Best 120mm Case Fans of 2023 – Complete Round-up

Austin
| Last Updated: January 14, 2023

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We bet all the gamers out there hate it when their systems get heated up in the midst of their gaming sessions.

However, present-day technology has provided them with the perfect solution in the form of 120mm case fans.

These devices are perfect for all the long gaming sessions where you want nothing but the best of performance from your gaming unit.

Comparison of the Best 120mm Case Fans

IMAGEPRODUCT
  • Provides users with an airflow of 52.19 CFM
  • Produces noise as low as 25.2 decibels, ensuring a quiet functioning
  • Available in dual and single variations for users to pick according to their need
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  • Available in 22 different colors so users can pick the one they like
  • Features a PWM speed control so you can decide the speed of your unit
  • A fluid dynamic bearing case fan designed to provide the best of heat dissipation
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  • Best Budget 120mm Case Fan
  • Vibration absorbing rubber pads
  • Ultra-thin blades with a power range of 800 to 200 rpm
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  • Best Noctua 120mm Case Fan
  • 4-pin unit designed to provide you control over the fan speeds
  • Features a focused flow frame that allows a high static pressure
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  • Best Slim 120mm Case Fan
  • Long-life sleeve-bearing design that ensures high efficiency
  • Allows an airflow of 54.55 CFM that is higher than most other units
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  • Best 120mm LED Case Fan
  • Features bright LEDs that greatly enhance your experience
  • Triple pack includes three fans that can be used according to need
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  • Best Quiet 120mm case
  • Features an airflow of 38.2 CFM for efficient cooling
  • Keeps the noise level at 22 decibels, so you face no disturbances
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Are Case Fans Important While Gaming?

Gaming units are not the same as a standard PC. They are usually equipped with memory cards and graphic cards. While these accessory cards allow the units to perform better, optimizing them for gaming, they also come with a major drawback. That is, they generate a lot of heat. This heat not only slows down the functioning of your unit but may also cause long term damage to your device.

This is where case fans come in. Case fans are devices that cool your unit down. They get rid of the extra heat, which may damage your system. A good case fan is extremely important if you want your gaming unit to last longer and maintain its high-quality performance. A gaming unit can function without a case fan but its functionality just won’t be the same. So the answer to the question is yes, case fans are quite important for gaming.

Why Did These Case Fans Make Our List?

This article features a list of some of the best 120mm case fans available. These products have not been randomly picked from a sea of products. Instead, they have been carefully chosen on the basis of some ideal features that almost all these products share. Here are the features that were kept in mind while choosing these products:

Cooling Capacity

As the name implies, the cooling capacity of the fan is basically its capability of dissipating heat from your system. A product with greater cooling capacity will be able to keep your unit at lower temperatures for a longer span of time. All the products on our list are designed to provide users with the best cooling capacity.

Durable

When you invest in a product, you want good, lasting performance. What use is an item if it works well, but only for a day? You’d have to invest in another one, wasting money on another product after such a short time. For this reason, the products on our list all guarantee a great durable build, which will last you longer than the standard case fans.

Quiet Functioning

Fans are known to be noisy, no matter what device they are for. While gaming, users need to focus all their attention on the game. But the noise from fans can be a great disturbance. In order to ensure you do not have to deal with that problem, we have picked units that provide you with the quietest possible functioning.

Review of the Best 120mm Case Fans

A lot of users spend a great amount of time just looking for the perfect case fan for their unit. Finding the right unit can be a painstaking task. In order to cut the process short, we have picked out some of the best products to invest in. All you need to do is find one that meets your criteria.

Best Overall:
Corsair Air Series AF120

PROS

  • Can easily function in spaces as restrictive as 3cm
  • Comes with striking LED lights that add a fun aspect to the system
  • Translucent fan allows LEDs to produce a dramatic effect
  • Designed with custom-molded blades that allow a high volume air delivery
  • Ideally designed for the rear, as well as top mounting, but can be used on sides and bottom, as well

CONS

  • Installation process might be tricky for some users
  • The plastic on the corners seems too thin to support the fan for a long time
  • Can only be connected to the headers and not into a plug with connectors

What Recent Buyers Report

This unit is one of those that is exceptionally well-known amongst its users for the outstanding satisfaction it provides. Users have been greatly impressed by how silently it cools their systems, bringing them to just the right temperature. They were also greatly impressed by the bright LED lights that simply added to their experience.

Why it Stands Out to Us

If you ask the users, there is simply nothing to dislike about the unit, and we entirely agree with them. But what we really like about it is the translucent design of the fan itself. The opaque fans usually cut off the LED lights, reducing their impact, but the translucent fan further adds to the effect.

Who Will Use This Most

Given the ideal design and functionality of this unit, we think this is a unit designed for all sorts of users. From beginners to professional gamers, all PC users would find this 120mm case fan to be the perfect addition to their system.

Bottom Line

If you’re looking for a top product for your system, this is the one for you. It will not only allow your system to cool down and perform better but will also add to your user experience with its bright LEDs. It is a unit that has simply failed to disappoint any of its users and will do the same for you.

Runner-up:
ARCTIC F12 PWM

PROS

  • Oil capsule of the unit avoids any sort of leakage of the lubricant
  • Features a two-way installation that blows out warm air and draws in cool air
  • The impeller of the unit allows maximum airflow for efficient heat dissipation
  • Blades innovatively designed to ensure minimal noise disturbance during use
  • PWM speed control allows you to adjust the speed according to your own needs

CONS

  • Does not feature any LED lights
  • May not function as well on the bottom
  • Wires are long and may need proper management

What Recent Buyers Report

Users that have invested in this case fan and tried it out for themselves have been greatly impressed by its performance. A number of users claimed to replace all their previous fans with this one, given how efficiently and quietly it functions. They have also commended it on the great variation of colors that it provides.

Why it Stands Out to Us

There is a lot that this unit has to impress its users. But looking at its features, what really impresses us most is its two-way installation. Users who use two different fans to blow out hot air and draw in cold air can simply use this one to provide them with both.

Who Will Use This Most

This product has a long list of features. This allows it to be used by a great number of users. But those that need a case fan that can be conveniently installed on the top with the best results would find that this is absolutely the perfect unit for them.

Bottom Line

The functionality and efficacy at dissipating heat are second to none in this unit. It has proven to beat a number of other standard case fans at the function, while being available at the same price range, making it a better choice over a number of products.

Best Budget 120mm Case Fan:
Cooler Master JetFlo 120 R4-JFDP-20PB-R1

PROS

  • Durable and long-lasting
  • Two silent adapters keep noise disturbances minimal
  • Smart fan engine allows efficient airflow for maximum cooling effect
  • The stylish blue LED greatly complement the overall design of the unit
  • Comes with smart jam protection that allows it to move after the obstruction is removed

CONS

  • The casing may not be as strong as needed
  • Users may need more than one unit to achieve the required effect
  • Tightening screws and aligning them may be a problem for some cases

What Recent Buyers Report

Given the low price range of this case fan, users admit that they expected its functionality to be that of a standard case fan. But they were stunned by how well it performed. Users claim that its efficiency is on par with any other top quality product, and simply did not fail them.

Why it Stands Out to Us

There is a lot that this unit offers to its users, but the best of these features, according to us, are the two silent mode adapters it comes with. These adapters ensure that the noise of the fan is the least of your worries, and you can use your system in peace.

Who Will Use This Most

A number of users that are new to the gaming scene want to invest in a good, quality case fan that helps improve their gaming. But such users are also hesitant to spend too much on a product that they are not familiar with. For all such users, this unit is a perfect choice, allowing them to experience the best of case fans.

Bottom Line

Why spend more when you can spend less and get the right level of performance that you require for your system? This case fan is a perfect beginner unit for all those newly entering the world of case fans. It provides the right sort of heat reduction without being too heavy on your pocket.

Best Noctua 120mm Case Fan:
Noctua NF-F12 PWM

PROS

  • Ideally designed for CPU heatsinks and water cooling radiators
  • The speed can be controlled within a range of 300 to 1500 RPM
  • Anti-vibration mounts function to lessen any sort of disturbance
  • Features a highly silent functioning, eliminating all excessive disturbances
  • Features an award-winning design that ensures the best of airflow

CONS

  • Multiple units may be required for perfect use
  • A little more expensive than the rest 
  • Installation process might be a little tricky for beginners

What Recent Buyers Report

Most users who have invested in this product did so because they had either used products by Noctua before or had heard of its excellence. In either case, this product did not fail their expectations and provided them with the perfect quality of heat dissipation they had anticipated.

Why it Stands Out to Us

You may find a lot in this unit to be impressed by, but the feature that convinced us to add this product to our list was its anti-vibration mounts. These mounts ensure that the functioning of your fan does not cause vibrations in the rest of your system.

Who Will Use This Most

Products by Noctua are very well-known for their high functionality and efficient performance. Time after time, Noctua has impressed its users with a new product that stuns them, and this is one of them. If you are looking for a 120mm case fan by Noctua, then this is the one for you.

Bottom Line

Why think of another when you already know the best? Noctua is a known brand that has promised nothing but excellence for its users. With this product, it delivers exactly what it has promised. You can expect nothing less than the best with this product and will have all your expectations met.

Best Slim 120mm Case Fan:
Ultra Slim Case Fan

PROS

  • A stylish design that will complement the aesthetics of your system
  • The extra-slim design allows it to fit into spaces as narrow as 1.5cm
  • Ensures low noise functioning that prevents any disturbances during use
  • High airflow makes sure the temperature of your system is kept at optimal
  • Functions at 600-1600 RPMs that can be controlled according to your own needs

CONS

  • Long cable may be hard to manage
  • Does not feature any anti-vibration pads
  • The noise may increase as you increase the RPM of the unit

What Recent Buyers Report

Users investing in this unit admit to having been disappointed by a number of other units that claimed to work well in restricted spaces, but failed to do so. But with this product, they had no complaints at all. Users were greatly satisfied with the compact design of this product and how well it worked.

Why it Stands Out to Us

There’s so much this fan can do, but the one feature that absolutely steals the spotlight is its extremely quiet functioning. This unit allows heat reduction with less noise than most other units, making it one of the quietest and most efficient fans available in the market.

Who Will Use This Most

Finding a slim case fan that can efficiently function in a constricted space can be a painstaking task, but you no longer need to worry about it. If you’re looking for the best in a slim case fan, then this ultra-slim case unit is just the one for you.

Bottom Line

No more worries about trying to fit a case fan into your limited space. This product will fit right into place and work like magic! It will cool down your system efficiently, all while ensuring you do not need to deal with any excessive noise.

Best 120mm LED Case Fan:
Thermaltake CL-F053-PL12SW-A 

PROS

  • Can be linked to up to 16 different controllers
  • Designed with a patented ring along with being RGB enabled
  • Hydraulic bearing of the system ensures low noise while functioning
  • Users can also choose to buy the single or pack of five, whichever they prefer
  • 9-blade design ensures that you get the best of high static pressure for ideal airflow

CONS

  • Slightly more expensive than the others
  • The bright light may not be suitable for all users
  • Casing does not seem to be designed out of the best quality material

What Recent Buyers Report

Users have found this to be one of the best case fans they have used for their units. Not only do they love the bright lights that it features but they have also been greatly impressed by the high airflow that keeps their systems at the desired temperature, making it their favorite.

Why it Stands Out to Us

When we look at this unit, we see an amalgamation of multiple features. Of all these features, one that really stands apart is its high linking capacity. This outstanding unit is capable of being connected to up to 16 controllers, allowing users to have complete control over the speed.

Who Will Use This Most

This unit provides enough features for them to be one for almost all sorts of users. But this unit is highly recommended for those looking for a 120mm case fan along with LEDs. No other unit features LEDs as bright and vibrant as this one, making it one of the best.

Bottom Line

All in all, this unit will not only keep your system cool, but will also make it look cool. It will provide you with the best of heat dissipation, as well as aesthetics. You can rest assured that this case fan by Thermaltake will only provide you with the best.

Best Quiet 120mm Case Fan:
Rosewill ROCF-13001

PROS

  • Extremely pocket-friendly
  • A 4-in-1 product with further variations
  • Very easy to install and can be done in no time
  • Designed to provide ideal airflow with high static pressure
  • Keeps the noise level minimal for the least possible interruptions for the user

CONS

  • Not available in more colors
  • Users need to purchase the remote separately
  • Aligning the screws may be tricky for some users

What Recent Buyers Report

Users who have recently invested in this product will tell you all about how brilliantly it performs. From cooling down the system and improving its performance to allowing a noise-free functioning, it has a commendable design users recommend to all.

Why it Stands Out to Us

This unit has so many features that deserve an appreciation, but topping that list is the great variation it allows for its users. Users can choose between a pack of one, two, four, or a pack of two with a hub and remote.

Who Will Use This Most

Tired of all the noisy fans out there that simply distract you from what you’re trying to do? Well, Rosewill has the perfect solution for you. These fans will not only improve your system’s performance but also ensure you do not have to worry about the noises.

Bottom Line

Noise disturbances are never anyone’s best friend and will never be. With this product, you can finally bid farewell to the noisy units and enjoy your gaming in peace and silence, with all the necessary concentration.

Best Antec 120mm Case Fan:
Antec TrueQuiet 120

PROS

  • Rubber-mounted corners keep vibration at bay
  • Two speeds offer better control according to your need
  • Instantly cools down the system with the flick of a switch
  • Went through rigorous quality testing to ensure durability
  • Simple yet effective design allows for great airflow

CONS

  • Cannot be mounted on the radiator
  • You cannot tell the direction of airflow
  • Starts making noise when not balanced

What Recent Buyers Report

Users who recently purchased this fan like it for its noiseless operation. They really like the option of two speeds, although, it is reportedly quite noisy when operated on high-frequency mode. People like it for its effectiveness and ease of installation. But they would have liked it better if it could be mounted on the radiator. Regardless, they are happy with their purchase.  

Why it Stands Out to Us

This case fan stands out to us for its quiet operation and ease of installation. You can easily mount it with the mounting pins. It is equipped with rubber edges that keep turbulence, vibrations, and noise at bay. It is a durable and reliable product, as it passes extensive quality testing before being sent to the market. With its two speed operation, you can easily set it according to your preference.

Who Will Use This Most

People who are looking for a noiseless case fan are likely to use this most. Users who want a unit that is easy to install and operate are also likely to use it the most. People who want a product that can effectively cool down their system without much vibration will also find this useful.

Bottom Line

This is a wonderful case fan that is great at keeping your system cool. True to its name, it really is noiseless if you operate it in the quiet mode. In the high-frequency mode, it does make some noise. You can install it yourself, as it has a tool-less installation approach. Two-speed operation enables it to be used according to your preferences. All in all, it’s a great product at a great price.

Benefits of Investing in a Quality Case Fan

It is true that a gaming unit can function on its own without attaching a case fan to it. Then why invest in a case fan? There are chances that some of you are still wondering if a case fan is worth investing in. In order to clear your doubts, here are the benefits you can avail by buying one of these top-quality products.

Better Performance

No matter how good your unit is, even without the addition of accessory cards, it generates a considerable amount of heat. This heat can cause your system to slow down. This slowing down may be okay for some, but those that require an efficient functioning of their CPU will find that a case fan efficiently gets rid of this excessive heat. Without heating up, your unit can perform a lot better.

Longer Life

The heat produced by the system does slow down the performance. But if the temperature is left consistently high over a long period of time, it may also cause permanent damage to your system, which can’t be reversed later, eventually requiring you to get it replaced. With a case fan, the heat is constantly dissipated, keeping the temperature within safe ranges, ensuring a longer life for your unit.

Greater Control

If you invest in a good quality unit, you will be able to control the speed of the fan attached to your system. While you use your PC for general purposes, you can keep the fan on low, since not a lot of heat is produced. But when you decide to overclock your unit, you can turn the speed to high to ensure sufficient heat dissipation. This way, you can save energy.

How to Install a New Case Fan

Those who have used case fans previously may not find installation to be a hard task. But for those who are using them for the first time, it may be confusing. If you, too, need help installing these units, then do not worry. Here is a quick and easy guide on how to do it.

1. Before you do anything, make sure that your PC is powered off. To be on the safe side, unplug it from any power source, as well.

2. Mount the fan in a position such that the screws line up with the holes in the case. Once lined up, tighten the screws into position.

If you have friction clips instead of screws, simply snap them into place.

3. Connect the pins of the fan to an unused header on the chipboard. The headers are usually pin specific, but a three-pin pan can be used with a four-pin header and vice versa.

4. Plug your unit again and power on the device. The fan must start functioning with your system. And just like that, you’re good to go.

If the above instructions don’t help you with installation, then you may refer to the video below for a more illustrated guide.

Conclusion

If you’re tired of your unit slowing down due to the excessive heat and can’t overclock it without having to compromise on the functionality, then it’s about time you invest in a case fan. With simple consideration of a few key features, you’ll be able to get the best out of your gaming system and enjoy your gaming sessions like never before.

People Also Ask

Case fans are very important for your gaming system. You need to pick the right unit and the right number of fans in order to ensure optimum functioning of your gaming unit. To help you clear all your queries regarding these fans, we have answered some of the most frequently asked questions.

Are 140mm Fans Better Than 120mm?

When comparing the two sizes, the winning fan depends upon what you require from your unit. At the same RPM, 140mm fans usually deliver better cooling compared to a 120mm fan. But when functioning, the 120mm fan moves at a greater RPM, providing the same amount of cooling effect. But since it works faster, it produces a lot more noise. So in terms of quietness, yes, the 140mm fans are better than the 120mm ones.

Are Bigger Case Fans Better?

A lot of people believe that a bigger fan works better, but that is not entirely true. A smaller fan can efficiently dissipate heat from your system just as well as a big one. The difference lies in the noise produced by the fans. Bigger fans are generally quieter than smaller ones. So if your unit is big enough to support a bigger case fan and you do not want to add noise, then a bigger fan should be your ultimate choice

How Big is a 120mm Fan?

The 120mm case fan speaks for itself. It is 120mm in size. Converting into inches, these units are about 4.72 inches. This size is roughly the same as that of a standard compact disc. This small size of the fan is what makes it efficient and appropriate for the job.

Are Two Fans Enough For a Gaming PC?

While one case fan can work well enough to lower the temperature for your gaming unit, two will definitely work better. A lot of users use two fans for their systems. One of them works to push the hot air out of the unit, while the other pulls the cold air in, allowing more efficient cooling than a single fan.

Are More Case Fans Better?

We all think the saying “the more, the merrier" goes for everything. Well, that may be true in some respects, but only to a certain extent. While using more than one case fan can definitely improve the impact of heat dissipation, using excessive fans may be nothing but a waste of money. Your unit requires a certain temperature for its optimal functioning. And if two fans can work enough to keep it at that, then you do not need any more.

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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.