Buying Guide
The Best Cube PC Cases
Five cube and compact dual-chamber cases compared on GPU room, radiator support, fans and glass, for Micro-ATX builds that sit on the desk.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
12 min read5 products evaluated
Cube cases sit wide and low, often splitting the power supply into a second chamber so the main compartment stays clear. Most take Micro-ATX boards, and GPU room varies widely between models.
We compared five cube and compact dual-chamber cases on listed clearances, radiator support, fans and glass. This is a research-based comparison of maker specifications; we did not build in these cubes ourselves.
Quick Picks
Which of the 5 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Best Cube Case
CORSAIR 2500X360mm radiators in the roof and bottom plus a 240mm side mount.
Best for: A compact liquid-cooled showcase.
Check price for CORSAIR 2500X on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best Value Cube
Lian Li O11 Vision-M410mm GPU room at a low price.
Best for: Budget cube builds with a long graphics card.
Check price for Lian Li O11 Vision-M on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Most Fans Included
MONTECH King 15 PROFour ARGB fans in the box.
Best for: A lit showcase build without buying fans.
Check price for MONTECH King 15 PRO on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Most Portable
JONSBO Z20A detachable carrying handle in a 20L case.
Best for: LAN parties and moving between rooms.
Check price for JONSBO Z20 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best Curved-Glass Design
JONSBO TK-1Double-curved 4mm glass with an aluminium shell.
Best for: Desk builds with a short graphics card.
Check price for JONSBO TK-1 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it stands out | Best for | Check price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 360mm radiators in the roof and bottom plus a 240mm side mount. | A compact liquid-cooled showcase. | Check price for CORSAIR 2500X on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| 410mm GPU room at a low price. | Budget cube builds with a long graphics card. | Check price for Lian Li O11 Vision-M on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| Four ARGB fans in the box. | A lit showcase build without buying fans. | Check price for MONTECH King 15 PRO on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| A detachable carrying handle in a 20L case. | LAN parties and moving between rooms. | Check price for JONSBO Z20 on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| Double-curved 4mm glass with an aluminium shell. | Desk builds with a short graphics card. | Check price for JONSBO TK-1 on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Best Cube Case1 of 5
CORSAIR 2500X
The 2500X is Corsair's small dual-chamber case, with wraparound glass and room for nine 120mm fans.
Best for
- A compact liquid-cooled showcase.
Skip if
- Skip it if you need to know its GPU clearance before buying; the maker doesn't publish one.
Why we like it
Radiators up to 360mm fit in the roof and bottom, which is rare in a Micro-ATX cube, and a 240mm radiator fits on the side. Its dual-chamber layout keeps the power supply and cables out of sight. Its dual chamber keeps cables behind the board, and it supports ASUS BTF and MSI Project Zero rear-connector boards.
It matches the O11 Vision-M and the King 15 PRO on largest radiator size (360mm). It is the only pick here with mATX motherboards; the King 15 PRO has micro-ATX motherboards instead. Confirm GPU length for the 2500X with its maker.
The 2500X takes 360mm radiators; mind RAM height. Boards: mATX. At our last price check it topped the group, with the TK-1 the nearest cheaper option.
Key specs
- Largest radiator
- 360mm
- Motherboards
- mATX
- Glass
- Wraparound front and side glass
Pros
- Fits a 360mm radiator
- Wraparound front and side glass
- Dual-chamber layout
- Room for nine 120mm fans
Cons
- No published GPU clearance
- No published CPU cooler clearance
- Costs more than the O11 Vision-M at the time of writing
The catch
If you want a confirmed GPU clearance, look to the O11 Vision-M instead: it comes in at 410mm, while this one gives no figure.
Best Value Cube2 of 5
Lian Li O11 Vision-M
The O11 Vision-M brings Lian Li's dual-chamber layout to Micro-ATX, with 410mm of GPU room and a 360mm top radiator.
Best for
- Budget cube builds with a long graphics card.
Skip if
- Pass on it if only 1 fan in the box rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
It does not take ATX or back-connect boards, and only one fan comes fitted. On GPU clearance it leads this guide at 410mm, ahead of the Z20 (363mm). Its 162mm CPU cooler clearance is the shortest in this group; the TK-1 leads at 165mm.
On largest radiator size it ties with the 2500X and the King 15 PRO at 360mm. You also get a pre-installed 140mm PWM fan in the second chamber. GPU limit in the O11 Vision-M: 410mm, before front fans.
The O11 Vision-M takes 360mm radiators; mind RAM height. 182mm is the O11 Vision-M's PSU length cap. It was the cheapest of the group when we checked; the Z20 was the next step up.
Key specs
- Max GPU length
- 410mm
- Max CPU cooler height
- 162mm
- Largest radiator
- 360mm
- Max PSU length
- 182mm
- Fans included
- 1
- Motherboards
- mATX, Mini-ITX (no ATX or back-connect)
Pros
- Room for graphics cards up to 410mm long
- Fits a 360mm radiator
- Pre-installed 140mm PWM fan in the second chamber
- Dual-chamber layout
Cons
- Only 1 fan in the box
- CPU cooler clearance trails the TK-1 (165mm)
The catch
If CPU cooler clearance is your priority, the TK-1 (165mm) is the stronger choice.
Most Fans Included3 of 5
MONTECH King 15 PRO
The King 15 PRO puts four ARGB fans behind a 15-degree curved glass panel, with air moving from bottom to top.
Best for
- A lit showcase build without buying fans.
Skip if
- Its GPU clearance is not published, which rules it out if you need that number.
Why we like it
Its roof takes a 360mm radiator up to 84mm thick. The dual-chamber layout hides cables, and a chimney airflow path pulls cool air up through the GPU. On largest radiator size it ties with the 2500X and the O11 Vision-M at 360mm.
It shares micro-ATX motherboards with the Z20; the 2500X goes with mATX motherboards. Confirm GPU length for the King 15 PRO with its maker. The King 15 PRO takes 360mm radiators; mind RAM height.
On price it sat third of 5, between the cheaper Z20 and the pricier TK-1, at the time of writing. The maker doesn't give its GPU clearance; if that figure matters, the O11 Vision-M comes in at 410mm.
Key specs
- Largest radiator
- 360mm
- Fans included
- 4
- Motherboards
- Micro-ATX
- Glass
- 15-degree curved glass
Pros
- Fits a 360mm radiator
- 4 fans included
- 15-degree curved glass
- Top 360mm radiators up to 84mm thick
Cons
- No published GPU clearance
- No published CPU cooler clearance
- Costs more than the O11 Vision-M at the time of writing
Most Portable4 of 5
JONSBO Z20
The Z20 is a 20-litre Micro-ATX box with a detachable handle and 2mm steel panels.
Best for
- LAN parties and moving between rooms.
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: radiators top out at 240mm.
Why we like it
It takes a 363mm graphics card, a 163mm cooler and ATX, SFX or SFX-L power supplies. On GPU clearance it sits mid-pack at 363mm: the O11 Vision-M comes in at 410mm, and the TK-1 comes in at 280mm. On CPU cooler clearance it sits mid-pack at 163mm: the TK-1 comes in at 165mm, and the O11 Vision-M comes in at 162mm.
It matches the TK-1 on largest radiator size (240mm). Like the King 15 PRO, it has micro-ATX motherboards, while the 2500X uses mATX motherboards. It also comes with a 240mm top AIO up to 60mm thick.
GPU limit in the Z20: 363mm, before front fans. The Z20 takes 240mm radiators; mind RAM height. It was priced above the O11 Vision-M and below the King 15 PRO at the time of writing.
Key specs
- Max GPU length
- 363mm
- Max CPU cooler height
- 163mm
- Largest radiator
- 240mm
- Volume
- 20L
- Motherboards
- Micro-ATX
- PSU type
- ATX, SFX or SFX-L
- Front USB-C
- Yes
Pros
- A compact 20L footprint
- A front USB-C port
- Detachable carrying handle
- 2mm bent steel panels
Cons
- Radiators top out at 240mm
- Costs more than the O11 Vision-M at the time of writing
The catch
There is no published PSU length limit figure, whereas the TK-1 comes in at 220mm.
Best Curved-Glass Design5 of 5
JONSBO TK-1
The TK-1 is the most sculpted case here, with double-curved glass over an aluminium shell.
Best for
- Desk builds with a short graphics card.
Skip if
- Pass on it if a 280mm GPU limit rules out many triple-fan cards rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
Its 280mm GPU limit suits shorter cards, but it takes a 165mm tower cooler and a 220mm ATX power supply. Its 280mm GPU clearance is the shortest in this group; the O11 Vision-M leads at 410mm. Its 165mm CPU cooler clearance is the tallest here; the Z20 comes next at 163mm.
On largest radiator size it ties with the Z20 at 240mm. No other pick in this guide offers double-curved 4mm glass; compare the King 15 PRO, which has 15-degree curved glass. It also comes with a separated-chamber layout and outer dimensions of 299 x 310 x 345mm.
GPU limit in the TK-1: 280mm, before front fans. The TK-1 takes 240mm radiators; mind RAM height. 220mm is the TK-1's PSU length cap.
Boards: mATX, Mini-ITX. Its price falls between the King 15 PRO and the 2500X, based on our last check.
Key specs
- Max GPU length
- 280mm
- Max CPU cooler height
- 165mm
- Largest radiator
- 240mm
- Max PSU length
- 220mm
- Motherboards
- mATX, Mini-ITX
- Glass
- Double-curved 4mm glass
- Front USB-C
- Yes
Pros
- Takes tower air coolers up to 165mm tall
- Double-curved 4mm glass
- A front USB-C port
- Aluminium alloy shell
Cons
- A 280mm GPU limit rules out many triple-fan cards
- Radiators top out at 240mm
- GPU clearance trails the O11 Vision-M (410mm)
The catch
If GPU clearance is your priority, the O11 Vision-M (410mm) is the stronger choice.
How We Chose These Cube PC Cases
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 lined up five cases on GPU clearance, CPU cooler clearance, largest radiator size and PSU length limit, using each maker's published specs. We did not test them in-house, and GPU clearance and CPU cooler clearance are missing for at least one pick.
- What every pick has in common
- All 5, from the 2500X to the TK-1, state largest radiator size and motherboards.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The 2500X and the King 15 PRO give no GPU clearance; the 2500X and the King 15 PRO give no CPU cooler clearance.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the O11 Vision-M ($50 to $100) to the 2500X ($150 to $250).
What to Look for in a Cube PC Case
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Largest radiator size
Here largest radiator size runs from 240mm on the TK-1 to 360mm on the 2500X, a 50% spread. The O11 Vision-M comes second at 360mm, in the $50 to $100 tier against $150 to $250 for the 2500X.
GPU clearance across these picks
Across these 3 picks GPU clearance spans 280mm (the TK-1) to 410mm (the O11 Vision-M). The O11 Vision-M is the pick for GPU clearance. The 2500X and the King 15 PRO give no GPU clearance figure, so 3 of 5 picks are compared here.
A compact black PC case beside a speaker on a desk How much CPU cooler clearance you need
Across these 3 picks CPU cooler clearance spans 162mm (the O11 Vision-M) to 165mm (the TK-1). The Z20 comes second at 163mm, in the $50 to $100 tier against $100 to $150 for the TK-1. The 2500X and the King 15 PRO give no CPU cooler clearance figure, so 3 of 5 picks are compared here.
Fit and compatibility
Confirm GPU length for the 2500X with its maker. GPU limit in the O11 Vision-M: 410mm, before front fans. Confirm GPU length for the King 15 PRO with its maker.
Cable management behind the motherboard tray of a PC case Extras that separate them
The King 15 PRO: a bottom-to-top airflow path. The Z20: 2mm bent steel panels. The TK-1: a separated-chamber layout.
How to Choose a Cube PC Case
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| A compact liquid-cooled showcase | 2500X | 360mm radiators in the roof and bottom plus a 240mm side mount |
| Budget cube builds with a long graphics card | O11 Vision-M | 410mm GPU room at a low price |
| A lit showcase build without buying fans | King 15 PRO | Four ARGB fans in the box |
| LAN parties and moving between rooms | Z20 | A detachable carrying handle in a 20L case |
| Desk builds with a short graphics card | TK-1 | Double-curved 4mm glass with an aluminium shell |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The 2500X leads on largest radiator size at 360mm, ahead of the O11 Vision-M at 360mm. "Not listed" marks GPU clearance where the 2500X and the King 15 PRO leave the figure out.
| Case | Max GPU length | Max CPU cooler height | Largest radiator | Max PSU length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2500X | Not listed | Not listed | 360mm | Not listed |
| O11 Vision-M | 410mm | 162mm | 360mm | 182mm |
| King 15 PRO | Not listed | Not listed | 360mm | Not listed |
| Z20 | 363mm | 163mm | 240mm | Not listed |
| TK-1 | 280mm | 165mm | 240mm | 220mm |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The O11 Vision-M was the lowest-priced pick ($50 to $100) and the 2500X the highest ($150 to $250) when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | Cases |
|---|---|
| About $50 to $100 | O11 Vision-M, Z20 |
| About $100 to $150 | King 15 PRO, TK-1 |
| About $150 to $250 | 2500X |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the O11 Vision-M ahead of the Z20 on GPU clearance?
The O11 Vision-M tops GPU clearance at 410mm; the Z20 follows at 363mm, 13% apart. The spread runs down to the TK-1 at 280mm. The 2500X and the King 15 PRO don't state a GPU clearance figure, so they sit outside this comparison; 3 of 5 picks are ranked.
How does the Z20 compare with the TK-1 on CPU cooler clearance?
The TK-1 leads at 165mm, with the Z20 at 163mm. The O11 Vision-M closes the ranking at 162mm. The 2500X and the King 15 PRO are left out of this ranking because their CPU cooler clearance isn't stated; 3 of 5 picks are ranked.
How does the O11 Vision-M compare with the TK-1 on PSU length limit?
The TK-1 leads at 220mm, with the O11 Vision-M at 182mm. The 2500X, the King 15 PRO and the Z20 are left out of this ranking because their PSU length limit isn't stated; 2 of 5 picks are ranked.
Why is the King 15 PRO our Most Fans Included pick?
It earns the label for four ARGB fans in the box. The O11 Vision-M, the cheapest pick, sat in the $50 to $100 tier against $100 to $150 here, without out-ranking it on any listed spec. It suits A lit showcase build without buying fans.
Does the Z20 have front USB-C, and which others do?
The Z20 and the TK-1 have it. The 2500X, the O11 Vision-M and the King 15 PRO have no front USB-C listed, so 2 of 5 picks are covered here.
Will the TK-1 work with my setup?
GPU limit in the TK-1: 280mm, before front fans. The TK-1 takes 240mm radiators; mind RAM height. In this guide it ranks fifth of 5, as our Best Curved-Glass Design pick, and fifth of 5 on largest radiator size (240mm).
Bottom Line
The Corsair 2500X is the most capable cube for liquid cooling, the Lian Li O11 Vision-M is the value pick, and the Montech King 15 PRO comes with the most fans.
The JONSBO Z20 is the portable choice, and the JONSBO TK-1 is the design-led pick for a shorter graphics card.
Related Guides
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- Related guideThe Best Mini-ITX Cases
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- Related guideHow to plan a PC build around your workload
- Lower budgetThe Best Budget PC Cases Under $70
- Higher budgetThe Best PC Cases for High-End Builds
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- Topic hubAll pc cases 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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