The best PC cases are going to feature innovative designs while protecting the vital components of your PC — and even show them off.
Whether you’re looking to build a gaming rig that shows off the best graphics card, best RAM, and best CPU cooler you can pull together, or you’re looking for a specific case to suit a specific need, like a small form factor case for a POS or security system, there is a PC case out there to perfectly suit your specific need and budget.
But with so many PC cases out there, selecting the right one can be challenging, especially if you’re not sure which kind of case you need. With hundreds of cases available from leading manufacturers like Corsair, Thermaltake, NZXT, and more, it's vital to understand the key considerations that ensure you choose the right PC case for your needs.
Fortunately, we’ve been collectively building PCs for decades, and we’ve been closely following the latest trends in design as well as airflow and functionality to help you sort through the best PC cases on the market for your next rig, whether for gaming, work, and everything in between.
The best PC cases of 2023
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The best PC case overall
A hulking glass beast is what you’re getting with the Corsair iCue RGB 5000X whose offerings include good cooling – thanks in large part to its mesh coverings around the top and bottom panels, a lot of space for efficient building, and three Corsair RGB fans.
And, it delivers all those while looking incredibly sleek, albeit massive. It might be a bit pricey for some folks, but for those whose top priorities include airflow and space, it’s worth the price.
Read the full Corsair iCue RGB 5000X review
The best mid-tower PC case
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, like the difficulty in removing the PSU dust filter and the front USB 3.0 cable being frustratingly short, making it difficult to plug into your motherboard.
The best small tower case
The Asus Prime AP201 is one of our favorite cases for microATX builds thanks to its tool-free access, 360-degree airflow, and surprisingly large capacity. It also helps aid in cable management thanks to the 32mm gap on the motherboard tray to help keep cables tucked away.
It can support both MicroATX and Mini-ITX motherboards, up to a 180mm power supply, and up to a 338mm long graphics card, so it can even hold an RTX 4090 Founders Edition (though definitely look into a GPU bracket, since one isn't included with this case). You can also fit in a 360mm AIO cooler, though only just barely.
Getting everything situated in the case is going to be a challenge given its size (no small tower case will be easy to configure with modern hardware), but the AP201 manages to make the process as relatively painless as possible thanks to a number of clever design choices, like mounting the PSU at the front of the case with an extension cable running to the back.
If there's a drawback, it would be the lack of a glass side panel option for those who want to show off the interior of their builds, but for those who want a PC that blends in rather than stands out, this just might be exactly what you want.
All in all, the Asus Prime AP201 is the ideal small tower case for anyone looking for a high-performance build with a smaller footprint. It might take time for some to fit everything they need inside, but if you're up to the challenge, this case will serve you well for a long time to come.
The best Mini-ITX case
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.
Perfect for living room gaming setups, the NZXT H210i is a fantastic foundation on which to build a PC.
The best PC case for a living room PC
When you first look at the Phanteks Evolv Shift 2, 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 or best TVs. It may only be compatible with a Mini-ITX motherboard, but the Phanteks Evolv Shift 2 offers tons of space for components and liquid cooling loops.
If this case is a little small for your preference, you can get the larger Phanteks Evolv X for more room on the inside for a bigger GPU and other components.
The best PC cube case
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.
How to choose the best PC case for you
If you're looking to do a new PC build, finding the right PC case is essential, but it is also going to be determined by the components you plan on including in the PC. If you're going big on components, you're likely going to need at least a mid-tower case, but if you're keeping things within a tight budget, a mini-ATX case will likely be better.
Which case is best for a gaming PC?
Honestly, pretty much any case on this list is going to be an excellent pick for a gaming PC. But you should consider what you're going for with your build, whether you want a ton of RGB flair like the Corsair iCue RGB 5000X, a lot of airflow like the Cooler Master H500P Mesh or something small and portable like the Antec Cube.
The best part of picking a PC case, like with anything in PC gaming is that you have so many choices that will be absolutely amazing.
What is the best airflow PC case?
If you only care about keeping your PC components cool without investing in pricey and complicated liquid cooling setups, the Cooler Master H500P Mesh should be at the top of your list. Plenty of open space, and more room for fans than many other mid-tower PC cases, and it looks good to boot.
What is the most overkill PC case?
In the world of PC gaming, we all love going above and beyond what anyone could reasonably need in a gaming rig, and that all starts with the PC case. Cases like the Corsair Obsidian 1000D, which can fit two whole PC builds are exactly what to look out for when looking for an overkill PC case.
