The Best Laptop Cooling Pads
If you've ever used a laptop on your lap, you already know just how hot they can get. In fact, letting your laptop overheat can seriously damage your hardware and result in frustratingly slow processing speeds. Fortunately, slipping a cooling pad underneath can give your laptop an immediate performance boost and extend its lifespan. That's why we've scoured the market for the best of the best in laptop cooling pads. Read on to discover a few of our favorites and find the perfect pick for your needs.
What to Look For
When narrowing down the best laptop cooling pads on the market, we considered durability, fan quantity, cooling power, and price. For example, if you want a well-rounded, budget-friendly cooling pad, the Havit HV-F2056 laptop cooling pad has great performance at a reasonable price. If you want something a bit more powerful, the Aicheson laptop cooling pad has five fans for more cooling power than almost anything else on the market. Read on to see all our top picks and find the laptop cooling pad that’s right for you.
Havit HV-F2056 Laptop Cooling Pad
The undefeated champ
This cooling pad from Havit has everything we look for in a cooling pad and more. The slim design is super portable, so it won’t convert your laptop into an immobile PC. In fact, this option features non-slip legs that can be collapsed in a jiffy for those grab-and-go moments. It fits into most laptop bags, so think of it less like an extra accessory and more as an extension of your laptop. Better yet, the metal mesh construction is sturdy and durable, so it’ll probably outlast your laptop. And unlike most other options, the three fans on this sleek cooling pad are hush-quiet, making it perfect for students that want to deploy their rig in a library or during those late-night study/gaming sessions.
Pros
- The base has two extra USB ports.
- The sleek design is available in three different colors.
- Plugs into any USB port on your laptop, and the fans will fire right up.
- Considering the durable metal construction, this pad is built to last.
- Compatible with laptops up to 17 inches in screen size.
Cons
- The LED lights cannot be turned off without turning off the fans.
Aicheson Laptop Cooling Pad
The more the merrier
The Aicheson laptop cooling pad takes cooling to the next level. This heavy-duty option has a whopping five different fans evenly distributed across the face of the base. It’s another great overall option and the perfect pick for anyone that needs extra cooling coverage. Better yet, it’s also one of the most adjustable options. The stand can be positioned at four different viewing angles to make sure you keep a healthy posture. Plus, there’s a dial that controls the fan speed and LEDs, so you can turn it up or down depending on the demands of your computer.
Pros
- The heavy-duty construction includes a metal mesh base and a sturdy adjustable stand.
- A bit larger than most options, this one can accommodate laptops up to 17.3 inches in screen size.
- The ability to control the fan speed is an awesome feature that can’t be overstated.
Cons
- The included USB cable is pretty flimsy, though replacements are really cheap.
Tecknet Laptop Cooling Pad
We use laptops because they’re portable. Naturally, it follows that their cooling pads should be portable, too. That’s why we recommend this compact cooling pad from Tecknet. At only 1.76 pounds, it won’t make any noticeable difference in the weight of your laptop bag. It also won’t add any bulk. Thanks to the slim profile and smooth rounded edges, this option slips into any bag to help keep your workstation mobile. Of course, the compact size will prove to be too small for large laptops bigger than 16 inches in screen size, but if you have a compact computer, you can’t go wrong with this compact cooling pad.
Pros
- The lightweight design is both practical and stylish.
- The two large fans are whisper-quiet.
- Uses an anti-skid rubber base to keep your laptop from slipping off, rather than bulky clamps or flip-up dividers.
- The affordable price makes this a great option for those shopping on a budget.
Cons
- You can’t adjust the viewing angle.
Ice Coorel RGD Laptop Cooling Pad
Put it on ice
Video games can put a lot of strain on your laptop’s processor. And for serious gamers that may be put into (virtual) life-or-death situations, every gigahertz of processing power is important. That’s why we recommend this gaming laptop cooler from Ice Coorel. It features six (that’s right, six) fans to make sure your laptop never slows down. Actually, this is a great pick for all sorts of folks, not just gamers. The LCD screen, adjustable viewing angle, and dazzling rainbow LEDs are attractive to folks from all walks of life. A premium pick with a premium price, the Ice Coorel is worth it for those that refuse to settle for anything less than the best.
Pros
- The LCD panel informs you of various adjustable settings, such as fan speed and LED light colors.
- Popular among those that use their laptops for high-processing tasks such as video editing, animation, and gaming, the six fans are guaranteed to cool off your rig.
- Includes a nifty mobile phone stand to keep your notifications within sight.
Cons
- More expensive than most other options
Ice Coorel Laptop Cooling Pad
Don't break the bank
You don’t have to dip into your savings for a quality cooling pad. This option from Ice Coorel is fairly inexpensive and still gets the job done. It features six quiet fans, an adjustable stand, and a metal mesh surface. And even though this is our budget pick, it has some surprises in store. For one, this pad has a dial for adjusting fan speed, so you can make sure you’re getting the appropriate amount of ventilation. Better yet, Ice Coorel designed this pad to be as slim as could be. It collapses down to a mere 1 inch in thickness, making it one of the most travel-friendly options that money can buy.
Pros
- The inexpensive price fits into most budgets
- The sleek, slim dimensions make this an excellent choice for those that plan to take their cooling pad with them on their travels.
Cons
- The base is only wide enough for laptops up to 15.6 inches in screen size, but you could probably get away with placing something a bit larger on it.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you power laptop cooling pads?
All the cooling pads on our list are powered via a USB-to-USB connection with the laptop. These cooling pads come with a USB cable, so all you have to do to fire up the fans is plug it into either your laptop or a wall charger.
Why should I get a laptop cooling pad?
The efficiency of a computer processor is inversely related to its temperature. That’s why supercomputers must be kept in refrigerators, lest they become sluggish. Likewise, laptops also perform best when kept at low temperatures. Most laptops have built-in fans, but when those aren’t enough, a cooling pad can help make your laptop perform faster.
About the Author
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With the constantly shifting landscape in the world of technology, GameRevolution seeks to provide gamers and tech-enthusiasts with the information they need to select the right products for their needs. Since 1996, our experts have used their knowledge on all the latest gadgets – everything from headphones to standing desks – to help millions of people navigate specs and answer common questions.