Computers are some of the most flexible, powerful devices in the world, but that power can come at a cost. Running the most powerful components (or overclocking those parts) can cause them to run hot, which can lead to hardware throttling and even failure. While PC fans have been a go-to for a long time, water coolers (and other liquid coolers) are vastly more efficient.
Thankfully, you don't have to be a professional to get a cool (pun intended) rig these days, thanks to the availability of all-in-one (AIO) liquid coolers. These cooling units are self-contained, meaning you don’t have to worry about spilling water on your expensive gaming PC components, and they are incredibly easy to install. As an added bonus, they are usually far quieter and take up less room than air cooling components (making them perfect for mini ITX cases). Read on to find our list of the best liquid CPU coolers.
TL;DR – These are the Best Liquid CPU Coolers:
- Corsair iCUE H100i RGB Pro XT
- Lian Li Galahad GA-240A
- DeepCool LS520
- NZXT Kraken X53
- EVGA CLCx 280mm
- Corsair iCUE H150i Elite LCD
- Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML240 Illusion
- Alphacool Eisbaer Aurora
- NZXT Kraken Z63
- ekwb EK-Nucleus AIO CR240 Lux D-RGB
Corsair iCUE H100i RGB Pro XT
Best Liquid CPU Cooler
This 240mm cooler comes with socket support for the latest AMD and Intel processors, including AMD’s Threadripper processors. Pulling heat away from your CPU with a copper cold plate, it pumps liquid into a 240mm radiator fitted with two Corsair ML Series 120mm fans. It runs quietly and efficiently when your CPU is running cool, and it tops out at 37dBA when running at maximum (75CFM).
Managing the AIO cooler is also simple. You can control fan and pump speeds from within Corsair’s iCUE software right on your PC, and monitor CPU temperature to make sure your settings are giving you optimal performance. If visual flair is also your thing, the pump has 16 RGB LEDs on the head, and you can manage each light with the iCUE software, too. Corsair is a well-known and respected brand, and there is a reason for that. This is a high-quality liquid cooler, which is why it gets our top spot.
Lian Li Galahad GA-240A
Best Budget Liquid CPU Cooler
If you’re looking for a powerful way to cool down your computer at an affordable price, Lian Li Galahad GA-240A is the way to do it. This AIO cooler comes in under $120 but has a sizable 240mm radiator and dual 120mm fans. Those fans generate 2.6 mmH2O of air pressure and 69.17 CFM of airflow, ensuring ample air movement throughout your PC while remaining quiet.
The fans and the water pump housing of Lian Li Galahad GA-240A feature 47 addressable RGB lights to keep your system glowing. It’s also easy to switch between the 17 different lighting effects thanks to a handy little controller. Beyond that, the kit includes thermal paste and ensures compatibility with most major CPU sockets, meaning you’ll have everything you need to get up and running.
DeepCool LS520
Best Ultra Cheap Liquid CPU Cooler
Looking for an all-in-one liquid cooler with a 240mm radiator, wide compatibility, RGB options, and a bargain price? The DeepCool LS520 is the one for you. It has a big radiator with two fans designed for higher static pressure and a strong, concentrated airflow. And the water pump has a powerful three-phase drive motor and great coolant flow. This cooler even manages to keep everything running quietly, as the pump noise only reaches 19 dB
Beyond the DeepCool LS520’s cooling prowess, you get adjustable RGB lighting on those fans, and the water pump features an infinity mirror to make its lights really shine. Motherboard connectivity even allows you to link and sync it with your existing RGB setup. And if you’re worried about the cooler working with your CPU, it complements a variety of builds thanks to its extensive socket compatibility, including LGA1700, AM5, and sTR4.
NZXT Kraken X53
Best 240mm Liquid CPU Cooler
The NZXT Kraken X53 is the successor to our longtime favorite NZXT Kraken X52 that features some major improvements to look better and cool more efficiently. (We've seen this cooler easily keep an Intel Core i7-9700K running at full tilt, well under 50-degrees Celsius.) It’s available in 120mm, 240mm, and 360mm.
If you love flair, it also features a unique-looking “infinity mirror” lighting setup, creating seemingly endless rings of RGB light.
EVGA CLCx 280mm
Best 280mm Liquid CPU Cooler
EVGA is a big name in PC components, and the CLCx 280mm, which refreshes our previous favorite, the CLC 280mm, is the perfect fully self-contained closed-loop cooling system. It features a 7th gen Asetek water pump, so you know it’s reliable and efficient. You also get a built-in 280mm radiator with twin 140mm hydro-dynamic bearing fans that are quiet and built to last, while you can control the fan or pump speed and monitor your system using the EVGA CLCx Software.
However, the real star of the show is the beautifully designed water block, which features a full-color 2.1-inch LCD screen that displays system vitals or personalized animations. Its fans also offer flashy adjustable RGB LED rings that’ll shine through your PC case. And you’ll be good to use the EVGA CLCx with almost any build thanks to its socket compatibility, including LGA 1700, LGA1200, AM5, and AM4.
Corsair iCUE H150i Elite LCD
Best 360mm Liquid CPU Cooler
If you need the biggest, most powerful liquid cooling unit, look no further. The Corsair iCUE H150i Elite LCD has a large, 360mm radiator to handle the hottest CPUs and the highest overclock speeds. The Corsair ML RGB Elite fans can adjust to higher or lower levels, according to the moment’s cooling needs.
As far as lighting, the fans’ RGB lighting can also be adjusted with Corsair’s iCUE software, but the unit really raises the bar with the pump’s 2.1-inch IPS LCD display. It has 8-bit color depth for millions of color options. The display can show visual effects, and even GIFs or memes, all at 30fps (and, of course, it can display handy system performance data, like your CPU temperature).
Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML240 Illusion
Best RGB Liquid CPU Cooler
When it comes to liquid CPU coolers, there’s a good reason the Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML240 Illusion stands out. It pairs RGB lights with translucent material for maximum visual impact. Imagine a glow stick dancing in the middle of your PC while it’s running, and you’ll have a good idea.
Cooler Master pairs the dual-chamber radiator with two MasterFan MF120 Halo fans (also translucent), which have a total of 24 ARGB LEDs each, and you can customize your look from the included ARGB controller, so you don’t need to have motherboard RGB controls to make use of it.
The radiator has wide water channels to increase surface area (and, by extension, cooling potential) and the fans offer up 47.2 CFM of airflow and 1.6mmH2O of static pressure, meaning this beast has cooling power (and cool looks) in spades.
Alphacool Eisbaer Aurora
Best Refillable Liquid CPU Cooler
The Alphacool Eisbaer Aurora offers just about everything you could want in an AIO water cooler. Its 240mm radiator provides powerful cooling, and the two 120mm Aurora Lux Pro fans are capable of 2.0 mmH2O of static pressure and 61.5 CFM of airflow. The biggest way this cooler sets itself apart is that you can open the fluid chamber and refill it, meaning it can have a longer life as part of your rig.
There’s a good amount of RGB lighting on display here as well, although it’s not as flexible as other options on this list. Both fans sport RGB light rings and the pump includes a transparent window with RGB lighting inside.
NZXT Kraken Z63
Best Liquid CPU Cooler with a Display
Several cooler manufacturers have displays, but NZXT’s Kraken Z63 truly stands above the rest. The display contains important information like the CPU and GPU temperatures, but you can also have it display animated GIFs and other things, letting you truly personalize your setup.
The Kraken Z63 isn’t lacking in power, either, as it comes with a powerful pair of 140mm fans and an advanced Asetek water pump. If you like the idea of having a display, but don’t need tons of RGB light flooding your system, this is the one.
ekwb EK-Nucleus AIO CR240 Lux D-RGB
Best High-Performance Liquid Cooler
ekwb’s EK-Nucleus is primed and ready to keep the hottest, high-end gaming rig cool. It's compatible with the majority of Intel or AMD setups and most PC cases, while the installation is straightforward with a mounting mechanism included. The dual 120mm fans on this beast can produce 2.7 mmH2O of static pressure and 72 CFM airflow, enabling the 240mm radiator to handle whatever your CPU throws at it.
When it comes to aesthetics, both the included fans and the water block sport RGB lighting, and the whole kit is compatible with a wide range of motherboard RGB controls, so your rig will stay cool and look cool. As a bonus for those interested in cable management, the tubing is very flexible, letting you bend them easily to fit even in smaller cases. The rotary fittings also have new positioning making for a sleeker design that’s easier to cram into tighter spaces.
Brian Barnett writes reviews, wiki guides, deals posts, features, and more for IGN. You can get your fix of his antics on Twitter (@Ribnax) or check out his show on Twitch (The Platformers).
