One of the most common causes of a laptop malfunction is overheating. The excessive temperature causes many of the internal components to perform at reduced levels and even fail completely. Not only will this cause significant slowdowns, impeding your work, but can cause some very expensive break downs, easily costing hundreds of dollars, especially if your CPU burns out.
All of this can easily be prevented by using a laptop cooler. Even the most expensive ones cost way less than a repair would set you back, making them one of the best investments you can make when it comes to laptop equipment.
A good rule of a thumb is the more powerful laptop you have, the better cooler you need. The reason is that more powerful processors and GPUs tend to heat more than those working on a lower frequency. Gaming laptops and those designed for more demanding tasks, like graphic design and video editing, are especially vulnerable to overheating and need high-quality coolers to keep the temperature in check.
Choosing the best laptop cooler in 2024 may be a complicated task. Before committing to purchasing one, there are a few things you need to consider. The first one is the size of your laptop. Most coolers on the market will easily fit 15.6 laptops, but if you have a 17-inch one, you have to check if a cooler is big enough for it.
A number of fans will determine the maximum heat dissipation a cooler can handle. Speaking of fans, it may be a good idea to consider a cooler that allows you to change the location of fans, ensuring the best coverage.
The size and weight of a cooler are important if you plan on taking it with you on trips. Lugging a chunky piece of equipment through airport security or trying to fit in a bag is never fun, so choosing a small and light-weight cooler will save you a lot of troubles down the road.
Finally, the design of a cooler will play a major role in how comfortable you are with using it. If you are planning on using it just on your desk, in a stationary manner, you can choose almost any model, but if you have to put it away after every use, you may need to consider one of the folding models. Here are a few recommendations for some of the best laptop coolers on the market today.
1. CM Storm SF-17 – Gaming Laptop Cooling Pad
CM Storm is a subsidiary of Cooler Master, so if you haven’t heard of it, don’t be alarmed. SF-17 can support laptops up to 19 inches and comes with one 180mm fan, which is a better solution than several smaller ones. A single fan solution makes less noise and dissipates heat more efficiently, ensuring a stable working environment for your laptop. SF-17 sports a rugged angular build, with a massive metal mesh above the fan. Height can be adjusted in four steps and it has four USB ports.
2. PC Cooler Laptop Cooling Pad
Supporting 12 to 17-inch laptops, PC Cooler Laptop Cooling Pad is one of the latest products on the market. It comes with five fans, four 85mm ones and a 110 mm one, ensuring a maximum airflow, and Magic Color 10 red cool LED lights. The pad has two USB ports.
3. TopMate Gaming Laptop Cooler
TopMate Gaming Laptop Cooler also has five fans, four in the corners and one big in the middle. All fans are illuminated by blue LED lights. On the bottom is has a small display screen, showing various modes. Next to it are buttons that allow you to switch through different modes, depending on the workload of your laptop.
4. Havit HV-F2056 15.6″-17″ Laptop Cooler Cooling Pad
Havit HV-F2056 15.6″-17″ Laptop Cooler Cooling Pad comes with three 110 mm fans in a triangular pattern. Even at maximum speed, the fans remain very silent. It is marketed as an ultraportable solution, designed for easy transportation. The pad has several additional USB ports.
5. Three Leaf T102 Laptop Cooling
This is probably the best cooler for 15.8-inch laptops. It has two massive 6-inch fans that can spin up to 1,200 rpm for maximum airflow, yet remain ultra-quiet. The pad has a 15 degrees angle, ensuring comfortable work stance.