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Unlike gaming desktops, gaming laptops are restricted by their compact size which limits airflow and heat dissipation. The trapped heat then leads to thermal throttling, a situation where the CPU and GPU slow down to prevent overheating and damage. Throttling can significantly impact your gaming experience, resulting in lag, stuttering, and even crashes.
This is where cooling pads for laptops come in. A cooling pad sits beneath your laptop and has fans that draw in cool air and expel hot air away from the laptop's internal components. Cooling pads can help lower your laptop's operating temperature by improving airflow and reducing the risks caused by throttling.
In this article, we list some of the best cooling pads for your laptop across various price categories.
Note: This list is subjective and reflects the author's opinions.
Five laptop cooling pads to buy in 2024
1) Kootek Laptop Cooling Pad - $24.99
- Five 120mm adjustable fans
- Variable fan speed control
- Ergonomic tilt design
- Compatible with laptops up to 17 inches
The Kootek Laptop Cooling Pad is a well-rounded option that offers a nice balance of features and affordability. It features five adjustable fans that ensure good airflow while running relatively quiet.
The fan speed can be controlled using a knob, allowing you to customize the cooling based on your needs. The Kootek pad has a tilt adjustment mechanism for ergonomics and it is compatible with laptops up to 17 inches.
2) Shuwei Laptop Cooling Pad - $29.99
- One 240mm fan with three-speed adjustment
- Two-port USB hub
- Aluminum build
- Compatible with laptops up to 15.6 inches
This cooling pad is a budget-friendly option that offers basic yet effective cooling. It features one 240mm fan with three levels of adjustable speeds that provide sufficient airflow according to your needs. The stand has a built-in two-port USB hub for connecting additional peripherals and is compatible with laptops up to 15.6 inches.
3) ICE COOREL Gaming Laptop Cooling Pad - $35.99
- Eight high-speed cooling fans
- Two-level adjustable fan speed
- Blue LED lighting strip
- Compatible with laptops between 15 and 17.3 inches
The ICE COOREL Gaming Laptop Cooling Pad prioritizes powerful cooling with its eight high-speed cooling fans. This large number of fans can push more air, which makes them ideal for laptops up to 17 inches.
The fan speed can be adjusted between high and low levels to suit your needs. The Ice Coorel pad also features a blue LED lighting strip for a touch of gaming aesthetics.
4) GT300 Double Blower Cooling Pad - $64.99
- Two powerful turbine fans
- Adjustable tilt design
- Built-in LED lighting
- Compatible with laptops between 12 and 17 inches
The GT300 Double Blower Laptop Cooling Pad takes a different approach to cooling by utilizing two powerful fans. These fans are designed to push air directly toward the laptop's bottom vents to provide more efficient cooling compared to traditional bottom-firing fans.
The pad features an adjustable design with built-in LED lighting and it is compatible with laptops between 12 and 17 inches.
5) llano RGB Cooling Pad - $116.99
- 14CM fan
- Customizable RGB lighting
- Adjustable fan speed
- Compatible with laptops between 12 and 17 inches
The llano RGB Laptop Cooling Pad caters to the gamer aesthetic. It features a big 14CM RGB fan that offers customizable lighting effects to match the pad's look to your gaming setup.
The fan speed can be adjusted precisely using the touch screen, allowing for granular control over the cooling performance. The Ilano pad has an ergonomic tilt design and is compatible with laptops between 12 and 17 inches.
Gaming laptops are powerful and portable machines capable of running demanding games at high settings. However, this power comes at the cost of excessive heat. With our laptop cooling pad recommendations, you can expect more consistent gaming performance at lower temperatures.
Check out more helpful articles below:
- Gaming mouse vs trackpad: Which is best for gaming?
- 5 best external keyboards for laptops
- 5 best external speakers for gaming laptops
- 5 accessories you must have for your gaming laptop
