Best Airflow Cases of 2023 – Complete Review

Austin
| Last Updated: January 14, 2023

Digital Advisor is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

When it comes down to finding the best airflow case for your PC, you need to look at not only good airflow but other features, as well.

It is more than just looks when it comes to finding the best airflow PC case. There is a good chance that the noise that comes from your PC is the effect of the number of fans you use.

Size is also a very important factor for an airflow PC case, and knowing about these things is essential before investing in one. To learn more about these features and how to buy the best PC case, keep on reading.  

Comparison of the Best Airflow Cases

IMAGEPRODUCT
  • Streamlined high-airflow design
  • Features a very compact design
  • Front panel maximizes air intake
View Latest Price →
  • Design guarantees high volume intake of fresh air
  • Additional cable covers for clean cable management
  • Tempered glass side panel gives clear view inside
View Latest Price →
  • Best for the Money
  • Transparent side panel for view inside
  • Open perforated front, top and bottom for high air performance
View Latest Price →
  • Best Corsair Airflow Case
  • Aluminum front panel and solid steel body
  • Interior is designed for superior cooling efficiency
View Latest Price →
  • Mesh front panel with built-in LED strip
  • Designed for entry-level PC builders and gamers
  • AIO liquid cooling compatible
View Latest Price →

What is an Airflow Case?

Airflow is a very important aspect of your PC case, and this is because if your computer case has a bad airflow design, then this will lead to your internal components getting all heated up. This heat-up reduces the performance of your PC and can also affect its entire lifespan.

Nowadays, there are many different PC cases with great designs, but not all of them provide you with good airflow. Some cases are built to make your PC look more elegant and stunning, but they lack in performance; this is especially true with brightly colored cases.

What Does an Airflow Case Do?

An airflow case comes with many different uses that you may not know of. These include the following:

Good Airflow

As the name suggests, these cases allow for proper circulation of air into your PC. The airflow is much needed because, after long usage of your computer, your PC can heat up very easily, and proper airflow is needed for vigorous and long hours of working without worry.

Thermaltake Versa H18 (CA-1J4-00S1WN-01)

Reduces Dirt

Airflow PC cases also keep dirt and dust away. They come with a mesh covering that doesn’t allow dirt and dust to gather around. This feature allows less maintenance of your PC and ensures easy use without any problem. Also, some cases also come with dust filters that trap the dust, and this keeps it protected, as well.

Components Safety

Since this is a covering over your PC, the components present inside remain safe. Moreover, if the internal components bother you, you can easily remove them with some casings.

What to Look For When Buying an Airflow Case

When buying the best airflow case, there are plenty of things you need to look out for. However, some of the most important considerations to keep in mind are the following:

Positive and Negative Air Flow

To get a steady and stable temperature inside your PC, you need to get a balanced airflow. Positive airflow is the cool air that is taken in by the fans inside, whereas negative airflow is the amount of hot air that is passed out by the exhaust fans. If the case has a negative flow only, then this means that it won’t be very cool.

To choose a case, you must have equal numbers of exhaust and intake fan slots in order to maintain balance.

CORSAIR OBSIDIAN 450D

Compatibility

This is a very important feature, and if the case you buy can’t support large CPU coolers, long graphics cards, or several storage devices, then it won’t be very useful to you. Most people tend to buy cases with good airflow due to having plenty of components present, so overclockers and productivity workers need space for their components to fit in.

Amount of Ventilation

Ventilation has a direct effect on the cooling capacity of the case. If the case has plenty of slots for exhaust fans and intake fans but not enough ventilation at the bottom or front area, then there is no use for having so many fans.

Review of the Best Airflow Cases

With so many options present in the market, finding the best airflow case for yourself can be a tough choice to make. In order to help you find the right one for your PC, we have compiled the top airflow cases for you to choose from. Read on below to know more about them.

Best Overall: 
Fractal Design Meshify C Mini 

PROS

  • Has a great performance overall
  • Available at an average price range
  • Bottom panel filter can be removed easily
  • Comes with top, front, and bottom fan filters
  • Provides good support to both dual-fan radiator and triple-fan, as well

CONS

  • Doesn’t support oversized motherboards

What Recent Buyers Report

According to recent buyers, this PC case is shorter than the mid towers, which allows you to fit it in even the small areas of your room. The front of the case has a mesh that allows the fans in the front to breathe freely without any obstructions, which the consumers love.

Why it Stands Out to Us

This PC case stands out because of the high-quality material it is made of and the average price it comes at. Fractal design created a feature-filled model with low weight that made it tough for its competitors. It comes with asphalt sound damping and aluminum panel inlays for you to use.

Who Will Use This Most

This PC case is ideal for buyers who are looking for something good at a lesser price. It is ideal for beginners and is even good for professional usage. It comes with a front panel that provides the internal component noise prevention inside the case. Also, the front panel is not smooth, which helps in increasing its airflow.

Bottom Line

You can easily grab this airflow PC case that is filled with many features, and this provides the user a chance to enjoy it. The motherboard has space for new components that users can make use of, and its average price point won’t break the bank.

Runner-up:
Cooler Master MasterCase H500P  

PROS

  • Has a very sleek design
  • Contains around four USB ports
  • Comes with a mesh or glass front panel
  • Has the functional support system of GPU
  • Makes use of the best material combination

CONS

  • Side panels do not provide good security

What Recent Buyers Report

This unit has received very good reviews from its consumers. Users claim that the vertical bar hides the cables, and setting it up was an easy task. It requires Phillips screws without any drilling, which is perfect for even beginners. Also, the premium quality makes it stand out.

Why it Stands Out to Us

This PC case stands out because of its ability to accommodate various different components. It can be slightly pricy, but this feature makes it worth all the hustle and bustle. The company provides premium material in its making that allows it to last longer.

Who Will Use This Most

There are many companies present in the market that sell pricey airflow PC cases, but it can be difficult to find a company that provides you with a premium chassis equipped with all the features you need. This PC case is good for beginners and professionals both.

Bottom Line

Overall, this is a very efficient and good working case that has a great impressive design and uses great material. It keeps your components cool and comes with four USB ports that have great usage on its own. The attractive and unique look makes it stand out.

Best for the Money:
Cooler Master MasterBox Q300L

PROS

  • Comes at a great value
  • Contains magnetic dust filters
  • Very easy to build on your own
  • Has a very attractive design overall
  • Characterized by a very small profile and can fit in every corner of the room

CONS

  • Comes with a single fan present inside

What Recent Buyers Report

According to recent buyers of this product, the airflow on this unit is amazing. The case present on the exterior of this unit is open and has a dust filter that covers it and protects it from getting dirty. It has USB ports present on the side that provide it with a good touch.

Why it Stands Out to Us

This unit stands out because of the elegant design it comes with. It also has plenty of features that make it worth investing in. Wiring on this PC is easy, and you can easily cram the cables out of view and hide the unused wire.

Who Will Use This Most

This is a budget PC that comes filled with features that are easy to use for both beginners and professionals. It also has a cavity present behind the motherboard tray that allows for easy cable management.

Bottom Line

Overall, this airflow computer case is an easy to use, efficient, and robust unit. It is made using premium quality material and has a cavity in the tray that allows you to tuck away the cables. It ensures that your chamber remains tidy and clean, and since the side panel is transparent, it is important to keep it tidy.

Best Corsair Airflow Case:
CORSAIR OBSIDIAN 450D

PROS

  • Has a large window
  • Very easy to maintain
  • Filled with incredible features in it
  • Comes in a sleek color and design
  • Has a good exterior that is durable

CONS

  • Has a high price point 

What Recent Buyers Report

As per recent customer reports, the temperature of this PC is very good. The fans are set to perform at maximum efficiency. This case also traps sound very well, and you can place it next to your desk without having its noise bother you, even at full load performance.

Why it Stands Out to Us

This product stands out because of the color it comes in, which is flat black. It also has a great flush mount and a slightly tinted window panel present on its left side that you can use to show off its sleek design. Furthermore, it comes equipped with two USB ports that prove to be very useful.

Who Will Use This Most

This PC case is more useful for beginners and newbies. It is filled with features, and the left side of the case ensures the main components remain safe with active cooling. However, if you do not want to spend too much on an airflow case, then this product is not for you, as it is pricier than other products in the market.

Bottom Line

Overall, this Corsair case allows you to perform all kinds of activities, even gaming, without worrying about destroying or overheating your PC. The gorgeous design of this unit, along with the features it comes with, is good for beginners to buy.

Editor’s Pick:
Thermaltake Versa H18 (CA-1J4-00S1WN-01)

PROS

  • Simple to use and maintain
  • Comes with a modern design
  • Priced very well according to its features
  • Has the ability to support large graphics cards
  • You can easily add or remove any components

CONS

  • Not very spacious

What Recent Buyers Report

For most people, this case proved to be of premium quality that’s present at a budget price point. It is also easy to maintain and use a unit that comes with a warranty. This warranty allows you to use this unit without worrying about damaging it.

Why it Stands Out to Us

This PC case stands out due to a number of features, such as ideal cooling features, ample space, and even the aesthetics it has. However, its ability to handle large graphics cards is what makes it worth buying; this feature comes very handy for artists.

Who Will Use This Most

For professionals, this PC is the perfect buy. It has several options for fans, HDs, and radiators. If you do not like any internal component present inside, you can remove it easily. Also, this is a good option for beginners, too, as it comes with a manual that explains everything needed.

Bottom Line

If you want premium quality along with good features, then this airflow PC case is the one for you. It not only protects your operating system from problems such as dirt and dust gathering, overheating, and maintenance problems, but it ensures good airflow, as well.

What Do I Need to Know Before Buying?

Before investing in these airflow cases right away, there are a couple of things you need to know about. These things include:

Motherboard Form Factor

Before buying your case, you should know your motherboard’s form factor. The most popular form factors include the ATX, Mini-ITX, and Micro-ATX, and each has a different size. This small size means you will have less room for components and so, fewer features are needed.

Airflow

Even though PC components are made to work at high temperatures without damaging themselves, you do not want them to get very hot. If your components overheat, they will become damaged, and this will reduce the lifespan. It can be a smart idea to use a water cooler, along with your airflow case, as well.

PC Case Sizes

Since motherboards come in different sizes, there will be small cases that cannot fit in with large motherboards. However, large PC cases can fit on smaller boards, so you must check their compatibility before purchasing it.

Conclusion

With the information present in this article, you can easily buy the best airflow case for you. Make sure to go through the reviews of the products mentioned above and find out if the case you like is the perfect one for you or not.

People Also Ask

Even though this article has covered every question asked, some things still remain unanswered. For this reason, we have answered the most frequently asked questions as well.

How Do I Know if my Fan is Intake or Exhaust?

Most of the time, there are arrows present or embossed on the fan’s frame or have a sticker that shows you the direction of the airflow. It is you who actually decides whether the fan is exhaust or intake, depending on which way you mount it over the computer case.

Static Pressure vs. Airflow Case Fans - What’s the Difference?

Airflow fans come with small blades, and these have more curved blades and a decent gap between the body and also the fan that holds it together. Static pressure means that you take the same look as the airflow fan, but you also add resistance to it.

How to Test Airflow in Computer Case

To test the airflow, you can make use of a little smoke that will not harm your computer. Also, once the smoke goes through the first fan, it gets dissipated, and you will not see a clear path of smoke on your own.

Share to Pinterest



Austin

When the tech company I worked for restructured and I ended up jobless, I decided to put the wealth of knowledge and management skills to use somewhere new. I’d checked out a few buyer’s guides on the site in the past and reached out to the previous owner. A few months later, here we are. Now, I get to be behind the scenes, helping people find the best tech.