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Your laptop was a big purchase. That is why you should only consider buying one the best laptop cooling pads to protect your investment.
Most laptops today can cost anywhere between $500 to $1,500, and that’s not counting gaming laptops which can run considerably higher.
However, most owners never consider getting one of the best laptop cooling pads to prolong the longevity of this significant investment.
Unfortunately, this oversight can cost the average person thousands of dollars over the years as they needlessly replace broken laptops.
Purchasing one of the best laptop cooling pads is an inexpensive investment that can yield substantial money-saving results.
So, what are the dangers of overheating your laptop.
Comparison Table
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The Dangers of Overheating
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All laptops, even the most expensive models, can fall victim to overheating.
Overheating happens because laptop’s components are crammed in close quarters, thus making airflow and heat dissipation more difficult.
Plus, as a laptop gets older, components work less efficiently and can overheat more quickly. Another factor is dust.
As time goes by more and must dust accumulates inside your system. That dust reduces airflow, thus increasing the temperature inside your laptop.
To make matters worse, unlike desktops, laptops are not as simple to open and clean. In fact, most users wouldn’t know where to begin and would need to hire an expert who can be expensive.
Not to mention, opening your laptop may void your warranty.
There’s also the trend of manufacturers stuffing more and more powerful processors inside of laptops.
While we all enjoy the additional speed and processing power, these benefits do come at a price, namely increased heat put out by the CPU.
An overheating laptop can fry internal components such as RAM, the GPU, the CPU, and even your hard drive if it gets hot enough.
The bottom line is this:
Without protecting your system with one of the best laptop cooling pads, you could lose years of data and wind up with a 4-pound oversized doorstop.
Signs your laptop is overheating
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Most people do not know the difference between a laptop that is overheating and one that just runs a little hot.
But, the key to knowing if your laptop’s overheating lies in its performance, not necessarily the warmth of your lap.
Here are a few tale-tale signs that your laptop is probably overheating:
- The fan continuously runs while making loud whirring noises
- The laptop is struggling to complete basic tasks like opening a new browser window
- You get mysterious error messages popping up in random programs
- Lines start appearing on your laptop screen (a good sign that your video card is overheating)
- You begin experiencing system freezes and see the dreaded BSOD (Blue Screen of Death) a lot
- Certain areas of the bottom start getting really hot, like where the fan, RAM, CPU, or battery are located
- Your laptop starts shutting down on its own
How to test the internal temperature of your laptop
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If your laptop feels like a hot skillet, you can check if it is running too hot by using a variety of free programs, to check its internal temperature.
There are some system information tools (included with your laptop) that may also support temperature readings. These tools can sometimes be found in the BIOS or within Windows.
Plus, there are many paid, and free computer information programs can also give you the added benefit of checking other potential problems in your laptop as well.
What to do if your laptop is overheating
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There are several steps you can take to help deal with overheating. Here are just a few suggestions:
- The simplest solution is taking a break from using it to let it cool down (especially if you’re using it for hours at a time)
- Keep the laptop on a flat hard surface instead of a pillow or your lap to increase airflow
- Replace the battery if it doesn’t hold a charge very long
- Put the laptop into power save mode to curtail power consumption and increased heat output
- Close non-essential programs that use a lot of system resources
- Open the laptop and blow out all the dust (this may void your warranty)
- Purchase one of the best laptop cooling pads
How the Best Laptop Cooling Pads Work
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Believe it or not, there is a lot more to being one the best laptop cooling pads than just blowing cool air into your laptop.
Okay, well actually that is most of what they do, but there is more to it as well.
The materials used to make Cooling pads are usually lightweight plastic, metal mesh, or sometimes a combination of both.
Also, materials in the best laptop cooling pads help dissipate heat.
Additionally, the structure of the best laptop cooling pads should be strong enough to bear the weight and heat of your laptop.
You can expect to find that most laptop cooling pads fit laptops ranging from 11- to around 17-inches.
Most cooling pads have one or more circulating fans to blow cool up upward into the laptop.
These fans can circulate in speeds of between 500 and 1,500 RPMs (Revolutions Per Minute) and have multiple blades to enhance centrifugal operation.
The laptop is usually held into place by a baffle in a slightly tilted position, adjustable to the user’s comfort.
Finally, many laptop coolers also come with bright LED lights that light up the pad to give it a cooler-looking aesthetic that is perfect for gamers.
How We Picked the Best Laptop Cooling Pads
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The process of selecting only the best laptop cooling pads involved consulting numerous online laptop forums, articles, and videos related to the topic.
After many hours of research, we compiled a list of the top-recommended cooling pads and chose the highest rated pads on the market based on user review scores.
Here the 11 Best Laptop Cooling Pads on the Market
Here is a list of the 11 best laptop cooling pads on the market, in no particular order. These pads all have features such as fans and USB ports. Some models also have LED lights.
They are priced between $20 and $50, plus include warranties that range from one to lifetime terms.
1. Moclever Multi-Functional Laptop Bed Tray
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The Moclever Multi-Functional Laptop Bed Tray is an adjustable tray that allows you to place your keyboard in a perfectly angled position. Plus, the adjustable baffle of the laptop bed tray prevents objects from falling off.
The desk comes with a built-in cooling fan to prevent your laptop from overheating. Also, the desk legs fold in for storage and the height’s adjustable to 10 or 15 inches.
This product is suitable for 11.6, 13.3, 14, 15.6 inches sizes of laptops.
Not to mention, it has an additional side tray for use as a mouse pad and a 4 USB port hub.
Finally, the desk has a built-in light and storage compartment. The LED light works as a desk lap to reduce eye strain, while you can use the built-in compartment to store things like your touchscreen pen.
Amazon customers rated this product 4.2 out of 5 stars.
This product costs between $30 and $40. Plus it comes with a lifetime money-back guarantee.
2. Havit HV-F2068 5-Fan Laptop Cooler
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The HAVIT HV-F2068 5-Fan Laptop Cooler features five high-speed fans. Plus, each fan emits a bright red LED light and fan speeds are adjustable by the roller switch.
This laptop cooler also has five adjustable height settings, and the baffle prevents your laptop from sliding or falling off.
Additionally, the stan has two USB 2.0 ports and consists of high-quality metal mesh that resists wear. Also, the material draws heat away from the laptop, thus improving heat dissipation.
Lastly, this product is compatible with most laptops up to 17-inches. Customers on Amazon gave this model 4.5 out of 5 stars.
Pricewise this laptop cooler costs between $20 and $30. Havit offers a 30-day money-back guarantee and a 12-month warranty on this product.
3. TeckNet N5 Laptop Cooling Pad
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The TeckNet N5 Laptop Cooling Pad features a metal mesh surface and one extra USB port.
It has dual USB powered 110-millimeter LED fans with a simple power switch design. The pad itself is slim, portable and lightweight, making it easy to carry anywhere.
Plus, it silently operates while providing ergonomic comfort and fits laptops from 12 to 16 inches.
Amazon customers awarded this cooling pad 4.3 out of 5 stars.
This model costs between $20 and $30. Also, it comes with an 18-month warranty.
4. AICHESON Laptop Cooling Pad 5
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The AICHESON Laptop Cooling Pad 5 features a wave metal mesh design with four fans that rotate from 1,000 to 1,500 revolutions per minute.
It has a flip up silicone holder to keep your laptop from sliding, four adjustable height stand settings, and two foam pads.
Not to mention, it has two models with blue or red LED lights that you can control via an adjustable speed switch that also controls fan speed.
Last but not least, it offers two USB 2.0 ports as well as a 1.5-foot USB-to-USB power cord to connect to your laptop.
Customer reviews on Amazon rate this cooling pad 4.4 out of 5 stars.
The asking price of this cooling pad ranges between $20 and $25. It also comes with a lifetime replacement warranty.
5. Targus 17″ Lap Chill Mat
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The Targus 17″ Lap Chill Mat protects your lap or work surface from laptop heat, while dual fans help disperse heat for improved functionality.
It also has a soft neoprene exterior to provide extra comfort on your lap, and the ergonomic surface fits laptops 17 inches and under.
The pad’s cooling fans draw power from your laptop via a mini-USB cable. Plus, it has four raised holders to keep your laptop from sliding off the pad.
The Targus 17″ Lap Chill Mat has a 4.0 out of 5-star rating on Amazon. This cooling pad model retails between $30 and $45. Plus, it includes a one-year limited warranty.
6. AVANTEK Laptop Cooling Pad
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The AVANTEK Laptop Cooling Pad offers efficient cooling performance by optimizing airflow and dissipating heat.
It accomplishes this thanks to its large metal mesh panel and high-speed dual 160-millimeter fans which offer up 1,000 revolutions-per-minute of speed.
The pad is also slender and lightweight, and the metal panel has a full mesh making it more impact resistant.
Plus, it has an operating noise as low as 26 decibels and non-slip EVA pads that support your laptop to keep it from sliding off.
At last, it universally fits most laptops from 12 to 17-inches and has two built-in USB ports along with adjustable height settings.
Amazon customers gave this product 4.2 out of 5 stars. The AVANTEK Laptop Cooling Pad costs between $20 and $30.
7. Cooler Master SF-15
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The Cooler Master SF-15 has a silent but powerful 160-millimeter fan and fits laptops up to 16.6 inches.
Plus it has a 4-port USB 2.0 hub for expanded connectivity as well as a cable management system with a grooved top side for cable routing. Six LED strips underneath provide a glowing effect that can compliment any gaming laptop.
Also, it has a comfortable rubber handle for transport and height adjustment pegs for better ease-of-use.
This Cooler Master cooling pad model has a 4.0 out of 5-star rating on Amazon.
It prices between $35 and $45. Additionally, it comes with a one-year limited warranty.
8. Havit HV-F2056 Laptop Cooler Cooling Pad
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The Havit HV-F2056 Laptop Cooler Cooling Pad features a slim, lightweight, ergonomic design.
Plus, it has two adjustable height settings and consists of a multi-directional wear-resistant metal mesh that creates a stable surface for your laptop.
Lastly, it has three ultra-silent cooling fans and a built-in dual-USB hub and offers a choice between red and blue LED lighted models.
This Havit cooling pad model earned 4.3 out of 5 stars on Amazon.
It retails between $20 and $30, plus comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee and a 12-month warranty.
9. Kootek Laptop Cooling Pad
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The Kootek Laptop Cooling Pad features 5 built-in fans (one 5.9-inch and four 2.76-inch) with blue LEDs.
It has two on/off switches that control the fans and LEDs simultaneously. Plus, it offers a dual USB hub which allows for connecting more devices.
The Ergonomic stand has six adjustable height settings, and the two stoppers on the front prevent the laptop from sliding off.
At last, this cooling pad supports laptops from 12 to 17 inches.
Amazon reviewers gave this product 4.1 out of 5 stars.
It costs between $25 and $35. Plus, it comes with an 18-month warranty.
10. TopMate C5 12-15.6 inch Gaming Laptop Cooler
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The TopMate C5 12-15.6 inch Gaming Laptop Cooler has several unique features.
It has four built-in fans (four outer fans and one large center fan), along with unique angled design with adjustable tilting up to four positions.
Not to mention, each fan has blue glowing LED lights. Plus, the platform has a hinged flap that you can flip up to prevent your laptop from sliding off the pad.
Best of all, it has a small LCD screen and button control panel.
The screen displays information about the fan status while the buttons allow you to switch modes and control fan speed. Plus, it offers dual USB 2.0 ports
This model earned 4.1 out of 5 stars on Amazon.
Its price tag ranges between $20 and $30. Additionally, it comes with a one-year warranty.
11. OMBAR 10″-17″ Slim Portable Laptop Cooling Pad
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The OMBAR 10″-17″ Slim Portable Laptop Cooling Pad features a slim, lightweight, easy-carry design.
It is also compatible with laptops ranging from 10 to 17-inches and features metal and HIPS material for better heat dissipation.
Plus, it has a built-in anti-slip baffle, two extra USB 3.0 ports, and a power switch to save power when not in use.
The pad also features four LED high-performance fans (in red or blue) that focus airflow while remaining whisper quiet at less than 20 decibels during operation.
You can also select from three comfortable viewing angles by using its adjustable height feature.
Amazon customers gave this product 4.2 out of 5 stars.
This pad retails anywhere between $15 and $25. It also comes with a one year warranty.
Who’s the Coolest?
All of our top cooling pad models make for excellent laptop cooling solutions.
However, there are a few that stand out in terms of design, function, as well as other features.
We picked the OMBAR 10″-17″ Slim Portable Laptop Cooling Pad for our top cooling pad for gamers due to its USB 3.0 ports and LCD control screen.
For those looking for a more discrete, professional-looking design we picked the TeckNet N5 Laptop Cooling Pad which also has an outstanding 18-month warranty.
We hope this guide to the best laptop cooling pads proves helpful in your search.
Remember always to practice proper laptop maintenance to keep your investment operating in peak condition longer.
Do you use a cooling pad that is not on our list? Let us know in the comments below!
