Best 120mm Fan
The Top 5 120mm Fans For 2021
You’re here because you want to know the best 120mm fan for your PC build. However, we know that the process of picking out the right model can be draining: how do you choose when the market is overflowing with options?
To make the process simpler, we have compiled this comprehensive buying guide. We’ll talk about what you need to look out for, the various types of case fans, and most of all: the best 120mm fans that are currently available.
You can’t have a good PC without adequate cooling — that’s a fact. No matter how good the other components are, they will not be able to do their best if we don’t provide them with the right temperature environment. When properly cooled, all of your important components — the GPU, the CPU, RAM and more — perform well regardless of what you’re doing. Whether you’re a gamer that plays all the latest titles or a semi-regular user, cooling is always a good investment. This is where case fans come in. Through various means of cooling, they help you keep your PC happy with temps that never reach too high to be strenuous. This ensures that you don’t suffer from annoying things like FPS drops or low performance, but also that your components have a longer lifespan.
Anyway, without further ado, let’s get into it!
Our Top Picks
The Best 120mm Fans Of 2021
In-depth Review
Noctua High-Performance Cooling Fan NF-S12B redux-1200
Noctua High-Performance Cooling Fan NF-S12B redux-1200
This award-winning product by Noctua has claimed the top position on our list without breaking a sweat. Noctua is a brand that can be relied on to deliver the best of the best in terms of cooling. Assuming that “best of the best” is the goal, we truly believe that this fan has reached it.
Starting from the aesthetics, they’re very simple and for some, might be considered a weakness. This is a grey matte fan with no extra lighting effects added to it. However, this can be a good thing, as too much LED lighting can overwhelm some builds in terms of style.
The coloring on the fan is quite interesting in the sense that it departs from Noctua’s trademark mix of tan and brown. We consider this to be a good thing for most people, as the fan blends in perfectly and does not clash with any part of your build.
High performance was what we were after, and that’s exactly what we got. Combining great CFM (60) with moderate RPM (1200) means that this fan produces solid airflow without making too much noise.
Some of Noctua’s tried-and-tested systems have been implemented here, such as their SSO-bearing that combines the concept of a hydrodynamic bearing with an extra magnet to support the rotor-axis. This ensures long-term stability and unfaltering performance.
The fan’s frame can be expanded with Noctua’s chromax-line anti-vibration pads. These come in a variety of colors and do a dual job of dampening vibrations and adding a layer of customization to your build.
Whether you’re building a gaming rig or an office computer, Noctua is a brand that’s already well-known for its fantastic coolers. Having tested this one, we can do nothing but heartily recommend it.
Corsair Magnetic Levitation Lighting
Corsair Magnetic Levitation Lighting
RGB builds have become all the rage in recent years. We remember back when transparent case builds were not as popular as they are now — it’s been a while! These days, most cases have, at the very least, a tempered glass window that allows you to peek inside… and what’s inside is often stunning.
Whether your preference lies with a full-on RGB rainbow of colors or a single color setup, this can be achieved with Corsair’s Magnetic Levitation series. In this set of three premium quality fans, aside from the default rainbow hues, you can pick and choose between different color settings.
All the shiny aspects of it aside, this is simply a solid set of fans that will cool your build efficiently regardless of circumstances. These fans are very well made using quality materials and offer seamlessly quiet performance.
This set features a magnetic levitation bearing which dramatically reduces friction. It does so by magnetically levitating the fan blade, which in turn produces lower noise and higher output.
The airflow in this model is a solid 47.3 CFM combined with adjustable 400 to 1,600 RPM. RPM, as well as the color scheme, are both controlled by using the included Corsair Lighting Node PRO controller. You can use lower or higher RPM to either maximize cooling or minimize noise.
While perhaps not the most budget option on our list, these fans have truly earned their place in our hearts and in our builds. If you love RGB builds, check them out!
Cooler Master SickleFlow 120 V2
Cooler Master SickleFlow 120 V2
Not everyone wants to spend a lot of money on a case fan, and there’s nothing wrong with that. If you’d rather pick up a few extra fans at a better price than splurge out on high-end options, take a look at Cooler Master’s SickleFlow, specifically the SickleFlow 120 V2 model.
This is a fan that ticks all the right boxes without being overly expensive. It has some of the best cost-to-performance ratios we’ve seen on the current market.
Design-wise it’s fairly stripped back and subdued, with no RGB and a mostly black design, albeit with a holographic fan center.
The cooling in this model is pretty good considering the moderate pricing. It pushes out a lot of cool air at a high pace so much so that you can instantly feel the difference when you turn it on. Some fans have really subtle cooling, but with this one, you truly feel the effect of installing it. You can expect up to 62 CFM at a maximum RPM of 1800. The fans could be quieter, but at 27db they aren’t deafening.
For a sleeve-bearing fan, its life expectancy is actually pretty great. Cooler Master promises around 50,000 hours of usage at average temperatures, which is in the top bracket for a sleeve bearing fan.
While the installation may be a bit of a bother if you’re new to this, we’re certain that anyone can do it. Other than that, this is a really solid fan, especially if you want to be cost-effective when preparing your new build.
Corsair Air AF120
Corsair Air AF120
Are you a fan of pure gaming builds? They have a specific look about them and they truly look beastly — in a good way! If you love the look of black and red computers, you’re going to like this Corsair Air fan right from the start. But, the fun looks are just a bonus to how quiet and efficient this product is.
It features dark red LED lighting that simply looks awesome in most rigs. The color is static and cannot be controlled or changed, so if you don’t think red is going to work with your build, look into one of the other models of Corsair Air.
While the maximum noise level is measured at 25.2 dB(A), we found this fan to be outstanding in terms of quiet performance. Even at full speeds when pushed to the max, the fan remained just as whisper-quiet as it was from the start.
The good performance stretches past just this fan’s noise levels. With a CFM of 52.19 and RPM of a maximum of 1500, you can expect high airflow without much noise at all. The turbulence in this model is minimal too, so there’s no wobbling or shaking within the case.
These airflow fans perform best in unrestricted spaces and are not very suited to cramped cases with little room. However, as long as you leave at least 3 cm of clearance on either side, you can expect great results. The manufacturer recommends mounting them at the rear or top of your PC case.
Corsair’s Air Series AF120 twin pack of fans does a great job of combining moderate pricing with top-notch performance. We think they’d make a good addition to any build, with an emphasis on mid-range gaming rigs.
NZXT Aer RGB 2
NZXT Aer RGB 2
If budget is not a concern, you might as well go all out and invest in a fan that is bound to keep you happy for years. This fluid dynamic bearing fan will go a long way towards achieving just that.
This is a high-end model and it is reflected in the price. However, for the specs and the looks alone, we wouldn’t regret picking it up and installing it in our own builds at home.
Like with many other RGB models, the first thing you’ll notice will certainly be the design. It has some of the most pleasing eye schemes we’ve seen on the market. The LED lighting is not too bright but still vibrant.
It’s also highly customizable — you can switch between different coloring schemes to match your particular sense of style, ranging from a deep purple to a bright yellow. All of the controls are done via NZXT’s system.
The fans are also adjusted via NZXT’s software, which is nice for some, and a bit less so for others that may prefer using motherboard controls. We found the control panel to be easy to use and switching between 500-1500 RPM was a breeze.
With the use of fluid dynamic bearings, this fan is an expense that once made, will benefit you for years. Some FDB fans have an expectancy of up to 300,000 hours, so this one is almost certain to outlive most other fans.
We recommend NZXT’s AER RGB 2 fan for high-end gaming builds that require the best cooling — awesome looks are just a welcome bonus!
Final Word
Choosing the best 120mm case fan may seem like a tedious task, so we tried our best to take some of that pressure away. Building a new PC is meant to be fun. We hope that with our help, you were able to pick the right fan to suit your particular needs!
Whilst all these fans are great, for the best performance and reliability, we think you’ll like our Best Overall pick: the Noctua Performance Cooling NF-S12B model. It works excellently for the price range and comes from a reputable brand.
Leave us a comment down below if you tried any of these fans or if you have a different model that you love.