Buying Guide
The Best PC Cases Under $150
Five PC cases ranked on radiator size and fans included; the Pure Base 600 is the cheapest route in.
By The PC Journal editorial team
12 min read5 products evaluated
Between $100 and $150, cases add better airflow, more fans and panoramic glass. Every pick sits in that range, ordered by fans included.
Rankings weigh largest radiator, fans included and motherboards as the makers state them; if a maker skips largest radiator, 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
Antec Flux Pro
A 420mm and a 360mm radiator at the same time at the highest price in the group.
Best for: Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor.
Our take Check price for Antec Flux Pro (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
Lian Li LANCOOL 217
Two 170mm front fans that can be raised to aim at the CPU.
Best for: Buyers who want two 170mm front fans that can be raised to aim at the CPU.
Our take Check price for Lian Li LANCOOL 217 (opens in a new tab)
Strong Alternative
MONTECH King 15 PRO
Top 360mm radiators up to 84mm thick.
Best for: Buyers who want top 360mm radiators up to 84mm thick.
Our take Check price for MONTECH King 15 PRO (opens in a new tab)
Worth a Look
NZXT H9 Flow White
A white dual-chamber layout.
Best for: Buyers who want white dual-chamber layout.
Our take Check price for NZXT H9 Flow White (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Price Here
be quiet! Pure Base 600
The cheapest way into this group, below the King 15 PRO.
Best for: Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere in the build.
Our take Check price for be quiet! Pure Base 600 (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it’s here | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| A 420mm and a 360mm radiator at the same time at the highest price in the group. | Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor. | Check price for Antec Flux Pro (opens in a new tab) |
| Two 170mm front fans that can be raised to aim at the CPU. | Buyers who want two 170mm front fans that can be raised to aim at the CPU. | Check price for Lian Li LANCOOL 217 (opens in a new tab) |
| Top 360mm radiators up to 84mm thick. | Buyers who want top 360mm radiators up to 84mm thick. | Check price for MONTECH King 15 PRO (opens in a new tab) |
| A white dual-chamber layout. | Buyers who want white dual-chamber layout. | Check price for NZXT H9 Flow White (opens in a new tab) |
| The cheapest way into this group, below the King 15 PRO. | Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere in the build. | Check price for be quiet! Pure Base 600 (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Premium Pick1 of 5
Antec Flux Pro on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Flux Pro includes six fans, the most in this guide, and takes a 420mm and a 360mm radiator together.
Best for
- Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor.
Skip if
- If budget leads, the Pure Base 600 was cheaper at our last price check.
Why we like it
Two reverse fans sit on the PSU shroud to feed the graphics card, and a display shows CPU and GPU temperatures. The power supply mounts rotated 90 degrees, and the case takes E-ATX boards. It mixes metal, glass and wood, and removable brackets on the top, front and shroud make radiators easier to fit.
It matches the H9 Flow White on largest radiator size (420mm). It is the only pick here with E-ATX motherboards; the Lancool 217 has ATX motherboards instead. Confirm GPU length for the Flux Pro with its maker.
Boards: E-ATX. At our last price check it topped the group, with the Lancool 217 the nearest cheaper option.
Key dimensions & specs
- Largest radiator: 420mm
- Fans included: 6
- Motherboards: E-ATX
Pros
- Fits a 420mm radiator
- 6 fans included
- 420mm and a 360mm radiator at the same time
- Two reverse fans on the PSU shroud
Cons
- Costs more than the Pure Base 600 at the time of writing
Also Consider2 of 5
Lian Li LANCOOL 217 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Lancool 217 ships with five fans, more than any other mid-tower here, so it needs nothing extra before first boot.
Best for
- Buyers who want two 170mm front fans that can be raised to aim at the CPU.
Skip if
- The maker gives no largest radiator size, so look elsewhere if that figure decides it for you.
Why we like it
Its two 170mm front fans can be raised to point at the CPU, and the PSU can mount in two orientations. You get ATX motherboards here, which sets it apart from the King 15 PRO and its micro-ATX motherboards. You also get two 120mm reversed-blade fans and a 140mm rear fan, two PSU mounting positions and walnut wood front accents.
Confirm GPU length for the Lancool 217 with its maker. 220mm is the Lancool 217's PSU length cap. Its price falls between the H9 Flow White and the Flux Pro, based on our last check. Buyers who need a confirmed largest radiator size should compare it with the Flux Pro, which comes in at 420mm.
Key dimensions & specs
- Max PSU length: 220mm
- Fans included: 5
- Motherboards: ATX
Pros
- 5 fans included
- Two 170mm front fans that can be raised to aim at the CPU
- Two 120mm reversed-blade fans and a 140mm rear fan
- Two PSU mounting positions
Cons
- No published largest radiator size
- Costs more than the Pure Base 600 at the time of writing
Strong Alternative3 of 5
MONTECH King 15 PRO on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The King 15 PRO puts four ARGB fans behind a 15-degree curved glass panel, with air moving from bottom to top.
Best for
- Buyers who want top 360mm radiators up to 84mm thick.
Skip if
- Price-first buyers should look at the Pure Base 600, which cost less when we checked.
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 Pure Base 600 at 360mm.
Micro-ATX motherboards is unique to it among these picks, while the Lancool 217 uses ATX 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 second of 5, between the cheaper Pure Base 600 and the pricier H9 Flow White, at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & 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
- Costs more than the Pure Base 600 at the time of writing
Worth a Look4 of 5
NZXT H9 Flow White on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The H9 Flow White is NZXT's larger dual-chamber case, with four fans included and room for up to ten.
Best for
- Buyers who want white dual-chamber layout.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the Pure Base 600 cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
It fits a 420mm radiator behind wraparound glass. Its dual-chamber layout hides the PSU and drives, and three F140Q fans come pre-installed. Perforated steel panels feed air to high-power builds.
The dual-chamber design separates the PSU and drives from the main components. Three F140Q fans come in the front-right and one F120Q at the rear, behind perforated steel panels. It matches the Flux Pro on largest radiator size (420mm).
Confirm GPU length for the H9 Flow White with its maker. The H9 Flow White takes 420mm radiators; mind RAM height. It was priced above the King 15 PRO and below the Lancool 217 at the time of writing.
Key dimensions & specs
- Largest radiator: 420mm
- Fans included: 4
- Glass: Wraparound tempered glass
Pros
- Fits a 420mm radiator
- 4 fans included
- Wraparound tempered glass
- White dual-chamber layout
Cons
- Costs more than the Pure Base 600 at the time of writing
Lowest Price Here5 of 5
be quiet! Pure Base 600 on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
The Pure Base 600 is a quiet-leaning mid-tower with two Pure Wings 2 fans and an adjustable top vent.
Best for
- Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere in the build.
Skip if
- Skip it if largest radiator size matters most to you; the Flux Pro offers 420mm.
Why we like it
It fits 360mm radiators and carries a three-year warranty. On largest radiator size it ties with the King 15 PRO at 360mm. Confirm GPU length for the Pure Base 600 with its maker.
The Pure Base 600 takes 360mm radiators; mind RAM height. It makes the most sense for buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere in the build, since it offers the cheapest way into this group, below the King 15 PRO. It undercut the King 15 PRO and every other pick on price at the time of writing. The trade-off is largest radiator size; for more, the Flux Pro comes in at 420mm.
Key dimensions & specs
- Largest radiator: 360mm
- Fans included: 2
Pros
- Fits a 360mm radiator
- Two Pure Wings 2 fans
- Adjustable top cover vent
- Three-year warranty
Cons
- Largest radiator size trails the Flux Pro (420mm)
How We Chose These PC Cases Under $150
Each pick was assessed across 4 criteria weighted for real-world use.
- The figures behind the order
- We lined up five cases on largest radiator size, fans included, motherboards and glass, using each maker's published specs. We did not test them in-house.
- What every pick has in common
- All 5, from the Flux Pro to the Pure Base 600, state fans included.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Lancool 217 gives no largest radiator size; the H9 Flow White and the Pure Base 600 give no motherboards.
- Price range
- From the Pure Base 600 to the Flux Pro, all sat in the $100 to $150 tier when we checked.
What to Look for in a PC Case Under $150
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
How much largest radiator size you need
Here largest radiator size runs from 360mm on the Pure Base 600 to 420mm on the Flux Pro. The H9 Flow White comes second for less money. No figure for the Lancool 217.
Glass
The King 15 PRO lists 15-degree curved glass; the H9 Flow White lists Wraparound tempered glass. Settle this first, then compare prices.
Fit and compatibility
Confirm GPU length for the Flux Pro with its maker. Confirm GPU length for the Lancool 217 with its maker. Confirm GPU length for the King 15 PRO with its maker.
Extras that separate them
The King 15 PRO: a bottom-to-top airflow path. The H9 Flow White: room for up to ten fans. The Pure Base 600: an adjustable top cover vent.
Where your budget lands
All 5 sat in one tier when we checked, from the Pure Base 600 at the low end to the Flux Pro at the top, so decide on features first.
Mesh fronts and included fans
Mesh or perforated front panels breathe more easily than solid or glass fronts. Included fans save money; a case with none needs at least two or three before it is ready to use.
How to Choose a PC Case Under $150
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers for whom price is not the deciding factor | Flux Pro | A 420mm and a 360mm radiator at the same time at the highest price in the group |
| Buyers who want two 170mm front fans that can be raised to aim at the CPU | Lancool 217 | Two 170mm front fans that can be raised to aim at the CPU |
| Buyers who want top 360mm radiators up to 84mm thick | King 15 PRO | Top 360mm radiators up to 84mm thick |
| Buyers who want white dual-chamber layout | H9 Flow White | A white dual-chamber layout |
| Buyers who would rather put the savings elsewhere in the build | Pure Base 600 | The cheapest way into this group, below the King 15 PRO |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The Flux Pro leads on largest radiator size at 420mm, ahead of the H9 Flow White at 420mm. "Not listed" means the maker leaves that figure out.
| Case | Largest radiator | Fans included | Motherboards | Glass |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flux Pro | 420mm | 6 | E-ATX | Not listed |
| Lancool 217 | Not listed | 5 | ATX | Not listed |
| King 15 PRO | 360mm | 4 | Micro-ATX | 15-degree curved glass |
| H9 Flow White | 420mm | 4 | Not listed | Wraparound tempered glass |
| Pure Base 600 | 360mm | 2 | Not listed | Not listed |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Flux Pro add over the Pure Base 600?
On paper it adds largest radiator size (420mm against 360mm). The Pure Base 600 was the lowest-priced pick when we checked, so pay the difference only if those gains matter to you.
Why is the Pure Base 600 our Lowest Price Here pick?
It earns the label for the cheapest way into this group, below the King 15 PRO. It suits anyone who would rather put the savings elsewhere in the build.
Do the Flux Pro and the Lancool 217 differ on motherboards?
The Flux Pro uses E-ATX; the Lancool 217 uses ATX; the King 15 PRO uses Micro-ATX. The makers of the H9 Flow White and the Pure Base 600 don't say.
Will the Lancool 217 work with my setup?
Confirm GPU length for the Lancool 217 with its maker. 220mm is the Lancool 217's PSU length cap. In this guide it ranks second of 5.
What extras do the Flux Pro and the Lancool 217 include?
The Flux Pro: a 420mm and a 360mm radiator at the same time. The Lancool 217: two 170mm front fans that can be raised to aim at the CPU. The King 15 PRO: top 360mm radiators up to 84mm thick.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the Flux Pro, chosen for a 420mm and a 360mm radiator at the same time at the highest price in the group. Look at the Lancool 217 for two 170mm front fans that can be raised to aim at the CPU, the King 15 PRO for top 360mm radiators up to 84mm thick and the H9 Flow White for a white dual-chamber layout if those matter more to you.
Count included fans against what you'd buy separately.