Let us say you just got yourself the best gaming computer case or any simple computer case, what follows it to try and keep it cool always. There are many options you could use when it comes to cooling. The common option will be using computer case fans. These are the fans that you can bolt on your case and have them cooling the system.
The many models on the market tend to make it hard for some users to make up their minds. Well, we get to help you change that by providing a guide. The reviews below of the top models should provide more insight on which one you can get.
Let us learn more about the best case fans right away.
Top 10 Best Case Fans 2022 Reviews
Contents
- Top 10 Best Case Fans 2022 Reviews
- 1 Noctua NF-F12 PWM Cooling Fan – best 120mm case fan
- 2 Corsair Air Series SP120 High Performance Edition Single Fan
- 3 Rosewill 120mm Long Life Sleeve Case
- 4 Be Quiet! BL070 Silentwings 3 PWM 120mm High Speed Cooling Fan
- 5 Corsair ML120, 120mm Premium Magnetic Levitation Fan
- 6 Thermaltake RIING 120mm RED LED Ultra Quiet Computer Case Fan
- 7 Corsair LL Series LL120 RGB 120mm Dual Light Loop Fan
- 8 Cooler Master MegaFLow 200 Fan for Computer Cases – best 200mm case fan
- 9 Arctic F8 PWM Rev.2 Standard Low Noise PWM Controlled Case Fan – best 80mm case fan
- 10 Corsair Air Series AF120 Quiet Edition Single Fan
- Best Case Fans Buying Guide
- Conclusion
I am going to show you top 10 best case fans on the market today. But first, take a look at 3 best choice for your need below:
Name | Rating | Size | LED |
---|---|---|---|
(4.5 / 5) | Size 120mm | LED N/A, Blue, RGB, Red, White | |
(4.6 / 5) | Size 120mm | LED N/A | |
Cheap Price Noctua NF-F12 PWM Cooling Fan View Price | (4.8 / 5) | Size 120mm | LED N/A |
1
Noctua NF-F12 PWM Cooling Fan – best 120mm case fan
This case fan comes with a custom design that makes it better in every way. The design is about getting a new focused flow frame to help in cooling. This frame will work with eleven stator guide vanes for more performance.
You will notice the seven blades that come with the fan. More blades are always important for more cooling. The blades are carefully optimized so as you can achieve the best balance between the power and quietness.
As part of making sure that the operation noise is at a minimum, the model features anti-vibration pads. These pads have extra-soft silicone that will help minimize the vibration transmission. You end up with a model that maintains full compatibility with the different types mounting systems. This means setting it up is a breeze.
The best part is that the fan clips can still be used on heatsinks. This helps to draw more heat away from the components.
Still on its operation, the manufacturer had to make it better by including a second generation SSO bearing. The bearing has quite the reputation when it comes to performance. The SSO helps in providing better stability, durability, and precision of the fan.
You will not have to worry about buying a new fan any time soon once this one is in place.
The fan still features a low noise adapter. The aim of the adapter is to reduce the maximum fan speed of 1500rpm to 1200rpm.
By using the adapter, you can run the fan at a constant speed of 1200rpm, or you can switch it up using the automatic PWM control.
For its overall size, there is no doubt it should fit easily in most cases. It will not take long before you have the model in the right position.
- Low noise adapter
- Ease of installation
- Durable
- Some feel the airflow could be improved
2
Corsair Air Series SP120 High Performance Edition Single Fan
The model’s design is simply about achieving the best balance between the airflow and low noise operation. We all want fans that can cool better to keep the systems running smoothly. As much as the fan cools properly, we also want it to be quieter. That is what you get with this model.
From the name performance edition, you can understand that this model is all about giving you the best performance always. The manufacturer has it configured in a way to offer high air flow. This should be possible thanks to the seven blades.
The seven blades are wider when comparing them to other types of fans in its category. The wide blades are important for creating high static pressure. The pressure then aids in the air flow even for the tight spots. You can be sure the heatsink or radiator will now get enough cooling.
With the noise level at 23dBA, it is not the quietest model available on the market right now. That being said, this is the performance edition, there is also the quiet version from the same manufacturer.
The performance edition is all about driving the fan at high speeds of 2350rpm. At such rpm, there is expected to be a bit of noise, but there is more cooling efficiency. When you get the quiet model, it will have reduced fan speed for more quietness.
What about the bearing? Since a fan is going to rotate always on an axis, the type of bearing is also important. It is the reason the manufacturer chose to use hydraulic bearing. What you get is a model that is reliable and quiet thanks to such a bearing.
You still get vibration absorbing rubber corners. The aim is to keep the vibrations down as you keep running the fans under a load.
The overall feel of the fans is that it is built to last for ages. This is backed by a two-year warranty.
- It is sturdy
- Whisper quiet fan
- Great air flow
- Hydraulic bearing
- Slightly loud
3
Rosewill 120mm Long Life Sleeve Case
If you are on a budget, then this is the best case fan you can get for yourself today. Since it is cheap, you do not have to expect some fancy designs going into it.
That being said, it does not mean that the quality of materials used is compromised. The manufacturer has used high quality materials so that you end up with a top performance fan at a low price.
The best part about using this fan is that it comes with reinforced plastic mounts. These mounts will now allow you to easily screw the fan in position without necessarily breaking.
Being a slim fan means that you can also have them cooling those tight spaces. You simply have to tuck them away into the area that needs cooling and should be good.
How about the technology for cooling? The fan comes with a sleeve that last for long. The sleeve is the plastic sheath that is used to attach the bearing to the blades. Yes, with time the sheath is expected to wear out and then it is when the fan starts to make a lot of noise.
For this model, the manufacturer uses long lasting bearing that allows it to operate quietly even when the sheath is worn out. The overall performance of the bearing should get more people buying the fan.
The airflow of the fan is at 38.2CFM. It is the not the highest you get on the market right now. It is the reason you get four fans in one pack. You can now use the four to make sure that you have more airflow with the four combined.
- Strong construction
- Affordable
- Easy to setup
- Low airflow
4
Be Quiet! BL070 Silentwings 3 PWM 120mm High Speed Cooling Fan
From the name of the model, you can easily conclude that it is going to be a quiet model. Anyone will always wish to have a performance model that does not have to make a lot of noise.
As part of performance, you are going to like the wide blades on the fan. These blades are responsible for creating extreme high pressure. This pressure in turn drives more air into cooling your system.
Some have even likened the impressive cooling to what you get from the water-cooled system. It just goes to show that with the right design and performance features, there is so much you can achieve.
Operating at 2,200rpm is always a recipe for the right performance. At such speeds, the fan is going to generate a lot of airflow needed for the cooling process. Combine this speed with the wide fan blades and you get a high performance fan.
How about the noise? When operating at high rpm, it is expected that the fan will generate a lot of noise. For this one, the noise is average. The noise level of 28.6dBA is what you can expect from most fans operating at 2200rpm.
It is easy to conclude that it has a great performance to noise ratio.
The model is a 6-pole fan motor. In simple terms, this translates to having low power consumption and vibrations. With the vibrations kept at a minimum, you will not feel that it makes it hard to sit around your system while the fan is on.
You also get that the fan frame is funnel shaped. The aim is to allow for more air inlets to allow the fan to generate extreme pressure.
- Impressive cooling
- Low power consumption
- More airflow
- Impressive quality
- The vibration dampening can be improved further
5
Corsair ML120, 120mm Premium Magnetic Levitation Fan
Corsair as a company is so proud of the fan that they say if NASA was to make computer case fans, this is what they will make. Well, you have to give it to them because of the technology they have used to make this possible.
The magnetic levitation combined with the custom engineered rotors are the ones that set it apart from the others. You can be sure that you will always end up with unrivaled performance and low noise.
The innovative design does not stop there. It goes all the way to the fan blades. The angled and while fan blades are crucial for cooling. You can be sure that with the size of the blades you will get high static pressure and airflow needed for cooling.
In general, you are going to experience a premium product in action.
It comes as a pack of two. The aim is to give more fans important for cooling. You can now have the fan easily cooling the various components of the system. More cooling is always important for the performance of the system.
The use of magnetic bearing is a new concept in the world of case fans. Most of them will be using the ball bearing, but this one is even better. The use of magnetic bearing is all about boosting the lifespan of the fan.
It is also possible to note that such a system gives the fan low noise of operation. You will not hear many people complaining about the noise.
Running at 2000rpm is the best perfect balance between having low noise and high performance.
- Great performance
- Low noise
- Easy to customize
- Magnetic bearing
- Expensive
6
Thermaltake RIING 120mm RED LED Ultra Quiet Computer Case Fan
Having an LED as being part of the fan just makes things even better. You will always have something more than what other traditional fans have to offer. This model comes with a number of LED options that you can use to spice up your computer case.
The LEDs are all about having more aesthetics. Well, the question many will have is whether the model actually works. We can say with confidence that this is going to be another top model you can use today for cooling.
As part of making sure that cooling is going to be better, the model features a new and improved design for the blades.
The blade design is important for building the high static pressure. This is the kind of cooling you want especially if you have a high demanding system.
Another important feature is the concentrated compression blade system. The system is important to push the inner weak circle of air to the outward so that higher pressure can be generated. In the end, you will have a model that can deliver on better cooling.
The frame is another important aspect of the fan. Its frame is referred to as the wind blocker. Its aim is to concentrate the pressure mechanism by easily directing the airflow towards the middle section of the blades. There will be limited air pressure that escapes thanks to this type of design.
The best part about using the fan is its low noise of operation. The noise is minimized thanks to having hydraulic bearing instead of the ball bearing.
- Low noise
- Effective cooling
- LED lighting
- Poor customer support
7
Corsair LL Series LL120 RGB 120mm Dual Light Loop Fan
Coming from corsair, there is much to expect. Since it is a top brand, you will be comfortable knowing the brand will deliver on performance. The good news is that the company did a good job with this one.
There is the ability to increase the fan speed when the need arises. This is possible as it comes with a complete PWM control. The fan speed can now increase from 600rpm to 1500rpm depending on the needs.
Running at low speeds means there is less load and thus the fan will be less noisy. For the high rpm, you can expect to have more airflow but a bit of noise, but not much to irritate you.
There is no doubt that the fan blade is going to help you with more performance. The blades are also important for giving you a low noise operation. This does not come at the expense of the performance levels. You should have a great time using the fan always.
There is no way we could forget about talking of the RGB LEDs. The manufacturer did this so that the users can have an easy time pimping the computer cases.
For this model, you get up to 16 independent RGB LEDs. Since they are independent, it is possible for you to separate the light loops and create a vibrant visual effect in the case.
For those who have used it before, they claim you get one of the best airflow of all times. There is no doubt you are going to like for having more performance.
It is also lightweight as it weighs only 2.88 ounces. It will add almost no weight to your case.
- Excellent airflow
- LED lighting
- Low noise operation
- Expensive
8
Cooler Master MegaFLow 200 Fan for Computer Cases – best 200mm case fan
Cooling and performance of the fan starts with the design. Well, for this design, you should now be in a position to have a better performance fan to help cool your system.
This one boasts of having the best air flow. The high airflow is important for maximum cooling performance. You can now be sure that it will always give you the right performance to keep you enjoying a reliable computer system.
As part of cooling, this model comes with an impressive airflow of 110CFM. This is good keeping in mind that it runs at 700rpm. Such a low rpm was not expected to generate such amount of airflow.
Since the model operates at low rpm, it is expected that you will not hear a lot of noise coming out from it. That is true as the noise level as rated by the manufacturer is 19dBA. This is lower than what you get in some high end models of computer case fans.
The durability is another thing that should get you interested more in owning the mode. The manufacturer says that the expected life expectancy is 30,000 hours. You should now be in a position to use this model for years without worrying about replacing it.
Another thing that makes it even more durable should be the sleeve bearing. This type of bearing gives it more performance, low noise when operating, and most importantly durability.
You still get the LED light to spice up the looks of your case.
- Highly durable model
- Lightweight
- Easy to set up
- Impressive airflow
- Lacks LED controller
9
Arctic F8 PWM Rev.2 Standard Low Noise PWM Controlled Case Fan – best 80mm case fan
When buying a computer case fan, you want the one that is going to last for years. No one wants to keep replacing the fans more often. That is possible now when you decide to pick this type of model.
To make it highly durable, the manufacturer uses the fluid dynamic bearing on its axis. The bearing comes with an oil capsule important to avoid having lubricant leakage.
For this type of bearing, you get that it is quiet just as the sleeve bearing, but it still comes with a higher service life.
Another important feature you are going to love it is that the fan is PWM regulated. This is an important function that allows the motherboard to send a signal when the fan has to work harder or less.
PWM control now allows the fan to only work at the necessary speeds. The aim is to give you a model that can deliver on impressive cooling while at the same time maintaining a low noise level.
Having a new and improved design allows for proper ventilation at all times. The innovative design has the fan blades that will improve the air flow so that there is high efficiency when it comes to the ventilation process.
You will get that the impeller design helps with minimizing the noise level produced from the fan operation. When this is happening, there is also the need to deliver the desired airflow and pressure.
The model allows for two-way installation. According to the manufacturer, one way is to blow the warm air out of the case and the other way is to draw in cold air. Either way, there is cooling that happens.
- Two-way installation
- Durable
- Cheap
- Easily regulated
- Lacks LED for aesthetics
10
Corsair Air Series AF120 Quiet Edition Single Fan
This fan is all about having the best performance and still remain quiet. From the name, it is the quiet edition, which means that you will never have to worry about its noise while it is operating.
The manufacturer says it will have a noise of 21dBA. This is the type of level you might not even know the fan is operating. You can now be sure that it is going to work effectively at all times.
Some fans can be too loud that it becomes irritating, well not for this one. You will not have to worry about the noise levels anymore.
By now that you now it comes with low noise of operation, what about the overall performance? Running at 1100rpm is an important speed that many systems could use. At such speeds, the fan can generate enough airflow important for cooling the system.
The manufacturer rates the fan to generate an airflow of 39.88 CFM. That is enough for cooling the system for it to work at optimal temperatures. It should also be good to cool gaming graphics cards.
The model on the overall feels like it is sturdy. This is thanks to the strong materials that the manufacturer has used to make it. Another thing you will love includes having the three colored rings. You can choose to use red, blue or white. The rings are just for adding some aesthetics to the fan.
The fan is also affordable considering that the brand often makes expensive models. You can save money using it today.
- Low noise
- Impressive airflow
- Strong construction
- Affordable
- A bit of vibration is noticeable
Best Case Fans Buying Guide
Cooling capability
The cooling capability is going to be affected by the airflow that the model can deliver. The airflow is measured in terms of CFM. Look at the CFM rating of the fan before buying.
If the fan is good at cooling, then it will have a higher CFM.
Look at other features the manufacturer has integrated in the model to make it to be better at cooling.
Durability
The durability is all about the type of materials that have been used to make the model. Having the top materials always means that you have a top model that delivers on performance and durability.
Look at the bearing used to make the fan. Some bearings will last longer than the others. Having the fluid bearing is going to last longer than the ball bearing because of less friction.
Noise level
There is no doubt this is one important feature you will always see many people taking as a consideration. This depends on many things, so you have to understand just how much noise a fan makes.
The noise level will always be highlighted by the manufacturer using the unit dBA. The lower the level the less the amount of noise the model will produce. Also, the rpm at which the fan runs also affects the noise level. Running at the high rpm all the time will lead to more noise.
LED lighting
For the case fans, the LED lighting is not always important. That being said, having a model with LED helps to spice up your case to look great. It is the reason you can get many models presenting you with some LED lighting.
Depending on the model, some even allow for a bit of manipulation to change the colors. The others will simply offer just the LED lighting in one color.
Conclusion
Cooling is an important aspect of having your computer system running perfectly. It is the reason you get to use the best case fans from our list above. These fans are designed to deliver on performance without really have to spend a lot of money. Take the time to check out all the models we have reviewed above to pick the right one. You can be sure to get one that will deliver the cooling needs that you require.
Leave a Reply