The best slim 120mm fan is a difficult choice because there are so many good options. We have compiled a list of the 8 best slim 120mm fans that we think will work best for your computer. Each option has different strengths and weaknesses, but they all offer the best performance in their class. Let’s take a look!
Here are the top 3 Slim 120mm Fans to check at a glance if you are in a hurry:
Top 8 Best Slim 120mm Fans Reviewed
Features:
- Excellent airflow and static pressure for efficient cooling
- PWM speed control for silent operation
- Thin frame design for maximum compatibility
- Reliable and long-lasting with a wide operating temperature range
- Easy to install and use
Scythe Kaze Flex 120mm PWM fan is designed for Small Form Factor computers and application fans (HTPC, Mini-ITX PC), low profile CPU coolers, and water cooling radiators. The thin frame design is ideal for SFF computer cases. With its outstanding performance and quiet operation at an excellent price point, the Kaze Flex 120mm PWM will be a great addition to any system.
Features:
- 120x15mm slim fan for small form factor systems
- PWM for automatic speed control
- Renowned Noctua quiet cooling performance
- High quality SSO2 bearing for long lifespan
- Includes low-noise adapter and extension cable
Noctua’s A-series fans are renowned for their superb quiet cooling performance and impeccable quality. The new PWM version of the 120x15mm slim fan is ideal for use on small form factor systems, HTPCs, or any other application that requires a smaller footprint while still maintaining exceptional cooling efficiency.
Features:
- Ultra slim design (1.5cm thickness)
- Ideal for use with small form factor (SFF) chassis
- Comes with an ultra-long life sleeve bearing
- Offers 600 – 1600 RPM speed control via a PWM connector for energy efficiency
Ultra Slim Case Fan 120mm is designed for cooling your PC case. It’s only 1.5cm in thickness, and the slim design makes it ideal for use with a small form factor (SFF) chassis. The fan comes with an ultra-long life sleeve bearing and offers 600 – 1600 RPM speed control via a PWM connector for energy efficiency.
Features:
- Perfect for quiet cooling of CPU coolers, cases and other components
- Outstanding cooling performance thanks to PWM PST technology
- 4-pin connector for fan speed control via PWM PST
- Extremely quiet operation thanks to low noise impeller (LNI)
- High quality dual ball bearings for
ARCTIC P12 Slim PWM PST is a high-quality, extremely quiet 120 mm fan with an outstanding cooling performance. Thanks to the 4-pin connector, the fan speed can be controlled via PWM PST. This keeps noise to a minimum while at the same time ensuring maximum cooling performance. The performance of the P fans has been noticeably increased through numerous improvements, including upgraded engine technology and a newly developed fan design.
Features:
- Newly designed frame and blades for high airflow with low noise
- PWM control for a wide range of speeds from 500 to 2200 RPM
- Excellent balance of performance and quietness
- Slim design for case cooling and CPU heatsink
Scythe Kaze Flex Slim 120mm PWM fan is a slim yet powerful fan for case cooling and CPU heatsink. It features the newly designed frame and a blade that contributes high airflow with low noise. The PWM control offers a wide range of speeds from 500 to 2200 RPM for an excellent balance of performance and quietness.
Features:
- 800 to 1700±10% RPM (PWM)
- 36.7 CFM (max.)
- 15.5 dBA (min.)
- Life expectancy: 50,000 h
- at 25°C
- Connection: 4-pin PWM
The Gelid Solutions Slim 12 PL Blue 120mm PWM Computer Fan is a high-quality, low-noise fan that features a Hydro-Dynamic Bearing. This provides silent operation and ensures a long lifetime. The fan has an RPM range of 900 to 1600 RPM and is controlled by its high-quality PWM Control. The On/Off switch for the LED lights is mounted on the fan frame.
Features:
- Portable and easy to place
- High airflow for maximum cooling power
- Perfect for high-end systems that require maximum cooling
The High Airflow PC case fan is the perfect cooling solution for your computer. It’s great for systems that require maximum cooling power, such as high-end graphics workstations and gaming rigs. This portable cooling fan can be placed near a radiator grill, heat sink, or hard drive cage to improve stability in any system.
Features:
- Portable and easy to place
- High airflow for maximum cooling power
- Perfect for high-end systems that require maximum cooling
Silverstone Tek Professional Slim 120mm Fan is a 120mm fan with optimized blades for balanced air pressure and airflow. It features a slim 15mm thick design for superb compatibility with smaller case designs. The Airflow – 32.6 CFM; Noise level – 23.5 decibels, Optimized fan blades for balanced air pressure and airflow, Air-inlet with optimized aerodynamics that reduces noisy air turbulence, and 90-degree anti-vibration rubber pads on each mounting hole to reduce vibration noise.
Buying Guide For The Best Slim 120mm Fans
1. Will I Use This Fan In Many Locations Where Mounting Is Possible?
Slim 120mm fans are ideal for HTPC (Home Theater Personal Computers) or PC cases with narrow spaces that prevent the use of normal 120mm fans. However, not all slim fans come in both PWM and voltage control models; some only come with voltage control. If you’re looking to be able to tinker with fan speeds, ensure that you buy at least one model (ideally more) that has PWM support.
2. Can I Live With The Cable Length Supplied?
As mentioned earlier, these slim fans generally either come with a 5-pin Molex connector or a 3-pin motherboard peripheral connector; neither is suitable if you have a case window on your PC. Slim fans typically don’t have the sort of cable length that allows them to be placed anywhere other than on a shelf right next to the computer case itself unless you’re willing to add your own extension cables. If you have a standard size PC case, then this will not present any problems whatsoever, but if you have a smaller mini-ITX case, it’ll be harder (read: not possible) to find what you need.
3. Is There Enough Airflow For My Purposes?
There’s always the temptation when looking at slim fans and comparing airflow figures between normal 120mm fans and slim 120mm fans; don’t fall for it! The airflow of slim fans is typically around 30% lower than that of standard 120mm fans, due mainly to the lack of fan blades, but this is often not a problem for most users. The way manufacturers present their performance figures is also misleading; they use industry standards to develop their specifications instead of real-world testing, making it seem as though your slim fan will have more airflow than normal 120mm fans running at the same speed. Common sense tells you that there’s no way that this will be true – after all, the slim fan only has half the number of blades!
4. Are The Bearings Good Quality, Or Should I Buy Another Brand?
Slim fans are being marketed with low price tags, so it’s natural to think that bearing quality would suffer. However, this isn’t always the case, and most manufacturers will use quality bearings in their slim fans. Some, like NoiseBlocker, for example, are actually using double ball-bearings instead of sleeve or fluid ones that are generally used by other manufacturers. Sleeve or fluid bearings are cheaper to make but come with more noise and less durability compared to the more expensive ball-bearing types.
5. How Loud Will It Be?
A major concern with slim 120mm fans is noise; they don’t have the sort of airflow that can keep a system cool while remaining silent. The amount of decibels (dBA) that each fan produces isn’t an accurate way to assess how loud it will be because there’s no standard method to measure dBA across all manufacturers. The most useful way to assess a fan’s noise output is by noting its static pressure (in mmH₂O); this will tell you whether it’s suitable for use with radiators, where high airflow isn’t as important as being able to control airflow. A fan with a high static pressure figure will also be relatively quiet because it can easily push air through tight spaces.
3 Benefits Of Slim 120mm Fans
1. Aesthetics
This benefit is most important for building projects that require its PC case to look polished with clean aesthetics. Slim 120mm tower fans offer multiple colors and sizes, some even anodized like Silverstone’s Air Penetrator SST-AP121-L (Black or Silver).
2. Performance & Service
For users who constantly require airflow through their systems, slim 120mm fans are an excellent solution due to their small size and the large surface area they push air through. This is because they will pull in more cold air than bigger case fans with larger blades, so they will maintain lower operating temperatures, thus increasing the life of your components. We all know how hot it can get inside our cases with modern, powerful machines,, so this is quite important.
3. Size & Compatibility
Slim 120mm fans are often used in HTPC (home theater pc) cases where space is a premium. You can use them with most CPU coolers and big aftermarket coolers, although you will need to check the height of each fan before buying a case that requires 120mm fans.
Conclusion
The best computer fans for you will depend on your needs. However, 8 solid options should help keep even the most demanding PC running at peak performance. We hope this article has helped narrow down which slim 120mm fan is right for you!
