Facebook
Reddit
Email
Liquid coolers offer a generally silent cooling operation compared to air coolers. They also look way cooler. Read to learn more.
Liquid coolers are most people’s preferred way of cooling their CPUs. They offer a better noise-to-performance ratio while also providing generally better looks compared to air cooling. However, one of the main factors that prevents them from being mass adopted is their price. A mid-range liquid cooler tends to be costlier than a high-end air cooler, which is why budget gamers tend to go for the latter.
However, liquid coolers have come a long way and are cheaper than ever, depending on your region. In this article, we will present some of the best liquid coolers on the market that won’t tear a hole in your wallet.
Note: Some aspects of this article are subjective and reflect the writer’s opinion. Also, the list is unranked.
What Are the Best Budget AIO Liquid Coolers?
We have considered several factors when choosing the budget liquid coolers, including cooling potential, noise levels, the design of the fans and CPU block, and most importantly, their pricing. Unfortunately, at lower budgets, your options are quite limited, and you won’t get to choose from a variety of brands. With that said, here are some of the best budget liquid coolers:
1) Thermalright Frozen Notte 360 Black ARGB V2 Liquid Cooler
At around $55, you won’t get a better cooler than the Thermalright Frozen Notte 360 Black V2. It’s a 360 AIO liquid cooler, so it has three fans with a larger radiator, which offers much higher cooling potential than 240 liquid coolers. The high-performance pump allows hot water to circulate faster in the loop, which is then rapidly cooled in the radiator via the fans. Speaking of fans, they offer much higher airflow below 40 dB compared to what you would find on regular fans. That’s how you get cooler temps at much lower noise levels.
2) Thermalright FW240 SE ARGB AIO Cooler White
If you have always wanted those fancy liquid coolers with a screen on the water block displaying the processor’s temperature, then the Thermalright FW240 SE is the one for you. The CPU block has a 2-inch IPS LCD screen, which is big enough to display essential system information like CPU temperature, load, and system time. The display is customizable and can show almost anything you want, including GIFs. The cooling potential of the Thermalright FW240 SE is also quite good and comparable with other 240 AIO coolers.
3) ID-COOLING FROSTFLOW X 240 Liquid Cooler
The ID-COOLING FROSTFLOW X 240 is a no-nonsense AIO cooler that holds nothing back. It is built only to cool your high-end processor, so you won’t find any fancy RGB effects on the CPU block or the fans. The CPU block only has a white LED ring with the company logo, and that’s about it. ID-COOLING is known for its superb cooling performance, which is also the case here. It can cool even a 200W+ CPU quite efficiently without turning your computer into a jet engine, so noise isn’t something you should be concerned about.
4) Thermalright Aqua Elite 240 V3 Water Cooling
The Thermalright Aqua Elite 240 V3 liquid cooler is designed for budget users, so it is available for under $45. Even at its budget pricing, it still manages to feature RGB effects on both the fans and the CPU block. Now, that’s something users will surely appreciate. After all, a lot of people tend to go with liquid coolers for their clean looks and aesthetics more than cooling, and the Thermalright Aqua Elite 240 V3 delivers on that front.
The cooling performance is also quite good. In fact, it can keep the temps below 70° for most 150W CPUs (at max load) without any issues. However, it is not recommended for Intel Core i9 processors, which draw more than 220W of power and need much better coolers.
5) Thermalright Aqua Elite 120 V3 AIO Liquid Cooler
If you are on an extreme budget, then you should consider buying the Thermalright Aqua Elite 120 V3 liquid cooler. It may look like it won’t offer good cooling, but you would be wrong. A smaller radiator and single fan don’t mean lower cooling performance. There are many more factors to consider, including pump speed, coolant potential, radiator fins, and more. A well-optimized 120 AIO cooler can be better than an unoptimized 240 AIO, which seems to be the case here.
Individual reviews confirm it can easily cool processors with up to 150W, so it’s a pretty decent cooler. The RGB fan and CPU block are just a bonus on top of the cooling performance.
Final Thoughts
This concludes the list of some of the best budget AIO liquid coolers. The 360 AIO coolers like the Thermalright Frozen Notte 360 Black ARGB V2 will obviously deliver the best results, but if you want better features, then the Thermalright FW240 SE with an LCD display will be a better option. Budget users can go with the Thermalright Aqua Elite 120 V3 AIO CPU Cooler, which is also a decent option. Choose one that best suits your requirements and budget.
Looking For More Related to Tech?
We provide the latest news and “How To’s” for Tech content. Meanwhile, you can check out the following articles related to PC GPUs, CPU and GPU comparisons, mobile phones, and more:
- 5 Best Air Coolers for CPUs in 2025
- ASUS TUF Gaming F16 Release Date, Specifications, Price, and More
- iPhone 16e vs iPhone SE (3rd Gen): Which One To Buy in 2025?
- Powerbeats Pro 2 vs AirPods Pro 2: Which One To Get in 2025
- RTX 5070 Ti vs. RTX 4070 Super: Specs, Price and More Compared
- Windows 11: How To Disable Lock Screen Widgets
