Whether you’re a gamer, a video editor, or you just use your PC for work on a daily basis, your laptop may be running hot — especially if you use it on your couch or in bed. If your laptop is ever hot to the touch, it can become more susceptible to shutting or slowing down, or even worse, can get damaged from the intense heat. Some researchers even say hot laptops may decrease sperm quality in men. Laptop cooling pads use powerful fans to dissipate the heat from your laptop to keep things working as intended, and they're an affordable laptop accessory that's well worth the investment.
This might sound obvious, but the first thing you should look for when purchasing a laptop cooling pad is size. Check the exact measurements to ensure the pad is large enough to hold your laptop, as laptop sizes can vary greatly. The best laptop cooling pads offer substantial airflow while providing separation between your lap and its intake vents. They have fast fan speeds (measured in revolutions per minute), should work quickly without being too loud, and need to be durable. It’s worth mentioning that not all of our recommended picks are suitable for lap use — some only work on stationary setups at your desk. You likely will need to buy a USB-C adapter to plug them into your laptop if your computer doesn’t have any full-sized USB-A ports.
How We Chose
In order to find the best laptop cooling pads, we thoroughly scrutinized dozens of models from multiple manufacturers by comparing their designs, specifications, and durability. We awarded bonus points to models that have adjustable heights and viewing angles — that way, you can have a more ergonomic setup at your desk. We also included a few models that are equipped with some USB ports for connecting accessories like webcams or recharging your devices.
Check out our best laptop cooling pad picks below that are guaranteed to keep your laptop cool and you comfortable in the process!
Optional temperature sensor and display for monitoring laptop temperature
Has a turbo boost mode
Larger laptops hang off the sides
• Number of Fans: 1 • Fan Speed: Up to 800 rpm • Compatibility: Up to 16-inch laptops
Laptop coolers come in all shapes and sizes. Some have distractingly bright LED lights, some are piled with fans, and many take on double duty and serve as USB hubs for plugging in all your peripherals. The Thermaltake Massive cooling pad may not be as flashy or feature-heavy as competing models, but it does work fantastically at keeping your laptop cool.
It comes in two variants, a standard model with a single 200-millimeter fan that has a fan speed up to 800 RPM, or there's a variant with dual 120-millimeter fans with up to a 1,300 RPM speed. If you can afford it, we suggest opting for the double fan variant. That model is the only laptop cooling pad we've come across that's equipped with a temperature sensor. It monitors four separate areas of your device and can automatically adjust the fan speed to cool your laptop by as much as 20 degrees Fahrenheit.
There's even a LED display, so you know how hot your laptop actually is! This option also has retractable feet at its bottom for adjusting the angle of your laptop, and it’s equipped with two USB ports.
• Number of Fans: 5 • Fan Speed: Center fan 1,000 RPM, Outer fans 2,000 RPM • Compatibility: Up to 17-inch laptops
If you’re looking for a feature-filled cooling pad that won’t break the bank, we recommend this best-selling option from Kootek. The cooling pad is equipped with an impressive total of five fans. Conveniently enough, you have the option to turn on just the main fan, four fans, or all five, but unfortunately, there’s no way to disable its LED lights. They can be very bright and distracting — especially in a dark room.
We appreciate that the cooling pad is equipped with a built-in USB cable for powering it. Although most other models feature dual USB ports like this one, typically, one of them is used to power the fan. With the Kootek, you essentially get an extra port that can be used to plug in a gaming mouse, keyboard, or hard drive.
Besides that, it features a height-adjustable base and two stoppers that'll keep your laptop from sliding off. It supports laptops with up to 17-inch displays.
• Number of Fans: 5 • Fan Speed: Center fan 1,200 RPM, Outer fans 2,400 RPM • Compatibility: Up to 15-inch laptops
Shockingly enough, some laptop cooling pads are priced as high as a hundred bucks. The TopMate C5 is a powerful but much more affordable option that has reached prices as little as just $20 when it's on sale. For just about the price of a pizza, you get five fans, dual USB ports, and five adjustable height settings to achieve the perfect viewing angle and typing experience.
This option is even equipped with a small LCD screen at its base that displays its various fan speeds. You can press buttons on its front side to adjust how fast the fans spin and select what specific fans run.
Like the Kootek pad we previously mentioned, there’s, unfortunately, no way to disable this cooling pad’s integrated LED lights either. On the plus side, this option is completely collapsible, making it easier to travel with. It also features a mostly metal design, which makes it a bit more durable than other options.
• Number of Fans: 1 • Fan Speed: Up to 750 rpm • Compatibility: Up to 19-inch laptops
If you’re in search of a bright, unique laptop cooler that’ll truly make your battle station shine, you can’t go wrong with the KLIM cooling pad. Its rim is surrounded by bright and elegant RGB lights that offer users five strobing effects and seven different color configurations so you can customize it to your liking.
The KLIM Ultimate is compatible with laptops up to 17-inches in size and comes packed with a single 200-millimeter fan with a speed of 750 RPM that'll generate sufficient airflow to cool your laptop. Because it has just a single fan, this option is much quieter than competing laptop cooling pads, making it an ideal option for shared spaces.
Besides its bold and bright RGB lights, what else sets the KLIM pad apart from the competition is its generous warranty. The product is backed by an impressive 5-year warranty, plus KLIM will repair the product or replace it at no charge to you in the event it's defective. You can also return it within 30 days of purchasing — no questions asked!
Fabric backside makes it more comfortable for lap use
Not very portable
• Number of Fans: 2 • Fan Speed: Up to 2,500 rpm • Compatibility: Up to 17-inch laptops
For those who use their laptop on their laps, we recommend the aptly named Targus Lap Chill Mat. This lightweight, mesh cooling pad is comfortable to use in bed, on the couch — or really anywhere! It features dual fans, four USB ports, and a slim design.
Its fabric and flat back are soft to the touch and comfortable to rest on your thighs. Thanks to its wide openings at its sides, the Targus offers plenty of ventilation which helps keep the air flowing to keep your laptop cool.
It's worth mentioning that the Targus also has four adjustable height levels — meaning you technically can use it on a desk, as well.
• Number of Fans: 1 • Fan Speed: Up to 1,500 rpm • Compatibility: Up to 17-inch laptops
For those in search of a slim and sleek-looking laptop cooling pad that just works, consider the Cooler Master X-Slim. Measuring at less than 2 inches thick and weighing just 1.5 pounds, it’s significantly smaller and lighter than competing laptop cooling pads, making it a travel-friendly option.
The Notepal features a single nearly silent 160-millimeter fan that delivers outstanding cooling performance. It offers users convenient cable grooves for keeping its power cable under control and out of the way. It supports up to 17-inch laptops and has two height settings.
We appreciate its four-port USB hub that'll come in handy for recharging your smartphone or wireless mouse. There's even a stylish LED lighting strip that illuminates its base.
One of the few options with integrated air filters
Doesn’t accumulate as much dust
Only three air speeds
Noisier than other options
• Number of Fans: 2 • Fan Speed: Up to 4,500 rpm • Compatibility: Up to 17-inch laptops
If your laptop basically feels like it’s running a fever all hours of a day and you need superior cooling tech and are willing to pay for it, you should opt for this cooling pad from AFMAT. This splurge-worthy option is packed with “twin-turbo supercharged” blowers that reach speeds up to 4,500 RPM.
The cooler has an airtight rubber seal that forces air into the vents at the bottom of your laptop to further optimize the cooling effect. It’s also one of the few laptop cooling pads that features two removable and washable air filters that keep dust to a minimum.
The AFMAT offers seven adjustable height settings, three wind speed modes, dual USB ports, a non-slip kickstand, and the ability to support laptops up to 17 inches in size. Of course, given its heavy feature set, it's a bit pricier than other cooling pads. However, since this model can drop laptop temps by a whopping 30 degrees Fahrenheit, it might just be the cooling solution you need.
Brandon CarteSenior Electronics EditorBrandon Carte has been the technology editor at BestProducts.com since 2017, where he's been covering the latest gadgets and scouring the internet for the greatest deals; His tech reporting has been featured on TopTenReviews.com and USA Today.
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