Take a look at these top PC cases.
If you’re looking for the right case for your new PC build, in this guide we’ve put together a list of some of the best options across different form-factors, feature sets, and pricepoints.
We’ve provided our picks for the cases that have the best airflow, the best full tower options, the best small form-factor cases, and the best budget-oriented chassis.
But, if you’ve never built a PC before and you’re new to choosing components, we recommend you watch our guide on how to pick the right case for your needs and budget.
Watch: What to Look for in A PC Case
Watch our Beginner’s Guide to Choosing a Case below, or on our YouTube channel.
Our Picks for the Best PC Cases
The Best PC Case Right Now
For a quick look at some of the best PC case options, the table below shows our picks for the top options for different use cases. We’ve chosen the best overall PC case, the case with the best airflow/thermals, the best full tower case, the best case mini-ITX option, the best micro-ATX case, the best value case (under $100), and the best cheap case.
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NAME | SPECS | ||
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TOP PICK
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Lian Li Lancool III |
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AIRFLOW
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Fractal Design Torrent |
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FULL
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Corsair 7000D |
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MINI-ITX
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Cooler Master NR200 |
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mATX
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Lian Li LANCOOL 205M |
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VALUE
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Phanteks Eclipse P400A |
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BUDGET
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BitFenix Nova Mesh |
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*For more information on each of these cases, just click the “Read Review »” button to skip to read our overview on that case. You can also keep scrolling to see more case options based on your budget.
1. Lian Li Lancool III
The best PC case overall
FORM | E-ATX/ATX/mATX/Mini-ITX |
GPU CLEAR. | 435mm Max |
CPU COOLER | 187mm Max |
RADIATOR | 420/360/280/240 |
PRICE | Amazon | BH Photo |
For our top overall PC case, we chose the Lian Li Lancool III. One a spec-for-spec and feature-for-feature basis it probably isn’t the best case on the market. However, it’s up there among the top case options and it comes with a very reasonable pricetag. It’s ability to support an extreme system despite its reasonable pricetag led us to give it the nod over more expensive cases that have more features.
The Lian Li Lancool III is well-known for its high airflow design thanks in part to its mesh panels and the included four 140mm PWM RGB fans. In total, the Lancool III can hold up to ten fans, including the option to put three 120mm fans above the PSU chamber.
This Lian Li case also has a ton of room on the inside. It can hold graphics cards up to 435mm long and CPU coolers as tall as 187mm. And, it has room to hold an E-ATX motherboard (although, with an E-ATX motherboard you’ll lose access to some cable management grommets).
The case can also support a wide array of liquid cooling configurations, including the ability to house up to a 420mm radiator on the front and top panel or up to a 360mm radiator above the PSU chamber.
Also Read: The Best 360mm AIO Coolers
But, while all of that sounds great, the reality is that a lot of cases come with similar specs and features. Where the Lian Li Lancool III stands out is the pricepoint it comes in at (just under ~$150) and the amount of rave reviews it has recieved from its owners. So, given its reception and incredible price-to-value ratio, we felt that the Lancool III is the best overall case option right now.
2. Fractal Design Torrent
The best case for airflow & thermals
FORM | E-ATX/ATX/mATX/Mini-ITX |
GPU CLEAR. | 461mm Max |
CPU COOLER | 188mm Max |
RADIATOR | 420/360/280/240 |
PRICE | BH Photo | Amazon |
If you have a large budget and your goal is to get a case that will provide optimal airflow for your build, then your best bet is probably the Fractal Design Torrent. With the Torrent, Fractal Design revamped the traditional case design to produce a chassis that is optimized for airflow.
For starters, the Torrent moves the PSU mounting bay from the bottom of the case to the top of the case and provides a nice-looking half-shroud to conceal the bulk of it. And, instead of providing a vented/mesh top panel, the bottom panel of the case (which is not restricted by a power supply) is vented and comes with three 120mm fans preinstalled.
Paired with the two 180mm fans on the front of the case and a vented front panel, this configuration has allowed the Torrent to sit atop most thermal and airflow benchmarks for cases.
The only real downside of the Fractal Design Torrent is the price it comes in at. At just under $250, it is almost double the price of the Lancool III. And, while the Torrent does show an advantage in cooling performance, that difference is marginal. So, if you’re a budget-conscious builder who is looking for a solid case, the Fractal Design Torrent may not be the best option for you.
On the other hand, if money is of no concern, and you’re looking for the best-of-the-best, then the Fractal Design Torrent is definitely a high-end case you’ll want to consider.
3. Corsair 7000D
The best full tower case
FORM | E-ATX/ATX/mATX/Mini-ITX |
GPU CLEAR. | 450mm Max |
CPU COOLER | 190mm Max |
RADIATOR | 480/420/360/280/240 |
PRICE | Amazon | BH Photo |
The Corsair 7000D Airflow is another high-end PC case that will suit those looking to build a powerful gaming PC. The 7000D has a ton of room inside of it and has the ability to house graphics cards up to 450mm long and CPU coolers up to 190mm tall.
The 7000D Airflow edition also comes with a vented front panel and three preinstalled 120mm fans which give it good cooling right out of the box. However, if you’re purchasing the 7000D you likely aren’t just going to stick with the stock fan configuration. In total, the 7000D can hold up 11 fans and it also supports radiators as big as 480mm on the front panel and 420mm on the top panel.
Also Read: The Best PC Case Fans Right Now
This monstrous Corsair case also comes with a ton of other nice features, including Corsair’s RapidRoute cable management (allows you a clean and convenient way to route your cables), a ton of room behind the motherboard tray (which will make cable management easier), a PWM fan repeater that controls up to six fans, four 2.5-inch bays, six 3.5-inch bays, and a USB type C port on the front panel (to name a few).
Ultimately, though, with a pricetag of just under ~$250, the Corsair 7000D Airflow won’t be a viable option for the majority of builders. But, for those of you who are looking to build a multi-GPU, custom liquid cooled, extreme gaming setup, this full tower case might be the best choice for you.
4. Cooler Master NR200
The best mini-ITX case for the money
FORM | Mini-ITX |
GPU CLEAR. | 330mm Max |
CPU COOLER | 155mm Max |
RADIATOR | 280/240/140/120 |
PRICE | Amazon | BH Photo |
Small form-factor systems continue to be a popular choice among system builders. And, with the rise of mini-ITX systems has come a ton of unique cases that have a small footprint.
And, considering how many awesome mini-ITX cases there are out there, it may be somewhat of a surprise to see that we chose the Cooler Master NR200—a sub-$100 option—as our pick for the best mini-ITX case.
Like the Lian Li Lancool III, the Cooler Master NR200 stands out not so much because it is the clear-cut best at what it does, but rather because of what you get for the price you pay.
The NR200 is a straight forward mini-ITX case that will provide you with all of the room you need to build a high-end system. It can hold graphics cards as long as 330mm and CPU coolers as tall as 155mm (you won’t be limited to a low-profile CPU cooler).
Also Read: Three Powerful Mini-ITX Gaming PC Builds
Not only does it offer solid cooling performance out-of-the-box for a mini-ITX case, but it also has the potential to house a robust liquid cooling setup for even better thermals. (It can hold radiators up to 280mm long.)
But, perhaps the best feature of the NR200 is how easy it is to build inside of. Traditionally, mini-ITX cases are more difficult to build inside of due to their smaller footprint. However, the NR200 allows you completely disassemble it, which makes building a PC inside of it incredibly easy.
All-in-all, with its sub-$100 pricetag, its straightforward design, its spacious interior (for a mini-ITX case), and its focus on making the building process as easy as possible, we felt that the NR200 checks the needs of the widest range of PC builders.
5. Lian Li LANCOOL 205M
The top mATX case
FORM | mATX/Mini-ITX |
GPU CLEAR. | 350mm Max |
CPU COOLER | 160mm Max |
RADIATOR | 240/120 |
PRICE | Amazon |
Another option if you’re looking to build a compact system is this micro-ATX case from Lian Li. The Lancool 205M mesh is probably too big to be considered a true SFF case—it’s more of a slightly smaller mid tower option.
However, it will offer a smaller footprint and will come with less restrictions on the kind of system you can build in it. In fact, with GPU clearance up to 350mm, you could fit some smaller RTX 4090s or RX 7900 XTXs in this case.
It can also fit CPU coolers up to 160mm tall, which means it can fit popular options like Thermalright’s Peerless Assassin 120 SE. And, it can hold radiators up to 240mm long.
With two 240mm RGB fans preinstalled on the front panel, cooling will be adequate out of the box. However, there isn’t a fan included for the 120mm slot at the back of the case. So, if you choose this case you might want to purchase a 120mm fan to go with it to help exhaust air out of the back panel.
All-in-all, the Lian Li Lancool 205M Mesh is a great option for budget-minded builders who are looking for a compact case that will allow them to build a mid-range (or higher) system.
6. Phanteks Eclipse P400A
An excellent value PC case
FORM | ATX/mATX/Mini-ITX |
GPU CLEAR. | 420mm Max |
CPU COOLER | 160mm Max |
RADIATOR | 360/280/240/140/120 |
PRICE | Amazon |
If you like the Lian Li Lancool III, but you can’t afford to spend over $100 on it, the Phanteks Eclipse P400A is worth checking out. The Eclipse P400A comes with a mesh front panel, a tempered glass side panel, a full length PSU shroud, support for a wide array of liquid cooling configurations, and plenty of interior space to house a high-end system.
The Eclipse P400A can hold graphics cards as long as 420mm and CPU coolers as tall as 160mm and it can hold up to six different fans. It can also hold up to 360mm radiators on the front panel. And, with three preinstalled RGB fans on the front panel, the P400A will give you solid airflow out of the box.
The best part about the P400A is the price it comes in at. At just under $90, this case is incredibly affordable for the featureset and interior space it offers.
So, the reality is that, if you’re looking to save a little bit of money and you don’t mind a small drop in cooling performance and potential, the Eclipse P400A is an excellent alternative to the Lian Li Lancool III.
7. BitFenix Nova Mesh
The best affordable case option
FORM | ATX/mATX/Mini-ITX |
GPU CLEAR. | 315mm Max |
CPU COOLER | 160mm Max |
RADIATOR | 360/280/240/120 |
PRICE | Amazon |
If you’re looking to build a budget-friendly gaming PC and you’d like to save as much money on you case as possible (so you can allocate it to your GPU and CPU) you might want to consider BitFenix’s Nova Mesh case.
The Nova Mesh comes in at just under $60 for the non-RGB version, and just under $70 for the RGB version.
It isn’t the biggest case on this list, but with support for up to 315mm long graphics cards and 160mm tall CPU coolers, you shouldn’t be restricted that much in the kind of system you can build. You probably won’t be able to fit an RTX 4090 into this case, but mid-range graphics cards should fit just fine.
And, while most budget PC cases don’t offer adequate airflow or cooling, the BitFenix Nova Mesh—as its name suggests—comes with a mesh front panel. And, with the four preinstalled fans (on the RGB version), it should provide exceptional cooling.
The bottom line is that, if you are looking for ways to maximize your budget, the Nova Mesh’s low pricetag will help you free up some money to ensure you can get a more powerful CPU and GPU combination. And, even though it is a cheaper case, it still will give you plenty of room and provide adequate cooling.
What is the Best PC Case?
As of right now, if you’re looking for the most bang for your buck, the best PC case is Lian Li’s Lancool III. If you’ve got a big budget and are looking for a roomier and more extreme option, the Corsair 7000D. If airflow and thermals are the most important feature for you, Fractal’s Torrent is likely the pick for you.
If you’re looking to build a small form-factor gaming PC, either Cooler Master’s NR200 (mini-ITX), or Lian Li’s Lancool 205M Mesh are great options. Or, if you’re restricted in your budget and you’re looking for a case for under $100, then the Phanteks Eclipse 400A or the BitFenix Nova Mesh are worthy options.
Ultimately, before you do anything else, consider the type of system you want to build and the budget you have to spend on your components. Once you’ve done that, you’ll have a better idea of what kind of case would work best for your system.
FAQ: Questions to Ask Before You Pick A Case
If you’re new to PC building, it would be a good idea to have some basic knowledge on the role a case will play in your system. Below, we’ve listed three things you should consider before you pick a case for your PC.
1. Clearance & Compatibility
Not every case will fit every kind of system. If you want to build a high-end gaming PC with a custom liquid cooling setup, you’re going to need a larger case.
If you want to build a compact system, you’ll need a small-form-factor case.
Also Read:Which PC Case Size is Best for Your Next Build?
So, when choosing a case for your PC build, you need to consider all of the components that will go inside of it and make sure that they will fit. You can do this by checking the spec sheet of the case you are considering and comparing the various different clearances (GPU length, CPU cooler height, radiator length, motherboard form-factor, etc.) with the dimensions/form-factors of the parts you’ve chosen for your build.
2. Cooling & Airflow
Some cases are better designed to provide adequate cooling and airflow. We typically recommend choosing cases that offer mesh/grilled panels as that will allow for more air to flow into and out of the case.
It’s also important to consider how many preinstalled fans a case comes with, how many total it can hold, and what kind of CPU cooler it can house.
The more fans a case comes with out of the box the better. And, the wider range of compatibility a case offers for CPU coolers, the more options you’ll have to keep your system cool.
We also recommend checking case thermal benchmarks from YouTube channels like GamersNexus to get a good idea of what cases offer the best airflow.
3. Aesthetics
While case aesthetics shouldn’t be the most important factor in deciding what case you choose, they will obviously play a big role in the option you ultimately decide on.
So, what kind of aesthetic features are you looking for in a case?
A tempered glass side panel that will let you show off your build? A ton of RGB fans to light up your gaming setup? A sleek minimalistic design? An all-white case?
The good news is that there are so many different options out there that you will likely be able to find a case that will not only house the components you want to put in your system, but that will also meet your aesthetic demands as well.