Best CPU Coolers
24 products ranked across 492 cited reviews, videos and discussions · Updated 10 Sept 2026
On the stierproducts cpu coolers board, Arctic Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 ranks #1 in S tier, ahead of Noctua NH-D15 G2 (#2, S tier) and Thermalright Phantom Spirit 120 SE (#3, A tier). The board ranks 24 cpu coolers from S (best) to F (avoid), last researched 10 Sept 2026, drawing on 492 cited reviews, videos and discussions. Placed in the bottom tiers as ones to avoid: Noctua NH-L9a-AM5, Cooler Master MasterLiquid 360 Core II, Noctua NH-D15 (original, chromax.black), and 7 others.
#9 ID-COOLING FX360 PRO
#10 Thermalright AXP90-X47
#11 1 of 2 research runs entered this as a product to avoid rather than a pick. Cooler Master MasterLiquid 360 Atmos II
#12 Thermalright AXP90-X36
#13 1 of 8 research runs entered this as a product to avoid rather than a pick. Corsair Nautilus 360 RS
#14 be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 6
#15 1 of 3 research runs entered this as a product to avoid rather than a pick. Noctua NH-L9a-AM5
#16 Cooler Master MasterLiquid 360 Core II
Moved down from C to D on 10 Sept 2026 #17 4 of 9 research runs entered this as a product to avoid rather than a pick. Noctua NH-D15 (original, chromax.black)
Moved down from C to D on 10 Sept 2026 #18 2 of 10 research runs entered this as a product to avoid rather than a pick. be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 5
#19 MSI MAG CoreLiquid A13 360
#20 be quiet! Pure Rock Pro 3
#21 1 of 6 research runs entered this as a product to avoid rather than a pick. DeepCool Assassin IV
#22 4 of 10 research runs entered this as a product to avoid rather than a pick. Corsair iCUE Link Titan 360 RX LCD
#23 4 of 10 research runs entered this as a product to avoid rather than a pick. NZXT Kraken Elite 360
#24 3 of 6 research runs entered this as a product to avoid rather than a pick. Cooler Master Hyper 212 Black Edition
What moved on this board
18 tier changes recorded between 22 Jul 2026 and 14 Sept 2026. The 5 most recent are below.
- 10 Sept 2026 be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 5 moved down from C to D. 2 more research games. 3 sources added.
- 10 Sept 2026 Noctua NH-D15 (original, chromax.black) moved down from C to D. 3 more research games. 4 sources added, 4 removed.
- 10 Sept 2026 Arctic Freezer 36 moved up from C to B. 2 more research games. 3 sources added, 4 removed.
- 10 Sept 2026 Noctua NH-D15 G2 moved up from A to S. 3 more research games. 4 sources added, 16 removed.
- 25 Jul 2026 MSI MAG CoreLiquid A13 360 moved up from F to D. From the ranking, not from new evidence.
Each line shows what else changed at the same publish. It is not a statement of cause.
Frequently asked questions
Arctic Liquid Freezer III Pro 360 sits at #1 in the S tier of our consolidated board, ranked across independent research runs over 492 cited reviews, videos and discussions. The best AIO to actually live with for years: one of the longest AIO warranties in the business, no RGB or vendor software, and class-leading thermals, with only a fiddly install as the cost.
Noctua NH-D15 G2 ranks #2 (S tier). The board's anchor through this lens: no pump, no software, all-metal mounting, and Noctua's industry-leading long warranty and spare-parts support make it the single best year-five ownership picture in the category.
Our research places Noctua NH-L9a-AM5, Cooler Master MasterLiquid 360 Core II, Noctua NH-D15 (original, chromax.black), be quiet! Dark Rock Pro 5, MSI MAG CoreLiquid A13 360, be quiet! Pure Rock Pro 3, DeepCool Assassin IV, Corsair iCUE Link Titan 360 RX LCD, NZXT Kraken Elite 360, Cooler Master Hyper 212 Black Edition in the bottom tiers (D/F). Noctua NH-L9a-AM5: A niche low-profile pick with modest 95W-class capacity, but Noctua's warranty and support are unmatched anywhere in the small-form-factor segment.
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