The Best CPU Coolers 2023: Air and AIO Coolers

We all want the best PC possible, able to play the latest games and craft that new video you have been working on, but to keep things running properly, you need to invest in cooling. Keeping your PC cool is essential if you want your rig to deliver the performance you demand for years to come. With today’s powerful multi-core CPUs and high-end GPUs, heat management is more important than ever, so it is one area that is honestly not worth skimping on. A quality CPU cooler can mean the difference between slowing your system down due to heat and delivering maximum performance when needed most.

While stock coolers may do all you need when you are looking at a lower-powered build, they often struggle to tame the heat from high-end overclockable chips like Intel’s K-series or AMD’s Ryzen 9. This is where advanced air coolers and all-in-one liquid coolers come in. Their enlarged heatsinks, copper heat pipes, and fluid-bearing fans can efficiently draw heat away from hot components. Liquid options especially excel, as water’s high specific heat capacity enables superior cooling capacity compared to cooling exclusively with air.

But quality cooling has a cost. Premium air coolers can run well over $80, while high-end water or AIO  coolers often exceed $150. Their premium price tags deliver commensurate performance, allowing you to push overclocks further or run hot chips like the Ryzen 9 7950X at full throttle without thermal issues. For PC enthusiasts, their cooling power enables extracting every last drop of performance. While expensive, quality coolers are a worthy investment to maximize your hardware’s potential.

So, with that out of the way, let’s dive into some of the best coolers you can buy, and break down what they are best for and what options are worth the investment. 

Water Cooling

For a high-end system, especially if you want to think about overclocking, an AIO liquid cooler is well worth the investment. Water cooling, also known as liquid cooling (or sometimes AIO Cooling), uses water or another liquid as a coolant to remove heat from computer components like the CPU. As the CPU generates heat during operation, the liquid coolant absorbs and dissipates that heat more efficiently than just using air cooling methods. This allows the CPU to run at higher speeds without overheating.

Water has a very high heat capacity compared to air, so it has the ability to absorb much more thermal energy for the same temperature change. This makes water cooling an important technology for high-performance computing, gaming, and overclocking, where the CPU and other components generate significant heat that needs to be dissipated quickly. While it has a higher cost, you can push your system even further than with just air. So, let’s break down the best options and see our selections for the best AIO coolers for 2023.

ASUS ROG Ryujin III

We start our list with one of my favourites when I want to liquid cool my PC, the ASUS ROG Ryujin III 360 ARGB. This cooler represents the pinnacle of high-end PC cooling solutions. Building on the success of previous Ryujin models, the Ryujin III introduces several key enhancements to push cooling performance even further.

At the heart of the Ryujin III is a beefed-up 360mm radiator and an upgraded pump, allowing it to handle the extreme thermal loads of modern high-end CPUs easily. The RGB lighting has been upgraded with daisy-chained addressable RGB LEDs on the three included 120mm fans, enabling stunning customizable effects.

Perhaps the most eye-catching feature is the new 3.5-inch LCD display on the pump head, which can now showcase animations and system stats with a high framerate. For enthusiasts who want to push overclocks to the limit, the Ryujin III also introduces a dedicated fan to provide active VRM cooling on the motherboard.

With best-in-class cooling, extensive RGB lighting customization, and unique additions like the LCD display, the Ryujin III represents cutting-edge premium PC cooling solutions for those seeking the absolute best performance and aesthetics. If that were not enough, the ASUS ROG Ryujin III 360 ARGB also comes in an EVA-02 Edition, so you can rock a look from your favourite anime while keeping your new PC cool and quiet. 

MSI Mag Liquid Cooler E360

Next up, we have a fantastic cooler in any build and one of the best AIO coolers we have had our hands-on, the MSI Mag Liquid Cooler E360. This AIO solution is an excellent offering that delivers strong performance and compatibility without costing as much as some of the selections on this list. With its enlarged copper cold plate, the E360 makes maximum contact with CPUs to draw heat away efficiently. This allows it to compete with more expensive high-end liquid coolers when it comes to taming CPU temperatures.

A key advantage of the E360 is its split pathway radiator design, which effectively separates warm and coolant liquid to optimize cooling performance. And thanks to the 360mm radiator and trio of 120mm fans, the E360 can handle CPUs with high TDPs while remaining quiet. Unlike some budget options, the E360 features premium touches like a rotatable blockhead and ARGB lighting for customizable aesthetics. It brings high-end cooling prowess and quiet operation at a reasonable price point.

The MSI Mag Liquid Cooler E360 hits the sweet spot between budget and premium options for those seeking liquid cooling that can handle powerful CPUs without spending a fortune. It also comes in black and white colour choices, so you can ensure everything looks sharp and consistent in your new build.

NZXT Kraken 360

The NZXT Kraken 360 is a cooler we use in the office and one we rely on at CGMagazine for our test rigs, so clearly, it was one that had to make our best cooler list. The NZXT Kraken 360 is a top-tier all-in-one liquid cooler that delivers exceptional cooling performance and looks fantastic when everything is up and running. 

With its 360mm radiator and three included 120mm fans, it has the cooling capacity to handle even the hottest CPUs like AMD’s Ryzen 9 7950X. The Kraken 360 features a stylish LED screen pump with the option to buy it with RGB lighting. It is an AIO solution that looks great in any build. It also boasts a large copper cold plate to efficiently draw heat away from the CPU efficiently. Compatibility is excellent, with support for current and last-gen Intel and AMD sockets.

Installation is straightforward, thanks to NZXT’s thoughtful mounting bracket design. Thermal performance is stellar, keeping CPU temperatures low even under heavy loads. The only real downside is the need for sufficient room in your case to mount the large 360mm radiator, so plan your case accordingly. For those seeking silent top-tier cooling with customizable RGB flair, the NZXT Kraken 360 is an excellent choice, and like a few on this list. It also comes in both black and white. 

Cooler Master 240 ATMOS

Last on our list of the best AIO coolers is the Cooler Master 240 ATMOS. This AIO cooler stands out with its sleek and modern design featuring a transparent pump housing that shows off customizable RGB lighting. It offers excellent cooling performance for its 240mm radiator size, keeping CPUs cool even under heavy loads thanks to its efficient copper cold plate and fluid dynamic bearing fans.

Compatibility is a major advantage, with the 240 ATMOS supporting current Intel LGA1700 and AMD AM5 sockets for the latest processors. Installation is straightforward with an easy-to-mount bracket system. The 240mm radiator should fit in most mid and full-tower cases, though tight SFF builds may struggle to accommodate it.

Aesthetically, the translucent fan blades and RGB pump lighting allow you to customize its look. The dual chamber pump also operates quietly, making the 240 ATMOS a great choice for those valuing low noise. The Cooler Master 240 ATMOS hits a sweet spot between price, performance, compatibility, and customizable styling. 

Air cooling

Third-party air cooling is also a great option if you are not trying to push the top-end chip to the limit. Air cooling is the most common and cost-effective method for cooling CPUs in computers. It transfers heat from the CPU to a heatsink, usually made of aluminum or copper, through conduction. Fans mounted on the heatsink then blow air across its fins to dissipate the heat away from the CPU through convection.

Cooler Master MA824 Stealth

Starting things off strong, The Cooler Master MA824 Stealth is a high-end dual tower CPU cooler designed for maximum cooling capacity and quiet operation. It features a total of 8 nickel-plated copper heat pipes to efficiently draw heat away from the CPU and into its dense aluminum fin stacks. The MA824 Stealth has excellent compatibility, supporting current Intel LGA1700 and AMD AM4/AM5 sockets for the latest processors.

Aesthetically, the MA824 Stealth sports an all-black design with no RGB lighting for a stealthy, understated look. It includes two Cooler Master Mobius series fans—a 120mm and a unique 135mm fan—to provide strong airflow at low noise levels. The asymmetric dual tower layout helps ensure compatibility with tall RAM modules.

Installation is straightforward with Cooler Master’s mounting brackets. At 162mm tall and weighing 1.56kg, the MA824 Stealth is in no way small, so you’ll need sufficient case clearance. But for those seeking silent top-tier air cooling, the MA824 Stealth is an excellent choice that can handle even high TDP processors quietly.

Cooler Master Hyper622 Halo

It may be odd to see two coolers from the same company on a list, but this year, Cooler Master came with some solid offerings, and we could not help but include the Hyper 622 Halo. The Cooler Master Hyper 622 Halo’s stylish design features a glossy black shroud and dual tower heatsink accented by customizable RGB lighting. It delivers excellent cooling performance thanks to its six 6mm copper heat pipes and dual 120mm Halo2 series fans that ensure you always have strong airflow while keeping noise to a minimum.

Compatibility is a key strength, with the Hyper 622 Halo supporting current Intel LGA1700 and AMD AM4/AM5 CPU sockets for the latest processors. Installation is straightforward using the mounting brackets included. At 157mm tall, the Hyper 622 Halo should fit in most ATX mid-tower cases, though very compact SFF builds may struggle to fit it.

The dual tower heatsink and fluid dynamic bearing fans allow the Hyper 622 Halo to handle CPUs with high thermal loads up to 220W quietly and efficiently. It’s an excellent choice for keeping hot CPUs like AMD’s Ryzen 9 7950X cool. With customizable RGB lighting and a premium design, the Hyper 622 Halo adds style to any build while providing top-notch cooling performance. 

be quiet! Dark Rock Elite

The be quiet! Dark Rock Elite is a high-end air cooler designed for maximum cooling capacity with ultra-quiet acoustics. It features a dual tower heatsink with seven 6mm copper heat pipes and two powerful 135mm Silent Wings PWM fans. The fans can operate in a quiet mode at 1500RPM or a performance mode at 2000RPM, adjustable via a built-in switch.

The Dark Rock Elite has excellent compatibility, supporting current Intel LGA1700 and AMD AM4/AM5 CPU sockets. Installation is straightforward, with the mounting brackets included. At 160mm tall, the Dark Rock Elite should fit in most ATX mid-tower cases, though compact SFF builds may struggle.

With its large heatsink and fans, the Dark Rock Elite delivers exceptional cooling performance, keeping even high TDP CPUs like the Ryzen 9 7950X cool quietly. The blacked-out design gives it an understated, sleek aesthetic. Unique touches like the ARGB lighting and removable top cover add flair. The only notable downside is the large size, requiring sufficient case clearance. Overall, for those seeking top-tier air cooling with virtually silent acoustics, the Dark Rock Elite is an excellent choice.

Noctua NH-D15 PC Cooler

While not a new option, the Noctua NH-D15 is a premium dual-tower CPU air cooler that we love thanks to its excellent cooling capacity and ultra-quiet operation. It features a massive dual tower heatsink design with six heat pipes and two 140mm NF-A15 PWM fans for powerful airflow. The fans have a max speed of 1500RPM and can be slowed using the included Low-Noise Adapters to reduce noise levels. One of the NH-D15’s biggest strengths is its wide compatibility, supporting all modern sockets, including Intel LGA1700 and AMD AM5.

At 165mm tall and weighing just over 2 pounds, the NH-D15 is quite large, so like many choices on this list, sufficient case clearance is required. The upside is that its size allows the NH-D15 to quietly handle CPUs with very high thermal loads up to 220W. It excels at cooling hot chips like the Core i9-14900K and Ryzen 9 7950X. Aesthetically, the NH-D15 features a modest design with no integrated lighting or RGB. The fans have Noctua’s signature beige and brown colours. For those seeking top-tier air cooling that can tame even the hottest CPUs quietly, the Noctua NH-D15 is an excellent choice.

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