We rated, reviewed, & compared some of the best mini-ITX cases across various categories and price ranges. These small form-factor cases are perfect for gamers or anyone else looking to build a mini-ITX gaming PC.
If you’re looking to build a new gaming rig and you want to build something that has a small footprint (whether as a stylistic choice, or for portability), you’ll want to make sure that you choose the right case for your needs. A good mini-ITX gaming case will have plenty of room for your components, come in a lightweight package, have plenty of options to make cable management easier, and have good ventilation to make up for its compact interior.
In this guide, we’ll take a look at a handful of the best mini-ITX cases currently available across a handful of different categories, including the best option overall, the best choice for maximum airflow, the best value mini-ITX case, and the best budget choice (to name a few).
If you don’t want to go quite as small as a mini-ITX case, you can also check out our selections for the best micro-ATX cases as well.
Ultimately, if you’re getting ready to build a mini gaming PC and you’re starting your search off with a compact case, one of the options listed below might be what you’re looking for.
Best Mini-ITX Cases
– Quick Look: Best Mini-ITX Cases
3. Open-Air: Thermaltake Core P1
Our Top Picks for the Best Mini-ITX Cases
If you’re looking for a quick list of the top mini-ITX cases, we’ve selected what we believe is four of the best options currently available. We’ve picked the best mini-ITX case overall, the best designed, the best value option, and the best budget-friendly mini-ITX case.
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NAME | SPECS | RATING | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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TOP PICK
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NZXT H1 V2 |
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/10 | |
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VALUE
|
 |
Cooler Master NR200 |
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/10 | |
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OPEN
|
 |
Thermaltake Core P1 |
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/10 | |
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AIRFLOW
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 |
SSUPD Meshlicious |
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/10 | |
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SLIM
|
 |
Phanteks Evolv Shift 2 |
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/10 | |
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BUDGET
|
 |
Thermaltake Core V1 |
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/10 |
*For more information on each of these mini-ITX cases, just click the “Read Review »” button to skip to read our overview on that case.
1. NZXT H1 V2
The best mini-ITX case overall
$400 for a mini-ITX case! That’s insane! Asinine, even. Who would pay for such a case?
Maybe, you.
That’s because this isn’t actually a $400 case. It’s a $400 case that comes with a 140mm AIO, a 750-watt 80 PLUS Gold-rated fully modular power supply, a fan controller, and a PCIe Gen4 riser. Without the case, those additional components could add up to anywhere between $200-$250 extra.
Also Read: 80 PLUS Bronze vs Gold vs Platinum vs Titanium: Which PSU Rating do you Need?
So, you’re getting a lot more than just a case.
And, all of those additional items come pre-installed, and the cables pre-routed. That makes the NZXT H1 an excellent option for anyone who is looking for a simplified building process. Not only will it cut down on the research you have to do in choosing components, but it will also make the building process much easier.
That may not be ideal for more experienced system-builders, but for first-time builders, it’s a pretty tempting offer.
The case itself is no slouch either, as it offers both excellent airflow and cooling potential and plenty of space to house a powerful mini-ITX gaming PC.
In the end, if you’re looking for a sleek-looking case that will offer you excellent airflow, plenty of room to build inside of, and a simplified building experience, the H1 is a case worth checking out.
2. Cooler Master NR200
The best value mini-ITX case
The Cooler Master NR200 isn’t the best mini-ITX case in terms of feature-set. However, where the NR200 really stands out is the features it does offer for the price it comes in at.
For a little under $100, the NR200 offers enough interior space to build a high-end gaming PC inside of. (It can hold graphics cards as long as 330mm and CPU coolers as tall as 155mm).
It is also incredibly easy to build inside of thanks to the fact that all of the panels can be disassembled. (Often times, building in a small mini-ITX case can be difficult due to restricted space to operate in. However, with the ability to access components from all angles, this becomes less of a problem.)
Also Read: 3 Powerful Mini-ITX Gaming PC Builds
And, the NR200 comes available in a wide variety of color schemes. So, if you’ve got a specific theme that you’re going with for your gaming setup, there’s likely an NR200 color scheme that will work for you.
Ultimately, the combination of its low pricetag, its roomy interior, and its beginner-friendly design make the NR200 an excellent value mini-ITX case.
3. Thermaltake Core P1
The best open-frame mini-ITX case
The Thermaltake Core P1 is a mini-ITX case that measures in at 422 x 332 x 380 mm and weighs just over 20 pounds. Its tempered glass design makes it a visually attractive option, allowing everyone to see the inner workings of your genius set up. It has two 2.5-inch external drive bays. Internally you have one 3.5 inches and one 2.5-inch option. The Core P1 has five expansion slots.
The front I/O panel features two USB 3.0 ports and one HD audio connection. It optionally runs a Standard PS2 PSU. There are two 120mm internal fans on the left side of the case which provide the system with adequate cooling ability. There are some models in this category that can accommodate more fans, so if overheating is a concern, be sure to research those.
In terms of the case clearance, you have a CPU cooler height limit of 170mm, and a VGA length limit of 380mm. It can also house a 240mm AIO on the left side of the case.
This budget friendly option comes in at a little over $100, but it looks like some of the more expensive model’s available thanks to the tempered glass aesthetic.
4. SSUPD Meshlicious
A mini-ITX case w/extreme airflow potential
If airflow is your main concern, then one mini-ITX case you might want to consider is SSPUD’s Meshlicious. This case lives up to its name, as essentially every side of the case (both sides, the front, and the top) feature full mesh panels.
Its design has helped it achieve some of the best thermal/airflow benchmarks among mini-ITX cases. Not to mention, the fact that all of the above-mentioned panels can be easily removed makes building inside of the Meshlicious incredibly easy.
And, with its vertical design, you can easily house a high-end graphics card in this case (like an RTX 3090).
Also Read: The Best Graphics Cards Right Now
It can hold GPUs up to 332mm long. For air CPU coolers, you are limited to options that are no taller than 73mm. However, the front panel can hold radiators up to 280mm long—so, you do have the option to utilize a 280mm AIO.
In the end, if you’re looking for a small form-factor case that offers great airflow potential, perhaps no option is better than SSPUD’s Meshlicious, thanks to its full-on mesh design.
5. Phanteks Evolv Shift 2
The best slim-profile mini-ITX case
For those of you that are looking for a slim-style mini-ITX chassis, the Phanteks Evolv Shift 2 is an option you’ll want to look into. Despite its incredibly slim design, the Shift 2 can still hold full-size graphics cards up to 335mm long. So, essentially, this case can hold just about any graphics card out there and you won’t be limited in terms of the kind of performance you can get out of a system built in the Shift 2.
However, with its slim design, the case is limited to using SFX power supplies. But, there are SFX power supplies out there that can handle higher-end GPUs (like Corsair’s SF series.) The Shift 2 is also limited in the CPU coolers you can use as well. With only clearance for CPU coolers up to 85mm tall, you’ll either need to use a low-profile CPU cooler, or a 140mm or 120mm AIO cooler. The Shift 2 comes in two different color schemes, black and gray. And, it has dual tempered glass side panels. The Shift 2 can hold a single 3.5″ hard drive, and up to three 2.5″ drives.
Ultimately, if you’ve got ~$100 to spend on a mini-ITX case and you want an option that comes with a slim design, the Phanteks Evolv Shift 2 is an option worth your consideration. If you don’t need the tempered glass side panels, or you want a slim ITX case that comes in at a bit lower of a cost, check out the SilverStone RVZ02B listed below.
6. Thermaltake Core V1
Budget-friendly mini-ITX PC case
The Thermaltake Core V1 is a budget-friendly PC case that can support a high-performance gaming rig. Weighing approximately 18 pounds and measuring 276 x 260 x 316 mm, this mini-ITX case is made mostly of steel and would be ideal for a stationary build. This case is heavier than most others due to its steel composition. Other cases are made largely of aluminum. The steel material helps in noise reduction, so the Core V1 is perfect for a gamer who wants no distractions from a whirring PC.
With two USB 3.0 ports and audio jacks for both headphone and mic, this model from Thermaltake can fit two 3.5-inch drives and two 2.5-inch drives. Dual expansion slots support cards up to 285mm. Depending on your preferences, this case can support multiple configurations with both air and liquid cooling systems. The Core V1 includes a 200mm fan pre-installed at the front of the case, with room for a 120mm or 140mm fan. At the rear, the case supports two 80mm fans.
Vents in the side panels of the case allow for maximum ventilation. The Core V1 can fit a CPU cooler up to 140mm tall. On the top, the panel is equipped with a transparent viewing window. However, the side panels are all symmetrical and interchangeable—they can be relocated to match your needs and preferences. This is one of the most attractive design features for this case. The Thermaltake Core V1 also comes in white.
Is A Mini-ITX Case Right for You?
Building a computer can be one of the most rewarding experiences, and the thrill is only amplified by the creativity required to put together a PC in a smaller case.
These are some of the best mini-ITX cases currently on the market, and you should be able to find an option to meet your needs and preferences no matter your budget. These builds have exploded in popularity over the last few years, likely due to the opportunities for innovative design.
Your choice will likely be based on the components you want to include inside the case, how you intend to use your rig, and what these various cases can support.
With an impressive focus on ventilation and layout, these cleverly designed cases allow for portable and stationary gaming rigs or average-use computer systems. If you’re interested in building a mini-ITX rig, try out one of the cases reviewed here.
