The Best Laptop Cooling Pads of 2024 (2024)

• Our Picks

• What to Look For in a Laptop Cooling Pad

• FAQ

Thermaltake's Massive TM cooling pad has two large fans, providing substantial airflow to engulf the laptop's base.

Specifically, fan speed reaches a maximum of 1300 RPM. Thermaltake's inclusion of a temperature sensor helps you identify how hot your laptop is running. Massive TM's temperature sensor will trigger and control the two fans when your laptop starts warming up and becoming hot.

If you have spent considerable time on your laptop, causing it to work over time, the turbo mode supports your computer during heavy-duty work. Even with the fans' effectiveness, customers have complained of the fans being too loud. The Massive TM cooling pad may not be suitable for quiet environments.

Depending on where you use your laptop, you may need to adjust the cooling pad for comfort. Fortunately, Thermaltake incorporated feet on the back of the cooling pad to raise your laptop to a more ergonomic level. Also included are two USB Type-A ports. One port will need to be occupied to power the cooling pad. However, you can use the additional USB port for whatever else you need to connect to your workstation.

Thermaltake's Massive TM is not meant for laptops larger than 17 inches. While larger laptops can technically fit on the cooling pad, they will hang off the sides. Ideally, you can use the Massive TM with laptops around 15 inches or smaller. Users reported being fond of the control panel to navigate the pad.

_{Number of Fans: 2 | Number of USB Ports: 2 | Compatibility: Laptops up to 17 inches | Fan Speed: Max 1300 RPM | Adjustable: Yes}

Surprisingly, laptop cooling pads can cost upwards of $100, but getting a quality pad for much less is possible. The TopMate C302 Laptop Cooler will likely suit your bank account and cooling pad needs for those who are more budget-conscious.

TopMate’s cooling pad rivals Thermaltake’s Massive TM cooling pad for roughly $20 cheaper. For example, the C302 has two fans that run up to 1300 RPM to keep your laptop cool. And the laptop cooling pad has an extra USB port attached to the end of the USB plug.

Due to the impressive specs, TopMate’s C302 Laptop Cooler is highly versatile. In particular, many people use the cooling pad to cool their routers, although it is designed for laptops. Whether the pad is used for your laptop or router, it has a convenient carrying compartment for your USB cable. So, while in transit, you do not have to worry about breaking or losing the cable.

Again, like Thermaltake’s Massive TM, the C302 is best suited for smaller computers as it is compatible with up to 15.6 inches of laptops. However, if you have a laptop that fits, you may be disappointed with the cooling pad’s foot placement. TopMate designed the feet to sit at the top of the laptop pad to prevent the laptop from sliding when at an angle. Unfortunately, the feet, which are too long, tend to poke out higher than the keyboard deck. Consequently, typing can be uncomfortable.

_{Number of Fans: 2 | Number of USB Ports: 2 | Compatibility: Laptops up to 15.6 inches | Fan Speed: 1300 RPM | Adjustable: Yes}

A common grievance against cooling pads is the noise produced by the fans working to cool your laptop. The size or number of fans a cooling pad has will typically dictate how much noise a pad will make. With five individual fans for cooling your laptop, Kootek’s Laptop Cooling Pad significantly reduces noise production as the fans are quieter than average, larger fans.

The five fans can churn out a topmost RPM of 2000. In addition, you can customize your airflow as users can select different combinations of fans to work. All you have to do is plug Kootek’s pad into your laptop to adjust the five fans to increase airflow to your computer as needed.

Airflow customization is stellar, but customers have reported the fans sometimes adjust differently than desired. Nevertheless, you can use your Kootek cooling pad in even the quietest area of a library or next to your napping spouse.

Larger laptop users, rejoice! The cooling pad is large enough to fit a 17-inch laptop. Once your computer is placed on the cooling pad, you can adjust it for maximum productivity. In particular, you can adapt Kootek’s cooling pad to six angles for a more ergonomic fit.

Unfortunately, the polycarbonate legs are unstable even with a significant number of positions. The legs are set into slots in the base leg, and the base is very narrow where those slots are located. Therefore, Kootek’s cooling pad will not take abuse very well, but you should be in good shape if you are careful.

_{Number of Fans: 5 | Number of USB Ports: 2 | Compatibility: Laptops up to 17 inches | Fan Speed: Max 2000 RPM | Adjustable: Yes}

If money is no object, Thermaltake’s large, fancy Massive 20 RGB Notebook Cooler may suit your needs and wants for a price tag of $60. The cooling pad’s looks may win you over without considering the specs.

A strip of red, blue, and green (“RGB”) LED lighting surrounds the Massive 20 RGB cooler, increasing its appeal to gamers and those entertained by flashy lights. Besides the RGB mode, four other lighting modes are available: Wave, Pulse, Blink, and Full Lighted. If you get tired of the LED lights, you can turn them off and on again.

Thermaltake’s Massive 20 RGB Notebook Cooler has a single, large, 200mm fan with a variable speed of up to 800 RPM. Nonetheless, the one sizable fan makes airflow around this pad relatively inefficient, as a single fan provides just one large gust of air.

On the other hand, several smaller fans could blow air more directly where needed. Nevertheless, at least by being able to tinker with the lighting and the fan, you can make this cooling pad yours. Now, if you want both the fan and the lights in operation simultaneously, you will have to forfeit the Massive 20 RGB Notebook Cooler’s two available USB ports for the privilege.

Unlike any other laptop on this list and most laptops on the market, Thermaltake’s pad is compatible with laptops up to 19 inches long. Larger laptops can often be challenging to arrange with a cooling pad. The Massive 20 RGB Notebook Cooler was ergonomically designed to provide the best viewing and typing angles for added comfort. For instance, Thermaltake developed the pad with three adjustable height degrees of 3, 9, and 13.

_{Number of Fans: 1 | Number of USB Ports: 2 | Compatibility: Laptops up to 19 inches | Fan Speed: Max 800 RPM | Adjustable: Yes}

Your laptop alone is a hassle when you are on the go, so you do not need a bulky cooling pad to lug around. If you are looking for a lightweight laptop cooling pad that you can easily carry, look no further than HAVIT's slim, portable, lightweight HV-F2056.

Though the cooling pad is large enough to accommodate a 17-inch laptop, it weighs a mere 1.5 pounds. Within HV-F2056's sleek design, HAVIT inserted three 110mm fans to produce up to 1300 RPM. You will not even notice the 65 CFM of airflow stemming from the fans.

The cooling pad's USB ports serve as a makeshift USB hub. For example, the HV-F2056's two USB ports are on the back of the pad next to the power switch. The switch on the back of the HV-F2056 controls both the lights and the fan, so if the lights or the fan are on, they are both on simultaneously. The hub set-up could be better when the lights may be distracting.

HAVIT's addition of two adjustable height degrees is another flaw in determining comfortability ranges across laptop and cooling pad users. Offering more settings would have been more fitting, especially since the HV-F2056 can support bigger laptops.

HV-F2056's USB power cord may be inconvenient as the cord is pretty short. Difficulties with the short USB power cord will arise if you have a larger laptop or USB ports positioned closer to the front of the laptop. You may need a different power cable if you fall into either category. Aside from that, this cooling pad is a model traveling companion.

_{Number of Fans: 3 | Number of USB Ports: 2 | Compatibility: Laptops up to 17 inches | Fan Speed: Max 1300 RPM | Adjustable: Yes}

IETS’ GT300 laptop cooling pad has four light modes in seven colors. The pad’s two blowers blow air up from the bottom. If your laptop’s cooling vents are not located on the bottom of the computer, even blowers with a maximum RPM of 4500 will not be very helpful. Moreover, GT300 is unable to support laptops larger than 17.3 inches. The combination of the blowers and rubber seal ring provides enhanced cooling for compatible laptops.

Unlike most other cooling pads, the GT300 has a depression in the middle of the pad where the air can flow freely. The cooling pad has washable dust filters to keep cool air flowing and avoid dust collection. The involvement of these filters is critical as dust can create a lack of airflow. IETS inserting these filters was genius, but it does not come without hassle because the bulky cooling pad is not easily transportable.

Although the GT300 is not the most transportable pad, you can alter the height setting wherever you sit. The cooling pad boasts seven grades. The pad’s front clips, which are adjustable, keep the laptop from sliding.

Because of GT300’s clips that lie flush with the keyboard deck, they will not get in your way when typing. No matter your desired height setting, rest assured your laptop will be secure with the pad’s adjustable buckle to hold the computer and accompany the cooling pad.

_{Number of Fans: 2 (blowers, not fans) | Number of USB Ports: 2 | Compatibility: Laptops up to 17.3 inches | Fan Speed: Max 4500 RPM | Adjustable: Yes}

MacBook owners usually prefer a clean, simple aesthetic for their gadgets and accessories. So we figured those with an Apple laptop might want a cooling pad to match their computer’s style. Luckily, the Targus Portable Lightweight Chill Mat does just that.

This cooling pad is a lightweight, all-mesh cooling pad with an ergonomic design to improve comfort. Furthermore, considering MacBooks reach only 16 inches in size, the pad is well-suited for computers that support laptops up to 17 inches.

Targus’ dual fan design, generating a whopping fan speed of up to 6,400 RPM, is powered by a USB-A plug on the pad’s side. Because newer MacBooks no longer use a standard connector, you will need a USB-C hub to power the Chill Mat. For additional ease, the power cable is built into the cooling pad. In all, the pad has four USB ports for supplemental connectivity.

Because the Chill Mat does not collapse into a flat pad, it is massive and difficult to transport. Whether the cooling pad is on your lap or a desktop, the bottom ledge will keep the laptop in place, and the Velcro straps will keep ancillary cables organized. The pad’s four adjustable levels will allow the Chill Mat to be used as a laptop stand with enough room for an external keyboard.

_{Number of Fans: 2 | Number of USB Ports: 4 | Compatibility: Laptops up to 17 inches | Fan Speed: Max 6400 RPM | Adjustable: Yes}

TopMate’s C11 Cooling Pad was seemingly built for gamers. The pad features a combination of four small fans and two large fans. C11’s six fans can peak speeds hitting between 1,250 to 2,400 RPM. The biggest fans can hit 1,250 RPM, while the small fans can hit 2,400 RPM, which is impressive.

Despite the number of fans, TopMate’s C11 still generates relatively low operating noise. While these speeds are not the highest on the market, the cooling pad sufficiently cools most laptops.

Gamers are often keen on appearances. TopMate ran RGB light bars alongside both sides of the cooling pad for a stylish touch. It has seven unique lighting effects that can be adjusted across five levels.

In addition, TopMate incorporated a built-in phone stand so you can keep your device near you at all times, especially during a game. The phone stand particularly comes in handy if you need to charge your phone since the C11 has two USB ports for pass-through charging and additional accessories.

_{Number of Fans: 6 | Number of USB Ports: 2 | Compatibility: Laptops up to 17.3 inches | Fan Speed: Max 1250-2400RPM | Adjustable: Yes}

FAQ

• Can you use a laptop cooling pad on your lap?

  Indeed! One of the best reasons to invest in a laptop cooling pad is to keep your hot laptop off your skin. Some people will agree that a hot laptop on your legs can be intolerable. However, with the quality of most cooling pads on the market, you should be able to find a pad that can be used on your lap and does not restrict airflow.

• What are common reasons a laptop will overheat?

  There are many reasons a laptop can overheat, but the most common is obstructed airflow. Obstruction is caused by dust or dirt entering the vents. Using a laptop on a soft surface such as a bed, couch, or blanket can damage your laptop. A cooling pad, large book, or lap desk can create enough distance between a computer and an undesirable surface to regulate laptop temperature.
  

• What will happen if your laptop overheats?

  A laptop that overheats will have a short lifespan. If your laptop overheats, it will degrade its reliability and performance. Over time, the heat causes components to fail. Heat is a laptop's enemy, so it is essential to keep your computer cool. Thankfully, cooling pads exist to keep your laptop and other electrical equipment at a decent temperature.