Major CPU Cooler Brands Ranked Worst To Best

Modern technology means that computers are becoming ever more powerful while components shrink in size. Although this is great for users using these machines for intensive gaming or rendering processes, it poses problems for manufacturers. After all, the various parts inside the computer tower still have to be kept cool. This is essential as overheating may not only cause a computer to run slower but could cause damage to the various components. Nowhere is this more important than with the CPU.

The central processing unit acts as the brain of the computer, carrying out calculations and performing the processes needed for every action. Out of the various components inside a computer, the CPU is arguably the most vital for performance. The capabilities of this part influence everything a computer can do, making it one of the most demanding when it comes to cooling. Without a way to dissipate heat effectively, the CPU will likely throttle its abilities, leading to less performance.

Many brands offer CPU cooling, with options that range from traditional air cooling to more high-tech liquid cooling. Whether it's a series of fans, vents, and heat sinks or an advanced coolant to transfer heat away from the cooler, there are some trustworthy brands that computer users can depend on to keep their CPU in top condition.

Cooler Master Technology is one of the older brands that produce CPU coolers. Set up in Taiwan in 1992, the company is well known for its affiliation with esports events and its award-winning drive for innovation and design. As you may have guessed from its name, the company initially specialized entirely in cooling components for computers and other electronic devices.

However, in recent years, it has expanded into selling a wider range of accessories and peripherals, including keyboards, gaming chairs, and monitors. Cooling Master is generally a trusted brand when it comes to its cooling products and has a reputation for efficient and good-value fans and liquid cooling systems — although that isn't the case with its entire line. There has actually been some criticism of its keyboards and other peripherals.

The Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo is widely considered one of the best budget CPU coolers of all time, with the company recently releasing a second iteration that has received plenty of praise. Meanwhile, even its liquid-based cooling systems are competitively priced while delivering great performance, such as the Cooler Master MasterLiquid Lite 240.

Cooler Master's warranty policies vary by product, with most liquid coolers coming with a five-year warranty, while air-based CPU coolers will likely have a two-year warranty at most. Reviews from users online suggest that the company could do much better in customer service as well, although, with the build quality of the products it offers, customers shouldn't have to deal with them much.

Founded in 2001 in Germany, Be Quiet! doesn't have a particular focus on any specific product — although it did only release power supply units during the early life of the brand. Nowadays, it has a wide range of accessories and computer components available, including CPU coolers, case fans, and PC cases. Be Quiet! began releasing its first line of CPU coolers in 2008 and quickly expanded up until 2016 with the release of several water coolers.

As the brand's name suggests, it emphasizes noise reduction as its biggest selling point. Be Quiet! has developed several noise-minimizing techniques and designs, with several patents and awards for its innovations. These include custom-developed fans and anti-vibration decoupling to keep sound to an absolute minimum. That means any CPU cooler from this brand is perfect for those wanting to use their PC without any excess noise. Both the entry-level Pure Rock 2 and the more high-end Dark Rock Pro 4 have received a lot of praise in the last two years.

Be Quiet! CPU coolers are not the cheapest, though customers can be certain they are getting reliable and well-built components that should operate under heavy load and last for a long time. The majority of products from the company also look great, with stylish designs that won't look out of place in expensive PC setups. The brand offers three-year warranties on most of its CPU coolers and has solid customer service.

Previously known as Arctic Cooling, before a rebrand saw the company lose the second word, this German company was originally founded in Switzerland. It has been selling products since 2001 and is well known for its array of cooling systems for graphics cards and CPUs. In fact, the brand has often teamed up with GPU manufacturers to create built-in coolers for cards, including with leading brands such as Inno3D and Sapphire, demonstrating how it's trusted by recognized companies. In recent years, Arctic has also expanded to offer a more comprehensive selection, including audio devices and computer peripherals.

Arctic CPU coolers have a good reputation among users online and offer great value for money. Even the most expensive high-end products are often significantly cheaper than their counterparts from other brands, while the budget offerings are among the cheapest good quality coolers you can find. With a large amount of air and all-in-one liquid coolers available, Arctic also gives customers plenty of choice. Its Freezer range is notable for running quietly and providing excellent cooling performance. The brand has a Trustpilot rating of excellent for its customer service and offers a six-year warranty as standard on all of its products.

Based in Taiwan, Thermalright is entirely focused on cooling products. It produces air-based heat sinks and liquid coolers, using what it calls state-of-the-art materials for every part of its coolers. Combined with the carefully designed fin array, Thermalright claims its CPU coolers can dissipate heat at a record rate, allowing for peak cooling performance. From its early days, the company has innovated with new technology and designs, ranging from copper heatsinks to passive cooling.

The Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE is regarded by many to be the best larger-sized air CPU cooler. Not only does it have exceptional cooling capacity and a competitive price of less than $40, but the system runs whisper quiet so that it won't interrupt whatever you are doing while using the computer. Considering its price, the Assassin 120 SE outperforms almost every other CPU air cooler. Customers can expect a two-year warranty for Thermalright CPU coolers, which is significantly less than some of the other leading brands.

NZXT may not be a big name in the world of CPU coolers, but the company is well-established as a computer hardware manufacturer. The company has largely specialized in computer cases since its formation in 2004 but now sells everything from motherboards and power supplies to liquid and air coolers. NZXT even offers pre-built PCs to consumers through a system that assesses a customer's needs and produces a suitable computer.

For the most part, NZXT concentrates on all-in-one liquid coolers through its Kraken range. There is a lot to like about the liquid coolers, be it the older Kraken Z63 RGB 280mm AIO or the more recent Kraken 240. Almost every Kraken AIO liquid cooler has received widespread praise for its high-end performance and easy-to-install nature. Of course, there's also the fact that they are also stylishly designed, ensuring they look good in any setup. Some of the most recent models even feature LCD screens for customization and bright LED lights so they can fit whatever color scheme you have.

NZXT's liquid coolers can be expensive, but the company recently began to sell a high-powered air-cooled model in the form of the T120, which is less expensive and far more compact. With a decent customer service rating and warranties of between three and six years, this is a brand that shouldn't pose too many issues if a product malfunctions.