Buying Guide
The Best 360mm AIO Liquid Coolers
Six 360mm AIO liquid coolers compared on pump, fan speeds, cabling, displays and socket support for high-power CPUs.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
12 min read6 products evaluated
A 360mm AIO spreads heat over three fans, so high-power CPUs can hold their boost clocks with the fans at modest speeds. It needs a case that fits the radiator at the top or front.
We compared six 360mm AIOs on pumps, fans, cabling, extras and socket support. This is a research-based comparison built from maker specifications; we did not test these parts ourselves.
Quick Picks
Which of the 6 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Best 360mm AIO
ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III Pro 360Offset mounting, a VRM fan and a contact frame for Intel.
Best for: High-power CPUs in performance-focused builds.
Check price for ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Simplest Setup
CORSAIR Nautilus 360 RS ARGBDaisy-chained fans with no software required.
Best for: Builders who want an AIO without a hub or app.
Check price for CORSAIR Nautilus 360 RS ARGB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best for Corsair Ecosystems
CORSAIR iCUE LINK TITAN 360 RX RGBA one-cable iCUE LINK hub.
Best for: Builds already using Corsair iCUE LINK.
Check price for CORSAIR iCUE LINK TITAN 360 RX RGB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best with a Display
NZXT Kraken Plus 360A 1.54-inch pump-head LCD.
Best for: Showcase builds that want a temperature readout.
Check price for NZXT Kraken Plus 360 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best Budget 360mm
Thermalright Aqua Elite 360 V6 ARGBA 2800 RPM pump and 2000 RPM fans at a budget price.
Best for: Budget builds with a hot CPU.
Check price for Thermalright Aqua Elite 360 V6 ARGB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Worth Considering
MSI MAG CORELIQUID A13 360The Coreliquid A13 360 moves the pump into the radiator, leaving a slim block on the CPU.
Best for: Buyers who want mounts on both am5 and intel lga1851.
Check price for MSI MAG CORELIQUID A13 360 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Best 360mm AIO1 of 6
ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III Pro 360
The Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 is built around cooling rather than lighting: offset mounting over the CPU hotspot, a contact frame for Intel and a small fan for the board's power stages.
Best for
- High-power CPUs in performance-focused builds.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the Aqua Elite 360 V6, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
Its fan cables run inside the tube sleeve for a tidy build. Its integrated VRM fan cools the motherboard power stage, which a standard AIO leaves without airflow. The offset cold plate sits over the CPU hotspot rather than the centre of the heatspreader.
The fan cables run inside the tube sleeving, so only one cable reaches the motherboard. Check that your case offers 360mm 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.
When we checked, only the Aqua Elite 360 V6 cost less, and the Coreliquid A13 360 cost more. If you want a confirmed maximum fan speed, look to the Titan 360 RX instead: it offers 2100 RPM, while this one gives no figure.
Key specs
- Fan size
- 120mm
- VRM fan
- Yes
- Cabling
- Fan cables routed inside the tube sleeving
- Sockets named
- AM5, AM4, LGA1851, LGA1700
Pros
- Built-in fan that cools the motherboard's power stages
- Fan cables routed inside the tube sleeving
- Mounts on both AM5 and Intel LGA1851
- P12 PRO fans
Cons
- Costs more than the Aqua Elite 360 V6 at the time of writing
Simplest Setup2 of 6
CORSAIR Nautilus 360 RS ARGB
The Nautilus 360 RS keeps things simple: its fans daisy-chain and connect straight to the motherboard, with no hub or software needed.
Best for
- Builders who want an AIO without a hub or app.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the Aqua Elite 360 V6 cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
Corsair rates the pump at 20 dBA. Its convex cold plate comes with pre-applied paste in an optimised pattern, and the RS120 ARGB fans use magnetic dome bearings for low noise. Check that your case offers 360mm 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. When we checked, only the Coreliquid A13 360 and cheaper picks cost less, and the Titan 360 RX cost more. If you want a confirmed maximum fan speed, look to the Titan 360 RX instead: it offers 2100 RPM, while this one gives no figure.
Key specs
- Fan size
- 120mm
- Cabling
- Daisy-chained fans that connect straight to the motherboard
- Sockets named
- AM5, AM4, LGA1851, LGA1700
Pros
- Daisy-chained fans that connect straight to the motherboard
- Mounts on both AM5 and Intel LGA1851
- Pump rated at 20 dBA
- Daisy-chained fans with no software required
Cons
- Costs more than the Aqua Elite 360 V6 at the time of writing
Best for Corsair Ecosystems3 of 6
CORSAIR iCUE LINK TITAN 360 RX RGB
The Titan 360 RX runs pump and fans through one iCUE LINK hub, with fans up to 2100 RPM and a zero RPM mode.
Best for
- Builds already using Corsair iCUE LINK.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: lighting and display control need iCUE.
Why we like it
It fits builds already in Corsair's ecosystem. It also comes with a FlowDrive pump with a three-phase motor. Check that your case offers 360mm 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 iCUE for lighting control; fan and pump speed can also run from the motherboard's headers. On price it sat fifth of 6, between the cheaper Nautilus 360 RS and the pricier Kraken Plus 360, at the time of writing. The maker doesn't give its pump speed; if that figure matters, the Coreliquid A13 360 offers 3800 RPM.
Key specs
- Max fan speed
- 2100 RPM
- Fan size
- 120mm
- Zero RPM mode
- Yes
- Cabling
- One-cable iCUE LINK hub for pump and fans
- Software
- iCUE
- Sockets named
- AM5, AM4, LGA1851, LGA1700
Pros
- Zero RPM mode stops the fans at light load
- One-cable iCUE LINK hub for pump and fans
- Mounts on both AM5 and Intel LGA1851
- FlowDrive pump with a three-phase motor
Cons
- Lighting and display control need iCUE
- Costs more than the Aqua Elite 360 V6 at the time of writing
Best with a Display4 of 6
NZXT Kraken Plus 360
The Kraken Plus 360 adds a 1.54-inch LCD to NZXT's pump for temperatures or custom images, with zero RPM fan control through NZXT CAM.
Best for
- Showcase builds that want a temperature readout.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: lighting and display control need NZXT CAM.
Why we like it
It also offers a single breakout cable from the pump cap. Check that your case offers 360mm 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 the highest-priced of the 6 picks at the time of writing, so the case for it rests on what it adds over the Titan 360 RX and the rest. The maker doesn't give its maximum fan speed; if that figure matters, the Titan 360 RX offers 2100 RPM.
Key specs
- Fan size
- 120mm
- 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 Aqua Elite 360 V6 at the time of writing
Best Budget 360mm5 of 6
Thermalright Aqua Elite 360 V6 ARGB
The Aqua Elite 360 V6 is the budget route to a 360mm radiator, listing a 2800 RPM pump and 2000 RPM fans.
Best for
- Budget builds with a hot CPU.
Skip if
- Worth skipping when maximum fan speed of 2000 RPM, behind the Titan 360 RX (2100 RPM) is a problem.
Why we like it
It suits a hot CPU when the budget is tight. Its round pump head uses Thermalright's fourth-generation pump, and the fans and block sync to a 5V ARGB header. The radiator moves up to 70.84 CFM.
The fans are pre-installed and daisy-chained, which saves motherboard headers. Check that your case offers 360mm 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 cost the least of the 6 picks at the time of writing, with the Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 the next step up. What it gives up: maximum fan speed of 2000 RPM, behind the Titan 360 RX (2100 RPM); by contrast, the Titan 360 RX offers 2100 RPM.
Key specs
- Max fan speed
- 2000 RPM
- Max pump speed
- 2800 RPM
- Fan size
- 120mm
- Sockets named
- AM5, AM4, LGA1851, LGA1700
Pros
- Mounts on both AM5 and Intel LGA1851
- Round ARGB pump head
- A 2800 RPM pump and 2000 RPM fans at a budget price
Cons
- Maximum fan speed of 2000 RPM, behind the Titan 360 RX (2100 RPM)
Worth Considering6 of 6
MSI MAG CORELIQUID A13 360
The Coreliquid A13 360 moves the pump into the radiator, leaving a slim block on the CPU.
Best for
- Buyers who want mounts on both am5 and intel lga1851.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the Aqua Elite 360 V6 cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
Its 390mm tubes give room for front or top mounting. Its 390mm tubes use a triple-layer, evaporation-proof design, and the mount fits AM5, AM4 and LGA1700 with paste included. Its split-flow radiator has the pump built in, which keeps the CPU block slim.
It also offers ceramic pump bearings. Check that your case offers 360mm 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.
Its price falls between the Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 and the Nautilus 360 RS, based on our last check. Buyers who need a confirmed maximum fan speed should compare it with the Titan 360 RX, which offers 2100 RPM.
Key specs
- Max pump speed
- 3800 RPM
- Tube length
- 390mm
- Sockets named
- AM5, AM4, LGA1851, LGA1700
Pros
- Mounts on both AM5 and Intel LGA1851
- Split-flow radiator with the pump built into it
- Ceramic pump bearings
- Highest pump speed of the picks (3800 RPM)
Cons
- Costs more than the Aqua Elite 360 V6 at the time of writing
How We Chose These 360mm AIO Coolers
Alex Morgan compared the manufacturer specifications, connectivity, warranty terms and compatibility of every pick. Figures come from the makers unless a third-party source is named; we did not test these products ourselves.
- How these picks were ranked
- We set side by side six AIO coolers on maximum fan speed, pump speed, fan size and zero RPM mode as the makers state them. Nothing was tested in-house; 1 of the 7 fields compared are stated for every pick, while maximum fan speed and pump speed have gaps.
- What every pick has in common
- All 6, from the Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 to the Coreliquid A13 360, state sockets named.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Liquid Freezer III Pro 360, the Nautilus 360 RS, the Kraken Plus 360 and the Coreliquid A13 360 give no maximum fan speed; the Liquid Freezer III Pro 360, the Nautilus 360 RS, the Titan 360 RX and the Kraken Plus 360 give no pump speed.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the Aqua Elite 360 V6 ($50 to $100) to the Kraken Plus 360 ($150 to $250).
What to Look for in a 360mm AIO Cooler
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
How much maximum fan speed you need
Across these 2 picks maximum fan speed spans 2000 RPM (the Aqua Elite 360 V6) to 2100 RPM (the Titan 360 RX). Start with the Titan 360 RX if maximum fan speed decides it. The Liquid Freezer III Pro 360, the Nautilus 360 RS, the Kraken Plus 360 and the Coreliquid A13 360 give no maximum fan speed figure, so 2 of 6 picks are compared here.
Pump speed
The Coreliquid A13 360 tops pump speed at 3800 RPM and the Aqua Elite 360 V6 sits lowest at 2800 RPM. If pump speed is your first filter, the Coreliquid A13 360 sets the ceiling at 3800 RPM. The Liquid Freezer III Pro 360, the Nautilus 360 RS, the Titan 360 RX and the Kraken Plus 360 give no pump speed figure, so 2 of 6 picks are compared here.
An all-in-one liquid cooler pump block above a graphics card Software
The Titan 360 RX lists iCUE; the Kraken Plus 360 lists NZXT CAM. Sort out software before price: it splits 2 stated picks into groups of 1 and 1.
Extras that separate them
The Kraken Plus 360: a single breakout cable from the pump cap. The Aqua Elite 360 V6: a round ARGB pump head. The Coreliquid A13 360: ceramic pump bearings.
A case with purple-lit front fans and the motherboard area behind them How much to spend
$50 to $100 buys the Aqua Elite 360 V6, the Liquid Freezer III Pro 360, the Coreliquid A13 360 and the Nautilus 360 RS; $100 to $150 buys the Titan 360 RX; $150 to $250 buys the Kraken Plus 360 at our last check.
How to Choose a 360mm AIO Cooler
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| High-power CPUs in performance-focused builds | Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 | Offset mounting, a VRM fan and a contact frame for Intel |
| Builders who want an AIO without a hub or app | Nautilus 360 RS | Daisy-chained fans with no software required |
| Builds already using Corsair iCUE LINK | Titan 360 RX | A one-cable iCUE LINK hub |
| Showcase builds that want a temperature readout | Kraken Plus 360 | A 1.54-inch pump-head LCD |
| Budget builds with a hot CPU | Aqua Elite 360 V6 | A 2800 RPM pump and 2000 RPM fans at a budget price |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Titan 360 RX leads on maximum fan speed at 2100 RPM, ahead of the Aqua Elite 360 V6 at 2000 RPM. "Not listed" marks maximum fan speed where the Liquid Freezer III Pro 360, the Nautilus 360 RS, the Kraken Plus 360 and the Coreliquid A13 360 leave the figure out.
| AIO cooler | Max fan speed | Max pump speed | Fan size | Zero RPM mode |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 | Not listed | Not listed | 120mm | Not listed |
| Nautilus 360 RS | Not listed | Not listed | 120mm | Not listed |
| Titan 360 RX | 2100 RPM | Not listed | 120mm | Yes |
| Kraken Plus 360 | Not listed | Not listed | 120mm | Yes |
| Aqua Elite 360 V6 | 2000 RPM | 2800 RPM | 120mm | Not listed |
| Coreliquid A13 360 | Not listed | 3800 RPM | Not listed | Not listed |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The Aqua Elite 360 V6 was the lowest-priced pick ($50 to $100) and the Kraken Plus 360 the highest ($150 to $250) when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | AIO coolers |
|---|---|
| About $50 to $100 | Aqua Elite 360 V6, Liquid Freezer III Pro 360, Coreliquid A13 360, Nautilus 360 RS |
| About $100 to $150 | Titan 360 RX |
| About $150 to $250 | Kraken Plus 360 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has the highest maximum fan speed: the Titan 360 RX or the Aqua Elite 360 V6?
Between the top two, it is 2100 RPM on the Titan 360 RX against 2000 RPM on the Aqua Elite 360 V6, a 5% difference. The Liquid Freezer III Pro 360, the Nautilus 360 RS, the Kraken Plus 360 and the Coreliquid A13 360 are left out of this ranking because their maximum fan speed isn't stated; 2 of 6 picks are ranked.
Is the Coreliquid A13 360 ahead of the Aqua Elite 360 V6 on pump speed?
The Coreliquid A13 360 tops pump speed at 3800 RPM; the Aqua Elite 360 V6 follows at 2800 RPM, 36% apart. No pump speed figure is published for the Liquid Freezer III Pro 360, the Nautilus 360 RS, the Titan 360 RX and the Kraken Plus 360, which leaves 2 of 6 picks ranked here.
Why is the Nautilus 360 RS our Simplest Setup pick?
It carries the badge for daisy-chained fans with no software required. It makes sense for builders who want an AIO without a hub or app.
Does the Titan 360 RX have zero RPM mode, and which others do?
The Titan 360 RX and the Kraken Plus 360 have it. The Liquid Freezer III Pro 360, the Nautilus 360 RS, the Aqua Elite 360 V6 and the Coreliquid A13 360 have no zero RPM mode listed, so 2 of 6 picks are covered here.
What extras do the Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 and the Nautilus 360 RS include?
The Liquid Freezer III Pro 360: P12 PRO fans. The Nautilus 360 RS: a pump rated at 20 dBA. The Titan 360 RX: a FlowDrive pump with a three-phase motor.
Bottom Line
The Arctic Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 is the pick for cooling, and the Corsair Nautilus 360 RS is the simplest to install. The Corsair Titan 360 RX and NZXT Kraken Plus 360 suit software-managed and display-focused builds.
The Thermalright Aqua Elite 360 V6 is the budget choice, and the MSI Coreliquid A13 360 moves the pump off the CPU.
Related Guides
- Related guideThe Best 280mm AIO Liquid Coolers
- Related guideThe Best 240mm AIO Liquid Coolers
- Related guideThe Best CPU Air Coolers
- Lower budgetThe Best AIO Coolers Under $60
- Similar guideThe Best 360mm AIO Coolers for Ryzen 9
- ExplainerPC Airflow Explained
- ExplainerHow Many Case Fans Do You Need?
- Check compatibility: processorsHow to Check CPU and Motherboard Compatibility
- Similar guideThe Best 360mm AIO Coolers by Pump Speed
- Topic hubAll cpu coolers and cooling guides
About the author
PC Hardware Editor
Alex covers PC hardware, monitors, components, upgrades and peripherals for The PC Journal, with a focus on helping readers understand specifications, compatibility and meaningful product trade-offs.
Covers: Monitors, Graphics cards, Processors, PC components, Peripherals, Upgrades and compatibility
View all articles