When space is limited in your setup, every inch counts. Although ATX cases are generally the most common, going for a small Micro ATX case can lead to valuable space savings.
Whether you prioritize airflow and cable management, or you’re going for the best RGB or all-white aesthetic, I’ve got something for you in this article.
Top 6 Best Smallest Micro ATX Cases in 2022:
1. Fractal Design Meshify C Mini – Best Overall
SPECS:
- Form Factor: Micro ATX
- Motherboard Support: Micro ATX and Mini ITX
- Front I/O: 2x USB 3.0 and Audio In/Out
- Fans Included: 2x 120mm
When you learn about how important airflow can be in a PC case, you’ll prefer airflow-focused cases with designs that allow for proper cooling of components. This is especially important in a compact PC build due to lesser space. In that regard, the Fractal Design Meshify C Mini is an excellent case.
As you’ll notice right off the bat, it has a vented upper panel and a mesh front panel, allowing for plenty of air to pass through. Inside, there’s enough room to install seven 120mm fans and two 240mm AIO radiators in the front and top. Out of the box, it comes with two Dynamic X2 GP-12 120mm fans.
It’s also decent in other aspects. There’s enough space to install six 3.5” or two 2.5” drives in this case. It might have a high price tag and you might need to invest in some third-party fans too, but it’s still a well-built and versatile Micro ATX case.
Pros
- Impressive airflow
- Plenty of cooling potential
- Tempered glass side panel to show off components
Cons
- Expensive
2. Thermaltake Versa H18 – Best on a Budget
SPECS:
- Form Factor: Micro ATX
- Motherboard Support: Micro ATX and Mini ITX
- Front I/O: 1x USB 3.0, 2x USB 2.0, and HD Audio
- Fans Included: 1x 120mm
I’ll admit, the Meshify C Mini is an awesome case, but it’s not suitable if you’re on a tight budget. Instead, the Thermaltake Versa H18 at around half the price is a much better option. It might look quite plain with a blue LED strip beside the front mesh panel, but it packs some great features.
Let’s talk about cooling. You have the option to install three 120mm fans (or two 140mm ones) along with a 240mm or 280mm AIO radiator. Unfortunately, since it only comes with a single 120mm rear exhaust fan out of the box, you’ll need to invest in a few extra ones for optimal cooling.
When it comes to other features, it has an acceptable I/O selection as you can see in the specs list. There’s also a tempered glass side panel, and a full-length PSU shroud along with two 2.5” and two 3.5” drive bays. So, all in all, it has most of the features we’ve come to expect at a reasonable price.
Pros
- Mesh front panel for better airflow
- Blue LED strip in the front
- Good front I/O configuration
Cons
- Only a single exhaust fan
3. Cooler Master MasterBox Q300L – Best Value for Money
SPECS:
- Form Factor: Micro ATX
- Motherboard Support: Micro ATX and Mini ITX
- Front I/O: 2x USB 3.0 and Audio In/Out
- Fans Included: 1x 120mm
The Cooler Master MasterBox Q300L is a value-packed and interesting Micro ATX case. The first thing you’ll probably notice about this case is the eye-catching patterns on the dust filters at the front, top, and bottom. Aside from allowing for airflow, they’re also magnetic for easy cleaning and fan installation.
The MasterBox Q300L also has a unique party trick up its sleeve: the I/O panel is modular! You can unscrew and install it on both sides of the case at the front, top, or bottom, allowing for six total orientations. This can be useful depending on where you want to place the case, so you can orient the I/O panel accordingly for quick access.
Besides that, it has a host of other useful features too: it can fit a standard ATX PSU, there’s plenty of routing space behind the motherboard tray for cable management, and an acrylic side panel. Overall, the MasterBox Q300L is a great bang-for-your-buck Micro ATX case from Cooler Master.
Pros
- Magnetic dust filters with patterns
- Plenty of space to install fans and AIO radiators
- Zip ties, SSD mounting grommets, and screws included in the box
Cons
- Acrylic rather than tempered side panel
4. InWin 301 – Best for White-Themed Build
SPECS:
- Form Factor: Micro ATX
- Motherboard Support: Micro ATX and Mini ITX
- Front I/O: 2x USB 3.0 and Audio In/Out
- Fans Included: No
If you have a chill gaming setup and need something that matches, the InWin 301 will surely catch your eye. The screw-less tempered glass panel flows seamlessly into the closed-off white front panel, and it’s all brought together with red LEDs below the front I/O panel. This is as chill as you can get.
Enough talk about aesthetics, now let’s get down to cooling. As the solid front panel indicates (it has a ventilated side panel), this isn’t an airflow-centric case. It doesn’t come with any fans. You have the option to fit two 120mm fans and a 240mm AIO radiator at the front and bottom, and a 120mm fan at the rear.
InWin is a popular and well-loved brand for PC cases, and their attention to detail is visible in this case. Between the built-in GPU support bracket (which is becoming more and more essential these days), removable bottom dust filter, and push tabs for cables, you can tell that they’ve put their heart into this case. All in all, if you’re willing to prioritize style over substance in a few aspects, the InWin 301 is the one to go for!
As a side note, I’d like to mention that the Corsair Crystal 280X is also worth checking out if you want a white Micro ATX PC case. You can read more about it here.
Pros
- Cool white and blue color scheme
- Plenty of space to install fans and AIO radiators
- Many user-friendly features
Cons
- No fans included
5. SilverStone PS15 PRO – Best for Cable Management
SPECS:
- Form Factor: Micro ATX
- Motherboard Support: Micro ATX and Mini ITX
- Front I/O: 2x USB 3.0 and Audio In/Out
- Fans Included: 3x 120mm fans
I mentioned this case in my article about the best PC cases for cable management, and it has many features to back up the ‘Best for Cable Management’ category I’ve placed it in. It has an open interior layout and a cutout for a 12V ATX motherboard cable at the back.
Since this case comes with two front 120mm ARGB fans (plus a non-RGB one at the rear for exhaust), it’s great if you want to add a bit of RGB goodness to your build without spending extra. For airflow, there’s also a dual-layer mesh front panel and removable filters for the top and bottom panels. Rest assured, you won’t need to buy any third-party fans with this case.
If you were to ask me to describe this case in one sentence, I’d say: a standard ATX case, just made smaller with a shrink ray. It has all the features we expect in most cases—triple fans, tempered glass side panel, and RGB lighting—but just smaller. If that describes what you’re looking for, I say you go for the P15 PRO!
Pros
- Three fans included
- Three 2.5” and one 3.5” drive mounting options
- Professional and elegant design
Cons
- ARGB fans might not be preferred by some gamers
6. ZZAW B3 – Best for Portability
SPECS:
- Form Factor: Micro ATX
- Motherboard Support: Micro ATX and Mini ITX
- Front I/O: 1x USB 3.0
- Fans Included: No
If you’re building a compact PC, it’s only natural if you’re planning on taking it out of the house. You might want to take it to gaming tournaments, hackathons, or your friend’s house for a LAN party. This is where ZZAW (I have no idea how to pronounce that name) comes in with their B3 case.
At only around 13 inches in length and 11 inches in height, this case is quite small. Fortunately, it’s built with an aluminum-magnesium alloy sheet which gives it a stylish look and also good durability. There’s also a tempered glass side window for showing off your components.
Of course, cooling is the most important aspect to consider. You have the option to install up to three 120mm fans and a 240mm AIO. It also has a double-layer vented top panel for airflow. It might be challenging to build in, especially if you’ve only built in standard ATX cases so far, but the ZZAW B3 is an interesting option nonetheless.
Pros
- Double-layer vented top panel
- Durable build quality
- Professional and elegant design
Cons
- No fans included
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the Best Micro ATX Case for an HTPC Build?
If you’re building a low-power Home Theater PC beside your main setup, most of the above-mentioned cases might be unsuitable. Instead, I’d recommend you check out the IN WIN CJ712. It comes with a built-in 265W PSU and is smaller than even some Mini-ITX cases, so it’ll fit in most TV cabinets.
Which are the Best Budget Case Fans?
Although most of the PC cases I talked about come with one or two fans, you’ll probably need to add more depending on the thermal output of your components. UpHere is a brand I often look towards for high-RPM and relatively silent case fans. They have both RGB fans and cheaper non-RGB fans for you to choose from.
What if You Want a Custom Case?
If none of the above options fit your use case and you need a tailor-made option, you might want to check out what Slinger has to offer. The Cerberus is a Micro ATX case that you can customize as you want. You can choose panel color, panel option (vented or window), extra SSD mounting brackets, handle and feet finish, top panel color, and so much more! That being said, it carries a hefty price tag. So, it isn’t far-fetched to say that the Cerberus is like the Rolls Royce of PC cases.
Wrapping Up
There you have it: these are some of the best small Micro ATX cases available in 2022. Choosing components for a Micro ATX build (and actually building it) is no small feat. Hopefully, I helped you make the best choice for which Micro ATX case to go with!
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