Top 7 Core i5 11400 CPU Coolers [Reviewed & Rated 2024]

A great CPU Cooler is needed if you are into intensive gaming. However, not all CPU Coolers available in the market are worth buying. So, to ease your buying experience, I researched and tested 93 Coolers that support the i5 11400 processor. I concluded that this NZXT Kraken X53 is one of the most premium-looking 240mm AIO Cooler for people who are likely using the Core i5-11400 processor setup.

Best i5 11400 CPU Coolers – My Recommendations

Intel i5 11400 is a pretty decent CPU for gamers. Featuring 6-core and 12-thread, this CPU can handle quite a lot of gaming. Also, it sits in an excellent position considering the price and performance ratio.

However, to make the most out of it, you need to pair it with a decent cooler to keep things cool. With a top-class CPU cooler, you’re sure to get stable performance throughout prolonged gaming sessions.

With our wide research and testing, we’ve listed the best CPU coolers below to help you choose the right CPU cooler for your i5-11400.

So, here are the top 7 core i5 11400 CPU coolers:

1.   NZXT Kraken X53

The NZXT Kraken X53 is one of the most premium-looking 240mm AIO.

Some of the highlights of the NZXT Kraken X53:

NZXT is the first brand to consider if you want a premium AIO. Their lineup consists of some high-grade premium-looking liquid coolers, which is the case here.
The construction of the NZXT Kraken X53 feels very premium. The 240mm AIO has a sleek look to it. In addition to the all-black color scheme, you get an infinity mirror design on the pump. Together with the ring LED, the pump looks gorgeous.

I must say,

If this AIO goes into your PC, it’ll elevate the looks of your PC by a considerable margin.

When it comes to cooling, the NZXT Kraken X53 does a great job of ensuring your i5 CPU doesn’t cross the average temperatures. The new 7th gen Asetek pump and the two Aer P 120mm fans contribute to it.

Not only that, but the AIO also doesn’t produce much noise in the process. So most of the time, you’d be unable to hear the fans.

The CAM software is unable to control the radiator fans. So you won’t be able to configure the fans via software properly. To be honest, it is not the best AIO in terms of cooling. But at the same time, you get an above-average cooling solution along with a stunning liquid cooler.

So, if you want the best-looking CPU cooler with decent performance, the NZXT Kraken X53 is the best choice for you.
However, if you prefer thermal performance over anything, check out the EK AIO 240mm D-RGB.

2.   EK AIO 240mm D-RGB

The EK AIO 240mm D-RGB is the best AIO for i5 11400 in terms of thermal performance.

Top Features of the EK AIO 240mm D-RGB:

EKWB produces some great liquid coolers that perform great in thermal tests. The EK AIO 240mm D-RGB is one such product.
The AIO is capable of cooling high-end CPUs with a large number of cores. Therefore, cooling an i5 11400 is relatively easy for it. Hence, you’re sure to get very low temperatures with the 240mm AIO.

Moreover, since the thermal efficiency is excellent on the EK AIO 240mm D-RGB, you don’t need to crank up the radiator fans at maximum speed. So, you get low noise output from the AIO.
Speaking of fans,

The AIO has two 120mm EK Vardar S PWM fans included, which support ARGB lighting. The CPU block has a clean and sleek design. Also, most of it is translucent to pass ARGB lighting through.

Therefore, the ARGB lighting on the EK AIO 240mm D-RGB is one of the best I’ve seen. The fans, the CPU block all sync nicely and produce a fantastic glow that looks fantastic. That’s why its amazing aesthetics made its place in our best RGB CPU cooler in current market.

Naturally, with such high-performance cooling and gorgeous lighting, you are in to pay a slightly steep price here. So if you want such a combination of features, go ahead and buy the EK AIO 240mm D-RGB.

But, if you need something cheaper, take a look at the Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML240L RGB V2.

3.   Noctua NH-L9i chromax.Black

The Noctua NH-L9i chromax.Black is a great performing low-profile CPU cooler for i5 11400.

Key features of the Noctua NH-L9i chromax.Black:

Noctua is a renowned name in the world of CPU air coolers. They produce some of the top-performing air coolers out there. The Noctua NH-L9i chromax.Black is a high-performing and one of the best low-profile cooler from them.
If you want to build a small ITX PC with the Intel i5 11400, the Noctua NH-L9i chromax.Black is the best choice for you. I’ll explain why.

You get the compact, low-profile cooler that’ll fit into most ITX cases. It has a height of just 37mm and covers a footprint of 95x95mm, which can easily snug into tight spaces. You also don’t need to worry about RAM or GPU clearance.

The heatsink on this cooler, along with the NF-A9x14 fan, performs great in terms of thermals. They combinedly deliver a stable cooling solution to your i5 CPU. It’s surprising when you consider that such a small cooler can provide such massive cooling to the CPU.

Thirdly,

Noctua designed the Noctua NH-L9i chromax.Black especially for Intel CPUs. So you get high compatibility, efficient cooling, and a straightforward installation.
Also, the air cooler looks excellent with the all-new chromax.Black version. Here Noctua gave the CPU cooler an all-black color instead of the brown color that they go with. With this new color scheme, the Noctua NH-L9i chromax.Black looks stunning. But you don’t get any RGB here.

To sum up:

If you need a compact, low-profile stable cooling solution for your i5 11400, look no further.
On the other hand, if you have enough space to mount a 120mm radiator, you can take a look at the NZXT Kraken M22.

4.   Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML240L RGB V2

The Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML240L RGB V2 is a 240mm AIO for the Intel i5 11400 CPU.

Top highlights of the Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML240L RGB V2:

Cooler Master makes some cool liquid coolers. The Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML240L RGB V2 is one of the most value-for-money offerings from them.
The AIO has a black-colored 240mm radiator. You get two SickleFlow 120mm PWM fans. Interestingly, the fan blades have a frosted design for improved glow in RGB lighting.
There’s more.

The AIO pump is circular and has a minimalistic logo at the front. When you turn on RGB, lights shine through the logo and also on the fans.
For the price, you get a great deal of cooling from the AIO. It doesn’t rival the best AIOs in the market for sure. But at such a budget price, it isn’t supposed to. The cooling performance you get here is enough to provide you a stable gaming experience with the i5 CPU.
In addition, you aren’t stuck to any particular software to control the RGB. Instead, you can easily use your motherboard software to configure the lighting.
However, the fans can get reasonably loud at 100% load. So make sure to configure the fan curve properly if you buy it.
Overall,
If you want a budget and high-value 240mm AIO, the Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML240L RGB V2 is a great choice.
But, the Cooler Master Hyper 212 Black Edition might be the better option if you can use an air cooler.

5.   Corsair iCUE H60i RGB PRO XT

The Corsair iCUE H60i RGB PRO XT is a solid choice as a 120mm RGB liquid cooler.

Notable highlights of the Corsair iCUE H60i RGB PRO XT:

Corsair makes some of the best AIOs, keeping gamers in mind. Their liquid coolers maintain a decent balance between thermal performance, RGB lighting, and design.

The Corsair iCUE H60i RGB PRO XT is one such product. The all-black liquid cooler with a 120mm radiator has a single Corsair ML120 fan in it. The magnetic levitation fans operate smoothly, generating less noise and vibration, and last longer than others.
Not only that, they produce high static pressure, more than enough to cool the i5 11400 adequately. It also features a 0 RPM mode for pin-drop silence when you don’t need it.
Moreover, the ARGB lighting is one of the most vital points of the Corsair iCUE H60i RGB PRO XT. The CPU pump has 16 ARGB LEDs for complete control of the lighting. Also, you can customize the ARGB lighting to your heart’s content via the iCUE software.
That being said,
The iCUE software can sometimes be buggy. Also, you need to take care of many cables for such a small 120mm AIO, which can be bothersome.
On the bright side,the installation process is dead simple with a modular and tool-free mounting system. You can get up and running within minutes.
So, if you want a small 120mm AIO with gorgeous RGB lighting, the Corsair iCUE H60i RGB PRO XT is the one for you.

However, for more solid thermal performance, check out the NZXT Kraken M22.

6.   NZXT Kraken M22

The NZXT Kraken M22 is a solid choice as an AIO for ITX PCs.

Notable highlights of the NZXT Kraken M22:

NZXT has another premium offering in the name of the NZXT Kraken M22. It is rare to find such a premium and sleek 120mm AIO.
The 120mm AIO has its advantage in a small PC build. Especially if you build an ITX PC and want to use AIO to cool down your CPU, usually the 120mm AIOs are the way to go.
In this regard, the NZXT Kraken M22 does a great job of cooling. If you pair it with the i5, your CPU is bound to remain cool due to the tremendous thermal capacity of the liquid cooler. As a result, you can do CPU-intensive tasks or play games for a long time without worrying about CPU overheating.
Beyond that, the included Aer P 120mm fan generates little to no noise in the process. So even under full load, you’d barely hear the fans.
As I’ve said earlier, the NZXT AIOs look and feel very premium, and that’s the case here too. The all-black AIO looks stellar and sleek. The NZXT Kraken M22 is one of the best-looking 120mm AIO in the market, no doubt.
The only gripe I have about it is its software. NZXT CAM software doesn’t offer all the features one might want. There’s a lot of gap between it and the software from other brands.
To sum up:
The NZXT Kraken M22 is a top option for high-performance liquid cooling inside ITX cases.
But, if you’re not constrained on space, it’s better to buy a 240mm AIO instead for the best performance. In such a case, you can take a look at the EK AIO 240mm D-RGB.

7.   Cooler Master Hyper 212 Black Edition

The Cooler Master Hyper 212 Black Edition is the best single tower air cooler for the i5 11400 CPU.

Notable features of the Cooler Master Hyper 212 Black Edition:

The Cooler Master Hyper 212 Black Edition is an improved version of the highly popular Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo. Like the Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo, you still get the same highly efficient air cooling performance.
However, you get improvements in the form of reduced noise levels and better looks.
How so?
The CPU cooler gets a new anodized gun-metal black finish on the outside. It looks sleek and stunning over the previous generation. Also, the highly optimized 120mm Silencio FP120 fan operates at very low noise.
Besides, the thermal performance is once again top-notch here. The four heat pipes with Continuous Direct Contact (CDC) technology help dissipate heat quickly. Also, you have nickel-plated jet black fins, which also help in the process.

Also, don’t forget to check out the best cooler master cpu cooler available in the market.The good thing is, you can increase the thermal performance of the CPU cooler by installing a second fan.
Therefore, the Cooler Master Hyper 212 Black Edition is an affordable and efficient CPU cooler for the i5 11400. If you want an air CPU cooler with top-notch cooling and sleek looks, it is the perfect one for you.

Final Thoughts

Which CPU cooler did you like the best?
I like the EK AIO 240mm D-RGB for it’s high thermal performance and unique ARGB lighting.
The Cooler Master Hyper 212 Black Edition is a top choice as an air cooler for its high-performance cooling at a budget price.