Best Budget CPU Cooler – Top 5 Selection For 2023

by Lindsey Carter

CPU can get heat up more than normal by overclocking and extending the use of PC while gaming or videos transcoding. In such cases, you need a specific CPU cooler to cool it down.

Choosing the right cooler for your CPU is an important decision in any PC build or upgrade. If you take a look around the market, you will see that there is no shortage of options for a CPU cooler. But it is somewhat difficult to choose the best budget CPU cooler.

So, don't be so tense! Our expert teams do a lot of research for assuring you the best CPU cooler even at affordable cost and narrow the list with 5 top-notch budget coolers.

Keep reading to find your most desired budget-friendly CPU cooler.

Summary Table for Best Budget CPU Cooler

Image Product Name Price

Corsair ICUE H100i Budget CPU Cooler| RGB | Liquid Cooler
Corsair iCUE H100i Budget CPU Cooler| RGB | Liquid Cooler Price Check

Cooler Master Hyper 212 Budget CPU Cooler| Air Cooler
Cooler Master Hyper 212 Budget CPU Cooler| Air Cooler Price Check

Be Quiet! Dark Rock Pro 4 Budget CPU Cooler| TDP| 250W
be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 4 Budget CPU Cooler| TDP| 250W Price Check

Noctua NH-D15 Budget CPU Cooler | PWM Fans
Noctua NH-D15 Budget CPU Cooler | PWM Fans Price Check

NZXT Kraken M22 Budget CPU Cooler | Liquid Cooler
NZXT Kraken M22 Budget CPU Cooler | Liquid cooler Price Check

Best Budget CPU Cooler Reviews

Best Budget CPU Cooler Reviews
Best Budget CPU Cooler Reviews

If you want your PC performing at its best, then definitely keep on reading the following 5 top greatest budget CPU cooler reviews with their different eye-catching and useful features.

1. Corsair iCUE H100i Budget CPU Cooler| RGB | Liquid Cooler


Corsair ICUE H100i Budget CPU Cooler| RGB | Liquid Cooler
Corsair ICUE H100i Budget CPU Cooler| RGB | Liquid Cooler

The first thing that you look for a cooler is a better airflow system that can release the hot air outside and cool down your PC. Then you can surely trust on the functions of the Corsair iCUE H100i cooler.

It has dual magnetic levitation PWM fans to deliver incredible airflow for extreme cooling performance even in overclocking.

This cooler fulfills your cherish to lighten up your system with customized vibrant lighting effects by its 16 addressable RGB LED lights. Adding lighting effects matching with your system makes your CPU stunning.

The cooler enables maximum overclocks and also lowers temperatures through an optimized copper cold- plate. It efficiently draws heat away from your system.

Moreover, Corsair iCUE software has a Zero PRM cooling mode which allows fans to stop entirely at low temperatures and helps in eliminating the noise coming from the fans.

Therefore, as a budget CPU cooler, Corsair iCUE is the best for its wide compatibility with modular adjustable fans and tool-free mounting sockets. It balances the overall noise level of the system and shows amazing cooling performance.

Highlighted Features

  • Delivers incredible airflow and cooling performance
  • Having customized lighting effects
  • Enables maximum overclocks
  • Eliminates noise coming from fans
  • Wide compatibility

2. Cooler Master Hyper 212 Budget CPU Cooler| Air Cooler


Cooler Master Hyper 212 Budget CPU Cooler| Air Cooler
Cooler Master Hyper 212 Budget CPU Cooler| Air Cooler

If you are searching for a great air CPU cooler for your PC, then Cooler Master Hyper will be the best cpu cooler for overclocking.

The cooler has direct contact technology with four well-designed feat pipes through which it effectively dissipates the heat away. As a result, there maintains an incredible airflow system as well as an enduring noise level.

Moreover, the cooler's fan is equipped with a stacked fin array which ensures minimal resistance of airflow consistency. Thus, it increases the cooling performance into the heatsink.

Sometimes, cables can get jammed or components get mucked up badly. This would be a messy situation then, right? No worries! Cooler master cooler has a smart sensor for jam protection so that your cables do not get snagged.

Furthermore, this cooler is well-designed with an intuitive bracket pattern in fans which makes fan upgrading and reduces noises generating from the fans. In addition, it has also upgraded and secured socket support modules for the mounting system.

So, cooler master hyper should definitely be in your budget CPU cooler list.

Highlighted Features

  • Direct contact technology
  • Ensures minimal resistance of airflow
  • Smart sensor for jam protection
  • Upgraded and secured socket support

3. be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 4 Budget CPU Cooler| TDP| 250W


Be Quiet! Dark Rock Pro 4 Budget CPU Cooler| TDP| 250W
Be Quiet! Dark Rock Pro 4 Budget CPU Cooler| TDP| 250W

If you don't wanna compromise in the performance and operation in your cooler, you can undoubtedly pick up the be quiet! 's CPU cooler.

The two silent wings of the fans play a vital role in optimizing better airflow operation and provide high air pressure extremely. Decoupled fans with silent wings help in reducing the noise level into the heatsink.

In terms of buying a budget CPU cooler, you will definitely look for its immense cooling power for the overclocking system and demanding graphics applications. This cooler fits up to the mark by providing an impressive rating of 250W TDP which helps to lower the temperature even during periods of peak CPU performance.

Moreover, this cooler has the incredible power of maximizing heat transportation and air circulation as it is highly designed with advanced technology airflow optimized cooling fins heat-pipes. Plus, it gives great heat transfer support.

Furthermore, its heatsinks are made from aluminum which enhances its RAM compatibility. Besides, it has enough space so that you can also add another fan even for better cooling.

The fascinating feature of the cooler is its user-friendly elegant design. Its aluminum top cover, black mounting kit add a touch of elegance. Even, installable clips are also provided for further installation.

Highlighted Features

  • Optimizing better airflow and reducing noise
  • Providing an impressive TDP
  • Maximizing heat transportation and air circulation
  • Enhances RAM compatibility
  • User-friendly elegance

4. Noctua NH-D15 Budget CPU Cooler | PWM Fans


Noctua NH-D15 Budget CPU Cooler | PWM Fans
Noctua NH-D15 Budget CPU Cooler | PWM Fans

Noctua has always stunned the market with its best budget CPU cooler series. Noctua NH-D15 is the Noctua's flagship model and an elite-class double tower cooler for its highest demands.

Noctua NH-D15 must be a trendsetter for its expanded layout. Its premium-grade dual PWM fans and premium heatsinks control speed automatically and ensure an efficient airflow operation claiming better cooling performance for overclocking.

Besides this, its highly optimized dual fans have also low-noise adaptors which reduce excessive noise levels. Moreover, it provides clearance for tall memory heatsinks in single fan mode which ensures high RAM compatibility.

Noctua NH-D15 ensures the best quality, safety, and use as it has highly advanced SecuFirm2 mounting systems that have maximum convenience in all current sockets.

Apart from this, unlike other conventional single tower heatsinks, it has dual tower heatsinks which provide better heat distribution. So, Noctua NH-D15 must definitely be recommended for you as a budget CPU cooler.

Highlighted Features

  • Premium grade dual fans and double tower heatsinks
  • Having low-noise adaptors
  • Provides clearance for tall memory
  • The advanced mounting system in all current sockets

5. NZXT Kraken M22 Budget CPU Cooler | Liquid cooler


NZXT Kraken M22 Budget CPU Cooler | Liquid Cooler
NZXT Kraken M22 Budget CPU Cooler | Liquid Cooler

The Kraken is well-known for its highly engineered top-notch performance. It is designed with effectively superior cooling capacity while keeping the noise level to a minimum.

If you want to have amazing color and dynamic lighting experience, then Kraken will definitely be your first choice for its signature infinite-mirror effect for stunning lighting modes.

The Kraken M series includes numerously customizable presets and reactive modes to respond to changes in system conditions, such as temperatures and audio output.

In order to manage the performance precisely and sophistically, Kraken uses CAM in using both desktops on mobile apps. Even pump-speed and liquid temperature can be monitored by this.

The NZXT Kraken M22 cooler has all-new radiator fans for ensuring cooling performance, maximum durability, and silent operation. Moreover, the cooler is shielded with a tubing fine Nylon layer to save itself from potential damage during handling.

Highlighted Features

  • Superior cooling capacity
  • Advanced lighting modes, customizable presets, and reactive modes
  • Enables tuning for the fan and pump performance
  • Potentiality to protect damage during handling

Things to Consider Before Buying Budget CPU Cooler

Best Budget CPU Cooler
Best Budget CPU Cooler

While choosing an advanced cooler, you need to consider some factors before buying it. Let's dive into those factors which should be considered before buying the best cpu cooler for overclocking.

Your Budget

The first thing you'll want to consider and something that might seem obvious -is your budget. You neither want to go with something that isn't cool down the CPU nor cost-effective that could have gone towards upgrading more essential components.

That's why we always suggest the qualified cost-friendly CPU cooler that fits up to your budget and provides incredible service also. Make sure you also check our guide for riser cable.

Cooling Capacity

The main thing to be considered of a CPU cooler is its cooling capacity. A CPU cooler keeps your system cool by removing the excessive heat from your processor so that your processor can keep functioning properly.

The better the CPU cooler functions, the more your PC will cool down and will be able to do more overclocks operations. Don't forget to check the PC radiators reviews

Temperature and Power Supply

A cooler is considered good by how much it is compatible with the temperature and power supply of your system. A cooler's TDP (Thermal Design Power) rating is really one of the most important factors in determining whether a specific cooler is right for your system.

To explain it as simply as possible, if you purchase a CPU cooler with a low TDP rating than your processor, it will not adequately cool down your processor. So, the TDP rating should be sufficiently high then your processor. Besides, you can choose some vertical GPU mount.

Clearance

Along with ensuring that your CPU cooler is compatible with your motherboard's socket. Usually, most CPU coolers are produced in such a way that they will fit with most CPU sockets, there is a certain cooler out there that will only fit with a specific CPU socket.

So, make sure you check that the CPU cooler you've chosen is manufactured with the processor combination you are choosing.

Sound Levels

One of the loudest components in a PC is the CPU cooler and more specifically, the fans associated with the cooler. Coolers with larger fans generally perform quieter than cooler with smaller fans. Even coolers with multiple fans can spin at lower speed and they have also low-noise adaptors.

So, when you'll decide to buy a CPU cooler you had better sure that the maintenance of the sound level of the cooler is perfectly manufactured and functioned.

FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions & Answers

1. What does a CPU cooler do?

A CPU cooler keeps your system cool and serves the role of removing excess heat from your processor and other components in the enclosure so that your processor can keep functioning properly. Using a CPU cooler to lower CPU temperatures improves the efficiency and stability of the system.

2. Is liquid cooler better than air cooler?

The option between liquid cooler and air cooler is more of a personal decision that will come down to how much you've to spend, compatibility, and clearance issues.

If you have a tight budget and want to go extreme with your setup, you'll probably be limited to a budget-friendly liquid cooler. On the contrary, if you've a larger budget and clearance restraints, you can opt for either a high-end air cooler.

3. Do I need a cooler if my case has fans?

Yes, you do.

The CPU cooler's job is to take out the heat from the CPU and blow it out in the computer case. On the other hand, the case fan's job is to move the hot ambient air from the case, outside into the room.

4. Is it worth getting a CPU cooler?

Yes, of course.

Today's processor creates so much waste heat that will take only a few seconds for it to go into thermal shut down. Running a CPU without a cooler, as well as fans and heatsinks, surely damages the chip. So, never run a CPU without it if you want to have benefits for a longer period.

5. How do I choose the best cpu cooler for overclocking?

The CPU cooler that is right for your system depends on a few things like compatibility, budget, clearance, aesthetic demands, etc.

So, if these things are compatible, then you'll be able to choose a good budget product.

Final Words

The performance of a CPU cooler depends on how properly it can provide extreme cooling performance and cool down your processor.

A good CPU cooler should have the superior cooling capacity, advanced modules, clearance, the power to lower heat and sound, cost-friendly and wide compatibility. If you properly check all these things, that means you are about to have the best budget CPU cooler.

Have a Great Cooling System!

Buy on Walmart

EK AIO Basic 240mm All-in-One Liquid CPU Cooler with EK-Vardar High-Performance PMW Fans, - Walmart Link

DeepCool Gammaxx L240 RGB V2 Cooling System Anti-Leak Radiator 240mm Liquid Heatsink RGB - Walmart Link

Corsair Hydro Series H60 AIO Liquid CPU Cooler, 120mm Radiator, 120mm SP Series PWM Fan - Walmart Link

CORSAIR Hydro Series H60 AIO Liquid CPU Cooler, 120mm Radiator, 120mm Fan - Walmart Link

Corsair Hydro Series Bracket Kit (CW-8960002) - Walmart Link

be quiet! BK030 Pure Rock Slim 2, 130W TDP, CPU Cooler - Walmart Link

be quiet! Pure Rock 2 Black, BK007, 150W TDP, CPU Cooler, Elegant Black Surface, HDT - Walmart Link

Buy on eBay

EK AIO Basic 240mm All-in-One Liquid CPU Cooler with EK-Vardar High-Performance PMW Fans, - eBay Link

DeepCool Gammaxx L240 RGB V2 Cooling System Anti-Leak Radiator 240mm Liquid Heatsink RGB - eBay Link

Corsair Hydro Series H60 AIO Liquid CPU Cooler, 120mm Radiator, 120mm SP Series PWM Fan - eBay Link

CORSAIR Hydro Series H60 AIO Liquid CPU Cooler, 120mm Radiator, 120mm Fan - eBay Link

Corsair Hydro Series Bracket Kit (CW-8960002) - eBay Link

be quiet! BK030 Pure Rock Slim 2, 130W TDP, CPU Cooler - eBay Link

be quiet! Pure Rock 2 Black, BK007, 150W TDP, CPU Cooler, Elegant Black Surface, HDT - eBay Link

About Lindsey Carter

Lindsey and Mike C. grew up in the same neighborhood. They also went to the same Cholla Middle School together. The two famillies from time to time got together for BBQ parties...

Lindsey's family relocated to California after middle school. They occasiotnally emailed each other to update what's going on in their lives.

She received Software Engineering degree from U.C. San Francisco. While looking for work, she was guided by Mike for an engineering position at the company Mike is working for. Upon passing the job interview, Lindsey was so happy as now she could finally be back to where she'd like to grow old with.

Lindset occasionally guest posted for Mike, adding other flavors to the site while helping diverse his over-passion for baseball.

Thoughts on "Best Budget CPU Cooler – Top 5 Selection For 2023"