Out of all CPU cooling mediums, air coolers have been prominent in cooling even the best gaming CPUs. However, with time, AIO coolers have taken the lead by providing greater overclocking headroom at competitive pricing. 280mm AIO coolers fall within the midrange prices, showcasing 140mm fans that can displace more heat at lower RPMs, generating lower noise, making them perfect for low-noise lovers. Therefore, after thorough testing, I have compiled a list of the top 280mm AIO coolers in today’s article.
For a glance, here are all our top 280mm AIO picks, all compared to each other in the table below:
Last Updated:
- April 23, 2024: Some formatting changes to improve readability. I have replaced the ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 280 with the ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III 280 because the successor brings massive performance gains.
Looking for more options? We have you covered:
Best 280mm AIO Coolers
Here are my top 280mm AIO CPU Coolers:
- Best Overall: ARCTIC Liquid Freezer II 280 A-RGB
- Best High Performance: Alphacool Eisbaer Pro Aurora 280
- Best RGB 280mm: Gigabyte Aorus WATERFORCE X 280
- Best Looking: NZXT Kraken 280 RGB
- Best Budget: ID-Cooling FROSTFLOW X 280
ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III 280 A-RGB
Best Overall 280mm AIO Cooler
Specifications: Dimensions: 317 x 138 x 38mm | Fans: 2x P14 PWM PST A-RGB fans | Fan Speed: 200 — 1,900RPM | Socket Support: Intel: LGA 1700 AMD: AM4, AM5 | RGB: Yes
Pros
- Solid performance
- Cools the VRM with a 60mm fan
- Beautiful RGB
Cons
- Tricky installation on Intel builds
There is no other AIO that can beat the ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III 280 A-RGB at being the best overall 280mm AIO. It replaces the previous Liquid Freezer II 280 and comes with an impressively good performance jump. I tried this AIO with the i7-13700K and was blown away by the thermal performance. The main reason why it performs so well is the new fins stacking ARCTIC has used in the radiator to give it 23% surface area. Along with that, the Intel Contact Frame also plays a vital role in improving the contact between the copper baseplate and the CPU.
In addition to solid CPU cooling capabilities with 2x P14 PWM PST A-RGB fans, the Liquid Freezer III’s pump also has a 60mm VRM fan, meaning you get lower VRM temperatures at high loads. As for the design, the AIO looks really good with an RGB pump and fans. The VRM fan design on the pump is also quite sleek and aesthetic. Plus, you can daisy-chain the cables to make cable management easier than ever.
Here’s what I said about the ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III 280 A-RGB in my dedicated review:
The Arctic Liquid Freezer III 280mm AIO cooler shines with its top-notch cooling capabilities, compatibility with leading Intel and AMD sockets, and the inclusion of the high-performance MX-6 thermal paste.
Buy It If
I took these pictures of the ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III 280 A-RGB during my testing:
✅You want great performance at an attractive price: The Liquid Freezer III 280 is a massive upgrade over its predecessor, especially in terms of raw cooling performance as the denser radiator does a great job at dissipating heat quickly.
✅You prefer having a VRM fan: The 60mm VRM fan further improves the value as the AIO cools not only your CPU but also your motherboard’s VRMs.
Don’t Buy It If
❌You’re a beginner and plan to install yourself: This goes specifically for Intel builds, as I would not recommend this AIO to beginners who plan to install it themselves. The Contact Frame required for the LGA1700 socket no doubt improves the performance but is also a bit tricky to install.
What Makes It The Best Overall 280mm AIO Cooler?
Now that I have tested the ARCTIC Liquid Freezer III 280 A-RGB through its paces, the AIO turns out to be the jack of all trades. But the main reason why I have picked it as the best overall 280mm AIO cooler is that it offers great performance for a very competitive price.
I am absolutely blown away by just how much value ARCTIC has packed into the Liquid Freezer III 280. It not only delivers top-tier performance but also looks great with RGB lighting. Plus, the VRM fan is a great add-on that improves the motherboard’s stability at high loads. The only caveat is the installation for Intel builds, which is a bit tricky due to the Contact Frame.
– Hayyan Serwer
| Performance: 9/10 | Value: 10/10 |
| Features: 9/10 | Design: 9/10 |
Alphacool Eisbaer Pro Aurora 280
Best High Performance 280mm AIO Cooler
Specifications: Dimensions: 316 x 144 x 30mm | Fans: 2x Rise Aurora 140mm Fans | Fan Speed: 0 — 2,000RPM | Noise Level: 31.5dB(A) | Socket Support: Intel: LGA 1700, 1200, 115X, 2011-3, 2066, 3647, 4189 AMD: AM4, AM5, sTR4, sTRX4, sWRX8, SP3 | RGB: Yes
Pros
Cons
The Alphacool Eisbaer Pro Aurora 280mm AIO cooler exhibits a degree of polish with its remarkable enthusiast-grade performance. During my performance testing, the AIO cooler showed outstanding overclocking capabilities with high-end CPUs at full load without having any issues. The AIO cooler has a sturdy build quality that helps with heat dissipation. For example, coming with an FPI count of 15 and an enlarged surface area, the copper radiator ensures effective heat dissipation. I also loved the hydraulic bearings on the 140mm fans, which ensure their longevity while also keeping a lower noise output.
The Alphacool Eisbaer Pro Aurora 280mm AIO cooler stands out for its modular design, showcasing a unique pump design with tons of RGB. Moreover, the black aesthetic complements the pump and tubing, improving the overall aesthetics when paired with a darker PC build.
I loved the AIO cooler’s remarkable cooling performance and couldn’t help but state the following in my review:
“The Alphacool Eisbaer Pro Aurora 280 D-RGB cooler is a feature-rich cooling solution comprising nothing but the custom loop components from ALPHACOOL. This cooler has a decent performance but with loud fans.”
Buy It If
✅Here are a few images we took of the AIO cooler during our dedicated review:
✅You want to achieve higher overclocks without giving up on aesthetics: If you’re looking for a 280mm AIO cooler that provides enough cooling performance to help achieve higher overclocked boost clocks for high-end CPUs and you don’t have to give up on beautiful aesthetics, then I recommend purchasing the Alphacool Eisbaer Pro Aurora 280.
Don’t Buy It If
❌You’re on a tighter budget: Given its outstanding performance, a higher price tag was almost expected; however, that can be a deal-breaker for some people who are on a tighter budget.
What Makes It The Best High Performance 280mm AIO Cooler?
The Alphacool Eisbaer Pro Aurora 280 brings everything you want from a high-performance cooler into one complete package. While its performance is more than sufficient for most processors, you can also pair it with workstation GPUs thanks to the larger surface area of the CPU block. All that, combined with its unmatched thermal performance, makes it the best high performance 280mm AIO cooler.
- Read Our Alphacool Eisbaer Pro Aurora 280 AIO Cooler Review
- Best LGA 1700 CPU Coolers
- Best AM5 CPU Coolers
| Performance: 10/10 | Value: 8/10 |
| Features: 9/10 | Design: 8/10 |
Gigabyte Aorus WATERFORCE X 280
Best RGB 280mm AIO Cooler
Specifications: Dimensions: 312 x 140 x 27mm | Fans: 2 x 140mm ARGB Fans | Fan Speed: 800 — 2,500RPM | Noise Level: 44.4dB(A) | Socket Support: Intel: LGA 1700, 1200, 115X, 2011, 2066 AMD: AM4, AM5, sTR4, sTRX4 | RGB: Yes
Pros
Cons
The Gigabyte Aorus WATERFORCE X 280mm AIO cooler is packed with 2x 140mm A-RGB fans running at 2,500RPM speeds for most of its cooling capabilities. During our dedicated performance testing, the AIO cooler showed no bottlenecking issues with high-end CPUs, even at full load. Besides its impressive performance, the AIO cooler also features decent build quality with dual ball-bearing fans, each with 7 blades that help manage the 89.18CFM. Moreover, we loved the aluminum radiator with black-sleeved high-quality tubing that helps increase the longevity of the cooler.
Talking about its looks, the Gigabyte Aorus WATERFORCE X 280mm AIO cooler comes in a predominantly black design with a circular pump, which includes a rotatable top cover. Topping that off, the LCD screen on the CPU block increases the cooler’s customizability. However, we loved the RGB lighting present throughout the cooler.
Nauman Siddique, one of our hardware experts, loved the AIO cooler’s aesthetics and performance, as he expressed in his review:
“The AORUS WATERFORCE X 280 is a powerful cooler with a high price. It boasts a stunning 60 x 60mm LCD screen with vibrant colors and great software customization. This cooler prioritizes aesthetics and performance over value.”
Buy It If
We took a few images of the AIO cooler during our dedicated review:
✅You want a beautiful AIO with an easy installation and decent performance: If you’re looking for a 280mm AIO cooler that can keep any high-end CPU from bottlenecking at full load while having an easy installation process and showcasing beautiful aesthetics, then we recommend buying the Gigabyte Aorus WATERFORCE X 280mm.
Don’t Buy It If
❌You dislike noisy fans: We don’t recommend purchasing this AIO cooler if you can’t handle noisy fans as the Gigabyte Aorus WATERFORCE X 280mm’s fans go up to 44.4dB(A) at 100% speed, making them pretty loud.
What Makes It The Best RGB 280mm AIO Cooler?
The Gigabyte AORUS WaterForce X 280 gets a lot right with its simple yet effective design. It stands out with its sleek implementation of the RGB elements while providing you with enough thermal performance and customizability, making it the best RGB 280mm AIO cooler.
| Performance: 8/10 | Value: 7/10 |
| Features: 8/10 | Design: 10/10 |
NZXT Kraken 280 RGB
Best Looking 280mm AIO Cooler
Specifications: Dimensions: 315 x 143 x 30mm | Fans: 2x F140 RGB Core Fans | Fan Speed: 500 — 1,500RPM | Noise Level: 34.48dB(A) | Socket Support: Intel: LGA 1700, 1200, 115X AMD: AM4, AM5, sTRX4, TR4 | RGB: Yes
Pros
- Beautiful white aesthetics
- Decent cooling performance
- LCD CPU block
- Sturdy build quality
- Long 6-year warranty
Cons
- Slower RPM fans
- Slightly expensive
The NZXT Kraken 280 RGB AIO cooler showcases decent cooling performance with its 2x 140mm fans running at 1,500RPM speeds. While I disliked the slower fans, the higher 90.79CFM helped improve the PC case’s airflow during my performance testing, reducing overall temperatures considerably. With a fully aluminum radiator and a metallic CPU block with hints of plastic, the AIO cooler has a sturdy build quality that also helps increase its heat dissipation properties. In particular, I loved the 400mm long tubing made of ultra-low evaporation rubber with nylon braided sleeves that also increase the AIO’s longevity.
Besides its cooling performance, the AIO cooler has beautiful snow-like white aesthetics. I adored the RGB on the fans, complementing the cooler’s theme. Furthermore, the CPU block has a 6-inch LCD screen that can easily be customized based on your preferences to show an image or CPU temperature as required.
Buy It If
✅You need better airflow for your white PC build: If you’re building a white PC and require better airflow in your PC case for your high-end CPU, I recommend buying the NZXT Kraken 280 RGB AIO because of its 90.79CFM and beautiful white aesthetics.
Don’t Buy It If
❌You dislike the lower RPM fans: If you want faster RPM fans to help improve the airflow of your PC, I don’t recommend buying this AIO cooler because of its slower fans running at 1,500RPM speeds. While fan RPM speeds aren’t the only factor for greater airflow capabilities, they are important for better heat dissipation properties.
What Makes It The Best Looking 280mm AIO Cooler?
The NZXT Kraken 280 RGB AIO cooler provides decent thermal performance with beautiful aesthetics complimenting a white PC build while also featuring a small LCD screen on the CPU block. Coupled with a sturdy build quality, higher CFM fans, and a longer warranty, it is the best looking 280mm AIO cooler.
| Performance: 9/10 | Value: 7/10 |
| Features: 8/10 | Design: 10/10 |
ID-Cooling FROSTFLOW X 280
Best Budget 280mm AIO Cooler
Specifications: Dimensions: 311 x 140 x 27mm | Fans: 2x 140mm Fans | Fan Speed: 800 — 1,600RPM | Noise Level: 32.6dB(A) | Socket Support: Intel: LGA 1700, 1200, 115X, 2011, 2066 AMD: AM4, AM5 | RGB: Yes
Pros
- Remarkable value
- Decent thermal performance
- Beautiful rough aesthetics
- Longer warranty period
Cons
- Lower overclocking headroom
The ID-Cooling FROSTFLOW X 280mm AIO cooler showcases remarkable value thanks to its decent thermal performance on a budget. During my performance testing, none of our reviewed CPUs, like the Ryzen 7 7700X, showed any thermal throttling issues even at full load at 1440p and 4K resolutions. I also loved the premium-sleeved 400mm tubing that ensures the cooler’s longevity. Moreover, the aluminum radiator and copper baseplate increase heat dissipation properties.
With a rough yet simple aesthetic all over the radiator, the ID-Cooling FROSTFLOW X 280mm AIO cooler has good aesthetics for darker PC builds that prefer stealth than tons of RGB lighting. However, you do get some RGB around the pump, along with the darker tubing material, which enhances the looks of the AIO cooler.
Buy It If
✅You want to cool your processor on a tighter budget without sacrificing looks: If you’re going to cool your CPU on a stricter budget without sacrificing the cooler’s aesthetics, I recommend purchasing the ID-Cooling FROSTFLOW X 280mm AIO cooler because of its outstanding value for performance.
Don’t Buy It If
❌You want to achieve higher overclocked boost clocks: I don’t recommend buying this AIO cooler if you’re going to achieve higher overclocked boost clocks because of its lower thermal headroom to overclock high-end CPUs. You might be fine with mid-range CPUs, however.
What Makes It The Best Budget 280mm AIO Cooler?
The ID-Cooling FROSTFLOW X 280mm AIO cooler houses 2x 140mm fans running at 1,600RPM fans for the bulk of its impressive thermal performance with simple yet elegant aesthetics, making it perfect for stealth PC builds. Coupling all that with its sturdy build quality and lower price tag makes it the best budget 280mm AIO cooler.
| Performance: 8/10 | Value: 10/10 |
| Features: 7/10 | Design: 8/10 |
Benchmarks Of The Best 280mm AIO Coolers
Knowing how well a CPU cooler can cool processors is the most important factor to consider before making a purchase decision. Therefore, to make it easier for you, we have shared our findings after testing several AIO coolers and comparing them with each other. In our testing, we removed the power limits to push these coolers to the limits, that’s why you won’t get even close to these temperatures during normal gaming.
Why We Didn’t Go For These 280mm AIO Coolers
Our hardware specialists have tested many 280mm AIO coolers. However, here is a list of a few honorable mentions that couldn’t make the cut for today’s article:
- NZXT Kraken X63 RGB: The AIO cooler comes with a higher price tag and slightly lower performance than its competitors.
- EVGA CLC 280: Higher fan noise with slower pump speed makes it a less viable purchase choice.
How We Picked & Selected These 280mm AIO Coolers
When it comes to selecting an AIO for your CPU, we always ask our users to consider all factors before making a decision. Choosing an AIO cooler can be troublesome at times due to the range of options to choose from, but don’t worry; we’ve compiled a bunch of shopping tips to make your purchase easy.
- Socket Compatibility: Because each CPU has a different socket size, you must conduct some research to ensure that your AIO will suit your CPU. To verify the specifications of your AIO, go to the manufacturer’s website and see if it supports your CPU socket.
- TDP: Knowing your preferred AIO cooler’s TDP is essential to know whether it’s enough to cool your CPU at full load without causing any thermal throttling issues. Generally, you always want your CPU cooler’s TDP to be significantly higher than your CPU’s.
- Noise Levels: Moving parts are believed to produce a lot of noise in products, and trust me, there are a lot of moving parts in an AIO. You may always use the internet to find out which AIO produces the least noise.
- Aesthetics: Overall, you may always select an AIO to improve the appearance of your system. There are a variety of variations available, including RGB AIOs, AIOs with LCDs on their pump headers, and circular pump headers instead of the typical cubes. Depending on your personal preferences, you may always select from various possibilities.
Frequently Asked Questions
The radiator on a 280mm AIO supports two 140mm fans on one face.
There are no specific cases we can mention as the list goes on, but before making a case purchase, make sure to read the case specification on what size AIO radiator they can support.
The 360mm AIO can support up to three 120mm fans instead of two 140mm on the 280mm AIO. This means that the 360mm radiator will make up for more airflow and, thus, better cooling compared to the 280mm radiator.
To install any 280mm AIO, follow the steps mentioned in the product book, or you can also try watching installation videos available on the internet. If you still aren’t able to, then consult someone who knows their way around AIOs.
240mm radiators only support up to two 120mm fans on either side, while 280mm radiators support up to two 140mm fans on either side.
Recent Updates
- February 26, 2024: We have replaced the NZXT Kraken X63 RGB with the NZXT Kraken 280 RGB because the latter comes at a lower price, delivers better performance, and also has an LCD screen. Similarly, the EVGA CLC 280 was replaced with the D-Cooling FROSTFLOW X 280 because the former has significantly louder fans with slower pump speeds, which results in lower thermal performance, according to our tests.
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[CPU Coolers & RAM Expert]
Hayyan Serwer is a tech enthusiast, with a love for PC building and article writing. Hayyan specializes in writing about CPU coolers and RAM kits. Hayyan has been familiar with the tech industry for over half a decade now, and has now stepped into providing quality reviews for the latest and greatest tech.
