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Best Laptop Cooling Pad

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Kootek Cooler Pad Chill Mat 5

  • Extra USB Port
  • 5 Fans
  • 54db Noise Rating
  • Multi-Adjustments



Starting out at the top of our list and rounding out the best overall laptop cooling pad pick is the Kootek Cooler Pad Chill Mat 5. While the name may draw a few snickers and giggles, you’ll be one “cool” cat with its ability to drop internal temperatures up to 30 degrees Fahrenheit.


Aicheson Laptop Cooling Pad Chill Mat S-18

  • 5 Height Adjustments
  • 6 Fan Speed Adjustments
  • 48db Noise Level
  • -18 Degrees Fahrenheit Control



By far, the Aicheson Laptop Cooling Pad Chill Mat S-18 was the best value laptop cooling pad of all of the options we reviewed. The fact that it could reduce internal temperatures up to 18 degrees Fahrenheit, while staying under 50db is something that very few other cooling pads can do, especially similar cooling pads for the money. But you had so many height and fan speed adjustments, that there was nothing else even close at this price point.


CM Storm SF-17 Gaming Laptop Cooling Stand

  • 4-Port USB Hub
  • Multi-Adjustments
  • Ultra-Quiet 16/21db Noise Rating
  • Carrying Handle



While some others came close, no one could keep up with the CM Storm SF-17 for gaming. The 4-Port USB hub, carrying handle, along with all the adjustments, and the super-quiet 16/21db noise rating was just too much for the other “runner-ups”.

How We Picked

Laptop computers are always great when you’re on the go. They give you the ability to work away from the house, game with your friends at the local hangout, or just get away from everything.

But laptops don’t have the same cooling capacity that desktop systems generally have. Desktop systems can easily have more than 10 case cooling fans; most laptops have just one fan – ONE! For the most part, one fan is not enough to keep a laptop cool, especially if it is being used for long periods of time or under heavy duress (i.e. gaming).

Which is why you are looking for a laptop cooling pad now, right?

Today, we’re going to go over a list of the 10 best laptop cooling pads on the market. But rather than just give you the list, we will explain why they are the best laptop cooling pads that you can get. We will also include a buying guide to help you find the perfect cooling pad for you, as well as a frequently asked questions section to answer any of those “other” questions that you may have.

Without any further ado, here is our list of the 10 best laptop cooling pads:

Kootek Cooler Pad Chill Mat 5

Kootek Cooler Pad Chill Mat 5

Kootek isn’t a common household name – at least not yet. But, if they keep producing products as well built as the Cooler Pad Chill Mat 5, they’ll be as well known as Cooler Master and Deep Cool.

The Kootek Cooler Pad Chill Mat 5 is 14.96” wide (left-to-right), 11.81” (front-to-back), and 1.38” tall, and it weighs in at 2.5 pounds. It will easily fit inside of a laptop bag built for 15”+ laptops, but it will weigh you down a little bit.

According to the manufacturer, this cooling pad can work with any laptop between 12” and 17”. And, they have built-in tab stops at the bottom to keep your laptop secured (especially when the cooling pad is elevated).

Kootek Cooler Pad Chill Mat 5 with laptop

The Kootek Cooler Pad Chill Mat is powered by a USB port, but they’ve added another port to the back of the cooling pad so that you won’t lose your USB port.

As far as looks go, this has a good, middle-ground type styling. Beyond the blue LED’s, this is a fairly simple looking cooling pad. From the top, you can see the fans from behind the blacked-out wire mesh. The blue LED’s can be turned off by selecting 1 of 3 modes (but when you turn off the LED’s, you turn off the fan associated to the LED’s).

Kootek Cooler Pad Chill Mat 5 fans

As far as cooling is concerned, there aren’t many cooling pads that can compete. In most tests, the Kootek Cooler Pad Chill Mat 5 was able to reduce the internal temperature by more than 30 degrees Fahrenheit.

The Chill Mat 5 has a noise level of 54db. Using the noise level chart from Noise Help (screenshot in the FAQ section of this article), we can see that this is similar to “light traffic” or a “running refrigerator”.

Kootek Cooler Pad Chill Mat 5 side

Beyond cooling ability, the Chill Mat 5 has 6 levels of height adjustment and 3 levels of LED/fan adjustments. The rear of the cooling pad can be elevated using a six-point locking system that won’t slip on accident. And, depending on how much cool you need (or lighting), you can select from “All Fans”, “Big Fan Only”, or “Small Fans Only”.

And finally, the Kootek Cooler Pad Chill Mat 5 is priced extremely well when compared to other brands. Some higher priced cooling pads don’t even come close to the performance of the Chill Mat 5.

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Kootek Cooler Pad Chill Mat 5

  • Extra USB Port
  • 5 Fans
  • 54db Noise Rating
  • Multi-Adjustments

CM Storm SF-17 Gaming Laptop Cooling Stand

CM Storm SF-17 Gaming Laptop Cooling Stand

Now, for a brand that is synonymous with cooling – meet the Cooler Master Storm SF-17.

The CM Storm SF-17 is 18.5” wide (left-to-right), 12.9” (front-to-back), and 2.2” tall, and it weighs in at 4.23 pounds. This is not built to fit into a standard laptop bag due to its massive footprint, not to mention this thing weighs a ton. But, if you have a laptop bag that can squeeze in two 17” laptops, you can probably make this cooling stand fit too.

CM Storm SF-17 Gaming Laptop Cooling Stand with laptop

Because the CM Storm SF-17 only uses a single 180mm fan, it can accommodate laptops up to 17” (and smaller). And, the SF-17 also has built-in tab stops to keep your laptop secured (you’ll need those when the stand is elevated).

CM Storm SF-17 Gaming Laptop Cooling Stand back

The CM Storm SF-17 is powered by a single USB port, but they’ve added a four port USB hub to give you more ports than you started out with. Not only are you not losing any ports, but you are gaining three more.

When it comes to looks, Cooler Master knew what to do. The CM Storm SF-17 is built for gamers. It is blocky, bulky, blacked out, with a red LED stripe (which can be turned off if desired), rubber in all the right places, and a wire mesh top so you can see the internals easily.

CM Storm SF-17 Gaming Laptop Cooling Stand fan

When it comes to cooling, the SF-17 is no slouch. Testing shows that it can reduce the internal temperature by a little more than 10 degrees Fahrenheit.

The CM Storm SF-17 has a noise level of 16db or 21db (fan speed dependent). Using the noise level chart (FAQ section), we can see that this is similar to “rustling leaves”.

CM Storm SF-17 Gaming Laptop Cooling Stand side

The SF-17 also has four height adjustments, 2 fan speed adjustments, and the ability to turn the LED stripe on/off as desired. The rear of the SF-17 can be adjusted to four different heights, almost turning the cooling stand into a docking station (with the 4-usb port design, it pretty much does double-duty).

Cooler Master designs some of the best performing cooling fans and pads, period. When you buy from them, you are buying years of experience and research. And for that quality, you’ll pay a little more.. Even so, the SF-17 is not priced out of the ballpark. If you want a quality cooler that is designed for the long haul (no pun intended), this is a great option.


CM Storm SF-17 Gaming Laptop Cooling Stand

  • 4-Port USB Hub
  • Multi-Adjustments
  • Ultra-Quiet 16/21db Noise Rating
  • Carrying Handle

TopMate C7 Gaming Laptop Cooling Pad

TopMate C7 Gaming Laptop Cooling Pad

Here’s another brand that isn’t a household name – again, at least yet.

The TopMate C7 is 18.1” wide (left-to-right), 12.5” (front-to-back), and 1.3” tall, and it weights in at 2.4 pounds. This is another large cooling pad, which makes it difficult to fit into small sized laptop bags. But unlike the CM Storm SF-17, it is a lot lighter so it won’t weigh you down as much.

TopMate C7 Gaming Laptop Cooling Pad open and box

The C7 can accommodate laptops up to 17” (and down to 12”). The C7 has a hinged flap, plus an anti-skid baffle design to keep your laptop secured, even when elevated.

The TopMate C7 is powered by a single USB Port, and it does have a second port so that you won’t lose a USB port when using it.

Where the TopMate C7 shines is in the looks department. Gamers will love the look of the C7, maybe even more than the CM Storm SF-17. It has a very unique, honeycomb styled look, shrouded in black mesh, and surrounded by red bump stops and red LED lighting (which cannot be turned off).

TopMate C7 Gaming Laptop Cooling Pad open powered up

As far as keeping things cool, the TopMate C7 cooling pad can keep internal temperatures down by around 10 degrees Fahrenheit.

TopMate C7 Gaming Laptop Cooling Pad open turned off

Fan noise depends on the level of fan speed you choose. The C7 has six different speeds to choose from. As far as noise levels, it can vary from around 20db to around 65db (fan speed dependent). Again, using the noise level chart from Noise Help, we can see that this is similar to “rusting leaves” all the way up to “conversation speech” or “a running air conditioner”.

TopMate C7 Gaming Laptop Cooling Pad open box

We’ve already addressed the six fan speeds of the Topmate C7, but it also has 2 height adjustments to help keep everything in plain sight. If you need more height, you might want to look elsewhere.

When compared to the CM Storm SF-17, this is a steal. It is an aggressively designed cooling pad, that holds its own fairly well. While it does not come with as many USB ports or height adjustments, the price definitely makes it a contender.


TopMate C7 Gaming Laptop Cooling Pad

  • Aggressive Styling
  • 6 Fan Speed Adjustments
  • Comparable To Bigger Name Brands Without The Price Tag

Tree New Bee Cooling Pad model TNB-K0025

Tree New Bee Cooling Pad model TNB-K0025

If you haven’t noticed, some of the bigger name brands aren’t topping out our list. Some newer competitors are starting to turn up the heat (or bringing the chill).

The Tree New Bee Cooling Pad model TNB-K0025 is 16.06” wide (left-to-right), 10.94” (front-to-back), and 1.14” tall, weighing in at 2.2 pounds. It should easily fit inside of most laptop bags designed to hold a 17” laptop. And since it is only 2.2 pounds, it shouldn’t be too much more for you to carry.

Tree New Bee Cooling Pad model TNB-K0025 unboxed

The TNB-K0025 is designed to work with laptops from 15.6” to 17” in size. There are two fold-out tab stops built in to the bottom of the TNB-K0025 to keep your laptop from slipping off, even when elevated.

Like most other cooling pads, the Tree New Bee Cooling Pad model TNB-K0025 is powered by a single USB port. They did add a second USB port so that you won’t lose your USB port on your laptop.

Tree New Bee Cooling Pad model TNB-K0025 turned on

The TNB-K0025 looks kind of like the wings of a butterfly from above. It has sharp, rounded edges with a black mesh top, four fans and blue LED’s under each fan. The center logo looks like an angry bee, which doesn’t look too comical. The blue LED’s cannot be turned off unless the cooling pad is turned off.

Tree New Bee Cooling Pad model TNB-K0025 back

The TNB-K0025 does a great job of keeping everything cool. In most tests, the TNB-K0025 from Tree New Bee was able to reduce the internal temperature by almost 11 degrees Fahrenheit.

The TNB-K0025 has a noise level of 52db and referring to the chart, we can see that this is similar to “light traffic” or a “running refrigerator”.

Tree New Bee Cooling Pad model TNB-K0025 side

The TNB-K0025 also has 2 height adjustments of 3 degrees and 13 degrees. The fans can be adjusted using two fan controllers.

And finally, the TNB-K0025 from Tree New Bew is priced on the lower end of the spectrum, while still keeping everything nice and cool. If you aren’t gaming, this could be a solid option without breaking the bank.


Tree New Bee Cooling Pad model TNB-K0025

  • Extra USB Port
  • 4 Blue Led, Backlit Fans
  • 52db Noise Rating

Thermaltake Massive TM Aluminum Cooling Pad with Temperature Sensor

Thermaltake Massive TM Aluminum Cooling Pad with Temperature Sensor

Here is another major brand that has proven their ability to create cooling solutions for laptops and desktop system alike.

The Thermaltake Massive TM with Temperature Sensor is 15.35” wide (left-to-right), 10.9” (front-to-back), and 1.94” tall, weighing in at only 1.83 pounds (one of the lightest cooling pads we’ve seen). It is built to work with laptops as small as 10” and as large as 17” without any problems. In fact, they added four support pins (left-to-right adjustment) in each of the corners. Not only do you get slip protection, but you also restrict left-to-right movements too.

As far as fitting in a laptop bag, it will fit in most 17” without any problems. And it doesn’t weigh too much, so your back/shoulders will thank you.

The Massive TM is powered by a single USB port, but Thermaltake did add another port so that you won’t lose your laptop’s USB port.

Thermaltake Massive TM Aluminum Cooling Pad close up

Thermaltake understands that looks matter, and the Massive TM is the perfect example of this. Instead of building something ultra-flashy, they decided to stick to the middle ground. The majority bulk of the cooling pad is an aluminum panel where the laptop sits. Underneath the open-air design are two large fans, without any fancy lighting.

Where the Massive TM stands out is the temperature readout on the bottom. It actually displays the temperature of the laptop using built-in sensors.

Thermaltake Massive TM Aluminum Cooling Pad side

As far as keeping things cold, the Massive TM proved in test to keep the internal temperature down by up to 15 degrees Fahrenheit.

The Thermaltake Massive TM with Temperature Sensor has a noise level of 31db. Using the noise level chart, we can see that this is similar to a “whisper”.

Thermaltake Massive TM Aluminum Cooling Pad elevated

And the Massive TM has three height adjustments (ranging from 3 degrees to 14 degrees). The fan speed can be controlled by a temperature reading and/or manually. And, there are no LED lights to turn on/off.

Thermaltake is a great competitor in the cooling market and the Massive TM proves this yet again. While the temperature sensor is not really necessary, it’s a pretty cool feature. The Massive TM is more than a few gimmicks though and is definitely a great cooling pad option.

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Thermaltake Massive TM Aluminum Cooling Pad with Temperature Sensor

  • Temperature Sensory Display
  • Ultra-Quiet 31db Noise Rating
  • Multi-Adjustments

Aicheson Laptop Cooling Pad Chill Mat S-18

Aicheson Laptop Cooling Pad Chill Mat S-18

The Aicheson Laptop Cooling Pad Chill Mat S-18 is 15.35” wide (left-to-right), 11” (front-to-back), and 1.1” tall, weighing in at 1.80 pounds (another very light option). It is designed to work with laptops from 10 inches to 15.6 inches without any problems. It has a hinge at the bottom to hold any laptop in place safely. Due to its small footprint, it should travel well in most any laptop bag and it won’t hurt your back and/or shoulders either.

Aicheson Laptop Cooling Pad Chill Mat S-18 measurements

The Chill Mat S-18 is powered by a single USB port, but Aicheson managed to fit another USB port onto the S-18 so you don’t lose any USB ports.

When turned off, the Aicheson Laptop Cooling Pad Chill Mat S-18 looks pretty bland, but once the power is on, it’s a completely different story. Aicheson stayed away from ultra-aggressive cuts and corners, opting instead for a fairly rectangular built, using blue LED lighting, and a unique fan choice (2 large fans on the outside, 2 small fans in the middle). It even comes with a digital display, not found on many other cooling pads.

The S-18 definitely can keep things cold. In testing, it proved to keep the internal temperatures down by almost 20 degrees Fahrenheit, right behind the Kootek Cooler Pad Chill Mat 5 (30 degrees Fahrenheit).

Aicheson Laptop Cooling Pad Chill Mat S-18 internals

The S18 stays fairly quiet, only registering a noise level of 48db. This is similar to a “babbling brook” or a normal “desktop computer”.

Where the Aicheson Laptop Cooling Pad Chill Mat S-18 is in the ability to adjust almost everything. It has five height adjustments (from 0 degrees to a staggering 60 degrees). There are six different fan speeds, all controlled electronically through the digital onboard display; the LED’s work for whichever fans are actively on.

Aicheson Laptop Cooling Pad Chill Mat S-18 with laptop

If you haven’t heard of Aicheson, don’t be surprised – we hadn’t either. But they have a great cooling pad that is priced LOW. If you are looking for a cooling pad that can beat most other big brands, while offering almost as many features, for a price that is almost impossible to beat, then the S-18 might be the perfect fit for you.


Aicheson Laptop Cooling Pad Chill Mat S-18

  • 5 Height Adjustments
  • 6 Fan Speed Adjustments
  • 48db Noise Level
  • -18 Degrees Fahrenheit Control

Tenswall Laptop Cooling Pad

Tenswall Laptop Cooling Pad

The Tenswall Laptop Cooling Pad is 15.74” wide (left-to-right), 11.81” (front-to-back), and 1.29” tall, weighing in at 2.09 pounds. It will easily fit in most laptop bags, especially bags designed to hold 17” laptops. Since it only weighs 2.09 pounds, it will not weigh you down, even on longer walks such as in the airport or up/down stairs.

The Tenswall Laptop Cooling Pad is designed to work with laptops as small as 12 inches and as large as 17 inches. There is a tab in the center to keep any laptop from sliding off of the top of the pad, even when elevated. Not to mention, there is a skid-proof baffle built into the top to add even more slip-proof security.

Tenswall Laptop Cooling Pad measurements

The cooling pad is powered using a single USB port, but also makes sure to give you one more USB port so you aren’t actually losing any laptop functionality.

For looks, the Tenswall Laptop Cooling Pad definitely takes a futuristic approach. While fairly rectangular, they managed to put in some serious edge work and multi-colored tones to draw your attention. Plus, they put some blistering red, backlit fans on there too. The red LED lights cannot be turned off unless the unit is powered off.

As far as cooling goes, the Tenswall Laptop Cooling Pad lands comfortably in the middle. In most tests, it proved to lower internal temperatures around 10 degrees Fahrenheit.

And this can be used in a library with its 38db noise rating. For reference, 38db is considered slightly louder than a whisper.

Tenswall Laptop Cooling Pad packaging

You can adjust the Tenswall Laptop Cooling Pad to three different heights. Plus, the fans can be controlled using a speed-controller mounted on the side of the unit. Again, the lights cannot be turned off unless the unit itself is off.

As with the Aicheson Laptop Cooling Pad Chill Mat S-18, the price is LOW. And while the price is low, it still manages to give you plenty to work with. An extra USB port, four ultra-quiet fans, good cooling and height adjustments – plus it looks pretty gnarly in the dark.


Tenswall Laptop Cooling Pad

  • Extra USB Port
  • 4 Red Led, Backlit Fans
  • 38db Noise Rating

Game Lab Cyclone E-Sport LED Cooling Pad

Game Lab Cyclone E-Sport LED Cooling Pad

The Game Lab Cyclone E-Sport LED Cooling Pad is 16.4” wide (left-to-right), 11.5” (front-to-back), and 1.1” tall (one of the thinnest we’ve reviewed), weighing in at 1.79 pounds (one of the lightest we’ve reviewed). It will easily fit into almost any laptop bag and it is definitely not going to weigh you down at only 1.79 pounds.

It is designed to work with laptops ranging from 15.6 inches all the way to 17 inches in size. To keep your laptop in place, it uses a center mounted tab stop (fairly large) to provide extra support, even when the stand is fully elevated.

Game Lab Cyclone E-Sport LED Cooling Pad with laptop

The cooling pad is powered using a single USB port, but also makes sure to give you one more USB port so you aren’t actually losing ports.

While the looks aren’t over the top, this isn’t a bland cooling pad offering either. It used black and red to stand out, with a mesh top that displays the fans (and LED lighting) underneath. When turned on, it really glows, especially in the dark. The LED lighting cannot be turned off unless the unit is turned off.

Game Lab Cyclone E-Sport LED Cooling Pad front

To keep things cool, there are five fans (four 80mm fans and one 120mm fan). And, these fans can reach speeds up to 2,500 RPM! Plus, the fans stay around 45db at full speed, which is just under the noise a babbling brook would make.

Game Lab Cyclone E-Sport LED Cooling Pad back

Due to all the air movement from the FIVE fans, this unit was able to lower internal temperatures around 13 degrees Fahrenheit.

Game Lab Cyclone E-Sport LED Cooling Pad box

The Game Lab Cyclone E-Sport LED Cooling Pad has seven height adjustments, along with a fully adjustable fan speed controller. You cannot turn the lights off, but you might not want to.

For the price, this is an ultra-competitive cooling pad. It can easily hold its own against other larger named competitors and it is definitely worth a look.


Game Lab Cyclone E-Sport LED Cooling Pad

  • Extra USB Port
  • 5 Red Led, Backlit Fans
  • 45db Noise Rating

Fancy Buying Laptop Cooling Pad

Fancy Buying Laptop Cooling Pad

The Fancy Buying Laptop Cooling pad is 16.06” wide (left-to-right), 11.29” (front-to-back), and 1.14” tall (the thinnest that we’ve reviewed), weighing in at 1.59 pounds (the lightest that we’ve reviewed). It easily fits into most any laptop bag and it will not weigh you down on long walks.

It is designed to work with laptops as small as 12 inches all the way up to 17.3 inches. To keep your laptop in place and secure, there are two fold-up tabs that almost look like hooks, even when fully elevated (maximum height of 3.54 inches).

Fancy Buying Laptop Cooling Pad measurements

The cooling pad is powered using a single USB port, but again, gives you one as well.

The Fancy Buying Laptop Cooling Pad is built to stand out. It almost looks like a cross from the “Green Goblin” and “The Predator”. From the top, it looks like it has wings, and each fan is green, with green LEDs behind it. You could say it looks like an alien of sorts. But if you don’t want the lights on, you can turn them off (which can be nice at night – these lights are BRIGHT!)

Fancy Buying Laptop Cooling Pad turned off

To keep things cool, there are five fans, non-adjustable. At full speed, these fans put out about 50db of noise, which is similar to light traffic.

Due to all the air movement from the FIVE fans, this unit was able to lower internal temperatures around 12 degrees Fahrenheit.

Fancy Buying Laptop Cooling Pad adjustable height

The Fancy Buying Laptop Cooling Pad only has two height adjustments (up or down). The fans and the lights also only have two options (on or off).

For the price, this is a great option, especially if you want to stand out while staying cool.


Fancy Buying Laptop Cooling Pad

  • Extra USB Port
  • 5 Green Led, Backlit Fans
  • 50db Noise Rating
  • Looks Otherworldly

Targus Lap Chill Mat model AWE55US

Targus Lap Chill Mat model AWE55US

Targus is another major brand that builds and creates computer accessories that stand the test of time, and the Targus Lap Chill Mat is another example of this.

This is not the best looking, or the best performing cooling pad, but it does something that most of the others don’t do. It is designed to be used by couch potatoes and bed lovers (no offense guys). It is a wedge-shaped stand with side airflow vents to allow air in from the sides instead of from the bottom.

Anyone who used a laptop knows how it feels when your legs get hot from using the laptop. And a cooling pad can only work on hard surfaces without a blanket, so you’re a little limited. Unless you use the Targus Lap Chill Mat model AWE55US.

Targus Lap Chill Mat model AWE55US with laptop

The AWE55US is 15” wide (left-to-right), 11.75” (front-to-back), and 1” tall, and it weighs 2.65 pounds. This will easily fit into most any laptop bag. It still weighs a lot for what it does/does not have.

The Targus Lap Chill Mat model AWE55US can work with laptops from 12” to 17” without any issues. There are not any hinges or tabs to keep the laptop in place, but there isn’t much of a built-in angle either.

The AWE55US is powered by a single USB port, and it does not offer any additional ports for you, so you will lose the USB port on your laptop (if you’re in bed, this probably won’t matter).

Targus Lap Chill Mat model AWE55US on couch

This is not built for gaming, as it only comes with two fans. It is built more for those who want to lounge around, surf the web, view some videos, and send a few emails. It is a basic design, with no special LED lights or aggressive cuts. The bottom has neoprene attached so it won’t be uncomfortable when sat on your lap/legs for long periods of time.

As far as performance, it will cool your device down a little bit – A LITTLE BIT. In testing, it would normally lower the temperature down about 2 degrees Fahrenheit. But again, this is not built for gaming; it is built for the casual user.

Targus Lap Chill Mat model AWE55US packaging

The AWE55US is not very loud, registering around 50db. Looking at the noise level chart, we can see that this is similar to “light traffic” or a “running refrigerator”.

There are no fan speed adjustments or height adjustments.

For what it does, it does it well. Most coolers will not work on your legs or on a blanket (no airflow). The Targus Lap Chill Mat model AWE55US is designed to fill that gap. If you don’t need extra ports, tons of fans, height adjustments, this is a great option.

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Targus Lap Chill Mat model AWE55US

  • Simple Styling
  • Side Air Flow Venting
  • Neoprene Bottom For Extended Use Comfort

Buying Guide For Picking The Best Laptop Cooling Pad

A laptop cooling pad is designed to help reduce the temperature of your laptop (and in some cases, keeping your legs cool too). But not all laptop cooling pads are created equal. So, we’ve put together a buying guide to help you find the right laptop cooling pad for you.

Size

The first factor to consider is how big the laptop cooling pad is. If you have a 12-inch laptop, a 17-inch laptop cooling pad won’t be very effective. In fact, some of the air will actually flow up and around the laptop, effectively wasting your cooling capacity. In the same vein, if a laptop cooling pad is too small, it won’t provide a stable base for your laptop, or provide sufficient cooling power either.

Instead, you need to find a laptop cooling pad that is the same size, or just barely larger than the laptop you want to cool down. This way, you are maximizing the airflow underneath the laptop and providing a great base for the laptop to sit on.

Power

Most laptop cooling pads are powered using a USB port. As you already know, most laptops are fairly limited on extra USB ports. So, when you hook up a laptop cooling pad, you are going to lose a USB port. However, that’s not always the case. Some laptop coolers actually have additional ports built into them, almost like a docking station, to give you more USB ports.

And, some laptop cooling pads actually use an external power source through their own power cords. While this adds some extra bulk, it also gives them more juice to power up more fans/bigger fans. And, it also keeps your USB ports free for other external devices.

Purpose

The next factor to consider is the purpose of your laptop cooling pad. Most users need a good, middle-ground laptop cooling pad. If you are just browsing the internet and watching videos, you don’t need a gaming laptop cooling pad with eight fans and multi-colored LED’s. But, if you are a gamer, you’ll probably need a laptop cooling pad that has numerous, large fans with an external power source.

Look

While this doesn’t attribute to the performance (in most cases), it does matter. Some laptop cooling pads look super simple, almost cheap whereas some look like they were designed for a sci-fi flick. If you don’t like the look of it, stay away from it.

While you may use it for a little while, you’ll eventually end up leaving it behind (or buying another one).

Cooling Ability

A laptop cooling pad that does not cool is not worth it, no matter how great it looks or how inexpensive it is. Therefore, find a laptop cooling pad that can actually cool down your rig. Remember to base your decision on how you intend to use your laptop (see # 3).

Most laptop cooling pads average a 5-degree to 15-degree Fahrenheit temperature drop, but some gaming laptop cooling pads can actually drop the temperature up to 30 degrees Fahrenheit (but they are loud).

Adjustability

Most laptop cooling pads are designed to sit underneath the laptop and on a flat surface. But some of them have a little more adjustability than others. Just like your keyboard, some laptop cooling pads actually have tabs to change the angle of the cooling base. Being able to adjust the angle can help with wrist angle and or viewing angle; not to mention it can help with airflow ventilation too.

Portability

So, portability is comprised of # 1 and # 2. If the size is too big, it will be bulky and cumbersome to carry around. If it is too thick, it might not be able to be stored in your laptop cooling bag.

If the power supply is from an external cord, you may not have enough extra space in your laptop bag. Then, you’ll end up carrying the power cord in your hand and/or another separate bag.

Price

And finally, how much does the laptop cooling pad cost. If you have a $300 laptop, buying a laptop cooling pad that costs $100 might be a little overkill. Of course, there are a lot of great options that land in the middle of the pack.

Using the considerations above (i.e. purpose), you should easily be able to find a great laptop cooling pad that doesn’t break the bank. But gaming laptop cooling pads can easily tip the scales when it comes to cost.

Using this guide, you should easily be able to find a laptop cooling pad that will meet all of your needs. In fact, in the next section, we’ll give you our favorite picks for the Best Overall Laptop Cooler, the Best Value Laptop Cooler, and the Best Laptop Cooling Pad for Gaming, using the guide above.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How are laptop cooling pads powered?

A: Most laptop cooling pads are powered by a USB connection. In some instances, a laptop cooling pad will be powered by an external power cord, but USB connection are far more common.

Q: Will any laptop cooling pad help reduce my laptop temperature?

A: When a laptop cooling pad is being used properly, as defined by the manufacturer, it should help to reduce the laptop temperature.

Q: How much can a laptop cooler lower my laptop temperature?

A: In most cases, you should see a temperature difference between 5 degrees and 15 degrees Fahrenheit. If you are gaming, and using a basic laptop cooler, the difference will be even lower. Of course, this depends on numerous factors including laptop usage, cooler setup, cooler fan speeds, laptop ventilation tabs, etc.

Q: Will a laptop cooler work to replace my laptop fan if it has stopped working?

A: No! If you’re laptop fans have stopped working, you run the risk of overheating the laptop beyond repair. No laptop cooler will sufficiently replace your internal laptop fan. Therefore, if your laptop fan is damaged or has stopped working, you will need to have it looked at and replaced.

Q: Can I turn the LED lights off if I don’t like them?

A: On some laptop coolers, you can turn your LED lights on and off. It depends on the model.

Q: Can I change the color of the LED lights if I don’t like them?

A: On some laptop coolers, you can change the color of the LED lights.

Q: How noisy are laptop cooling pads?

A: Some can be quite noisy as they will can have multiple fans with multiple speeds. However, most are just louder than a whisper. Gaming laptop cooling pads that are built to help reduce higher temperatures will almost always be louder than a normal laptop cooling pad. In our list we list the dB ratings, here is a table to give you better idea of what each of these levels mean:

Noise Level Chart

Conclusion

There are plenty of laptop cooling pads to choose from. Some with thousands of reviews and some without any reviews. You can use our list to narrow down your search results, then you can use our buying guide to drill down to the perfect one for your laptop.

Ultimately, a laptop cooling pad can help to reduce your laptop’s operating temperature, helping it to perform better, while keeping your legs comfortable.

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