10 Best Portable PC Cases to Have in 2023

Whether you consider your PC the main attraction of your room or you use it only for important work and keep it under your desk, you can’t deny the importance of a good PC suitcase.

Finding a PC case that’s the right size and features for your needs is an important task, and we’re here to help.

This article on the best portable PC case reviews will help you understand why you need a PC case, what to look for, and what recommendations you can get. So keep reading to learn more!

Why Buy a PC Case?

PC cases don’t directly affect the performance of your computer. However, they’re very important to protect the computer parts from dirt and dust. They also help keep the computer at the right temperature by providing airflow through the vents on the side.

Their main functions also include assisting users as an interface and facilitating the transformation of a computer’s components. Therefore, in today’s world, a PC case isn’t only beneficial, but also a kind of necessity.

Best Portable PC Cases

Image	Title	Price
Top Top Top	Thermaltake Core V21 SPCC M-ATX		View on Amazon
Top Top Top	Cooler Master HAF XB EVO		View on Amazon
Top Top Top	Cooler Master Stryker SE		View on Amazon
Top Top Top	Cooler Master MasterBox Q300P		View on Amazon
	Thermaltake Tower 100 Black Edition		View on Amazon
Top Top Top	Cougar Panzer Max Ultimate Full Tower		View on Amazon
Top Top Top	Corsair Obsidian 500D SE Mid Tower		View on Amazon
Top Top Top	Silverstone Technology Mini-ITX ML08		View on Amazon
	Cooler Master MasterCase H500M ARGB		View on Amazon
Top Top Top	In Win Motorcycle Steel Tube		View on Amazon

Below are the in-detail reviews of the 10 best portable PC cases available in the market. Read on to find out!

1. Thermaltake Core V21 SPCC M-ATX

The Thermaltake Core V21 SPCC is a multi-purpose case and looks unlike anything else in its product class. It supports both Micro-ATX and Mini-ITX motherboards and can be used in both vertical and horizontal orientations. Thermaltake promotes the case as a “chamber concept design” and “flexible thermal solution”.

This case has everything you need. It’s three 3.5″ drive bays for hard drives and three additional 2.5″ drive bays for solid-state drives, which can also be used for small-form-factor hard drives. A 200 mm fan is pre-installed in the case. On the front are two USB 3.0 ports and a HD audio port combination.

The maximum graphics card spacing is 350 mm and the maximum power supply length is 200 mm. Up to two graphics cards can be used in the case. Graphics cards can also be mounted vertically using the vertical PCI Express brackets if the user so desires.

Due to the unique size of the case, airflow and exhaust can be an issue. The case doesn’t have enough space for exhaust on the front and doesn’t have fan mounts on the bottom. In addition, the case doesn’t support any dust filters. So, enthusiasts who want to keep their system clean should better look for other options.

2. Cooler Master HAF XB EVO

Just like its name, the Cooler Master HAF XB EVO ‘s exterior appearance makes little sense. It looks like a home theater system from the recent past. People who’re not familiar with computers can easily be fooled into thinking that this isn’t a computer case at all.

But this bulky little box makes up for it with its versatility. It’s a ATX PC case that can also be used as a LAN server box and even as a test bench for hardware testing. The HAF XB EVO supports full-ATX motherboards. The VGA distance for this case is specified at 334 mm.

Cooler Master includes two high-quality fans with the case, which are mounted on the front panel. The front panel also supports a 240mm radiator. The case supports four 3.5″ hard drives or 2.5″ SSD drives.

Due to its bulkiness, this case is heavier than the competition. The unique form factor may also pose issues for PC first-time buyers, as the motherboard and major I/O components aren’t mounted in the same manner as other cases on the market. However, Cooler Master provides adequate documentation to mitigate these issues.

3. Cooler Master Stryker SE (SGC-5000W-KWN2)

Cooler Master’s Stryker SE is a true dream case for enthusiasts. Cooler Master has packed as many pro features as possible into this white case. What makes this case special is the X-Dock, a hot-swappable 2.5″ drive bay for SSDs or hard drives.

This case also features a fully functional control module to control internal fan speeds, RGB lighting, etc. There are also LED indicators and four USB ports on the top panel. The Stryker SE supports a wide range of motherboard form factors – from ATX to Mini-ITX and even XL-ATX.

A full 240mm radiator can be mounted on the top or bottom, and the front supports 360mm radiators. The case has a tempered glass side panel and top handles for easy mobility. A total of seven 2.5″ drives can be installed – two of which can be converted to 3.5″ bays.

Basically, there’s little to criticize about the case. The lack of mesh inserts on the front might bother some users, although the front panel has enough clearance. Some users have also wished for a color combination other than the boring white and black.

4. Cooler Master MasterBox Q300L

This cute little box can be placed in any orientation you want. It’s also completely square – a breath of fresh air amidst the ever-present rectangular cases on the market. The Q300L features unibody handles on the top and bottom that serve two purposes: easier handling and proper air release.

Cooler Master equips the MasterBox Q300L with two 120mm RGB high-performance fans, an RGB controller, and a splitter. Newer users interested in RGB will have no trouble setting them up.

The case supports Micro-ATX and Mini-ITX motherboards. Up to two 2.5″ drives and only one 3.5″ drive can be installed in the case. The case has a tempered glass side panel on one side and no air filtration.

There’s no room for an air intake on the front – which is certainly a big handicap for the thermal system inside. Cooler Master doesn’t mention the VGA distance on the store page.

5. Thermaltake Tower 100 Black Edition

The Thermaltake Tower 100 Black Edition is a mini ITX case that is a favorite choice by amazon. Thermaltake promotes this case as a “Tempered glass panels with panoramic views” and the products live up to that claim.

Despite its size, the case has eight dust filters – right, left, top and at the bottom. Also, Thermaltake has equipped this case with a 120mm fan to provide airflow. Even though the case is quite small, users will have enough space to expand their terabyte storage.

Up to four 2.5″ drives can be installed in this case – or you can switch those to 3.5″ hard drives. 

A full PCI Express card can be installed in the case, with a VGA distance of 330 mm. On the front are two USB 3.0 ports, an audio jack and a built-in USB-C type connector.

There’s only one fan mount (on the front). The case does have tempered glass, so it is perfect for gamers who want to show off their battle stations. Despite the size of the case, cable management is easy. There is a lot of room for creativity. 

6. Cougar Panzer Max Ultimate Full Tower

This huge case supports up to eight fans – the most for a PC case of this calibre. So enthusiast builders might choose this case for that reason alone. Cougar claims that this case has a “military design” and is “easily moldable”.

Also, the case has mesh patterns in the front that provide good dust filtration.

Cougar equipped the Panzer Max Ultimate with maximum expandability in mind. The case can accommodate four double-slot PCI Express cards with a maximum spacing of 390mm. It’s also one of the few cases in recent years that supports ODD (Optical Disc Drive).

The enclosure also has six SSD bays or up to two hard drive bays and four SSD bays. In addition, the Panzer Max supports 360mm radiators on the front and top. Motherboards ranging from Mini-ITX to Extended ATX can be installed.

The only legitimate criticism of this case is the overarching gamer look on each side of the case. Content creators and stealth lovers might want to look for another case if they need it.

7. Corsair Obsidian 500D SE Mid Tower

The Obsidian Pro is Corsair’s ultra-enthusiast case series PC and accordingly has a high price tag. But the Obsidian lineup also offers enough features to justify the price. The Obsidian 500D has a unique feature set that includes Corsair’s trademark iCue lighting and “wing-sized” side panels.

Corsair sells the case in a black stealth look. The Obsidian 500D SE weighs just over 25 pounds and is made of solid aluminum. It can house up to five 120mm fans (or four 140mm fans) and Corsair includes three of its RGB fans with the case. A full 360mm radiator can be mounted on the front of the case.

This case has a unique I/O module on the front – it consists of two USB 3.0 Type-A ports and one USB 3.0 Type-C port, not to mention the HD audio ports. But the lack of fan controls or RGB headers on the front leaves something to be desired for such an expensive case.

The case’s PSU shroud only covers half of the case, leaving some space in front of the cables – an unwelcome feature for modders. One more negative aspect is that it is not enough room for the air intake for the front fans.

8. Silverstone Technology Mini-ITX ML08 (Version 1)

This Silverstone case is the narrowest of the cases, measuring only 3.43 inches wide. There are special use cases for this type of case and a separate user group for them. Silverstone promotes the case as “a compact case packed with features.” The case has a steel case for reinforced durability.

With a volume of only 12 liters, the case has a very compact interior. It supports mini-ITX motherboards and SFX form factor power supplies. The case has a special housing for graphics cards with a VGA distance of 330 mm. Up to two 2.5″ drives can be mounted in the tool-less drive cages.

The case can be used in both vertical and horizontal orientations. It’s designed for enthusiasts who crave a near silent PC. On the front, there are two USB 3.0 ports and HD audio outputs. Silverstone has also included two Kensington locks for added security.

Thermal throttling is a big issue with this Silverstone case. It’s no case fans at all and there’s very little space between the graphics card holder and the case wall. The graphics card and CPU will definitely bottleneck under heavy load.

And the maximum height of the CPU cooler is listed at 58 mm. The SFX sized power supplies are also hard to find and can be quite expensive.

9. Cooler Master MasterCase H500M Mid Tower

This is the best Cooler Master case out there in terms of functionality. It features Cooler Master’s trademarked “Freeform Modular System” which allows for easy upgradability and modality. Cooler Master has equipped this case with mesh panels on the front for dust filtration and a tempered glass side panel on one side. As a bonus, there’s the option to choose the tempered glass front for aesthetics

Also, the case has two handles to carry it around. Inside, the H500M can be equipped with up to nine 2.5″ drive bays, some of which can also be converted for use with 3.5″ hard drives. The case also accommodates ODD bays for hard disc drives.

The case comes with two 200 mm ARGB LED fans. There are also multiple 120mm and 140mm fan slots, and the case supports a 360mm radiator. Cooler Master has also included a space for up to 35mm of cable routing behind the motherboard for clean and aesthetically pleasing cable management. Dust philtres are located on the top, front and bottom for complete dust protection.

Although the case is mostly made of metal, the handles on the top are made of plastic, which raises doubts about their durability. Users should be careful when handling the case.

10. In Win Motorcycle Steel Tube

Note! This Case is currently out of stock. I recommend checking out another case from In Win. 

This has to be the strangest PC case a PC enthusiast has ever seen. It’s made of thick aluminum tubing all around and a tempered glass top on one side, giving PC a unique look if that’s what you want. In Win sells this case in several color options.

In Win markets this case as a “perfect LAN rig or portable PC”. The case is mostly open, which allows for strong airflow on all sides of the case. The case also features multiple fan mounts to further improve airflow. In addition, a full-size power supply can be mounted with a horizontal spacing of 220 mm.

The case supports both ATX and Micro-ATX motherboards. The complete lack of covers or filters on the front and back can be quite annoying. Dust can quite easily get into the case and get trapped inside, making it messy very quickly.

Also, the case only supports expansion cards with only eight lanes from PCI express – a difficult buy for performance-conscious gamers.

The unusual size of the case also makes it difficult to set up or upgrade easily. The plastic case that houses the motherboard can easily break, rendering the case unusable. Due to these issues, the case isn’t recommended despite its appealing looks.

What is the Best PC Case for Beginners?

There are many factors to consider when choosing a PC suitcase. However, for beginners, the most important thing is to find a case that’s easy to handle and provides good air circulation. Here are a few things to look for in a good PC case for beginners:

Easy to work with

A good PC case should be easy to use, especially if you’re a beginner. Look for a case that’s plenty of room and is easy to disassemble and reassemble.

Good airflow

Good air circulation is one of the most important things you should look for in a PC case. This will keep your components cool and prevent them from overheating.

Affordable

You don’t have to spend a lot of money on a PC case, especially if you’re a beginner. There are many affordable models that do the job well.

Stylish

A PC case is one of the few visible components of your computer, so you should choose a case that looks good.

Durable

A good PC case should be durable and last for many years. Look for a case that’s made of high-quality materials and built to last.

If you’re looking for a good PC case for beginners, the five points above are the most important ones to consider. With so many choices on the market, you should be able to find a case that meets all of your needs.

Does It Matter which PC Case You Get?

When it comes to choosing a PC case, it definitely matters. Not all cases are created equal, and the wrong case can make your life miserable. Here are a few things you should consider when choosing a case:

Size

You need to make sure your case is big enough to fit all of your components. You’ll need a larger case if you’ve a large graphics card or many hard drives. Conversely, you need a smaller case if you want to build a small form factor PC.

Cooling

Your case must’ve good airflow to keep your components cool. If your components overheat, they’ll be throttled and performance will drop. Make sure there are enough fans included with your case or that there’s room for more fans.

Build quality

A cheap case will flex and bend and not protect your components well. A well-built case is sturdy and solid and will protect your components from damage. Aesthetics: This is a personal preference, but some people care a lot about how their PC looks.

If you want a case with a window so you can show off your components, or if you want a case with RGB lighting, you should choose a case with these features. There are many other factors you should consider when choosing a PC case, but these are the most important. If you take the time to choose a good case, it’ll make your life much easier and your PC will run better.

How Do I Choose a Gaming PC Case?

If you’re looking for a gaming PC case, you need to find one that meets your specific needs. It’s important to find a case that offers good air circulation and plenty of space for all your components. You should also make sure that the case is durable and has a good warranty.

Here are a few things to consider when choosing a gaming case PC:

PC case with good Airflow

Good air circulation is one of the most important criteria you should look for in a gaming case PC. You want to make sure that your components stay cool even under heavy load.

Look for a case that’s sufficient ventilation and fan mounts.

Case with Space

Another important consideration is the amount of space you need in the case. You need to make sure that all of your components will fit inside, even if you upgrade them later.

Look for a case that’s plenty of room for all of your components.

Durability

Gaming cases PC are subject to a lot of wear and tear, so make sure your case is durable. Look for a case that’s made of high-quality materials and has a good warranty.

Price

Prices for gaming cases PC can range from very cheap to very expensive. It’s important that you find a case that fits your budget. Remember that the most expensive case isn’t necessarily the best option.

Features

When choosing a gaming case PC, make sure it’s all the features you need. Look for a case with plenty of ports and connections, including features like cable management. When choosing a gaming case PC, look for these things.

Look for a case that offers good air circulation, plenty of space, and is sturdy. Make sure the case has all the features you need and that it fits within your budget. With a little research, you can find the perfect gaming case PC for your needs. 

Conclusion

Among the ten cases we tested, we chose two that we’d recommend to our buyers. The Cougar Panzer Max Ultimate Full Tower gets our unqualified recommendation because it’s an all-rounder.

SSD bays, hard drive bays, optical drive support, multiple graphics card support, extensive motherboard form factors, overkill cooling solutions – this case simply has it all.

Cougar has evolved the design that they’re known for, and used the design potential to its fullest. This is literally the “one case that can do it all”.

For users who want something out of the ordinary and a different form factor, we’d like to recommend the Thermaltake Tower 100. This is a really small mini-ITX case, but it gets the job done pretty handily.

Don’t forget to let’s know how much you liked our reviews of the best portable PC cases.

Equipped with a large Cooler Master fan and fine mesh on the front, Cooler Master has made sure that the overall cooling solution is satisfying and usable.

Even though the case lacks some aesthetic features, lovers of mini-ITX cases will definitely like this case for its size and functionality.