Best 140mm Case Fans

The Corsair LL Series LL140 is as much about putting on a show as the company's products usually are. That being said, while the show must go on, performance matters more, and while we're not crazy about the 1,300 RPM maximum speed, we can get behind the PWM fan control feature that lets you dynamically adjust the speed anywhere from 600 to 1300 RPM, minimizing the noise output or maximizing airflow. Even more so, we can get behind the low-noise operation that, even at the highest speed setting, ensures that the noise levels do not go above 25 decibels, keeping the operation virtually silent.

Still, aesthetics sell this product as much as its adequate performance, so you cannot overlook the 16 independent RGB LEDs inside the fans, with the lights split between two separate light loops enabling practically endless customization. Using these LEDs, you can create vibrant visual effects, making even boring mid-range cases look pretty awesome. Plus, the company's iCUE software makes RGB customization more accessible than most fans'.

The Silent Wings 3 from Be Quiet! boasts the best performance-to-noise ratio from what we've seen yet, with the fan producing 1,600 revolutions per minute and keeping the noise levels below 28 decibels.

As you can imagine, these two numbers alone separate the product from its peers but, besides its practically inaudible yet performant operation, there's also the 6-pole fan motor, reducing vibrations and decreasing power consumption. We can also highlight the upgraded fan frame that adopts funnel-shaped inlets, making sure that the blades can handle considerable pressure, while the seven blades between these inlets ensure optimized airflow.

Last but not least, driving the product's value forward is the fluid-dynamic bearing, stretching the fan's lifespan at least 300,000 hours, while most case fans that come equipped with hydraulic bearings will not even reach 200,000.

Incorporating multiple cutting-edge solutions, this fan complicates installation quite a bit, so we advise even experienced users to follow the instructions that come with it. Setting complicated installation aside, the Silent Wings 3 from Be Quiet! is the case fan that fits pretty serious systems as well as average machines.

The Noctua NF-A14 is about as good as the previous fan at balancing noise and performance. While this one caps at 1,500 RPM, a little less than the preceding model, the fan also prevents the noise levels from going above 24.6 decibels, meaning that this is the quietest case fan listed here. Though the first one, peaking at 25 decibels, is almost as quiet, it is also less performant, with its maximum speed stopping at 1,300 RPM.

What makes this fan so quiet is the AAO (advanced acoustic optimization) frame that, employing integrated anti-vibration pads and flow acceleration channels, reduces the suction side flow separation, lowers vortex noise, and minimizes the vibrations' transmissions.

Meanwhile, the self-stabilizing oil-pressure (SSO) bearing provides improved stabilization, enhanced precision, and increased longevity. Wrapping an already impressive package are the extensive cabling options that the fan's offering with a supplied 11.8-inch extension cable.

Some users might find the company's signature beige finish a touch offputting but, considering how capable and quiet this fan is, we would not recommend overlooking the Noctua NF-A14 just because you're not crazy about its appearance.

Premium systems with the most expensive hardware need matching fans that can prevent the bleeding-edge hardware from overheating. On that note, let's discuss the Corsair ML140. The two fans that this package is offering are no joke, not one bit. Producing 2,000 RPM, these are the fans you need when the goal's making 100% sure that a high-end machine runs without hiccups. The reason they're able to produce as many revolutions is the custom rotor design juggling high static pressure and high airflow with excellent efficiency.

Needless to say, these fans are not silent, none at this level are. Reaching 37 decibels, the noise that the fans produce is audible but, with the harness relying upon magnetic levitation tech, these 140mm case fans are not as loud as they should be, nor as loud as most case fans that can produce 2,000 RPM are. What's more, the same tech increases the fans' lifespan almost twofold, making sure that they last at least 250,000 hours.

In short, people with mid-range builds should look elsewhere, these two fans are an overkill for them. But people with high-end systems cannot go wrong securing the system with the Corsair ML140. With these fans, you don't have to worry about premium hardware feeling uncomfortable inside your case.

The Antec Prizm Series 140mm RGB Case Fan leaves mixed feelings. On the one hand, the fan can produce 1,700 RPM, which is more than most systems need. On the other hand, the noise levels reach 32 decibels, making the fan audible, albeit only a little. The shock-absorbing pads on all 4 corners that the fan adopts work, we're not saying otherwise. Nevertheless, there's an annoying rattling noise sometimes following the fan that even the shock-absorbing pads can do nothing about.

We have no complaints regarding the dual RGB light rings with 18 independent RGB LEDs though, not one. Controlled separately, these LEDs will let you smooth out the overall RGB effect, leaving no gaps between individual light sources. And, as always, we're talking about 16.8 million colors, so the customization options are basically endless.

The last stop before concluding the review is the mounting hardware that comes with the fan, so you can install it right away without purchasing anything separately (aside from a screwdriver).

To give you the gist, the Antec Prizm Series 140mm RGB Case Fan matches looks with performance, meaning that, as long as you're okay with occasional rattling, this fan should not leave you wanting more.