Buying Guide
The Best CPU Coolers Under $100
Five liquid coolers ranked on fan size and VRM fan; the FX360 PRO is the cheapest route in.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
12 min read5 products evaluated
Between $60 and $100, liquid coolers add better pumps, ARGB and VRM fans. Every pick sits in that range at the time of writing, ordered by radiator size.
Rankings weigh fan size, VRM fan and cabling as the makers state them; if a maker skips fan size, the guide says so rather than guess, since we have not benched them.
Quick Picks
Which of the 5 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Premium Pick
ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III Pro 420 A-RGBThe highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with P14 PRO fans.
Best for: Buyers who want P14 PRO fans and can spend more than the Coreliquid A13 360 White costs.
Check price for ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III Pro 420 A-RGB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Price Here
ID-COOLING FX360 PROA lower price than the Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 and the rest when we checked.
Best for: Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the Liquid Freezer III Pro 360.
Check price for ID-COOLING FX360 PRO on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III Pro 360P12 PRO fans.
Best for: Buyers who want P12 PRO fans.
Check price for ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
NZXT Kraken Core 360 RGBA single-cable connection from the pump.
Best for: Buyers who want single-cable connection from the pump.
Check price for NZXT Kraken Core 360 RGB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Worth a Look
MSI MAG CORELIQUID A13 360 WhiteA split-flow radiator with the pump built into it.
Best for: Buyers who want split-flow radiator with the pump built into it.
Check price for MSI MAG CORELIQUID A13 360 White on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it stands out | Best for | Check price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with P14 PRO fans. | Buyers who want P14 PRO fans and can spend more than the Coreliquid A13 360 White costs. | Check price for ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III Pro 420 A-RGB on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| A lower price than the Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 and the rest when we checked. | Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the Liquid Freezer III Pro 360. | Check price for ID-COOLING FX360 PRO on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| P12 PRO fans. | Buyers who want P12 PRO fans. | Check price for ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| A single-cable connection from the pump. | Buyers who want single-cable connection from the pump. | Check price for NZXT Kraken Core 360 RGB on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| A split-flow radiator with the pump built into it. | Buyers who want split-flow radiator with the pump built into it. | Check price for MSI MAG CORELIQUID A13 360 White on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Premium Pick1 of 5
ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III Pro 420 A-RGB
The Liquid Freezer III Pro 420 uses three 140mm fans on a larger radiator.
Best for
- Buyers who want P14 PRO fans and can spend more than the Coreliquid A13 360 White costs.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the FX360 PRO, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
Check that your case offers 420mm radiator support. Its 420mm radiator uses 140mm P14 PRO fans, and an integrated VRM fan cools the power stage. A contact frame for LGA1851 and LGA1700 is included.
It also comes with native offset mounting. Check that your case offers 420mm 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.
You also get this: fan cables routed inside the tube sleeving. It was the most expensive pick when we checked, so weigh what it adds over the Coreliquid A13 360 White.
Key specs
- Fan size
- 140mm
- 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
- P14 PRO fans
Cons
- Costs more than the FX360 PRO at the time of writing
Lowest Price Here2 of 5
ID-COOLING FX360 PRO
The FX360 PRO is ID-COOLING's budget 360 rated at 350W.
Best for
- Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the Liquid Freezer III Pro 360.
Skip if
- Look at the other picks if you need a feature not covered above.
Why we like it
ID-COOLING rates it for 350W, and its three 120mm fans move up to 82.5 CFM. The all-black finish suits dark cases. Its fans daisy-chain to each other, which cuts down on cables to the motherboard.
The fans are rated at 2.55mmH2O static pressure. It also comes with simple fan cable management. 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. No other pick here cost less at our last price check, and the Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 was closest.
Key specs
- Fan size
- 120mm
- Sockets named
- AM5, AM4, LGA1851, LGA1700
Pros
- Mounts on both AM5 and Intel LGA1851
- 350W rating
- Simple fan cable management
- A lower price than the Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 and the rest when we checked
Also Consider3 of 5
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
- Buyers who want P12 PRO fans.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the FX360 PRO 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 FX360 PRO cost less, and the Kraken Core 360 cost more.
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 FX360 PRO at the time of writing
Strong Alternative4 of 5
NZXT Kraken Core 360 RGB
The Kraken Core 360 is NZXT's lower-priced 360 without the LCD, keeping single-cable wiring.
Best for
- Buyers who want single-cable connection from the pump.
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: lighting and display control need NZXT CAM.
Why we like it
Its 3,100 RPM pump and high static pressure fans cool heavy loads quietly, and it connects straight to the motherboard. No extra controller is needed. It also comes with adjustable fan control.
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 control; fan and pump speed can also run from the motherboard's headers. When we checked, only the Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 and cheaper picks cost less, and the Coreliquid A13 360 White cost more.
Key specs
- Fan size
- 120mm
- Software
- NZXT CAM
- Sockets named
- AM5, AM4, LGA1851, LGA1700
Pros
- Mounts on both AM5 and Intel LGA1851
- Single-cable connection from the pump
- Adjustable fan control
Cons
- Lighting and display control need NZXT CAM
- Costs more than the FX360 PRO at the time of writing
Worth a Look5 of 5
MSI MAG CORELIQUID A13 360 White
The Coreliquid A13 360 White is the white version of MSI's radiator-pump design.
Best for
- Buyers who want split-flow radiator with the pump built into it.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the FX360 PRO, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
Its split-flow radiator has the pump built in, with a three-phase motor for durability, and it supports LGA1851 out of the box. The white finish suits light builds. Ceramic pump bearings and a three-phase motor are built for long service.
Its 390mm tubes suit most front and top radiator positions. 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 Kraken Core 360 and cheaper picks cost less, and the Liquid Freezer III Pro 420 cost more.
Key specs
- 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
- White finish
Cons
- Costs more than the FX360 PRO at the time of writing
How We Chose These CPU Coolers Under $100
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 compared five AIO coolers on fan size, VRM fan, cabling and sockets named as the makers state them. These are research figures, not bench results: 1 of 5 picks leave out fan size.
- What every pick has in common
- All 5, from the Liquid Freezer III Pro 420 to the Coreliquid A13 360 White, state sockets named.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Coreliquid A13 360 White gives no fan size; the FX360 PRO, the Kraken Core 360 and the Coreliquid A13 360 White give no VRM fan.
- Price range
- From the FX360 PRO to the Liquid Freezer III Pro 420, all sat in the $50 to $100 tier when we checked.
What to Look for in a CPU Cooler Under $100
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Extras that separate them
The Liquid Freezer III Pro 360: native offset mounting toward the CPU hotspot. The Kraken Core 360: adjustable fan control. The Coreliquid A13 360 White: a white finish.
Where your budget lands
All 5 sat in the $50 to $100 tier when we checked, from the FX360 PRO at the low end to the Liquid Freezer III Pro 420 at the top, so decide on features first.
An all-in-one liquid cooler pump block above a graphics card Start from what matters most
Buyers who want P14 PRO fans and can spend more than the Coreliquid A13 360 White costs: the Liquid Freezer III Pro 420. Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the Liquid Freezer III Pro 360: the FX360 PRO.
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.
A case with purple-lit front fans and the motherboard area behind them 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 CPU Cooler Under $100
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who want P14 PRO fans and can spend more than the Coreliquid A13 360 White costs | Liquid Freezer III Pro 420 | The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with P14 PRO fans |
| Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 | FX360 PRO | A lower price than the Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 and the rest when we checked |
| Buyers who want P12 PRO fans | Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 | P12 PRO fans |
| Buyers who want single-cable connection from the pump | Kraken Core 360 | A single-cable connection from the pump |
| Buyers who want split-flow radiator with the pump built into it | Coreliquid A13 360 White | A split-flow radiator with the pump built into it |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Liquid Freezer III Pro 420, the FX360 PRO and the rest, as their makers list them.
| AIO cooler | Fan size | VRM fan | Cabling | Sockets named |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liquid Freezer III Pro 420 | 140mm | Yes | Fan cables routed inside the tube sleeving | AM5, AM4, LGA1851, LGA1700 |
| FX360 PRO | 120mm | Not listed | Not listed | AM5, AM4, LGA1851, LGA1700 |
| Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 | 120mm | Yes | Fan cables routed inside the tube sleeving | AM5, AM4, LGA1851, LGA1700 |
| Kraken Core 360 | 120mm | Not listed | Not listed | AM5, AM4, LGA1851, LGA1700 |
| Coreliquid A13 360 White | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed | AM5, AM4, LGA1851, LGA1700 |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the FX360 PRO our Lowest Price Here pick?
The label rests on a lower price than the Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 and the rest when we checked. It is aimed at anyone who would rather put the savings elsewhere than into the Liquid Freezer III Pro 360.
Does the Liquid Freezer III Pro 420 have VRM fan, and which others do?
The Liquid Freezer III Pro 420 and the Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 have it. The FX360 PRO, the Kraken Core 360 and the Coreliquid A13 360 White have no VRM fan listed, so 2 of 5 picks are covered here.
What extras do the Liquid Freezer III Pro 420 and the FX360 PRO include?
The Liquid Freezer III Pro 420: P14 PRO fans. The FX360 PRO: a 350W rating. The Liquid Freezer III Pro 360: P12 PRO fans.
Who should choose the Liquid Freezer III Pro 420?
The Liquid Freezer III Pro 420 carries our Premium Pick label for the highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with P14 PRO fans. It ranks first of 5 here and sat in the $50 to $100 tier at our last price check; it suits anyone who wants P14 PRO fans and can spend more than the Coreliquid A13 360 White costs.
Should I pick the Liquid Freezer III Pro 420 or the Coreliquid A13 360 White?
The Liquid Freezer III Pro 420 suits buyers who want P14 PRO fans and can spend more than the Coreliquid A13 360 White costs; the Coreliquid A13 360 White suits buyers who want split-flow radiator with the pump built into it.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Liquid Freezer III Pro 420, chosen for the highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with P14 PRO fans. Look at the FX360 PRO for a lower price than the Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 and the rest when we checked, the Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 for P12 PRO fans and the Kraken Core 360 for a single-cable connection from the pump if those matter more to you.
Leave room for the radiator's thickness plus fans at the top of the case.
Related Guides
- Related guideThe Best 360mm AIO Liquid Coolers
- Related guideThe Best 240mm AIO Liquid Coolers
- Related guideThe Best CPU Air Coolers
- Lower budgetThe Best AIO Coolers Under $80
- Higher budgetThe Best AIO Coolers Under $120
- ExplainerPC Airflow Explained
- ExplainerHow Many Case Fans Do You Need?
- Check compatibility: processorsHow to Check CPU and Motherboard Compatibility
- Similar guideThe Best CPU Coolers Under $30
- 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
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