You want the best CPU cooler you can get, whether you’re aiming for world-record overclocks or just a PC that doesn’t get loud under load. Choosing the right cooler for your best CPU is an important decision in any PC build or upgrade. It can make a big difference in temperatures, noise and performance — particularly if you’re overclocking. If your existing cooler can’t keep your chip’s heat under control, that could mean slower performance and / or a shorter lifespan for your precious processor, and no one wants that.
If you’re unsure whether you want air cooling or a liquid-cooled AIO, there are a few things to consider. Big air coolers tend to take up more internal space in your PC case, particularly when it comes to vertical clearance off your best motherboard. They can also be louder and less efficient at moving heat away from your choice of CPU and out of the chassis, though that’s not always the case. Air coolers also tend to cost less than AIOs, though that line is blurring as well. AIO coolers are getting more affordable, while high-end air coolers reach toward the $100 range.
If money isn’t that much of an object and quiet operation and low temperatures are important to you, you may want to consider a custom cooling loop. For more on how these can perform (and how good they look), check out our Mirror Maze build feature.
When choosing the best CPU cooler for your needs, consider the following:
- Own a recent Ryzen CPU? You may not need to buy a cooler, even for overclocking. Most Ryzen 2000 and 3000-series processors and some older Ryzen models ship with coolers, and many of them can handle moderate overclocks. If you want the best CPU clock speed possible, you’ll still likely want to buy an aftermarket cooler. But for many Ryzen owners who don’t plan to push their silicon to the limit, the best CPU cooler might just be the free one in the box.
- If opting for a large air cooler, be sure to check clearances before buying. Big coolers and low-profile models can bump up against tall RAM and even VRM heat sinks sometimes. And tall coolers can cause clearance issues with your case door or window. Be sure to check the dimensions and advertised clearances of any cooler you’re considering and your case before buying.
- Remember that, all else being equal, more fans equals better cooling, but more noise. The coolers that do the absolute best job of moving warm air away from your CPU and out of your case are also often the loudest. If fan noise is a problem for you, you’ll want a cooler that does a good job of balancing noise and cooling.
For much more detail on how to choose the right cooler (and cooler type) check out our CPU cooler buying guide.
The Best Air Coolers You Can Buy
1. Deepcool Assassin III
Best Big Air CPU Cooler
Dimensions: 171.5 x 139.7 x 133.4mm | Base Height: 38.1mm | Weight: 42.7oz (1210g) | Fans: (2) 140 x 25mm | Socket Support: 115x, 1366, 2011x, 2066; FM2(+), FM1, AM2(+), AM3(+), AM4 | Warranty: 5 years
Budget friendly
Silent operation
Excellent thermal performance
Lack of RGB lighting options
Incomplete AMD and Intel CPU socket support
With twin cooling towers, seven heatpipes and two 140mm fans, the GamerStorm Assassin III from Deep Cool brought us the lowest temperature of big-air coolers. Pairing that thermal performance with low noise makes it our choice for air-cooling big CPUs, with great looks and easy installation qualifying as bonuses.
Read: Deepcool Assassin III review
Alternative Best Big Air CPU Cooler: See Noctua NH-U12A Review
With slightly better cooling and slightly lower noise than the above Arctic model, Noctua’s NH-U12A becomes the premium choice for buyers who aren’t afraid to pay big dollars for small gains.
2. Cooler Master MasterAir MA410M
Best Mid-size Air CPU Cooler
Dimensions: 158.8 x 132.4 x 58.2mm | Base Height: 37.88mm | Weight: 43.87oz (1247g) | Fans: (2) 120 x 25mm RGB | Socket Support: AMD FM2(+), FM1, AM2(+), AM3(+), AM4, Intel 7115x, 1366, 2011x, 2066 | Warranty: 5 years
Excellent cooling performance
Mid-size cooler occupies less space
Thermal probe provides thermal load display via RGB lighting
Fans kick up a bit more noise than others by comparison
The Cooler Master MasterAir MA410M is our pick for an excellent performing mid-size air cooler, especially considering the aggressively designed exterior shell and the inclusion of addressable RGB lighting from within the cooling tower itself. Sitting on the upper range of the affordable pricing tier, $67 (£60) might cause budget system builders to balk a bit, but considering the features and performance, it definitely deserves those few extra dollars.
Read: Cooler Master MasterAir MA410M review
3. Noctua NH-U14S
Best AMD Threadripper Air CPU Cooler
Dimensions: 171.45 x 151.4 x 52.3mm | Base Height: 25.1mm | Weight: 36.5oz (1035g) | Fans: (1) 140 x 25mm | Socket Support: AMD TR4, SP3 | Warranty: 6 years
Excellent performance
Very low noise levels
Simple, secure installation
Premium price
Tall cooler height poses compatibility issues in smaller cases
The Noctua NH-U14S TR4-SP3 provides whisper-quiet cooling with big league thermal performance – the kind of overclocked Threadripper performance that sneaks into quality 360 AIO cooling performance. Armed with six nickel-plated copper heatpipes and a NF-A15 140mm PWM fan, the AMD-friendly NH-U14S TR4-SP3 is a silent thermal assassin. For Threadripper air cooling, this cooler checks all the boxes for enthusiasts and overclockers alike.
Read: Noctua NH-U14S Review
Alternative Best Threadripper Cooler: See Arctic Freezer 50TR Review
Neither as cool nor as quiet as Noctua’s NH-U14S, the Artice Freezer 50 TR got our attention for its lower price. The value advantage could be important to current builders hoping to save money by using AMD’s previous generation 2000-series parts.
4. be quiet! Pure Rock 2
Best Budget Air CPU Cooler
Dimensions: 158.8 x 120.1 x 63.5mm | Base Height: 38.1.1mm | Weight: 20.8oz (590g) | Fans: (1) 120 x 25mm | Socket Support: AMD AM3(+), AM4, Intel 115x, 2011x, 2066 | Warranty: 3 years
Budget price
Silent operation
Attractive design
Thermal performance trails off at low fan speeds
The Pure Rock 2 represents the same passion around thermal design, silent operation and manufacturing / build quality that has made be quiet! a reputable force of the PC industry. As hardware enthusiasts, we’re often faced with some sort of compromise when decisions must be made around the purchase of specific components, although the Pure Rock 2 keeps those to a minimum.
The company’s pedigree, deeply rooted in performance and quality, are alone enough to draw the gaze of the enthusiasts. But be quiet! delivers on that pedigree at such a pleasing price point with the Pure Rock 2, it’s an undeniable recommendation for serious system builders on any budget.
Read: be quiet! Pure Rock 2
Alternative Best Budget Air Cooler: Arctic Freezer 34 Esports Duo
We also recently took a look at revamped old favorite in the budget air cooling realm, Cooler Master’s Hyper 212 Evo v2. It’s a solid low-priced, low-noise cooler at around the same price as the Pure Rock 2, with a simplified installation compared to previous models. But it struggles with high-core count CPUs, especially when overclocked. Unless you see it on sale, the Pure Rock 2 and Arctic Freezer 34 Esports Duo are both better options at about the same price.
MORE: Best Liquid CPU Cooling
MORE: How To Choose A CPU Cooler