Saturday, June 12, 2021

The best PC case 2021: top cases for your desktop computer

The best PC case isn’t just for show. More than letting people know that you’ve got some fancy setup or to showcase the epic RGB lighting inside, an excellent PC case is first and foremost designed to shelter your components and keep them away from dust, debris, and anything else that could harm them. Equally important, it’s also responsible for providing great ventilation to keep those components from overheating and keep them in tiptop shape.

It’s vital therefore to invest wisely in one of the best PC cases, especially if you’ve just acquired the best graphics card and/or the best processor. Even a quality SSD or RAM needs a quality case that not only protects it from accidents and the elements, but also helps it stay in optimum condition. Of course, it would be great if that case is also future-proofed, which means it has an extra bit of space or additional empty bays to accommodate more components in the future.

We’ve collected what we consider the best PC cases available right now to help you finish your PC build. And, if you’re looking for a deal, use the price comparison tool to find the best price on your favorite case. If you don't want to build your own PC, check out our best computers guide instead. And, be sure to complete your setup with one of the best monitors of 2021.

Since Prime Day 2021 is on June 21 and 22, we’d wait for Prime Day deals before we hit buy on any PC case on this list. It’s likely that some of them will receive decent discounts in the days leading up to the sale event, which means you can get a PC case for much less. 

Best PC cases at a glance:

  1. Corsair iCue 4000X
  2. Fractal Design Meshify-C
  3. Nanoxia Deep Silence 4
  4. NZXT H200i
  5. Phanteks Evolv Shift X
  6. Fractal Design Define R5
  7. Cooler Master H500P Mesh
  8. Corsair Carbide Series SPEC-04 Tempered Glass
  9. Antec Cube
  10. Phanteks Evolv X

Corsair iCue 5000x white case with full system built inside.

(Image credit: Corsair)

1. Corsair iCue 5000X

The best PC case

Form factor: Mid-tower | Dimensions: 520mm x 245mm x 520mm (L x W x H; 20.47 x 9.65 x 20.47 inches) | Mobo compatibility: Mini-ITX, Micro-ATX, ATX | PSU support: Bottom mount | I/O: Power button, reset button, USB 3.1 Type C, USB 3.0 USB-A, 1x Headphone port

Elegant, tempered front and side panels
Excellent cable management
Runs slightly hotter than similar-sized cases

Because the world of the best gaming PCs would be nothing if it weren't for decadent PC cases, Corsair has followed up its excellent iCue 4000X from late 2020 with the amazing iCue 5000X. Just like it's predecessor, the Corsair iCue 5000X is filled to the nines with RGB lighting and tempered glass. It's got four tempered glass panels, so you can show off your PC build in all its glory, and it's one of the most modular cases we've seen from a mainstream manufacturer, so it's incredibly easy to build in. 

Fractal Design Meshify-C

The Fractal Design Meshify-C has a unique style. (Image Credit: Fractal Design)

2. Fractal Design Meshify-C

The best mid-tower PC case

Form factor: Mid-tower | Dimensions: 395 x 212 x 440mm (L x W x H; 15.6 x 8.3 x 17.3) | PSU support: ATX | I/O: 2 x USB 3.0, 1 x HD audio in/out, power button, reset button | Includes: 2 x Dynamic X2 GP-12

Freshly designed in multiple ways
Reasonable price
USB 3.0 cable is too short Front
PSU dust filter is hard to remove

It is extremely rare to see any PC case that even vaguely resembles the Fractal Design Meshify-C. Given that the front of the case is entirely made of a mesh material sectioned off into an array of polygonal shapes, the Meshify-C has a unique style – without compromising on function. With two fans pre-installed, cooling is (forgive us) a breeze, even if the Meshify-C is held back by a number of obstacles. 

Nanoxia Deep Silence 4

The Nanoxia Deep Silence 4 is quiet as a mouse. (Image Credit: Nanoxia)

3. Nanoxia Deep Silence 4

The best Micro ATX PC case

Form factor: Small form factor | Dimensions: 380 x 200 x 480mm (W x H x D; 15 x 7.9 x 18.9 inches) | PSU support: ATX | I/O: 2 x USB 3.0, 1 x USB 2.0, HD audio in/out, power button, reset button, two-channel fan control | Includes: 2 x 120mm fans, 2 x modular HDD cages for up to five hard drives

Low-noise
Onboard dual-zone fan controls
 Not many extras 

As its name suggests, the Nanoxia Deep Silence 4 has the sole purpose of being quiet as a mouse. This silence-focused case is a well-balanced Micro ATX chassis that’s affordably priced, without sacrificing room for expansion. That’s right you can fit even the biggest, most powerful graphics cards in the Nanoxia Deep Silence 4. The fact that you will never hear it go above 30 decibels is just icing on the very taciturn cake. 

  • This product is only available in the US and UK at the time of this writing. Australian readers: check out a fine alternative in the Phanteks Evolv Shift X. 

NZXT H200i

NZXT H200i integrates a ton of the same features as its Micro ATX and mid-tower equivalents. (Image Credit: NZXT)

4. NZXT H200i

The best Mini-ITX case

Form factor: Small form factor | Dimensions: 210 x 349 x 372mm (8.3 x 13.7 x 14.6) | Mobo compatibility: Mini-ITX | PSU support: ATX | I/O: 2 x USB 3.1 Gen 1, 1 x audio/mic, 3 x fan channels with max 10W per channel output, 1 x RGB LED port support up to 4 x HUE + LED strips or 5 x Aer RGB fans | Includes: 1 x Aer F120 Case Version top fan, 1 x Aer F120 Case Version rear fan

Built-in Smart Device RGB control
Adaptive noise reduction
Slightly pricey

Every single day mini-ITX gets more popular, and closer to toppling Micro ATX. And, it makes sense – why not spring for a small computer that can get just as much work done as a full tower? NZXT’s new H-series case line manages to integrate a ton of the same features as its Micro ATX and mid-tower equivalents, with mesmerizing, built-in and smart device-controlled RGB lighting and an adaptive noise sensor that sees improvement only by way of the Grid+ V3 fan controller.

Phanteks Evolv Shift X

Phanteks Evolv Shift X is flexible to the point that it looks natural placed under a TV as it does on a desk. (Image Credit: Phanteks)

5. Phanteks Evolv Shift X

The best home theater PC case

Form factor: Small form factor | Dimensions: 170 x 650 x 274mm (W x H x D; 6.7 x 26.1 x 10.8 inches) | Mobo compatibility: Mini-ITX | PSU support: SFX, SFX-L, ATX (160mm max) | I/O: 2 x USB 3.0, power button, RGB button | Includes: 2 x 140mm fan, 1 x power supply cover, 1 x pump bracket, 2 x SSD bracket, 1 x PCIe x16 Riser cable, 1 x 8-pin CPU extension cable

Plenty of room for beefy components
One-of-a-kind aesthetic
 Massive for Mini-ITX

When you first look at the Phanteks Evolv Shift X, it looks more like a sound bar than one of the best PC cases, but this helps it vanish into any living area or studio setup. It’s flexible to the point that it looks natural placed under a TV as it does on a desk, next to one of the best gaming monitors. It may only be compatible with a Mini-ITX motherboard, but the Phanteks Evolv Shift X offers tons of space for components and liquid cooling loops. If this case is  a little large for your preference, you can get the smaller Phanteks Evolv Shift for easier management.

Fractal Design Define R5

The metallic and blue LED-lit face of the Fractal Design Define R5 is simple, yet elegant. (Image Credit: Fractal Design)

6. Fractal Design Define R5

The best silent PC case

Form factor: Mid-tower | Dimensions: 232 x 451 x 521mm (W x H x D; 232 x 451 x 521 inches) | PSU support: ATX | I/O: 2 x USB 3.0, 2 x USB 2.0, audio in/out, power button with LED, HDD activity LED, reset button | Includes: 2 x Fractal Design Dynamic GP14 140mm fans, velcro straps

User-friendly (and handsome) design
 Affordable price
 Definitely not tool-less

Fractal Design wins again with the Define R5, yet another mid-tower case with a gorgeous aesthetic. The metallic and blue LED-lit face of this case is simple, yet elegant, and is accompanied by noise dampening materials throughout its interior. In spite of the detachable ModuVent panels and drive trays not being toolessly accessible, it’s incredibly easy to build a system inside of the Fractal Design Define R5, plus it’s not as expense as you’d expect from a PC case with such a pretentious name, either.  

Cooler Master H500P Mesh

The Cooler Master H500P Mesh's beautiful RGB-packed case has plenty of room for airflow. (Image Credit: Cooler Master)

7. Cooler Master H500P Mesh

The best high airflow case

Form factor: Full-tower | Dimensions: 544 x 242 x 542mm (L x W x H; 21.4 x 9.5 x 21.3 inches) | Mobo compatibility: Mini-ITX, Micro ATX, ATX, E-ATX (12 x 10.7 inches) | PSU support: Bottom mount, ATX PS2 | I/O: USB 3.0 x2, USB 2.0 x2, Audio in & out (supports HD audio) | Includes: 2x 200 x 25mm RGB fan, 1x 140 x 25mm fan

Great airflow
Gorgeous RGB lighting
Not as big as other full towers

Cooler Master is kind of known for, well, cooling things – and the Cooler Master H500P Mesh is evidence of how it got there. This beautiful RGB-packed case has plenty of room for airflow, even accommodating up to 360mm radiators on the top and front for when you really want to take your cooling to the next level. Add on top of that the RGB lighting and tempered glass side panel and you have the potential to build something beautiful with this case. Go for it.

Corsair Carbide Series SPEC-04 Tempered Glass

Corsair Carbide Series SPEC-04 Tempered Glass has a deceptively large amount of space for future expansion. (Image Credit: Corsair)

8. Corsair Carbide Series SPEC-04 Tempered Glass

The best budget PC case

Form factor: Mid-tower | Dimensions: 492 x 201 x 433mm (L x W x H; 19.4 x 7.9 x 17 inches) | PSU support: ATX | I/O: 1 x USB 3.0, 1 x USB 2.0, 1 x headphone port, 1 x microphone port, power on button, reset button | Includes: 1 x 120mm LED front fan

 Attractive price 
 Very aesthetic 
 Only includes 1 case fan 

If you’re looking to save a few bucks, while still getting one of the best PC cases, look no further than the Corsair Carbide Series SPEC-04 Tempered Glass. Not only does it have plenty of space for airflow, it also has a deceptively large amount of space for future expansion, meaning that even at this low price point, you won’t have to worry about fitting a full-sized graphics card. And, when you’re done building, the tempered glass side panel will allow you to show off your handiwork. 

Antec Cube

The Antec Cube is without a doubt the best PC case for Razer fans. (Image Credit: Antec)

9. Antec Cube

The best PC cube case

Form factor: Small form factor | Dimensions: 365 x 250 x 460mm (H x W x D; 14.4 x 9.8 x 18.1 inches) | PSU support: ATX | I/O: 2 x USB 3.0, I/O button, audio in/out | Includes: 1 x 120mm rear exhaust fan mount

Ample space for power and cooling
Integrated fan controller
Wildly expensive
Less than satisfactory performance

The Antec Cube is without a doubt the best PC case for you Razer fans out there. While Razer hasn’t made its own desktop PC (not yet, anyway), you can build a Mini-ITX gaming PC, pretending it’s a razer product. You see, Antec partnered with Razer to bring its signature green-infused flare to the Cube, a small form-factor chassis. Complete with a deceptively high amount of space for future expansion, the Antec Cube is also compact enough to travel with. 

Phanteks Evolv X

The Phanteks Evolv X squeezes dual-system compatibility in a mid-tower. (Image Credit: Phantex)

10. Phanteks Evolv X

The best dual-system PC case

Form factor: Mid-tower | Dimensions: 240 x 520 x 510mm (W x H x D; 9.45 x 20.5 x 20.1 inches) | PSU support: E-ATX | I/O: 1 x Thunderbolt 3, 1 x Mic, 1 x Headphone, 1 x Reset button, RGB mode button, RGB color button | Includes: 3 x Premium 140mm fans

Attractive 
Plenty of space 
Expensive 

Who says dual-system builds have to be in a hulking full-tower case? The Phanteks Evolv X takes dual-system compatibility and squeezes it into a mid-tower. Even with that second Mini-ITX motherboard installed,  there’s plenty of room for E-ATX motherboards and power supplies, and ample cooling. It is pricey for a mid-tower case, but with all this functionality, it kind of has to be. It’s thanks to all of these high-end features that the Phanteks Evolv X is one of the best PC cases around today. 



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