PC cases have kept getting more gaudier and colorful over the last few years. More RGB, bigger branding logos, and aggressive chassis design; and most gamers are happy to be along for the ride.
Fortunately, there’s a nascent community of users who are going the other way and opting for sleek, elegant, and minimalistic PC cases instead. From budget-friendly mATX cases to white airflow-friendly towers, each case on this list hits an impressive balance between cleanliness, minimalism, and functionality.
Before You Buy: What You Need to Look Out For
As you might know, choosing the right PC case is just as much of a priority as the hardware that you’re going to be installing inside it. When looking for an optimal minimalist PC case, consider the following three points:
Sufficient Airflow
The cooling capability of a PC case is a significant determinant of the overall performance of the machine. If it’s not sufficient, your high-end components would choke for air, which is also known as “thermal throttling.”
This occurs when a component, like a CPU or GPU, can’t perform at 100% because of overheating thanks to slow and limited airflow.
Up to a certain point, you can improve it yourself by having good cable management and keeping your PC free from dust buildup. Beyond that, it depends on the design of the case: spacing and material used on the front panel (mesh, glass, or aluminum), side cutouts, and ventilation strips.
Noise Dampening
Those who prefer minimalistic PCs will naturally also appreciate low-noise operation, so it’s important to get a case that has noise dampening features. This can include low-noise or silent fans, dust filters, and sonic dampening material.
PSU Shroud
For your perfect minimalist PC build, it’s essential to go for a case that enables you to keep the internal workings of your PC exceptionally clean and tidy. To achieve this, you need sufficient space to work with and some cable management features.
To that end, having a PSU shroud can be a huge plus. For those unaware, it’s a compartment, usually located at the bottom of the case, where you place your PSU and gather up loose cables coming out of it.
On the other hand, if the case doesn’t have a PSU shroud, the leftover PSU and SATA cables will crowd the case like ramen. So, if you value cleanliness, definitely make sure the case you buy has a PSU shroud in it.
Now that you know the three most important factors to consider when looking for a minimalist PC case, let’s take a look at 11 of the best ones available in 2022…
Top 11 Best Minimalist PC Cases in 2022:
1. NZXT H510i – Best All Round
SPECS:
- Form Factor: ATX
- Motherboard Support: Mini-ITX, MicroATX, and ATX
- Expansion Slots: 7
- Front I/O: 1x Type-C, 1x USB Type-A, and 1x Audio In/Out
- Fans Included: 1x Top 120mm and 1x Rear 120mm
The H510i ATX mid-tower is a popular and iconic product from NZXT’s well-known H-Series lineup. It offers an ample 41L interior that supports full-ATX boards, 165mm coolers, and triple-slot GPUs.
Along with the standard seven expansion slots, you also get two extra ones for vertical GPU mounting capability. Plus, you also get a PSU shroud at the bottom. With an all-steel chassis and tempered glass side panel, the H510i has eye-catching looks too.
One down point with this case is the low storage capacity. It has room for only two 3.5” HDDs and one 2.5” SSD. Although this is plenty for most users, it’s still worth keeping in mind. Overall, the H510i is a solid minimalist PC case. If it fits in your budget, definitely put it on your list.
Pros
- Premium design and build quality
- Comes with two RGB strips and fans
- NZXT CAM-powered smart device preinstalled
Cons
- Limited storage drive mounting capacity
2. AeroCool Cylon – Best on a Budget
SPECS:
- Form Factor: ATX
- Motherboard Support: Mini-ITX, MicroATX, and ATX
- Expansion Slots: 7
- Front I/O: 1x USB 3.0, 2x USB 2.0, 1x Audio In/Out, and SD Card Reader
- Fans Included: 1x Rear 120mm
Coming in at just around $50, the AeroCool Cylon is a great minimalist PC case for those on a budget. It sports a neat body with a single RGB strip that sweeps from the top right to the bottom left corner of the case, like a slash. Featuring 13 different light modes, it definitely adds to the ambiance of your setup without being overwhelming.
You also get a transparent acrylic side panel, perfect for showing off the internal workings of the PC. Being a mid-tower case, it’s also capable of housing a 240mm radiator, up to four fans, and a triple-slot graphics card.
One let down with this PC case is that, out of the box, it only comes with a single 120mm rear exhaust fan and no intake fans. To create a positive airflow cycle, I’d highly recommend you install a front intake fan as well and some extra exhaust fans if possible. All in all, the AeroCool Cylon is a great minimalist PC case with an attractive design and many features.
Pros
- Minimal and tasteful RGB lighting
- Budget-friendly pricing
- Decent build quality
Cons
- Comes with only a single 120mm rear exhaust fan
3. Cooler Master MasterBox NR400 – Best Value for Money
SPECS:
- Form Factor: Micro-ATX
- Motherboard Support: Mini-ITX and MicroATX
- Expansion Slots: 4
- Front I/O: 2x USB 3.0 and Audio In/Out
- Fans Included: 2x 120mm
If you’re looking for the best bang for your buck, take a look at the Cooler Master MasterBox NR400. It’s a great all-around case because it lets go of fancy RGB lights and aggressive lines too. This automatically makes it a minimalist PC case and also value for money, with enough space to satisfy most users’ requirements.
In terms of cooling, the NR400 comes with two 120mm fans—intake and exhaust. While this is good enough by itself, just adding one more will really seal the deal. Add that up with the full mesh front panel and ventilated top panel, and you have a case that provides solid thermal performance.
Another great feature of the NR400 is the plenty of storage drive space it provides: over four 2.5” and 3.5” drive mounting locations. Everything considered, this case offers a powerful combo of value for money and impressive cooling, and should be considered a serious option for your minimalist PC build.
Pros
- Optional optical drive support for physical media
- Tempered glass side panel fastened by thumbscrews for easy access
- Ample storage drive space
Cons
- Micro-ATX form factor could be a limitation for high-end users
4. Corsair 5000D – Best All-White Case
SPECS:
- Form Factor: ATX
- Motherboard Support: Mini-ITX, MicroATX, and ATX
- Expansion Slots: 7
- Front I/O: 1x USB Type C, 2x USB 3.0, and 1x Audio In/Out
- Fans Included: 2x 120mm
The 5000D is an all-white mid-tower ATX case from Corsair. Of course, what sets it apart from the pack, both in terms of airflow and aesthetics, is the unique front panel design. It has an aluminum front panel with hundreds of triangular cutouts. This not only gives it a cutting-edge and distinctive look but also helps a ton with airflow.
Inside the case, there’s ample room for all your beloved components: up to a full-ATX motherboard, a 170mm cooler, triple-slot GPU, and an ATX power supply unit. For cooling, you can fit up to ten 120mm or four 140mm fans and a 360mm radiator.
Plus, because of the two extra vertical expansion slots provided by Corsair, mounting your GPU vertically to show off its design is also an option. Ultimately, if you’re looking for a premium minimalist PC case that offers ample space to house your components and headache-free cable management experience, the Corsair 5000D is the way to go.
Pros
- Eye-catching geometric front-panel design
- Great build quality
- Perfect for all-white setup
Cons
- Doesn’t come with a PCI Riser cable in the box
5. Lian Li TU150 – Best for Portability
SPECS:
- Form Factor: Mini-ITX
- Motherboard Support: Mini-DTX and Mini-ITX
- Expansion Slots: 3
- Front I/O: 2x USB 3.0, 1x USB 3.1 Type-C, Audio In/Out
- Fans Included: None
Small form factor PC builds have skyrocketed in popularity over the last few years. Many enthusiasts find the challenge of fitting high-end components into a small enclosure a ton of fun. These PCs are also perfect for users who are always on the go and can use them at gaming conventions, LAN parties, or even hackathons.
If this defines you, the Lian Li TU150 might be right up your alley. Even with a Mini-ITX form factor, this case supports an impressive variety of components. It’ll easily fit a CPU cooler up to 165mm tall, up to four 120mm fans, and any triple-slot GPU. Although, for the PSU, you’re limited to using an SFX or SFX-L form factor one.
In terms of design, it looks modern and elegant with its dark metallic aluminum body and tempered glass side panel. Plus, you can easily carry it around because of the magnetic retractable carrying handle too. Overall, this is an impressive and premium minimalist PC case and especially suitable for those who value portability.
Pros
- Durable and premium build quality
- Comes with a magnetic retractable carrying handle for portability
- Ample I/O
Cons
- Overpriced
6. DEEPCOOL Gamer Storm MACUBE 310 – Best for Aesthetics
SPECS:
- Form Factor: ATX
- Motherboard Support: Mini-ITX, MicroATX, and ATX
- Expansion Slots: 7
- Front I/O: 2x USB 3.0, 1x Audio In/Out, 1x Mic
- Fans Included: 1x Rear 120mm
If you’re looking for a white-and-black minimalist PC case, the DEEPCOOL Gamer Storm MACUBE 310 is a solid option.
Being a mid-tower ATX case, it has all the support and features you can expect: triple-slot GPU support, 360mm radiator support, cable ties on the motherboard tray, and multiple SSD and HDD mounting points.
However, one negative point about this case is that it only comes with a single 120mm exhaust fan. While this could be sufficient for general everyday workloads, if you’re going to be overclocking then you’d need to add an extra intake fan too. Of course, this increases the overall price of the PC build. Overall, it’s still an impressive minimalist PC case.
Pros
- Snap-fit front and top panel makes cleaning easier
- Magnetic removable side panels for quick access
- Durable and premium build quality
Cons
- Requires extra intake fan
7. Lian Li Q58 – Best for Water Cooling
SPECS:
- Form Factor: Mini-ITX
- Motherboard Support: Mini-DTX and Mini-ITX
- Expansion Slots: 3
- Front I/O: 1x USB 3.0, 1x USB Type-C, 1x Audio In/Out
- Fans Included: None
For those looking for a unique Mini-ITX PC case, the Lian Li Q58 could be a good option. With an interesting long layout, it not only looks awesome but provides plenty of space for your water cooling system too.
The first thing you’ll notice when you take a look at it is its dual-texture front panel. As you can see, the bottom half is made of brushed aluminum whereas the top has a light sandblasted finish to it. This attractive contrasting layout is carried forward around the case to the glass and mesh panels as well.
THE Q58 has a sandwich space layout. This maximizes the amount of room you have to work with. Beyond being able to house a triple-slot GPU and an ATX PSU, the Q58 still has plenty of space for multiple fan and radiator configurations. Overall, it’s a solid choice for a small minimalist PC case.
Pros
- Space for up to four SSDs and one 3.5” HDD
- Removable swivel hinges on side panels for quick and easy access
- Unique two-tone design
Cons
- No fans included
8. Thermaltake Core V21 – Best for NAS Build
SPECS:
- Form Factor: Micro-ATX
- Motherboard Support: Mini-ITX and MicroATX
- Expansion Slots: 5
- Front I/O: 2x USB 3.0, 1x Audio In/Out, and 1x Mic
- Fans Included: 1x Front 200mm
A NAS, or network-attached storage system, is always useful for anyone dealing with a ton of data, like content creators and video editors. It’s a great way to keep your data secure, backup your most important files, stream films and tracks, and share data across different devices on a LAN.
All the general PC cases available out there are far too overkill and outlandish for a NAS system. In fact, the optimal NAS case is one that has minimal looks and is wallet-friendly. For that purpose, the Thermaltake Core V21 is perfect.
The USP of this case is that it has an externally modular design, meaning you can stack these one by one to increase the capacity of the NAS system. This can be useful if you want to start with a mid-range system and then increase the capacity in the future as necessary, making it an even better choice for a NAS system.
Pros
- Unique modular and expandable design
- Budget-friendly pricing
- Dual chamber design for easy airflow and cable management
Cons
- Unsuitable for gaming PC build
9. Phanteks Eclipse P400 – Best Stealth Case
SPECS:
- Form Factor: ATX
- Motherboard Support: Mini-ITX, MicroATX, and ATX
- Expansion Slots: 7
- Front I/O: 2x USB 3.0, 1x Audio In/Out, 1x Mic, Reset, LED Control
- Fans Included: 1x Front 120mm and 1x Rear 120mm
If you belong to the small but growing community of gamers who avoid RGB lighting at all costs, the Phanteks Eclipse P400 might be the right minimalist PC case for you. The only RGB lighting on this case is the branding logo on the front side illuminated with an LED from the top.
So, while not completely devoid of RGB lighting, it’s still controlled and minimal. Other than that, it comes with a metal chassis and a tempered glass side panel with four screws. Plus, it comes with magnetic dust filters which should make cleaning it a breeze.
It also has all the other features you can expect from a mid-tower ATX PC case: Hoop-N-Loop cable ties, 360mm radiator support, and modular HDD mounts. Everything considered, it’s an awesome minimalist PC case.
Pros
- Wallet-friendly pricing
- Minimal RGB lighting
- Plenty of I/O ports
Cons
- Mediocre build quality
10. Fractal Design Meshify C – Best for Airflow
SPECS:
- Form Factor: Micro-ATX
- Motherboard Support: Mini-ITX and MicroATX
- Expansion Slots: 7
- Front I/O: 2x USB 3.0, Audio In/Out, Power, Reset
- Fans Included: 1x Front 120mm and 1x Rear 120mm
As I noted in the Before You Buy section, airflow is very important for the smooth operation of any PC. Keeping that in mind, the best minimalist case in terms of airflow is the Fractal Design Meshify C.
It’s the compact mid-tower Micro-ATX offering in Fractal Design’s Meshify line-up of airflow-centric cases. You not only get two pre-installed 120mm fans but support for up to seven more. This, in addition to the angular mesh front panel, guarantees maximum airflow at all times even during extreme workloads.
Overall, keep the Fractal Design Meshify C in mind if you want a high-end minimalist Micro-ATX case that feels premium, has plenty of space, and offers great cooling performance.
Pros
- Excellent airflow and cooling support
- Eye-catching design
- Ample front ports
Cons
- Slightly overpriced
11. Thermaltake Level 20 VT – Best Open Air Case
SPECS:
- Form Factor: Micro-ATX
- Motherboard Support: Mini-ITX and MicroATX
- Expansion Slots: 5
- Front I/O: 2x USB 3.0, 2x USB 2.0, and Audio In/Out
- Fans Included: 1x Front 200mm
Tired of all the good ol’ designs out there and want to add something new and exciting to your setup? With a swappable open cube layout and tempered glass panels all around, the Thermaltake Level 20 VT will definitely catch your attention. It’s so modifiable, even the I/O panel can be moved to the top, left, or right side!
Despite being a Micro-ATX case, it offers plenty of space for components. Out of the box, you just get one 200mm fan, however, you’re free to install four 120mm fans or dual radiators on the top panel.
At the end of the day, the Thermaltake Level 20 VT is an outstanding minimalist Micro-ATX case. If you can manage to look past the limiting airflow design, it could be an amazing masterpiece for your minimal setup!
Pros
- Unique design
- Swappable and modifiable layout
- Great build quality
Cons
- Design isn’t airflow-friendly; lacks any mesh or vented panels
Frequently Asked Questions
How Can You Ensure Proper Cable Management For Your Minimalist PC Case?
Cable management inside your PC is just as important as the rest of the setup, especially if you’re prioritizing minimalism. We already talked about how important a PSU shroud is for this purpose, but there are some other features to keep in mind too.
Look for cut-outs and velcro straps in the motherboard tray, which allow you to route all cables through the rear of your case. Rubber grommets or sliding covers in the holes would be better rather than simple giant holes punched in the motherboard tray. Other things to look for are tie-off points or wire covers.
Moreover, feel free to take a look at our 15 White Gaming Setup Ideas post for inspiration when planning your minimalist setup.
What’s the Best Case for Video Editing and Professional Workloads?
The fact of the matter is that a PC case, unlike a component like a CPU or GPU, doesn’t really affect the performance of your rig directly. However, it does limit you in terms of what components you can install and in what configuration, so its indirect influence is considerable.
With that in mind, some good options for professional workload PCs on this list are the NZXT H510i, the Corsair 5000D, and the Phanteks Eclipse P400. Each of these provides plenty of space and airflow for high-end powerful components to operate at an optimum capacity.
Wrap Up
With the absolute oversaturation of cases available today, choosing a good minimalist PC case is not a walk in the park anymore. However, similar to most components, there’s no blanket recommendation here either.
Each case will fit a specific gamer based on their needs and requirements. It just comes down to design preferences, budget, and use case. Here is a quick summary of all the cases we covered in this article:
- NZXT H510i is Best All Round
- AeroCool Cylon is Best on a Budget
- Cooler Master MasterBox NR400 is Best Value for Money
- Corsair 5000D is Best All-White Case
- Lian Li TU150 is Best for Portability
- DEEPCOOL Gamer Storm MACUBE 310 is Best for Aesthetics
- Lian Li Q58 is Best for Water Cooling
- Thermaltake Core V21 is Best for NAS Build
- Phanteks Eclipse P400 is Best Stealth Case
- Fractal Design Meshify C is Best for Airflow
- Thermaltake Level 20 VT is Best Open Air Case
When it comes to choosing a PC case, feel free to get creative. There are a lot of great options out there, and getting one that’s unique will make your setup stand out from the crowd. Just try to make sure that it can accommodate your components, has optimal airflow, and headroom for future upgrades. I hope this article guided you in the right direction!
