The best PC fans will keep your gaming PC cool and quiet.
The best PC fans will keep even the most intense gaming rigs cool. PC builders often overlook fans when purchasing components, but optimal gaming performance requires cool hardware. We highly recommend ensuring that your fans meet high standards for both cool and quiet PC operation.
Right now, our tests point to the Noctua NF-A12x25 PWM as the best PC fan of today. Given Noctua’s reputation for making great PC fans, this should come as no surprise. However, for those on a budget, the cheaper Noctua NF-S12B Redux-1700 is also a solid performer. Both fans aren’t excessively loud.
But I’m sure we can all agree that bad airflow is a problem. Poor airflow will make your PC run at higher temperatures, which can impact the performance and longevity of critical parts of your machine. If you’re planning to overclock, additional fans (or one of the best CPU coolers) will help keep things running smoothly. Below, I’ve selected some of the best PC fans tested, highlighting the key features that make them stand out. Stay cool!
1. Noctua NF-12×25 PWM
Specifications
- Bearing type: Self-Stabilising Oil Pressure Bearing– Second Generation
- RPM range: 450–2000
- Listed CFM: 60.1
- Listed dBA: 22.6
- RGB: No
- 140 mm model: NF-A14 PWM
Reasons to buy
- Impressively high airflow
- Lots of accessories included
Reasons to avoid
- High price
- Premium quiet fan, 120x120x25mm, 12V, 4-pin PWM, max. 2000 RPM, max. 22.6 dB(A), >150,000 h MTTF
- Next-gen A-series design combines high airflow and high static pressure performance, ideal both as a case fan and for CP…
- State-of-the-art engineering (AAO frame, Flow Acceleration Channels, record tight 0.5mm tip clearance) and construction …
- Premium quiet slim fan, 120x120x15 mm, 12V, 3-pin Molex, 1850/1400/950 RPM, max. 23.9 dB(A), >150,000 h MTTF
- Award-winning A-series design with Flow Acceleration Channels and Advanced Acoustic Optimisation frame for superior quie…
- 120x15mm slim design ideal for low-profile CPU coolers, HTPCs, ITX builds, space-restricted applications etc.
The Noctua NF-A12x25 PWM is an obvious and easy choice for the best PC fan. If you’re looking for a top-tier 120mm fan that moves a lot of air, the oddly named NF-A12x25 leaves the competition behind. Out of all the fans we tested, this model pumped the most air through our test rig. It’s worth noting that Noctua recently released the 140mm NF-A14x25 G2, which is also quite impressive. However, the 120mm version is still a work in progress, and since 120mm is still the most common size for most uses, we’re still recommending this slightly older, smaller fan. It remains an excellent cooling device in 2025, and you can place it wherever you like.
You can choose between the khaki-and-mud or black versions—pick your preference. We tested the Cromax.Black version of the fan, as seen in the pictures above, though it’s only really different in the smart black colorway and the additional Cromax corner pieces. All specs are the same.
The NF-A12x25 is an excellent all-rounder, and it can be used as a case fan or stuck on a radiator with great results. For more information, and to understand Noctua’s naming scheme, check out Noctua’s guide. The NF-A12x25 was the quietest fan we tested at the low RPMs. From our data, it generates less noise at 1200 RPM than some fans running 300 RPM slower. Because these middle-range speeds are highly likely to be encountered in daily operations, the NF-A12x25 makes for an attractive choice for your everyday gaming PC, with headroom to spin upwards to 2000 RPM in warmer temperatures.
The NF-A12x25 lives up to the legacy we expect from Noctua. It’s also worth noting how many accessories come with the NF-A12x25, from 12-inch extension cables and Y-splitters to rubber vibration dampeners. While the price is higher, it’s hard to argue with its value.
However, the next generation of 120mm fans is still in the works, and once it’s ready and we’ve had a chance to test it, the Noctua NF-A12x25 will still be the best choice. We’re big fans. Sorry, we had to buy it.
2. Noctua NF-P12 Redux-1700
Specifications
- Bearing type: Self-Stabilising Oil Pressure Bearing
- RPM range: 450–1700
- Listed CFM: 70.75
- Listed dBA: 25.1
- RGB: No
- 140 mm model: NF-P14s redux–1500 PWM
Reasons to buy
- Inexpensive but performs great
- High RPM
- Looks nice in silver
Reasons to avoid
- Not the quietest Noctua fan
- High performance cooling fan, 120x120x25 mm, 12V, 4-pin PWM, max. 1700 RPM, max. 25.1 dB(A), >150,000 h MTTF
- Renowned NF-P12 high-end 120x25mm 12V fan, more than 100 awards and recommendations from international computer hardware…
- Pressure-optimised blade design with outstanding quietness of operation: high static pressure and strong CFM for air-bas…
The NF-P12 Redux-1700 costs less and is actually the most economical fan in the mid-range price range. Most importantly, Noctua makes fans that last, move air, and are run quiet. However, it comes with some disadvantages since it used to be that in order for customers to buy Noctua fans, they had to buy into that hit-or-miss khaki-and-mud color scheme from the ’70s-in addition to actually paying a good deal for the fans.
Fortunately, the NF-P12 Redux-1700 helps out in both areas, serving as a more affordable and stylish alternative to the NF-A12x25 PWM.
Noctua’s Redux line comes in a modern grey-and-other-grey look that won’t stand out too much from the rest of your PC. While it’s not as quiet or efficient as the blackout NF-A12x25 PWM, it’s a lot cheaper. It costs about half the price. The NF-P12 Redux-1700 balances excellent performance with an affordable price and looks great while doing it. It’s a fan more suited for use on a radiator than a case fan, though it performs well in both uses. It’s a little more of an all-rounder than the NF-S12B Redux-1200, which we previously recommended in this spot, and it also runs faster.
If you’re just using these fans to cool your case, you could save some money and opt for the NF-S12B Redux-1200. However, I liked the flexibility I got for just a dollar more with the Redux-1700. If you need it, we have a budget PC fan option below.
You won’t get any RGB lighting here—no fancy bells and whistles at all. But the NF-P12 Redux-1700’s self-stabilizing oil pressure bearings will last for years while moving a lot of air and staying quiet. It’s a solid option for any modern PC build.
3. Arctic P12 PWM PST
Specifications
- Bearing type: Fluid Dynamic Bearing
- RPM range: 200–1800
- Listed CFM: 56.3
- Listed dBA: 35.8
- RGB: No
- 140 mm model: P14 PWM PST
Reasons to buy
- Very inexpensive
- Decent airflow figures
Reasons to avoid
- You can find quieter
- Lower max speed than some
If you’ve been looking for cheap fans from any major retailer, I’m sure you’ve found plenty of options. Many of them are probably fine, but just because your budget is tight doesn’t mean you can’t get a fan that delivers great performance and is relatively quiet. The Arctic P12 PWM PST is the best budget fan to date. On paper, there’s nothing particularly impressive about this fan, but overall its specs are solid. It reaches a maximum of 1,800 RPM, has a rated airflow of 56.3 CFM, and a reasonable static pressure rating of 2.20 mm H2O.
But here’s the deal—you’re buying a cheap fan (often found around $10 per unit) from a well-known manufacturer that provides great airflow without much noise. Almost all the main boxes are ticked here, and as a result, the Arctic P12 PWM PST should be our top budget pick. In fact, we found it only slightly faster than the Noctua NF-A12x25 at 1200 RPM, offering comparable airflow, which is quite impressive. If you have the money, it makes sense to spend a bit more on a Noctua model, as it’s quieter (and has extra RPM headroom) while also offering truly excellent performance and overall reliability. But if money is a concern, the Arctic P12 PWM PST is a very solid option. It doesn’t have fancy RGB lighting and won’t win any awards, but it covers the basics at a very reasonable price.
4. Corsair iCUE Link QX120 RGB
Specifications
- Bearing type: Magnetic Dome
- RPM range: 480–2400
- Listed CFM: 63.1
- Listed dBA: 37
- RGB: Yes, via iCUE
- 140 mm model: iCUE LINK QX140 RGB
Reasons to buy
- Top-tier RGB lighting
- Snap-together connection
- Very quiet, even at high RPM
Reasons to avoid
- Expensive
- Requires hub (and spare PCIe 6-pin, USB header)
- Keep Cool: Powerful PWM-controlled fan speeds from 480 RPM up to 2,400 RPM, so your fans only spin as fast as you need, …
- Exclusive Time Warp Lighting Mode: Equipped with 34 RGB LEDs, spread across two distinct light zones on either side, and…
- Quiet Operation with Magnetic Dome Bearing: CORSAIR’s Magnetic Dome bearing retains all the performance of ML fan techno…
I took a look at Corsair’s iCUE Link QX120 RGB fans and immediately knew they were the best RGB fans I’ve seen so far. They’re stunning and vibrant, and syncing them with your PC to look fantastic has never been easier.
Before you get to see the full RGB glory of the QX120, you’ll need to install them. It’s fairly easy, thanks to a magnetic snap-together connection on either side of each fan. The system is modular, meaning you can add as many fans as you like, all connected via a single cable to the iCUE Link System Hub.
The system hub requires an extra PCIe 6-pin connection from your PSU. This shouldn’t be a problem for most modular, properly powerful PSUs, but it could be an issue if your PSU has fixed cabling and some connectors. It also requires a free USB 2.0 header. Once you’ve sorted that out, you use a similar iCUE Link cable to reach the first fan in the chain, and from there, any other connected fans or cables connect to the iCUE hub and, in detail, the iCUE app.
There are plenty of built-in color options for the fans, ranging from basic solid colors and patterns to more intricate and included murals, as Corsair calls them. The spread lighting on the QX120 looks especially stunning with running and changing lights that don’t look like individual LEDs.
The QX120 is more than just a pretty face. No, they perform very well compared to some of the famous Noctua models listed in this guide. They’ll get loud at high RPM, but not as loud as you’d expect since they’re among the fastest fans I tested at 2,400 RPM. At more moderate speeds, they’re some of the quietest, coming in between the NF-A12x25 and NF-P12 Redux-1700.
5. NZXT F120 RGB Duo
Specifications
- Bearing type: Fluid Dynamic Bearing (FDB)
- RPM range: 500–1800
- Listed CFM: 48.58
- Listed dBA: 29
- RGB: Yes, via CAM
- 140 mm model: F140 RGB Duo
Reasons to buy
- Affordable RGB lighting
- Lots of airflow potential
Reasons to avoid
- Performance could be better
- Lots of cables
- Enjoy vibrant RGB lighting from all angles with 20 individually addressable LEDs
- Fluid Dynamic Bearing (FDB) ensures smooth and quiet operation with a long lifespan
- CUSTOMIZE WITH CAM: Personalize RGB lighting effects, control fan speeds, and sync with other NZXT products.
NZXT offers a more affordable option for RGB fans with the NZXT F120 RGB Duo. There are a few kits to choose from, including the more budget-friendly F120 Core fans, though I tested the more stylish Duo option, which is still much cheaper than some higher-end options.
What you get in the box depends on the kit you purchase, but we have the triple pack, which includes three fans and one RGB controller. This is enough to cover the front of most mid-tower PC cases or both the front and back of smaller chassis.
Each fan requires two cables, one for the RGB controller and one for the 4-pin fan header, so the F120 requires some cable management. This is a bit of a shock after the QX120, though they are much cheaper.
Once powered on, the F120 RGB Duo looks stunning, with bold colors emerging from either side of the fan’s cutaway design. While you’re buying an attractive look here, the F120 is somewhat average in terms of performance. They’re faster than the Corsair or Noctua options I tested, but they generally move less air.
So, it’s a viable option for gamers who want a budget-friendly PC build that looks good and stays cool. Definitely a solid choice if you’re looking for something cheaper than the Corsair iCUE Link.
6. Thermaltake ToughFan 12 Turbo
Specifications
- Bearing type: Hydraulic Bearing Gen.2
- RPM range: 500–2500
- Listed CFM: 72.69
- Listed dBA: 28.1
- RGB: No
- 140 mm model: N/A
Reasons to buy
- Seriously impressive airflow at max speed
- Great for upgrading your rads
Reasons to avoid
- Not the quietest at full speed
- Superb Cooling Performance at 2500 RPM
- Exceptional Grey Fan Blades
- Metal-Reinforced Motor Hub
- TOUGHFAN 12 Pro can provide an outstanding performance of 70.8 CFM airflow, and 3.19-H2O static pressure under 22.6 dB-A…
- The special tight tip clearance of 0.6mm reduces airflow leakage and improves efficiency when working with heatsinks and…
- Optimized Metal-Reinforced Motor Hub
In a world where the number of RGB LEDs on a fan is often the main selling point, the Thermaltake ToughFan 12 Turbo’s frill-free styling is a refreshing change. These aren’t your average run-of-the-mill case fans. These are high-static pressure fans—ideal for use with radiators, pushing air through grills and limited spaces. If you want to upgrade your CPU cooler or build a bespoke system, these are the fans you need.
You can use them as case fans, but you’ll have to pay a premium. At $30 each, they’re at the higher end of the price spectrum, but the specs are at least impressive. They’re PWM controlled with a maximum speed of 2,500 RPM, where you get 3.78 mm-H2O of air pressure and 72 CFM of airflow. With a maximum noise level of 28.1 dBA, they’re impressively quiet, and you can run them at lower speeds too.
You can also choose the non-turbo version, which includes a 140mm variant, saving you about $5 each, although they max out at 2,000 RPM (500 RPM lower than the Turbo), pushing less air but being quieter, so the choice is yours.
PC Fan FAQ
Do I need a 120mm or 140mm PC fan?
This really depends on whether your PC case has room for a 140mm fan. If it does, those are probably the best choice. 140mm fans move more air at lower RPMs, which means they can be just as effective, if not more so, while being quieter.
However, 120mm fans are compact enough that you can fit three of them in place of two 140mm fans, which can be faster but still effectively deliver air to the top and bottom of your PC case.
Do I need PWM or DC fans?
PWM is generally the best choice for nearly every use case these days. It stands for Pulse Width Modulation, which allows the fan to be controlled via an extra signal, enabling smoother and finer control compared to plain DC-only fans.
DC fans are great for control but don’t offer as precise control as PWM fans. They usually have a higher RPM floor, meaning they’ll spin faster at their lowest speeds, but they’ll still get the job done.
These days, PWM fans are almost everywhere, and I haven’t seen a motherboard without four-pin headers in a long time. So, while you should check your motherboard headers, it’s likely PWM is what you want.
How do I improve my PC’s airflow?
Poor airflow will significantly impact your PC’s performance. There are varying opinions on fan placement and which fans offer the best airflow. One good starting point is to avoid neutral pressure environments because having stagnant, warm air surrounding your components won’t help any PC.
Ideally, you want to make sure you have intake and exhaust fans so that air keeps flowing through your PC case. Both positive and negative pressure setups work well and ensure cool air is drawn into your case while hot air is pushed out.
