If you need a new liquid cooler for your CPU, in this post, we’ve highlighted five of the best 240mm AIO coolers to help you find a suitable option for your needs.
We’ve now taken a look at the top 360mm AIOs and 280mm AIOs and today we’re going to take a look at 240mm AIO coolers. While 240mm AIOs won’t offer as much cooling performance as 360mm and 280mm AIOs, they are still very viable options for anyone looking for a superior cooling solution.
(For a smaller AIO cooler, check out our guide on the Best 120mm AIOs.)
And, in this guide, we’ve highlighted some of the best 240mm AIOs currently available. We’ve made selections for our pick for the best option overall, a runner-up selection, the best 240mm AIO that comes with RGB fans, the top white 240mm AIO, and the cheapest option, too.
The Best 240mm AIOs
1. Corsair iCUE H100i (Top Pick)
2. NZXT Kraken X53 (Runner-Up)
A Quick Look at the Best 240mm AIO CPU Coolers
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|
NAME | SPECS | RATING | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
TOP PICK
|
 |
Corsair iCUE H100i |
|
/10 | |
|
RUNNER-UP
|
 |
NZXT Kraken X53 |
|
/10 | |
|
RGB FANS
|
 |
MSI MAG CORELIQUID |
|
/10 | |
|
WHITE
|
 |
Corsair H100i White |
|
/10 | |
|
BUDGET
|
 |
MasterLiquid ML240L |
|
/10 |
*To learn more about each of the 240mm AIO coolers above, click the “Read Review »” link to read our overview of that cooler.
1. Corsair iCUE H100i
The best 240mm AIO CPU cooler
For our top pick, we chose Corsair’s iCUE H100i AIO cooler. The iCUE H100i comes with two 120mm Corsair ML120 PWM fans, which can hit speeds of up to 2400 RPM. The fans can also enter into Zero RPM mode, which shuts them off completely during lower CPU loads. And, with the ability to shut off completely, the H100i is able to offer very quiet operation.
The H100i also supports both AMD and Intel processors, it has an RGB-lit pump head, and it comes with a five-year warranty. And, in terms of cooling performance, the H100i is one of the better-performing 240mm AIOs on the market.
So, the bottom line is that, if you’re looking for one of the best 240mm AIOs in terms of cooling performance and you don’t need an option that comes with RGB fans, or that costs under $100, the Corrsair iCUE H100i is a good option to consider.
2. NZXT Kraken X53
Another high-end 240mm AIO
Another worthy alternative to the Corsair iCUE H100i is NZXT’s Kraken X53. This 240mm AIO features two of NZXT’s Aer P 120mm fans. The fans can hit max speeds of up to 2000 RPM and they operate at a sound level ranging from 21-36 dBA depending on the CPU’s load. The pump head also features RGB lighting and the “NZXT” logo.
One of the standout features on the Kraken X53—and this holds true for all of NZXT’s Kraken AIO coolers—is the six-year warranty it comes with. And, another area where the NZXT Kraken X53 separates itself from the Corsair H100i is in its design. Whereas the H100i opts for a black radiator, black fan casing, and white fan blades, the NZXT Kraken X53 features an all-black design.
In my opinion, because the two coolers will perform fairly similar in the grand scheme of things, the neutral all-black design of the Kraken X53 will likely make it a more attractive option for anyone who is taking aesthetics into consideration. If you don’t care about the white-black color scheme of the H100i, though, you can get it for abotu ~$10 less.
3. MSI MAG CORELIQUID
Best 240mm AIO Cooler w/RGB fans
MSI has been a big player in the PC hardware market for a long time. However, it is a fairly new entrant into the world of AIO coolers. But, that hasn’t stopped the reputable company from delivering one of the better lineups of AIO coolers currently available. The MSI MAG CORELIQUID is currently one of the best 240mm AIOs on the market.
And, that is even moreso true for anyone who is looking for a 240mm AIO that comes with RGB fans preinstalled on it.
The MAG CORELIQUID’s dual RGB fans can hit speeds of up to 2000 RPM and operate at a fairly quiet noise level range from 14-34 dBA. That’s only slightly louder than the Corsair iCUE H100i at its quietest and it is quieter than the H100i at their loudest.
The CORELIQUID also comes with an RGB pump header, it is priced similarly to the H100i, and it is compatible with both Intel’s and AMD’s newest CPUs.
Overall, the MSI MAG CORELIQUID is an excellent 240mm AIO option for anyone who wants to add both solid CPU cooling performance and some extra RGB lighting to their system.
4. Corsair H100i RGB Platinum
The best white 240mm AIO cooler
Another 240mm AIO with RGB lights that might work for you is Corsair’s H100i RGB Platinum SE. The H100i RGB Platinum isn’t a perfect option for everyone as it is quite a bit more expensive than the other options on this list. However, its all-white design will make it an ideal choice for gamers who are looking to build an all-white gaming PC.
The H100i RGB Platinum’s two 120mm fans can hit speeds of up to 2200 RPM and they max out at about ~36 dBA in noise level.
Ultimately, though, while the H100i is one of the best performing 240mm AIOs on the market it does come in at ~$40-$100 more expensive than the other coolers listed in this guide. So, if you don’t need a white AIO to match your build, you’d likely be better off choosing one of the other coolers listed above or below.
5. Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML240L
The most affordable 240mm AIO
Who said you can’t get a 240mm AIO with RGB fans for well under $100? Because that’s exactly what Cooler Master’s MasterLiquid ML240L offers—a dual 120mm RGB fan AIO for under $75.
And, this cooler is no slouch in terms of cooling performance as well. With fans that can hit speeds of up to 2000 RPM, the MasterLiquid ML240L will provide solid cooling and allow for decent overclocking potential. It’s not going to blow you away, but, then again, for just under ~$75, you shouldn’t expect it to.
The reality is that, if you’re building a budget-oriented gaming PC and you have just enough left in the budget to fit in this cooler, you should be thrilled. Not only will it add some RGB to your build, but it will give you much better cooling than a stock CPU cooler or a cheaper aftermarket air cooler.
What is the Best 240mm AIO Cooler?
Right now, the best 240mm AIO cooler is the Corsair iCUE H100i or the NZXT Kraken X53. However, if you’re looking for a budget-friendly 240mm AIO, then Cooler Master’s MasterLiquid ML240L is worth considering.
Ultimately, the 240mm AIO market has a ton of different options on it. There are high-performing options that will cost you well over ~$100 and budget-friendly options that will cost you under ~$80. There’s also white options and options that are decked out with RGB lighting.
So, regardless of what you’re looking for out of an AIO cooler (other than extreme cooling performance, in which you’d be better served looking at a 360mm or 280mm cooler), there is likely a 240mm AIO that will meet your needs. And, in this guide, we’ve provided five solid options to help you find a 240mm cooler that will suit your needs.
