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 The PC Journal editorial team
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
Our 5 recommendations at a glance. Tap a pick for the full verdict.
Premium Pick
ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III Pro 420 A-RGB
The highest-priced pick here at the time of writing, with P14 PRO fans.
Best for: Buyers who want the most complete package.
Our take Check price for ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III Pro 420 A-RGB (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Price Here
ID-COOLING FX360 PRO
A 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 in the build.
Our take Check price for ID-COOLING FX360 PRO (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III Pro 360
P12 PRO fans.
Best for: Buyers who want P12 PRO fans.
Our take Check price for ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 (opens in a new tab)
NZXT CAM Software
NZXT Kraken Core 360 RGB
A NZXT CAM software.
Best for: Buyers who want a NZXT CAM software.
Our take Check price for NZXT Kraken Core 360 RGB (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
MSI MAG CORELIQUID A13 360 White
A split-flow radiator with the pump built into it.
Best for: Buyers who want split-flow radiator with the pump built into it.
Our take Check price for MSI MAG CORELIQUID A13 360 White (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Premium Pick1 of 5
ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III Pro 420 A-RGB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Liquid Freezer III Pro 420 uses three 140mm fans on a larger radiator.
Best for
- Buyers who want the most complete package.
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.
Worth noting too: 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 dimensions & 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 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The FX360 PRO is ID-COOLING's budget 360 rated at 350W.
Best for
- Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere in the build.
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 dimensions & 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 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
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 dimensions & 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
NZXT CAM Software4 of 5
NZXT Kraken Core 360 RGB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Kraken Core 360 is NZXT's lower-priced 360 without the LCD, keeping single-cable wiring.
Best for
- Buyers who want a NZXT CAM software.
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 dimensions & 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
- A NZXT CAM software
Cons
- Lighting and display control need NZXT CAM
- Costs more than the FX360 PRO at the time of writing
Strong Alternative5 of 5
MSI MAG CORELIQUID A13 360 White on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
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 dimensions & 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
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 CPU Cooler Under $100
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
How to Choose a CPU Cooler Under $100
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who want the most complete package | 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 in the build | 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 a NZXT CAM software | Kraken Core 360 | A NZXT CAM software |
| 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
Figures as each maker states 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
Which is the cheapest pick in this guide?
The FX360 PRO. It undercut the Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 when we checked, while the Liquid Freezer III Pro 420 cost the most of the group.
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 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.
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.
Is an LCD pump head worth it?
Only for looks or quick temperature readouts. It does not change cooling performance.
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 NZXT CAM software if those matter more to you.
Leave room for the radiator's thickness plus fans at the top of the case.