Buying Guide
The Best Thermal Paste Under $30
Three thermal pastes compared, from the Kryonaut Extreme to the NT-H2 10g, with the trade-offs of each named.
By Alex Morgan, PC Hardware Editor
11 min read3 products evaluated
Between $20 and $30 you are paying for enthusiast formulas or large tubes. Every pick sits in that range, ordered by tube size.
Our comparison rests on published figures for amount, applications per tube and in the box; where a maker leaves out applications per tube, we say so, and no figure here comes from our own testing.
Quick Picks
Which of the 3 picks to look at first. Tap a name for the full analysis.
Largest Tube Size
Noctua NT-H2 (10g)The largest tube size here (10g).
Best for: Buyers who put tube size first.
Check price for Noctua NT-H2 (10g) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Also Consider
Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut (5.55g)A maker claim that it does not dry out at 80°C.
Best for: Buyers who want maker claim that it does not dry out at 80°C.
Check price for Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut (5.55g) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
Lowest Price Here
Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut Extreme (2g)The lowest price of the group at our last check.
Best for: Spending as little as possible, with the Kryonaut 5.55g the next step up.
Check price for Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut Extreme (2g) on Amazon (opens in a new tab)
| Pick | Why it stands out | Best for | Check price |
|---|---|---|---|
| The largest tube size here (10g). | Buyers who put tube size first. | Check price for Noctua NT-H2 (10g) on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| A maker claim that it does not dry out at 80°C. | Buyers who want maker claim that it does not dry out at 80°C. | Check price for Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut (5.55g) on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
| The lowest price of the group at our last check. | Spending as little as possible, with the Kryonaut 5.55g the next step up. | Check price for Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut Extreme (2g) on Amazon (opens in a new tab) |
Our Picks
Largest Tube Size1 of 3
Noctua NT-H2 (10g)
The 10g NT-H2 is Noctua's second-generation paste in a size meant for builders who work on many machines, with 10 cleaning wipes included.
Best for
- Buyers who put tube size first.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the Kryonaut Extreme cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
Noctua quotes around 9 to 60 applications depending on CPU size. On tube size it leads this guide at 10g, ahead of the Kryonaut 5.55g (5.55g). You get a 10 cleaning wipes in the box here, which sets it apart from the Kryonaut Extreme and its an a syringe and applicator in the box.
It also offers enough for dozens of mainstream CPUs. Clean off old paste with isopropyl alcohol first, then apply a pea-sized dot or a thin line on the heatspreader; on large Intel chips an X or a line covers the longer die better. Do not pre-spread it; let the cooler's mounting pressure distribute it. It was the highest-priced of the 3 picks at the time of writing, so the case for it rests on what it adds over the Kryonaut 5.55g and the rest.
Key specs
- Amount
- 10g
- Rated service life
- up to 5 years
- Applications per tube
- About 9 to 60
- In the box
- 10 cleaning wipes
- Application
- No need to spread before mounting
Pros
- 10g is enough for several applications
- Maker-rated for up to 5 years without reapplying
- Includes 10 cleaning wipes
- The second generation of Noctua's NT-H1
Cons
- Costs more than the Kryonaut Extreme at the time of writing
Also Consider2 of 3
Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut (5.55g)
Kryonaut is Thermal Grizzly's enthusiast paste, sold with a syringe and spatula for a precise thin layer.
Best for
- Buyers who want maker claim that it does not dry out at 80°C.
Skip if
- Skip it if price comes first: the Kryonaut Extreme cost less when we checked.
Why we like it
The 5.55g size suits overclockers who remount often, and the maker says it does not dry out at 80°C. It is popular with overclockers and suits standard builds too. The 5.55g size covers many repastes.
On tube size it sits mid-pack at 5.55g: the NT-H2 10g comes in at 10g, and the Kryonaut Extreme comes in at 2g. It is the only pick here with an a syringe and spatula in the box; the NT-H2 10g has a 10 cleaning wipes in the box instead. Clean off old paste with isopropyl alcohol first, then apply a pea-sized dot or a thin line on the heatspreader; on large Intel chips an X or a line covers the longer die better. It was priced above the Kryonaut Extreme and below the NT-H2 10g at the time of writing.
Key specs
- Amount
- 5.55g
- In the box
- a syringe and spatula
Pros
- 5.55g is enough for several applications
- Includes a syringe and spatula
- Maker claim that it does not dry out at 80°C
- Formula Thermal Grizzly aims at overclockers
Cons
- Costs more than the Kryonaut Extreme at the time of writing
Lowest Price Here3 of 3
Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut Extreme (2g)
Kryonaut Extreme is Thermal Grizzly's highest-conductivity non-metal paste, aimed at overclocked and high-power chips.
Best for
- Spending as little as possible, with the Kryonaut 5.55g the next step up.
Skip if
- Skip it if tube size matters most to you; the NT-H2 10g offers 10g.
Why we like it
The 2g tube covers up to 12 CPUs by the maker's estimate, and a syringe and applicator come in the box. On tube size it trails the group at 2g, while the NT-H2 10g comes in at 10g. It is the only pick here with an a syringe and applicator in the box; the NT-H2 10g has a 10 cleaning wipes in the box instead.
It also offers stability up to 80°C, by the maker's claim. Clean off old paste with isopropyl alcohol first, then apply a pea-sized dot or a thin line on the heatspreader; on large Intel chips an X or a line covers the longer die better. It cost the least of the 3 picks at the time of writing, with the Kryonaut 5.55g the next step up.
Key specs
- Amount
- 2g
- Applications per tube
- Up to 12 CPUs
- In the box
- a syringe and applicator
Pros
- Includes a syringe and applicator
- Stability up to 80°C, by the maker's claim
- Thermal Grizzly's highest-conductivity non-metal paste
- The lowest price of the group at our last check
Cons
- Tube size trails the NT-H2 10g (10g)
The catch
It gives ground on tube size, where the NT-H2 10g comes in at 10g.
How We Chose
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 set side by side three pastes on tube size, applications per tube and in the box, using each maker's published specs. These are research figures, not bench results: 1 of 3 picks leave out applications per tube.
- The shared baseline
- All 3, from the NT-H2 10g to the Kryonaut Extreme, state tube size and in the box.
- Where the specs have gaps
- The Kryonaut 5.55g gives no applications per tube.
- Price range
- From the Kryonaut Extreme to the NT-H2 10g, all sat in the under $50 tier when we checked.
What to Look for in a Thermal Paste Under $30
Key buying criteria so you get the right fit the first time.
Tube size across these picks
The NT-H2 10g tops tube size at 10g and the Kryonaut Extreme sits lowest at 2g. For less, the Kryonaut 5.55g is the runner-up at 5.55g.
In the box
The NT-H2 10g lists 10 cleaning wipes; the Kryonaut 5.55g lists a syringe and spatula; the Kryonaut Extreme lists a syringe and applicator. Sort out in the box before price: it splits 3 stated picks into groups of 1, 1 and 1.
A case with purple-lit front fans and the motherboard area behind them Features beyond the spec table
The NT-H2 10g: enough for dozens of mainstream CPUs. The Kryonaut 5.55g: a formula Thermal Grizzly aims at overclockers. The Kryonaut Extreme: Thermal Grizzly's highest-conductivity non-metal paste.
How much to spend
Price does little to separate these 3: the Kryonaut Extreme through the NT-H2 10g all landed in the under $50 tier, which leaves tube size to decide it.
A tower air cooler with brown fans installed in a PC Match the pick to your priority
Buyers who put tube size first: the NT-H2 10g. Spending as little as possible, with the Kryonaut 5.55g the next step up: the Kryonaut Extreme.
How to Choose a Thermal Paste Under $30
By priority
| Priority | Consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Buyers who put tube size first | NT-H2 10g | The largest tube size here (10g) |
| Buyers who want maker claim that it does not dry out at 80°C | Kryonaut 5.55g | A maker claim that it does not dry out at 80°C |
| Spending as little as possible, with the Kryonaut 5.55g the next step up | Kryonaut Extreme | The lowest price of the group at our last check |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Key specs side by side
The NT-H2 10g leads on tube size at 10g, ahead of the Kryonaut 5.55g at 5.55g. "Not listed" marks applications per tube where the Kryonaut 5.55g leaves the figure out.
| Paste | Amount | Applications per tube | In the box |
|---|---|---|---|
| NT-H2 10g | 10g | About 9 to 60 | 10 cleaning wipes |
| Kryonaut 5.55g | 5.55g | Not listed | a syringe and spatula |
| Kryonaut Extreme | 2g | Up to 12 CPUs | a syringe and applicator |
Scroll sideways to see every column.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which has the largest tube size: the NT-H2 10g or the Kryonaut 5.55g?
The NT-H2 10g tops tube size at 10g; the Kryonaut 5.55g follows at 5.55g, 80% apart. The spread runs down to the Kryonaut Extreme at 2g.
Is the NT-H2 10g worth paying more than the Kryonaut Extreme?
On paper it adds tube size (10g against 2g). Both sat in the under $50 tier when we checked, so the gains in tube size cost little extra by tier.
What makes the NT-H2 10g the Largest Tube Size?
The label rests on the largest tube size here (10g). The Kryonaut 5.55g is next on tube size at 5.55g, so this pick's 10g is 80% further out. It is aimed at anyone who puts tube size first.
Do the NT-H2 10g and the Kryonaut Extreme differ on applications per tube?
The NT-H2 10g uses about 9 to 60; the Kryonaut Extreme uses Up to 12 CPUs. The maker of the Kryonaut 5.55g doesn't state applications per tube, so 2 of 3 picks are covered here.
Beyond the specs, what sets the NT-H2 10g and the Kryonaut 5.55g apart?
The NT-H2 10g: the second generation of Noctua's NT-H1. The Kryonaut 5.55g: a maker claim that it does not dry out at 80°C. The Kryonaut Extreme: stability up to 80°C, by the maker's claim.
Bottom Line
Our first pick is the NT-H2 10g, chosen for the largest tube size here (10g). Look at the Kryonaut 5.55g for a maker claim that it does not dry out at 80°C and the Kryonaut Extreme for the lowest price of the group at our last check if those matter more to you.
A big tube only makes sense if you build or repaste often.
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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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