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🆒 The list in brief
1. Best overall
2. Best affordable
3. Best budget
4. Best RGB
5. Best budget RGB
6. Best for radiators
7. FAQ
8. How we test
9. How to spot the best deal
The best PC fans will keep even the most intense gaming rig cool. PC builders often overlook fans when buying components, but cool hardware is essential for optimal gaming performance. We recommend making sure your fans are up to a high standard, for both cooler and quieter PC operation.
Right now, our testing points to the Noctua NF-A12x25 PWM as the best PC fan today. With Noctua’s reputation for making a mean PC fan, that should come as no surprise to many. Though for anyone looking to spend less, the cheaper Noctua NF-S12B redux-1700 also does a great job. Neither fan is loud, either.
But I’m sure we can all agree that poor airflow is bad. It’ll lead to your PC operating at suboptimal temperatures, which is sure to affect the performance and durability of your machine’s important parts. If you plan on overclocking, a couple of extra fans (or the best CPU coolers) will help keep everything running smoothly.I’ve picked out some of the best PC fans from those tested below, noting the key points that make them stand out. Stay cool.
Curated by…Curated by…Jacob Ridley
Jacob has been testing fans for over half a decade. As someone that often likes to get into the weeds for each and every PC build he works on, he pays close attention to pressure ratings and airflow measurements of each one. He brings that level of attention to this guide, along with his very own at-home wind tunnel and anemometer setup to test manufacturer’s claims and decide on his top picks.
The quick list
Best overall
1. Noctua NF-A12x25 PWM
The best overall
It may come as no surprise to some, but Noctua makes a mean fan. The NF12x25 is its premium all-rounder, and it’s pretty much great for any position inside your PC.
Best affordable
2. Noctua NF-P12 redux-1700
The best affordable
Noctua’s premium fans can be pretty expensive. I’d say they’re usually worth it, but nevertheless they won’t suit everyone’s budget. This NF-P12 redux fan is a cheaper option than the A12x25, but importantly retains the quality we’ve come to expect.
Best budget
3. Scythe Kaze Flex 120 PWM
The best budget
You will notice a drop in quality of the materials used with the Scythe, but it is importantly still a good performer capable of keeping your components cool. That’s ultimately what matters most.
Best RGB
4. Corsair LL120 RGB
The best RGB
We can pretend that PC gaming is all about performance, but it’s not. Looks play a huge part in the hobby. These Corsair fans look great and offer performance where it counts.
Best budget RGB
5. Cooler Master MF120R A-RGB
The best budget RGB
Good things come in threes. Or at least these RGB fans do, and they’re easy on the wallet. If you’re filling out a PC all at once, this sort of kit will save you money overall.
Best for radiators
6. Thermaltake Toughfan 12 Turbo
The best for radiators
Static pressure is all-important when it comes to pushing air through a radiator or dense mesh. That’s the sort of job we rate these Thermaltake fans for.
Recent updates
This guide was updated on March 22, 2024, to add the Noctua NF-P12 redux-1700.
The best PC fan
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1. Noctua NF-A12x25 PWM
The best PC fan
Our expert review:
Specifications
Bearing type: Self-Stabilising Oil Pressure Bearing – Second GenerationRPM range: 450–2000Listed CFM: 60.1Listed dBA: 22.6RGB: No140mm model no.: NF-A14 PWM
Reasons to buy
+Impressively high airflow+Lots of accessories included
Reasons to avoid
-High price
The Noctua NF-A12x25 PWM is a clear and easy pick for the best PC fan. If you’re looking for a top-tier 120mm model that can move a lot of air, the awkwardly named NF-A12x25 blows away the competition. Of all the fans we tested, this model pumped the most air through our test rig.
You can decide between khaki-and-mud or black versions—pick your poison. We’ve the Chromax.black version of the fan for testing, as seen in the pictures above, though it’s only really different for the smart black colourway and additional Chromax corner pieces. The specs all remain the same.
The NF-A12x25 is a great all-rounder and can be used as both a case fan or stuck on a radiator with great effect. For a bit more info on that, and to understand Noctua’s naming, check out Noctua’s guide.
The NF-A12x25 was the quietest fan we tested when running at lower RPM. Our numbers have it putting out less noise at 1200 RPM than some fans running 300 RPM slower. Since those mid-range speeds are generally more likely to come up in day-to-day use, the NF-A12x25 is an excellent choice for your average gaming PC while still giving it the headroom to spin up to 2000 RPM in the middle of a heatwave.
The NF-A12x25 lives up to the legacy we’ve come to expect from Noctua. It’s also a nice touch how many accessories come with the NF-A12x25, from a 12-inch extension cable and a Y-splitter to many rubber vibration dampers. The price is high, but it’s hard to argue the value.
While work is still being done to nail down its next-gen fan with an absurdly small clearance between fan tips and enclosure, until that’s ready and we’ve had a chance to test it out, the Noctua NF-A12x25 is a great choice.
The best affordable PC fan
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2. Noctua NF-P12 redux-1700
The best affordable PC fan
Our expert review:
Specifications
Bearing type: Self-Stabilising Oil Pressure BearingRPM range: 450–1700Listed CFM: 70.75Listed dBA: 25.1RGB: No140mm model no.: NF-P14s redux–1500 PWM
Reasons to buy
+Inexpensive but performs great+High RPM+Looks nice in silver
Reasons to avoid
-Not the quietest Noctua fan
Noctua builds fans that last a long time, move a lot of air, and do it quietly. A few issues, however: until recently, buying Noctua fans meant committing yourself to a hit-or-miss khaki-and-mud color scheme straight out of the ’70s and spending a pretty penny.
Thankfully, this NF-P12 redux-1700 helps out in both departments, as the more affordable and stylish option to the NF-A12x25 PWM.
Noctua’s redux line comes in a modern gray-and-another-gray look that won’t detract from the rest of your PC build. It’s not as quiet nor as efficient as the blacked-out NF-A12x25 PWM, but it is much cheaper. It’s more or less half the price. The NF-P12 redux-1700 balances great performance with a budget-friendly price tag and looks great in the process. It’s a fan more tailored to use on a radiator than as a case fan, but it does well in both uses. It’s a bit more of an all-rounder than the NF-S12B redux-1200, which we used to recommend in this spot, and runs faster too.
You can save some money and pick the NF-S12B redux-1200 if you are solely using these fans for your case cooling. Though I do like the flexibility in the redux-1700 for about a dollar more. We’ve a properly budget PC fan option below, should you need it.
You’ll find no RGB lighting here—no frills of any kind, really. But the NF-P12 redux-1700’s Self-Stabilising Oil Pressure Bearings will last for years while moving lots of air around and keeping extremely quiet. It’s a clear pick for any modern PC build.
The best budget PC fan
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3. Scythe Kaze Flex 120 PWM
The best budget PC fan
Our expert review:
Specifications
Bearing type: Fluid Dynamic BearingRPM range: 300–1200Listed CFM: 51.2Listed dBA: 24.9RGB: No140mm model no.: N/A
Reasons to buy
+Cable is durable+Fairly inexpensive
Reasons to avoid
-Feels cheaper than the rest-Relatively loud at any speed
As the best budget PC fan, the Kaze Flex 120 PWM arrives in a cheap plastic package, looking more like it came from an auto shop than a modern PC retailer. Side-by-side with Noctua’s Redux packaging, or Corsair’s weighty boxes, Scythe feels like a budget fan solution.
To be fair to Scythe, it is selling the Kaze Flex for pretty cheap. And once it’s inside your PC case you aren’t going to notice the cheaper plastic so much.
The Kaze Flex 120 PWM we tested is one of the company’s better models, though. At 1200 RPM, the Kaze Flex 120 moved more air in our test rig than some of the competition (Corsair, for instance) did at 1400 or even 1600 RPM, presumably due to having eleven blades where most fans have only nine. Lots of air goes hand-in-hand with noise, though, and indeed the Kaze Flex 120 PWM is also noisier than the competition at any given speed setting—though since it tops out at 1200 RPM, the noise is never as bad as models that spin up to higher speeds.
If you want a decent budget-friendly fan and the SF-12B isn’t doing it for you? Scythe’s blade-heavy blower might be the right choice. And hey, one more company hasn’t dipped into the RGB LED well yet. That’s worth something.
The best RGB PC fan
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4. Corsair LL120 RGB
The best RGB PC fan
Our expert review:
Specifications
Bearing type: Hydraulic BearingRPM range: 600–1500Listed CFM: 43.3Listed dBA: 24.8RGB: Yes, with Corsair Lighting Node Pro140mm model no.: LL140 RGB
Reasons to buy
+Top-tier RGB lighting+Surprisingly quiet at full-speed
Reasons to avoid
-Slightly louder at mid-range speeds-Really not for budget builds
Do you need RGB fans? No, but do you want RGB fans? Of course. They can look great in an all-glass case or even through a traditional side window, and if you’re chasing that full-cyberpunk aesthetic, then Corsair’s LL120 Pro RGB fans are the best you can buy.
The LL120s are packed full of RGB LEDs. Each has a complement of LEDs shining out from the rotor, diffusing light down the blades’ length as they spin. Then, a separate ring of light is embedded around the housing’s outer edge. As a result, the LL120s are the brightest and showiest fans we tested and a perfect fit for any RGB addict.
They’re not just for show, though. The LL120s are also solid fans, lighting or no. At mid-range speeds, we found during testing that they tend to be slightly louder than the competition, but they do ramp up to a solid 1500 RPM and that will make them louder than some 1200 RPM fans.
The biggest problem? They’re expensive. Like, incredibly expensive. To use LL120s, you need to commit to purchasing a three-pack of fans with an included Corsair Lighting Node Pro, a package that lists for $120. Additional fans will run you $35 each. That’s a lot of money, even if the results are stellar.
The best budget RGB PC fans
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5. Cooler Master MF120R A-RGB
The best budget RGB PC fans
Our expert review:
Specifications
Bearing type: Rifle BearingRPM range: 650–2000Listed CFM: 59.0Listed dBA: 31.0RGB: Yes, either through motherboard or Cooler Master’s controller140mm model no.: N/A
Reasons to buy
+Affordable RGB lighting+Lots of airflow potential
Reasons to avoid
-Really, really loud at top speed-Not exactly quiet below that either
Cooler Master’s RGB design is a bit less high-tech than the Corsair LL120, featuring only fan-blade lighting instead of the second ring around the outside. It’s still an attractive fan, though, bright and with smooth transitions. And while the package lists for $99, you can usually find it on sale much cheaper. Add in the fact that additional fans only cost $20 each, and you’re set to save a whole lot of money on your cooling setup.
So what’s the catch? They’re loud. Like, really loud. Even Cooler Master admits it, listing the MF120R at 31 dBA. In our own tests, the MF120R kit was reasonably quiet at 1200 RPM but completely unusable at its maximum 2000 RPM speed, posting the loudest measurements of any fan we tested—louder than the other 2000 RPM fans we tested, the NZXT Aer RGB 2 and the Noctua NF-A12x25.
Granted, the MF120Rs move a lot of air at top speed, tying the Noctua NF-A12x25 for the highest airflow. There’s no way you’d want to run them at that speed, though, at least not for typical gaming use. Still, you get a full RGB lighting setup and some pretty strong fans for a fraction of the cost of Corsair’s kit. As long as you limit the MF120Rs to running at 1200 or 1500 RPM max, they might be a good alternative.
The best radiator PC fan
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6. Thermaltake Toughfan 12 Turbo
The best compact/radiator PC fans
Our expert review:
Specifications
Bearing type: Hydraulic Bearing Gen.2RPM range: 500–2500Listed CFM: 72.69Listed dBA: 28.1RGB: No140mm model no.: N/A
Reasons to buy
+Seriously impressive airflow at max speed+Great for upgrading your rads
Reasons to avoid
-Not the quietest at full speed
In a world where the number of RGB LEDs on a fan is often the main selling point, the frill-free styling of the Thermaltake Toughfan 12 Turbo makes for a refreshing change. These aren’t your average run-of-the-mill case fans. These aren’t standard case fans; they’re high static pressure fans—ideal for use with radiators and pushing air through grills and confined spaces. If you’re looking to upgrade your CPU cooler or piecing together a bespoke system, these are the kind of fans you need.
You can use them as straight case fans, but you’re going to pay a premium to do so. At $30 a pop, these are at the higher end of the price spectrum, but the specs are at least impressive. These are PWM controlled with a maximum speed of 2,500RPM, where you’re looking at 3.78mm-H2O air pressure and airflow of 72CFM. Impressive given the maximum noise level of 28.1dBA, which is noticeable without annoying; you can also run them much slower and quiet.
You can also pick these fans up in a non-Turbo guise, which means you save $5 on each one, and they top out at 2,000RPM, that’s 500RPM less than we have here. They don’t shift as much air as the Turbos can, but they’re quieter for it, too, so the choice is yours.
PC fan FAQ
How we test
There are a lot of case fans out there, so we had to set a few guidelines. First, we limited our tests to 120mm fans. It’s not because we hate 140mm. On the contrary, 140mm fans are generally quieter and move more air, making them a great choice for any case that can handle the larger size. But 120mm is still the “default” case fan, and it’s hard to compare different fan lines when you’re also comparing different sizes, so we stuck to 120mm versions as a control. (We’ve tried to provide the model number for the 140mm version where possible.)
With that in mind, we contacted a number of the most popular case fan manufacturers and had them send over both their best-selling and their personal favorite 120mm models. Then we hacked together a miniature wind tunnel with an anemometer inside, a device that measures airflow. This helped us match airflow between different fans at different RPM.
We then maxed out the RPM on each fan to test a theoretical airflow limit and keep an ear on the accompanying noise—all fans tend to ramp up in volume at max RPM, but some absolutely screech. Chances are you’d never run most of these fans at 100 percent—that’s why they’re PWM fans! But if you have an older motherboard without PWM (or have a system that runs hot), you might hit this limit, and it’s good to know how loud your PC could potentially get and how much air these fans hypothetically move.
As for RGB lighting? Well, we have eyes for those tests.
