Not having enough space to throw in those large AIO coolers or you aren’t interested in spending an insane amount of money on your cooling setup?
120mm AIO coolers are all you need. They feature a small-form-factor configuration and can be installed in almost every case and their cooling capabilities will leave you in awe.
However, configuration and installing them isn’t a piece of cake but for what it’s worth, they’ll significantly reduce the temps.
All-in-One coolers, which are also referred to as AIO coolers are an excellent improvement over the standard 120mm fans and they provide the premium cooling that will keep the temps on the down-low.
Moreover, there are numerous 120mm AIO coolers available in the market and it can get a bit messy when you’re trying to pick the most suitable cooler for you but, to make things a bit easier, we’ve put together the 7 best 120mm AIO coolers that you can buy today.
What Are AIO Coolers?
All-in-One liquid coolers or AIO coolers are fluid-filled CPU heatsinks that use liquid cooling solutions to maintain low CPU temps. Compared to air coolers, AIO coolers are more effective at reducing the temperature of the processor.
However, they’re quite expensive and you’ll have to pay a decent sum to get your hands on these RGB-lit coolers.
An AIO cooler features a CPU heatsink attached with closed-loop tubes with a liquid solution that connects the heatsink with the exhaust fans.
The closed-loop tubes are sealed and the users will never have to worry about the liquid solutions inside the tubes or maintain any other component of the cooler.
The combination of the heatsink and the liquid solution reduces the temperature of the processor and the exhaust fans take care of the rest.
Is a 120mm Liquid Cooler Enough?
A 120mm AIO is surely more than enough if you aren’t planning to overclock your rig. However, if you’re running a high-end CPU with more than 12 cores then we’d recommend spending a bit more and getting a 240mm or 280mm AIO cooler to get the ideal temperatures.
Otherwise, if you’re sticking to stock settings then a 120mm liquid cooler will meet all your requirements and would serve you well for many years to come.
In short, 120mm is the real deal if you’re not overclocking your processor.
7 Best 120mm AIO in 2022 – Product Reviews
1. NZXT Kraken M22
It would be wise to say that NZXT Kraken M22 is the king of the hill when it comes to 120mm AIO coolers. Kraken M22 is an enthusiast’s dream and its finely crafted exterior will leave you in awe.
This AIO cooler from NZXT comes with an RGB-lit heatsink coupled with premium quality closed-loops and a 120mm exhaust fan for heat dissipation.
Looks-wise, Kraken M22 is an attractive-looking AIO cooler that will look great in your rig. As for the specifications, you’ll get a 120mm PWM fan with speed control and built-in software to tweak the RGB lighting effects.
The fan is very quiet, and unlike air coolers, it won’t be exceeding the noise levels of 38dBA. Of course, you could always reduce the speed of the fan to make the fan quieter, but this is only recommended when you’re not putting stress on the processor.
Moreover, you could take this home if you’re willing to pay nearly a hundred bucks for this 120mm AIO cooler. NZXT Kraken M22 might be a bit expensive but, if you want to get the best value for money then we really recommend taking a closer look at this all-in-one cooler.
Pros
- Excellent Build Quality
- PWM Fan
- Warranty – 6 Years
Cons
- Pricey
2. Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML120L
Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML120L would be the second choice for the best 120mm AIO coolers available in the market and even though its performance might be similar to Kraken M22, the build quality is far superior.
The RGB-lit heatsink attached with sealed dual-chamber tubes and a 120mm RGB fan pretty much sums up the design of this cooler.
Specifications wise, MasterLiquid ML120L uses a factory-grade cooling solution to keep the processor cool and the manufacturers are proudly advertising that there won’t be any leakage with their liquid-filled chambers but, only if you’re handling it with care.
Moreover, this cooler from Cooler Master offers excellent cooling and would be ideal for Ryzen and 10th-gen Intel processors that tend to heat up quite often.
Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML120L is compatible with all Ryzen processors, Intel 10th-gen processors (LGA1200), and Intel 9th-gen processors (LGA1151).
Furthermore, MasterLiquid ML120L is quite cheap and you won’t have to spend much to get your hands on this 120mm AIO cooler.
Pros
- Affordable Price
- RGB-lit Heatsink and Exhaust Fan
- Factory-sealed Dual-Chamber Pump
- Very Quiet
Cons
- Hard to install
3. Corsair Hydro Series H60
Low price, efficient performance, and one of the most top-rated 120mm AIO in the market, Corsair Hydro Series H60 is a dream come true for your central cooling system.
It offers effective heat dissipation that significantly lowers the core temps under stress and even when overclocked, Corsair’s H60 would hold up its end of the bargain and keep the temps under the safe limit.
Esthetically, Hydro Series H60 is a minimalistic 120mm AIO cooler that would go perfectly if you’re rocking a clean setup without any RGB dripping off of it.
Although, if you’re a fan of RGB lights then I’m afraid that Hydro Series H60 isn’t going to satisfy your needs for that glowing CPU heatsink.
Corsair Hydro Series H60 comes with a PWM fan which means that you will be able to control the speed of the 120mm fan at the end of the dual-closed chamber tubes.
The best perk of this 120mm AIO cooler is that even at 100% load, the fan won’t be noisy at around 28dBA. For silent gamers, this feature is alone is quite pleasing.
Pros
- Affordable Price
- Compatible with Ryzen Chips
- PWM Fan – Max Speed – 1700RPM
- Aluminum Heatsink
Cons
- No RGB
4. Asus ROG Strix LC 120
If you’re looking for a high-end 120mm AIO for your setup then Asus ROG Strix LC 120 isn’t a bad choice either.
However, it is extremely expensive, and unless you got deep pockets, there’s no way someone is spending this much on a 120mm AIO.
Nevertheless, it is worth every single penny and for those who will be overclocking their processor, Asus Rog Strix LC 120 is the ideal choice.
Asus ROG Strix LC 120 features an RGB-lit pump with the Asus logo on top which is attached to the standard dual-chamber closed tubes and a PWM fan.
Both the fan and the pump can be customized with FanExpert in case you’re interested in tweaking the setup now and then.
Compatibility with LGA1150, LGA1151, AM4, TR4, and more, Asus ROG Strix LC 120 is futureproofed and on top of that, this AIO cooler from ASUS comes with 5 years of warranty which is a great perk to have.
Lastly, Asus ROG Strix LC 120 might be too expensive for some of our fellow games but one thing that we’re certain of is that this 120mm AIO cooler is worthy of its asking price.
Pros
- Customizable Pump and PWM Fan
- Futureproofed
- 5-year warranty
- AURA Sync RGB
Cons
- Expensive
- Hard to mount
- Very loud
5. Thermaltake TH120
Thermaltake TH120 is the ideal choice if you own a compact PC case and are looking to upgrade your cooling capabilities. Its low-profile design enables you to easily mount this low-profile 120mm AIO in your rig.
Furthermore, the Thermaltake TH120 works very efficiently and you wouldn’t really have to worry about the core temps.
This RGB-dripping AIO cooler comes with the standard dual-chamber pipes with a compact radiator with all kinds of RGB lights. A standard 120mm RGB-lit fan is also there to maximize the airflow which is also customizable using various RGB software.
One of the most appealing aspects of this all-in-one CPU cooler is its build quality and if you’re looking for something that would last a while then Thermaltake TH120 would be a good choice.
Also, this AIO cooler from Thermaltakecomes comes at a very affordable price, and unlike other 120mm AIO coolers in the market, you will get the top-notch product only for a handful of bucks.
Pros
- Low-Profile
- Easy to Mount
- Efficient Pumping
- ARGB Lighting Effects
Cons
- Noisy
- Faulty Software
6. Corsair Hydro Series H80i v2
For the second time on our list, Corsair Hydro Series is turning some heads when it comes to the best quality 120mm AIO coolers.
Corsair Hydro Series H80i v2 is another top 120mm AIO cooler that caught our eye and if you’re wondering why is it so low on the list? Well, this product is quite expensive and you could actually get your hands on a 280mm AIO cooler for this price.
Moving on, the specifications of H80i v2 are pretty good and if you’ve decided to buy this one for your rig then you’ll get a bulky radiator with 2x120mm exhaust fans attached with the factory-grade closed-chamber tubes that offer exceptional cooling and performance.
A dual exhaust fan will further regulate the airflow inside the case and we think that it is an excellent perk that most of the 120mm AIO coolers are lacking these days.
Looks-wise, there aren’t many RGB lights dripping off of it and the build quality is quite satisfying. But when you’re paying more than $100 bucks on a 120mm AIO cooler, you expect to product to be of top-notch quality.
Pros
- Dual 120mm Fans
- Reliable Chamber
- Factory Sealed Chambers
- Customizable Fan Speed and Pump
Cons
- Expensive
- Not ideal for 10th-gen Processors
7. EVGA CLC 120mm AIO
Last but, not least, EVGA CLC 120mm AIO is a very suitable option if you’re looking for a budget-orientated 120mm AIO cooler that offers high-grade performance and comes with the decent build quality.
Similar to other 120mm AIO coolers, EVGA CLC includes the standard dual-chamber design with a central pump and a 120mm exhaust fan but, there’s a major flaw in this AIO cooler and it is that EVGA CLC 120mm AIO cooler is not compatible with many AMD chips.
Nevertheless, EVGA CLC is a great option for those who are running the latest-gen Intel chips.
The low-profile design, similar to Thermaltake TH120, offers more flexibility and if you’re into a minimalist setup then you won’t have to do much hard work to hide the cables.
Furthermore, EVGA CLC features a noise-proof fan and pump that significantly reduces the noise coming out of the AIO cooler and this is something that you don’t get from many 120mm AIO coolers.
All-in-All, EVGA CLC is a very good option, and it’s surely one of the best budget 120mm AIO coolers that you could find out there. Aside from a few downsides, EVGA CLC is a dream come true for low-budget gamers.
Pros
- Very Quiet
- Customizable RGB lights
- Easy Installation
Cons
- Buggy Software
- Small Screws
How safe are AIO coolers?
AIO coolers are quite safe when you’re buying from reputable manufacturers like ASUS or Corsair because they used factory-grade seals to prevent leaking.
Also, most of the AIO coolers listed here come with a few years of warranty and that’s why you never have to worry about spending a few extra bucks to get an AIO cooler from a reputable manufacturer.
However, if you’re going for some Chinese brand to save a little something on the AIO cooler then I’m afraid that you might regret your decision in the near future.
The low-quality AIO coolers are not factory sealed, and there’s a massive risk of chambers leaking out the liquid solution on the internals which could eventually total the whole rig, and that is why you should always aim for the better option.
What is the best Corsair AIO?
In our opinion, Corsair Hydro Series H60 would be an excellent choice if you’re aiming for a 120mm AIO cooler because it comes with a top-notch radiator and offers the best bang for the buck. Also, Corsair Hydro Series H80i v2 isn’t a bad choice either because it also offers the ideal cooling for your processor but, it is extremely expensive.
Conclusion
A Battlestation without a proper cooling system is the biggest nightmare for a gamer and during those hot summer days, things tend to get worse and that’s why you should always spend a decent sum on your cooling options. These 120mm AIO coolers would surely fit all your cooling needs and all of our picks are the best 120mm AIO coolers out there and they are worth your time.
