7 Best All In One Liquid Coolers to Buy in 2019 — Keep Those Temperatures Under Control

We've seen some of the best CPUs and motherboards across Intel and AMD platforms and these components require the best cooling solutions for peak performance. All AMD CPUs come with a stock air cooler that should suffice for most applications whereas Intel does not offer any stock cooler on its enthusiast processors. Even if AMD processors come with fairly capable coolers, you may find it worthwhile to invest in an aftermarket cooling solution if you are looking at overclocking or running heavy loads on the processor.

All in one (AIO) liquid coolers offer a great solution for those looking at a robust CPU cooling solution that does not have high noise emissions. An AIO liquid cooler basically consists of a CPU block and pump combo that sits on the integrated heat spreader of the CPU and a radiator with one or more fans to dissipate the heat. The pump circulates a coolant that helps draw the heat away from the CPU.

AIO liquid coolers are available from a number of quality brands. We list the 7 best AIO liquid coolers that you can buy in 2019 to help keep your processor cool while you are busy fragging your enemies.

1. NZXT Kraken M22

The NZXT Kraken M22 is a compact AIO liquid cooler for your new high-end Intel or AMD CPU. The Kraken M22 has a very simple design and comes with just a pump and a single radiator fan. The pump has RGB effects while the radiator does not. Apart from the Threadripper series, the Kraken M22 supports all modern CPU sockets from Intel and AMD. The pump is mated with an NZXT 120 mm fan rated at 2000 RPM. The RGB lighting on the pump can be controlled by a 9-pin cable that connects to the USB header on the motherboard. NZXT provides the CAM software to monitor the performance of the AIO liquid cooler. The CAM software offers a reasonably detailed readout of various pump and temperature parameters apart from other system components such as GPU and RAM. The software also allows controlling the RGB effects on the pump. The CAM software is not needed for the pump to function and users who are on the fence about the software sending the data to NZXT's cloud servers can choose to skip installing it. The CPU heat spreader contact is made of milled copper and comes pre-applied with a thermal compound.

The NZXT Kraken M22 comes with only a single radiator making it an ideal choice for compact HTPCs. The cooler is well-designed and does not obstruct the wiring or placement of other system components. The performance of the Kraken M22 is excellent for its size with extremely quiet fan speeds. What's more, you also get a 6-year warranty making it one of the best AIO liquid coolers under $100 for compact PCs.

• Pros: Compact; Good performance
• Cons: CAM software needs cloud uploads; No RGB on the radiator

2. Corsair H100i Pro

Corsair is a well-known name in the cooling and peripherals segment and the H100i Pro is a great AIO liquid cooler targeted at enthusiasts. The H100i Pro supports all modern Intel and AMD consumer processors with support for HEDT CPUs such as AMD Threadripper coming soon with the help of an optional mounting bracket. The radiator is made of aluminum and consists of two 120 mm fans that can spin at a maximum speed of 2400 RPM. The CPU block supports RGB lighting, but the radiator does not. The radiator fans have rubberized mounts to minimize vibration noise. The processor heat spreader contact is made of copper and comes with pre-applied thermal paste. The RGB on the pump header can be controlled using the provided LINK software and the unit connects to the motherboard via two 4-pin fan headers, a 3-pin speed control, and a SATA power cable.

Despite having dual 2400 RPM fans, the Corsair H100i Pro runs fairly quiet under moderate load. The compact size helps for easy installation even in small cases. Using higher RPM fans instead of three large fans helps in offering more control over fan curves and if you can cleverly set them, fan noise can be largely minimized even under full CPU load. Overall, the Corsair H100i Pro is one of the best AIO liquid coolers of 2019 that offers excellent performance.

• Pros: LINK software; Good fan control
• Cons: No RGB lighting in the radiator

3. EVGA CLC 280

EVGA is a well-known name in the power supply unit and cooling solutions market and the CLC 280 is one of their new offerings for enthusiast PC users. The EVGA CLC 280 features a dual-fan radiator with 140 mm fans and supports most Intel and AMD processors. Older AMD sockets can be accommodated with the included legacy brackets. The bottom of the CPU unit is made of copper and comes with pre-applied thermal paste. The CPU unit also comes with a USB port that connects to a 9-pin USB header on the motherboard. This enables older motherboards without fan controls in the BIOS to easily install the AIO liquid cooler and control different aspects of it using the bundled software. For those with newer motherboards, a pair of standard PWM fan headers are also available. The included EVGA flow control software enables easy control of fans and offers real-time temperature data along with the ability to customize the RGB lighting.

The EVGA CLC 280 is not the most silent AIO liquid cooler in the market, but if you have a large enough case and require the extra performance this AIO liquid cooler offers over the competition, the EVGA CLC 280 merits a consideration.

• Pros: Good CPU cooling; Support for motherboard fan control
• Cons: Higher noise levels

4. Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML360R

For those looking at a top-class AIO liquid cooler with added RGB lighting, the Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML360R is a good consideration. The ML360R offers a large surface area for cooling and comes with an assortment of accessories. The ML360R supports most consumer desktop platforms with the exception of AMD's TR4 socket for the Threadripper series. The AIO liquid cooler comes with a dedicated RGB module that can magnetically attach onto the chassis. The module connects to the motherboard via USB or via dedicated RGB headers. The pump features a large copper base plate that attaches well to the CPU's heat spreader. The included radiator has three 120 mm fans that offer good airflow within the chassis. The fans also feature addressable RGB that syncs with the rest of the system.

For the price, the Cooler Master MasterLiquid ML360R RGB offers excellent thermal performance comparable to the best from the likes of Corsair and NZXT. There is a lot of cable management that needs to be done in order to minimize clutter. However, with good aesthetics and support for addressable RGB, the ML360R is the best CPU cooler to buy.

• Pros: Very good thermal performance
• Cons: Too many cables

5. Enermax Liqtech 360 OC TR4 II

If you are rocking an AMD Threadripper CPU, you would know that there aren't too many good AIO liquid coolers available for the humongous TR4 socket. Sure, AMD offers a great stock cooler that does the job well, but for those who like pushing their CPUs to the max, a good cooler is required. Fortunately, the Enermax Liqtech 360 OC TR4 II solves this problem by offering a robust cooling solution for AMD's Threadripper and Epyc processors. Since this cooler is specifically made for the above socket types, it does not support Intel sockets. The radiator comes with three 120 mm fans that can spin at 2300 RPM and feature rubber strips to minimize fan noise and vibration. The pump uses a copper plate that is finely milled. Enermax also supplies an extra tube of thermal paste so you need not worry about buying one yourself.

The Enermax AIO liquid cooler offers good performance along with some RGB lighting effects on the CPU block. This liquid cooler offers excellent performance that can be compared with a full-blown liquid cooling loop set up at a price that is not too heavy on the wallet. The Enermax Liqtech 360 OC TR4 II does not have much competition and is easily one of the best AIO liquid coolers for the AMD Threadripper platform.

• Pros: Great cooling performance; Value for money
• Cons: No dedicated software

6. NZXT Kraken X72

If you've found the Kraken M22 was a bit underwhelming for your rig, the Kraken X72 could be just the one you need. The NZXT Kraken X72 is targeted at enthusiasts and comes with features that offer fine-grained control over various aspects of CPU cooling. Out of the box, the Kraken X72 supports most modern Intel and AMD processors. With the included Asetek bracket, you can also install this cooler for Threadripper processors as well. The X72's radiator can house three 120 mm fans that can spin up to 2,000 RPM. The AIO liquid cooler can be controlled via the NZXT CAM software that interfaces via a 9-pin connector on the motherboard. The software allows for controlling various aspects of the pump and gives real-time statistics on thermals and system performance. You can also adjust the RGB lighting effects on the CPU block as well. However, there are no RGB lighting effects on the fans. The CAM software sends your system data to its own cloud so those who are privacy-conscious may choose to skip using it. NZXT makes this pretty clear during installation, though. The finely-milled copper base at the bottom of the CPU block comes with pre-applied thermal paste.

The NZXT Kraken X72 is not a cheap AIO liquid cooler by any means. However, you get the excellent cooling performance and good aesthetics to make your build stand out from the rest. If you are looking to purchase this cooler for the AMD Threadripper platform, you may be better off with the Enermax Liqtech listed above. However, if Intel is your processor of choice, the NZXT Kraken X72 is the best AIO liquid cooler for overclocking.

• Pros: Excellent cooling performance
• Cons: Expensive

7. Deepcool Captain 240 Pro

The Deepcool Captain 240 Pro offers a distinct design compared to other AIO liquid coolers in the list. The Captain 240 Pro supports common Intel and AMD processors including the Threadripper series. The Captain 240 Pro comes with all the required accessories required to get you going out of the box. Both the CPU block and the radiator fans support RGB lighting, which can be controlled via 4-pin hubs that connect directly to your motherboard. In case you have an older board, Deepcool also provides the option of using SATA connectors for manual control. The pump speeds and well as that of the fans can be easily controlled from your motherboard BIOS. The baseplate of the CPU block is made of copper as usual and is expansive enough to properly cover the large Threadripper CPUs. The tubing connects to the CPU block via 90-degree fittings that can be swiveled for easy movement. The PWM radiator fans have a maximum speed of 1800 RPM and there is also a valve to release excess pressure.

Performance of the Deepcool Captain 240 Pro is excellent provided you are knowledgeable about setting the right fan curves. There is no bundled software so you'll have to rely on your motherboard's BIOS or other controller software to adjust the Captain 240 Pro. Overall, the Deepcool Captain 240 Pro is one of the best AIO liquid coolers, if you can pardon the lack of a software UI.

• Pros: AMD Threadripper support; RGB lighting
• Cons: No bundled software suite

So, those were our recommendations for the best AIO liquid coolers to buy in 2019. Whether a liquid cooling solution is needed or not should be evaluated by your workflow. If you run a lot of CPU intense apps and games, then a liquid cooler provides much better and consistent cooling compared to traditional air coolers. The operating noise is also much lesser. However, for regular day-to-day work such as browsing the web or Office work, an all in one cooler might be an overkill.

We hope that this article has addressed your needs. Feel free to let us know in the comments below if you need any other information and we’ll be sure to get back to you at the earliest. And while you are at it, don’t forget to follow TechNadu on Facebook and Twitter.