Top Portable Cooling Plates of 2023

A portable cooling cushion can help prevent overheating during gaming and other demanding tasks. The best portable cooling cushions have adjustable fans and can fit different laptop sizes.

• Best Portable Cooling Case Kootek $22 $33 Save $11 The Kootek portable cooling case combines accessibility with practical features. Its 1+4 fan system ensures powerful cooling on all sides, while the metal mesh surface improves heat dissipation and durability. With six adjustable heights for comfortable posture, two dual USB ports, and individual fan control, it's an economical solution for laptops up to 17 inches. $22 at Amazon
• Best for Gaming The IETS GT600 gaming laptops need a powerful cooling cushion, and the IETS GT600 has one. It features a 5.5-inch industrial impeller fan for exceptional cooling and a magnetic sponge for efficient ventilation. With seven adjustable heights, a USB hub, and metal-resistant design, it's perfect for intense gaming sessions—just note the fan noise!$106 on Amazon
• Best Portable Cooling Mat Targus Dual Fan Lap Chill Mat $30 $40 Save $10 The Targus Dual Fan Laptop Chill Mat combines portable convenience with intelligent cooling in a lightweight design. Its two USB-powered fans and open mesh surface ensure effective airflow, while the neoprene base offers comfort on your knees. Adjustable heights, cable management, and a four-port USB hub add versatility to this mix.$30 at AmazonVisit Lenovo
• Best for Larger Laptops Thermaltake Massive 20 RGB Portable Cooling Pad Designed for larger laptops up to 19 inches, the Thermaltake Massive 20 RGB Pad offers exceptional cooling with its wide metal mesh surface and silent 200mm fan. The dynamic RGB lighting, adjustable fan speeds, and three height settings make it an elegant and practical choice for larger laptop cooling.$60 on Amazon

What to Consider When Choosing a Portable Laptop Cooling Pad

Laptop cooling pads are available in various sizes, build qualities, and feature sets. It's important to examine each model's specifications to determine which one is best for you.

The basic principle of a portable cooling pad is a plastic or metal case containing an internal fan. This provides a direct flow of cool air to your laptop while allowing hot air to escape when running necessary processes, whether coding, video editing, gaming, or anything else intense.

Some screens offer multiple fans to hit each fan on your laptop, while others opt for one large enough to cool your machine. If you need strong airflow, choose one with multiple fans.

You'll also need to ensure that you can adjust the speed of the fan. Casual users may be satisfied with whatever default speed comes with their cooling pad, but anyone doing serious work will benefit from dedicated controls to set the exact speed they need for cooling their laptops.

It's also useful to look for a model that lets you adjust the angle of your laptop. This is better for posture and variable desk sizes, but it also helps easily vent the heat generated by your laptop. You'll also want to check how many USB ports each cooling pad provides; some come with just one or two, while others can provide an external USB hub to connect more peripheral devices.

Of course, it's also fun to shop for something entertaining; by entertaining, we mean the RGB lights. Many modern mattresses feature LEDs around their edges, giving them a futuristic look that's difficult to beat compared to mattresses that don't offer this feature.