Buying Guide
The Best CPU Coolers Under $50
We weighed three air coolers on heat pipe count and fan size; the Phantom Spirit 120 SE has the highest heat pipe count, and the Assassin X120 Refined SE costs the least.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
11 min read3 products evaluated
Under $50, tower air coolers handle most gaming CPUs. Every pick cost $50 or less, ordered by heat pipe count.
We ranked these air coolers on heat pipes, fan size and height using manufacturer specifications; we did not test these air coolers ourselves, and where a maker leaves a figure out, we say so.
Quick Picks
Which of the 3 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Highest Heat Pipe Count
Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SEThe highest heat pipe count here (7).
Best for: Buyers who put heat pipe count first.
Check price for Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
ID-COOLING FROZN A620 PRO SEA 260W rating.
Best for: Buyers who want 260W rating.
Check price for ID-COOLING FROZN A620 PRO SE on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Height
Thermalright Assassin X120 Refined SEThe lowest height here (148mm).
Best for: Buyers who put height first.
Check price for Thermalright Assassin X120 Refined SE on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it stands out | Best for | Check price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The highest heat pipe count here (7). | Buyers who put heat pipe count first. | Check price for Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| A 260W rating. | Buyers who want 260W rating. | Check price for ID-COOLING FROZN A620 PRO SE on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| The lowest height here (148mm). | Buyers who put height first. | Check price for Thermalright Assassin X120 Refined SE on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Highest Heat Pipe Count1 of 3
Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE
The Phantom Spirit 120 SE packs seven heat pipes and two 120mm fans into a 154mm-tall dual tower.
Best for
- Buyers who put heat pipe count first.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the Assassin X120 Refined SE, which cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
Thermalright rates it for CPUs up to 280W, which covers most gaming chips with room to spare. Thermalright rates it for CPUs from 105W to 280W, and mounting kits cover AM4, AM5 and Intel up to LGA1851. On heat pipe count it leads this guide at 7, ahead of the Frozn A620 Pro SE (6).
Its 154mm height ranks second of 3 here, behind the Assassin X120 Refined SE (148mm) and ahead of the Frozn A620 Pro SE (157mm). Check that your case offers at least 154mm of CPU cooler clearance before ordering. Only the Frozn A620 Pro SE came close to it on price at the time of writing; it cost the most of the 3 picks.
Key specs
- Heat pipes
- 7
- Fan size
- 120mm
- Height
- 154mm
- Fans included
- 2
- Sockets named
- AM5, AM4, LGA1851, LGA1700
Pros
- 7 heat pipes
- Two fans included
- Mounts on both AM5 and Intel LGA1851
- Dual-tower heatsink
Cons
- Costs more than the Assassin X120 Refined SE at the time of writing
Also Consider2 of 3
ID-COOLING FROZN A620 PRO SE
The Frozn A620 Pro SE is the cheapest dual tower here, with six heat pipes, a 157mm height and a 260W rating.
Best for
- Buyers who want 260W rating.
Skip if
- Skip it if height matters most to you; the Assassin X120 Refined SE offers 148mm.
Why we like it
Its dual-tower heatsink and two 120mm PWM fans stand 157mm tall, which fits most tower cases. The black finish suits a dark interior. Its RAM clearance of 40mm fits standard-height memory under the front fan.
It is rated at 27.2dB(A) maximum noise. Its two PWM fans slow down at idle. On heat pipe count it sits mid-pack at 6: the Phantom Spirit 120 SE offers 7, and the Assassin X120 Refined SE comes in at 4.
On height it trails the group at 157mm, while the Assassin X120 Refined SE comes in at 148mm. Check that your case offers at least 157mm of CPU cooler clearance before ordering. On price it sat second of 3, between the cheaper Assassin X120 Refined SE and the pricier Phantom Spirit 120 SE, at the time of writing.
Key specs
- Heat pipes
- 6
- Fan size
- 120mm
- Height
- 157mm
- Fans included
- 2
Pros
- Two fans included
- 260W rating
- 40mm clearance for standard RAM
- Heat pipe count of 6, ahead of the Assassin X120 Refined SE
Cons
- Height trails the Assassin X120 Refined SE (148mm)
- Costs more than the Assassin X120 Refined SE at the time of writing
The catch
The trade-off is height; for more, the Assassin X120 Refined SE comes in at 148mm.
Lowest Height3 of 3
Thermalright Assassin X120 Refined SE
The Assassin X120 Refined SE is a basic four-heat-pipe tower with one PWM fan and an aluminium cover.
Best for
- Buyers who put height first.
Skip if
- Skip it if heat pipe count matters most to you; the Phantom Spirit 120 SE offers 7.
Why we like it
At 148mm tall it is a cheap step up from a stock cooler. Its TL-C12C fan is a 120mm PWM unit rated up to 1550rpm, 66.17CFM and 25.6dB(A) or less. The four 6mm heat pipes use Thermalright's AGHP technique, which the maker says handles vertical or horizontal mounting.
It weighs 0.645kg and mounts on AM4, AM5 and Intel sockets up to LGA1851. On heat pipe count it trails the group at 4, while the Phantom Spirit 120 SE offers 7. Nothing else here matches its 148mm height; the Phantom Spirit 120 SE comes closest at 154mm.
Check that your case offers at least 148mm of CPU cooler clearance before ordering. It was the cheapest of the group when we checked; the Frozn A620 Pro SE was the next step up.
Key specs
- Heat pipes
- 4
- Fan size
- 120mm
- Height
- 148mm
- Fans included
- 1
Pros
- TL-C12C PWM fan
- Aluminium heatsink cover
- Lowest height of the picks (148mm)
Cons
- Heat pipe count trails the Phantom Spirit 120 SE (7)
The catch
If heat pipe count is your priority, the Phantom Spirit 120 SE (7) is the stronger choice.
How We Chose These CPU Coolers Under $50
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.
- The figures behind the order
- We compared three coolers on heat pipe count, fan size, height and fans included from manufacturer specifications. Nothing was tested in-house; 4 of the 4 fields compared are stated for every pick.
- What every pick has in common
- All 3, from the Phantom Spirit 120 SE to the Assassin X120 Refined SE, state heat pipe count, fan size and height.
- Who each pick suits
- The Phantom Spirit 120 SE for the highest heat pipe count here (7); the Frozn A620 Pro SE for a 260W rating; the Assassin X120 Refined SE for the lowest height here (148mm).
- Price range
- From the Assassin X120 Refined SE to the Phantom Spirit 120 SE, all sat in the under $50 tier when we checked.
What to Look for in a CPU Cooler Under $50
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
How much heat pipe count you need
The Phantom Spirit 120 SE tops heat pipe count at 7 and the Assassin X120 Refined SE sits lowest at 4. The Frozn A620 Pro SE comes second at 6, in the same price tier as the Phantom Spirit 120 SE.
Height
Here height runs from 157mm on the Frozn A620 Pro SE to 148mm on the Assassin X120 Refined SE, a 6% spread. The Assassin X120 Refined SE is the pick for height.
An all-in-one liquid cooler pump block above a graphics card Extras that separate them
The Phantom Spirit 120 SE: a rating of 105W to 280W. The Frozn A620 Pro SE: 40mm clearance for standard RAM. The Assassin X120 Refined SE: an aluminium heatsink cover.
Where your budget lands
All 3 sat in the under $50 tier when we checked, from the Assassin X120 Refined SE at the low end to the Phantom Spirit 120 SE at the top, so decide on features first.
A case with purple-lit front fans and the motherboard area behind them Start from what matters most
Buyers who put heat pipe count first: the Phantom Spirit 120 SE. Buyers who put height first: the Assassin X120 Refined SE.
How to Choose a CPU Cooler Under $50
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who put heat pipe count first | Phantom Spirit 120 SE | The highest heat pipe count here (7) |
| Buyers who want 260W rating | Frozn A620 Pro SE | A 260W rating |
| Buyers who put height first | Assassin X120 Refined SE | The lowest height here (148mm) |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Phantom Spirit 120 SE leads on heat pipe count at 7, ahead of the Frozn A620 Pro SE at 6.
| Cooler | Heat pipes | Fan size | Height | Fans included |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Phantom Spirit 120 SE | 7 | 120mm | 154mm | 2 |
| Frozn A620 Pro SE | 6 | 120mm | 157mm | 2 |
| Assassin X120 Refined SE | 4 | 120mm | 148mm | 1 |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Phantom Spirit 120 SE ahead of the Frozn A620 Pro SE on heat pipe count?
The Phantom Spirit 120 SE tops heat pipe count at 7; the Frozn A620 Pro SE follows at 6, 17% apart. The Assassin X120 Refined SE is at the other end of this group with 4.
How does the Phantom Spirit 120 SE compare with the Assassin X120 Refined SE on height?
The Assassin X120 Refined SE comes out best at 148mm, with the Phantom Spirit 120 SE at 154mm. The spread runs down to the Frozn A620 Pro SE at 157mm.
What does the Phantom Spirit 120 SE add over the Assassin X120 Refined SE?
The spec sheets show heat pipe count (7 against 4) in its favour. It does not win everywhere: the Assassin X120 Refined SE still leads on height (148mm). Both sat in the under $50 tier when we checked, so the gains in heat pipe count cost little extra by tier.
Why is the Assassin X120 Refined SE our Lowest Height pick?
It carries the badge for the lowest height here (148mm). On height it leads the Phantom Spirit 120 SE, 148mm against 154mm, a 4% margin. It suits anyone who puts height first.
What extras do the Phantom Spirit 120 SE and the Frozn A620 Pro SE include?
The Phantom Spirit 120 SE: a dual-tower heatsink. The Frozn A620 Pro SE: a 260W rating. The Assassin X120 Refined SE: a TL-C12C PWM fan.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Phantom Spirit 120 SE, chosen for the highest heat pipe count here (7). Look at the Frozn A620 Pro SE for a 260W rating and the Assassin X120 Refined SE for the lowest height here (148mm) if those matter more to you.
Budget coolers often ship with basic paste; a fresh tube is a cheap upgrade.
Related Guides
- Related guideThe Best Air Coolers
- Related guideThe Best CPU Air Coolers
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- ExplainerPC Airflow Explained
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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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