The best AIO coolers not only keep your CPU cool but also keep noise levels low. Here are some of the best all-in-one liquid coolers in 2023.
An all-in-one (AIO) liquid cooler not only guarantees quieter cooling for your CPU compared to a conventional air cooler, but can also facilitate in reducing temperatures to an extent that allows for overclocking. AIOs provide a straightforward method for water-cooling your PC without the hassle of dealing with messy components selection. We also advise considering a liquid cooler, especially if you already own or intend to acquire a high-performance processor like an Intel Core i9-13900K or AMD’s Ryzen 7950x.
Most builds call for a 240mm AIO. However, you can go up or down depending on your PC build size or cooling needs, too, with various options available.
Note: Before diving in, you’ll need to take note of your CPU socket before picking up an AIO water cooler. Every CPU cooler is a little different, so you’ll need to know what CPU socket your motherboard has to see if the cooler supports it.
Corsair iCUE H100i RGB EliteBest 240mm AIO cooler
The Corsair iCUE H100i RGB Elite is a minor update to the H100i RGB Pro XT, which has been our top recommendation for a while. It features an updated pump design with 16 RGB LEDs, and thanks to iCUE, you can sync up all of your various RGB accessories for a unified look inside your build. The software also allows you to check on your CPU and coolant temperature to make sure everything is running smoothly.
In addition to a 240mm radiator, the kit comes with Corsair’s new AF Elite fans. These are high-performance 120mm PWM fluid dynamic bearing fans that combine a low-noise design with the company’s ‘AirGuide’ technology for powerful cooling, quiet operation, and exceptional durability. They also support Zero RPM and Variable Pump Speed specialized cooling modes in iCUE to keep noise to a minimum when your system is idle or under light loads.
The Corsair iCUE H100i RGB Elite is an easy AIO to recommend. The company is behind some of the best desktop CPU coolers, and the cooler clocks in at about $140. Socket support is excellent, too, with mounting options for all recent Intel and AMD processors, including Threadripper.
Arctic Liquid Freezer IIBest 360mm AIO cooler
When it comes to raw thermal performance, the Arctic Liquid Freezer II is the best 360mm AIO cooler on the market. It reaches similar performance of competing coolers from NZXT and Corsair while being very inexpensive. Currently selling for about $130, the price is comparable to and in some cases lesser than most competitive 360mm AIO coolers out there.
The pump on the AIO is controlled by PWM, allowing it to modulate with the workload rather than run at full speed all the time. The Liquid Freezer II also includes a 40mm fan next to the pump, set to sit over your motherboard’s VRM chips. In more extreme overclocking sessions, this may improve stability. Otherwise, it includes three Arctic 120mm fans to keep air flowing.
This cooler is all about performance and price. It gets those two bits right, but not without some concessions. It doesn’t feature any sort of lighting, and the design may not be to everyone’s tastes. Still, the Arctic Liquid Freezer II hits a sweet spot that other coolers can’t compete with. Socket support is a little limited, but the Liquid Freezer still supports most recent chips. On AMD, it supports AM4 CPUs, and on Intel, it supports all LGA115x sockets, as well as 2011-3 and 2066 with a square Independent Loading Mechanism (ILM).
NZXT Kraken X53 RGB WhiteBest AIO cooler for white builds
NZXT’s third-generation Kraken X coolers are well worth the asking prices. The cooler is now available in an all-white finish with two 120mm Aer RGB 2 fans making it perfect for your next white PC build. This 240mm model clocks in at around $145, which still isn’t too expensive. The design is much more appealing than Arctic’s offering while achieving similar levels of thermal performance.
For looks, the Kraken X’s infinity mirror pump cap is a showstopper. It bounces light around inside the cap to create the illusion of infinite LED rings. Like nearly all NZXT products, the Kraken X53 is fully integrated with CAM, allowing you to monitor temperatures and tweak your lighting settings. Over the X52, the X53 also includes an NZXT Hue 2 connection on the pump, offering power for up to six Hue 2 accessories. If you want to trick out your rig with synced-up RGB, the NZXT Kraken X53 is for you.
Socket support is excellent, with support for TR4 and AM4 on AMD, and LGA115X, 1,700, and 1,200 on Intel.
