A PC builder wants the highest performance from a PC, and liquid cooling is the best way. The tricky thing is that even liquid cooling requires the best radiator fans to keep the radiator cool, and these products differ from those used for an air-cooled rig. We have created a list of radiator fans that are PWM, meaning that the motherboard controls their speed. Enthusiasts like to choose the best 120mm case fan for the best working and best liquid cooling. The best choice is that which fits your PC or meets all the requirements. The radiator can use any type of fan because any item will move air, and its loop for water cooling will work to balance the temperature and radiator.
Water cooling has been famous for keeping the high-end rig cool for years, so the best PC fans are the best choice. The absence of the radiator fan will affect the output of the most powerful gaming computers. This article can find the best 120mm and the best 140mm case fan to maintain the PC’s temperature. Choices are not always the same, so everyone wants a different level of performance and design. We are here to help you build a PC with the best budget case fans having options of 120 mm products. You will need good airflow to blow out the excessive heat if you want to perform heavy tasks and lengthy gaming sessions without disturbing its optimal performance.
Our top picks
Quick Shopping Tips:
Best products are present in the market if you want one of them to keep your system cool. Check the factors given below before selecting the one for the radiator.
Speed: Check the maximum speed of a fan usually presented in RPM to get faster and more efficient cooling. A fan with a lower RPM results in a low rotation rate compared to the one with a high RPM and affects performance. A product of higher RPM can prolong the PC’s life and improve functionality.
Airflow: The user can measure the efficiency of the case fan by the rate at which the PC cools down. The case fans that offer high air flow draw more airflow and balance that temperature. You can measure airflow in CFM and compare many options. Check the CFM for many opportunities to get the best one.
Fan Size: Larger ones tend to push more air, but every computer system may not have enough space to fit them. 120mm cases usually generate higher air pressure than 140mm cases. Their size affects the airflow, and large fans tend to push more air than smaller ones, running at the same RPM. so the enormous blow the same amount of air but run slowly.
Bearing Type: The bearing of the product affects performance & noise love. Noise level can be a significant issue for the gaming system. The porous approaches include two sintered sleeves that serve as friction contact. These are lubricated with oil or grease and provide the advantage of near-silent operation. Its refined versions are self-stabilizing oil pressure(SSO) and hydraulic bearing.
The Best Radiator Fans: First look
The Best Radiator Fans: In-depth Review
01
best radiator fan
Noctua NF-F12 PWM
Brand
Noctua
Voltage
12V
Cooling Method
Air
Power Connector Type
4-pin
Max Rotational Speed
1500 RPM
Noise Level
22.4 dB
Item Weight
10.5 ounces
Dimensions
4.72 x 0.98 x 4.72 inches

PROS
+Amazingly quiet
+6- years warranty
+Integrated anti-vibration pads
CONS
-No availability in other colors
-Lower static pressure at low noise
Noctua NF-F12 PWM creates outstanding static pressure and focuses airflow on giving a superior performance on radiators. The product is designed to run demanding pressure applications and allows it to beat the performance of conventional items while running at a faster speed. It perfectly balances power and quietness with a carefully optimized seven-blade Heptaperf Impeller and works with 11 stator guide vanes in tandem. The vertex-control notches help spread noise emission, provide the system temperature control, and also help to make its sound pattern more agreeable to human air. This item is the first of Noctua’s generation to feature SSO2 time-tested bearing for better precision, stability, and durability.
The water cooling radiators and Noctua NH-U12(S) services are perfect replacements for loud all-in-one (AIO) coolers and are ideal for CPU heat sinks. The box of the best radiator fan contains an extension cable, Y-cable for running to PWM fans, its screws, and anti-vibration fins. It can maintain compatibility with standard screw and mounting systems through integrated anti-vibration pads. These extra-soft silicon-made pads can minimize the transmission of minute vibration and come with a focused flow frame to cope with high static pressure.
02
best rgb radiator fans
Lian Li UNI Fan SL120 RGB
Brand
Ian Li
Voltage
6V
Cooling Method
Air
Power Connector Type
3-pin
Max Rotational Speed
1900 RPM
Noise Level
31 dB
Item Weight
28.6 ounces
Dimensions
6.42 x 6.3 x 3.86 inches

PROS
+Easy to use
+Efficient controller
+Daisy-chain design
CONS
-High power consumption
-No gap between fins and housing
Lian Li UNI Fan SL120 RGB consists of 32 digital addressable RGB LEDs and a 120-millimeter size case. It provides software control for speed and illumination options and the best RGB radiator fans. Its rotational speed is up to 1900 RPM, and air discharge is 9945mh. The noise emission of these best radiator fans is 31 dBa and gives pin-to-pin contact using a cable module to receive power and signals. This clutter-free cooling offers module design and inter-locking and allows for the connection of up to four individual ones. The simple and incredibly effective setup comes with RGB lighting on top of innovative design, increased airflow, and advanced magnetic levitation bearing technology.
This new and tangibly helpful technology is the need of any DIY gaming PC building. Its intelligent new PC fan technology has 16 items with one controller and potentially fewer cables. Three packs of best radiator fans 120mm need a single line to connect with a 4-pin connector on the motherboard. The setup allows to connect up to four fans with one wire required for the controller. It makes the system super-tidy and reduces the number of cables floating inside the chassis. You can choose from black or white color to match your favorite look for your machine.
03
best performing radiator fan
Noctua NF-F12 3000 PWM
Brand
Noctua
Voltage
12V
Cooling Method
Fan
Power Connector Type
4-pin
Max Rotational Speed
3000 RPM
Noise Level
43.5 dB
Item Weight
9.6 ounces
Dimensions
4.72 x 4.72 x 0.98 inches

PROS
+Heavy-duty cooling method
+Fiberglass polyamide construction
+Withstands temperatures up to 140°C
CONS
-No LNA included
-A little louder than similar fans
If you want to build a PC and add a radiator fan with enhanced cooling performance and ingress protection, Noctua NF-F12 3000 PWM is here for you. Industrial protected performance cooling (PPC) with an award-winning retail model used a novel three-phase motor. The design ensures aerodynamic efficiency, superior airflow, and pressure capacity. It maintains a moderate noise level and power consumption and is the best 120mm radiator fan for a highly demanding application requiring ultimate dependability. IndustrialPPC fiberglass construction with water and dust protection helps operate in a challenging environment.
The MTBF of 15.00 hours ensures by SSO2-bearing technology and is a premium choice for 120 mm cooling needs. The outstanding efficiency of the best performing radiator fan has pleased thousands of its users and customers. The NF-F12 is combined with robust polyamide construction and runs as fast as twice the 1500 RPM retail version providing extreme airflow and protection. The three-phase design with six slots provides smooth running, energy efficiency, reduced vibration, and smooth transition between spaces. The product is not only dust resistant but also certified water protection up to 3 mm per minute, thanks to an ingress protection rating of IP52.
04
best cheap radiator fan
Phanteks PH-F120MP
Brand
Phanteks
Voltage
12V
Cooling Method
Air
Power Connector Type
4-pin
Max Rotational Speed
2200 RPM
Noise Level
34.2 dB
Item Weight
3.52 ounces
Dimensions
7.91x7.48x1.3 inches

PROS
+Consistent airflow
+Plentiful mounting options
+Aerodynamically optimized
CONS
-No LEDs
-Troublesome cable management options
Phanteks PH-F120MP comes with high heat sinks and radiators to deliver the best output and high static pressure. The premium cooling design can handle the resistance from a high-density fin stack and push the air effectively. The company has made its smooth fins and blades aerodynamically to help optimize silent operation. A wide range of up to 2200 RPM makes a perfect balance between silence and performance, and easy installation makes it an ideal choice. Its structure is straightforward, and you can contact several MP PWM fans through a Daisy Chain cable design. The glass fiber reinforced PBT plastic gives it a premium look and mesh fabric sleeving for the cables.
This product is a high-performance cooling fan of high quality equipped with 3.41MM-H220 static pressure and an operating voltage of 12V DC. You can choose any color from all black, all white, or black frames with white blade choices in hand. Item has PBT material, UFB (updraft Floating Balance), and premium quality build. The RPM speed of the best cheap radiator fan is from 500 to 2200, the input power is 1.8W, and it can bear the acoustic noise of 34.2 dBA. This high static pressure item has built-in PWM and allows users to create fewer cables and direct, focused airflow. It comes with reinstall rubber pads that help in reducing vibration occurrence.
05
best quiet radiator fan
be quiet! Silent Wings 3
Brand
be quiet!
Voltage
12V
Cooling Method
Air
Power Connector Type
3-pin
Max Rotational Speed
2200 RPM
Noise Level
16.4 dB
Item Weight
9.6 ounces
Dimensions
7.25 x 1.22 x 5.55 inches

PROS
+Elegant design
+300,000 hours lifespan
+Excellent performance to noise ratio
CONS
-No heat pipe
-Plastic fins lack sturdiness
Be quiet! Silent Wings 3 consumes less power and less vibration thanks to its six-pole designed motor with three phases. It operates quietly at a maximum of 16.4 dB(A), and the electrical noise reduces due to the IC motor controller. The vibrations transmitted to the PC come to an absolute minimum by anti-vibration mounting on all four edges of the Silent Wings 3.120 mm size is the best 120mm radiator fan for state-of-art technology and fulfills all the perfect heat sink and radiator requirements. You can get excellent airflow and inaudible operation with seven fan blades and an optimized surface.
This product is the best choice if you want to quit operation, run-heavy applications, and have uncompromised performance. The fluid dynamic bearing and rubberized frame offer a super long life span of up to 300,000h. The funnel-shaped air intends to enable the product to throw a high air flow of 50.5 CFM and air pressure. We call this item the best quiet radiator fan as it impresses the experts and the masses with its phenomenal features. Although it lacks in a few areas, there is nothing that can outweigh its benefits.
06
corsair's best radiator fan
Corsair ML120 Pro
Brand
Corsair
Voltage
13.2V
Cooling Method
Air
Power Connector Type
4-pin
Max Rotational Speed
2400RPM
Noise Level
35 dB
Item Weight
6.7 ounces
Dimensions
4.72 x 0.98 x 4.72 inches

PROS
+Durable construction
+75 CFM airflow capacity
+2400 RPM rotational speed
CONS
-One fan ticking at max speed
-No full torque without 12V PWM
Corsair ML120 Pro delivers static pressure and high airflow due to innovative design & provides unrivaled performance & low noise. The product is responsible for the perfect balance between high static pressure and airflow for operating in challenging and heavy-tasking environments. This product is built with magnetic levitation technology & bearing help to prolong its lifespan. You can control low noise and its absolute performance with an extensive control range of 2000 RPM. Its color customization allows you to match the color of the ML120 Pro with the rest of your build and the mounting corners to an anti-vibration rubber damper. It offers quiet operation at high speeds due to an efficient building system & so is the perfect option for computer cases.
The system requires a 4-pin connector with a motherboard for a perfect output delivery. The user can adjust the rotation speed because of the 4-pin PWM connection & CFM ranges up to 12-75 blower for quiet operation. The anti-vibration rubber damper helps it be Corsair’s best radiator fan. ML120 Pro has mounting screws, 120mm x 25mm size, black color & power draw of 0.225 A. Its static pressure is 0.2-4.2 mm H20, ideal for restricted spaces, and the product’s sound level is b/w 16-37 dBA. Its standard box includes a hefty solid frame, transparent blades, two zip ties, and a warranty guide.
07
best 120mm radiator fan
ThermalTake TOUGHFAN 12
Brand
ThermalTake
Voltage
12V
Cooling Method
Thermal
Power Connector Type
4-pin
Max Rotational Speed
2000 RPM
Noise Level
22.3 dB
Item Weight
10.4 ounces
Dimensions
7.87 x 5.47 x 1.26 inches

PROS
+Steel motor hub
+Great cooling results
+Great static pressure rating
CONS
-Inconsistent control
-No clearance for bulky counterparts
ThermalTake TOUGHFAN 12 maximizes high-end cooling needs using high static pressure & optimized structure. It comes with high tensile strength & having low thermal expansion efficient material & which helps to minimize the vibration when operating at high speeds. The exceptional blade design of the best 120mm radiator fan is built with a special liquid crystal polymer (LCP) 2nd generation hydraulic bearing, allowing lubricant preservation. Its new shaft design will help lower the noise to an audible level and extend its lifespan. It can run all applications with cooling & is the perfect solution if you want to use it as a radiator or air cooler.
Install an anti-vibration mounting system with rubber pads that dampen the vibration level and offer spin without compromising noise level & spin at higher levels. The unique design of its center is constructed with a steel motor hub and is an attractive choice among the users due to its enhanced stability. The power input of the best radiator fans 120mm is 144W, with a fan speed of 500 to 2000 RPM. The hydraulic bearing design ensures a 40,000 hrs life expectation at 25°C and 4-pin connectors. It provides 80% coverage to all customers & maintains a low noise level and maximum operating speed of up to 2000 RPM.
08
best slim radiator fan
Scythe Kaze Flex Slim
Brand
Scythe
Voltage
12V
Cooling Method
Water, Air
Power Connector Type
4-pin
Max Rotational Speed
1800 RPM
Noise Level
30 dB
Item Weight
3.2 ounces
Dimensions
7 x 5 x 0.8 inches

PROS
+Slim build
+High airflow
+4-pin wire extension
CONS
-Slightly louder
-No mounting screws
Scythe Kaze Flex Slim fan features a low profile design & fan optimized for the space-limited application. Scythe Kaze provides low noise performance & wide range of fan speeds in many applications, thanks to its frame contribution and new blade design. The item is resistant to up to 250°C/480°F and is the best slim radiator fan, ideal for low-profile CPU coolers, heatsinks & SFF computers. The product comes with sealed Precision Fluid Dynamic Bearing and anti-vibration rubbers on corners. Their dynamic bearing helps prolong life-span & quiet operation, and rubber pads deliver reduced vibration.
It ensures smooth operation, reduced wear, and an excellent performance-to-noise ratio. The company has surprised its users by introducing the best radiator fans, SFF-compatible with a low-profile and 120mm lineup. Its space-saving design has made it an attractive design for many customers who want to fit it into just 17 mm height. Vibration absorbing rubber pads eliminate vibration and perform noiseless operations. It also includes decouplers in the Scythe Kaze frame & an RGB-LED version is also available. The Flex Slim is made of high-quality compressed metal lubricated with unique oil film and has a slim design of 15mm.
Final Words
PC users need a radiator fan to blow out the heat and hot air using specially designed heat fins. Custom computers and desktops require an additional cooling system for ideal output, so air coolers are the best solution. Radiators do the same, expelling heat into the air, and the best radiator fans 120mm help move that air over the radiator. They are a crucial part of computer building as the heat can slow down the performance of PCs. The computer performs better with a cooling radiator, and the item pushes the air to keep the system cool. Radiator fans work flawlessly, and you can use them as case fans.
If you’re going to use a radiator, you will need to make sure that it is a high-pressure radiator case. Case ventilation fans help cool the material of internal components of computers and provide an adequate amount of air. It will push air and prevent the PC from damaging due to overheating the processor. As the name indicates, the Scythe Kaze Flex Slim can fit in smaller systems due to its slim design. Another option ThermalTake TOUGHFAN 12, is for those with enough space to provide a comparatively more significant case. It prevents many issues like overlock failure and issues arising due to improper heat sink of CPU.
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of fans are best for radiators?
Any type of fan will work best for radiators as their work is to push air and keep the system cool. If you have decided to build a strategy and want a cooling component to get the highest output, Noctua NF-F12 PWM is there for you. This 120mm case uses a Heptaperf design providing minimal noise at maximum performance.
Do PC radiators need fans?
Yes, if you do not use a fan over the radiator, it will overheat and slow performance. Lian Li UNI Fan SL120 RGB is a good choice for its modular daisy-chain design and high-quality performance. It has a hybrid bearing system and a 1900 RPM maximum rotational speed.
What is the highest CFM radiator fan?
Be quiet! Silent Wings 3 is one of the highest CFM radiator fans Delivers whisper-quiet performance, a high-speed variant, and rubberized anti-vibration mounting. It has a 6-pole motor providing variable power, durability, and quietness. Do not think to skip it if you are interested in the highest CFM radiator fan.
Are static pressure fans good for radiators?
static pressure help to overpower the obstacles and high static pressure is better if the obstacle is a dust filter on the radiator’s fins. Phanteks PH-F120MP uses a magnetic motor for frictionless operations and features a standard construction. Its silicon pads provide extra stability and noise damping and will be the best choice for a starter due to their noiseless performance and durability.