Best CPU Cooling Fans of 2025

"When I built my PC five years ago, I installed a Dark Rock Pro 4 for my CPU cooler. Over the years, it became louder and less efficient, prompting me to look for an affordable replacement. I chose the Thermalright Peerless Assassin, and I believe it was a great choice. The installation was a breeze, and the thermal paste worked neatly. The fans are easy to install and perform well, keeping my Intel Core i7-8700k between 20C to 30C while idle and around 40C during light gaming."

"After years of using AIO liquid cooling, I decided to try this air cooler based on recent comparisons. The installation was straightforward, and the fans performed well, keeping thermals comparable to my AIO. However, I found the instruction sheet minimal, and the fan placement was a bit tricky due to my RAM's height. Despite this, I had no functional issues, and I would recommend this cooler, especially given its reasonable price."

"The Thermalright Peerless Assassin 120 SE is hands down the best cooler I've owned. Its performance-to-price ratio is incredible, cooling demanding CPUs easily. The design is sleek, and it even looks great with RGB lighting. My only concern is the packaging, as I wish it were more environmentally friendly. Overall, this cooler is a game-changer that offers both great performance and value."

"I replaced the stock cooler in my Dell Optiplex with the Thermaltake Gravity i3. I noticed it’s larger and quieter, significantly lowering peak CPU temps from 93 to 83 degrees C during heavy load. Overall, it's a great value for the cost."

"For under $15, this cooler keeps my overclocked i7 3770K under 95C. The only downside is the 3-pin fan connector, which runs at full speed. Despite that, it works well for my streaming setup, keeping everything cool during long sessions."

"This low profile cooler works perfectly for my case with a vent. However, I don’t like that the backing plate uses double-sided tape. Still, I’m very happy with its performance and ease of installation!"

"I was using an older stock cooler and noticed temperatures hitting 90°C. After switching to this cooler, my temps are now in the 70s under full load. It's also very quiet, a great improvement!"

"This cooler does a fantastic job at keeping my temperatures in check. Easy to install and runs quietly, it's everything I wanted in a reliable air cooler!"

"Before this cooler, my Ryzen 7 was hitting 73°C under heavy gaming loads. After installation, my idle temps dropped from 44°C to around 34°C, and now it runs max settings at 120 fps without exceeding 53°C. It's definitely worth the investment!"

"I was pleasantly surprised by the cooling performance of the Thermalright Assassin X120 Refined SE. After replacing my old cooler, I saw a 30°C drop in core temperatures, which is phenomenal! The installation process was easy and it came with all the necessary components, including thermal paste. Plus, it operates whisper-quiet, making my computing experience much more enjoyable."

"Initially, I was concerned that the single tower design might not be sufficient for my needs, but it proved me wrong. Under sustained load from Cinebench, the temperatures consistently stayed in the 60°C range. The installation was straightforward, and I found the screws easy to manage. For the price, I feel like I scored a great deal with this cooler!"

"I decided to give this cooler a try after my liquid cooler failed. To my surprise, it keeps my AMD CPU cooler than the liquid cooler did while it was operational. The installation was very simple, and so far, it has been performing exceptionally well. I’m quite happy with this purchase!"

"I like this product. My day 1 experience was quite positive. Installation took about 90 minutes since I'm not doing this daily, but the price was fair and it arrived the same day. The cooler is very quiet compared to my stock fan, keeping my CPU between 38 - 60C. I appreciate that it fits both Intel and AMD systems."

"I chose the Hyper 212 Black edition due to its aesthetic appeal. The installation was straightforward, but I did have some trouble with the screwdriver reaching the screws. Overall, it performed better than my old water cooler, keeping my CPU temps reasonable even in a case with poor airflow."

"This cooler worked great for me. After switching from an old water cooler, my CPU temps dropped significantly. I was amazed that it runs 43C idle and never exceeds 72C under load. For around $30, this was an amazing purchase!"

"I set up a personal NAS with Plex, and this cooler keeps my i5-10400 at idle temps of 30°C and under 40°C during heavy transcoding. I love the RGB feature, even though I didn't buy it for that. The installation was a breeze, and I haven't encountered any issues after months of use."

"I had to swap out a CPU fan for my media center PC, and this new one fits perfectly. The LED lighting is subtle yet stylish, and it operates super quietly during idle. While it gets a bit louder during gaming, it keeps my CPU adequately cool, and I would definitely buy it again!"

"For just $10, this cooler is a fantastic upgrade from the stock Intel cooler. It’s quieter and performs better, especially under load. Just a heads up: when installing, make sure to use the included mounting bracket for optimal performance. Overall, I recommend this cooler for anyone looking for a budget-friendly replacement!"

"I upgraded from a stock cooler to this one, and I'm genuinely pleased. It keeps my CPU an average of 20 degrees cooler than before and is almost dead silent."

"Installing this cooler was a breeze! The instructions were clear, and it works brilliantly. It’s surprisingly quiet, which is a huge plus!"

"I’ve been using this cooler with my Ryzen 7 5700G setup. Idle temps are slightly higher than my stock cooler, but under heavy load, it stays under 65 Celsius, which is impressive!"

"I’ve had the Cooler Master Hyper 212 Spectrum V3 in my PC for about six months, and it still performs as well as when I first installed it. My Ryzen 7 5700G idles at around 35-45 degrees, which I consider pretty good. Great cooler, and I’d definitely purchase it again!"

"When I installed this fan, I found it to be very easy and it looks beautiful in my setup. It runs smoothly and has significantly lowered my CPU temperatures!"

"After purchasing the Cooler Master Hyper 212 Spectrum V3, I was truly impressed. Not only does it deliver exceptional cooling, but the RGB lighting adds a stunning visual effect to my rig. The installation was straightforward, and my CPU temperatures have dropped significantly under heavy loads. I highly recommend it!"

"After replacing my all-in-one cooler, I was amazed by the results. My CPU stays around 68°C while playing 4K games, and idle temperatures are around 22°C. The cooler is surprisingly quiet, and I'm relieved to avoid the stress of liquid cooling failures. I highly recommend this product!"

"I initially used the NH-9DL for my i7-9700K but found it struggled during overclocking. After switching to the D15, I experienced a significant drop in temperatures from 89°C to 64°C even when overclocked! The installation was straightforward, and I'm thrilled with the cooling efficiency."

"This cooler is top-notch in quality, from the design to the mounting system. It keeps my Ryzen 3700X at 70°C to 78°C under heavy load. Although the fan can be a bit noisy above 60%, it’s mostly silent below that. Overall, I’d definitely purchase it again!"

"I replaced my noisy CPU cooler with this unit, and I couldn't be happier. It runs quiet and keeps my CPU cool. Thermaltake has always impressed me, and I trust their products. I only gave it 4 stars for ease of installation due to AMD's design flaws."

"This fan is a game changer. It outperforms the stock AMD cooler significantly and keeps my Ryzen 7 from throttling. I love how it also helps cool the motherboard. While a larger cooler might be better, this one is perfect for my needs."

"Installation was straightforward, though the thermal paste made my fingers messy. The fan cools effectively but is a bit loud. If noise is an issue for you, consider other options."