If you fail to cool your laptop in time, it can lead to reduced laptop performance and eventually to damaged parts. Thankfully, there’s an effective solution to using your laptop for long hours without the need to shut it down.  Laptop cooling pads provide either active or passive cooling support to lower laptop external and internal temperatures for improved processor performance. In this article, let’s tackle the advantages of a laptop cooling pad and if it’s really a worthy investment.

What is a laptop cooling pad?

Laptop cooling pads are elevated platforms that are placed beneath a laptop. The goal of an effective cooling pad is to reduce laptop internal and external operating temperatures after hours of extended use.

1 What is a laptop cooling pad?2 Do laptop cooling pads work?2.1 Do cooling pads work for gaming laptops?3 Are cooling pads good for laptops?3.1 Lower Operating Temperatures3.2 Improved User Experience3.3 Additional Functionalities4 Conclusion – Are Laptop Cooling Pads Worth It?

There are two types of cooling systems for laptops: active and passive:

Do laptop cooling pads work?

We’ll give you a fact that you may not be so happy to hear. The only failproof way to cool down your laptop would be to shut it down. However, that solution may not be so simple especially if you need to run heavy programs or use the laptop for several hours. However, laptop cooling pads can provide temporary relief without the need to shut down your laptop. The main goal of laptop cooling pads is to improve external and internal operating temperatures.  On average, laptops cooling pads were found to reduce overall temperatures by 13 degrees Fahrenheit. However, most cooling pads will only lower temperatures by one or two degrees, so make sure you choose the right one. Reducing heat in your laptop can eventually improve processor performance and reduce throttling.

Do cooling pads work for gaming laptops?

If you’re a serious gamer, you’d know how hard your laptop works to run GPU-demanding games. Laptop cooling pads will help reduce temperatures and they can technically improve your laptop’s performance. However, it would be wrong to think that cooling pads are the magical solution that will answer all your gaming needs. You will see an improvement in frame rates for both integrated and dedicated GPUs. However, these improvements are close to negligible. In short, cooling pads won’t increase your chances of successfully running a game that it can’t play now. If you’re an intensive gamer, you will need to invest in a gaming laptop to achieve a truly rewarding gaming performance. Gaming laptops offer powerful GPUs, fast processing speeds, and better memory for smooth graphics. If you’re looking for a powerful laptop on a tight budget, we recommend the Acer Nitro 5. It’s backed by NVIDIA RTX 30, a Core i5 CPU, 256GB SSD, and 8GB RAM. You’ll also enjoy the graphics on its FHD 15.6-inch display with a 144Hz refresh rate. The Nitro 5 is supported by Acer’s CoolBoost technology that improves thermal performance by 25% compared to auto mode for improved gaming performance. For professional gamers, invest in powerful laptops like the Gigabyte Aorus 15P YD. It has RTX 3080 graphics, an 11th Gen Core i7 CPU, 1TB SSD, and 32GB RAM. It also has an insanely fast 240Hz 15-inch display. It’s backed by the powerful Windforce Stack 3x Cooling System to ensure long hours of play. For more recommendations, check out our article on the best laptops without heating issues.

Are cooling pads good for laptops?

Especially if you plan on gaming or running labor-intensive programs for hours on end, getting a laptop cooling pad will provide you with several benefits.

Lower Operating Temperatures

As we’ve said, laptop cooling pads prevent overheating with the help of active or passive cooling systems. Cooling pads can help you use your laptop for much longer without shutting it down or damaging components.  

Improved User Experience

Aside from improving laptop performance, cooling pads also provide greater physical comfort after extended use. Whether you’re sitting on your bed or working on a desk, cooling pads help reduce neck strain and improve posture for improved productivity thanks to the elevated and stable work surface. Look for a laptop cooling pad with flexible adjustments that will allow you to find a suitable angle. The No products found. has 8 adjustable heights to choose from plus an expandable phone holder for your convenience.

Additional Functionalities

Cooling pads don’t just lower temperatures and provide an elevated workspace. Many cooling pads for laptops have additional functionalities like USB ports, attached mousepads,  and a phone dock. The most functional laptop cooling pad we found is the ICE COOREL RGP Laptop Cooling Pad. It has an LCD interface for adjusting fan speeds and activating 7 different RGB light modes. Aside from that, it also has dual USB 2.0 ports and a mobile phone bracket to help you achieve a functional work surface.

Conclusion – Are Laptop Cooling Pads Worth It?

Do you have a laptop that is prone to overheat? Or maybe you want to run labor-intensive programs or play heavy video games for hours on end. If any of these situations apply to you, a laptop cooling pad will work to reduce your laptop’s operating temperature for improved processor performance. Laptop cooling pads are also convenient tools for users who have a habit of setting the laptop on their lap or on pillows or mattresses. Cooling pads will provide enough ventilation to avoid system damage and it also offers better user comfort with the adjustable height and angle for reduced neck pain and improved posture.