Stock air coolers are inadequate to cool off any powerful CPU that gets super hot. Unless you’re a freak who likes to see the CPU get a heat stroke & die, you must patch in a decent air cooler with it.
However, choosing the best one for your processor seems to be a tough decision for you!
Let us assist you with that as we have tested & enlisted the best air cooler for you in this article.
Best CPU Air Coolers for PC to Buy Right Now
| Award | Model | Dimension With Fan |
|---|---|---|
| Editor’s Choice | DEEPCOOL Assassin III | 161×140×165 mm (L×W×H) |
| Best Overall | Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE | 125 x135x155mm (L×W×H) |
| Most Popular | Noctua NH-D15 chromax.black | 161x150x165mm (L×W×H) |
| Best Budget Friendly | DEEPCOOL AK620 | 129×138×160mm (L×W×H) |
| Best RGB Air Cooler | GIGABYTE Aorus ATC800 RGB | 139x107x163mm (L×W×H) |
| Best TR4 Air Cooler | be quiet! Dark Rock Pro TR4 | 146x136x163mm (L×W×H) |
| Best Low Profile | Noctua NH-L9i | 95x95x37mm (L×W×H) |
We got our hands on several best-in-class air coolers and tested them. Thus, we picked the best ones, shortlisted them above in the table, and tagged those with a suitable award. Now, let’s see why we picked them.
Here are the top 7 CPU air coolers best at handling thermal performance:
1. Editor’s Choice: DEEPCOOL Assassin III
SPECIFICATIONS
Socket Compatibility: Intel —LGA 2066/2011-v3/2011/1700/LGA1200/1151/1150/1155 & AMD—AM5, AM4 | Dimension: 161×140×165 mm(L×W×H)| Heat Pipes: 7 | Fans: 2 x 140mm | Fans Speed: 500—1800 RPM±10% | Noise: 28 dB(A) | Fan Airflow: 68.99 CFM | TDP: 280W | Warranty: 5 Years
- »Outstanding thermal performance.
- »Hassle-free installation.
- »Low fan noise with max RPM.
- »Dual tower design.
- »Expensive air cooler.
Why We Picked It
The reason is pretty simple behind picking this one is the capability of handling the thermal when the CPU is on full load. We managed to get our hands on these coolers and tested each one. And we found that Deeplcool Assassin III did the best by lowering the CPU temp than other coolers.
Before beginning the testing scenario, we would like to share the fantastic unboxing experience and amazing specs of this masterpiece from DEEPCOOL.
The cooler package contains a long-reach magnetic screwdriver, thermal compound in a syringe, alcohol swab pad, spreading card, 2x RPM decreaser cable, PWM splitter cable, mounting accessories for Intel & AMD sockets, and the cooler alone with two 140mm fans.
All the mounting hardware was nickel plated and finished with black color to match the color theme with the fans and plastic accents on the cooling tower. To ensure better heat dissipation, this cooler came with seven heat pipes, including the base plate, made with pure copper and nickel plated.
These pipes are distributed between dual towers with highly dense fins to ensure good heat dissipation. Two torsion plates are on the top of the cooling base fixed with tension screws to prevent misalignment of the large fans during installation.
The heat pipes are sandwiched between the base plate and the base mounting block, machined perfectly for direct contact with CPU IHS. Now let us tell you the testing part.
We tested it with Intel i9-13900K, and the rig was also powered with RTX 3090. We played DOOM with 1080p at max settings, and the ambient room temp was 24℃. During gaming, the Deepcool Assassin III held the CPU at max 68℃, which was insanely great compared to other coolers.
Who It’s For
This dual tower and two fan-based cooler from DeepCool is definitely for those who own a top-tier processor that gets super hot. Our testing experience shows it is the best air cooler for high-end processors like i9-13900K and Ryzen 9 7000 & 5000 series.
What We Liked Most
The cooling capability of this cooler is insanely outstanding. The 2x Deepcool GamerStorm TF-140S fans can spin at a maximum of 1800 RPM with 28 dB. And the fan blade design ensures proper airflow through the fins.
What We Didn’t Like
The price point is quite high. Well, other best-in-class air coolers are in the market with the same specs at lower prices. But this one performs better than others.
Verdict
The performance supremacy of Deepcool Assassin III shines brightly among other air coolers in the market. That’s why we placed it at the top of the list and awarded it the best air cooler.
2. Best Overall: Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE
SPECIFICATIONS
Socket Compatibility: Intel —115X/1200/1700, AMD—AM5/AM4 | Dimension: 125x135x155 mm (L×W×H) | Heatpipes: 6 x 6mm Fans: 2 x 120mm | Fans Speed: Max 1550 rpm ±10% | Noise: 25.6 dBA | Fan Airflow: 66.17 CFM (Max) | TDP: 200W+
- »Efficient at cooling 245W+.
- »Budget-friendly pricing.
- »Quieter than other coolers at max RPM.
- »Exceptional performance.
- »Couldn’t find any!
Why We Picked It
Thermalright once dominated the CPU cooler market, and they came to the game once again with their Peerless Assassin 120 SE. This air cooler has a dual tower design with 6x 6mm C1100 nickel-plated copper heat pipes. Plus, two TL- C12C 120mm fans that ensure max RPM with low noise.
Inside the packaging was a medium-sized thermal paste with a tube, mounting accessories for Intel & AMD sockets, a fan splitter cable, and an installation guide. We didn’t face any trouble while installing it on our i9-13900K.
We applied included thermal paste, placed the cooler on the brackets, and secured it with the captive screws. Then attach the fans to the towers through the clips. Then we played DOOM again to test the thermals.
Our rig had an RTX 3090, so we set the game at 1080p with max settings. During the testing, we recorded the maximum temp reached at 70℃ with the Peerless Assassin 120 SE, which was stable… Read in-depth review.
Who It’s For
This cooler is a game changer at a budget price. Those looking for alternatives to Noctua NH-D15 on a lower budget, trust us; you won’t be disappointed with any corner. Furthermore, it performs better than Noctua’s most popular NH-D15.
What We Liked Most
We liked how this cooler handled the thermal and kept it low for a hot chip like i9-13900K. We really got blown away. Moreover, the dual anodized Aluminum cover on the top of the cooler provides a great appearance and protects from unwanted scratches.
The S-FDB bearing on the fans ensured quiet motor operations and an extended life span. Plus, these TL-C12 fans are also great for use as casing fans. And thanks to those AGHP heat pipes for offloading heat so quickly from the base plate.
What We Didn’t Like
Well, we didn’t find any negative sides of this supreme cooler. But nothing is perfect, and you might find one.
Verdict
This air cooler surprised us by throwing better performance at lower thermal or TDP settings. Those fans are quiet and did a great job of blowing out the heat from the fins and heatpipes. If you want white, silver, or gray color, this cooler also offers this color version. So, get one now!
3. Most Popular: Noctua NH-D15 chromax.black
SPECIFICATIONS
Socket Compatibility: Intel Sockets —LGA 1700, 1200, 1156, 1155, 1151, 1150, 2066, 2011-0, 2011-3 (Square ILM) & AMD — AM4, AM5 | Dimension: 161x150x165mm (L×W×H) | Heatpipes: 6 | Fans: 2x Noctua NF-A15 PWM| Fans Speed: 300—1500 RPM | Noise: 24.6 dB(A) | Fan Airflow: 82.5 CFM (Max) | TDP: 220W | Warranty: 6 Years.
- »Easy to install.
- »High-level cooling capability.
- »Comes with NF-A15 fans.
- »Super build quality.
- »Price is a bit high.
Why We Picked It
Noctua is among the brands that always amaze us with their highly capable CPU coolers and case fans. Among those, the Noctua NH-D15 is the leading one among other Noctua CPU coolers. This cooler’s performance outranks its previous model Noctua NH-D14.
However, this NH-D15 comes in two types— the brown and beige color, which is Noctua’s original color scheme & full dark black. And we got our hands on the second one, the chromax.black. Besides, this cooler got several awards due to its cooling performance.
Noctua NH-D15 Chromax.black coated with black from head to toe. Moreover, this cooler has six pure copper heat pipes and a dual tower heatsink design. The base plate is also copper, so it can pass heat to the pipes effectively.
The heat sink’s aluminum fins ensure lightweight with a proper thermal solution. Moreover, the spread fins through the wide fins help dissipate heat faster. We also tested the dual NF-A15 premium-grade fans, which are surprisingly great.
With 1500 RPM, these fans could quickly blow the heat away from the heat pipes and fins. And with that much RPM, these fans were quiet thanks to the Low Noise Adapter. Plus, we set up a custom fan curve to test these PWM-supported fans, and the result was extraordinary.
Who It’s For
If someone is looking for the best-in-class CPU air cooler that can effectively cool down any super hot CPU like Ryzen 9 5900X or i9 13900K, Noctua NH-D15 is the one. It can perform head-to-head with other top-class CPU air coolers.
What We Liked Most
The pure copper-made heat pipes spread through the dual tower heatsink fins are the true beauty of this cooler. Our R&D team named this NH-D15 the black beast. Besides that, the noiseless fan performance was superb.
Noctua NH-D15 is among the quietest CPU coolers that will give you a silent PC experience.
What We Didn’t Like
We couldn’t find any downside to this cooler!
Verdict
Overall, the black-themed Noctua NH-D15 is the all-rounder in terms of performance. We tested it with our Ryzen 7 5800X, and the CPU was at 34-45℃ while idle and hit 80℃ while on full load. So, we gave this 5 out of 5.
4. Best Budget Friendly: DEEPCOOL AK620
SPECIFICATIONS
Socket Compatibility: Intel Sockets —LGA 2066/2011-v3/2011/1700/1200/1151/1150/1155 & AMD — AM4, AM5 | Dimension: 129×138×160 mm(L×W×H) | Heatpipes: 6x 6mm | Fans: 2x120mm FK120 PWM fans | Fans Speed: 500-1850 RPM±10% | Fan Airflow: 68.99 CFM | Noise: 28 dB(A) | TDP: 260W | Warranty: 3 Years.
- »Low Noise.
- »Great cooling performance.
- »Dual cap plates on the top of the cooling tower.
- »120mm fans with rubber mount pads for noiseless operation.
- »Price is a bit high.
Why We Picked It
This is the best air performance cooler you can get right now under the $70 budget. The dual tower design, two low-noise fans, and the thermal performance made us select this cooler. DeepCool AK620 performs similarly to other big-air coolers but is less expensive.
Inside the box, we got a bunch of thumb screws and mounting brackets for Intel & AMD sockets, a Phillips screwdriver, a PWM Y-splitter cable, a thermal compound in a syringe, and a user manual guide. After unboxing, we attached the fans with the help of metal fan clips to the heat sink.
The six heat pipes were pure copper made nickel-plated, just like the near mirror finish base plate. These pipes extended through the base plate into the dual towers for better heat dissipation. The towers were covered with pixels like black-colored cap plates with the DeepCool logo.
Moreover, after installation, we tested the fans, and these 120mm FK120 PWM-supported fans got a maximum RPM of 1850. And these were quiet due to those rubber fan mount pads on every corner. But, sadly, there is no RGB!
Due to its stunning clearance design, DeepCool AK620 didn’t create problems for taller RAMs. The precisely milled copper base helped to spread the thermal compound perfectly. That’s why the heat transfers faster through the pipes and spreads to the fins.
Who It’s For
Those who want a big air cooler but on a budget, this is the best cooler to spend your money on. This good-looking cooler will blend perfectly with the latest DeepCool PC case. Because Deepcool mainly focused on performance and look.
What We Liked Most
We really liked this cooler’s clearance design. We installed taller memory sticks, and still, there was enough space on the top of the RAM. Plus, it didn’t cover the first 16x PCIe slot and didn’t hinder the IO shield of the MOBO.
What We Didn’t Like
The performance was solid according to our test, but one thing scratched us: the pricing. DeepCool should lower the price a bit, and RGB lovers will fall for it if they launch the RGB version of it. By the way, there is a white version of it too.
Verdict
We tested it with Intel 10700K and installed it on the MSI MAG Z490 Tomahawk MOBO. The cooler managed to hold down the temperature at 24.8℃ while 3.8GHz on all cores. The temperature maxed at 44.6℃ when we ran all the cores at 4.7GHz.
So, we further tweaked the GHz at 5.0 on all cores, and DeepCool AK620 held the temperature at 54.7℃. From the testing, we were convinced that this is the best budget-friendly air cooler to go for.
5. Best RGB Air Cooler: GIGABYTE Aorus ATC800 RGB
SPECIFICATIONS
Socket Compatibility: Intel —2066/2011/1366/1156/1155/1151/1150/1200/1700 & AMD — AM4/AM5/FM2+/FM2/FM1/AM3/AM3/AM2+/AM2 | Dimension: 139 x 107 x 163 mm(L×W×H) | Heatpipes: 6x 6mm | Fans: 2x120mm ARGB fans | Fans Speed: 600 – 2000 RPM±10%| Fan Airflow: 51.7 CFM (Max)| Noise: 31 dB(A) | TDP: 250W | | Warranty: 3 Years.
- »Efficient cooling performance with 250W heat dissipation capability.
- »Unique CPU Temp and RPM indicator with RGB light.
- »Taller memory-compatible design.
- »Supports RGB Fusion 2.0.
- »Difficult to install.
Why We Picked It
There are many RGB air coolers in the market, but no other air coolers that light up as cool as GIGABYTE Aorus ATC800 RGB. The fans and the top portion have great RGB lighting with the Aorus logo.
The most interesting fact is that it has a unique Temp/RPM RGB indicator that changes color according to the temperature & RPM.
Cool! Right?
Yes, and we were looking for the best coolers for Ryzen 7 5800X. That’s why we hooked this one with the Ryzen 7 5800X, and it managed to hold the temperature at 80℃ in full load. The noise level was also a bit high, but that was OKAY!
This cooler came with six direct-touch heat pipes made from pure copper. As copper is a great conductor of heat, these pipes offload the heat from the CPU to the fins much quicker. Also, the unique fan design claims 33% more airflow than the previous version under 35 dBA.
Furthermore, the refined RGB LED merged with RGB Fusion 2.0 software for better light control. The top Aorus Falcon logo and the fans are well synchronized via Fusion 2.0 app. That’s why we awarded this air cooler from Gigabyte, the best RGB air cooler.
Who It’s For
This one is definitely for RGB lovers who like to showcase the PC and want the best performance simultaneously. The RGB synchronization is top-level, and users can use Fusion 2.0 to merge the lighting effect with other RGB-supported peripherals.
What We Liked Most
Besides the great thermal performance, we became a fan of the unique TEMP/RPM indicator. That indicator is at the top of the heat sink beneath the Falcon log. We could monitor the fan’s speed and temperature by looking at the changing color of that indicator.
The color changes according to the CPU loading and temperature. The lighting bars increase or decrease according to the fan’s RPM. Apart from this, we also liked the memory compatibility design.
What We Didn’t Like
The installation process of this cooler is awful. The mounting process was really hard, which cost us more time. Plus, it’s a single-tower cooler. As we all know, Dual tower coolers have some merits over single-tower ones.
Verdict
GIGABYTE Aorus ATC800 RGB is a great RGB air cooler that you’ll find now. That’s why we picked this colorful cooler and tested it. According to the result, it performs well with all those flashy lights. So, get one and showcase your gaming rig!
6. Best TR4 Air Cooler: be quiet! Dark Rock Pro TR4
SPECIFICATIONS
Socket Compatibility: AMD — sTRX4 / TR4 | Dimension: 146 x 136 x 163 mm(L×W×H) | Heatpipes: 7x 6mm | Fans: 1x Silent Wings 3 120mm PWM / 1x Silent Wings 135mm PWM | Fans Speed: 1200 / 1500 RPM | Fan Airflow: 50 CFM (Max)| Noise: 12.8 – 24.3dB(A) | TDP: 250W | | Warranty: 3 Years.
- »Extremely Low Noise for a TR4 cooler.
- »Stealthy look.
- »Easy mounting and installing process.
- »Thermal performance is better than similar products.
- »No RGB lights.
Why We Picked It
There are many TR4 socket-based coolers, but among those, we picked this one, especially for the extremely low noise performance that can handle the Ryzen 32 cores beast processors.
However, if you’re looking for the quietest TR4 cooler, go for it but don’t expect to get the lowest Threadripper temperature from it. During the testing period, its average noise level was recorded at 22 dBA, and when in full load, it can be reached at a max of 23.8 dBA.
Quite silent, isn’t it?
We faced clearance issues with taller RAM while installing this cooler. Besides, if you have a thick PCIe card, it might cause problems. The dual tower design with a pair of 120mm and 135mm makes it bulky.
Now let’s get into the testing phase. We tested this one with Threadripper 1950X against the Ncotua NH-U14s TR4-SP3. And the result was good. With all cores 4.0GHz, the Dark Rock Pro TR4, the max temperature was 62.6℃, whereas the Noctua NH-U14S managed to hold the temp at 64.3℃.
But the Dark Rock Pro TR4 air cooler’s thermal performance is a mixed bag. So, it might vary for different testing cases. This one might not handle the latest Threadripper 3990X. But despite all this, one is a great cooler for TR4-based Ryzen processors, and fan operation is the quietest one.
Who It’s For
If you own an old Gen Ryzen TR4 processor like Theadripper 1950X, this is undoubtedly the best. Plus, silent PC lovers will love this one for quiet fan operations. However, for Threadripper 3990X, you might see a slightly higher temperature.
What We Liked Most
There is no confusion about this cooler’s quiet thermal performance. As a TR4 cooler, it’s the quietest one you can buy now. With this, you can cool down the mighty Threadripper without any issues. Plus, the dark look will add a stealthy look to your rig.
What We Didn’t Like
After mounting this one, we faced problems with the RAM installation. We couldn’t install taller RAM into the MOBO and had to install the regular one. And one thing more, it’s not recommended to use it if you’re going to OC the Threadripper 3990X.
Verdict
Overall, be quiet! Dark Rock Pro TR4 is a great TR4 air cooler under $90. If you’re not a fan of RGB and want a silent cooler, we highly recommend this one.
7. Best Low Profile: Noctua NH-L9i
SPECIFICATIONS
Socket Compatibility: Intel—LGA1150, LGA1151, LGA1155, LGA1156, LGA1200, AMD—AM4 with NM-AM4-L9aL9i | Dimension: 95 x 95 x 37 mm(L×W×H) | Heatpipes: 2x 6mm copper | Fans: 1x Noctua NF-A9x14 PWM | Fans Speed: 2500 RPM| Fan Airflow: 33.8 CFM (Max)| Noise: 23.6 dB(A) | TDP: 65W | | Warranty: 6 Years.
- »Best compact air cooler.
- »Silent cooling at max RPM.
- »Best for Mini-ITX rig.
- »100% RAM clearance.
- »Not recommended for overclocking.
Why We Picked It
When you’re building a Mini-ITX gaming rig, the main concern is 100% RAM and PCIe clearance. Keeping that in mind, we selected this low-profile cooler from Noctua. This NH-L9i might look small, but its thermal performance is best in class.
We are surprised that this cooler’s total height is only 37mm, leaving enough room for installing RAM and PCIe cards in an ITX MOBO & case. Plus, this NH-L9i came with Secufirm 2 mounting system for LGA115x sockets.
With the premium grade NF-A9x14 fan, it can dissipate heat at a max of 2500 RPM. Noctua also included a Low Noise Adapter (L.N.A) to lower the noise. During our test, we recorded 18.4 dBA at 1800 RPM. Great job with the L.N.A.
The copper base and heat pipes with aluminum fins can transfer heat from the CPU faster and more effectively. Thanks to Noctua for including the NT-H1 thermal compound, which plays a major part in faster heat dissipation. The fan has nine blades with the Noctua’s famed SSO2 bearing.
We tested it against Noctua NH-U9S, and Noctua NH-L9i was extremely close regarding thermal capabilities. However, if you want to get this as an AM4 CPU cooler, there is an AM4 version (NM-AM4-L9aL9i) of this too. For Intel’s LGA-1700 socket, you can go for its NH-L9i-17xx version.
Who It’s For
If you want the best low-profile air cooler, which has the best RAM clearance, Noctua NH-L9i and other versions of this are great options. This one is best for CPU rated with a TDP of 65W or max 75W. From our testing, this cooler won’t disappoint you in both the performance and clearance sectors.
What We Liked Most
Low profile yet higher thermal performance is the main thing that hooked us to select it. This is a mini cooling beast for both AMD and Intel series processors with a Mini-ITX build.
The 92mm fan with L.N.A. can spin like a hurricane without that much noise. And this cooler makes one thing clear, Noctua is Noctua! None can beat its performance.
What We Didn’t Like
During the testing phase, we didn’t find any downside to this one. But one thing is, it is not meant to be patched with any overclocking CPUs. If you want to overclock the CPU, there are many budget coolers to overclock the CPU.
Verdict
The Noctua NH-L9 series offers the best cooling performance in a small package. It’s like the Mini Cooper, which is small in size but a speedy monster. That’s why we awarded Noctua NH-L9i the best low-profile CPU air cooler.
Besides these air coolers, there are other CPU air coolers in the market that are also extraordinary. Among those, Cooler Master Hyper 212 Black Edition, DeepCool AK500, Noctua NH-U14S TR4-SP3, Zalman CNPS10x Performa Black, and ARCTIC FREEZER 50 TR are the best air coolers.
How We Chose the Best CPU Air Coolers
Choosing the best cooler was tough, and we have to keep many factors of air coolers in our head. But we mainly considered the performance, build quality, and design to choose the best CPU air coolers. Now let me get deeper into those selecting factors real quick.
Here are the primary factors we have considered to make this best air coolers list:
Performance
It is the first thing that we looked into in an air cooler. We tested several coolers, and based on the test results, we picked the best one. That’s why DEEPCOOL Assassin III got the best air cooler award.
But Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE is also best at handling hot CPUs. So, these two are top of the list for delivering high performance.
Features
Among the features we mainly looked for are the number of heat pipes, air flow, noise level, and fan control features. That’s how we categorize the list. Speaking of features, RGB Lightning was one of the features that we have also considered.
Noctua NH-D15 is the most feature-packed cooler we have tested so far. The nickel-plated heat pipes & base plate, premium grade fan, and Low Noise Adapter are top-class features that any user seeks in an air cooler.
We really liked the GIGABYTE Aorus ATC800 RGB’s RPM/TEMP indicator feature through the RGB LEDs.
Heat Sink Design
Most efficient coolers that can handle thermal performance come with a dual tower heat sink. That’s why we considered the heat sink design for selecting the best air coolers. When heat pipes spread through the dual heat sink, it can reduce CPU temperature much faster.
FAQs
Which is the best RGB air cooler?
There are many RGB air coolers on the market right now. Among those, Gigabyte AORUS ATC800 is the best one. Not only the dual RGB fans, but the bottom part of the cooler also has a RGB Falcon logo. Plus, there is an RGB LED indicator for RPM/TEMP monitoring.
Which air cooler is the best for Ryzen 9 7900X or i9 13900K?
Both the Ryzen 9 7900X & i9 13900K are hot processors. To offload the massive heat and dissipate it faster, Noctua NH-D15 Chromax.Black is the best one.
Which is the quietest air CPU cooler?
be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 4 and Noctua NH-D15 came with the quietest fan at max RPM. The air cooler’s main concern is noise level. When you spin those fans at max RPM, it produces noise. That’s why users mainly look forward to noiseless air coolers.
