The Best Low-Profile CPU Coolers

It covers AM5 and LGA1851 with a six-year warranty. It matches the AXP120-X67 and the IS-55 on fan size (120mm). Its 70mm height is the tallest in this group; the NH-L9a-AM4 leads at 37mm.

At 70mm tall it suits slim and small form factor cases, but a cooler this low sits close to the memory, so check your RAM height against the maker's clearance figure. When we checked, only the NH-L9a-AM4 and cheaper picks cost less, and the NH-L9x65 cost more. If you want a confirmed heat pipe count, look to the AXP120-X67 instead: it offers 6, while this one gives no figure.

It is the value choice for small cases with a 65W or mid-range CPU. On heat pipe count it leads this guide at 6, ahead of the IS-55 (5). On fan size it ties with the NH-L12S and the IS-55 at 120mm.

On height it sits mid-pack at 67mm: the NH-L9a-AM4 comes in at 37mm, and the NH-L12S comes in at 70mm. It also offers a 26.1dB(A) noise rating. At 67mm tall it suits slim and small form factor cases, but a cooler this low sits close to the memory, so check your RAM height against the maker's clearance figure.

The maker names AM5 but not Intel LGA1851, so check the maker's site if you are building on Core Ultra. On price it sat second of 6, between the cheaper AXP90-X47 and the pricier IS-55, at the time of writing. The maker doesn't give its warranty; if that figure matters, the NH-L12S offers 6-year.

It fits cases too short for the 67mm to 70mm coolers. On heat pipe count it sits mid-pack at 5: the AXP120-X67 offers 6, and the AXP90-X47 comes in at 4. On fan size it ties with the NH-L12S and the AXP120-X67 at 120mm.

On height it sits mid-pack at 57mm: the NH-L9a-AM4 comes in at 37mm, and the NH-L12S comes in at 70mm. It also comes with a 15mm-thick 120mm fan. At 57mm tall it suits slim and small form factor cases, but a cooler this low sits close to the memory, so check your RAM height against the maker's clearance figure.

On price it sat third of 6, between the cheaper AXP120-X67 and the pricier NH-L9a-AM4, at the time of writing. The maker doesn't give its warranty; if that figure matters, the NH-L12S offers 6-year.

It is a tidy fit for mini-ITX boards with a 65W CPU. On fan size it ties with the AXP90-X47 and the NH-L9a-AM4 at 92mm. On height it sits mid-pack at 65mm: the NH-L9a-AM4 comes in at 37mm, and the NH-L12S comes in at 70mm.

It also comes with an all-black chromax finish. At 65mm tall it suits slim and small form factor cases, but a cooler this low sits close to the memory, so check your RAM height against the maker's clearance figure. It was the highest-priced of the 6 picks at the time of writing, so the case for it rests on what it adds over the NH-L12S and the rest. The maker doesn't give its heat pipe count; if that figure matters, the AXP120-X67 offers 6.

It is the slimmest option here with an AM5 listing. On heat pipe count it trails the group at 4, while the AXP120-X67 offers 6. On fan size it ties with the NH-L9x65 and the NH-L9a-AM4 at 92mm.

On height it sits mid-pack at 47mm: the NH-L9a-AM4 comes in at 37mm, and the NH-L12S comes in at 70mm. It also offers a 22.4dB(A) noise rating. At 47mm tall it suits slim and small form factor cases, but a cooler this low sits close to the memory, so check your RAM height against the maker's clearance figure.

The maker names AM5 but not Intel LGA1851, so check the maker's site if you are building on Core Ultra. It undercut the AXP120-X67 and every other pick on price at the time of writing.

The maker specifies AM4 only; AM5 shares the mounting, but confirm support on Noctua's site before an AM5 build. It matches the NH-L9x65 and the AXP90-X47 on fan size (92mm). Its 37mm height is the lowest here; the AXP90-X47 comes next at 47mm.

It also comes with a compact footprint that clears RAM and PCIe slots on AMD boards. At 37mm tall it suits slim and small form factor cases, but a cooler this low sits close to the memory, so check your RAM height against the maker's clearance figure. It was priced above the IS-55 and below the NH-L12S at the time of writing. There is no published heat pipe count figure, whereas the AXP120-X67 offers 6.