You should carefully consider your options when selecting a CPU cooler, regardless of whether you want to achieve the maximum overclock or create a computer that is silent when it is operating. The temperature and fan noise of your system will be greatly impacted by the CPU cooler that is best suited for your setup. By maintaining higher boost clocks for longer periods of time, a great cooler can even improve performance in high-end systems. Every year, we test dozens of models of all-in-one (AIO) liquid coolers and PC air coolers. Our recommendations for the top coolers to control CPU temperatures are listed below. However, for even better cooler options, visit our Best AIO Coolers page if you’re specifically looking for a liquid cooler.
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Last update on 2025-02-07 / Affiliate links/images from Amazon.
Top 3 Best Budget CPU Coolers in 2025
1.Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 EVO
- 【Overall refinement】The cpu radiator adopts anodic black frosted process, the twin towers of the radiator body present a frosted texture, with 7 fully plated and blackened heatpipes, as well as a precision micro-engraved reflow soldered copper base, which greatly enhances the overall performance of the radiator; avoiding the treatment of the graphics card allows for greater compatibility of the cpu cooler.
- 【Product specification】PS120 EVO; CPU Cooler dimensions:125(L)x135(W)x157(H)mm (4.92×5.3x 6.18 inch); Heat sink material: aluminum,the main body is made of anodized black frosted top + finely carved pure copper base technology, avoiding the memory design, the main body is fully aluminum fins, bringing maximum heat dissipation area. combined with the high thermal conductivity of the thermal paste, which can perfectly perform the cooler’s most powerful cooling effect.
- 【AGHP technique】7x6mm heatpipe with AGHP upgraded 4th generation technology, the Inverse gravity effect caused by vertical / horizontal orientation. Up to 20000 hours of industrial service life, S-FDB bearings ensure long service life of air-cooler radiators.UL class a safety insulation low-grade, industrial strength PBT + PC material to create high-quality products for you.
Last update on 2025-02-07 / Affiliate links/images from Amazon.
The first Phantom Spirit 120 air cooler from Thermalight was just released, and we were blown away by both its tested performance and price, giving it a rare perfect score. However, a few months later, the business made a comeback with The Phantom Spirit 120 Evo, which featured upgraded fans with a hint of RGB and even better functionality. Although the fans are noisier at maximum speed, our testing indicates that this cooler can achieve chart-topping performance without the fans running at full speed.
Even larger coolers with 140 mm fans, such as Thermalright’s Frost Commander 140 and ID-Cooling’s A770, outperformed the Phantom Sprit 120 EVO in our benchmarking, cooling 238 watts. Better yet, every cooler is ready to go.their fans at a quiet 38.2 dBA, The Phantom Spirit 120 EVO EVO was actually the best-performing air cooler we’ve ever tested, beating out those larger, more expensive alternatives.
Thermalright released the original Phantom Spirit 120 not too long ago, and I was so impressed that I called the review “Simply the Best.” When I say something like that, it’s not lip service or hype; rather, it’s because I am truly impressed with a product’s performance and price. I usually try to avoid clickbait headlines.
Unbelievably, Thermalright has already released an improved version of the same cooler, the Phantom Spirit 120 EVO, just six months after the last review. When I first learned that an EVO version would be available, I didn’t understand why. It was difficult for me to believe that the original version raised the standard for air cooling.it was possible to improve on its design – especially not after only a few months!
Pros
- Chart-topping noise normalized performance
- Improved fans result in better performance
Cons
- Higher maximum noise level
2.Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE
- [Brand Overview] Thermalright is a Taiwan brand with more than 20 years of development. It has a certain popularity in the domestic and foreign markets and has a pivotal influence in the player market. We have been focusing on the research and development of computer accessories. R & D product lines include: CPU air-cooled radiator, case fan, thermal silicone pad, thermal silicone grease, CPU fan controller, anti falling off mounting bracket, support mounting bracket and other commodities
- [Product specification] Thermalright PA120 SE; CPU Cooler dimensions: 125(L)x135(W)x155(H)mm (4.92×5.31×6.1 inch); heat sink material: aluminum, CPU cooler is equipped with metal fasteners of Intel & AMD platform to achieve better installation, double tower cooling is stronger（(Note:Please check your case and motherboard for compatibility with this size cooler.）
- 【2 PWM Fans】TL-C12C; Standard size PWM fan:120x120x25mm (4.72×4.72×0.98 inches); fan speed (RPM):1550rpm±10%; power port: 4pin; Voltage:12V; Air flow:66.17CFM(MAX); Noise Level≤25.6dB(A), leave room for memory-chip(RAM), so that installation of ice cooler cpu is unrestricted
Last update on 2025-02-07 / Affiliate links/images from Amazon.
The Peerless Assassin 120 SE from Thermalright is true to its name; it offers the best performance of any air cooler we tested on Intel’s Alder Lake at a price that is lower than the competition. In our tests, it cooled our Core i9-12900K more effectively than our tested competition when it was drawing over 200 watts, and it performed significantly better than the competition at lower thermal/TDP settings. The cooler’s two 120mm fans did their job of dissipating all that heat at low noise levels, making at just 34.5dB at maximum speed and 33dB at 50% speed. It is also available in silver/gray and white.
so it should fit in with most build themes if you care about matching aesthetics. Whether you care about value or not, you should consider this cooler for your next system build, so long as your case has room for it.
With products like its all-copper SP94 cooler and innovative items like the HR-07 memory cooler, which offered a complete heatsink with two heatpipes for DDR2 RAM, Thermalright, which was founded in Taiwan in 2001, made a name for itself as a cooling contender in previous decades. Fans, thermal pastes, air and liquid coolers, and a range of accessories are currently in the company’s inventory.
A few of our readers requested that we test Thermalright’s Peerless Assassin 120 SE after we published our earlier review of DeepCool’s AK500. After we contacted Thermalright, we received a sample for analysis. Will its dual-tower radiator and two 120mm fans be sufficient to subdue Intel’s 12900K and secure a place on our list of the best CPU coolers? The quick response is yes, but we’ll have to put it through testing to find out just how good it is.
The Peerless Assassin was easy to install. You should start by fastening the motherboard’s backplate. Next, mount the stand-offs and then secure the mounting brackets with the provided screws. Once thermal paste has been applied, position the cooler onto the brackets and fasten them firmly using the captive screws. Lastly, use the included clips to fasten the fans to the towers.
There’s more to an air cooler than just the heatsink. Performance, noise levels, and cooling are all significantly impacted by the included fan. Two TL-C12C 120mm fans are part of Thermalright’s Peerless Assassin 120 SE. This cooler is all about performance at a low cost, so it doesn’t have any RGB or lighting. And as our testing will show, it’s truly Peerless Assassin was easy to install.
Pros
- Extremely quiet
- Capable of cooling 200W+ with Alder Lake CPUs
Cons
- None!
3.Scythe Mugen 6
- More efficiency, the Mugen 6 series features a 45% increase in fin count at 154mm height, with 6 nickel-plated copper heat pipes integrated into an aluminum heatsink. This design enhances thermal conductivity with a denser fin array and improved soldering for superior heat dissipation. it’s ideal choice for high TDP processor from Intel (e.g. 14900K, 14700K, 14600K) and AMD (e.g. 7950X3D, 7900X3D, 7800X3D, 7700)
- Multi-platform support, the H.P.M.S. V is SCYTHE 5th Gen spring-loaded mounting system that provides a secure fit and optimal contact pressure on the CPU. Easy to install, H.P.M.S. V offers full support to Intel LGA1700, LGA1200, LGA115x, LGA 2066 and AMD AM5 & AM4 Platform.
- Excellent compatibility, features a heatsink offset design that ensures compatibility with various cases and avoiding interference with front-row RAM slots and VRM heatsinks on the motherboard.
Last update on 2025-02-07 / Affiliate links/images from Amazon.
Scythe’s Mugen 6 offers performance and noise levels that are on par with those of high-end models from BeQuiet! and DeepCool, but at a lower cost. The Mugen 6 and Mugen 6 Black Edition air coolers are excellent choices if you want a high-performing air cooler with low maximum noise levels.
Other than Thermalright’s Phantom Spirit 120, there aren’t many other quiet coolers at this price range. For high-end CPUs, it can dissipate a little more power, but at higher maximum noise levels.Scythe, a fabless company based in Chiba, Japan, manufactures its fans, air coolers, and other PC hardware in collaboration with factories in China and Taiwan, in contrast to some of its rivals. For more than 20 years, the company has been providing cooling products that are primarily designed for quiet operation and low noise levels.
Today, we are testing the Mugen 6 and Mugen 6 Black Edition, Scythe’s newest air coolers. Together with Scythe’s newest 120 Wonder Tornado fans, the Mugen 6 has a single large heatsink with a staggered design for full RAM compatibility.
Pros
- Reasonable price
- Low noise levels
Cons
- Stronger similarly priced options exist, but they aren’t as quiet
Why you might not want a 120mm AIO
Generally, you can get better performance with air cooler at a lower price than a small 120mm AIO. And an air cooler won’t add the underlying hum of pump noise to your PC. But there are certain systems, whether they be extremely compact, or just with very little clearance above the CPU socket and no space to mount a larger 240mm radiator, where 120mm AIOs are your best (or perhaps only) option.
We tested four popular models of these compact liquid coolers. And while Enermax LiqMaxFlo SR 120mm wasn’t hands-down the best performer when it comes to cooling, it offered the best balance of cooling ability, quiet noise levels, and price (selling for around $80 when we wrote this).
Enermax’s cooler also has a unique feature in its CPU-block-mounted RGB fan, which adds a splash of color while also helping to circulate air around your VRMs and RAM. In extremely tight cases where you might have to use a 120mm AIO, that extra airflow can be a very helpful feature.