The Best AIO Coolers for 2024

The recent high-end chips from the Raptor Lake Refresh and Ryzen 7000 series made it extremely important to understand the reason why users shouldn’t settle for just any CPU cooler. In contrast to processors from previous generations, the need for premium cooling has become essential for two reasons. Number one is that the processors, specifically the high-end chips, are now more power-hungry than ever. Secondly, they are running at much higher temps due to their die design.

This particularly applies well to the Ryzen 3D processors, which have unusual stacking that creates thermal issues. However, with a powerful cooling solution, thermals can be controlled to achieve higher clock speeds and maintain them throughout the operation. From a wide array of available high-end CPU coolers, the best ones are the AIO coolers, which provide significantly better cooling than air coolers and are available in various sizes to fulfill the needs of enthusiasts.

Whether users are looking for an AIO cooler to maintain their CPU turbo speed or want to achieve higher clock speeds through overclocking, Game Rant has compiled a list of the best AIO coolers for every budget.

How to Choose an AIO CPU Cooler

Radiator size: AIO coolers are categorized based on their radiator sizes. 120mm, 240mm, 280mm, 360mm, and 420mm radiators are the most popular ones in the market. While the smaller ones are ideal for power-efficient and budget gaming CPUs, bigger radiators are aimed toward fulfilling the cooling requirements of higher-end chips that tend to generate more heat. However, bigger coolers may have a compatibility problem depending on the PC case being used.

Fan and Pump speed: Each AIO cooler comes with a dedicated pump and cooling fans, which run at a particular range of speed measured in RPM. Higher speed means better heat dissipation but at the same time, more noise is generated. While the speed of the fans or pump can be controlled, it’s best to figure out how much performance users may want before the purchase.

Software compatibility: AIO coolers that come with dedicated software support are easier to customize or control through the software. Users can change the fan speed, customize the RGB LEDs, and make custom speed graphs. However, AIO coolers without software support can be controlled via BIOS, which can be a frustrating task.

Tubing: Smaller coolers like 120mm AIO ones have shorter tubing, making it difficult to install the radiator in the front panel. This might not sound like a big deal, but depending on the PC case, installation of the radiators can pose a problem. Similarly, well-sleeved tubing should be preferred for more durability.

Game Rant’s Picks for the Best AIO CPU Coolers

Arctic stands at the top of the chart in AIO cooling solutions and the reason is its Liquid Freezer II coolers’ unmatched cooling potential. Whether users go for the 240, 280, or this 360mm AIO cooler, they are getting the best bang for the buck. The Freezer II 360 A-RGB is an enhanced edition with RGB fans for fabulous aesthetics that operate between 800 and 2000 RPM speed while remaining ultra silent. The tubings of the cooler are well-sleeved and are long enough to let users install the radiator at the front or top of the PC case.

The CPU block it comes with uses a proprietary pump and is PWM-controlled, making it easier for the users to tweak the pump speed for either higher cooling performance or ultra-silent operation. Unlike most AIO coolers out there, the radiator features a thickness of 38mm compared to the thin 27mm standard radiators. A thick radiator results in excellent cooling but at the same time may create some compatibility or clearance issues inside the case. Still, it’s rather an advantage that works flawlessly for cooling high-end chips like Core i9s and Ryzen 9 chips, making it a perfect AIO cooler for overclocking.

Asus’ ROG Strix series is typically expensive, but it also brings out the full potential of the hardware. Meet the ROG Strix LC 11 240mm cooler that brings exceptional looks through its mesmerizing CPU block and ARGB fans for the radiator. 240mm radiators are ideal for budget and mid-range CPUs. To make sure they don’t thermal throttle when overclocked, the Strix LC II provides them with a 7th gen Asetek pump and a copper block to quickly dissipate the heat to the coolant and thereby the radiator.

The fans are also incredibly fast, maxing out at 2500 RPM, throwing a massive airflow of up to 81 CFM, and delivering a superb 5.0 mmH20 of air pressure. This does, however, come at the expense of a noisier operation, and therefore, it’s recommended to tone down the fan speed to 50% for a balanced operation. The PWM fans are controllable via BIOS or even the Aura Sync software to help users customize the fan speed and RGB lighting. The cooler is pretty straightforward in installation, but users should expect cable management to be a bit of a hassle.

Going a little bigger, there are a plethora of amazing 280mm AIO coolers, and it can be pretty confusing to choose the best one from them. Many of them are pretty close to each other in performance and have their own pros and cons. Game Rant chose the NZXT Kraken 280 RGB cooler as the best 280mm AIO cooling solution mainly because it doesn’t fall behind in performance and has distinguished aesthetics. To accomplish this, the cooler uses dual 140mm ARGB fans and a fantastic LCD display on the CPU block to show real-time metrics of the hardware. Users can also have their own custom images if they want to see something different.

The Kraken 280 RGB stands out due to its ultra-quiet operation, out-performing the majority of high-end AIO coolers. This, however, doesn’t stop it from performing well in thermal tests. The NZXT fans are incredibly airflow-oriented, throwing more than 90 CFM of air at a max speed of only 1500 RPM while remaining silent. As for the pump, it can run at a high 2800 RPM speed and can be controlled via NZXT CAM software along with various cooler properties such as LCD display, RGB, fan curves, etc.

EKWB needs no introduction in the cooling industry. From AIO coolers to custom cooling kits, it has it all. One of its most popular and well-performing coolers i.e., the EK Basic 360, was replaced by the Nucleus CR360 Lux D-RGB for improved cooling performance and beautiful RGB lighting. The cooler provides flexibility in adjusting the tubing in the block through 90-degree rotary fittings and comes with a standard 27mm thick, 360mm radiator (the full length is 400mm).

The CPU block contains a removable and rotatable top cover that features digital RGB lighting that can be customized via various popular RGB software. The installation of the cooler is perhaps one of the easiest ones and also comes with Daisy-Chaining which allows managing the fan cables. In terms of thermal performance, expect it to beat almost any 360mm AIO on the market, which makes it the best 360mm AIO for overclocking. However, a noisy operation should be expected if the fans are run at a high speed.

Before users opt for a 420mm AIO cooler, they should ensure they have a compatible PC case that supports 420mm radiators. These coolers are huge and can create clearance problems. Nonetheless, a 420mm cooler like the H170i Elite Capellix XT can result in a significant dip in temperature, providing users with more room for overclocking by increasing the voltage. Overall, H170i Elite can handle the most powerful CPUs without breaking a sweat and can handle over 300W of CPU power.

A 420mm radiator provides a massive aluminum array of fins to provide more surface area for faster heat dissipation. Using the 140mm Corsair AF RGB Elite PWM fans, the cooler is able to provide unparalleled thermal performance and alluring looks at the same time. The fans and the CPU block boast RGB lighting that can be controlled via iCue software. Connecting and managing the fan cables is also hassle-free, since Corsair provides an iCue Commander controller to connect up to six fans. From here, users can simply control each and every fan individually through the software and can customize fan speed or RGB lighting.

If budget isn’t a problem, here is what enthusiasts would like the most. The Asus ROG Ryujin III 360 ARGB is honestly an overpriced AIO cooler but, thankfully, provides exceptional thermal performance. Moreover, the aesthetics are on another level, bringing a bigger LCD display than the Kraken cooler. Users can monitor their hardware metrics or have their own GIFs or custom images on a 3.5″ LCD, which will be easily readable. The fans also feature RGB LEDs and bring forth a Magnetic daisy-chain mechanism to get rid of the cable clutter.

With a full fan speed of 2200 RPM, users can expect it to deliver similar or even better thermal performance than the EK Nucleus 360mm cooler, but the price-to-performance ratio of the latter is still far better. The ROG Ryujin III 360 ARGB remains an elite-class cooling solution for a small percentage of PC users, which is unbeatable in functionality, cooling, and aesthetics. Game Rant recommends getting a high-airflow PC case with this cooler for unlocking the full potential of processors.

FAQ

Q: What is an AIO cooler?

AIO is short for “All In One”, and this type of liquid cooler is named as such because it comes with a closed-loop liquid cooling system that is most often plug-and-play.

Q: Is the AIO CPU cooler better?

AIO coolers are typically better than air coolers for overclocking and quicker thermal dissipation. They also provide better clearance for the system RAM modules. However, they are pricier and have the risk of coolant leaking.

Q: Which AIO has the best radiator?

Among the popular AIO coolers, the Arctic Freezer II 360 cooler has one of the best and thickest 38mm radiators that provides a larger surface area for faster heat dissipation.

Q: What is an AIO cooler?

AIO is short for “All In One”, and this type of liquid cooler is named as such because it comes with a closed-loop liquid cooling system that is most often plug-and-play.

Q: What is the best AIO liquid cooler?

Arctic’s Liquid Freezer II AIO coolers are considered to be the top-of-the-line AIO coolers. The series has 240mm, 280mm, as well as 360mm editions.