PC fans are essential tools for the smooth performance of your computer system. Without it, your computer will inevitably overheat and cause errors.
Therefore, the PC fans can often keep your GPU and CPU working at total capacity even when you need to use them for a long time.
To help you find the right product, I’ve constantly searched and reviewed the latest models from many reputable manufacturers. The list below are worth your consideration. Let’s check them out now!
Our Top Picks:
- Corsair LL Series Dual Light Loop RGB – Best for Quite an Operation
- Noctua NF-A12x15 PWM, Premium Quiet Slim – Best for Durability
- NZXT AER RGB 2 Advanced Lighting – Best for Easy Setup
- Scythe SU1225FD12L-RDP Kaze Flex 120mm – Best for Budget
- Noctua NF-S12B High Performance – Best for Cooling Performance
- Cooler Master MasterFan MF200R – Best for Building Quality
- Be quiet! Silent Wings 3 140mm PWM – Best for Longevity
- Corsair QL Series Triple Pack – Best for LED RGB Lamp
- Noctua NF-A12x25 PWM, Premium Quiet Fan – Best for Design
- Lian Li UNI Fan SL120 Single Pack White – Best for Flexibility
I have tested and studied each PC fan on this list with the heaviest graphics games for hours. Here are my in-depth reviews for the top 10 most ideal options.
1. Corsair LL Series Dual RGB LED – Best for Quiet Operation
Important Specifications
- Item Weight: 5.8 ounces
- Dimensions : 4.72 x 4.72 x 0.98 inches
- Manufacturer: Corsair
Product’s Highlight
Corsair LL Series Dual Light Loop RGB LED is a trusted name in the world of PC fans. Setting up multiple fan channels in this iCUE software will be difficult if you are a newbie.
Also, synchronizing with the motherboard and RGB memory takes some time to research. This trade-off is worth it for the quiet mechanism and good airflow.
The fan is quiet, and the RGB effects look great. Each has 16 independent RGB LEDs and is evenly split between two separate light rings. I’m sitting in the beautiful light in front of my computer.
My only complaint about this device is that it only provides two control modules for the settings in the system. It makes cable management more difficult.
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What We Like
- Low noise
- The lights are great
- Powerful and efficient performance
- Works well with other Corsair products
Things To Consider
- Wires are difficult to control
2. Noctua NF-A12x15 PWM Premium Slim Fan – Best for Durability
Important Specifications
- Item Weight: 9.9 ounces
- Dimensions : 4.72 x 0.59 x 4.72 inches
- Manufacturer: Noctua
Product’s Highlight
I’ve tried many different PC fans over the years, and the Noctua NF-A12x15 PWM Quiet Slim is the most durable I have.
When I opened the box, it was clear that this product was my value-for-money choice. The accessories that come with it are handy, including an anti-vibration bracket, connection cable, and fan screw.
I use it for my NR200p max, and the first test helped me eliminate the thermal GPU effectively and ideally. In particular, it can move tons of air even with its slim frame design.
I run the fan around 40% of the time, and it’s completely silent. I think this is its outstanding advantage over other models of the same price.
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What We Like
- Slim design
- High-quality parts
- Many useful accessories included
- Outstanding cooling performance
Things To Consider
- Expensive
3. NZXT AER RGB 2 Advanced Lighting – Best for Easy Setup
Important Specifications
- Dimensions: 4.7 x 1 x 4.7 inches
- Item Weight: 8.8 ounces
- Manufacturer: NZXT
Product’s Highlight
The NZXT AER RGB 2 Advanced Lighting Customizations are the easiest to set up and use. I connected it to the Cam2-enabled smart device with my H510 Elite without a hub or other controller.
It has a variety of lighting options and color customizations. Purple and white are beautiful, but they can also combine many more wonderful colors. One thing to note is that the daisy chain configuration is only for LEDs, not fan motors.
As an extra, the fluid dynamic bearing is highly efficient and provides hushed cooling performance.
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What We Like
- Unique shape
- Easy to install and use
- High-quality construction materials
- High airflow intensity and overall pressure
Things To Consider
- Complicated wiring
4. Scythe SU1225FD12L-RDP 120mm PWM – Best for Budget
Important Specifications
- Dimensions: 4.72 x 4.72 x 1.06 inches
- Item Weight: 4.9 ounces
- Manufacturer: Scythe
Product’s Highlight
The Scythe SU1225FD12L Kaze is one of the most potent airflow generators available at a very affordable price.
This unit features powerful air movement with a maximum rotational speed of 800 rpm. So, my PC system is excellent and ready for all levels of work intensity.
For design, it is a simple PC cooling fan and doesn’t have many color customizations. But, it blends in perfectly with the space on the corner of my desk and next to my electronics.
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What We Like
- Good price
- Easy to use
- Powerful capacity
- Modern cooling method
Things To Consider
- Emits loud noise at high intensity
5. Noctua NF-S12B Redux-1200 – Best for Cooling Performance
Important Specifications
- Item Weight: 5.6 ounces
- Dimensions : 4.72 x 0.98 x 4.72 inches
- Manufacturer: Noctua
Product’s Highlight
When researching noise, fan speed, and airflow, I found the Noctua NF-S12B High Performance to be the most definitive version.
Even when I run it at top speed, it’s challenging to detect its noise. Furthermore, it’s powerful enough to keep other active components excellent under any circumstances except for heavier gaming.
I appreciate the build quality and excellent design of this product from Noctua. The high-flow propeller design is excellent value for the price range in my build.
Notably, Noctua’s customer service was beneficial to me. They responded quickly and replaced the fan for me after a brief verification process.
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What We Like
- Super quiet
- Great customer service
- High cooling efficiency
- Exquisite and high-quality hardware
Things To Consider
- Few colors
- The design is not eye-catching
6. Cooler Master MasterFan MF200R – Best for Building Quality
Important Specifications
- Dimensions: 7.87 x 7.87 x 0.98 inches
- Item Weights: 9 ounces
- Manufacturer: Cooler Master
Product’s Highlight
My PC rig has been inefficient lately because of the constant hardware heat generation. What I need now is a solid and durable exhaust fan system.
Fortunately, the Cooler Master MasterFan MF200R helped me solve this dilemma with its quiet operation.
Ease of installation is a big plus. When I looked over the top and the front appeared, I thought I could simply mount the front panel in multiple positions.
Last but not least, the design is heavily inspired by jet engines and helicopter wings. This unit will not reduce airflow to yield static air pressure.
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What We Like
- Static air pressure
- Silent cooling technology
- Super effective anti-stuck fan sensor
- Easily customize the color of the RGB
Things To Consider
- Cooler Master patch eccentric
- Long delivery
7. Be quiet! Silent Wings 3 140mm PWM – Best for Longevity
Important Specifications
- Dimensions: 5.51 x 0.98 x 5.51 inches
- Item Weights: 11.8 ounces
- Manufacturer: be quiet
Product’s Highlight
I think the best fan is the working life of the dynamic bearing in that device. So, I decided to buy the Silent Wings 3 140mm PWM High-Speed.
The solid build configuration is what surprises and impresses me the most.
It comes with two options, a traditional fan screw, and adapters. Both are great, with pretty low noise and vibration.
I find the only downside of voltage control is at a low rotational speed. But that doesn’t matter compared to 30,000+ hours of dynamic bearing operation.
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What We Like
- Easy to install
- Less power consumption
- Excellent performance-to-noise ratio
- High-quality fluid dynamic bearing
Things To Consider
- Very noisy under high load
8. Corsair QL Series Triple Pack – Best for LED RGB Lamp
Important Specifications
- Item Weight: 1.13 pounds
- Dimensions : 4.72 x 4.72 x 0.98 inches
- Manufacturer: Corsair
Product’s Highlight
I have generally been less interested in Corsair products over the years because of the complexity of some of them. However, the Corsair QL Series Triple Pack with Lighting Node Core drew me in with its light quality.
It doesn’t need too many pieces for RGB lighting to work. I just used an attached lighting node core to handle everything. Also, it allows me to connect up to 6 lighting fans.
As for fan speeds, I took a three-way splitter and connected them to the 4-pin PWM header on my motherboard, which is great because they work fine.
Finally, this device offers the ability to operate up to 1500 RPM. While it’s not the fastest, I believe it’s good enough for most needs.
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What We Like
- Wide lighting area
- Multiple RGB LEDs
- Powerful fan speed
- Dynamic lighting effects
Things To Consider
- Inefficient with radiators
9. Noctua NF-A12x25 PWM Premium Quiet – Best for Design
Important Specifications
- Dimensions: 4.72 x 0.98 x 4.72 inches
- Item Weight: 12.7 ounces
- Manufacturer: Noctua
Product’s Highlight
The Noctua NF-A12x25 PWM Premium Quiet Fan is one of those devices that has very high airflow and static pressure while keeping noise to a reasonable level.
The cable sleeves and bumpers design create a simpler and more convenient touch than ever. From the first time I unboxed them, I quickly opened them up and installed the included gasket to block all the air from escaping to the surroundings. I finished this process in just 10 minutes.
Overall, this product is quantitatively superior to all other 120mm versions in the same segment. If you’re running a liquid-cooled configuration, I highly recommend it for your heatsink.
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What We Like
- Fan runs smoothly
- Low noise adapter
- High-quality building materials
- Increased airflow and static pressure
Things To Consider
- Expensive
10. Lian Li UNI Fan SL120 Single Pack White – Best for Flexibility
Important Specifications
- Item Weight: 9.1 ounces
- Dimensions : 25.2 x 25.2 x 7.6 inches
- Manufacturer: Lian Li
Product’s Highlight
This Lian Li UNI Fan SL120 Single Pack offers a unique solution for connecting multi-fan setups. The truth is that I only need to fasten six cables for the power supply and LED control for 9 fans.
While it doesn’t have the most significant static pressure, it can move just the right amount of air. In particular, it worked great when I attached it to my Arctic 360 heatsink.
Plus, it comes with good synchronization through the controller. In other words, it takes reasonable control of the LED lighting or transfers control to the motherboard’s lighting software.
Notably, the LED lighting has no hot spots, and you’ll only notice a small bump in the center of the illuminator housing.
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What We Like
- Easy to install
- High-quality materials
- Good temperature control
- LED lighting with no hot spots
Things To Consider
- Loud bushing noise
Buying Guides
There are many factors to consider when choosing the best PC fan, such as airflow, noise, size, and speed. To dive into these aspects, check out my analyses.
Airflow
Cubic feet per minute is the standard measure of airflow in a PC fan.
The higher the stat models, the more air they can push. However, consider if you place high demands on quietness as these models tend to be noisy.
Noise
The PC fan’s noise is usually related to decibels (dBA). That said, models with low dBA levels typically have less noise due to the balance of the force that pushes air into the case.
In short, do not forget to compare the decibel specifications of the product with your needs to choose the most suitable product.
Size and speed
The most common sizes in most versions today range from 80mm-250mm.
Determining the right size for the computer stand and case is essential when buying a PC fan.
Larger models are suitable for more prominent computer cases because they push more air. In contrast, small models offer fast and very high cooling rates.
Static pressure
Need a PC fan with strong airflow or a high-static pressure version? Regardless of your choice, keep in mind that the airflow fan is not limited to air cooling needs. Meanwhile, static pressure fans are effective when attached to a radiator.
FAQs
How do I know what computer fan to buy?
Consider the following to figure out what type of PC fan you need:
- Determine the CPU socket type on the motherboard
- Measure the distance between the CPU and the control panel of the computer chassis
- Double check the parameters in the motherboard area
- Determine the speed, power, and noise level of the PC fan according to your needs
Is the 140mm better than the 120mm fan?
Many studies show that 140mm fans operate much quieter than 120mm fans at one RPM.
Do PC fans increase airflow?
The short answer is no. Stacking fans or even more does not increase airflow.
Are more giant fans better?
Yes. Large PC fans often have more air movement, even at low speeds, which makes them less noisy.
Are smaller fans better?
Compared with large fans, this type of fan runs at a very high speed and can run 4-8 times faster. So, they often make more noise and consume more power.
Conclusion
You will need to prepare a great fan for long-term, intense tasks to optimize your PC system. The Noctua NF-A12x15 PWM Quiet Slim is the best value-for-money option in my opinion.
Alternatively, you’ll probably want to consider the Scythe SU1225FD12L-RDP. I hope you will find what you are looking for here. Thanks for reading!