It’s crazy how much desktop case fans have evolved since the introduction of the desktop fan a few decades ago. They are now quieter, more efficient and they look good. In this buying guide, we will have a look at the top 10 best case fans that come with awesome features such as RGB LEDs, pulse width modulation, low power consumption, high airflow and a design that makes them operate as quiet as possible. Which one do we regard to be the best? We will give an analysis of the key features present in the case fans and help you make a judgment as to which 140mm case fan will best suit your needs. In addition, we will show you which case fan is best suited for consumers who are buying on a tight budget.
Alternatively, just skip to the best 140mm case fan on Amazon.
Table of Contents
Best 140mm Case Fan Comparison Table
List of the 10 Best 140mm Case Fans
1. Noctua NF-A14 PWM, Premium Quiet Fan
This is a premium 4 pin Pulse Width Modulation fan from the manufacturer, Noctua. This fan is 140x25mm in size and runs at a maximum speed of 1500RPM. It comes in a square 140mm frame that has 140mm mounting holes. This allows for it to be a premium grade replacement for common 140mm case fans. It is also perfect for use on 140mm water cooling radiators. In these devices, the square shape will ensure full coverage and best pressure performance. It comes with integrated anti vibration pads. These are made from extra soft silicone and they minimize the transmission of minute vibrations while maintaining full compatibility with standard screws and other mounting systems. There are SS02 bearings. In this design, the rear magnet is placed closer to the axis to provide even better stabilization, precision and durability. It has flow acceleration channels. The NF-A14 impeller features suction side flow channels that speed up airflow at the crucial outer blade regions. This reduces suction side flow separation and leads to better efficiency. It supports Pulse Width Modulation. This allows for automatic fan speed control via the 4 pin fan headers. It comes with a low noise adapter which reduces the maximum speed from 1500RPM to 1200RPM. This fan is very quiet and runs at 24.6 dB(A) without the low noise adapter and at 19.2dB(A) with the low noise adapter. This is the best 140mm case fan.
This device comes with a few drawbacks. A few customers complained about the quality of the Noctua fans made in China being inferior to those made in Taiwan. In addition, the color may be off putting.
2. Phanteks PH-F140XP_BK 140mm Case/Radiator Cooling Fan
This is a silent, cheap and high airflow case fan from the manufacturer Phanteks. It is built from premium materials and will definitely last for long. This fan comes with metal plates on the back and it pushes out an outstanding 85.19 CFM of air. It does this with a noise of just 19.0 decibels. It comes with eight pre-installed rubber pads. These rubber pads are rather big and they help to reduce vibrations. This also helps in the fan being quiet. It supports Pulse Width Modulation. This means that the users can adjust the speed from 600 – 1200 RPM. This allows for you to use the higher speeds for performance and lower speeds for silent operation. It comes with accessories such as a 400mm extension cable. This will help you improve the cable management in your PC. It also has a 4 to 3 pin adapter for use with a fan controller. It has a unique fan circuit design. This design provides the device with a fan polarity auto restart feature. The sensor that is present inside the fan will constantly send a series of signals to your PC’s mother board. These signals will indicate whether the device is working perfect or not. It is made up of UFB bearings that have an effective hub-tip ratio. These bearings are composed by MOSS and SSC systems and the bearings help the fan to achieve a state of equilibrium which reduces the air and vibration noise. In addition to all this, the fan comes at a very attractive price point. This is the best budget 140mm case fan.
This device has the main drawback that it does not have LED lights.
3. Noctua NH-D15, Premium CPU Cooler with 2X NF-A15 PWM 140mm Fans (Brow
This is a state of the art premium CPU cooler with 140mm PWM fans. This is a gorgeous looking premium CPU cooler. It is the successor of the classic NH-D14 that won more than 250 awards and recommendations from leading international hardware websites and magazines. This CPU cooler comes with a wide host of features. It has dual NF-A15 140mm fans. These two fans are premium Noctua fans which comply with Noctua’s AAO standard. They have sophisticated aerodynamic design measures such as flow acceleration channels. The fans have Pulse Width Modulation support. This means that you can easily control the speed of the fans using software. The cooler is RAM compatible. By this, the manufacturer means that there are recessed lower fins which provide a 64mm clearance for tall memory heat sinks in single fan mode. This makes it compatible with most high end RAM modules present on the market. When using both fans, the cooler must be used with standard height RAM (up to 32mm). This cooler has the SecuFirm2 mounting system. This ensures that there is perfect contact and pressure with the processor. The cooler has an expanded heat pipe layout which allows for the kit to keep your processor as cool as possible. This device is easy to install and is perfect for overclocking. The manufacturer shows great pride in his product and offers a 6 year warranty when you purchase this device. This is the best 140mm case fan in the premium category.
This device has the main drawback that it is expensive.
4. Be quiet! Silent Wings 3 140mm PWM, BL067, Cooling Fan
This is a low power consumption and high pressure case fan from the manufacturer be quiet. This is a case fan with an airflow of 59.5 CFM. It has a 6 pole fan motor. This motor has three phases and this allows for the fan to have a very low power consumption. It also allows the device to have fewer vibrations that those that would be found in a case fan of similar dimensions. It has advanced fluid dynamic bearings. These enable the fan to have a very long lifespan of up to 300,000h. It has a rubberized fan frame with funnel shaped air inlets. This design allows for the fan to have high air pressure. Seven blades are present. These blades have optimized surface structures and these structures ensure that there is excellent airflow. There are removable anti-vibration mountings. These reduce the transmission of vibrations, also allowing the device to be as silent as possible. It is a Pulse Width Modulation (PWM) controlled fan. This means that you can use the motherboard to make it run at various speeds. It can speed up when the processor is running CPU intensive tasks and slow down when the processor is idle. The manufacturer offers a 3 year warranty.
This device has a few drawbacks. A few customers complained about the customer service being bad. In addition, the multi-lingual instruction sheet was seen to be cluttered and confusing.
5. Corsair Air Series AF140 LED Quiet Edition High Airflow Fan
This is an illuminated case fan from the computer peripheral manufacturing giant, Corsair. Corsair is a company that is well known for making premium products. This product is no different. It is a 140mm x 25mm case fan. It has custom molded blades which rotate at 1200 RPM. These blades are designed to deliver a high volume of air, and this allows for it to have a superior CFM rating of 66.4. This means that your PC will be kept cool and you will not need to worry about overheating. It is extremely silent. It has a sound output of just 25.5 decibels. This means that you will not have a computer that sounds like a washing machine. Rather, you will have a computer that is so silent that you will often forget that is in your room – especially if it is in a hidden cabinet. It has translucent blades that have a frosted texture and this allows the light from the four LEDs to add a dramatic effect. If your computer case is transparent, you will definitely love the color display. This fan works best in unrestricted spaces with at least 3cm of clearance. This means that it is ideal for mounting at the rear or top of your PC case as an exhaust fan for your PC’s motherboard, CPU, graphics accelerators as well as other components that fill the case with heat. It has a sleeved bearing system and this allows for it to reduce vibration and noise.
This device has a few drawbacks. A few customers found the power cords to be very limiting as they only allow you to plus into the chassis fan spot on your motherboard. In addition the LEDs are not very bright.
6. Thermaltake Ring 14 Anti-Vibration High Static Pressure Case Fan
This is a high static pressure LED radiator fan. This fan comes in a stylish case that will make your PC look rather stylish. It is a 140mm case fan and comes with a height of 25mm. It operates at 14000 RPM and has a maximum airflow of 51.1 CFM. This means that you are guaranteed of a cool machine. This device has many features. It has a wind blocker frame. To achieve maximum static pressure, the wind blocker frame works with the concentrated compression blade’s pressure mechanism by directing airflow towards the outer section of the blade. This creates a compression effect and blocks any pressure from escaping. This reduces the noise of the blade and also reduces vibrations. This creates a perfect balance between power and sound. It has a hydraulic bearing design. These hydraulic bearings are designed to self-lubricate. This increases efficiency and lowers the operating noise. The seal cap present prevents leakage of the lubricant and improves the lifespan of the unit. It has a low noise cable that reduces the noise level by 24% to around 18.7 dBA. It has an anti-vibration mounting system. The in-mold injection anti-vibration rubber pads provide hassle free usage and provides up to 80 protection coverage which includes all the four corners of the fan. It comes with a LED ring that adds style to any chassis. This fan is ideal for liquid cooling applications. The manufacturer shows great pride in his product and offers a 3 year warranty.
This device has a few drawbacks. A few customers complained that the low noise adapter cable gets hot. In addition, they claimed that these fans are rather noisy.
7. ARCTIC BioniX P140-140mm Gaming Case Fan with PWM Sharing Technology
This is a good looking case fan from the manufacturer ARCTIC. It comes in a very nice white and black design which will make your PC look rather good. This fan has the following dimensions: 140mm x 28mm. It is rather powerful and has an airflow rating of 77.6 CFM. It has a highly efficient motor. The motor is powered by a Neodymium-Iron-Boron magnet ring. This allows for the device to run much more efficiently than its predecessors. It saves energy and lowers the coil temperature without compromising the performance. It has a focused air stream that is optimized to produce a high static pressure. This makes it suitable for use on heat sinks and radiators. It has variable speed control. Through the use of Pulse Width Modulation Sharing Technology (PST), the fan speed can be controlled synchronously with all other fans. This keeps the noise in your PC at a minimum whilst guaranteeing maximum cooling performance. It has a high quality bearing which reduces friction and allows for the efficiency to be very high. This means that your fan will have a rather long lifespan.
This device has a few drawbacks. A few customers complained about the quality control. In addition, they do not have LEDs.
8. Corsair CO-9050044-WW ML140, 140mm Premium Magnetic Levitation Fan
This is a 140mm case fan from Corsair that comes with magnetic levitation technology. It comes in a very beautiful black and white design. It is made from premium materials just like most products from the computer electronics manufacturing giant, Corsair. This 140mm case fan is a workhorse and comes with a 1600 RPM fan and a maximum airflow of 55.4 CFM. It produces very little sound – up to 20.4 dBA. The case fan uses magnetic levitation technology. This advanced technology provides lower noise, higher performance and a longer lifespan. It comes with a custom rotor design. This design allows for this case fan to deliver the perfect balance between high static pressure and high airflow. This makes the case fan operate flawlessly in the most challenging environments. It features replaceable corners pre-mounted to anti-vibration rubber pads. This allows for the fan to operate silently. It supports Pulse Width Modulation. This allows for the user to choose the speed that he or she wants. For total silence, you can simply choose the low speeds and for high performance you can turn it up to 1600 RPM. It is available in plain red, blue, and white. This allows for you to choose the best fan for your PC. It has an ultra-bright LED mounted to the center harness which allows for the fan to deliver a sharp blast of color and light.
This device has a few drawbacks. A few customers complained that the fans are not quiet, especially at full speed. In addition they are rather expensive.
9. Corsair LL Series LL140 2 Fan Pack with Lighting Node Pro
This is a set of case fans with RGB LEDs. This is yet another product from Corsair. These fans come with a host of features. They give you complete cooling control. This is done through the use of pulse width modulation. This feature allows for you to set the speed of the fan anywhere from 600 RPM to 1300 RPM for precise noise and airflow adjustment. The 140mm fan blade is engineered for low noise operation without sacrificing performance. Each fan can provide a maximum airflow of 5.15 CFM with a noise level of 25.0 decibels. There are multi-color LEDs present in the fans. These LEDs have red, green and blue components. As you know, you can create multiple colors by mixing the red, green and blue components. Through the 16 independent RGB LEDs, you can create whichever color you want. You can have one fan being red, and the other could be blue. To spice things up, you could have both as the color of a typical rainbow. There are two RGB light loops and these allow for endless customization. You can control, customize and synchronize the colors. This is achieved through the use of the Corsair lighting node pro that is included in the packaging. This device enables you to create stunning dynamic lighting effects with other Corsair ICUE supported devices. This is the best 140mm case fan in the RGB LED category.
This set of case fans has a few disadvantages. The price is rather high for a set of fans. In addition, the build quality could be better.
10. 40mm 2-Pack Computer Case Fan with Advanced Fluid Dynamic Bearings
This is a set of 140mm case fans that come with advanced dynamic bearings. Each fan in this set of 2 comes with a weight of just 12 ounces. The fans are of high quality and will definitely last for quite a while. They have high quality sleeve bearings that ensure a long life span. In addition, these bearings have the advantage that they reduce vibrations and this results in less noise being produced by the fan. The fans have 11 blades that are able to draw out up to 48.7 CFM. This makes the fans perfect for your typical applications. They support Pulse Width Modulation. This means that you can easily change the fan speed to suit your unique needs using software on your PC. They come with Molex or LP4 connectors for compatibility. These fans are designed to work as quietly as possible. The advanced fluid dynamic bearing reduces friction. This therefore reduces the amount of noise that the fan produces and allows the fan to produce just 23 decibels of sound. The set of fans is rather cheap and this is quite an advantage as you can easily buy them without worrying about going off budget. They are quite versatile with blades that are good for both linear airflow and static pressure.
The product has the following drawbacks. A few customers complained that the fans are not as silent as they would have expected. In addition, there are no anti-vibration pads.
Best 140mm Case Fan Brands
The best 140mm case fan brands are Corsair, Noctua and Phanteks. Corsair is a computer electronics manufacturing giant. The products that they make are usually of good quality and usually last for a very long time. Noctua makes premium products that make your computer look as if it is a 1000 USD machine. Phanteks is a relatively unknown brand. The device that we reviewed that they made is of really good quality and the price point is just excellent.
Best 140mm Case Fan
Noctua NF-A14 PWM, Premium Quiet Fan
This is a premium 4 pin Pulse Width Modulation fan from Noctua. It allows for automatic feed control. It is very quiet and runs at 24.6 dB(A). It is perfect for use on 140mm water cooling radiators. This is the perfect 140mm case fan.
Here are the key features we liked about the 140mm case fan:
- Pulse Width Modulation
- Low noise adapter
- Vibration pads
- Quiet
- Square frame perfect for water cooling radiators
Best Budget 140mm Case Fan
Phanteks PH-F140XP_BK 140mm Case/Radiator Cooling Fan
This is a cheap fan from Phanteks. This fan comes with a surprisingly good build quality. It pushes out an outstanding 85.19 CFM of air. It is a low noise device and it supports Pulse Width Modulation.
Here are the key features we liked about the 140mm case fan:
- Attractive price
- 85.19 CFM of airflow
- Low noise
- 400 mm Extension cable
- 4 to 3 pin adapter
- Pulse Width Modulation
How Much Does a 140mm Case Fan Cost?
Case fans are generally inexpensive. The 140mm case fans that we reviewed can be divided into three categories.
High-End
These are the 140mm case fans that range from 60 to 100 dollars. They come with advanced features and are usually made by premium case fan manufacturers. An example of such a device is the Noctua NH-D15, Premium CPU Cooler with 2X NF-A15 PWM 140mm Fans (Brown).
Mid-Range
These are the case fans that range from 20-50 dollars. These case fans are good for typical applications and are usually from reputable manufacturers. An example is the Corsair CO-9050044-WW ML140, 140mm Premium Magnetic Levitation Fan.
Low-End
These are the cheap fans that come with most basic features. These case fans are usually good for applications in which noise is not much of a problem. An example is the 40mm 2-Pack Computer Case Fan with Advanced Fluid Dynamic Bearings.
Types of 140mm Case Fans
There are two main types of 140mm case fans. These are the following:
Static Pressure Fans
These types of fans focus on the force with which air is pushed to the CPU. These types of fans are ideal for use to cool your CPU. You can also use them for intake fan positions.
High Airflow Fans
These are the types of fans that are able to deliver air at a very high speed. These types of fans are ideal for use as exhaust fans as they are able to draw a lot of hot air out of the CPU box in little time.
Factors to Consider When Buying a 140mm Case Fan
Warranty
When purchasing any electronic device it is best to consider the warranty offered by the manufacturer. The warranty gives a good indication of the manufacturer’s confidence in his or her product. As a general rule of the thumb, products with longer warranties are made from better materials and last much longer than similar products that have shorter warranties.
Rotations Per Minute
This is commonly abbreviated as RPM. This is a measure of the speed of a rotational device which in this case is your fan. The higher the fan speed, the more air your fan will be capable of bringing in or drawing out. This also means that the fan may draw more power from your system. It is best to buy fans with a high RPM as they will be able to provide a lot of cool air to your computer when you are running processor intensive tasks.
Pulse Width Modulation
This is commonly abbreviated as PWM. This complex sounding term simply refers to the ability for you or your computer to change the speed of the fan. Fans without PWM cannot speed up or slow down. Fans with PWM can speed up when the PC is running resource intensive tasks and slow down when the PC is idle. Make sure your fan has this feature.
Cubic Feet per Minute
This is yet another complicated sounding term. It is commonly abbreviated as CFM. It is a measure of the airflow into or out of your PC box. The higher the CFM, the better the airflow, the cooler the temperatures. Try to aim for a case fan that has a decent CFM rating.
Static vs. High Airflow
There are static and high airflow fans. When buying a case fan, you need a fan that has a high airflow if it is going to be an exhaust fan. As the name implies, an exhaust fan is the fan used to draw air out of your PC box. If you are using the fan for your CPU, then you are going to need a static fan. This will offer the best performance.
Noise
You need to think about where the PC will be and what you will use it for. If you are like the majority of us, you live in an environment that has a lot of white noise – fans , air conditioning units, etc. If you are in this bracket then this parameter is irrelevant to you – read on. If you need a quiet environment, then you’d better keep reading. Different fans have different technologies they use and these either allow them to be silent or noisy. Try to look for a fan which has a rating of 25 decibels or less.
LEDs
These are just diodes. Diodes that give out light. Light Emitting Diodes. There is absolutely nothing special about them. All they do is conduct electricity in one direction and give off light in the process. They do not boost performance in any way. Avoid case fans with these if you are going to put your fan into a non-transparent PC box.
Size
Make sure that the size of the case fan is compatible with the particular application you want to use your fan for. It is very possible to buy a 140mm case fan with very little clearance. Make sure that all the dimensions suit your application.
Reviews
It is important that you have a look at the reviews of the fan that you are buying. Fans are very important. You need to make sure that the fan that you are buying is of the highest quality as your budget allows. The last thing you would want is for your case fan to die on a Sunday night with work that needs to get delivered the next day.
What is a 140mm Case Fan?
A case fan is an electronic device mounted on a CPU box and is used to expel hot air to the atmosphere or draw in cold air from the atmosphere. The 140mm part just specifies the dimensions of the case fan.
How Does a 140mm Case Fan Work?
A case fan works by either expelling hot air to the atmosphere or drawing in cold air from the atmosphere. It uses a small electric motor which is used to rotate the fan blades. The cases fan frequently has features such as PWM. This allows for you to easily change the speed of the case fan. When the processor is running resource intensive tasks, then an electronic signal is sent to the case fan through the use of an electronic cable. These signals will then make the case fan to speed up and draw more air out. When the processor is idle, a signal is sent to the case fan and this signal tells the case fan to slow down and this makes it consume less power and give out less noise.
These fans frequently come with LEDs. Some people love colorful case fans and manufacturers took heed of that. LEDs are simply diodes that conduct electricity in one way and give off light in the process. These LEDs can be used to make your CPU box rather colorful. When the case fan is active, they usually light up. Some LEDs come with advanced features. These include changing the color. This applies when the LEDs are RBG LEDs. These allow for the user to change the color of his or her fans to whatever color he or she wants.
140mm Case Fan FAQs
How Many Case Fans Do I Need?
As many as your manufacturer recommends. Have a look at your specifications sheet and see what your manufacturer has to say about this. In general, the more the case fans, the better the airflow. This does not mean that you need to cover your whole case in case fans. For typical applications, 3 case fans will work quite fine.
How Long Do Case Fans Last?
A good case fan will last for five years. Case fans are different from other computer peripherals such as USB flash disks and headphones because they are not designed to be changed frequently. If the fan you want to buy lasts less than five years, then keep looking.
Why Shouldn’t I Get a Smaller Case Fan?
Bigger case fans are better than the smaller case fans in the sense that the bigger case fans are able to maintain a decent flow of air at a low RPM. A low RPM translates to a lower amount of sound produced. If possible, get the bigger case fan which in this case is the 140mm case fan.
Where Can I Put The Case Fan?
These fans can be placed wherever there is a free case fan spot. These spots are frequently found at the back of the CPU box and this allows for users to install case fans to dissipate warm air. Other locations include the top and the front sides of the CPU box.
Which Direction Does My Fan Blow?
Have a look at the fan. If the blades are angled down and the fan turns in the same direction then it means that it blows forwards. If the blade is angled down and the fans turn the opposite direction then it means the fan blows air backwards.
Conclusion
In this article, we have explored the top 10 best 140mm case fans. We have given a thorough analysis of each 140mm case fan. We also included a comprehensive guide aimed at equipping you with the skills of identifying the best 140mm case fan to suit your unique needs. In addition, we included a list of comprehensive 140mm case fan FAQs for your convenience.
Check out the best 140mm case fan on Amazon.
