A good flashy CPU cooler is all you need to attract the eye of every person that steps into your room. It adds a luxurious touch to your gaming rig while allowing you to get every juice of performance out of your CPU. And if you have been in the market hunting for one, then you definitely come across the wide range of options available out there. Nevertheless, we know how irritating it can be when choosing a good CPU cooler among hundreds of options. That’s why we have made a list that compiles both RGB AIO & Air CPU Coolers for all budgets.
I-AIO Coolers
1-NZXT Kraken X73 360mm
What makes it good?
NZXT is a very well reputed brand in the CPU cooling industry as it has always delivered high-quality coolers. But what has also attracted our attention with the Kraken X73 are its unique features that we are going to dive into.
The NZXT Kraken X73 is one of our favorite 360mm AIO coolers. It has a sleek design, especially when considering its unique and mind-blowing pump. The pump features an eye-appealing RGB mirror, which has a bigger size compared to the previous generation.
Furthermore, the mirror is rotatable, allowing you to position it according to the rest of your PC components.
Just like the aesthetics, NZXT Kraken X73’s cooling performance is also top-notch. What we mean by that is that regardless of how power-consuming your CPU is, this AIO cooler won’t face any difficulties in maintaining it under low temperatures.
In addition, the NZXT Kraken X73 offered us a fantastic inaudible cooling experience. That’s right. Even when setting the fans at maximum RPM, you will barely hear the noise generated, which is fantastic giving how noisy AIO coolers can sometimes be.
The installation process was pretty easy. We believe that no one should face any issue, regardless of your PC building experience. Also, the build quality is solid, and the pipes felt robust. In addition, they didn’t interfere at all with the tall memory modules that were installed during our test.
What could have been better?
NZXT Kraken X73’s instruction manual had some missing information. I mean, like you will find most of what you will need so you can install the cooler properly, yet, they could make it better.
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2-Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML360R
What makes it good?
When RGB lighting is your primary goal, you will definitely need to consider the Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML360R. Its cooling capabilities are on par with all high-end AIO coolers, while it has outstanding RGB lighting along with a stylish pump.
The MasterLiquid ML360R highlights elegant RGB lighting that is customizable through Cooler Master software. This latter offers a wide range of customization options and also allows you to synchronize the lighting effects with other Cooler Master devices.
Furthermore, the MasterLiquid ML360R is available in 120mm and 240mm sizes. And they all perform incredibly well. Therefore, the one you should choose will be based on the size of the cooler that your PC case can accommodate and the type of CPU you got.
Moreover, the MasterLiquid ML360R supports all the latest CPUs from both Intel & AMD. Therefore, regardless of the type of machine you are looking to build, this cooler will have a place inside your current/future battle station.
If the black color of the MasterLiquid ML360R doesn’t attract you too much, or you feel like you want something else for your gaming rig, you still have the option to choose the Silver Edition model.
This latter features a premium look while maintaining the same RGB effects and cooling capabilities. However, it’s slightly more expensive compared to the original version.
What could have been better?
Unfortunately, we have spotted some downsides that we believe you might not like. First of all, is the installation process. Unlike the NZXT Kraken X73, the MasterLiquid ML360R is somewhat difficult to mount.
Besides, the MasterLiquid ML360R’s fans turned out to be slightly noisy at maximum speed.
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3-Corsair iCUE H150i Elite Capellix
What makes it good?
Corsair cooling devices have gained huge trustworthiness over the past years thanks to their reliability and mind-blowing performance compared to the competition. And just like the rest of their premium CPU coolers, the iCUE H150i Elite Capellix is another monstrous AIO that you can rely on to improve your PC’s performance and aesthetics.
With its compatibility with all modern CPUs, the iCUE H150i Elite Capellix is a fantastic option for those who would like to do some extreme overclocking. That’s right. You read it correctly. This AIO cooler is more than capable of handling your most power-hungry CPU without occurring any overheating issues.
Therefore, you aren’t only getting a stylish cooler but also a powerful one that will allow you to get every juice of performance out of your processor.
What we also like with Corsair is the fact that they equip their AIO coolers with high-quality fans. And with the iCUE H150i Elite Capellix, it’s no different. This cooler comes with triple 120mm Corsair ML RGB Magnetic Levitation fans that offer a fantastic cooling performance along with inaudible operation.
Another amazing advantage of using this AIO cooler is the Corsair iCUE software. This software is user-friendly and offers a wide range of customization along with some fantastic features. And one of these features that we liked is the zero RPM profile.
For those who are not familiar with the zero RPM profile, basically, this feature allows the fan to stop spinning when the CPU is running at a low temperature. Therefore, it helps increase fans’ lifespan.
What could have been better?
We indeed did mention that the triple fans offered a silent operation, which was the case. However, at high RPM, they turned out to be slightly noisy. However, bear in mind that it won’t ruin your gaming experience by any means, especially if you wear a gaming headset.
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4-ID-COOLING AURAFLOW X 360
What makes it good?
Having a stylish white CPU cooler is great, but as we all know, you can’t rely on aesthetics to cool your processor. That’s why we have opted for the ID-COOLING AURAFLOW X. It’s one of the most eye-appealing white CPU coolers that will make you fall in love with its outside design in a fraction of a second while providing you with an adequate cooling solution.
Besides, like every 360mm AIO cooler, the ID-COOLING AURAFLOW X consists of a thick radiator along with 3 RGB fans. The fans offer fantastic airflow capabilities of up to 1800RPM, allowing them to push the hot air out of the radiator effectively well and without generating any unwanted noise.
Furthermore, if 360mm is too much for your CPU, the ID-COOLING AURAFLOW X is also available at 240mm, perfect for any midrange processor.
The installation process was pretty much easy, and we believe that it won’t take you too long before putting it in place.
Also, you can rely on the instruction manual as it has all the necessary information that you would need in case you are new in the PC building field.
What could have been better?
According to some users’ feedback, the RGB isn’t too bright. This is indeed subjective, yet every opinion matter.
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5-Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML240L V2
What makes it good?
A 240mm AIO is the sweet spot in terms of price/performance ratio. It’s less space-consuming, reasonably priced, and on top of that, it offers competitive cooling performance. And while there is a wide range of 240mm AIO coolers, here, you are about to discover the eye-catching AIO from Cooler Master, the MasterLiquid ML240L RGB V2.
The MasterLiquid ML240L is one of our recommended picks when it comes to 240mm RGB coolers. It comes with a sturdy build quality along with a straightforward installation process, perfect for new PC builders.
This AIO cooler comes with a 3rd generation dual-chamber pump that is very efficient and also quiet. In addition to that, the MasterLiquid ML240L is equipped with two 120mm fans that have 7 blades and are static pressure optimized.
Furthermore, both the pump, as well as the two fans offer amazing RGB lighting. And for those who like to have control over LED effects, the MasterLiquid ML240L includes a controller for lights switch so that you can match the LEDs with the rest of the components.
Overall, we believe that the MasterLiquid ML240L is the perfect 240mm AIO cooler for anyone looking to showcase some stunning lighting effects. And what we also really liked is the fact that it offered a quiet operation despite setting fans’ curve at maximum RPM.
What could have been better?
The only issue that we faced during our review for the MasterLiquid ML240L is the fact that we had to go through the BIOS to change the fan curve since this cooler doesn’t feature dedicated software.
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II-Air Coolers
1-Cooler Master Hyper 212 (Best Value)
What makes it good?
One of the most recommended CPU coolers for budget gamers is the Cooler Master 212 air cooler. And despite being a few years old, they still dominate the market in the affordable range. That’s why, today, we are going to introduce you to one of these stylish and powerful air coolers on the 212 series and reveal its secret that makes it worth every penny.
The Cooler Master Hyper 212 is one of the most popular Air coolers among PC builders. It’s a well-made cooler that offers a fantastic cooling solution along with a quiet operation, while it’s super budget-friendly.
This cooler consists of an aluminum heatsink with stacked thin fins and four heat pipes that feature direct contact with the base. In addition to that, you can add an additional fan with the Cooler Master Hyper 212to maximize the airflow in case you got a power-hungry CPU.
Besides, with the new and refreshed version, you are definitely making a huge bargain by getting an eye-appealing black CPU cooler along with an RGB fan without breaking the bank.
This cooler is relatively huge. Not as big as Noctua NH-D15, yet, we recommend checking your case specifications to make sure that your PC chassis can accommodate it without any clearance issues.
Overall, the Cooler Master Hyper 212 is a great pick to replace your stock cooler, such as Wraith Prism, without going too crazy on the price. Also, the included thermal compound on the Cooler Master Hyper 212 is quite good. Therefore, unless you got a high-quality one, using the pre-applied one will offer you great results.
What could have been better?
Even though Cooler Master Hyper 212’s instructions are clear and easy to follow, mounting this cooler was slightly complicated. Not a big deal by any means, yet, we believe that some of you that are not used to building PCs might take too much time before installing the cooler properly.
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2-Thermaltake UX100 5V (Best Low-Profile)
What makes it good?
Are you confused about which cooler to pick for your small form factor gaming rig? Don’t worry. We believe that we have the perfect solution for you. With the Thermaltake UX100 5V, you won’t only have a cooler that you can install on your console-style rig but also a cooler that will give a luxurious touch to your overall gaming setup.
The Thermaltake UX100 is by far one of the most stylish RGB coolers on this list. Despite its low-profile design, it provided a wonderful cooling performance and displayed some incredible lighting effects. And we believe that it’s a matter of time before you will notice its true beauty.
Another unique feature with the Thermaltake UX100 5V that we don’t often see is its universal socket compatibility. In other words, this CPU is compatible with both Intel & AMD CPUs without the need for brackets.
Furthermore, since the Thermaltake UX100 5V doesn’t need an RGB header, you can enjoy its fancy lighting effects regardless of how old your motherboard is.
What could have been better?
Due to the size of this cooler, we highly recommend checking the space offered by your motherboard so you can avoid any type of clearance issues.
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3-Enermax ETS-F40 (Best White)
What makes it good?
A white air cooler with amazing cooling capabilities and a reasonable price tag. It sounds like a dream, right? Well, that’s what you actually get with the Enermax ETS-F40. With its sleek white design and eye-appealing RGB effects, your selfies with your gaming rig will blow everyone away.
With its 140mm ARGB fan, cooling your mighty CPU will be a breeze. The Enermax ETS-F40 features 4 heat pipes with direct contact, allowing the cooler to draw the heat out of your processor amazingly well.
Moreover, what we also liked with the Enermax ETS-F40 is its full white design, including the base and the heat pipes. In addition, the 140mm managed to offer stunning and bright LED effects that can be synchronized with the rest of your PC components.
Besides, it also offered a quiet operation even when running at maximum RPM, which is a great thing for those who want a silent PC.
Unlike most air coolers with a similar heatsink tower, the Enermax ETS-F40’s heat pipes are designed in a way that prevents them from interfering with your RAM modules. Therefore, installing Enermax ETS-F40 in your gaming rig gives you peace of mind regarding clearance issues.
What could have been better?
We actually didn’t find any real downside that felt like it worth to be mentioned. I mean like, for a reasonable price tag, you get an eye-appealing cooler that is also very efficient, which we consider a fantastic bargain. Therefore, we believe that this white cooler might be the one that you have been looking for all this time long.
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Conclusion
We hope that this list has given you an idea about the best RGB CPU Coolers that are available right now on the market. All that left for you to do is to check your case specifications to know which type of coolers it can accommodate. You will also have to identify your utilization and the type of processor you own or wish to purchase.
And if you are serious about building a fancy RGB gaming rig, you can visit our recent best RGB PC cases that we believe you will fall in love with. Also, if you find these CPU Coolers too expensive for you, you can either visit our recent guide about the best AIO under $100 or the best CPU Cooler under $50 since both of these articles include some fantastic RGB coolers.
