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May 16, 2023

5 Best Raspberry Pi 4 Cases for Cooling

The Raspberry Pi 4 is a pint-sized powerhouse. Naturally, it can get toasty under load. If you’re using your Pi for demanding tasks like running a media center or playing games, you must ensure it has

The Raspberry Pi 4 is a pint-sized powerhouse. Naturally, it can get toasty under load. If you’re using your Pi for demanding tasks like running a media center or playing games, you must ensure it has adequate cooling. A good case can help keep your Pi cool, thereby furthering its peak performance. Having said that, it can be tricky to shortlist the best Raspberry Pi 4 cases on the market. That’s what this article is all about.

In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the best Raspberry Pi 4 cases for cooling. We’ll consider factors such as price, performance, and features to help you choose the best case for your needs. Whether you’re taxing your Pi, or just using it in warmer climates, these cases will provide optimal cooling for the device.

But first, you might want to check out the following:

Buy

The iUniker Raspberry Pi 4 Fan ABS Case with Cooling Fan is a budget-friendly option with good cooling performance. It’s constructed from ABS plastic and features a built-in fan and four heatsinks.

For its price, the iUniker case brings a lot of features to the mix. You get a bundle of heatsinks as well as cooling fans for optimal thermal management. Speaking of the fan, the case comes equipped with a large 40mm fan. In contrast, most competing cases ship with a more modest 30mm fan. As a result, iUniker’s case is able to move more air, while staying relatively quiet too.

The case has cutouts to access all essential ports and slots. If anything, the case feels plasticky. Add to that, it has a very basic look to it. So, if you want more trendy options, we suggest you keep scrolling.

Buy

If you want to cool your Raspberry Pi in a nice-looking case optimally, GeeekPi has you covered. The company’s Raspberry Pi 4 Case is reminiscent of an old-school NES and is aptly dubbed the Nes4Pi Case.

The GeeekPi Nes4Pi Case features a tiny 35x35x10mm fan that should keep your Raspberry Pi from overheating. The fan is further aided by four heatsinks, which are included in the package. The case also has a removable top cover, which makes it easy to access the Pi’s ports and SD card.

As far as the design language goes, the case is designed to look like an original NES console. It has the same overall shape and dimensions, and it even includes faux buttons and a cartridge slot. If you were, or still are, a fan of the original NES, and use your Raspberry Pi for gaming, then the GeekPi Nes4Pi is a no-brainer.

Buy

Designed with both functionality and style in mind, the Flirc Raspberry Pi 4 Case offers a unique combination of sleek aesthetics and practical features. You don’t get a fan here, but it still offers decent cooling.

In terms of looks, the Flirc case looks quite similar to Apple’s Mac Mini. Interestingly, the case doesn’t come with a fan and, instead, relies on passive cooling. To that end, the case’s heat sink helps to dissipate heat away from the Pi’s processor. As such, the concoction makes little to no noise, even when the Pi is under load.

The USP of the case is undoubtedly its design and build quality. The unit is made of high-quality aluminum that not only looks premium, but it imparts a luxurious in-hand feel too. Add to that, you get a thermal pad included in the box, coupled with all the necessary tools to get your Pi up and running. In fact, the Flirc case is the easiest-to-assemble cooling case for the Raspberry Pi 4.

Buy

Combining sleek aesthetics with innovative cooling features, the Argon ONE V2 is the top-rated cooling case for the Raspberry Pi 4. With over 3000 ratings and an average of 4.7 stars on Amazon, it’s hard to find fault with the case.

The Argon ONE V2 features a large, built-in heatsink that canvases the Raspberry Pi 4’s board. The heatsink effectively draws heat away from the components, preventing overheating and ensuring stable performance even under strenuous workloads. Additionally, the case ships with a controllable 30mm fan that provides active cooling when necessary.

In terms of design, the Argon ONE V2 looks quite minimalistic. And thanks to its aluminum construction, the case is quite sturdy and durable too. Another thing to note is that the case has built-in power and reset buttons. As such, you can conveniently power your Pi on or off, or reset it if it’s not working properly.

Buy

For most folks, the Argon ONE V2 is the best cooling case for the Raspberry Pi 4. However, if you want to add M.2 storage to your Pi while keeping it cool, too, then the Argon ONE M.2 is your best bet. Be prepared to splurge, though.

The Argon ONE M.2 draws a lot of parallels to the V2. Both cases tout similar designs and feature built-in power and reset buttons. The ONE M.2 also makes use of a PWM fan and a heatsink for active cooling. You also have open access to GPIO pins along with all the other ports.

What makes the ONE M.2 unique is the fact that it comes with an M.2 SATA Expansion Board. Consequently, the case lets buyers install any M.2 SATA SSD with either B-Key or B+M Key. So, if you dislike microSD cards and want to kit out your Raspberry Pi with high-speed storage, you’ll find plenty to like here. For everyone else, the Argon ONE V2 makes for a better buy.

While it is not strictly necessary, using a case for your Raspberry Pi 4 is highly recommended. A case provides physical protection from accidental damage, dust, and static electricity, which can harm delicate components. Additionally, a case can help with heat dissipation by providing proper airflow, thus preventing the Raspberry Pi 4 from overheating during prolonged use.

At the time of writing, the Raspberry Pi 5 is slated for a launch in 2024. However, there is no official confirmation for the same.

The Raspberry Pi 4 has a 1.5GHz quad-core processor that can generate a lot of heat, especially when it is under load. If the Pi 4 overheats, it can throttle its performance or even shut down completely. To prevent overheating, it’s important to ensure proper airflow or use a suitable case with adequate cooling features.

That wraps up our list of the best Raspberry Pi 4 cases for cooling. When it comes to optimizing the cooling performance of your Raspberry Pi 4, the choice of a suitable case plays a crucial role. No matter what your budget or needs are, there’s a Raspberry Pi 4 case on this list that’s perfect for you. So be sure to check them out and find the right one for your next project.

If you’re on a tight budget, the iUniker Raspberry Pi 4 should suffice for your needs. However, our go-to recommendation remains the Argon ONE V2, thanks to its excellent performance and superb design.

Last updated on 05 July, 2023

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The content head for the Guiding Tech YouTube channels, Varun also contributes to the website for Buying Guides and Product Explainers. Feel free to reach out to him on Twitter.