One of the most common problems with gaming laptops is overheating. The fact is that you can't fit a powerful multi-core processor and a good graphics card into a compact notebook case and expect the machine to run flawlessly and quietly.
Fortunately, there's a very simple and inexpensive way to lower your laptop's temperature under heavy load: cooling stands.
These are neat and handy accessories that not only serve as a stand for your laptop but also provide extra airflow to help lower the temperature.
In this article, we'll take a look at 5 of today's best cooling stands for both regular and gaming laptops.
TOP-5 laptop cooling pads
Cooler Master NotePal U3 PLUS (under $90)
The product is characterized by a minimalist design, which appears literally in all elements of the product. The front side is made of a rectangular metal plate, which is a little over 1 m thick. The wide edge is somewhat bent in the shape of the letter U. Users note that this product is very practical and easy to use.
The material chosen here is anodized aluminum, so you do not have to fear that the product will not be able to support the weight of the laptop. The front side is a little rough, so it has high anti-slip characteristics, to the touch, it is very pleasant. The whole surface is covered with holes, which are 4 mm in diameter. This ensures the operation of passive cooling through air drainage. There are also long slots on the wide ends, which can be used as handles for carrying from one table to another.
Check PriceHavit HV-F2056 (under $35)
Havit is a popular manufacturer of various peripherals and accessories from Hong Kong. Their cooling stand is one of the most popular in the world, and for good reason.
The Havit HV-F2056 is a basic but very reliable and affordable solution. In terms of design, the company prioritizes portability-the device is thin, lightweight, and supports laptops up to seventeen inches. The stand has three 110mm fans, performs well, and has blue LED backlighting.
In addition to its primary purpose, the stand also comes with an additional USB port that allows you to conveniently plug -in and charge other devices, whether it's a wireless peripheral, a phone, or anything else.
Cooling your laptop isn't the most difficult task on its own, but the point is to do it efficiently and without too much noise.
And while the Havit HV-F2056 does the job on a regular laptop, it's hardly suitable for experienced gamers who need more serious cooling.
Check PriceTECKNET Laptop Cooling Pad (under $20)
This product isn't much different from the Havit unit described above, but the key difference is that it comes with four 120mm fans.
Because of this change in priorities, the build quality of the Tree New Bee device is lost, although this is not a serious problem if you are looking for a combination of affordability and performance.
It may not be the prettiest or the best cooling stand, but it gets the job done - taken care of by four 120mm fans that are positioned quite comfortably. The fan speed is easily adjusted with the switches on the back.
Check PriceTopMate C5 (under $30)
Four fans not enough for you? Well, how about five? TopMate can provide that! The Laptop Cooling Stand is another affordable but performance-oriented peripheral that has a few features that put it a notch above rival Tree New Bee.
The device is designed to look good but also be very functional. The indentations on the front panel serve not only to give a special "gaming" look but also to hold the laptop in place.
Also, while most cooling stands can be mounted at one angle, the product from TopMate is much more adjustable, supporting a total of four different mounting options.
As the cherry on the cake, the stand has a small control panel with a blue LCD display on the front. It is used to adjust fan speed and toggle between different modes, as well as to turn the cooling stand on or off.
Check PriceThermaltake Massive 20 (under $50)
If you want a reliable cooling system, Thermaltake can be put on par with Cooler Master, as the Massive 20 RGB absolutely will not disappoint you.
The most outstanding feature is, of course, the RGB. The stand has beautiful edge lighting, and the main case is surprisingly thin. But don't think it's all useless - like the NotePal X3, the device has a single 200mm fan and is more than capable of handling gaming laptops.
The Thermaltake Massive 20 strikes a good balance between portability, cooling efficiency, looks, and price.
Check PriceYou also may be interested in Best Wireless Gaming Mice, Best PC Gaming Headsets, or Best Ergonomic Laptop Stands
When do you need a cooling pad?
As mentioned earlier, overheating is a common problem in laptops, mainly due to all the powerful heat emitting devices that are crammed tightly into a small space with limited airflow.
Well, does a cooling pad really help reduce the temperature of a heavily loaded gaming laptop?
The answer is certainly yes. However, it all depends on the quality of the cooling stand and the quality of the cooling system already built into the laptop. Namely, the more fans the laptop has, the better.
In general, you can expect a temperature drop of about 10 degrees Celsius when it comes to a laptop with good cooling and a good cooling stand.
Note that dust buildup inside your laptop can significantly reduce cooling efficiency, whether you use a cooling stand or not. If you want your device to run at unusually high temperatures, it would be a good idea to clean your laptop before investing in an accessory.
