Recently, processors are getting reasonably powerful. Even though the manufacturers are putting good effort into optimizing the thermal output, these components can surely get hot when under load.
The thermal can further become an issue when they are overclocked. That is why there is a rise in demand for water coolers. It automatically translates to a large number of available options.
But the sad part is that not all of them are a good pick as the best water cooling radiator. Most of the available radiators even struggle to cool down an average-performing CPU.
For that reason, we made tons of testing and comparisons. From that, we have managed to isolate the ones that boast an excellent cooling performance. And we will talk precisely about them in this article. So, stick till the very end.
The Top 5 Water Cooling Radiator in This Market:
Product Image | Name | Editor's Rating | Price |
 | NZXT Kraken X53 240mm | ||
 | Cooler Master ML240L RGB | ||
 | Corsair Hydro AIO Liquid CPU Cooler | ||
 | EVGA CLC 120mm AIO All-In-One Cooler | ||
 | MSI MAG Series 360mm Radiator |
Benefits of Using Water Cooling Radiator
First and foremost, we would like to ensure that you have a proper idea of all of the advantages you will enjoy after installing one of these.
Lower Thermals
There are basically two types of coolers. One is air, and the other is water. As you can guess, the water coolers hold a higher ability to cool the components. The heat gets properly dissipated, and the radiator does a proper job of cooling down the heated water. So, the thermals remain reasonably low even under load.
Better Performance
Higher thermals can substantially degrade performance. In fact, you might have already noticed performance throttling. It happens when the temperature gets above the recommended range.
The component basically tones down the performance to compensate for the heat. But that won’t happen with a pc case radiator.
Overclocking Ability
With proper water cooled pc radiator, you will have the ability to push the components to the absolute limit. As the radiator will adequately keep the parts cool, there will be much headroom in performance enhancement. That is why it is possible to do better overclocking with a water cooler.
Our Recommended 10 Best Water Cooling Radiator Reviews
There is an overabundance of options out there. And as we have mentioned, many of them perform just like an air cooler, which makes getting a water cooler totally pointless. However, after testing the available models for days, we found these to stand out in terms of cooling performance:
1. NZXT Kraken X53
When it comes to PC components, NZXT is one of the well-known brands out there. And they are now offering probably one of the largest pc radiator models in the market, which is this one.
This AIO solution is basically a total water cooling package. It comes with a radiator, pump, fans, and connector. That means it will be necessary to purchase extra parts after getting this one. The installation process is simple too. It comes with a helpful guide that will guide you through the entire process.
The brand did not skimp one bit in terms of build quality. It utilizes nylon mesh sleeves that strengthen the tubings. The fine nylon mesh also offers protection against mishandling. In other words, even if you do not follow the correct installation process, there will not be that much to worry about.
It is compatible with a wide range of processors too. You can pair it up with both the AMD and Intel processors. Also, as it has two 240 mm fans, the cooling performance will be outstanding. It even has chamfered intake and dynamic bearing, which will enhance the performance even further.
Thanks to the Full CAM integration, you will also gain complete control over this desktop radiator. That will enable you precise control of each of the criteria. It also has a vivid RGB logo.
Highlighted Features
- It is an AIO water cooling solution
- Utilizes nylon mesh sleeves
- Compatible with a wide range of CPUs
- It has two 240 mm fans
- Boasts Full CAM integration
2. Cooler Master ML240L RGB
Another brand that is quite popular for the components that they offer is Cooler Master. And they are showing how good they are when it comes to cooling components by providing this specific CPU water cooling radiator.
The first thing that makes it stand out is the pump. It utilizes a dual-chambered one, which has an exceptionally high level of efficiency. The cooling performance that it offers is stellar. It can keep the thermals at the optimal range even when you are putting the CPU under extreme load.
Even the design of the unit is pretty sleek. The SickleyFlow exterior makes it look elegant. And the design of the fans will ensure that the noise level is kept at a bare minimum. The sound level will not cross 15 dB even while the fans are all ramped up to the maximum level.
There is RGB lighting too. This RGB design will enhance the overall aesthetics of the case and make it look appealing. The lights are fully customizable too. You can make it output a customized pattern and get your own designed lighting effects out of the fans.
It also features industrial-grade sealing on the tubing. That enhances the cooling performance and lowers the chances of leaks occurring. The radiator also has a larger surface area. Also, it is compatible with most of the latest AMD Ryzen and Intel CPUs.
Highlighted Features
- Utilizes a dual-chambered pump
- Features a sleek design
- Operates at low noise
- Sports customizable RGB lighting
- Boasts industrial-grade sealing
3. Corsair Hydro Series H60
Getting precise PWN control over the fans will enable you to properly control the cooling performance of the pc water cooling radiator. And that is what you will get from this offering.
The unit integrates a precise controller. It allows the user to tune the fan from 600 RPM to 1700 RPM. Now, that is a wide range of control. The fan it utilizes is 120 mm in size and can offer an adequate amount of cooling to keep a power-hungry CPU at an optimal temperature.
Talking of which, the fan operates at a lower noise too. Though it does not make that much noise during operation, it does not lag one bit behind in terms of airflow. The airflow it provides can correctly cool down the hot flow of water. And the 120 mm high-density radiator will enhance that cooling factor.
On that note, the radiator is reasonably compact. And this slim radiator water cooling has an LED pump head. That LED will add a touch of brilliance to your entire build. The pump and the cold plate are practically efficient as well. It features a construction of aluminum, keeping the weight low but enhancing lifespan.
It has a reasonably straightforward installation process too. The radiator utilizes a modular design and has a tool-free mounting bracket. So, installing and setting things up will be totally hassle-free.
Highlighted Features
- Integrates a PWN controller
- Operates at 28.3 dBA noise
- Sports an efficient cold plate and pump
- Easy to install
- Utilizes a slim and high-density radiator
4. EVGA CLC 120mm AIO
Want to install a water cooler radiator without having to worry about messy wires and tubing? In that case, you need to check out what EVGA has to offer here.
The manufacturer has simplified the entire installation process for this radiator. Instead of worrying about custom tubing, filling, and installing pumps separately, you can just plug this thing in place and watch it operate optimally. Everything is self-contained, and you will find all the necessary parts inside the package.
This radiator also features an intelligent wiring system. It makes the radiator obtain a sleek design. The wiring remains at a place and does not get messy. So, it will be possible to get a clean build with this radiator. Also, you will not have to worry about maintenance that much because of how simplified the design is.
It utilizes a capable 120 mm fan. That can dissipate heat exceptionally well. The radiator also has high-density fins, which will offer a stellar overall cooling performance. It also provides a little bit of customizability option. You can replace the fan if you want to.
When it comes to noise level, this unit is reasonably quiet. It operates at 20 dB. But that does not translate to cooling performance at all. The cooper base provides a high amount of heat transfer. It can even keep a reasonably overclocked processor.
Highlighted Features
- The installation process is easy
- Low maintenance
- Sports intelligent wiring system
- It uses a capable fan
- Boasts an efficient cooper base
5. EVGA CLC 280mm
Integrated software can make the task of controlling different criteria of the cooling system fast and straightforward. And EVGA is offering precisely that with this offering.
As we have mentioned, it bundles with flow control software. That software has all of the different settings separated. As a result, it will be easy to modify the settings and adjust various factors of the cooling system. You can precisely control the RPM of the fan too.
The radiator uses two 140 mm fans. Those can offer a high amount of airflow. The surface area of the radiator is reasonably high too. Due to that, the cooling performance will be stellar. You will have the ability to overclock the CPU to a sufficiently high level after pairing it up with this pc liquid cooling radiator.
Even though the unit’s cooling power is comparatively high, it does not make that much noise while operating. The fan features a specific design that lowers the noise level even further. And it does not sacrifice the performance one bit to keep the noise level low.
It even has RGB lighting. The great part is that the RGB is fully customizable and controllable. It will also offer the ability to sync the RGB with other EVGA components. In other words, you can make your build stand out a lot.
Highlighted Features
- Bundles with a software
- It uses two 140 mm fans
- The surface area is relatively high
- Operates at a reasonably low noise
- Sports a controllable and sync-able RGB lighting
6. MSI MAG Series 360R
While plenty of computer water cooling radiators boast an RGB system, not all of them have ARGB support. However, that is not the case for this offering that is from MSI.
The ARGB system that it integrates will offer total control over the RGB lighting. You can control the lights of each of the three fans. It is even possible to control the RPM of the fan using the PWM fan settings of the software. The software offers operational information as well.
It has a higher overall lifespan as well. The radiator relies on a three-phase motor. It will last and provide optimal performance for an extended amount of time. The unit sports a pump that is highly efficient too. For that reason, even when the load is reasonably high, it will not vibrate that much.
In terms of design, the radiator pump looks exceptionally sleek. The cap also has a rotatable design, which will let you change the orientation if you want to. As the pump is directly integrated into the radiator, the noise level will be pretty low during operation.
Due to the pump being away from the heat source, it will have a higher lifespan too. The unit is highly compatible as well. You will have no issues pairing this up with the latest and some of the previous models of Intel and AMD.
Highlighted Features
- It has three 120 mm fans
- Sports ARGB system
- Features an integrated software
- Boasts an efficient pump
- Long-lasting and reasonably durable
7. be quiet! BW008
Don’t want to skimp on the components but dream of having a quiet build? Be Quiet! has got your back in that regard.
So, what makes this so quiet? The Pure Wings 2 fans would be the first answer to that. It relies on nine fan blades that can operate at reasonably low noise. The fins are airflow-optimized too. For that reason, though the operational noise will be reasonably low, the airflow will not be.
There is a doubly decoupled pump too. It features effective damping, which causes a minimal level of vibration and noise during operation. Basically, it will lower the noise even further. However, the pumping performance is not one bit behind in comparison to the other high-end options.
Maintaining the system will be an easy task too. It has an easy-to-refill port. The port is placed at a highly accessible place too. So, you will not have to go through any hassle when you want to replace and refill the cooling liquid inside the radiator. It also includes a coolant bottle, which guarantees a higher lifespan.
The all-black design of the package looks sleek too. It even has a white LED that will enhance the look even further. There is a brushed aluminum cooling block that not only looks good but efficiently dissipates heat as well.
Highlighted Features
- It uses Pure Wings 2 fans
- Utilizes doubly decoupled pump
- The operational noise is substantially low
- Features a refill port
- Sports a sleek overall design
8. Vetroo V240
While looking for the best water cooling radiator, you might want something that has an ARGB lighting system and offers better overall cooling performance at the same time. Keep this offering from Vetroo in your consideration in that case.
Like we mentioned, it has an addressable RGB system. The lighting will let you sync the RGB lights of the three fans with other components of your rig. That includes GPU, motherboard, ram, and other elements that have an ARGB system. You can make your build totally unique.
It also bundles with integrated software. Using that, you can adjust the speed of the two fans. It is also possible to set it to auto-adjust, in which it will monitor the CPU temperature and adjust the speed accordingly. Thanks to specialized design, the fans will run while making reasonably low noise too.
The cold plate of the unit is reasonably efficient. It covers a good amount of surface and can make proper contact with the CPU plate. The static pressure is also optimal. That will enhance the cooling performance significantly. It will be able to keep the CPU at an optimal temperature range throughout the entire run time.
This system is highly compatible too. You can use it with most of the Intel and AMD CPUs, including the latest ones. The installation process is pretty simple too. You will not have to go through any hassles to set this one up.
Highlighted Features
- Sports addressable RGB
- Bundles with a controller and software
- The fans have a low-noise design
- Features a highly efficient cold plate
- Widely compatible
9. Clyxgs 12 Pipe Water Cooling Radiator
Without proper sealing, the radiator will not offer good cooling performance no matter how good the other parts are. Well, Clyxgs factored that in when they were manufacturing this unit.
To start with, it has gone through the vacuum aluminum brazing process. That process ensures that the seal of the radiator is proper. As a result, the possibility of water leaking on the components and eventually damaging them will be reasonably low. There are no weak welds on the system either.
It also utilizes pure aluminum fins. Due to the fins being dense, it can offer a stellar overall cooling performance. It is well-capable for cooling high temperatures of demanding and high-performance CPUs. The joint of the unit is of stainless steel, which enhances the overall build quality.
The unit has gone through a dark paint treatment. That dark paint makes it look sleek. It will blend exceptionally well with most of the builds. Also, the fins have the same black color, which doesn’t make them look out of place. The fins have a higher heat dissipation capability as well.
This offering comes with high-speed fans too. As it utilizes two of them, the heat dissipation will be maximum. The fans have a proper safety system that monitors the voltage during the operation.
Highlighted Features
- Features a proper seal
- Has proper welds
- Pure aluminum fins used
- It blends well with most of the builds
- Utilizes two high-speed fans
10. Thermaltake Pacific CL-W193-CU00BL-A
You might have already heard about ThermalTake. Yes, they are pretty famous for the PC peripherals they offers. Most of the offerings are high in quality and offer high performance. And this one is not an exception in that regard.
Let us first talk about the build quality. It has gone through a high-quality manufacturing process. The manufacturer has ensured that the manufacturing atmosphere is adequate. That results in a better soldering line. For that reason, it will last long without showing any issues.
The heat transferring ability of the unit is highly praiseworthy. The cycling coolant efficiently passes the heat from to the cooling fins. As a result, the heat dissipation is maximum. And the airflow will be reasonably high too. That will further enhance the heat dissipation.
It holds the ability to accommodate three 120 mm fans. Even though it can hold a good number of fans, it does not weigh that much. The weight is kept at a considerably low level, thanks to the all-aluminum build. So, you will not have to worry about adding too much weight to your system.
Even the fins of the radiator are high in quality. They are made of high-quality copper and are in a high-density manner. Because of that, the air volume density will be reasonably high too.
Highlighted Features
- Sports a top-notch build
- Boasts a praiseworthy heat transferring ability
- Accommodates three 120 mm fans
- It does not weigh that much
- Features copper fins
Things to Consider Before Buying Water Cooling Radiator
If getting the best liquid cooling radiator is what you aim for, just the reviews will not be sufficient. To properly scrutinize the offering, you would also need to keep a couple of essential factors in mind. And the factors that we are referring to here are:
Build Quality
The first thing that you would need to consider is the build quality. Here, the better the build quality, the better the performance will be. Also, a better build also means a higher lifespan. In other words, the ones that feature the construction of high-quality materials will last for an extended amount of time.
Size
One of the things that most buyers forget about while shopping for radiators is the size. However, it is pretty important. For this, you would need to check your chassis first. If it has the space to accommodate a single 120 or 140 mm fan, you should get the small-sized radiators.
Get the larger ones only if the chassis holds the ability to accommodate them, or else you will have fitting issues.
Installation Process
Another important thing that needs to be in your consideration is the installation process. Most of the AIO will be easy to install. But there will be some which will demand time-consuming installation. We would recommend not to pick them up.
Instead, opt for the ones that come with a clear guide and feature a simple installation process. Also, do ensure that all the necessary parts are included with the package. If any of them are missing, you would need to go through the hassle of purchasing them separately.
Fans
Most of the radiators will bundle with fans. For those, you need to consider the fans. First, ensure that they run silently if you do not want your rig to sound like a windmill. Then, consider the overall airflow. In this case, the better the airflow, the better the cooling performance will be.
Heat Dissipation Ability
The heat dissipation ability will depend on two things. One is the fins, in which the density matters the most. Usually, the models that have dense fins offer a maximum level of heat dissipation. Secondly, there is the cold plate. If it cannot make proper contact with the CPU plate, it will not dissipate heat properly.
RGB
When it comes to outlooks, RGB is going to matter the most. But you might not care much about this. Nonetheless, our recommendation would be to pick the AIOs that have an ARGB system. Those will be easy to adjust.
How to Clean PC Water Cooling Radiator
To enhance the lifespan of the water-cooling radiator, you need to carry out proper maintenance. And the steps that you would need to follow to clean the radiator properly are:
Step 1: Disassemble
To start with, you need to disassemble the whole thing. Start by taking the cold plate off. Then, work with the screws of the radiator and take the fans off the system.
Step 2: Blow Compressed Air
Next, keep the radiator and radiator separately on a table. Get yourself a can of compressed air and properly clean the fins of the radiator and fins of the radiator. In most cases, blowing this compressed air should be sufficient.
Step 3: Wash the Radiator If You Have to
If there is too much dust build-up between the fins, you need to take the cleaning a step further. Take a brush and gently scrub the fins using soapy water. Dry the fins properly after scrubbing and install all the things back in place.
Frequently Asked Questions
How big should my cooling water radiator be for PC?
This will highly depend on the chassis you have and the CPU. Opt for larger radiators if the chassis allows you to install them, and the CPU is reasonably power-hungry. For the other cases, choose the smaller ones.
What is the difference between 120 mm and 140 mm radiator?
Like the name suggests, the 120 mm radiators can accommodate 120 mm fans, and the 140 mm radiators can fit 140 mm fans. That is the primary difference that lies between them.
Can I install a 140 mm fan on a 120 mm radiator?
No! You cannot install a 140 mm fan on a 120 mm radiator. The mounting holes will not be able to fit it.
How often should I flush PC water coolers?
A good thumb rule is to change the coolant every six months. That lowers the chances of contaminants building up inside.
What should I do to refill the PC water cooling radiators?
There should be a refill port located right on the radiator. Open it and refill an adequate amount of water inside.
Final Words
The best water cooling radiator will offer you the ability to get the most out of your CPU. It will also open the door to overclocking and will enhance the overall lifespan of the component. And we assure you that all of the models we have reviewed are nothing but that.
However, our top pick is the NZXT Kraken X53. It has two 240 mm fans, dissipates heat efficiently, and utilizes durable nylon sleeves.