NZXT sells liquid coolers as part of a design language: a pump cap that doubles as a screen, fans that match the case, and software that ties it all together. Shopping for an NZXT AIO is therefore less about raw cooling and more about choosing a tier and a radiator size inside one family. The lineup splits into Core, Plus and Elite levels, in 240mm, 280mm and 360mm sizes, and the keyword really asks which combination fits your case and your budget.
This guide is for builders who already like the brand’s look and want to pick the right model without wading through near-identical listings. The six picks cover every tier and size on offer in 2026, from the entry Core 240 RGB to the display-led Elite 360 RGB. They are compared only on what the product titles state: radiator size, display type, fan family and pump design. Where a model comes in both white and black, it is treated as one choice, since the finish does not change how it cools.
Our Top Picks
Top 3 picks at a glance
Quick Picks
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| Product | Best for | Key spec from the title |
|---|---|---|
| NZXT Kraken Plus 240 RGB | Mid-tier lit builds | 240mm, customizable LCD, F240 RGB Core fan, Turbine pump |
| NZXT Kraken Plus 360 | Large cases, LCD fans | 360mm, customizable LCD, Turbine pump, F120P fans |
| NZXT Kraken Elite 360 RGB | Flagship display builds | 360mm, 2.36-inch LCD, F360 RGB Core fan |
| NZXT Kraken Plus 240 | LCD on a compact radiator | 240mm, customizable LCD, F120P fans |
| NZXT Kraken Core 240 RGB | Entry-level liquid cooling | Entry 240mm RGB, Turbine pump, single-frame fan |
| NZXT Kraken Elite 280 RGB | 280mm display builds | 280mm, 2.36-inch LCD, F280 RGB Core fan |
How to Choose
Radiator size and case support
Check whether your case supports a 240mm, 280mm or 360mm radiator at the front or top before you shop. A 360mm unit holds three 120mm fans and suits hot, high-power processors, while a 240mm unit is the easier fit in a mid-tower. The 280mm radiator takes two 140mm fans and is a good middle path if the case allows it. Also measure the gap above the motherboard so memory and VRM heatsinks do not collide with the radiator.
What the screen actually adds
The LCD pump cap shows temperatures, images or animations, and the Elite models name a 2.36-inch display. It does not cool better. If you will never see the cooler through a side panel, paying for a display is wasted money. If you do want one, plan for the companion software and for the extra cables, because the display and fans need both power and data connections.
Fan family and noise
The titles name three fan families: F120P on the Plus 360 and Plus 240, RGB Core fans on the Plus 240 RGB and the Elite models, and a single-frame fan on the Core 240 RGB. Single-frame designs tidy up cabling, and RGB Core fans add lighting. Look for PWM control so the motherboard can slow the fans at idle, and ignore headline maximum speeds since daily use stays in the lower range.
Where cheaper tiers cut corners
The Core tier skips the screen and uses a simpler fan arrangement. That is a reasonable trade for most buyers because cooling performance depends mainly on the radiator size and pump. Compare tiers on features you will actually use, such as the display and fan lighting, rather than assuming that a higher tier cools a hot chip dramatically better.
The 6 Best Options
NZXT Kraken Plus 240 RGB
This model is the pick for a mid-tier build that wants both a screen and matching lit fans. The title lists a 240mm RGB AIO with a customizable LCD, an F240 RGB Core fan and a Turbine pump, offered in white and black. It gives the full NZXT look without stepping up to the flagship, which makes it the easiest model to suggest to a buyer who simply wants the signature screen, a tidy radiator and a coordinated lighting scheme in one purchase.
- Customizable LCD on the pump cap shows what you choose
- F240 RGB Core fan unifies lighting and airflow in one frame
- Trade-off: a 240mm radiator limits headroom for very hot processors
Skip it if you have a 360mm mount and a power-hungry processor, or if you want a plain, low-cable setup. Builders who prefer to run no vendor software at all should also look elsewhere, because the screen depends on it.
NZXT Kraken Plus 360
The Plus 360 is for owners of large cases who want an LCD and the extra radiator area. The title lists a 360mm AIO with a customizable LCD, a Turbine pump and F120P fans, described as simple to install. It trades the RGB fans of the other Plus model for a plainer fan type, so the pump cap screen does most of the visual work while the radiator itself stays understated and easy to blend into a dark case.
- 360mm radiator suits hot processors
- Customizable LCD and Turbine pump are both named in the title
- Trade-off: it needs a case with 360mm support, and the fans are not the RGB variety
Skip it if your case tops out at 240mm or if you want RGB fans to match the pump display. A buyer who wants lit fans on a 360mm radiator should compare the Elite model, which carries that feature.
NZXT Kraken Elite 360 RGB
The Elite 360 RGB is the flagship choice for showpiece builds. The title lists a 360mm RGB AIO with a 2.36-inch LCD and an F360 RGB Core fan, and describes it as flagship display cooling. It is meant for builders who want the biggest radiator and the biggest screen from NZXT, typically in a glass-sided case where the cooler is the focal point. The listing shows both white and black finishes, so the color can follow the rest of the build.
- 2.36-inch LCD is the largest display named on this list
- F360 RGB Core fan integrates lighting across the radiator
- Trade-off: it sits at the premium end and needs a roomy case
Skip it if you do not care about the screen or if your case cannot handle a 360mm radiator. Most buyers with an ordinary processor will get similar cooling from the cheaper Plus tier, so the extra spend is mostly for looks.
NZXT Kraken Plus 240
This one suits a compact build where you still want an LCD. The title lists a 240mm AIO with a customizable LCD, a Turbine pump and F120P fans, with simple installation. It avoids the extra lighting of the RGB sibling, which keeps the build quieter visually and leaves fewer connections to manage behind the motherboard tray. For many compact builds that is a feature, not a shortcoming.
- LCD pump cap on a smaller radiator that fits more cases
- F120P fans keep the look restrained
- Trade-off: a 240mm radiator limits cooling headroom
Skip it if you want RGB fans or have a hot, high-power processor that would benefit from a 360mm radiator. If you are on the fence about lighting, compare it directly with the RGB variant of the same size.
NZXT Kraken Core 240 RGB
The Core 240 RGB is the entry ticket. The title describes an entry 240mm RGB AIO with a Turbine pump and a single-frame fan, with quiet, high-performance cooling as the goal. It leaves out the display so the price can stay lower, and for a desktop that mostly lives under a desk or behind a solid panel that is a sensible place to save. It remains a real liquid cooler with the same pump family as its pricier siblings.
- Single-frame fan makes cabling cleaner
- Turbine pump is retained at the entry tier
- Trade-off: there is no screen on the pump cap
Skip it if the LCD is the reason you wanted NZXT, or if you need more radiator area. Anyone planning a hot-running processor should consider a 280mm or 360mm option rather than the entry size.
NZXT Kraken Elite 280 RGB
The Elite 280 RGB is for cases that take a 280mm radiator and for buyers who want the 2.36-inch display. The title lists a 280mm RGB AIO with an F280 RGB Core fan and a customizable display, with synced lighting, so it behaves like a slightly smaller sibling of the Elite 360 RGB for cases that cannot take three fans on a radiator but can handle two larger ones.
- 280mm radiator offers more area than a 240mm unit
- Large 2.36-inch LCD is the Elite tier’s signature
- Trade-off: 280mm support is less common than 240mm or 360mm in cases
Skip it if you are unsure your case supports 280mm radiators, or if you want the largest radiator area NZXT offers. Check the case manual for 280mm or 140mm-fan support before ordering, since many mid-towers list only 240mm and 360mm.
Which One Fits Your Situation
You have a large case and a hot processor
The Kraken Elite 360 RGB or the Kraken Plus 360 are the natural choices. Pick the Elite for the larger screen and RGB fans, and the Plus for a plainer look.
You have a mid-tower with limited space
The Kraken Plus 240 RGB is the balanced pick, with an LCD and lit fans in a 240mm size that fits most cases. Go to the Plus 240 instead if you want the screen but would rather lose the RGB fan lighting.
You want liquid cooling without paying for a screen
The Kraken Core 240 RGB keeps the Turbine pump and drops the display, which suits an office or study build where nobody will see the cooler. It is also the simplest way to try liquid cooling after years of air towers.
Your case supports 280mm radiators
The Kraken Elite 280 RGB is the model built for that size, with the large display included. Buyers weighing it against the 360mm Elite should decide purely on which radiator size their case supports.
Common Mistakes
- Buying a 360mm model for a case that only supports 240mm radiators.
- Paying for an LCD that will sit behind a solid side panel.
- Expecting a higher tier to cool dramatically better when radiator size matters more.
- Forgetting that screens and lit fans need software and extra cable connections.
- Treating white and black versions of the same model as different coolers.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does the LCD improve cooling?
No. The screen is cosmetic and informational, showing temperatures or images of your choice. Cooling depends on the radiator, pump and fans, so a model without a screen can cool just as well as one with it at the same radiator size.
Which NZXT AIO is best for a hot processor?
The 360mm models give the most radiator area, so they are the safer choice for power-hungry chips if your case supports them. A 240mm radiator is still enough for many mid-range processors, particularly in a case with good airflow.
Is there a difference between white and black versions?
Only the finish. The listed specs are the same, so choose by case color. Some listings carry both finishes, and the specs in the title are identical, so there is no performance reason to pay more for one over the other.
Do I need software to run these coolers?
The display and lighting features rely on NZXT’s companion software, while basic fan and pump control can run from motherboard headers.
