm height and adherence to ‘keep-out’ zones, where it will not interfere in any way with other system components.<\/p>\n
The C7 destroys the stock Intel cooler. It’s rated for up to 100W but is better suited to 65W class CPUs up to about six or eight cores. This leaves it a bit of headroom for turbo bursts. If you’re overclocking, or using a high core-count processor, you can give it a pass, but that’s to be expected. With the right CPU it will stay surprisingly quiet for its compact size. Its top flow design will help to cool the VRM and M.2 SSD, too, something that can be neglected in compact systems.<\/p>\n
The Cryorig C7 is a niche cooler, no doubt about it, but for the tiniest builds, the cute little C7 does an admirable job. If you want a little bit of extra TDP headroom, there are copper and graphene-coated versions that feature TDP ratings of up to 125W, though they’re more expensive. The C7 is a great choice for the smallest form factor systems.<\/p>\n\n\n
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(Image credit: Noctua)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n
Quiet computing enthusiasts, look here<\/p>\n
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Specifications<\/h4>\n