Laptops keep getting thinner and more powerful (unlike me), but that performance often comes at a cost: heat. Whether you’re gaming, editing video, or multitasking with a bunch of browser tabs, even the best laptops can get too hot and throttle performance, shorten battery life, and make typing uncomfortable. That’s where the best laptop cooling pads come in.
Modern laptop cooling pads do more than just keep temperatures in check. Many now include adjustable stands for better ergonomics, USB hubs for extra connectivity, and even RGB lighting to complement a gaming setup. The best models balance airflow, build quality, and noise levels to help your system perform at its best without turning your workspace into a veritable wind tunnel.
It’s also worth thinking about where and how you use your laptop. If it spends most of its time on a desk, a larger, more robust cooling pad will give you better stability and heat dissipation. If you often work on the go, a slim, lightweight model that fits easily into a bag might make more sense.
No matter your setup, the best laptop cooling pads can extend your machine’s lifespan and keep it running smoothly, delivering quieter, cooler, and more consistent performance from your portable PC. We’ve compiled a list below of seven of the very best for your consideration, with options to suit every need and budget.
The best laptop cooling pads in 2025
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Everyone will have a slightly different definition of what the best laptop cooling pad is, and that's exactly why we've picked high-quality cooling mats the cover a wide range of needs like budget, laptop size, and cooling capabilities.
The best laptop cooling pad overall
Kootek makes a highly impressive laptop cooling pad, which uses five fans (the one in the middle is a bigger 120mm model, surrounded by 70mm fans) to deliver an impressive amount of cooling – while still remaining quiet to boot. The Chill Mat scores strongly in the versatility stakes as you can switch some of the fans off (it’s possible to have one working, four, or all five), plus it can be raised (using a ratchet mechanism, like a deckchair) through six different height settings depending on your preference (you might want to crank it right up when watching a movie, for example).
This cooling pad can take 12-inch to 17-inch laptops, so all common sizes, with a pair of stoppers at the front to prevent the notebook from sliding off. It also boasts a USB hub with two USB 2.0 ports. In short, this is a high-quality cooling pad with flexibility in spades, and it benefits from a reasonable mid-range price tag, making it our top pick for an all-rounder that covers everything without doing too much damage to your wallet.
The best budget laptop cooling pad
If you want to spend as little as possible on a cooling pad, then TeckNet has a great solution which is priced as cheaply as you’ll see anywhere. And, you’re still getting a decent product.
The N8 comes with a trio of 118mm cooling fans which provide a decent level of cooling, plus the device benefits from a highly slim and portable design, too. It has a pair of feet that can be extended to raise it up, and a USB port to plug in an additional device (the N8 connects and is powered via USB, incidentally). The build quality perhaps isn’t the best, but the N8 is impressively quiet, and quite simply it does the job – and does it very cheaply indeed.
The best premium laptop cooling pad
Cooler Master knows cool, you would hope, and the firm’s Notepal is a winner in our books. Using a single large 230mm fan – which is impressively quiet, we might add – it has a fan speed controller, and is designed to pipe ‘optimal airflow’ through your laptop. Indeed, it shifts an impressive amount of air, being rated at 89.8 cubic feet per minute; a very effective level of cooling.
This device also benefits from a slightly tilted ergonomic design, aiming to give you the best angle to use your notebook’s keyboard, along with nonslip feet for stability when placed on a surface. As an added bonus, there are three USB ports around the back.
The Notepal XL is capable of holding laptops up to 17-inches in size, and to cap things off, it’s reasonably priced for the cooling performance you’re getting here. This product is a very close second to the Kootek, but just loses out on the versatility front. If you can’t find the Kootek outside of the US – in some regions stock seems very thin on the ground – then this is a great alternative for powerful cooling.
The best laptop cooling pad for large laptops
If you need the best laptop cooling pad for a hefty notebook, then this Thermaltake product can cope with a massive laptop as the name suggests. It won’t break a sweat with a 17-inch portable, and is even capable of playing host to larger 19-inch gaming laptops.
It has one 200mm fan for cooling (the fan speed is adjustable), and there are three different height settings (up to an angle of 13-degrees). The large fan provides efficient cooling for bigger laptops, plus you also get RGB lighting around the edges of the pad with various different modes (pulsing, blinking, or just static lighting of different colors).
It’s fashioned from plastic and the build quality perhaps isn’t the best you’ll encounter in the cooling pad world, but it’s plenty sturdy enough to do the job of supporting a hefty gaming laptop. Note that the price tag is reasonably hefty here, too.
The best laptop cooling pad with a USB hub
For those who want their cooling pad to also provide expansion capabilities to hook up a number of other peripherals, check out the Targus Chill Mat, which is a little bit like a laptop dock crossed with a cooling solution. The Chill Mat sports a 4-port USB hub (with USB 2.0 ports), and delivers cooling via a pair of fans (although Targus doesn’t specify what size they are – although the maker does state that they can run at up to 2,500 rpm).
This is a well-constructed device which is impressively slim, and can be adjusted between four different height levels. For those with laptops that have few USB ports, this could be a useful solution on twin fronts.
The best slim laptop cooling pad
If you want a cooling pad which is nicely portable to carry around with you, then the X-Slim fits the bill. It measures only 27.5mm at its thinnest point, and it’s very light with a weight of 700g.
There are other products that come close to this level of portability – Havit’s 12-inch to 17-inch Laptop Cooler, for example – but Cooler Master’s effort gets the nod due to its quality build. It’s also capable of coping with laptops up to 17-inches in size, and the single 160mm fan offers excellent airflow while keeping things whisper-quiet. The X-Slim benefits from nifty cable management facilities, too, to keep things tidy as well as portable. While the Notepal X-Slim is tidily compact, if you want a truly portable accessory to cool your laptop, check out our final entry below.
Frequently asked questions
Do laptop cooling pads really make a difference?
Yes. A good cooling pad can lower both surface and internal temperatures by several degrees, helping your laptop maintain consistent performance. While they can’t fix poor internal cooling design, they do improve airflow and reduce heat buildup during intensive use. The result is quieter operation, fewer thermal throttling issues, and greater long-term reliability.
Can a cooling pad damage my laptop?
No, not if you choose one designed for your laptop’s size and vent layout. Most use gentle fans that pull or push air without creating static pressure strong enough to cause harm. As long as you keep the fans clean and avoid blocking the vents, a cooling pad is completely safe to use.
Are there cooling pads for gaming laptops?
Yes. Gaming laptops often generate more heat than standard machines, so cooling pads built for them typically include multiple high-RPM fans, larger metal surfaces, and adjustable stands. These models help keep frame rates stable during long gaming sessions and can even reduce fan noise by taking some of the workload off the laptop’s internal cooling system.
How much should I spend on a laptop cooling pad?
You don’t need to spend a fortune to see decent results. Entry-level cooling pads start around £20 / $25 and are perfectly adequate for casual users. Stepping up to the £40-£60 / $50-$70 range adds stronger fans, metal construction, and extra features like USB pass-through or height adjustment. Premium models above £70 / $80 are best suited for heavy gaming or professional use, where every degree of cooling matters.
When should I use a cooling pad?
Cooling pads are most useful when your laptop runs under heavy load, such as gaming, streaming, or editing video. They can also help in warm rooms or on soft surfaces like beds or sofas, where airflow is naturally restricted - yes, we've all used our laptop in bed at some point, but it's bad for the device! For the best effect, position your laptop so the cooling pad’s fans align with its vents and keep both surfaces dust-free.
Today's best laptop cooling pad deals
