Part of the fun of building a PC is all the case options you have. Tower-style cases are the standard, but nothing’s stopping you from choosing something more unique. One interesting option if you’re looking for something different is a cube PC case. The best cube PC cases range from stylish tempered glass cases to compact SFF offerings designed to save space on your desk.
We’ve compiled a list of the six best cube cases on the market right now that should satisfy a whole range of needs. Without further ado, let’s check them out.
Our Picks for Best Cube PC Cases
1. Thermaltake Level 20 XT
| Measurements (H x W x L) | 20.3 x 15.5 x 26.06 inches |
| Motherboard Support | E-ATX, ATX, Micro ATX, Mini ITX |
| PSU Support | ATX |
| Maximum GPU Length | 15.7 inches (w/ HDD cage), 23.2 inches (w/o HDD cage) |
| Maximum CPU Cooler Height | 9.8 inches |
| Expansion Slots | Eight |
| Fan Mounts | • 3x 120 mm / 2x 140 mm / 2x 200 mm (front) • 2x 120 / 140 mm (rear) • 8x 120 mm / 6x 140 mm / 2x 200 mm (top) • 3x 140 mm (bottom) • 4x 120 mm / 3x 140 mm (side panels) |
| Radiator Support | • Up to 360 mm (front) • Up to 2x 480 mm (top) • Up to 140 mm (rear) • Up to 480 mm (side panels) |
| Drive Mounts | • 6x 2.5” / 3.5” drives • 1x 3.5” drive • 2x 2.5” drives |
| I/O Ports | • 1x USB-C 3.1 Gen 2 • 2x USB 3.0 • 2x USB 2.0 • Audio In/Out |
Most cube PC cases go for compactness. That isn’t so for Thermaltake’s Level 20 XT, a behemoth of an E-ATX and ATX cube case designed for high-end rigs with custom water-cooling loops.
The standout feature of the Level 20 XT is its unique horizontal motherboard tray designed to showcase your components through the case’s copious tempered glass panels. The flat tray also serves as a separator between the case’s two chambers.
The bottom chamber is where your PSU and drives go, although it’s also the perfect place for water-cooling parts like the reservoir and pump. You can even fit 480 mm radiators down there, although we’re unsure how effective they’ll be. They do look good, though:
Source: Customrigs De
Like Thermaltake’s open-air PC cases, the Level 20 XT is built according to the company’s “Dismantlable Modular Design” philosophy. This means that the Level 20 XT has all manner of modular panels, racks, and brackets that allow you to tear down the case for ease of installation and maintenance.
The Thermaltake Level 20 XT isn’t cheap, but it’s hard to deny that it’s one of the most striking cube PC cases money can buy right now. Combine that with class-leading component compatibility, and you have the perfect case for top-of-the-line builds.
2. Corsair Crystal Series 280X RGB
| Measurements (H x W x L) | 15.7 x 10.9 x 13.8 inches |
| Motherboard Support | Micro ATX, Mini ITX |
| PSU Support | ATX |
| Maximum GPU Length | 11.8 inches |
| Maximum CPU Cooler Height | 5.9 inches |
| Expansion Slots | Four |
| Fan Mounts | • 2x 120/140 mm (front) • 2x 120/140 mm (top) • 2x 120/140 mm (bottom) |
| Radiator Support | • Up to 240 mm (front) • Up to 280 mm (top) • Up to 280 mm (bottom) |
| Drive Mounts | • 2x 3.5” drives • 3x 2.5” drives |
| I/O Ports | • 2x USB 3.0 • Audio In/Out |
Corsair’s Crystal Series 280X RGB is the successor to the company’s much-loved Carbide Air 240, with a modern design language and copious helpings of tempered glass and RGB.
The 280X RGB shares the dual-chamber internal layout of the Thermaltake Level 20 XT, albeit split vertically instead of horizontally. One chamber houses your motherboard and PCIe cards, while the other chamber is for your PSU and drives. This allows the 280X RGB to have what Corsair calls “Direct Airflow™ Path Cooling.”
Essentially, storing drives in a separate chamber means fresh air can be channeled directly to heat-generating components like the CPU and GPU. With no drive cages, air flows directly to these components and helps improve cooling.
Source: u/Environmental-Ad2632
Corsair includes dust filters on all intake grilles, as well as the PSU fan intake grille. That’s a welcome touch and saves you the hassle of finding aftermarket dust filters that will properly fit the case.
As you might expect with “RGB” in the name, the Corsair Crystal Series 280X RGB comes with a Lighting Node PRO RGB controller and two Corsair LL120 RGB fans. Combined with the three tempered glass panels, the Crystal Series 280X RGB is a great option if you want an RGB-ready micro ATX cube case.
The Corsair Crystal Series 280X RGB also comes in white. If you’re on a tighter budget and can live without RGB, Corsair also sells a cheaper non-RGB version.
3. Anidees AI Crystal Cube AR V3
| Measurements (H x W x L) | 15.9 x 12.2 x 15.8 inches |
| Motherboard Support | E-ATX, ATX, Micro ATX, Mini ITX |
| PSU Support | ATX |
| Maximum GPU Length | 12.2 inches (w/ front fans), 13.2 inches (w/o front fans) |
| Maximum CPU Cooler Height | 6.6 inches |
| Expansion Slots | Seven |
| Fan Mounts | • 2x 140 mm and 3x 80 mm / 4x 140 mm with included bracket (front) • 4x 120 mm / 2x 140 mm (top) • 1x 120 mm (rear) • 1x 120 mm (bottom) |
| Radiator Support | • Up to 280 mm (front) • Up to 280 mm (top) • 120 mm (rear) |
| Drive Mounts | • 3x 3.5” drives • 6x 2.5” drives |
| I/O Ports | • 2x USB 3.0 • 2x USB 2.0 • Audio In/Out |
Anidees probably isn’t a name you’re familiar with. However, the company’s AI Crystal Cube AR V3 is an attention-grabber that rivals offerings from more established companies like Corsair. Clad in 0.2-inch tempered glass panels, the Crystal Cube is perfect for showing off RGB rigs in their full glory.
You get a decent head start with the Crystal Cube, too; it comes standard with five of the company’s AI Aureola RGB fans and two LED strips. An included AI Aureola V2 fan hub offers control over all the RGB lighting.
Layout-wise, the Anidees AI Crystal Cube AR V3 has a standard dual-chamber internal structure to isolate the heat-producing components from your PSU and drives.
There are two different front fan setups possible on the Anidees AI Crystal Cube AR V3. One option is to have a combination of 140 mm and 80 mm fans blowing into separate chambers. The other option is an array of four 140 mm fans, made possible using an included fan bracket.
If you like Corsair’s Crystal Series 280X RGB but wish it was bigger, the Anidees AI Crystal Cube AR V3 might just be the case for you.
4. Fractal Design Node 804
| Measurements (H x W x L) | 12.1 x 13.5 x 15.3 inches |
| Motherboard Support | Micro ATX, Mini ITX |
| PSU Support | ATX |
| Maximum GPU Length | 11.4 inches (w/ front fan), 12.6 (w/o front fan) |
| Maximum CPU Cooler Height | 6.3 inches |
| Expansion Slots | Five |
| Fan Mounts | • 4x 120 mm (front) • 2x 120 mm / 1x 140 mm (rear) • 4x 120 mm (top) |
| Radiator Support | • Up to 240 mm (front left) • Up to 240 mm (front right) • Up to 240 mm (top left) • Up to 260 (top right) |
| Drive Mounts | • 2x 2.5”/3.5” drives • 8x 3.5” drives • 2x 2.5” drives |
| I/O Ports | • 2x USB 3.0 • Audio In/Out |
If you’re familiar with Fractal Design’s cases, you’ll know what to expect from the Node 804. It’s a sleek, minimalist case with clever design touches and excellent build quality designed for micro ATX and mini ITX rigs.
Like other cases on our list, the Node 804 has a dual-chamber layout. Fractal Design claims this layout maximizes cooling performance by keeping the PSU away from other heat-generating components like the GPU and CPU.
The Node 804 is big for an mATX case, but that extra size gives it excellent water-cooling support. The Node 804 will fit four radiators simultaneously, with two in each chamber. You won’t have issues water-cooling even the most high-end hardware in the Node 804.
Source: VirtualMirage on [H]ard|Forum
The biggest downside of the Fractal Design Node 804 is its slight datedness. The best example is the tempered glass window, which looks pretty old-fashioned compared to the full tempered glass panels you get on newer cases. Combine that with the mostly-blank front panel, and it feels a bit dull.
But if you need an unassuming cube PC case to tuck in the corner without wanting to compromise on cooling potential or build quality, the Node 804 is one of the best cube cases you can get.
5. Thermaltake Core V21
| Measurements (H x W x L) | 13.2 x 12.6 x 16.7 inches |
| Volume | 45.5 liters |
| PSU Support | ATX |
| Maximum GPU Length | 13.8 inches |
| Maximum CPU Cooler Height | 7.3 inches |
| Expansion Slots | Four |
| Fan Mounts | • 2x 120/140 mm / 1x 200 mm (front) • 4x 120 mm / 2x 140 mm (top) • 1x 120/140 mm (rear) • 2x 120 mm (bottom) • 2x 120/140 mm (side) |
| Radiator Support | • Up to 240 mm (front) • Up to 280 mm (top) • 120 mm (rear) • Up to 280 mm (bottom) |
| Drive Mounts | • 3x 3.5”/2.5” drives • 3x 2.5” drives |
| I/O Ports | • 2x USB 3.0 • Audio In/Out |
Thermaltake’s Core V21 is a compelling budget cube PC case that hides some interesting features behind its low price and relatively conventional aesthetics.
Dual-chamber layouts are standard amongst the best cube cases in 2021, and the Core V21 is no exception. However, the Core V21 also gives you the option to install your motherboard vertically or horizontally, like its bigger brother, the Level 20 XT.
Source: manirelli on PCPartPicker
The Thermaltake Core V21’s party trick is its stackability. You can put two Core V21s on top of each other and use the extra case for anything from a dedicated water cooling chamber to additional storage.
Admittedly, the feature’s practicality is questionable, as you might as well get a larger tower case if you need that much room. But it does look pretty cool:
Source: Thermaltake
Even if you don’t intend to stack two together, the Thermaltake Core V21 is still a solid budget cube PC case. Component compatibility is decent, and you even get a couple of motherboard orientation options. It’s not the best-looking case on our list, but it gives you great bang for your buck.
6. SilverStone SG13
| Measurements (H x W x L) | 7.1 x 8.7 x 11.2 inches |
| Motherboard Support | Mini ITX |
| PSU Support | ATX |
| Maximum GPU Length | 10.6 inches |
| Maximum CPU Cooler Height | 2.4 inches |
| Expansion Slots | Two |
| Fan Mounts | 1x 120/140 mm (front) |
| Radiator Support | 1x 120/140 mm (front) |
| Drive Mounts | • 1x 3.5” drive / 2 x 2.5” drives • 1x 2.5” drive |
| I/O Ports | • 2x USB 3.0 • Audio In/Out |
SilverStone’s SG13 is a low-priced, small form factor cube PC case that’s perfect for a space-saving build. Don’t expect any dual-chamber layouts or fancy building features here. The SG13 is simply a box that you can install components in, with a front mesh panel and panel grilles for ventilation.
The fact that it has enough space to accommodate most standard-sized GPUs makes it a perfect candidate for a compact gaming rig. You’ll have to compromise on CPU power, given the SG13 only supports 2.4-inch tall coolers. You should still be able to get a decent rig going even with the cooling limitations, though.
Source: u/TWENTYONESOLO
SilverStone offers the SG13 in a few colors, from the white-and-black scheme you see above to a rather charming all-pink. They also sell a slightly pricier USB-C version that swaps one of the two front USB 3.0 ports for a USB-C.
The SilverStone SG13 is a simple, no-frills mITX cube computer case that’ll appeal to anyone looking for an SFF-sized square PC case. You’ll have to make some compromises on the CPU front due to the limited cooling support, but that might be a price worth paying if you like the compact size.
A Square Deal
Even if cube PC cases aren’t as common as other case styles, there’s still enough variety amongst the best cube cases that you’re sure to find something that suits your needs. Cube PC cases can fill various niches, from the Thermaltake Level 20 XT’s showcase PC-grade design to SilverStone’s SFF SG13.
We don’t think there’s one standout case in our list, as they cover a wide range of sizes, price points, and styles. Take some time and consider what you want to do with your PC and how much you can spend. Reading our guide to choosing a PC case isn’t a bad idea, either. Once you’ve figured all that out, choosing the best cube PC case for your needs should be a breeze.
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