Best 140mm case fans for your PC in 2024 – RGB, best airflow, and budget picks

We are starting off with a top model from Corsair. We love Corsair, we love their peripherals, we love their RGB solutions, heck we even love iCue, and now we love their fans equally.

The ML in the model number stands for; you may have guessed it, Magnetic Levitations as these bad boys have MagLev bearings which takes them to the top of the pile in terms of current technology.

You can pick them up in a variety of packs, from single to dual packs to packs that include Corsair’s Lighting Node fan controller, which you will need (or a Commander Pro) to control the RGB aspect of these.

Why do we like them so much – well beyond the fact they look amazing and dramatically alter the aesthetics of your PC instantly it’s their ability to push around 97 CFM airflow with ease with the help of their adjustable RPM – all centrally controlled through the iCue software on your desktop.

As you can see from the image above, the dual pack comes with a whole host of gadgets and cables to connect everything up. Fan screws and even cable ties are included, and it is this level of detail takes often takes Corsair to the front of the pack. Knowing you get everything you need is a hugely underestimated boost.

Price would be the only downside if paying for top-end things can be considered a disadvantage. The fans themselves are expensive at around $25, but to get a kit costs more because it comes with the necessary controllers also.

Still, you will only do it once, and these will make your PC look and perform like a true champion.

The Cooler Master SickelFlow 140mm is one of the best PC case fans you’ll find, not just in the 140mm range. At $20 each, though, they might be a bit too expensive for some, but they definitely get the job done and look incredible to boot, thanks to the built-in ARGB.

Cooler Master is also offering a two-year warranty alongside the fans, so you won’t have to worry too much about any unforeseen occurrences. With this platform, you’ll be able to customize your fans to your liking through the PWM controller, making any necessary changes to fan speed or lighting an absolute breeze.

The SickleFlow 140mm fan is capable of hitting fan speeds between 650 to 1400 RPM, making them quite ideal for those who like a bit more control over their rig.

This offering from Thermaltake is another great option with a hydraulic bearing, meaning it should last the distance while remaining quiet to boot.

As with all hydraulic bearings, they are more suited to vertical mounting rather than horizontally. This is down to fundamental physics. If you face it down, then there is going to be an unavoidable movement of the fluid downwards. That’s gravity for you. Live with it. This causes a bulge in the hydraulics, which affects, ever so slightly, the bearing’s capability to do its job. So mount it vertically folks!

A top RPM of 1400 makes this an excellent little spinner, but even with those numbers, it remains quiet as a mouse. In fact, pound for pound this is probably up there with the very best 140mm fan on offer, but like the Cougar, it lacks a little in bling, but you just need to decide whether that should actually be a factor in your building decision.

Thermaltake has its own compression blade design, which pushes the inner air outwards, which allows the outer section to pressurize and compress having the effect of reducing the noise further. It’s all very clever. They don’t just throw these things together you know. Scientists have their uses!

Overall then at around $15 a pop, this is a truly great 140mm fan that will be at home in your build. There are LEDs on board, but they aren’t anything to write home about and almost seem there to appease PC builders rather than show off to them.

I have been putting Artic fans in my builds for years. They are my go-to fans when putting together media center boxes for friends and family, and the reason is simple. You just don’t hear them, and sometimes that’s the most significant factor in a buying decision. Arctic has been building and tweaking and honing their technology for a very long time, and just when you think they have nailed it, they come out with yet more improvements.

As a brand, they eschew bling. You won’t find any RGB here. You won’t even find any lights. Arctic fans are designed for one thing only – to cool your PC as quietly as possible.

The F14 Silent never goes past 800rpm and slows down when your PC is idling – you won’t hear that, but when asked to its cooling prowess is second to none.

Every company has its own blade design, and Arctic has tweaked theirs to perfection. These fans last the test of time. They just don’t light up, but you don’t buy a lamp to cool you down either.

It’s the lowest RPM unit in this round-up, so for overclockers it’s not for you, but if you are building a rig you would rather be seen and not heard, this should be your go-to.

We will finish our roundup where we started, with a gloriously colorful RGB model – this time from case manufacturer Antec.

The product choice we have made here is the dual-pack with controller that still comes considerably cheaper than the Corsair pack.

Rather than utilizing a software application like iCue, if you have a motherboard with an aRGB connection, then you can sync these up with that for a colorful light show that will be sure to impress your friends and family.

It’s 3 pin header fits onto compatible mobos from Gigabyte, MSI, and ASUS.

With a max RPM of 1700 these can get pretty noisy at full pelt, but their hydraulic bearings shifting 65CFM mean they can certainly keep your overclocked rig below melting point.

RGB fans are a personal choice – do you buy into something like the Corsair ecosystem and it’s increased price barrier when you can get something similar like this and spend your extra cash elsewhere. That’s a personal choice, but these are good fans and should definitely be taken into consideration.