List in brief1.Best-Looking PC Case2.Best Budget ATX Gaming Case3.Best Budget Back-Connect ATX Case4.Best Premium RGB ATX Gaming Case5.Best Mainstream Airflow-Focused Case6.Best Performance-Focused ATX Case7.Best Compact ATX Case8.Best Case for Rear-Connector Motherboards9.Best Design-Focused Mini-ITX Case10.Best High-End XL/EATX Case11.Best Workstation Case12.Shopping Tips
Many PC builders arguably don’t pay enough attention to the plethora of case options. Or they push the decision off until the end of the component-choosing process. If you care at all about cooling or how your system looks, I’d advise considering your case options early when planning your build.
The best PC case for you will dictate the system’s size, shape, and looks, and what fits inside. The PC case is also a major factor in how quiet your system will be (or how noisy it can get) under load, thanks to any included fans and things like mesh or glass panels. These aspects also hugely impact the cooling potential of your rig.
If you want a compact, space-saving PC, consider one of thebest Mini-ITX casesto minimize your PC’s footprint on your desk. Or you’re able to go in the opposite direction and get a chassis likeCorsair’s Obsidian 9000DorBe Quiet’s Dark Base Pro 901to house a massive workstation or gaming rig with acres of expansion possibilities. But really, you don’t need a massive case these days to house the best high-end components.
Below, we’ve selected the best PC cases we’ve tested, from the dozens of models we’ve reviewed in recent years. So long as you check to make sure the parts you want to use will fit in it and you like how it looks, one of the cases below should keep you and your PC parts happy for years to come.
Best-Looking PC Case
A unique wood-and-mesh front and lots of airflow-focused features at an affordable price, Fractal’s North is a fantastic case with performance that’s just as impressive as its looks.
Read more below
Best Budget ATX Gaming Case
At around $80 with four fans (two RGB and two blowing directly on the GPU), plus a whole lot of mesh, the Lancool 207 is a budget airflow champ. Its sideways PSU mount and great cable routing also make it easier to build in. The only feature it lacks is back-connect motherboard support, but that’s still a niche – especially if you’re building on a tight budget.
Best Budget Back-Connect ATX Case
With four 140mm ARGB fans, a glass side panel, and a price around $80, the Phanteks XT Pro Ultra is one of the best values in the PC case space. It doesn’t skimp on airflow or aesthetics, has room for top-end components, and even supports new rear-connector motherboards for a clean interior.
Best Premium RGB ATX Gaming Case
Corsair has combined pretty, minimalist design with everything you need for the vast majority of ATX builds, at a reasonable price.
Best Mainstream Airflow-Focused Case
A revamped classic, focused on cooling performance, which also kept our components surprisingly quiet under load, the H7 Flow is a breeze to recommend.
Best Performance-Focused ATX Case
With five included fans, attractive wood trim, lots of cable routing options, large motherboard support, and ample storage options, the Lancool 217 is a great option for those who prioritize cooling, especially if you’d rather avoid RGB. There is, though, an included PWM / ARGB hub for adding your own internal case glow.
Best Compact ATX Case
This squat, compact ATX case offers a mesh front panel and three fans for airflow, with an unusual layout that’s surprisingly well-suited to novice builders.
Best Rear-Connector Motherboard Case
For builds with rear-connector (MG-RC) motherboards, the 2500D is the best case we’ve tested so far. This Micro ATX chassis gets the basics right, while also providing extra space behind the motherboard for cable slack, which you’ll have a lot of since you aren’t routing most to the front.
Best Design-Focused Mini-ITX Case
With its striking wood-accented front panel and extremely compact design, the Terra will look great on your desk. Just keep in mind you’ll need a small-form-factor CPU cooler, especially if you also plan on installing a powerful graphics card.
Best High-End XL or EATX Case
This visually striking beast of a case offers excellent performance, a striking RGB-lit glass grille, and an LCD screen. It’s also very expensive, but doesn’t pull any punches when it comes to features.
Best Case for High-End Rigs and Workstations
All the space and breathing room you need for modern high-end workstation builds, plus excellent cooling performance.
The Best PC Cases You Can Buy Today
Why you can trust Tom’s HardwareOur expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about how we test.
Reasons to buy
Reasons to avoid
We aren’t sure who asked for a PC case that mixed mid-century modern design (wooden slats and all) and high airflow, but we sure are glad that Fractal Design answered with the excellent North mid-tower. Available with either a mesh side (as we tested) or tempered glass, and in white with chrome accents on the IO and feet, or black with some seriously pretty brass, this is arguably the prettiest PC case ever produced, period.And thanks to its pair of 140mm fans and an included side bracket (for the mesh model) that can hold another pair of 140mm fans (not included), the North has excellent thermals as well. Just note that it can get noisy when delivering those temps. The glass side panel may help a bit on the noise front, but likely at the cost of at least some thermal performance.If you don’t like the case’s looks, then the company’s Meshify 2 Compact (below), is probably a better option for you. But if you’re after a case that matches the pretty furniture in your living room, has lots of room for storage, and won’t break the bank at $130, nothing else comes close to the North. We hope Fractal’s bold move inspires other case makers to try something different.
Lian Li’s Lancool 207 ATX PC case delivers a lot, including some unique features, for just $80 – or $85 if you want the white model. It ships with four fans (two RGB and two uniquely blowing directly on your GPU) and a whole lot of mesh, so airflow shouldn’t be a concern. There’s also space for large graphics cards and a pair of SATA drives, which should be enough for most of us in this modern M.2 world. Cable routing is also well-designed, making building and cleaning up the interior easier.
The sideways-mounted power supply setup is a unique design choice that mostly works well, but does limit your ability to use large power supplies (160mm in length or less). Aside from that, the only thing I don’t like about this case is it’s one of the few new models we have tested in 2024 that doesn’t support rear-connector motherboards. If that’s a feature you need, check out the also-excellentPhanteks XT Pro Ultra.Read:Hands-on with Lian Li’s Lancool 207 PC case: Rethinking ATX on a budget
Not long ago, a PC case with four 140mm RGB fans and a tempered glass side panel would have cost well north of $100. But Phanteks manages to deliver that, plus support for high-end components and emergingrear-connector motherboards, in a choice of black or white, for just $80. It’s a great case for builders looking to put together a gaming rig with great cooling, who want to spend most of their money on core components like the graphics card and CPU.The four included RGB fans deliver lots of airflow, and with some tweaking of settings in your BIOS or software, they can also run reasonably quietly. And when I installed an MSI Project Zero motherboard in the case, all the holes lined up perfectly and there was enough room for cable slack. SATA drive support is also good for a mainstream case, with a 3.5-inch drive cage and up to five 2.5-inch drives supported.It’s clear that Phanteks had to cut some corners to keep the costs down (there’s a even a stepped-down XP Pro model with a single fan that has an MSRP of just $50). There are no grommets around the cable holes, and only two top USB ports (one USB-C and one USB-A). But for just $80, the Phanteks XT Pro Ultra delivers great airflow, lots of RGB, and support for modern features and high-end hardware. There are better cases out there if you’re willing to spend significantly more than $100. But in its price range, Phanteks XT Pro Ultra is hands-down the best option for most gamers and system builders.Read:Phanteks XT Pro Ultra PC case: Modern budget case delivers lots of airflow and RGB
Corsair’s 4000X RGB is a sleek gaming tower that comes with two glass panels and three RGB spinners. Priced at about $135 now, it’s not cheap, but its design is thoroughly considered and as you build with it, it’s clear where Corsair’s gaming and PC building pedigree comes from. Indeed, the 4000X RGB (as well as the similar 4000D airflow), is an extremely easy and convenient chassis to build a system in, and everything just makes sense.
While it won’t blow you away with premium materials such as aluminum, the dark tinted glass ensures that you only see RGB lighting inside the case, allowing you to be a little sloppy with cable management because you won’t see it anyway. Add to that Corsair’s class-leading RGB ecosystem, and you’ve got a very pretty case that’s convenient in use and always looks good, no matter what you install inside it.
Read:Corsair Obsidian Series 4000X RGB ReviewAlternatively, if you’re after something with a bit more flexibility, theLian Li Lancool III RBGis an impressive option with movable front IO, excellent cable management and lots of internal space. But priced about $30 more than the Corsair case, with somewhat noisy fans and CPU thermals that weren’t quite as good as we’d expect from a mesh front case with three 140mm spinners, it’s not as easy to recommend as Corsair’s 4000X RGB.
With just two of the company’s F120Q Airflow case fans behind a skeletal frame with a perforated front panel, the NZXT H7 Flow manages to deliver excellent temperature and noise level numbers in our testing, beating or competing well against pricier chassis with more fans and glass panels. It’s also a pleasure to build in, with good cable management and a $130 MSRP that’s quite reasonable in this era of seemingly ever-increasing prices.
The primary missing feature here, which will feel refreshing for many builders, is the lack of any RGB to light up your system. That, combined with the boxy look and perforated front means this case isn’t the prettiest on our list, but it can certainly look good with some tasteful lighting delivered via your components, extra fans or a light strip. And if you don’t like the look of the fully vented front and you aren’t that concerned about keeping your temps a low as they can go, the non-Flow H7 model has a solid front, but with everything else we loved about the H7 Flow.Read:NZXT H7 Flow review
Lian Li’s excellent Lancool 217 borrows from itsLancool 216andLancool 207, while adding some tasteful wood trim. It also sports five fans, with two massive 170 mm spinners up front and dedicated GPU intake fans above the PSU chamber to help chill today’sbest graphics cards. With all that airflow and a mesh front, the Lancool 217 is tough to beat in its $125 price range.The 217 was also a pleasure to build in, thanks to a fused front-panel connector block, ample cable routing, and a GPU support bracket. Back-connector motherboards are also supported for an ultra-clean build, and depending on how you configure it, there’s support for up to five SATA drives.The only real negative about this case for me is that its front-panel ports are on the bottom of the case (on the side near the front), which doesn’t seem convenient for a case that’s likely to live on the floor (it’s roughly 20 inches tall and deep).Read:Lian Li Lancool 217 hands-on
Lian Li’s PC-O11 Dynamic has been a staple, go-to PC case for pretty builds in recent years, but its days might be numbered. The O11D Mini was inspired by the Dynamic’s design, but had a few issues. Now though, the O11 Air Mini is a brilliant alternative.
Priced at around $120, you get a lot for your money with this case, including three PWM fans, bits of pretty aluminum, a glass panel, handsome looks, plentiful IO, a brilliant internal design, and full ATX compatibility.
The O11 Air Mini features an unusual side-by-side chambered design, but building in it is a breeze and its performance is well up to snuff by modern standards. With this many features, great handsome styling, and such value for money, it’s a case that easily earns its place on this list.
Corsair’s 2500D airflow doesn’t stand out much as a general Micro ATX case. But as a case specifically for rear-connector motherboards, it’s the best I’ve tested so far. And if you’re after a case for a full-size ATX build, the company also sells a 6500D Airflow for $199. These cases get the basics right, like cutout placement (although a PSU support strip right above the bottom cutout is annoying). But more importantly, due to their dual-chamber design, they provide enough room for the large amount of cable slack that results from plugging nearly everything in behind the motherboard, instead of up front. The other cases I’ve tested with these rear-connector boards don’t have nearly enough space behind the motherboard. For even more room for cables on the 2500D, you may opt for a smaller SFX power supply. But of course, that generally costs extra.
I do find the basic presentation of the 2500D a bit drab, but adding the $69 wood accent panels morphs the 2500D from a plain bulky box to something I enjoy looing at. That’s not going to be worth the extra expense for everyone, but because the panels are accessories, you don’t have to decide whether you want them or not until after you own the case. And you are spoiled for choice, as the company offers panels in silver aluminum and four wood varieties. Other accessories include a vertical GPU mounting kit and a front panel to turn the 2500D into the 2500X.Read:Hands-on with Corsair’s 2500D Airflow case
The substantial size and substantial cooling needs of today’s components – particularly graphics cards like Nvidia’s RTX 4090 – have made several compact cases from the past few years effectively obsolete. But at just 10.4 liters of volume, the Mini-ITX Fractal Design Terra case has enough room for most big GPUs, while delivering attractively thanks to an aluminum exterior with some attractive wood on the front.
It doesn’t have as wide of an appeal as itsATX North cousin, since you’ll be far more limited in your component and airflow options with the Terra. But if you don’t need to pack in the absolute most powerful CPU (cooling clearance is particularly cramped) and you don’t need several storage drives, the Terra is compact, practical, and stunning – especially if you want a respite from PC gaming’s typical RGB and aggressive designs. The Terra’s flip-up doors and adjustable spine also make this case surprisingly easy to build considering it’s so compact. Just know you’ll need to bring a modular SFX PSU, because you’ll need all the spare interanal space you can get with this case.
Cooler Master’s HAF 700 Evo packs in loads of unique features, like an edge-lit RGB glass grille front with a circular LCD display, an infinity mirror to hide ugly bits of the interior while showing off your pretty components and five front USB ports. There’s also room for up to 12 drives and EATX server-class motherboards, plus clearance for the largest graphics cards and coolers.
But Cooler Master didn’t forget about performance with its HAF 700 Evo. It lands at or near the top of our testing charts, thanks to two huge 200 mm intake fans and a trio of smaller 120 mm spinners. Plus, with 18 fan mounts, airflow can get even better.
The only downsides of the HAF 700 Evo are its $500-plus price, the fact that it weighs over 50 pounds empty, and the dust filter is behind the front panel, which is difficult to remove. If you’re after great looks and great performance with loads of room for high-end parts, Cooler Master’s flagship HAF is hard to beat.
Fractal’s Meshify 2 is well-thought-out and versatile, delivering an enjoyable building experience. Whether you use this case as a system where you just want to deliver copious amounts of airflow and expansion space, a workstation with a cadre of hard drives, a server, or high-end custom liquid cooling, the Meshify 2 can accommodate your build. Its thermal and acoustic performance is also in line with what we’d expect from a mesh front. All this cobined earns this case a rare five-star rating.
The only thing to consider before hitting the buy button is whether you really need the space for storage or cooling parts, or should you buy a smaller chassis and save some money and sapce?
Read:Fractal Design Meshify 2 Review
Also tested
Not every case we test earns a spot on our best list. Whether it be for a lack of features, high price, poor performance, or something else, the cases below aren’t the best we’ve tested. But the best PC case for you has to be something you like to look at. So the cases we’ve tested below may be worth considering, especially if you find them on sale.Cougar Airface Eco:Cougar’s oddly named Airface Eco case features a decent all-around design, support for large GPUs in vertical orientation, a modular IO panel, and a built-in GPU holder. It also sports a distinctive front face with large holes, but doesn’t otherwise stand out in terms of features or price. You can read more in our fullCougar Airface Eco review.Be Quiet Dark Base 701:Be Quiet’s Dark Base 701 is a high-quality. customizable case that offers one-touch fan and lighting controls from the top panel, and it performed well in our tests. It supports vertical GPU mounting, ample SATA storage, and custom liquid cooling reservoirs.Read:Be Quiet Dark Base 701 reviewMontech Air 903 Max:This case doesn’t do anything new when it comes to design or features. But with large motherboard support, good airflow thanks to four include fans, and a $75 price, there isn’t a whole lot to complain about.Read:Montech Air 903 Max reviewAPNX V1:This case combines angled front fans and optional wood accents, delivering good thermal performance and a reasonable price. But its looks aren’t for everyone, and its screwed-down panels feel a little dated.Read:APNX reviewBe Quiet Light Base 900 DX:This case’s solid build quality and attractive aesthetics are paired with the somewhat unique feature of having three different layout options. Thermal performance is middle of the road, which is to say while it might not be the best, it will be good enough for 97% of users looking to build a PC for gaming or mixed use. While there are multiple fan hubs, you’ll have to supply you own fans.Read:Be Quiet Light Base 900 DX review
MSI MEG Prospect 700R:At aropund $380, the MEG Prospect 700R from MSI delivers a lot of features, like a top-mounted touchscreen for supporting various functions. Hinged doors make getting inside the case easy, and it is one of a limited number of chassis that allow fancy PSUs to show their displays.
But the case would be much easier to recommend if it didn’t cost so much. In particular, it should include a GPU support bracket for horizontal mounts and a PCIe riser cable for vertical mounting, considering its nearly $400 asking price.
Quick PC Case Shopping Tips
Discounts on the Best PC Cases
Whether you’re buying one of the best PC cases on our list above or a different product, you may find some savings by checking out the latestCorsair coupon codes,Newegg promo codesorMicro Center coupon codes.
MORE:Best Mini-ITX Cases
Get Tom’s Hardware’s best news and in-depth reviews, straight to your inbox.
After a rough start with the Mattel Aquarius as a child, Matt built his first PC in the late 1990s and ventured into mild PC modding in the early 2000s. He’s spent the last 15 years covering emerging technology for Smithsonian, Popular Science, and Consumer Reports, while testing components and PCs for Computer Shopper, PCMag and Digital Trends.
