The Best PC Fans of 2025

A set of new PC fans can markedly improve the level of airflow inside your PC case, resulting in lower CPU and GPU thermals. RGB case fans can improve airflow, give your PC a facelift, and turn it into a proper light show of a gaming PC.

The first thing you should focus on is the fan diameter. Most cases should work great with 120mm fans, even those with larger fans pre-installed, because fan brackets can often fit multiple fan sizes.

140mm fans are less popular than 120mm fans. If you own a PC housing that can fit 140mm fans, it can most likely also house 120mm, but this usually doesn’t go the other way around.

There are also 200mm and 220mm PC fans, but they’re a niche, and most PC cases do not support them. The other two sizes PC fans can come in are 80mm and 92mm, but these are mostly fans found on CPU air coolers. Virtually zero modern PC cases support 80mm, with some Mini ITX enclosures supporting 92mm fans.

Next, you should decide whether you want RGB or non-RGB fans. In general, non-RGB fans perform better because the main metric they’re optimized for is the overall performance, while RGB fans tend to focus on form over function. That said, the best RGB fans can provide airflow and static pressure levels similar to the best non-RGB fans, but they still lag behind.

While talking about static pressure, PC fans are optimized for two performance metrics: airflow and static pressure. High airflow fans are great at pushing massive amounts of air through the case without obstructions, while high static pressure fans are better at pushing air when there’s resistance in the form of radiators or heatsinks.

In other words, high airflow fans are great at playing the role of case fans, while you should look for high static pressure PC fans if you plan to replace the fans found on your CPU air cooler or AIO liquid cooler.

PC fan airflow performance is measured in cubic feet per minute (CFM). Note that you shouldn’t bother checking CFM numbers on manufacturer websites since those don’t paint an accurate performance picture because they’re measured at max RPM in controlled environments. It’s better to focus on real-life professional and user reviews instead.

Another important PC fan performance metric is rotations per minute (RPMs), representing how many full rotations a fan makes in one minute. More RPMs should equal better performance, but that’s not always true. What is true is that PC fans get louder at higher RPMs. If you want a whisper-quiet set of PC fans, get a model optimized for high performance at low noise levels and RPMs.

Regarding connectivity, most modern PC fans use 4-pin PWM connectors, while some fans, usually budget offerings, come with 3-pin DC connectors. Most modern motherboards come with four-pin fan headers that are backward-compatible with 3-pin DC connectors. Generally, PWM fans are a better option than DC fans.

It’s also worth mentioning that some RGB fans have proprietary connectors, and you’ll need a custom RGB fan controller for them to work with your PC. Two or three-fan bundles generally come bundled with controllers, but single fans do not.

Last but not least, if you’ve got a regular desktop tower, it should work without issues with any PC fan, no matter how thick it is. On the other hand, small form factor (SFF, ITX) cases don’t have plenty of room to spare. If you’re shopping for new PC fans for your SFF build, you should focus on slim fans with slimmer, 0.59-0.66in (15-16mm) profiles that fit inside a compact PC chassis.

The Phanteks T30 Fans are beasts. They leave every other consumer-grade PC fan in the dust regarding airflow performance at every noise level. In other words, They work great as silent fans when you restrict their RPM for silent operation, but they also work amazingly when not reined in, left to push as much air through the case as needed at their maximum speed of 3000RPM.

The T30s are also great both as case fans and replacement fans for air and liquid CPU coolers. When facing obstacles, the Phanteks T30 obliterates any other consumer-grade PC fan on the market. So, if you’re looking to replace fans on your air or liquid cooler, you’ll want the T30.

Sound-wise, the T30 can get pretty loud at max RPM. But since they’re performance is so good, there’s no need to push them to their limits. You can limit their RPM and get both fantastic performance and whisper-quiet operation.

Aside from the price, the only ding here is that the T30 has a bit thicker profile, at 30mm, than regular PC fans, which are 25mm thick. They won’t fit into some compact cases and will make the AIO radiator quite thick if you decide to use them as radiator fans.

Best PC Fans Overall

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Phanteks T30-120 Fan

The Phanteks T30 are the kings of the PC fan market. They offer impressive performance at every RPM point while also staying silent unless pushed to max RPM. They are outstanding PC fans that excel as case fans, CPU heatsink fans, and radiator fans.

If you don’t want to spend a fortune on a set of PC fans, get the ARCTIC P12 Max. ARCTIC has always been a budget-focused brand that offers tons of bang for the buck with every product, and the P12 Max is no exception.

These fans can move almost the same amount of air as the venerable Phanteks T30 while selling for half the price. When used as air coolers or radiator fans, their performance is yet again very close to the T30.

The best thing about the ARCTIC P12 Max is that they are optimized for quiet operation. This makes them super competitive at noise levels of 40dBA and lower and allows them to move massive amounts of air while being virtually silent.

Do you prefer not to pay more than $10 for a single PC fan? Get the OG ARCTIC P12. They’re cheap as heck while offeringpretty solid overall performance and being very silent.

Best Budget PC Fans

ARCTIC P12 Max

$10 $16 Save
$6

The budget PC fan market hides some terrific gems, and the ARCTIC P12 Max are probably the best one. They get really close to high-end PC fans performance-wise, work well as case fans, CPU heatsink fans, and radiator fans, and don’t break the bank.

Don’t want to hear a peep from your PC fans but also want solid performance? Look no further than the Noctua NF-S12B redux-1200 PWM. When designing these, Noctua had one goal—to offer as much airflow as possible at low noise levels and RPM. And the result is kind of impressive.

While the Noctua NF-S12B redux won’t win any medals, they can position themselves in the middle of the pack performance-wise while outputting only 18 dbA of noise at its max, 1200RPM, which is inaudible in most environments.

The results are PC fans perfect for silent builds made of beefy components. The level of performance should be more than enough for most PC builds aside from those featuring a heavily overclocked CPU and GPU that need as much airflow as possible. These fans don’t offer lots of static pressure, so avoid using them as air coolers or radiator fans.

If you’re after a high-airflow fan that’s pretty silent, the Noctua NF-A12x25 PWM and the aforementioned Phanteks T30 are the best choices. Both can push ludicrous amounts of air while being super quiet.

Quietest PC Fans

Noctua NF-S12B Redux-1200 Fan

Their name may be a mouthfull, but the Noctua NF-S12B Redux-1200 are the best PC fans out there for PC builders focusing on silent operation. While they cannot match the best PC fans with regard to airflow performance, they pack enough horsepower to keep your internal components cool while staying inaudible even at max RPM.

With the UNI Fan SL – LCD Wireless 120, Lian Li managed to design a product that delivers both form and function. Performance-wise, these are among the best RGB fans on the market. They can’t match the best RGB-less PC fans out there, but they give any RGB PC fans a run for their money while boasting stunning looks.

RGB implementation here is tasteful and, honestly, gorgeous-looking. Lian Li opted for edge-lit RGB that, in my opinion, looks better than fan-mounted RGB LEDs. The fan was kept RGB-free, which could explain the high airflow performance.

The center of each fan hosts a tiny circular display that can show various information about your PC, such as CPU and GPU temperatures, fan speed, and the temperature of other components, as well as custom images and videos. If you’ve got a fish tank case sitting at your computer table, this is more than a gimmick, offering easy-to-see real-time information about your system.

The main disadvantage of the Lian Li UNI Fan SL – LCD Wireless 120 (what a name) is the price. These are some of the most expensive PC fans around, but at least they offer excellent airflow performance, super attractive RGB implementation, and handy built-in LCDs.

Also, disregard the word “wireless” in the name; the only wireless thing about these fans is that they come with a wireless RGB remote. Another issue here is that they require a custom controller, included in 3-pack bundles but not included if you opt for a single pack.

If you like the overall design but don’t need LCDs, get the LCD-less Lian Li UNI Fan SL – Wireless 120 fans, which cost about 30% less. Those looking for the best-performing RGB PC fans should check the Cooler Master Mobius 120P.

Best PC Fans With RGB

Lian Li UNI Fan SL – LCD Wireless 120

Want the best looking RGB PC fans that aren’t too shabby when it comes to performance? The Lian Li UNI Fan SL – LCD Wireless 120 is where it’s at. These fans look ravishing while also being one of the best performing RGB PC fans on the market.

The Thermalright TL-C12C-S X3 continue Thermalright’s impressive streak of releasing budget components, be they AIOs, CPU air coolers, or PC fans, that offer impressive performance-to-price ratios.

You can find the TL-C12C-S X3 for less than what our budget RGB-less pick, the ARCTIC P12 Max, sells for with it matching much pricier RGB PC fans in terms of unrestricted and restricted airflow performance.

In other words, these are among the best RGB fans around in terms of overall performance, regardless of the price. Better yet, you can use it as a case fan, a CPU heatsink, or a radiator fan replacement, and it will deliver the goods in all three scenarios.

Aesthetics-wise, the TL-C12C-S X3 won’t win any contest, but they will make your PC as bright as a Christmas tree. They also support many RGB effects, which is always a plus on super affordable RGB PC fans, and come with a regular 4-pin PWM connector.

Best Budget PC Fans with RGB

Thermalright TL-C12C-S X3

A set of budget RGB PC fans that can match the performance of the best RGB PC fans on the market? It’s possible with the Thermalright TL-C12C-S X3. These RGB PC fans are not the prettiest around, but they come at a surprisingly low price while managing to breathe down the neck of much pricier alternatives.

The current undisputed rulers of the slim PC fan market are the SilverStone Technology Air Slimmer 120. They are only 15.6mm thick, almost 10mm slimmer than regular, 25mm PC fans, and almost 15mm slimmer than the chunky Phanteks T30.

A slim profile guarantees compatibility with most Mini ITX cases and setups where every millimeter of free space counts. The fans are pretty silent up to about 1200 RPM. At higher speeds, however, they can get pretty noisy, but not that much compared to other slim PC fans.

Performance-wise, the Air Slimmer 120 set a new standard for slim PC fans, pushing more air through the chassis than any other consumer-grade slim PC fan on the market. They do it at a premium price, but you’ll have to pay the premium tax if you want the best.

If you want the best slim PC fan but with RGB, the Corsair AF120 RGB Slim impresses for a slim RGB fan and doesn’t carry Corsair’s super-premium RGB fan fee. Budget-conscious buyers should opt for the Thermalright TL-C12015, which comes close to the best while costing less than $8!

Best PC Fans for Compact Cases

SilverStone Technology Air Slimmer 120

$22 $24 Save
$2

No other slim PC fan can get close to the SilverStone Technology Air Slimmer 120. These slim reapers offer the best performance in this segment of the PC fan market, and are thin enough to fit into virtually every Mini ITX chassis.

FAQ

How many fans should a PC have?

This varies on a case by case basis. In general, a setup with two fans mounted on the front panel to pull air into the case and one fan mounted on the rear to push air out should provide solid results in most PC enclosures with a mesh front panel. If you own a PC case that doesn’t have air intakes on the front, you can create a negative pressure setup by mounting a single fan on the rear and another fan on the top panel, with fans used to push air out of the chassis.

How do I clean my PC fans?

You can use a can of compressed air to blow off dust and grime off the fan and then remove smaller particles that didn’t get removed with compressed air with a soft painting or shaving brush. Alternatively, you can remove the fan from the chassis, blow out dust and grime with compressed air and then use cotton swabs dipped in alcohol to clean off any dust and grime still stuck to the fan.

How do I control PC fan speed?

You can control CPU and case fan speed in BIOS, and you can use MSI afterburner to create a custom fan curve for the graphics card fans. Alternatively, you can control the speed of every single fan inside your PC with an app called Fan Control.

What is RPM?

RPM stands for revolutions per minute, and it indicates how many full rotations a fan makes in one minute. In other words, RPM represents maximum fan speed. For example, a 1500RPM PC fan has a maximum speed of 1500 rotations per minute.