15 Best CPU Coolers To Keep Your PC Temperatures Down In 2022
Prevent excess heat accumulation and enhance the unit's efficacy.
wedetso chirhah 
In This Article
For avid gamers, one of the most irritating problems is the overheating up of the CPU. So, we have created a list of the best CPU coolers to help you choose the right one. The CPU tends to heat up when you play a game at its highest setting or put it through multiple tasks simultaneously. Stock coolers may provide a temporary coolness, but they may not be sufficient. Hence, you need a CPU cooler to make your CPU run smoothly while maintaining its internal temperature.
A CPU cooler aims at reducing the heat the CPU releases when it has to process an immense amount of data. A CPU cooler works by carrying the hot air out of the cabinet through the ventilation to cool the system. Without this ventilation system, the heat may get trapped and remain inside, damaging the unit. Frequent overheating of the processor can slowly damage the CPU, leading to the multiple components malfunctioning and creating more trouble for you.
So, we have reviewed several products that can help the machine stay cool to provide optimal performance. You can browse through our list to learn more about the various features to choose the right product.
Top Picks
15 Best CPU Coolers In 2022
1. Best With Silent Wings:be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 4
You know, when the name does all the talking, you don’t have to guess much. If you are looking for a cooler that doesn’t compromise silence for performance, you have to choose this Dark Rock Pro 4 cooler from be quiet! It can be installed on both Intel and AMD sockets. The cooler has seven 6mm advanced technology copper heat pipes for optimal heat dissipation and airflow circulation. It has two Silent Wings PWM fans— the fan on the front ensures that the CPU receives constant high air pressure using a funnel-shaped air inlet and the other is a decoupled fan mounting on the heat sink. It reaches a maximum sound level of 24.3 dBA. It has a TDP rating of 250W which basically means it will efficiently maintain a low temperature even under heavy load or during overclocking. Although it might look quite bulky, it has a cut-out to provide you the required space to install more RAMs. To take it a step further, you can install an additional 120mm fan which you need to buy separately. It also includes a special screwdriver to make the installation process smooth. This video helps you know more about the product.
2. Best Aesthetic:NZXT Kraken X53
When you are building a high-end PC that is also aesthetically pleasing, you will need a cooler that not only performs well but also fits the theme. The Kraken X53 from NZXT is sure to check all those boxes off your list. This is an easy-to-install, liquid cooling solution that offers both flawless cooling and stunning visuals. It uses Aer P radiator fans which feature a chamfered intake and fluid dynamic bearing to ensure that it operates without any noticeable sound all while providing the desired cooling performance. With the help of their fully-integrated CAM application, you can precisely control the cooler’s performance and customize the lighting as needed. This upgraded version uses a redesigned cap with a larger infinity mirror ring LED that caters to all your RGB requirements. The LED is 10% brighter than their earlier models for a more vivid and colorful RGB customization. The pump head can also be rotated to the desired orientation without worrying about the right angle during installation. It is compatible with both Intel and AMD sockets. Check out this video to know more about this product.
3. Best With Dual Fan:Noctua NH-D15
Sure, Noctua NH-D15 looks quite bulky but when you need a premium-quality cooler and also want to avoid the whole liquid cooling system, this is one of the best options there is. NH-D15 is the successor of Noctua’s award-winning NH-D14 cooler which has bagged more than 250 awards. It features a dual-tower design with 6 heat pipes and two 140mm fans providing the cooling performance that is ideal for overclocking. The two 140mm highly-optimized fans are backed by PWM support which automatically adjusts the fan speed based on the processing load. With the low-noise adaptors helping the fans to run at ultra-quiet operation, you will hardly hear anything. It comes with a high-end NT-H1 thermal paste for application and a SecuFirm2 mounting bracket for installation on both Intel and AMD processors types. With the help of its recessed lower fins and ability to run on single-fan mode, the cooler provides a 64mm clearance to install high-end RAM modules. If you have to run it on dual-fan mode, then only RAMs with a height of up to 32mm can be used. Before buying, have a look at this video for more details.
4. Best Durable:Corsair iCUE H100i RGB Pro XT
Corsair is one of the most trusted brands and is on everyone’s list. They are one of the leading manufacturers of computer hardware and peripherals. Everything from the PC cabinet, RAM, to PSUs, their products are hailed for durability and performance. Corsair iCUE H100i RGB Pro XT is one such product from them. It has a highly-optimized copper cold-plate to draw the heat away from the CPU, keeping it cool at any given moment. It has two 120mm ML series magnetic levitation PWM fans that offer strong airflow for maximum CPU cooling. The RPM of these fans can be controlled to run as low as 400 RPM and as high as 2400 RPM depending on the requirement. When the PC is not under heavy load, the iCUE software uses Zero RPM profiles that allow the fan to shut down, eliminating fan noise completely. iCUE is a single intuitive interface that can also be used to monitor temperatures and control & synchronize RGB light modes. The pump head has 16 individually addressable RGB LEDs to customize just the way you like it. Since it supports both Intel and AMD socket types, you don’t have to look for another cooler.
5. Best Travel-Friendly:ARCTIC Freezer 34 eSports DUO
It is not necessary to always have a fancy RGB and liquid cooling solution for your computer, sometimes a mid-range cooler like ARCTIC Freezer 34 eSports DUO does all the work you expect from a CPU cooler. The ARCTIC Freezer 34 eSports DUO has optimized heat sinks with 54 cooling fins and evenly spread direct-touch heat pipes that allow for efficient heat dissipation. Although it does not cover the complete heat spreader it does cover the processor’s DIE even if your processor is a large 18 cores CPU. The mounting bracket is compatible with both Intel and AMD processors and is extremely easy to install. Owing to its backplate and low weight, the cooler is transport friendly. The two BioniX P-fans work in a push-pull configuration which helps in getting rid of the heat much faster than regular ones. This increased airflow extracts the best performance from your CPU.
6. Best Reliable:Thermaltake UX100
When you need a cooler that is budget-friendly yet a reliable CPU cooler, Thermaltake’s UX100 is a perfect choice. It has 9 high air-flow blades that generate a large amount of air to pass through the heatsink for a stable airflow and cool temperature. It has hydraulic bearings that are self-lubricated with a high-quality, friction-reducing substance to lower the noise while enhancing thermal efficiency. It has a universal bracket which makes it compatible with both Intel and AMD socket types. It has 15 high lumen addressable LED lights that can support up to 16.8 million colors. It is ready to sync with 5V RGB enabled motherboards which makes switching between the light effects very easy. It is designed to synchronize with ASUS Aura Sync, ASRock RGB LED, GIGABYTE RGB Fusion, and MSI Mystic Light Sync without any additional steps.
7. Best Durable:DEEPCOOL GAMMAXX400
When installing a CPU cooler, it becomes necessary to remove the motherboard from the cabinet to make things easy. What if we told you that is not always the case? With DEEPCOOL GAMMAXX400, the process of removing the motherboard to install it is completely eliminated. To make things easier, it has a universal bracket to ensure it fits on both Intel and AMD socket types. It saves a lot of time and probably your whole computer if you are new to the concept of assembling a PC on your own. It has four sintered metal powder heat pipes with massive heatsinks that are in direct contact with the CPU to dissipate heat and avoid any chances of overheating. Out of the box, it has one 120mm PWM fan to generate constant airflow to keep the temperatures under control. The fans are also semi-transparent with blue LEDs to give your PC a modder-vibe. Its design allows you to install an additional CPU cooler fan to make it a push-pull configuration.
8. Best Long-Lasting:MSI MAG CORELIQUID 240R
If you are even a tad bit of a PC enthusiast, then you have definitely heard about MSI. Be it graphic cards, motherboards, or any other hardware, they have set a benchmark in the industry for quality and durable products. Without a doubt, you can rest easy that your money is put in the right place when you buy MSI MAG CORELIQUID 240R. The motor ceramic bearing is extremely durable and designed to have a life expectancy of at least 100,000 hours. It has a 270-degree rotatable blockhead which allows you to install the cold plate in any direction without worrying about the right side up. The pump and the radiator are connected with two evaporation-proof tubes that are made from three layers of netted plastic to keep all the heat from escaping. The radiator has a split pathway system to help dissipate the heat rapidly from the computer. The pump is integrated directly into the radiator to dampen any annoying sound or noise. The three-phase motor at the core of the pump generates very low vibrations even at its maximum operating power. It has extensive compatibility since it supports both Intel and AMD sockets.
9. Best Versatile:Cooler Master MasterAir MA620M
Cooler Master is one of the oldest manufacturers in the industry and they know exactly what a PC enthusiast needs. Cooler Master’s MasterAir MA620M is a dual-tower, ARGB CPU cooler that has the efficiency to deliver performance packed with style. The dual-tower heatsink system covers a wider surface and is backed by uniform 6 heat pipes to distribute heat evenly across the heatsinks for faster dissipation. The heatsinks are also painted black to enhance the cooling performance (you know, because of the whole “black absorbs heat” thing). It has an all-in-one mounting design making it easy to install the cooler on both Intel and AMD socket types. The Masterfan SF120R fan is placed in between the two heatsinks to enable the flow of high air-pressure to cool the heatsinks with the utmost discretion. On top of the fan, the Cooler Master’s hexagon logo is embedded along with an ARGB lighting strip to provide a unique lighting effect. Using the addressable RGB LED controller, you can customize colors and effects with just a single button.
10. Best Cooling Performance:ARESGAME River 5
Are you going to overclock your PC? If yes, you know how important it is to keep those temperatures under an acceptable range. For this purpose, ARESGAME River 5 is all that you need. It has a universal bracket that can be installed on Intel or AMD processors without any hassle. The 120mm PWM ARGB fan consists of nine blades to greatly improve the airflow as compared to a stock cooler. It is extremely quiet and reaches a maximum sound level of 26.2dBA. The five 6mm heat pipes and aluminum fins come in direct contact with the processor providing excellent heat dissipation with exceptional cooling performance. The ARGB lighting on the fan can be controlled via the motherboard that has a 5V 3pin ARBG port. If your motherboard does not support it, you can always buy an external controller from the ARESGAME store.
11. Best User-Friendly:Enermax ETS-T50 Axe
Do you have a white-themed PC? This white-colored Enermax ETS-T50 Axe will blend right in. It is not only a powerful cooler for PC but it is also one of the best looking RGB CPU coolers. The five 6mm heat pipes are combined with their innovative airflow optimization technology to attain the cooling performance of up to 230W TDP. The heat pipes are in direct contact with the processor, expediting the process of heat dissipation. Its 120mm high-pressure blades are backed by their patented Twister Bearing technology to provide a smooth operation and a lifespan of up to 160,000 hours. The speed of the fans can be controlled between 500-1600 RPM. It features Enermax’s Pressure Differential Flow Design which allows the air to squeeze through a cone-shaped tunnel, bringing down the CPU temperatures rapidly. In addition, they have implemented the same airflow technology that is used in airplanes— it allows the cooler to bring in more fresh air via the small spoilers on the fins right next to the heat pipes. Also, the rotatable grill will help you adjust the direction of the airflow as needed. It keeps all the heat within owing to its thermal conductive coating which prevents oxidation. It comes with a user-friendly universal mounting system for installing it on Intel or AMD.
12. Best With Anti-Vibration pads:ABKONCORE CT404B Dual SYNC
Remarkable cooling performance? Check. Ultra-quiet CPU fans? Check. Stunning lighting effects? Check. Easy installation? Check. Price-friendly? Double-check! That is pretty much everything that you need in a CPU cooler which ABKONCORE CT404B Dual SYNC has it all. The black painted heat sinks cover a large area of the processor and are designed to enhance heat dissipation performance. The four heat pipes and stacked fin array are in direct contact with the CPU allowing them to absorb and transfer heat away from it within no time. Fans at their core, use Hydro Bearing Technology to ensure that there is a smooth and low-noise operation at all times. Each corner of the fan has pre-applied anti-vibration pads to minimize the vibrations. With the fan speed automatically changing based on the CPU requirement, you will not have to worry about setting the right RPM. Its SYNC Addressable RGB has 61 LED modes that you can switch between to customize, to match your mood. The detachable bracket on the heat sink makes the installation easy without requiring you to disturb any other components on the motherboard.
13. Best Compatible:Vetroo V240
Does your current PC cooler have trouble keeping the temperature under control? Does it make loud noises? Then it is time for an upgrade! Vetroo V240 is the perfect liquid cooling solution for your PC. The pump has a spraying-type copper bottom that helps in maximizing the contact area to speed up thermal conductivity. It is connected to a large 240mm radiator to ease and boost the process of heat dissipation. The radiator has high-density aluminum fins making it ideal for extreme overclocked processors. It has two 120mm PWM fans with ARGB lighting capability and can be controlled by a 5V 3PIN compatible motherboard. Each fan has 9 blades supported by a slim light frame design with anti-vibration to absorb noise and improve cooling efficiency. The fan speed can be controlled between 800-1200 RPM based on the cooling requirement. It has a universal mounting bracket which is compatible with both Intel and AMD socket.
14. Best Portable:ID-COOLING IS-60 EVO
Most of the coolers on our list are for an ATX-form factor build but we surely cannot forget our fellow ITX-form builders, can we? Be it an HTPC, ITX, or any other small-factor build, ID-COOLING IS-60 EVO will fit them all. It has a height of 64mm making it ideal for small form factor builds. It has six copper pipes that are firmly soldered onto the heatsink, aluminum fins, and a nickel-plated copper base to bring in cool air and dissipate hot air even in such cramped cabinets. The two PWM fans run at a maximum speed of 2000 RPM and push the air into the CPU continuously to keep it cool and to offer efficient heat transfer from not only the CPU but also some parts of the motherboard. The 120mm PWM fan on top has ARGB compatibility that can be controlled via motherboard to match the theme of your PC. This low-profile CPU cooler clears the way for additional memory since it takes very little space. It has a universal mounting bracket that can be used for both CPU socket types.
15. Best With Rainbow Light:upHere N1055CF
Are you fed up with your PC sounding like a jet engine every time you start a game? Why not get a cooler that operates with minimal noise? upHere N1055CF could be that low-noise cooler! It has five 6mm new-tech copper pipes that dissipate heat from the CPU with utmost efficiency. It has one 120mm PWM fan that can run up to 1800 RPM ensuring your CPU receives an endless amount of cool air. The fan has a rainbow lighting effect and the fins are painted black, giving it the aesthetics of a premium brand cooler. To enable the lighting, all you need is a 4PIN and connect to the motherboard, no additional software needed. The brand new foolproof mounting kit is very easy to install and enables the cooler to be installed on both Intel and AMD socket types.
There you go! That was our list of the 15 best CPU coolers that you can buy right now! If you are still confused about which one to buy, read our buying guide which will help you get the right one.
Buying The Best CPU Cooler For Your PC
Everyone wants to choose the best hardware for their computer, so it can get a little confusing about which one to buy. So, here are a few pointers that you should keep in mind while buying computer coolers:
- Compatibility: This is the first and foremost thing that you should always check. Most coolers on our list are compatible with both Intel and AMD processors, but there are a few coolers out there that are specific to certain processors. Read their specification thoroughly before buying.
- Cooler Type: There are two types— liquid CPU coolers and air CPU coolers, both having their own pros and cons. Liquid coolers offer the best cooling performance, they are light and provide clearance for additional components but they are also prone to leakage. Whereas air coolers are less expensive with no chance of leakage but they offer slightly less cooling performance and some models take a lot of space on the motherboard which could limit the number of RAMs you can install.
- Cooler Size: If you are buying a cooler, you have to check if there is enough space for it in your PC cabinet. Many cooler models take up a huge chunk of cabinet space due to their design, some of which can even obstruct you from installing additional RAMs or other hardware. So, ensure the cooler you are buying fits your cabinet and provides enough space for other hardware.
- Fans: The fans on the cooler help in proper and continuous air circulation, so having multiple and large CPU cooling fans will help in dissipating the heat rapidly. But do keep in mind, more fans means more noise.
- ARGB: If you are building a PC, you might as well make it look good. Most coolers now have RGB lighting compatibility which is a great way to customize your PC the way you want. These light modes can be controlled by either using their dedicated software (if any) or via compatible motherboards. But in case you don’t like having RGB, ensure there is a way to turn it off.
Invest in a CPU cooler and do your office work or play games for hours without worrying about your CPU heating up. These useful machines work by absorbing any heat from the CPU and releasing it away from the hardware, thus keeping your computer cool. CPU coolers are of two types: liquid CPU coolers and air CPU coolers, and you must choose one based on your unique requirements. The CPU cooler you bring home should be compatible with your processor and have multiple fans, and the size should be proportional to the space you have.
Why Trust MomJunction?
If your CPU heats up frequently, Wedetso Chirhah’s article will prove helpful. He is experienced at reviewing electronics, automobiles, and books. Here, Wedetso has recommended the best CPU coolers that will protect your system by keeping it cool. Every recommended product has been described in detail, discussing its working, compatibility, cooler size, fans, and more. He has also provided a handy buying guide to help you choose the right product.
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