8 Best Portable PC Cases for Lightweight Setups 2023 Latest (2024)

Best Pick

Cooler Master NR200 SFF

Best Small Form Factor Portable PC Case

SPECIFICATIONS

Motherboard: Mini DTX, Mini ITX, |Radiator Support: Up to 280mm |Gross Weight: 4.8 kg |

Other than giving the best portable feeling in 18.25 liters volume, Cooler Master NR200 SFF is sufficient to build a tiny system to run the most demanding games with AAA GPU, caged in a 376 x 185 x 292mm size. It has strict dimensions and even that it supports out-of-the-box custom cooling, which is probably a rare feature for small form factor cases, and matches a perfect housing for some powerful computer components.

When going with a 330mm big (3-slots) GPU, keep in mind that your radiator options will be rather limited due to the size. It can support up to a 280mm radiator in the bottom but requires a riser cable for horizontal GPU installation, and when going for the CPU cooler there is 155mm clearance which is rather preferable with a full-size GPU.

In a nutshell, you have multiple options, either put an AIO cooling on top and remove the pre-installed fan or use a custom water loop. Overall, the Cooler Master NR200 is our favorite small form factor (SFF) PC case, but it is too small for micro ATX boards, for which we recommend checking out our list of the best smallest MATX PC cases.

NZXT H1 Version 2

Best Console-Sized PC Case

SPECIFICATIONS

Motherboard: Mini ITX, |Radiator Support: Up to 140mm (included) |Gross Weight: 7.6 kg |

The NZXT H1 Version 2 is barely the size of an Xbox Series X, yet it provides plenty of cooling thanks to the two 140mm fans positioned straight to the mesh grill. It has an incredible fitment for the Nvidia RTX 30 series cards and AMD 6000 series graphics cards of up to (324mm) in length and 58mm in thickness in the same cabinet with your choice of powerful Ryzen 9 or Intel i9 processor.

It’s essentially a powerhouse of a little container that allows you to perfectly manage your desktop while traveling or living in an RV. In comparison to previous versions, the new H1 features a slightly increased dimension for a full modular SFX size and is bundled with a PCIe 4.0 extension for vertical GPU placement, an NZXT Cam fan controller switch, Type-C I/O, a 750W Gold PSU, and a built-in AIO cooler.

As a result, it’s a full package of a portable gaming PC with a cool design like an Xbox console. The main limitation is the size, which only allows for a 140mm radiator to be utilized instead of a 240mm, even though the airflow channel is straight for excellent performance.

Staff Pick

SSUPD Meshlicious

Best Portable Gaming PC Case

SPECIFICATIONS

Motherboard: Mini ITX, Mini DTX, |Radiator Support: Up to 280mm |Gross Weight: 3.7 kg |

SSUPD Meshlicious is a 14.67-liter box covered in all mesh for cool Mini-ITX builds. This case is a friendly option when space is limited, featuring support for a large 280mm water cooling radiator in the front, which handles your hot hardware with overclocking, and because the whole surrounding is a dual mesh, it also functions as a dust filter.

It is a sandwich-style ITX tower that has two options for large video cards, a 3-slot mode for a GPU with a length of 332mm and an enlarged 4-slot mode for a bigger GPU with a length of 336mm. Overall, we’re impressed with how well this handles modern gear without throttling, making it an enthusiast favorite for portable PC cases, which is the polar opposite of our PC cases for watercooling.

Thermaltake Core V1

Best Mini Cube PC Case

SPECIFICATIONS

Motherboard: Mini ITX |Radiator Support: 2x 120mm |Gross Weight: 3.2 kg |

Not everyone requires a tall tower; the Thermaltake Core V1 demonstrates that a small boxy cabinet can be sufficient for both air and water cooling. Its cute aesthetics are the result of a great engineering masterpiece, providing us with space efficiency in a limited size with uncompromised compatibility for ATX, MATX, and ITX motherboards, as well as the ability to fit large 200mm fans in the front.

Corsair has a lot of experience in making chassis for gamers and content creators. This chassis features a dual-chamber setup, which ensures that cool air is flown through crucial components of your system to minimize thermals. The case design is unique in that it has dual chambers for proper cable routing and it can easily accommodate a large triple-slot GPU of 285mm in length.

Despite the fact that this is an aged mini-ITX case, it is still worth the $60 price tag, which is comparable to the best horizontal PC cases. There is enough space for multiple 120mm radiators, and the best thing is each panel is interchangeable for customization. You can replace the top and side panels to make it a showcase with all transparent windows or mesh panels.

Thermaltake Tower 100

Most Powerful Portable PC Case

SPECIFICATIONS

Motherboard: Mini ITX |Radiator Support: 120mm on top |Gross Weight: 6.1 kg |

The Thermaltake Tower 100 is a portable PC case that offers a unique blend of convenience, durability, and style. With its compact design and lightweight construction, the Tower 100 is an excellent option for users who need to take their gaming setup seriously for space. It takes only 462.8 x 266 x 266 mm dimensions to fit a full-sized graphics card of 330mm in length and a full-size CPU cooler height of a maximum of 190mm, making it a versatile option for gamers who want to build a powerful, portable system.

Unlike other ITX PC cases, Tower 100 is the most potent mini-tower with vertical real estate for an aesthetically pleasing build. It has three-panel panoramic viewing glasses in the surroundings and comes with two preinstalled 120mm standard fans. The case features a sturdy design with plenty of ventilation to keep your components cool from the bottom, side, and back mesh openings. Where many other portable PC cases sacrifice features and build quality in the process of making chassis lightweight, Thermaltake thinks differently and made this heavy, but durable, sleek, and stylish.

More inverted motherboard-supported options can be found on our list of the best inverted PC cases.

Budget Pick

InWin A1 Plus

Best PC Case for Portability

SPECIFICATIONS

Motherboard: Mini ITX |Radiator Support: 120mm |Gross Weight: 7.9 kg |

The InWin A1 Plus is a PC case designed to provide users with a stylish and feature-packed enclosure for their tiny setup. The case features a unique, eye-catching design that includes an integrated circular LED lighting system in the transparent bottom that allows users to mesmerize others. If you don’t want to draw attention to your PC, check out our list of best sleeper PC cases for old-school looks that can house powerful hardware for insane builds.

We find it unique for its advanced features, such as integrated Qi Wireless charging on the top lid that allows your phone and tablets to charge wirelessly. This makes it a great option for users who want gimmicky builds. Another advantage of the InWin A1 Plus is the pre-installed 650W 80 Plus Gold PSU, which is a big yes for new builders to save on additional parts, and also packed with two 120mm Sirius Loop ARGB case fans that fit right in the bottom of the case.

Other than the futuristic look that is sure to impress, the case is designed to accommodate high-end components, including full-sized graphics cards of 320mm in length and liquid cooling systems of 120mm. This makes it a great option for users who want to build a powerful, high-performance system without worrying about portability. There is enough height clearance for a 160mm tall CPU heatsink to rest and potentially two of 2.5″ SSDs.

With all these impressive elements, one potential drawback of the InWin A1 Plus is its price. The case is relatively expensive and costs you $199, which may be a turn-off for users on a tight budget, but worth it with PSU, all that innovation. Additionally, the case’s unique flashy lights and features may not appeal to users who prefer a more traditional or minimalist look for their PC.

To all our expectations, the InWin A1 Plus is a great PC case for users who want a stylish enclosure for their compact and manageable setup. The case’s advanced features and support for high-end hardware make it a great option for enthusiasts, and the integrated LED lighting and 10-watt wireless charging add an extra level of visual appeal.

Lian Li Q58

Best Mobile Workstation PC Case

SPECIFICATIONS

Motherboard: Mini ITX |Radiator Support: 280mm |Gross Weight: 8.82 lbs |

The Lian Li Q58 is a small form factor PC case known for its sleek, minimalist design that is suitable for beginners. It has several features that make it a popular choice among PC builders, including a spacious interior that can accommodate full-sized graphics cards and power supplies, as well as multiple fan mounts at the top, rear, and bottom points for improved airflow.

One of the standout features is its looks with split mesh and glass side panels that can be interchanged, giving Q58 the ability to support multiple fittings for components. This makes it a versatile option for builders to make a hybrid system that looks cool but stylish with half glass window. If you don’t care about glass windows or fancy looks, we recommend checking out our list of the best rackmount PC cases with all-metal constructions and no frills.

When it comes to building, it has one major complication that can also be an advantage: you can fit a 280mm AIO water cooler, which is nice for keeping the heavy-duty CPU running faster but cut the room for an ATX PSU, as well as internal SSDs, which means a sacrifice. Other than that, the Lian Li Q58 is a well-designed small form factor PC case that offers a good balance of style, performance, and versatility. When we compare Q58, Fractal Design Nano S, and the Phanteks Eclipse P400A, are the main competitors, but these cases have comparable sizes, but they may have different designs and price points.

However, we are confident in the performance of the Lian Li Q58; it simply won our hearts. You’ll find it competitive to the Razer Tomahawk chassis, but it’s a better value at $140, and it’s all modular for customization, whereas the Razer Tomahawk costs $190 for the same box.

HYTE Revolt 3

Best Carryable PC Case

SPECIFICATIONS

Motherboard: Mini ITX |Radiator Support: 280mm |Gross Weight: 6.65 kg |

In comparison to the Lian Li Q58’s classic micro tower design, the Hyte Revolt 3’s Xbox Series X style layout is novel. It’s a mini tower, but instead of a laydown and fat base, it has all the vertical height, giving it the shape of an Xbox console. The Hyte Revolt 3 is rated for ITX builds that can be taken anywhere and upgraded. It has limited motherboard space for a mini ITX but can accommodate full-size 335mm graphics cards without the use of a riser cable and can even fit a 280mm water cooler radiator.

The size (9.9″ D x 7″ W x 16.1″ H) demonstrates that it is a flexible chassis that we find good with cooling. The tool-free side panels got all the mesh that makes it appear like a cage, but simple to open and close, and the incorporated handle on top makes it an ideal travel companion. When it comes to our recommendation, the Revolt 3 chassis can construct a cool mini PC that can be an Xbox killer. It’s a great container for gaming computer components. The nicest part about the vertical structure is that the PSU occupies the top level.

According to our sources, you can even obtain a pre-assembled PSU with modular wires fitted for quick assembly. It might be a good choice for individuals who need a quick hand with the build, but it is awful for budget projects and expensive ($175), thus staying with an aftermarket PSU is the best option. The finest feature of the design is a dedicated airflow path for both the CPU and GPU to cool down while under maximum load. The front mesh panel could house a AAA gaming card or a full-size radiator, and mesh openings on the left and right sides and top keep the temperature stable.

Although the surrounding mesh panel aids cooling, it is also a trade-off for see-through tempered panels which might uncover your messy cables but is worth it for active cooling. When we evaluate the Hyte Revolt 3, we find that it has everything but the price, even though it seems appealing to our eyes with only 14 lbs of weight and modular design that can fit at any angle. So the agreement is clear. If money is an issue, the competitor Golden Field N-2S, a fat cube case, costs only £44. However, you should be aware that a fat cube case takes up more space than a slim vertical case.

With contributions from

Gavin Phillips