Buying Guide
The Best 280mm AIO Liquid Coolers
Five 280mm AIO liquid coolers compared on pump, 140mm fans, displays, cabling and socket support for cases that fit two large fans.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
A 280mm AIO uses two 140mm fans, which move air at lower speeds than 120mm fans. It is a good middle ground between 240mm and 360mm for cases with 140mm mounts.
We compared five 280mm AIOs on pumps, fans, cabling, displays and socket support. This is a research-based comparison built from maker specifications; we did not test these parts ourselves. We limited the list to five because too few other 280mm listings state enough detail to compare.
Quick Picks
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Best Value 280mm
ID-COOLING FX280 PRO SE
A 2900 RPM pump and 140mm fans at a budget price.
Best for: Budget builds that fit a 280mm radiator.
Our take Check price for ID-COOLING FX280 PRO SE (opens in a new tab)
Best with an LCD
NZXT Kraken Plus 280
A 1.54-inch LCD with zero RPM fans.
Best for: Showcase builds with NZXT CAM.
Our take Check price for NZXT Kraken Plus 280 (opens in a new tab)
Solid Alternative
CORSAIR iCUE LINK H115i RGB
The H115i RGB runs pump and fans through Corsair's iCUE LINK hub, with fans up to 2000 RPM and zero RPM mode.
Best for: Buyers who want zero rpm mode stops the fans at light load.
Our take Check price for CORSAIR iCUE LINK H115i RGB (opens in a new tab)
Largest Display
LIAN LI Galahad II LCD 280
A 2.88-inch IPS screen.
Best for: Builds centred on the pump-head screen.
Our take Check price for LIAN LI Galahad II LCD 280 (opens in a new tab)
Quiet-Focused Pick
be quiet! Pure Loop 3 280mm
Pure Wings 3 fans and a PWM pump with a six-pole motor.
Best for: Quiet builds without RGB software.
Our take Check price for be quiet! Pure Loop 3 280mm (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Best Value 280mm1 of 5
ID-COOLING FX280 PRO SE on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The FX280 PRO SE lists its details plainly: a 2900 RPM pump rated at 25dB(A), two 140mm fans at 300 to 1800 RPM and 400mm tubes.
Best for
- Budget builds that fit a 280mm radiator.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when maximum fan speed of 1800 RPM, behind the H115i RGB (2000 RPM is a problem.
Why we like it
It is the value route to a 280mm radiator. It is rated for 350W, with a 2,900 RPM pump and 400mm sleeved tubes. You also get a 27mm aluminium radiator.
Check that your case offers 280mm radiator support at the front or top, and allow for the radiator's thickness plus fans above the motherboard's heatsinks. It supports both AM5 and Intel LGA1851. It undercut the Pure Loop 3 280 and every other pick on price at the time of writing. The main gap: maximum fan speed of 1800 RPM, behind the H115i RGB (2000 RPM). If that matters, the H115i RGB offers 2000 RPM.
Key dimensions & specs
- Max fan speed: 1800 RPM
- Max pump speed: 2900 RPM
- Fan size: 140mm
- Tube length: 400mm
- Sockets named: AM5, AM4, LGA1851, LGA1700
Pros
- Mounts on both AM5 and Intel LGA1851
- 27mm aluminium radiator
- Pump rated at 25dB(A)
- A 2900 RPM pump and 140mm fans at a budget price
Cons
- Maximum fan speed of 1800 RPM, behind the H115i RGB (2000 RPM)
Best with an LCD2 of 5
NZXT Kraken Plus 280 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Kraken Plus 280 pairs 140mm fans with NZXT's 1.54-inch LCD pump head and zero RPM mode.
Best for
- Showcase builds with NZXT CAM.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when lighting and display control need NZXT CA is a problem.
Why we like it
It suits builders who want a display without a separate controller. No other pick in this guide offers NZXT CAM software; compare the H115i RGB, which has iCUE software. It also comes with a single breakout cable from the pump cap.
Check that your case offers 280mm radiator support at the front or top, and allow for the radiator's thickness plus fans above the motherboard's heatsinks. It supports both AM5 and Intel LGA1851. Plan to install NZXT CAM for lighting and display control; fan and pump speed can also run from the motherboard's headers.
It was priced above the H115i RGB and below the Galahad II LCD 280 at the time of writing. There is no published maximum fan speed figure, whereas the H115i RGB offers 2000 RPM.
Key dimensions & specs
- Fan size: 140mm
- Pump display: 1.54-inch
- Zero RPM mode: Yes
- Software: NZXT CAM
- Sockets named: AM5, AM4, LGA1851, LGA1700
Pros
- 1.54-inch pump-head display for temperatures or images
- Zero RPM mode stops the fans at light load
- Mounts on both AM5 and Intel LGA1851
- NZXT's Turbine pump
Cons
- Lighting and display control need NZXT CAM
- Costs more than the FX280 PRO SE at the time of writing
Solid Alternative3 of 5
CORSAIR iCUE LINK H115i RGB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The H115i RGB runs pump and fans through Corsair's iCUE LINK hub, with fans up to 2000 RPM and zero RPM mode.
Best for
- Buyers who want zero rpm mode stops the fans at light load.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: lighting and display control need iCUE.
Why we like it
It belongs in Corsair-based builds. No other pick in this guide offers iCUE software; compare the Kraken Plus 280, which has NZXT CAM software. Check that your case offers 280mm radiator support at the front or top, and allow for the radiator's thickness plus fans above the motherboard's heatsinks.
The maker doesn't spell out LGA1851 mounting, so confirm it on the maker's site for a Core Ultra build. Plan to install iCUE for lighting control; fan and pump speed can also run from the motherboard's headers. It was priced above the Pure Loop 3 280 and below the Kraken Plus 280 at the time of writing. There is no published pump speed figure, whereas the Galahad II LCD 280 offers 3600 RPM.
Key dimensions & specs
- Max fan speed: 2000 RPM
- Fan size: 140mm
- Zero RPM mode: Yes
- Cabling: One-cable iCUE LINK hub for pump and fans
- Software: iCUE
- Sockets named: AM5, AM4, LGA1700
Pros
- Zero RPM mode stops the fans at light load
- One-cable iCUE LINK hub for pump and fans
- QX140 RGB fans
- 20-LED pump cap
Cons
- Lighting and display control need iCUE
- Costs more than the FX280 PRO SE at the time of writing
Largest Display4 of 5
LIAN LI Galahad II LCD 280 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Galahad II LCD 280 has the largest screen here, a 2.88-inch IPS panel, on an Asetek pump rated up to 3600 RPM.
Best for
- Builds centred on the pump-head screen.
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: lighting and display control need L-Connect.
Why we like it
Its fans use wireless lighting and speed control. It is the only pick here with L-Connect software; the Kraken Plus 280 has NZXT CAM software instead. Check that your case offers 280mm radiator support at the front or top, and allow for the radiator's thickness plus fans above the motherboard's heatsinks.
The maker doesn't spell out LGA1851 mounting, so confirm it on the maker's site for a Core Ultra build. Plan to install L-Connect for lighting and display control; fan and pump speed can also run from the motherboard's headers. At our last price check it topped the group, with the Kraken Plus 280 the nearest cheaper option. If you want a confirmed maximum fan speed, look to the H115i RGB instead: it offers 2000 RPM, while this one gives no figure.
Key dimensions & specs
- Max pump speed: 3600 RPM
- Fan size: 140mm
- Pump display: 2.88-inch IPS
- Cabling: Wireless fan lighting and speed control
- Software: L-Connect
- Sockets named: AM5, AM4, Intel
Pros
- 2.88-inch IPS pump-head display for temperatures or images
- Wireless fan lighting and speed control
- 8th-generation Asetek pump
- 2.4GHz wireless TL fans
Cons
- Lighting and display control need L-Connect
- Costs more than the FX280 PRO SE at the time of writing
Quiet-Focused Pick5 of 5
be quiet! Pure Loop 3 280mm on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Pure Loop 3 280 is be quiet!'s low-noise take, with Pure Wings 3 fans that daisy-chain and a PWM pump.
Best for
- Quiet builds without RGB software.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the FX280 PRO SE, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It suits quiet builds that skip RGB software. Its PWM pump has a six-pole motor for low vibration, and flexible sleeved tubes make mounting simple. Check that your case offers 280mm radiator support at the front or top, and allow for the radiator's thickness plus fans above the motherboard's heatsinks.
The maker doesn't spell out LGA1851 mounting, so confirm it on the maker's site for a Core Ultra build. Its price falls between the FX280 PRO SE and the H115i RGB, based on our last check. Buyers who need a confirmed maximum fan speed should compare it with the H115i RGB, which offers 2000 RPM.
Key dimensions & specs
- Fan size: 140mm
- Cabling: Daisy-chained PWM fans
- Sockets named: AM5, AM4, Intel
Pros
- Daisy-chained PWM fans
- PWM pump with a six-pole motor
- Pure Wings 3 fans
Cons
- Costs more than the FX280 PRO SE at the time of writing
How We Chose These 280mm AIO Coolers
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- Pump and fans
- We noted listed pump and fan speeds and fan size.
- Extras
- We recorded pump displays, VRM fans and zero RPM modes where listed.
- Setup
- We compared cabling, hubs and the software each unit needs.
- Fit and mounting
- We checked radiator size and listed socket support, including AM5 and LGA1851.
What to Look for in a 280mm AIO Cooler
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Confirm radiator support in your case
Cases list which radiator sizes fit at the front, top and side. A top mount also has to clear the motherboard's heatsinks and tall RAM.
Check the case's clearance figure for radiator plus fans.
Count the cables and headers
Some AIOs daisy-chain fans or run everything through one hub; others need several fan headers and a USB header. Check what your motherboard has free.
Mount the pump below the radiator's top
Air collects at the highest point of the loop. Keep the radiator's top edge above the pump, or tubes-down at the front, to avoid pump noise and wear.
AIOs have a finite life
Pumps and coolant age over years of use. Warranty length is a fair guide to how long the maker expects the unit to last.
Match radiator size to the CPU
A 240mm radiator handles most gaming CPUs. 280mm and 360mm units give more headroom for 170W chips and let fans run slower.
Software is optional but useful
LCD screens and lighting usually need the maker's software. Pump and fan speeds can run from motherboard headers instead.
How to Choose a 280mm AIO Cooler
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Budget builds that fit a 280mm radiator | FX280 PRO SE | A 2900 RPM pump and 140mm fans at a budget price |
| Showcase builds with NZXT CAM | Kraken Plus 280 | A 1.54-inch LCD with zero RPM fans |
| Builds centred on the pump-head screen | Galahad II LCD 280 | A 2.88-inch IPS screen |
| Quiet builds without RGB software | Pure Loop 3 280 | Pure Wings 3 fans and a PWM pump with a six-pole motor |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
Figures as each maker states them.
| AIO cooler | Max fan speed | Max pump speed | Fan size | Pump display |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FX280 PRO SE | 1800 RPM | 2900 RPM | 140mm | Not listed |
| Kraken Plus 280 | Not listed | Not listed | 140mm | 1.54-inch |
| H115i RGB | 2000 RPM | Not listed | 140mm | Not listed |
| Galahad II LCD 280 | Not listed | 3600 RPM | 140mm | 2.88-inch IPS |
| Pure Loop 3 280 | Not listed | Not listed | 140mm | Not listed |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
Prices change often; these tiers reflect Amazon prices when this guide was updated.
| Price tier | AIO coolers |
|---|---|
| About $50 to $100 | FX280 PRO SE, Pure Loop 3 280 |
| About $100 to $150 | H115i RGB, Kraken Plus 280, Galahad II LCD 280 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Should the radiator be at the front or top?
Either works. Top-mounted exhausts keep warm air out of the case; front-mounted intake gives the CPU cooler air. Keep the pump below the radiator's top.
Where do I plug in the pump?
Use the motherboard's AIO_PUMP or CPU_FAN header, set to full speed or DC mode as the maker recommends.
Do AIO coolers leak?
Leaks are rare with current sealed units, and several makers cover damage under warranty. Check the terms for your model.
Is an LCD pump head worth it?
Only for looks or quick temperature readouts. It does not change cooling performance.
Is an AIO better than an air cooler?
For CPUs rated at 170W or more, a 280mm or 360mm AIO usually runs cooler or quieter. For 65W to 120W chips, a good dual-tower air cooler is often just as effective.
Does an AIO need maintenance?
Only dusting the radiator. The loop is sealed and is not meant to be refilled.
Bottom Line
The ID-Cooling FX280 PRO SE is the value pick, the NZXT Kraken Plus 280 and Lian Li Galahad II LCD 280 suit display builds, and the Corsair H115i RGB fits iCUE setups.
The be quiet! Pure Loop 3 280 is the choice for quiet builds.