If you are using your personal laptop in your home office, you may be concerned about keeping it in top condition. When it overheats, this spells disaster for your motherboard or even your hard drive.
Nobody wants to deal with a computer in meltdown, so keeping your laptop cool is essential. Here are some of the best laptop cooling mats to keep your computer frosty.
1. Targus Portable Lightweight Chill Mat
Targus Portable Lightweight Chill Mat Targus Portable Lightweight Chill Mat Buy Now On Amazon $ 39.99
Targus has long been manufacturing tech peripherals that won’t tear a hole in your wallet. Their Portable Lightweight Chill Mat is one such device. The comapny’s design means it is ideal for placing on your lap. Pretty much where you’d expect your laptop to sit. You can still use it on your desk, though, if you like.
The dimensions of the Targus are 15 x 1.00 x 11.75 inches, so it doesn’t have the smallest of footprints. However, as you are using it on your knee, that won’t matter too much. Neoprene covers the plastic frame, keeping the unit’s weight at a minimum. The bottom of the Targus mat has four rubber feet to keep the mat in place on a hard, smooth surface. The top has four rubber bumpers to hold your laptop in position.
One advantage of this cooling mat is its angled construction. This relieves the stress on your wrists as you type, making it more comfortable to use. A USB powers the cooling mat’s two large fans, which plugs into the computer itself. You can also use a USB hub if your ports are a bit on the scarce side.
2. Cooler Master NotePal XL Laptop Cooling Pad
Cooler Master NotePal XL Laptop Cooling Pad Cooler Master NotePal XL Laptop Cooling Pad Buy Now On Amazon $ 96.00
Cooler Master’s NotePal XL Laptop Cooling Pad is quite the futuristic-looking accessory. That said, it’ll also keep your laptop cool too. The frame is made from durable plastic to ensure the mat stays lightweight. This is due to the metal mesh surface upon which you place the laptop itself. The metal mesh provides maximum airflow to the underside of your laptop. This is the area most prone to overheating.
A single large fan takes care of the cooling. With a diameter of 230mm, the fan should provide cooling to almost all of your laptop’s base. Great news, because that means it will work with a wide range of different laptops. Overall, the Cooler Master measures in at 78 x 117 x 140 mm, so it won’t take up too much prime real estate on your desk. Like the Targus, this pad is angled for your comfort. You can increase the angle using the adjustable legs hidden in the base.
A blue X-shaped LED light adds a nice visual touch to the Cooler Master option. However, one of the main highlights is the ability to use the cooling mat as a USB hub. A control panel to the rear boasts three USB 2.0 for output, a mini-USB for power in, and a micro-USB for external power. You can even adjust the fan speed if you wish. Cooler Master claims that the fan is silent, so it shouldn’t interrupt your work, either.
3. TopMate C5 Gaming Laptop Cooler
TopMate C5 Gaming Laptop Cooler TopMate C5 Gaming Laptop Cooler Buy Now On Amazon $ 42.99
Gaming laptops are arguably more prone to overheating than a general, everyday work laptop. This may be because the laptop is being pushed harder, performance-wise. If you use your laptop for gaming as well as working from home, then you need a dedicated cooling mat. The TopMate C5 Gaming Laptop Cooler is just the ticket. Designed specifically with gaming laptops in mind, it will ensure your valuable computer doesn’t suffer an untimely death.
Like the Cooler Master mat, the TopMate C5 features snazzy blue LEDs to light up the cooling mat. This gives it a futuristic, arcade-like feel—perfect for you to incorporate it into your gaming rig. There are no less than five fans to cool your computer, providing excellent coverage to the underside of your laptop. There are four outer fans and one larger central fan for added cooling to your computer’s core.
You can control the fans using the small LCD screen at the front of the TopMate C5. This gives you six different fan speeds and three fan operation modes. You can customize the TopMate laptop cooler further, too. Its height is adjustable in five increments, giving you plenty of angling options. A hinged flap at the bottom pops up to provide a shelf for your laptop to rest against. This stops it from taking a nose-dive towards the floor, giving you peace of mind.
4. Thermaltake Massive 20 RGB Laptop Cooling Pad
Thermaltake Massive 20 RGB Laptop Cooling Pad Thermaltake Massive 20 RGB Laptop Cooling Pad Buy Now On Amazon $ 49.99
Style and substance come in spades with Thermaltake’s Massive 20 RGB Laptop Cooling Pad. If you want your laptop mat to make an impression, then this is the one for you. Like the TopMate, the Thermaltake Massive 20 is intended for gaming and other workload-intensive laptops. The edges of the frame feature full 256-color LED lights, so it will look awesome sitting on your desk. Avoid laptop burnout while you jazz up your office space!
With a footprint measuring 18.5 x 14 x 1.5 inches, it isn’t the smallest on the market. However, if you’re planning on popping your prized hi-spec laptop on it, you want to make sure it can take the added weight and heat. A large metal mesh offers plenty of room for a 19-inch gaming laptop, with the airflow optimized by the supporting platter. A 200mm silent fan ensures cool air is constantly blowing against your laptop’s base.
The rear of the Thermaltake laptop cooling pad features a small control panel. With this, you can control the light, color, and fan speed. Further customization comes in the form of the angle adjustment. Three adjustable height settings can angle the Thermaltake cooling pad at 3 degrees, 9 degrees, and 13 degrees. Not only does this make it more ergonomic, but it can also increase airflow to the base of your laptop.
5. Belkin CoolSpot Laptop Cooling Pad
Belkin CoolSpot Laptop Cooling Pad Belkin CoolSpot Laptop Cooling Pad Buy Now On Amazon $ 91.76
Belkin’s CoolSpot Laptop Cooling Pad is designed with less intensive use in mind. If your laptop is a bit on the older side, it might struggle to perform under the increased load of working from home. As it is your line of communication with colleagues and clients, you don’t want it to suddenly self-combust. You need a cooling pad, but not an all-singing-all-dancing one.
The CoolSpot boasts a nice, flowing design. This ensures the device is ergonomic and comfortable to use. It is only 11.7 x 1.8 x 11.4 inches, so it is small and lightweight. This makes it perfect for an intermediate user. It also boasts Belkin’s unique vortex fan design. This single fan combines with the CoolSpot’s Airflow Wave design to ensure maximum cooling efficiency.
Your laptop only sits on rubber pads at the top and bottom of the CoolSpot, ensuring peak airflow below your computer. The slim design means that you can slip it into your laptop bag, making this cooling pad effortlessly portable. USB power and quiet operation ensure you can use it in the university library or your favorite coffee shop.
The Best Laptop Cooling Pad for You
The range of laptop cooling pads above should give you enough options to make the right choice when you buy. If you are working from home, then you may feel that you need to deck out the rest of your office.
If so, check out our essential home office accessories and get your workspace functioning as it should.
Read the full article: The 5 Best Laptop Cooling Mats
