The best PC fans in 2022
(Image credit: Future)
The best PC fans will keep even the most intense gaming rig cool. PC builders often leave the fans out when considering components, but without these crucial ingredients, your GPU and CPU won’t be able to perform to their full potential. In other words: cool hardware is essential for optimal gaming. They’re so important we often recommend checking the fans first in the event of an issue. So don’t overlook them if you’re making yourself a battlestation, because things will get pretty hot.
The best PC fans will maximise cooling in your rig and they’ll do it quietly. PCs with cheap fans are the bane of my existence, so I’ve made sure to select fans that do their job without summoning a tornado. I went through and tested each of the fans below through real-life gaming tests and everyday use cases, and have brought to you the ones with the best airflow, at the most acceptable noise levels. Acceptable is subjective, so I’ll let you decide what that means exactly.
But I’m sure we can all agree that poor airflow is bad. It’ll lead to your PC operating at suboptimal temperatures, which is sure to affect the performance and durability of your machine’s important parts. If you plan on overclocking , a couple of extra fans (or the best CPU coolers ) will help keep everything running cooly.
I’ve picked out some of the best PC fans I tested and brought them together, noting the key points that make them stand out below. Stay cool.
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(Image credit: Noctua)(Image credit: Noctua)(Image credit: Noctua)(Image credit: Noctua)
1. Noctua NF-S12B redux-1200
The best PC fan in 2022
Specifications
Bearing type: Self-Stabilising Oil Pressure Bearing
RPM range: 400–1200
Listed CFM: 59.2
Listed dBA: 18.
1
RGB: No
140mm model no.: NF-P14s Redux–1200 PWM
Today’s Best Deals
Reasons to buy
+
Inexpensive but performs great
+
Less ugly than the old Noctua models
Reasons to avoid
—
No RGB
—
Not the quietest Noctua fan
If you care at all about case fans, chances are Noctua is a name you already know. It’s a trusted favorite among many DIY builders, and for a good reason. Noctua builds fans that last a long time, move a lot of air, and do it quietly. The problem: until recently, buying Noctua fans meant committing yourself to an ugly (ed’s note: beautiful) khaki-and-mud color scheme straight out of the ’70s. Noctua was the definition of function-over-form, an engineering wonder that would impress any enthusiast who looked at your PC but disgust everyone else.
Noctua’s Redux line rectified this issue, though, recasting time-tested designs in a modern gray-and-black look that won’t detract from the rest of your PC build.
And of the two Redux models Noctua sent over for testing, the NF-S12B became a quick favorite. It’s not as quiet nor as efficient as another blacked-out Noctua model, the NF-S12A, but it is cheap. The NF-S12B redux balances great performance with a budget-friendly price tag and looks great in the process.
You’ll find no RGB lighting here—no frills of any kind, really. But the NF-S12B’s Self-Stabilising Oil Pressure Bearings will last for years while moving more air at mid-range speeds than any non-Noctua fan we tested and somehow keeping quieter than the competition as well. It’s a clear winner.
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(Image credit: Corsair)(Image credit: Corsair)(Image credit: Corsair)(Image credit: Corsair)
2. Corsair LL120 RGB
The top fan for RGB builds
Specifications
Bearing type: Hydraulic Bearing
RPM range: 600–1500
Listed CFM: 43.3
Listed dBA: 24.8
RGB: Yes, with Corsair Lighting Node Pro
140mm model no.: LL140 RGB
Today’s Best Deals
Reasons to buy
+
Top-tier RGB lighting
+
Surprisingly quiet at full-speed
Reasons to avoid
—
Slightly louder at mid-range speeds
—
Really not for budget builds
Do you need RGB fans? No.
Do you want RGB fans? Of course. They can look great in an all-glass case or even through a traditional side window, and if you’re chasing that full-cyberpunk aesthetic, then Corsair’s LL120 Pro RGB fans are the best you can buy.
The LL120s are packed full of RGB LEDs. Each has a complement of LEDs shining out from the rotor, diffusing light down the blades’ length as they spin. Then, a separate ring of light is embedded around the housing’s outer edge. As a result, the LL120s are the brightest and showiest fans we tested and a perfect fit for any RGB addict.
They’re not just for show, though. The LL120s are also solid fans, lighting or no. At mid-range speeds, we found during testing that they tend to be slightly louder than the competition, but at load, they’re quieter than just about any non-Noctua fan we tested—and that’s only because most of the Noctua fans top out at 1200 RPM, versus 1500 RPM for the LL120.
The biggest problem? They’re expensive. Like, incredibly expensive.
To use LL120s, you need to commit to purchasing a three-pack of fans with an included Corsair Lighting Node Pro, a package that lists for $120. Additional fans will run you $35 each. That’s a lot of money, even if the results are stellar.
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(Image credit: Cooler Master)
3. Cooler Master MF120R A-RGB
RGB fans on a budget
Specifications
Bearing type: Rifle Bearing
RPM range: 650–2000
Listed CFM: 59.0
Listed dBA: 31.0
RGB: Yes, either through motherboard or Cooler Master’s controller
140mm model no.: N/A
Today’s Best Deals
Reasons to buy
+
Affordable RGB lighting
+
Lots of airflow potential
Reasons to avoid
—
Really, really loud at top speed
—
Not exactly quiet below that either
Cooler Master’s RGB design is a bit less high-tech than the Corsair LL120s, featuring only fan-blade lighting instead of the second ring around the outside.
It’s still an attractive fan, though, bright and with smooth transitions. And while the package lists for $99, you can usually find it on sale much cheaper. Add in the fact that additional fans only cost $20 each, and you’re set to save a whole lot of money on your cooling setup.
So what’s the catch? They’re loud. Like, really loud. Even Cooler Master admits it, listing the MF120R at 31 dBA. In our own tests, the MF120R kit was reasonably quiet at 1200 RPM but completely unusable at its maximum 2000 RPM speed, posting the loudest measurements of any fan we tested—louder than the other 2000 RPM fans we tested, the NZXT Aer RGB 2 and the Noctua NF-A12x25.
Granted, the MF120Rs move a lot of air at top speed, tying the Noctua NF-A12x25 for the highest airflow. There’s no way you’d want to run them at that speed, though, at least not for typical gaming use. Still, you get a full RGB lighting setup and some pretty strong fans for a fraction of the cost of Corsair’s kit.
As long as you limit the MF120Rs to running at 1200 or 1500 RPM max, they might be a good alternative.
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(Image credit: Thermaltake)(Image credit: Thermaltake)(Image credit: Thermaltake)
4. Thermaltake Toughfan 12 Turbo
The best fans for radiators and cramped cases
Specifications
Bearing type: Hydraulic Bearing Gen.2
RPM range: 500–2500
Listed CFM: 72.69
Listed dBA: 28.1
RGB: No
140mm model no.: N/A
Today’s Best Deals
Reasons to buy
+
Seriously impressive airflow at max speed
+
Great for upgrading your rads
Reasons to avoid
—
Not the quietest at full speed
—
High price
In a world where the number of RGB LEDs on a fan is often the main selling point, the frill-free styling of the Thermaltake Toughfan 12 Turbo makes for a refreshing change.
These aren’t your average run-of-the-mill case fans. These aren’t standard case fans; they’re high static pressure fans—ideal for use with radiators and pushing air through grills and confined spaces. If you’re looking to upgrade your CPU cooler or piecing together a bespoke system, these are the kind of fans you need.
You can use them as straight case fans, but you’re going to pay a premium to do so. At $30 a pop, these are at the higher end of the price spectrum, but the specs are at least impressive. These are PWM controlled with a maximum speed of 2,500RPM, where you’re looking at 3.78mm-h3O air pressure and airflow of 72CFM. Impressive given the maximum noise level of 28.1dBA, which is noticeable without annoying; you can also run them much slower and quiet.
You can also pick these fans up in a non-Turbo guise, which means you save $5 on each one, and they top out at 2,000RPM, that’s 500RPM less than we have here. They don’t shift as much air as the Turbos can, but they’re quieter for it, too, so the choice is yours.
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(Image credit: Noctua)(Image credit: Noctua)(Image credit: Noctua)(Image credit: Noctua)
5. Noctua NF-A12x25 PWM
Best for moving a lot of air
Specifications
Bearing type: Self-Stabilising Oil Pressure Bearing – Second Generation
RPM range: 450–2000
Listed CFM: 60.1
Listed dBA: 22.6
RGB: No
140mm model no.: NF-A14 PWM
Today’s Best Deals
Reasons to buy
+
Impressively high airflow
+
Lots of accessories included
Reasons to avoid
—
The styling isn’t to everyone’s taste
—
High price
Here’s some good ol’ Noctua khaki-and-mud for the diehards. The Noctua SF-12B above is a great fan and our overall pick, but if you’re looking for a top-tier 120mm model that can move a lot of air, the awkwardly named NF-A12x25 blows away the competition.
Of all the fans we tested, this model pumped the most air through our test rig.
But—and this is important—the NF-A12x25 was also the quietest fan we tested when running at lower RPM. Our numbers have it putting out less noise at 1200 RPM than some fans running 300 RPM slower. Since those mid-range speeds are generally more likely to come up in day-to-day use, the NF-A12x25 is an excellent choice for your average gaming PC while still giving it the headroom to spin up to 2000 RPM in the middle of a heatwave.
Sure, Noctua’s trademark brown fans will stick out like a sore thumb in whatever PC you build, but they’re also a sign of quality, and the NF-A12x25 lives up to the legacy. It’s also a nice touch how many accessories come with the NF-A12x25, from a 12-inch extension cable and a Y-splitter to many rubber vibration dampers. The price is high, but it’s hard to argue the value.
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(Image credit: NZXT)(Image credit: NZXT)(Image credit: NZXT)(Image credit: NZXT)
6.
NZXT Aer RGB 2 120mm
RGB with a subtler effect
Specifications
Bearing type: Fluid Dynamic Bearing
RPM range: 500–1500
Listed CFM: 52.4
Listed dBA: 22.0
RGB: Yes, with NZXT Hue 2
140mm model no.: Aer RGB 2 140mm
Today’s Best Deals
Reasons to buy
+
Just really pretty
+
Plenty of accessories included
Reasons to avoid
—
Louder than most
—
Bundle pricing is confusing
NZXT makes gorgeous hardware. It’s not always the most cost-effective nor the most efficient, and indeed the NZXT Aer RGB 2 won’t win any prizes for its performance in our tests. At its top speed of 1500 RPM, the Aer RGB 2 moves a surprising amount of air, but it’s also louder than nearly every other fan we tested. And even in our low-speed tests, the Aer RGB 2 proved a hair noisier than the rest of the competition.
Look at it, though. It’s a sight to behold. Unlike Corsair, NZXT limits the Aer RGB 2’s LEDs to the outer ring, casting a slight glow on the spinning fan blades without directly illuminating them—and shining a lot of light outwards into the case. It’s a clean look, objectively as gaudy as any other RGB setup but seeming a bit sleeker and refined somehow. The Hue 2 controller is also more attractive than any of the other boxes we looked at, meaning you won’t mind having to include it alongside the fans in your all-glass case.
Like Corsair, NZXT struggles with the price, though. A three-pack of 120mm fans plus controller lists for $130, even more than Corsair’s LL120 starter kit, though other fans list for $30—$5 less than Corsair’s add-ons. Weird.
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(Image credit: Scythe)(Image credit: Scythe)(Image credit: Scythe)(Image credit: Scythe)
7. Scythe Kaze Flex 120 PWM
The best budget PC fans
Specifications
Bearing type: Fluid Dynamic Bearing
RPM range: 300–1200
Listed CFM: 51.
2
Listed dBA: 24.9
RGB: No
140mm model no.: N/A
Today’s Best Deals
Reasons to buy
+
Cable is durable
+
Fairly inexpensive
Reasons to avoid
—
Feels cheaper than the rest
—
Relatively loud at any speed
Do it yourself
Our guide to the perfect gaming PC build . Everything you need to know to create gaming perfection.
Scythe doesn’t make a great first impression, granted. The Kaze Flex 120 PWM arrives in a cheap plastic package, looking more like it came from an auto shop than a modern PC retailer. Side-by-side with Noctua’s Redux packaging, or Corsair’s weighty boxes, Scythe feels like a budget fan solution.
The Kaze Flex 120 PWM we tested is one of the company’s better models, though. At 1200 RPM, the Kaze Flex 120 moved more air in our test rig than some of the competition (Corsair, for instance) did at 1400 or even 1600 RPM, presumably due to having eleven blades where most fans have only nine.
Lots of air goes hand-in-hand with noise, though, and indeed the Kaze Flex 120 PWM is also noisier than the competition at any given speed setting—though since it tops out at 1200 RPM, the noise is never as bad as models that spin up to higher speeds.
If you want a decent budget-friendly fan and the SF-12B isn’t doing it for you? Scythe’s blade-heavy blower might be the right choice. And hey, one more company hasn’t dipped into the RGB LED well yet. That’s worth something.
Best PC fan FAQ
Do I need 120mm or 140mm PC fans?
This really depends on whether you have the space for 140mm fans inside your PC case. If you do, they’re likely the best option. 140mm PC fans can move more air while running at slower RPM, which means they’re as effective, if not more effective, while being much quieter.
Though 120mm fans can have the benefit of being compact enough that you can fit in three 120mm fans in place of two 140mm fans, which will be louder but can be effective in moving air to the upper and lower reaches of your PC case.
How do I improve my PC’s airflow?
Poor airflow will have a major impact on your PC’s performance. There are varying opinions on fan placement and which provides the best airflow. A good place to start is to avoid a neutral pressure environment as stagnant, hot air collecting around your components won’t help any PC.
Essentially, you’ll want to make sure that you have fans for intake and exhaust so that the air is moving inside your PC case. Both positive and negative air pressure setups will do the job well and ensure that cool air is being pulled into your case while hot air is expelled.
How are PC fans tested?
There are a lot of case fans out there, so we had to set a few guidelines. First, we limited our tests to 120mm fans. It’s not because we hate 140mm. On the contrary! 140mm fans are generally quieter and move more air, making them a great choice for any case that can handle the larger size. But 120mm is still the «default» case fan, and it’s hard to compare different fan lines when you’re also comparing different sizes, so we stuck to 120mm versions as a control.
(We’ve tried to provide the model number for the 140mm version where possible.)
With that in mind, we contacted a number of the most popular case fan manufacturers and had them send over both their best-selling and their personal favorite 120mm models. Then we hacked together a miniature wind tunnel with an anemometer inside, a device that measures airflow. This helped us match airflow between different fans at different RPM and then use a decibel meter to measure relative loudness. As we said up top: You want a balance between airflow and noise. We took our decibel readings from five inches, which is closer to these fans than you’d ever be, but helped clarify what otherwise minute differences in noise level are.
We then maxed out the RPM on each fan to test a theoretical airflow limit and the accompanying noise. Chances are you’d never run most of these fans at 100 percent—that’s why they’re PWM fans! But if you have an older motherboard without PWM (or have a system that runs hot), you might hit this limit, and it’s good to know how loud your PC could potentially get and how much air these fans hypothetically move.
As for RGB lighting? Well, we have eyes for those tests.
Round up of today’s best deals
Noctua NF-S12B redux-1200
£12.95
View
See all prices
Corsair LL Series fans
£24.06
View
See all prices
Cooler Master MasterAir MA410M
£60.74
View
See all prices
Thermaltake ToughFan 12
£23.
88
View
See all prices
Noctua NF-A12x25 120mm fan
£21.95
View
See all prices
Reduced Price
NZXT AER RGB 2 120mm
£31.99
£21.96
View
See all prices
Reduced Price
Scythe Kaze Flex Sealed Precision FBD
£17.10
£13.52
View
See all prices
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Dave has been gaming since the days of Zaxxon and Lady Bug on the Colecovision, and code books for the Commodore Vic 20 (Death Race 2000!). He built his first gaming PC at the tender age of 16, and finally finished bug-fixing the Cyrix-based system around a year later. When he dropped it out of the window. He first started writing for Official PlayStation Magazine and Xbox World many decades ago, then moved onto PC Format full-time, then PC Gamer, TechRadar, and T3 among others. Now he’s back, writing about the nightmarish graphics card market, CPUs with more cores than sense, gaming laptops hotter than the sun, and SSDs more capacious than a Cybertruck.
Best PC Case For Airflow In 2023
Let’s find you the best airflow PC case!
Updated: Jan 5, 2023 9:40 am
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Over the past couple of decades, airflow has become much more important when choosing the right case for your next PC build.
As technology has continued to advance in the power department, so has the demand for adequate cooling. So, whether you’re designing a gaming PC or a workstation, keeping your shiny new components cool should be one of your main priorities when building a PC.
That being said, with the current market becoming flooded with a sea of quality and affordable case options to choose from, how are you truly supposed to know which PC case is best for your needs when it comes to cooling? There aren’t that many sources available when it comes to finding accurate thermals, so choosing the right case for your specific needs can be a little tricky.
That’s where WePC lends a helping hand. We’ve done all the hard work for you. We’ve compiled a shortlist of the best PC cases for airflow, each falling into a specific niche or price spectrum. We’ll be reviewing each case in full and explaining why each case is worthy of a spot in this ‘best of’ guide.
Although his article focuses on 2023, there’s some hardware here that was birthed in 2022 or earlier.
This hardware is still top notch and we assure you that it’s still the best for the job. As soon as anything changes, we’ll update the article.
So, without further ado, let’s waste no further time and take a closer look at the best PC cases for airflow in 2023!
Our Top Picks
01
Best PC Case For Airflow
Phanteks Eclipse P400A RGB
02
The Next Best PC Case For Airflow
Cooler Master MasterBox NR600
03
Best Large PC Case For Airflow
NZXT H710
How We Choose
All of the computer cases on this list are here for a reason – we didn’t just pick them out of thin air. Firstly, we conducted a search to discover which PC cases gamers are into while trying to balance those with the highest reviews against those with the lowest price tags.
After this, we whittle the list down to around 10-15 cases which we then purchase (or get sent) for further assessments, ensuring that they are fit to rank in this ‘best of’ guide.
The cases go through a number of strict tests to see how they handle airflow, thermals, build quality, and overall build experience. We conclude with a final five which you see today.
Things to Consider
There are always certain aspects to consider when you’re buying any new hardware component to ensure it meets your specific requirements. The humble PC case is absolutely no different, bringing a number of different considerations to the table – especially if your build is tailored towards cooling and airflow.
For that reason, we’re going to outline the most important factors you should be considering when looking to purchase the best PC case for airflow.
PC Case Fan Configuration
Obviously, when it comes to internal PC case airflow, the number one driving force of this is your case fans. The case fans are what produce the airflow, they drive air through your case and over your components, bringing the overall temps down to more efficient levels.
With that in mind, not all cases are built the same.
Some offer excellent fan configurations that are tailored towards airflow whilst others simply provide a slot for a fan. There is a huge difference.
As a general rule of thumb, if you’re looking to buy a case tailored towards airflow, you want to find one that offers several case fan mounting areas. Usually 3 x 120mm in the front, 3 x 120mm in the roof, and 1 x 120mm at the rear. This gives you the freedom to execute a fan configuration that best suits your builds airflow needs.
Case Form Factor And Interior Space
The next most important factor to consider is the form factor. Normally when we consider a case’s form factor we’re thinking about the components that go inside and whether the case can accommodate them. Well, a similar philosophy is being used here. If your case only just fits your components, you aren’t leaving a great deal of room for airflow.
If your build has a large GPU, lots of cables, and additional hard drive trays, you may find that the airflow within your case is being stunted.
Choosing a case that offers plenty of room will allow your case to produce good airflow.
The Old PC Enemy, Dust
Lastly, we have dust. Whilst dust isn’t a major factor when it comes to airflow, it definitely still has a knock-on effect when it comes to your case’s thermal performance. When dust builds up to certain levels, the airflow which is produced from the fans can become stunted. This, in turn, will reduce the airflow inside the case, ultimately raising the temperature of your CPU and GPU.
To stop this occurring, find a case that offers up good dust filtration. Make sure any airflow holes are covered with dust vents or mesh. You also want to ensure that, if dust does build up, the case you purchase is easy and accessible to clean.