If there's one thing that every laptop owner knows, it's how hot their computers can get. Even the best gaming laptop CPUs can hit temperatures of 170 degrees Fahrenheit and higher while gaming, and the GPUs aren't far behind. If your laptop's ventilation systems aren't great, even simple games can turn your PC into a furnace.
Hot laptops feel awful to hold, and over time hot hardware breaks down faster than cool hardware. This is why laptop cooling pads — flat trays filled with fans that help circulate your laptop's hot air — are so popular.
Here are 11 of the best laptop cooling pads for gaming and other demanding applications, along with some information on how well cooling pads work.
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Staff Pick
A full-featured padThe TopMate C11 features six fans, RGB lighting, two USB ports, and a detachable phone stand. -
Staff Pick
The best high-end padThis premium metal cooling pad has two adjustable fans and an automatic temperature sensor.
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Staff Pick
A pad with extra powerThe GT500's 5,000 RPM fan makes it one of the most powerful cooling pads on the market.
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Designed for easy airflowThis binder-shaped cooling pad has two fans, a slight tilt, and an open design to help disperse heat.
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Sleek and quietThis stylish RGB cooling pad can cool your laptop without making too much extra noise.
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Extra-large with RGBThe Massive 20 is lined with customizable RGB lights and can support bigger 18-inch laptops.
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Big power in a small packageThe TopMate C5 isn't the biggest pad around, but it's a powerful option with five fans and up to 2,500 RPM.
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A portable cooling vacuumRather than a typical pad, the Klim Cool is a “vacuum” fan that hooks onto your laptop and pulls hot air out.
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A flexible cooling solutionThis affordable Kootek pad features five fans and lets you choose which ones are running.
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A big yet quiet fanThe NotePal X3 features a large 200mm fan that's rated for just 23 dB.
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Simple and slimThis Havit pad comes in three different colors, and each one has three fans and a slim design.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do laptop cooling pads actually work?
Yes, but it depends on what you're looking for. Testing shows that the best laptop cooling pads do cool down laptops, usually by about five to 10 degrees Fahrenheit depending on strength. That's not substantial, but can make a difference over time. And if you tend to use your laptop directly on your lap, putting a pad underneath can protect your thighs from burns.
On the other hand, there's not much evidence that cooling pads actually help laptops run faster. The few degrees difference isn't enough to noticeably improve CPU or GPU performance.
Laptop cooling pads can make you more comfortable when gaming, but don't expect them to improve your laptop's performance. And if your laptop already has overheating issues — maybe because the vents are damaged or dusty — a cooling pad is just a temporary fix.
How loud are laptop cooling pads?
You should expect most cooling pads to range in volume from about 20dB to 50dB. 50dB is about as loud as a typical conversation between two people, or the hum of a refrigerator. The stronger a cooling pad's fans are, the louder it'll be.
Remember that a cooling pad won't replace your laptop's internal fans. So if your laptop's internal fans are running at the same time as the cooling pad, you'll have two sets of fans making noise at the same time, which means double the volume.
What size cooling pad should I buy?
Any cooling pad you buy needs to be at least big enough to comfortably fit the base of your laptop. Your laptop shouldn't be hanging off the sides or the back, and should be able to sit flat without any wobbling. In other words, a bigger cooling pad will work with smaller laptops, but not the other way around.
Cooling pads work best when the pad's fans can line up with your laptop's vents. This will usually mean keeping your laptop in the center of the pad, an even distance away from each fan and/or directly above the center fan.
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