If you are a gamer, this is a problem that you have certainly encountered: the computer that heats up. You are in the middle of a game, the PC starts to breathe like a forge, the image jerks and the machine ends up crashing royally. It is therefore, logically, a topic that often comes up on forums with this eternal declaration, marked by despair: “My PC overheats when I play” .

But then, how can you prevent your laptop from overheating? The answer is simple: with a laptop cooler. It allows optimal ventilation. It is therefore the assurance of protecting your equipment from certain disappointments, and of ensuring the survival of your data and work.

To help you acquire this very useful system, we have put together a buying guide for the 8 best coolers for laptops . You will also find an FAQ section and a complete buying guide to help you choose the one best suited to your needs.

What to know before buying a laptop cooler

Before starting our comparison, here are 3 good reasons that can encourage you to buy one!

• Keeps your PC at optimal temperature
• Avoids frequent overheating of small laptops
• Ergonomic and used as a support for your PC

Comparison of the best laptop coolers

We know how complicated it can be to choose a cooler for your laptop. For this reason, we want to offer you reliable models that stand out for their excellent value for money!

1. The klim Wind: The most powerful laptop cooler!

2. Klim Ultimate: A cooler with RGB lighting!

3. Empire Gaming Turboost: A cooler with 5 fans!

4. The Klim Cool +: A USB air extractor cooler!

5. Klim Nova: An extra cooler!

6. Klim Bamboo: A cooler with a bamboo support!

7. Targus: An ergonomic laptop cooler!

8. Havit HV: Simple but effective!

FAQ—Find out all the details about the laptop cooler!

The advantages of a laptop cooler!

If you are hesitant to buy a cooler for your laptop, here are some advantages it can offer you!

Keeps your PC at optimal temperature

There are many reasons that cause the temperature of a laptop to rise: accumulation of dust, overactivity of programs, unsuitable media, etc.

In principle, the cooling and ventilation systems already integrated into your laptop regulate its temperature. But, it is not uncommon for these to not be sufficiently efficient (it is enough for your PC to be a little old for its cooling systems to show some signs of weakness). Your computer then becomes extremely sensitive to its environment and can heat up considerably. The cooler, equipped with one or more fans, is used as an inclined support for your computer , and keeps the temperature low. It allows you to use your PC's resources optimally .

Avoids frequent overheating of small laptops

Unlike a well-ventilated desktop computer with its modular power supply , small laptops are more prone to overheating problems . It's quite logical: the smaller they are, the smaller their ventilation and cooling systems are as well. Furthermore, the smaller the laptops, the more we tend to carry them everywhere, and therefore use them in inappropriate places and supports. They then tend to easily store heat with a risk of early deterioration. A cooler is therefore strongly recommended when you have chosen a small format.

Easy to use

One of the nice aspects of this equipment is its practicality. It is very easy to use. All you have to do, so to speak, is turn it on and place your computer on it. It looks like a tray, with the possibility of tilting it, which makes using the PC more comfortable (this is particularly the case during long gaming sessions). So, no more tension in the neck and back which causes chronic pain.

Why is it recommended to use a cooler for your laptop PC?

The computer heating up is above all linked to a physical phenomenon: the components dissipate their electrical energy into heat. It is therefore completely natural for it to heat up. On the other hand, the problem occurs when the heat released is too great. The PC's cooling system is no longer able to properly regulate the temperature, the components lose stability... And then it's a disaster: blue screens, unwelcome reboots, sound signals, etc. A farandole of bugs, in short.

When this happens to us, no matter how angry we get on the keyboard, we are often good for a little break and a proper restart. Yes, nothing more annoying.

It's easy to imagine that this overheating phenomenon is the prerogative of gamers. Logically, the more you use a PC's resources, the more likely it is to break temperature records. The PC that heats up in game is a big classic.

In reality, you don't have to be a die-hard gamer to be faced with this problem of a laptop PC that heats up too much. This is very common when you use it for several hours in a row, while watching a series for example, and on certain supports such as a mattress, your knees or any other non-rigid surface. Overheating of the computer may also occur if you use it in poorly ventilated or too bright places (next to a window through which the sun's rays filter, for example).

You must understand that your laptops are equipped with fans which act like real dust vacuum cleaners. They absorb it, it accumulates over time and ends up clogging the air filters, with an obvious risk of overheating and its cohort of bugs of all kinds. But beyond the immediate inconvenience caused by a boiling computer, the real risk is to see its components give up the ghost one after the other, resulting in the loss of your data. It is therefore imperative that you take care of your mount.

The best inexpensive coolers for your laptop!

Ventilated support or air extractor: 2 cooling systems

The ventilated support

The ventilated support comes in the form of a tilting tablet. It is equipped with one or more fans protected from the outside by a metal grille. Then simply place the laptop on it. Fresh air, propelled by the fans, enters the PC through the air inlet located under the chassis.

You are likely to find this system under different names: cooling plate, fan or even cooling tablet. Don't be confused, they all refer to the same cooling system: the ventilated support.

Benefits :

The ventilated support has the big advantage of practicality. It accomplishes its main function by cooling the laptop, but is also very ergonomic. The tablet offers real comfort to the user by allowing the laptop to be tilted (depending on the model it can be tilted up to 60°. Others, however, are only equipped with small retractable feet). It is therefore ideal for long gaming or work sessions, but also for use in a lying position (in a bed, for example). Working on a PC that is tilted rather than flat has been shown to make it less tiring to use.

Disadvantages:

Concerning the ventilated support, the disadvantage lies mainly in the potentially disturbing sound emission. However, some models are designed to make little noise. By paying attention to this selection criterion, you will be able to find a silent model of ventilated support.

Furthermore, depending on the model it is not always easy to transport them. Some larger ones have difficulty slipping into a PC sleeve.

The air extractor

The air extractor is a newer system that works differently from the ventilated support; Unlike the latter, this system does not blow cool air into the computer via the air inlet, but draws hot air at the air outlet. Its function is therefore to evacuate heat from the PC and not to dilute it with cold or temperate air. In terms of performance, it is slightly superior to the ventilated support and therefore ensures a low temperature. Small downside about this device: it must be placed on the side or behind the computer (depending on the location of the air outlet).

Benefits :

Air extractors are generally a little more powerful than angled stands, but they are also lighter and smaller, making them easier to transport.

Disadvantages :

They must necessarily be placed in front of the air outlet, either behind the computer or to the side. Which gives the device a somewhat invasive touch. It all depends on how you use your PC but it's definitely an off-putting point for some of us.  

How does a ventilated support work?

We have previously explained how the system works: one or more fans blow a cold current into the PC's air inlet, located under the chassis.

The power deployed differs from one model to another, and each user can find the one that suits their activities. The gamer will need a superpower to fully exploit the capabilities of their PC. The same goes for all professionals who use resource-intensive software.

What about the power supply ? Well, the ventilated stand is simply connected to the laptop via a USB cable. It then adapts to the operation of the computer and works according to its rhythm. The fans come into action when you plug in the PC and adapt their power to the needs of the computer. If it is cold or does not really heat up, then the cooler slows down its frequency. Conversely, if the PC temperature increases, then the cooler turns on.

The best-selling curved PC screens of the year!

How to choose the right laptop cooler?

To choose the perfect cooler for your needs, here are some things to consider .

The number of cooler fans

This will determine the power of your cooler. If you push your laptop to its limits and exploit its performance to the fullest, opt for a cooler with numerous fans. This point is very important, especially for performance-hungry gamers who are ruthless with their PCs!

Fan characteristics.

The number of fans is a determining variable which will affect the power of the cooler, but it is not the only one. You also need to pay attention to the speed of these. The most efficient models reach up to 4500 revolutions per minute, while the entry-level models run at 1200 revolutions per minute. It is also interesting to pay attention to the positioning of the fans, it is possible that this affects the power of the cooling system.

The number of USB ports

Pay attention to the number of USB ports present on the cooler, they will allow you to plug your peripherals directly into it, thus freeing up those of your PC and limiting the rise in temperature. Prefer USB 3.0 ports.

Choose a Quiet Cooler

Be careful of the noise. This is the small drawback of the cooler: being equipped with fans, it is often a bit noisy. If for some reason you want to play or work in a quiet environment, choose one that emits no more than 30 dB. To give you an idea, this sound level is equivalent to what a whisper can be…

Buy a cooler whose dimensions match those of your laptop

Yes, it sounds like the evidence of an open door said like that, but it is always good to remember it; we quickly become distracted by other selective criteria and forget the essentials. It would be a shame to have to return your cooler straight out of the box. Take the size of the screen as well as the weight of the PC as indicators, they will allow you to make the right choice. Prefer a size a little larger than the size of your computer, you will gain in comfort.

The material of your cooler

The choice of material is also very important. There are plastic and even wooden ones, but if possible choose an aluminum model: both strong and light, this metal works on both counts and allows you to fully benefit from the advantages of such a system.  

Air extractor or ventilated support?

This is mainly a question of taste. Both systems are efficient; Both will be able to protect you from a laptop PC that heats up (the extractor perhaps significantly more). However, since the air extractor is placed in front of or behind the PC, it can be cumbersome (as we said a little above). It's up to you to see which one suits you best based on your use.

Namely, if you want to be precise: there are coolers specially designed for certain types of components. So, you will find coolers for hard drive, for processor, for case, for graphics card, etc.

Why is your PC heating up?

There are many reasons why your computer is burning hot. As we have seen, it can be an accumulation of dust with blocking of the filters, but also an overheating of the processor . This is the case when you put it to the test by exploiting its full resources. A gamer playing a demanding video game (in terms of resources) will be more easily confronted with an overheating computer that makes noise.

The components of your computer are made of transistors and microchips, which are themselves made of semiconductors. Binary signals (0 or 1) passing through the current are what cause these parts to work. A signal 1 corresponds to an “ON” state, a signal 0 corresponds to an “OFF” state. When the signal is “OFF”, the transistors act as resistors to prevent current from passing: It is this resistance which induces heat. The more semiconductors there are in a processor, the more likely it is to heat up. Basically, the more powerful it is, the more likely you are to observe processor overheating.

Whatever your PC activity, you generate heat. This increases with the intensity of the tasks (from a physical point of view).

Don't risk losing your data

As you will have understood, it is important to take care of the temperature of your computer. It is even essential: it is a guarantee of sustainability. A computer that overheats too regularly presents the risk of exploding in mid-flight. There is also the risk of seeing your data and other game parts disappear for eternity, as long as you don't remember to save them.

Without going that far, ensuring that your PC is at the right temperature will save you from some bouts of stress: your laptop overheats and shuts down (with the fear of having lost all its data).

Different solutions exist

To avoid any breakdowns, crashes, PC problems that heat up in-game , and other similar things, there are solutions.

One of them (perhaps the most effective) is to equip yourself with a cooler. Air extractor or ventilated support, your choice. Both will do the job perfectly. You will have to choose according to your tastes, preferences and needs.

The laptop air extractor has the advantage of being easy to transport. Its small dimensions allow it to be easily slipped into luggage. On the other hand, once attached to your laptop, it is less practical than the ventilated support. It increases the surface area needed for your computer. In terms of performance, he seems to dominate the game a bit; the difference is slight but can be important for experienced gamers.

As for the inclined support, it offers a great duality of advantages. Both effective in keeping the temperature of your computer within an acceptable range, but also for the comfort it provides. The inclination of the device encourages better posture (better head posture, good back support, neck alignment, etc.). And we know how tiring a prolonged gaming session can be for the body: pain radiating from the shoulders to the neck.

Where the problem lies somewhat is in the noise level. Depending on the model and the number of fans fitted to it, the inclined support can be quite disturbing. However, manufacturers have taken this concern into consideration. Some brands therefore offer silent ones (emission of 30 dB).

The other small downside is this: it takes up space, independently of your PC. Assembled to your computer, it is one with it, but separated from it, it is another device to carry. Some will fit into a laptop sleeve, but not all.

You see, there are quite a few points to check before purchasing a laptop cooler.

So take the time to choose the most suitable device, according to the criteria covered in this comparison: think about the size, weight, fan power, etc.

Plan with a cooler and ask yourself the right questions: where do you use your laptop? In what way? Do you absolutely have to work in a quiet environment? Do you often take your PC when you travel?

Take care of your computer

In any case, even if equipped with a cooler, be sure to let your laptop breathe from time to time. There is too much of a tendency to leave it constantly on, never closing the programs. It's understandable, when you're in the middle of a project, you don't necessarily want to close everything and turn it off. And then, a PC turned off and on too often risks wearing out more quickly than expected. But the opposite is also true: never turning it off is a very bad habit (a bit like never sleeping. You'll end up going crazy.).

In general, pay attention to your computer. Make sure not to let it roast in direct sunlight, and avoid sprinkling it with bread crumbs and other food residue.

Also tidy up your PC. Sanitize it, put it away! A very clean and tidy PC and a PC that will heat up less!

If you follow these recommendations, overheating your PC will soon be a distant memory. No more cry of despair on the forums: “my PC overheats when I play”.