Buying Guide
The Best Liquid CPU Coolers Under $200
Seven 360mm AIO coolers priced under $200 at the time of writing, compared on displays, pumps, fans and cabling.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
13 min read7 products evaluated
Under $200, 360mm AIOs add pump screens, wireless or daisy-chained fans and one-cable wiring.
We compared seven AIOs on displays, pumps, fans and cabling, using the makers' specifications.
Quick Picks
Which of the 7 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Best Under $200
CORSAIR iCUE LINK TITAN II 360 RX RGBA Gen 2 pump on one iCUE LINK cable.
Best for: Corsair builds.
Check price for CORSAIR iCUE LINK TITAN II 360 RX RGB on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best Small Screen
NZXT Kraken Plus 360A 1.54-inch LCD on one breakout cable.
Best for: NZXT CAM users.
Check price for NZXT Kraken Plus 360 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best Large Screen
LIAN LI Galahad II LCD 360 WhiteA 2.88-inch LCD.
Best for: Showcase builds.
Check price for LIAN LI Galahad II LCD 360 White on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best Flexible Tubes
Lian Li HydroShift II LCD-S 360 CL WhiteAdjustable tube routing and a 3.4-inch screen.
Best for: Tight cases.
Check price for Lian Li HydroShift II LCD-S 360 CL White on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Well-Rounded Choice
LIAN LI Galahad II Trinity 360 WhiteThe Galahad II Trinity 360 uses a 27mm radiator with SL-INF fans and three interchangeable pump caps.
Best for: Buyers who want 27mm radiator.
Check price for LIAN LI Galahad II Trinity 360 White on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Solid Alternative
NZXT Kraken Plus 360 RGB WhiteThe Kraken Plus 360 RGB White pairs NZXT's small LCD pump with RGB fans in white.
Best for: Buyers who want 1.54-inch pump-head display for temperatures or images.
Check price for NZXT Kraken Plus 360 RGB White on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Best Without Lighting Focus
be quiet! Silent Loop 3 360mmHigh-speed Silent Wings 4 fans.
Best for: Performance-first builds.
Check price for be quiet! Silent Loop 3 360mm on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Our Picks
Best Under $2001 of 7
CORSAIR iCUE LINK TITAN II 360 RX RGB
The Titan II 360 RX moves to a second-generation FlowDrive pump and RX II fans on a unified frame, still on one iCUE LINK cable.
Best for
- Corsair builds.
Skip if
- Look at the others if this bothers you: lighting and display control need iCUE.
Why we like it
iCUE LINK chains all components to one hub port, and the unified fan frame means fewer screws and cables. No other pick in this guide offers iCUE software; compare the HydroShift II LCD-S 360, which has L-Connect software. 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. Before buying, weigh one limit: costs more than the Silent Loop 3 360 at the time of writing. It was priced above the Kraken Plus 360 and below the HydroShift II LCD-S 360 at the time of writing.
Key specs
- Fan size
- 120mm
- Cabling
- One-cable iCUE LINK hub for pump and fans
- Software
- iCUE
- Sockets named
- AM5, AM4, LGA1851, LGA1700
Pros
- One-cable iCUE LINK hub for pump and fans
- Mounts on both AM5 and Intel LGA1851
- FlowDrive Gen 2 pump
- RX II fans on a unified frame
Cons
- Lighting and display control need iCUE
- Costs more than the Silent Loop 3 360 at the time of writing
Best Small Screen2 of 7
NZXT Kraken Plus 360
The Kraken Plus 360 adds a small LCD to NZXT's Turbine pump and runs everything from one breakout cable.
Best for
- NZXT CAM users.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: lighting and display control need NZXT CAM.
Why we like it
It shares a 1.54-inch pump display with the Kraken Plus 360 RGB White; the HydroShift II LCD-S 360 goes with a 3.4-inch IPS pump display. 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. On price it sat third of 7, between the cheaper Kraken Plus 360 RGB White and the pricier Titan II 360 RX, at the time of writing.
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 Silent Loop 3 360 at the time of writing
Best Large Screen3 of 7
LIAN LI Galahad II LCD 360 White
The Galahad II LCD 360 has a 2.88-inch screen on an Asetek-based pump and SL-INF fans that daisy-chain.
Best for
- Showcase builds.
Skip if
- Pass on it if lighting and display control need L-Connect rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
It is the only pick here with a 2.88-inch IPS pump display; the Kraken Plus 360 RGB White has a 1.54-inch pump display instead. Like the HydroShift II LCD-S 360 and Galahad II Trinity 360, it has L-Connect software, while the Kraken Plus 360 RGB White uses NZXT CAM software. It also comes with a white finish.
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. The maker doesn't spell out LGA1851 mounting, so confirm it on the maker's site for a Core Ultra build. Plan to install L-Connect for lighting and display control; fan and pump speed can also run from the motherboard's headers. At our last price check it topped the group, with the Galahad II Trinity 360 the nearest cheaper option.
Key specs
- Max pump speed
- 3600 RPM
- Fan size
- 120mm
- Pump display
- 2.88-inch IPS
- Software
- L-Connect
- Sockets named
- AM5, AM4, Intel
Pros
- 2.88-inch IPS pump-head display for temperatures or images
- SL-INF daisy-chain fans
- White finish
- A 2.88-inch LCD
Cons
- Lighting and display control need L-Connect
- Costs more than the Silent Loop 3 360 at the time of writing
Best Flexible Tubes4 of 7
Lian Li HydroShift II LCD-S 360 CL White
The HydroShift II LCD-S 360 has a 3.4-inch screen and tubes that can exit in different directions.
Best for
- Tight cases.
Skip if
- Skip it if this is a deal-breaker for you: lighting and display control need L-Connect.
Why we like it
It is the only pick here with a 3.4-inch IPS pump display; the Galahad II LCD 360 has a 2.88-inch IPS pump display instead. Like the Galahad II LCD 360 and Galahad II Trinity 360, it has L-Connect software, while the Kraken Plus 360 RGB White uses NZXT CAM software. It also comes with adjustable tube routing, a slim 24mm radiator and a white finish.
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. The maker doesn't spell out LGA1851 mounting, so confirm it on the maker's site for a Core Ultra build. Plan to install L-Connect for lighting and display control; fan and pump speed can also run from the motherboard's headers. When we checked, only the Titan II 360 RX and cheaper picks cost less, and the Galahad II Trinity 360 cost more.
Key specs
- Max fan speed
- 2200 RPM
- Fan size
- 120mm
- Pump display
- 3.4-inch IPS
- Zero RPM mode
- Yes
- Software
- L-Connect
- Sockets named
- AM5, AM4, Intel
Pros
- 3.4-inch IPS pump-head display for temperatures or images
- Zero RPM mode stops the fans at light load
- Adjustable tube routing
- Slim 24mm radiator
Cons
- Lighting and display control need L-Connect
- Costs more than the Silent Loop 3 360 at the time of writing
Well-Rounded Choice5 of 7
LIAN LI Galahad II Trinity 360 White
The Galahad II Trinity 360 uses a 27mm radiator with SL-INF fans and three interchangeable pump caps.
Best for
- Buyers who want 27mm radiator.
Skip if
- Choose another pick if you can't accept this: lighting and display control need L-Connect.
Why we like it
It shares L-Connect software with the Galahad II LCD 360 and HydroShift II LCD-S 360; the Kraken Plus 360 RGB White goes with NZXT CAM software. 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. The maker doesn't spell out LGA1851 mounting, so confirm it on the maker's site for a Core Ultra build.
Plan to install L-Connect for lighting control; fan and pump speed can also run from the motherboard's headers. On price it sat sixth of 7, between the cheaper HydroShift II LCD-S 360 and the pricier Galahad II LCD 360, at the time of writing.
Key specs
- Fan size
- 120mm
- Software
- L-Connect
- Sockets named
- AM5, AM4, Intel
Pros
- 27mm radiator
- Three interchangeable pump cap designs
- SL-INF fans
Cons
- Lighting and display control need L-Connect
- Costs more than the Silent Loop 3 360 at the time of writing
Solid Alternative6 of 7
NZXT Kraken Plus 360 RGB White
The Kraken Plus 360 RGB White pairs NZXT's small LCD pump with RGB fans in white.
Best for
- Buyers who want 1.54-inch pump-head display for temperatures or images.
Skip if
- Pass on it if lighting and display control need NZXT CAM rules it out for your setup.
Why we like it
Like the Kraken Plus 360, it has a 1.54-inch pump display, while the Galahad II LCD 360 uses a 2.88-inch IPS pump display. Like the Kraken Plus 360, it has NZXT CAM software, while the HydroShift II LCD-S 360 uses L-Connect software. 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 priced above the Silent Loop 3 360 and below the Kraken Plus 360 at the time of writing.
Key specs
- Fan size
- 120mm
- Pump display
- 1.54-inch
- Software
- NZXT CAM
- Sockets named
- AM5, AM4, LGA1851, LGA1700
Pros
- 1.54-inch pump-head display for temperatures or images
- Mounts on both AM5 and Intel LGA1851
- White finish with RGB fans
- NZXT's Turbine pump
Cons
- Lighting and display control need NZXT CAM
- Costs more than the Silent Loop 3 360 at the time of writing
Best Without Lighting Focus7 of 7
be quiet! Silent Loop 3 360mm
The Silent Loop 3 360 uses three high-speed Silent Wings 4 fans and a dampened pump; its cold plate also covers Threadripper.
Best for
- Performance-first builds.
Skip if
- Look at the other picks if you need a feature not covered above.
Why we like it
A three-chamber pump reduces turbulence and noise, and three Silent Wings 4 fans are tuned for quiet running. The pump can be dampened and adjusted, which helps if pump noise bothers you at idle. Its engineered cooling block targets high-power CPUs.
Its radiator corners hold the fans flush for quieter airflow. 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 undercut the Kraken Plus 360 RGB White and every other pick on price at the time of writing.
Key specs
- Fan size
- 120mm
- Sockets named
- AM5, AM4, LGA1851, LGA1700
Pros
- Mounts on both AM5 and Intel LGA1851
- Three Silent Wings 4 high-speed fans
- Dampened, adjustable pump
- Threadripper cold-plate coverage
How We Chose These Liquid Coolers Under $200
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 lined up seven AIO coolers on fan size, pump display, zero RPM mode and software, using each maker's published specs. We did not test them in-house, and pump display and zero RPM mode are missing for at least one pick.
- What every pick has in common
- All 7, from the Titan II 360 RX to the Silent Loop 3 360, state fan size and sockets named.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Titan II 360 RX, the Galahad II Trinity 360 and the Silent Loop 3 360 give no pump display; the Titan II 360 RX, the Galahad II LCD 360, the Galahad II Trinity 360, the Kraken Plus 360 RGB White and the Silent Loop 3 360 give no zero RPM mode.
- Price range
- At our last check the picks ran from the Silent Loop 3 360 ($100 to $150) to the Galahad II LCD 360 ($150 to $250).
What to Look for in a Liquid Cooler Under $200
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Zero RPM mode
The Kraken Plus 360 and the HydroShift II LCD-S 360 have it.
Software
The Titan II 360 RX lists iCUE; the Kraken Plus 360 and the Kraken Plus 360 RGB White list NZXT CAM; the Galahad II LCD 360, the HydroShift II LCD-S 360 and the Galahad II Trinity 360 list L-Connect.
A tower air cooler with brown fans installed in a PC Extras that separate them
The Galahad II Trinity 360: three interchangeable pump cap designs. The Kraken Plus 360 RGB White: NZXT's Turbine pump. The Silent Loop 3 360: a dampened, adjustable pump.
How much to spend
$100 to $150 buys the Silent Loop 3 360 and the Kraken Plus 360 RGB White; $150 to $250 buys the Kraken Plus 360, the Titan II 360 RX, the HydroShift II LCD-S 360, the Galahad II Trinity 360 and the Galahad II LCD 360 at our last check.
A tower air cooler in a case with red-lit fans Start from what matters most
Corsair builds: the Titan II 360 RX. NZXT CAM users: the Kraken Plus 360. Showcase builds: the Galahad II LCD 360.
How to Choose a Liquid Cooler Under $200
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Corsair builds | Titan II 360 RX | A Gen 2 pump on one iCUE LINK cable |
| NZXT CAM users | Kraken Plus 360 | A 1.54-inch LCD on one breakout cable |
| Showcase builds | Galahad II LCD 360 | A 2.88-inch LCD |
| Tight cases | HydroShift II LCD-S 360 | Adjustable tube routing and a 3.4-inch screen |
| Performance-first builds | Silent Loop 3 360 | High-speed Silent Wings 4 fans |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Titan II 360 RX, the Kraken Plus 360 and the rest, as their makers list them.
| AIO cooler | Fan size | Pump display | Zero RPM mode | Software |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Titan II 360 RX | 120mm | Not listed | Not listed | iCUE |
| Kraken Plus 360 | 120mm | 1.54-inch | Yes | NZXT CAM |
| Galahad II LCD 360 | 120mm | 2.88-inch IPS | Not listed | L-Connect |
| HydroShift II LCD-S 360 | 120mm | 3.4-inch IPS | Yes | L-Connect |
| Galahad II Trinity 360 | 120mm | Not listed | Not listed | L-Connect |
| Kraken Plus 360 RGB White | 120mm | 1.54-inch | Not listed | NZXT CAM |
| Silent Loop 3 360 | 120mm | Not listed | Not listed | Not listed |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
By price at the time of writing
The Silent Loop 3 360 was the lowest-priced pick ($100 to $150) and the Galahad II LCD 360 the highest ($150 to $250) when we checked; tiers move with Amazon pricing.
| Price tier | AIO coolers |
|---|---|
| About $100 to $150 | Silent Loop 3 360, Kraken Plus 360 RGB White |
| About $150 to $250 | Kraken Plus 360, Titan II 360 RX, HydroShift II LCD-S 360, Galahad II Trinity 360, Galahad II LCD 360 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the HydroShift II LCD-S 360 our Best Flexible Tubes pick?
It earns the label for adjustable tube routing and a 3.4-inch screen. The Silent Loop 3 360, the cheapest pick, sat in the $100 to $150 tier against $150 to $250 here, without out-ranking it on any listed spec. It suits tight cases.
Do the Kraken Plus 360 and the Galahad II LCD 360 differ on pump display?
The Kraken Plus 360 and the Kraken Plus 360 RGB White use 1.54-inch; the Galahad II LCD 360 uses 2.88-inch IPS; the HydroShift II LCD-S 360 uses 3.4-inch IPS. The Titan II 360 RX, the Galahad II Trinity 360 and the Silent Loop 3 360 have no pump display listed, so 4 of 7 picks are covered here.
What extras do the Titan II 360 RX and the Kraken Plus 360 include?
The Titan II 360 RX: a FlowDrive Gen 2 pump. The Kraken Plus 360: NZXT's Turbine pump. The Galahad II LCD 360: SL-INF daisy-chain fans.
Who should choose the Titan II 360 RX?
The Titan II 360 RX carries our Best Under $200 label for a Gen 2 pump on one iCUE LINK cable. It ranks first of 7 here and sat in the $150 to $250 tier at our last price check; it suits corsair builds.
Should I pick the Titan II 360 RX or the Silent Loop 3 360?
The Titan II 360 RX suits corsair builds; the Silent Loop 3 360 suits performance-first builds.
Bottom Line
The Titan II 360 RX is the pick under $200 for Corsair builds. Choose the Kraken Plus 360 for a small screen, the Galahad II LCD or HydroShift II for a large one, and the Silent Loop 3 for performance.
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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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