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As any laptop user knows, laptops and ultrabooks run hot when you use them on a soft surface like, well, your lap. Components can easily exceed 100 degrees when you block their air vents. The best way to avoid this is with a laptop cooling pad. Here are the best laptop cooling pads for increasing airflow and heat dissipation in and around your laptop case.
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9 Best Laptop Cooling Pads: Your Buyer’s Guide
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Amazon Customer Reviews
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Amazon Customer Reviews
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Price: $27.99 Shop at Amazon | Shop now Read our review |
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Our Unbiased Reviews
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1. Best Overall Laptop Cooler: Thermaltake Massive TM
Pros:- Multiple temp sensors
- Turbo button offers max cooling
- Two pass-through USB 2.0 ports
Cons:- Bulky form factor
- USB ports are hard to reach
- Auto cool function can be spotty
The Thermaltake Massive takes the cake in terms of extra features, which is great for those who want maximum control over their cooling pads. It has an elegant brushed aluminum finish with a hexagonal grill large enough support and cool notebooks up to 17 inches.
The fan itself is made of durable plastic and has feet that can be angled for three different levels of comfort.
Its dual 120mm fans can be manually adjusted for the most effective cooling. Alternatively, this laptop cooler has temperature sensors that can automatically adjust fan strengths to target hot areas.
There is a display that shows the temperatures of the various sensor points. Think of it as the smart way to cool.
In addition to a button to switch from auto to manual, you also have a button to change the fan speed, a turbo button to max out cooling power, a lock button that keeps controls from being accidentally bumped, and of course, a power button.
There is also an easy multi-function display panel that shows information from the temperature sensors.
Backed up with two onboard USB 2.0 ports, the Massive TM Cooler is loaded with more features than you could ask from a cooling pad. But in the end, does that distract from its core functionality, or enhance it?
The answer to that depends on the user.
Find more Thermaltake Massive TM information and reviews here.
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2. Best Slim Laptop Cooler: Cooler Master NotePal X-Slim
Pros:- Slim and lightweight
- Powerful and silent cooling
- Low price
Cons:- Only one USB port
- Surface does not grip laptop well
- Single fan limits airflow patterns
The Cooler Master NotePal X-Slim is the ideal laptop cooler for those seeking to keep a low profile when cooling laptops up to 17 inches. It has a truly slim 46mm profile, even when you pull out the cooling pad’s two-stage rubber feet to elevate the laptop and improve its air intake.
While elevating the laptop alone can improve your core temperatures and performance, the NotePal X-Slim also has a large 160mm fan.
It is powerful, nearly silent, and spins at up to 1500 RPM for ultra-efficient cooling.
The metal mesh design enhances airflow around the fan too. Even though it doesn’t have as many fans as its pricier counterparts, it can still move just as much air.
With one pass-through USB port, the X-Slim does not waste an accessory port on your laptop, but all the same does not offer a USB hub either. This is a bit disappointing.
But considering this cooler’s price against the others on this list, the Notepad X-Slim is clearly meant to be a simple and easy cooling option.
At the same time, the simplicity of this cooler is a huge bonus for users who aren’t looking to fiddle with settings to optimize core temps.
Find more Cooler Master NotePal X-Slim information and reviews here.
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3. Best Laptop Cooling Pad for Large Laptops: Havit HV-F2056 Laptop Cooler
Pros:- Powerful three-fan array can cool larger devices
- Adjustable height settings
- Two pass-through USB 2.0 ports
Cons:- Fans are somewhat loud
- No way to disable LEDs
- So-so plastic
The Havit HV-F2056 is a best-selling fan pad for notebooks up to 17 inches that is stylish and functional. It is light and barely an inch thick. It weighs about 1.6 pounds.
This cooler has two adjustable height settings, allowing for ergonomic positioning and added airflow beneath the laptop.
This model sports three large 110mm fans, which are a little loud compared to some other top models. But they still evenly distribute air across the underside of your laptop.
Each fan spins at 1,000 RPM to offer a strong combined air flow of 65 CFM. This cooling pad also features two convenient USB 2.0 ports, allowing you to connect peripherals and charge mobile devices.
The blue LEDs look stylish but can be distracting at night. Fortunately, there is an independent power switch for the LEDs, allowing you to disable them at night.
Missing from this cooler is the ability to control the fan speed, not that there is much reason to ever use your fan on half power. As long as precise temperature control isn’t a necessity, this is a contender for best laptop cooler overall.
Find more Havit HV-F2056 information and reviews here.
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4. Best Laptop Cooling Pad Accessory: Opolar LC05 Laptop Cooler
Pros:- Compact and fairly silent
- Power and responsive airflow settings
- Built-in temp sensor
Cons:- Requires an adhesive mount
- Only connects to side-facing vents
- So-so plastic
Though not technically a cooling pad, the Opolar LC05 Vacuum Fan is an awesome tool that can supplement or replace a cooling pad for your laptop. Rather than increase airflow into your laptop, the LC05 uses a high-quality motor to actually suck hot air through your side or rear air vents.
This cooler requires you to attach an adhesive mount to your laptop, but because of this, the LC05 has a smaller footprint than other coolers. It is also more portable.
Another plus is that it can be used in addition to a normal cooling pad to max out your heat reduction.
Installation can be a little tricky if you go in blind, but if you make sure your laptop’s vents are compatible and watch the above video on how to set it up, you’ll have no trouble at all.
The install kit includes several silicone shrouds, a 3M adhesive mount, a dust filter, and the junction plate. This cooler also comes with a set of adhesive legs to help the laptop sit level with the bracket attached.
Once connected, plugged in, and powered on, LC05 will go into automatic mode, which cycles through the unit’s 13 adjustable speeds to get you back to optimal temps.
You can also set the controls to manual if you want to just run it maxed at all times.
The fan gets louder with each setting, but even on its highest setting, it is still fairly innocuous, maxing out under 60 Db. For the amount of air it moves, the Opolar LC05 can frequently serve as a single source of temperature control.
But if you find yourself with a laptop that just won’t cool down, pair this puppy up with a cooling pad for maximum coverage.
Find more Opolar LC05 Laptop Cooler information and reviews here.
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5. Best Cheap Laptop Cooler: Tree New Bee Cooling Pad
Pros:- Slim and stylish design
- Two pass-through USB 2.0 ports
- Low price
Cons:- LEDs cannot be dimmed independent of fan controls
- Limited adjustable heights
- So-so plastic
The Klim Wind Cooling Pad offers style, portability, and effective cooling at a price that definitely earns it a mention. The cool angular design is complemented by the cooler’s metal grille and four visible fans with blue LEDs.
The power for the top two and bottom two fans are controllable using a control wheel. This will also control the brightness of the LEDs, which, unfortunately, cannot be dimmed independently of the fan controls.
This fan more than makes up for that small issue with useful features like an extra USB port, adjustable height settings, and anti-skid arms. So this bright and angular fan is pretty cool, but when it comes down to brass tacks, the Tree New Bee cooler is best known for effectively cooling laptops.
Even on their max settings, the fans are not particularly loud so you can get a very thorough cooling with minimal noise pollution. Each of the four 120mm fans goes up to 1,200 RPM, which should meet any laptop’s need for air flow. And if it doesn’t work, you can put this bad boy in a case and tell all your friends it’s a slim-profile RC drone.
Find more Klim Wind Cooling Pad information and reviews here.
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6. Best Portable Laptop Cooler: Cooler Master NotePal U3 Plus
Pros:- Portable form factor acts as a laptop sleeve
- Movable fans allow targeted cooling
- Lightweight and silent
Cons:- High price tag
- Only one USB port
- Non-adjustable height
Another awesome cooling option from Cooler Master is the NotePal U3 Plus, which stands apart with its movable fans that do more cooling with fewer resources used. This sleek and sturdy pad consists of a sand-blasted aluminum grille, plus a lifted end with helpful cable management pegs.
This pad’s three 80mm fans are fully movable, allowing you to target hot spots on your laptop.
This allows the three small fans to cover as much space as three full-size fans, without the added noise and weight. Each fan spins up to 1,800 RPM and is capable of producing 31 CFM of air flow. Total noise from both fans sits under 40 Db.
In line with the efficiency-based design, the NotePal U3 Plus also offers handy features like its single pass-through USB cable, which keeps this peripheral from taking up a USB port.
This laptop stand is rated to fit laptops up to 19 inches in screen size, but if you want a smaller version, then you can simply go for the NotePal U2 Plus instead.
It even comes with a strap that allows the contoured pad to double as a laptop case. With flexibility like that, the NotePal U3 Plus is the best laptop cooler for when you are on the go.
Find more Cooler Master NotePal U3 PLUS information and reviews here.
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7. Best Ergonomic Laptop Cooler: Kootek Chill Mat 5 Cooler
Pros:- Wide adjustable height range
- Silent five fan array
- Two pass-through USB 2.0 ports
Cons:- Weak LEDs flicker occasionally
- Bulky form factor
- Limited controls
This fan offers some of the widest adjustable angles, which is great news if you want to type comfortably on your lap. The Kootek Chill Mat 5 is a powerful laptop stand that focuses on two things first: cooling and comfort.
Raising your keyboard to an angle helps reduce strain on your neck and rounding in your shoulders, both of which are common side effects of prolonged laptop use. The surface is large enough to hold a 17-inch laptop and has clips to keep the computer in place when it is propped at a high angle.
The fans are powerful as well. The Kootek Cooler has five fans, one main and four smaller areas to improve air dispersion. The fans can be powered in different combinations, but you might as well just run all of them because it is fairly silent.
According to gaming accessories marketers, the color blue cools down your PC. Accordingly, this cooler has a bunch of blue LEDs. Unfortunately, they flicker when they are under a heavy load, which just makes the cooler feel cheap.
The whole setup is USB powered and offers two additional USB 2.0 ports, both of which offer pass-through charging. This cooling pad’s form factor may not make it the best for carrying around but can make it a perfect inclusion for a stationary laptop setup.
If you are looking for an ergonomic cooling stand specifically for the MacBook Pro, you can also consider the EPN fan stand I feature in my roundup of the best MacBook Pro stands.
Find more Kootek Chill Mat 5 Cooler information and reviews here.
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8. Best Cushioned Laptop Cooler: Cooler Master NotePal LapAir
Pros:- Wide adjustable height range
- Built-in temp sensor
- Two pass-through USB 2.0 ports
Cons:- No way to disable LEDs
- Somewhat louder fans
- So-so plastic
The Cooler Master NotePal LapAir is a laptop fan that actually encourages lap use with a comfortable sponge-cushioned bottom that rests lightly on your lap. This laptop cooling pad handles laptops up to 17 inches and uses a single noiseless fan to provide extra airflow.
This cooling pad has a wedged design that improves ergonomics and allows for a higher volume of airflow. It makes the overall unit a little bulkier than other cooling pads, but the main you’ll want this cooler over another is for its benefits to a stationary user.
This cooling pad is powered by a pass-through USB port, which conveniently tucks away when not in use. It has a removable grille for easy cleaning, which helps ensure that you get countless hours of use out of this nifty device.
Find more Belkin CoolSpot Cushion Laptop Cooling Pad information and reviews here.
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9. Best Laptop Desk Pad: LapGear XL Laptop LapDesk
Pros:- Integrated mousepad and ergonomic wrist rest
- Large, flat surface helps increase airflow when using on your lap
- Lap pillows have side-storage pouches
Cons:- Does not sit evenly on flat surfaces
- Bulky form factor
- No built-in fan
The LapDesk alleviates heat buildup from covered vents, though if you suffer abnormal heat retention on your device because of heavy use, you may still need a laptop fan in addition to a LapDesk. The generously-sized XL LapGear LapDesk is a different kind of temperature control solution, as it does not have dedicated fans to control airflow.
The LapDesk has integrated mouse pads for both left and right-handed users. It also has an ergonomic wrist rest for comfortable typing.
This stand also has two nifty side storage pouches, which sit between the cushions of the padded underside.
At 22 inches wide, this LapDesk will be able to hold your 17-inch laptop, mouse, phone, and more with room to spare. But despite having a carry handle, this is probably too big of a device to take out of the house.
That said, a LapDesk is a great investment for anyone who does most of their web surfing from a couch or bed.
Find more LapGear XL Laptop LapDesk information and reviews here.
Do You Really Need a Laptop Cooling Fan?
If you use your notebook or ultrabook on the daily, then yes, a laptop cooler is practically a necessity.
Even fanless computers need air circulation and cooling, as the minuscule moving parts of a computer cause a surprising amount of heat buildup.
To make matters worse, your laptop's intake fans are usually on the bottom side, rendering them useless on a bed or your actual lap.
Think your laptop might already be damaged beyond repair? You can check for these commons signs of overheating.
You should only consider the best laptop cooling pads to remedy this, as skimping out on this essential accessory could end up costing you way more trying to replace a burnt-out component.
Our picks focus on the cooling pads that have the most air displacement, with special exceptions made for cooling pads that are extra compact or have other useful features. If a laptop cooling pad can also increase the viewing angle of your screen and make it easier to type, then all the better.
See Also
9 Best Laptop Lap Desks: Which One Is Right For You?