PC cases come in all shapes and sizes but there are three main form factors that take up the bulk of the market: full-sized ATX, microATX, and mini-ITX. We've added a ton of full-tower and mid-tower cases in some of our collection articles including the best PC cases, best PC cases for gamers, and more. In this article, we're going to take a look at a dedicated list of the best mini-ITX PC cases, which are smaller than the rest of the pack. A mini-ITX PC is often considered the best option for those who are working with small desk spaces. Although most mini-ITX cases are focused on size first and performance second, there are some cases out there that can even support the best CPUs and fastest GPUs available.

These are the best mini-ITX cases on 2023

The Lian Li Q58 mini-ITX case.
Lian Li Q58
The best overall mini-ITX case

A great all-rounder for features, looks, and value

$146 $170 Save $24

The Lian Li Q58 is a premium mini-ITX case that offers plenty of great features at an affordable price.

Pros
  • Good amount of space but not too large
  • Plenty of cooling clearance and two included dust filters
  • PCIe 3.0 version is extremely cheap
Cons
  • Somewhat lacking front I/O

Lian Li is one of the most popular names in the computing space. The company makes a lot of PC peripherals including cases, AIO coolers, and fans. While the company is largely known for its mid-tower and full-tower cases, it recently decided to enter the ITX market with the Q58 case, which does pretty much everything well.

Coming in either black or white, the Q58 case is made out of a combination of aluminum, glass, and mesh panels. The top half of both side panels is made out of glass while the bottom half is a mesh panel. The front panel is entirely made out of aluminum, but it's been painted with a finished split right in the middle to match the other panels. The top panel is also made out of aluminum, and it has a mesh finish to act as an exhaust panel. The two magnetic dust filters underneath the Q58 are a nice inclusion as well.

The Q58 supports up to two 120mm or two 140mm fans on the top panel and a single 120mm fan at the bottom; that also means a 240mm/280mm radiator and a 120mm radiator can be installed at the top and bottom respectively. The case also offers enough clearance for a GPU with a max length of up to 320mm and height of three slots, and CPU air coolers with a max height of up to 67mm. There's also the option for vertically installing the GPU with the included PCIe 4.0 riser cable. Additionally, it supports both SFX and ATX PSUs.

Overall, Lian Li's Q58 is a good option for any mini-ITX build, and at $145 for the PCIe 4.0 version and $80 for the PCIe 3.0 version, it's not all that expensive compared to many other options on the market.

The NZXT H210 mini-ITX PC case.
NZXT H210
Another great mini-ITX case

An alternative to the Q58

$80 $90 Save $10

The NZXT H210 is a solid mini-ITX chassis that offers plenty of space and is suitable for a lot of builds.

Pros
  • Fairly typical layout
  • Support for custom liquid cooling
  • Low price
Cons
  • Terrible airflow for air cooled GPUs

From full tower chasses to its highly-popular mid-tower options, NZXT has a lot of PC cases in its portfolio. After finding success with other form factors, NZXT decided to step into the world of mini-ITX cases with its NZXT H210. This particular PC case looks very similar to a lot of its other cases out there. It borrows a lot of visual cues from its elder siblings, which is good. In fact, the NZXT H210 also gets a lot of the good features that we like about NZXT's other cases too.

The most appealing feature of the H210 is its support for custom liquid cooling. Inside you'll find a small strip of metal between the motherboard and the front panel where you can attach a small reservoir for a custom loop, though it has to be mentioned that this reservoir has to be pretty small in order to fit. The H210 can also only fit a 240mm radiator at the front, limiting the performance of a custom loop (or an AIO cooler for your CPU or GPU if you don't want to go custom).

However, the H210 has one big weakness in its lack of breathing room for the GPU. There's almost no room for any GPU larger than two slots, and even then you'll find that the PSU shroud sits right below the GPU fans, restricting airflow and potentially raising GPU temperatures. Ideally, you'd be putting your GPU on liquid cooling in order to avoid overheating. Otherwise, you'll have to make sure your GPU is both small enough to fit and power efficient enough to not overheat, which limits you to more midrange graphics cards.

Overall, there's a lot to like about the NZXT H210 mini-ITX PC case for those who are going to be using custom liquid cooling. For others, it's not as great of an option due to its suboptimal GPU airflow and space limitations, but can still get the job done.

The InWin A1 Plus mini-ITX PC case.
InWin A1 Plus
Best high-end mini-ITX PC case

Ideal for installing high-end components

The InWin A1 Plus is a premium mini-ITX chassis that comes with a wireless charger on the top panel and a glowing RGB stand at the bottom.

Pros
  • Supports large CPU coolers and 325mm GPUs
  • Comes with a 650W, 80 Plus Gold rated PSU and two fans
Cons
  • Qi wireless charging isn't useful and bumps up the price

InWin is also a popular name in the computing space with a particularly solid selection of PC cases out there. You may have seen a ton of InWin full tower and mid-tower cases, but it's worth pointing out that the company also makes some great mini-ITX chassis like its A1 Plus. It's a particularly good choice for anyone building a high-end mini-ITX system.

The highlight of this particular PC case is the included goodies. The A1 Plus comes with two Sirius Loop ASL120 fans pre-installed out of the box, a 650W gold-rated PSU for your build, and the top panel of the InWin A1 Plus also houses a wireless charging pad that allows you to charge devices including smartphones. It's compatible with WPC Qi 1.2 and supports 10W charging.

As for the specs, this mini-ITX case supports mini-ITX motherboards and has two expansion slots. You also get space to install up to two 2.5" drives inside the chassis. As for the clearance, the InWin A1 Plus will let you install CPU coolers with a maximum height of up to 160mm. There's only radiator support for up to 120mm, so we recommend an air cooler for the CPU. You can also install GPU with a maximum length of up to 325mm, which is pretty good. You may not be able to fit all the big-sized CPU coolers, but you should have no issues installing with some of the newer GPUs out there.

Overall, the InWin A1 Plus is a solid mini-ITX PC case that'll definitely add more to the visual appeal of your setup. Thanks to the glowing RGB base and the wireless charging top panel, there's no denying that this case will grab all the attention towards itself. However, at $200, the InWin A1 Plus is pretty expensive, but that does include a 650W PSU, which tends to retail for around $80 to 100.

The Corsair Crystal Series 280X PC case.
Corsair Crystal Series 280X
Best compact case for high-end builds

Not strictly a mini-ITX chassis but still a good option

The Corsair Crystal Series 280X is a great option for those who're looking to build a small PC. It's available in white and comes with two pre-installed fans.

Pros
  • Two included RGB fans
  • Great cooling potential
  • Three tempered glass panels
Cons
  • On the large side for mini-ITX

The mini-ITX form factor is usually not the go-to option for enthusiasts looking to churn out a high-performance build. However, there are a few cases in this form factor that rise to the challenge of fitting lots of computing power in a tiny area. The Corsair Crystal 280X RGB is one of those cases. Technically, this case is for micro-ATX motherboards but a mini-ITX board can still fit inside, and all the extra room is ideal for a performance-focused, compact build.

One of the best things about this particular PC case is that it comes with three tempered glass panels — one on the top, one on the side, and one covering half the front panel. Despite the relatively small form factor, the Crystal 280X RGB case comes with a dual-chamber design, which means the motherboard, GPU, and cooling components reside in one chamber while the PSU, cables, and storage are in the other. This kind of dual-chamber design is usually reserved for bigger cases, but we're glad Corsair managed to bring it to the compact form factor space.

The 280X comes with two LL120 RGB fans that are installed on the front, with room to add two fans each at the top and bottom. The 280X supports 280mm and 240mm radiators on both the top and bottom, while the front panel can take a 240mm radiator. Cooler clearance is also good, with 150mm for CPU air coolers and 300mm in length for GPUs, as well as four expansion slots of vertical space. For reference, that's just 4mm off from being able to support the RTX 4090 Founder's Edition, one of the largest GPUs ever made.

It's a bit on the expensive side, but it can form the foundation of a great gaming PC. It's also large relative to other ITX cases in this collection and really stretches the definition of "small form factor," but compared to even mid-towers the 280X is quite compact.

The Cooler Master MasterBox NR200P mini-ITX PC case.
Cooler Master NR200P Max
Best mini-ITX case for beginners

A good choice if you're new to mini-ITX

The Cooler Master NR200P Max is an excellent option for beginners as it comes pre-installed with both the PSU as well as the AIO cooler.

Pros
  • Comes with an 850W PSU and 280mm AIO liquid cooler
  • PCIe 4.0 riser cable included for the GPU
Cons
  • Very expensive

While the idea of working with a mini-ITX chassis sounds cool, there's no denying that building inside a mini-ITX case is no child's play. Even enthusiast PC builders often struggle to properly build inside a mini-ITX SFF chassis. With that in mind, we're recommending the Cooler Master NR200P Max as one of the best options for newcomers.

The Cooler Master NR200P Max is essentially an upgraded version of the older NR200 case. The new version of the case addressed a lot of issues that plagued the original iteration. Additionally, the new case also makes it easier for users to build by shipping with a 280mm AIO cooler and an 850W, gold-rated SFX PSU pre-installed out of the box. This should be enough to support even the best CPUs on the market right now.

The Cooler Master NR200P Max also comes with a PCIe Gen 4 compatible Riser cable for the GPU. It has three expansion slots which means you can vertically mount even the newer triple-slot GPU inside this chassis. As for the clearance, you can install a GPU with a maximum length of up to 336mm and a CPU cooler with a maximum height of up to 67mm. One of the best things about this case is that you also get dust filters for all the intake and exhaust, keeping the dust away from the components.

Overall, there's a lot to like about the NR200P Max mini-ITX chassis and we think it definitely deserves a top spot in our collection. However, at around $450, the NR200P Max is one of the most expensive cases in this collection. That does include the PCIe riser, PSU, and AIO cooler, which is about a $200-$250 value. If you don't want these bundled items, you can buy the NR200P (non-Max), which is just the PC case for about $130.

The Thermaltake Core V1 Extreme mini-ITX chassis.
Thermaltake Core V1 Extreme Mini ITX Cube Chassis
Best budget mini-ITX PC case

An old but reliable case for those on a budget

$50 $60 Save $10

The Thermaltake Core V1 Extreme is a budget case for mini-ITX PCs. It can house a large CPU air cooler and a dual-slot GPU.

Pros
  • Super cheap
  • Decently compact
Cons
  • Has an old design with drawbacks

If you're building a mini-ITX gaming PC on the smallest possible budget, the Thermaltake Core V1 Extreme is a great candidate. At around $50, it's one of the cheapest cases you can buy, period, and it offers support for full-sized PSUs, CPU air coolers, and graphics cards. However, the Core V1 launched a few years ago, and what "full-sized" means has changed since then, so this case is somewhat limited to more midrange options.

Aesthetically, the Core V1 isn't amazing but isn't ugly either. Its front and side panels (which are swappable) are very perforated so that airflow is mostly unimpeded, while the top panel has an acrylic window. On the inside, you'll find a massive 200mm fan that provides airflow to the whole PC, over the CPU cooler, GPU, motherboard, and PSU, as well as a dust filter for the PSU. You can also install two 80mm fans in the back for exhaust airflow. The Core V1 is pretty good in the airflow department.

When it comes to component compatibility, the Core V1 supports normally sized PSUs, GPUs up to 260mm in length and two slots in height, and a CPU air cooler up to 140mm tall. There's also the option for a 120mm or 140mm radiator, but at this size, an air cooler will serve you better. The lack of clearance for GPUs and CPU coolers means you won't be able to put high-end components and even some midrange parts in the Core V1, but we don't imagine you'll be wanting to put an RTX 4090 or a Core i9-13900K in here anyways.

The Core V1 has its flaws. It's old, it doesn't have great radiator support, it's not the most compact case, and it has significant limitations on GPU compatibility. But it costs only $40, so we give the Core V1 a thumbs up for anyone building a low-end or midrange mini-ITX PC.

The Phanteks Evolv Shift 2 mini-ITX PC case.
Phanteks Evolv Shift 2
Best looking mini-ITX tower

A great-looking case that's slender and tall

$105 $110 Save $5

The Phanteks Evolv Shift 2 is one of the best-looking PC cases on the market. It's not the easiest case to work with but enthusiasts will find plenty to like about it.

Pros
  • Takes up little desk space
  • Good clearance for GPUs
  • Not super expensive
Cons
  • Poor CPU cooler support
  • PCIe 3.0 riser cable might bottleneck performance

If you're in the market to shop for a mini-ITX tower, the Phanteks Evolv Shift 2 is one of your best options. It's relatively inexpensive at $120, it's slim and tall, and it looks great. If you're into the Xbox Series X look, then the Evolv Shift 2 is a great choice.

The Phanteks Evolv Shift 2 has a glass and aluminum construction that makes it look better than most other cases in this collection. This type of sleek tower form factor isn't for everyone, but we think the enthusiasts will find plenty of what they like in this case. One of the first things you'll notice about this particular PC case is how tall it really is. Standing at 19-inches tall, it's one of the tallest cases in this collection, but it also occupies less desk space than a typically shaped chassis.

The internal layout of the Evolv Shift 2 is among the most unusual ones we've seen. The entire chassis is divided into three main sections. The lower portion of the case houses the SFX-L PSU and a 120mm radiator for cooling. The top portion is where you'll install the motherboard along with the GPU with a help of a riser cable, which is PCIe 3.0 rather than 4.0, but it's unlikely you'll run into performance issues even with a high-end GPU. There's more space to add SSDs and 3.5" drives in the middle too.

Phanteks only includes a 140mm RGB fan with this case, or a normal RGB-less fan if you end up buying the 'Airflow' variant, which has mesh side panels instead of tempered glass. You'll still get an RGB controller with either version, however. Support for CPU cooling is a bit poor as only a 120mm AIO or an 85mm tall air cooler can be installed. As for the graphics card, the case has enough space to accommodate a GPU with a max length of 335mm and a max thickness of 2.9 slots.

Overall, the Phanteks Evolv Shift 2 is a fantastic mini-ITX tower. It's obviously not for everyone but we think it's a solid option for enthusiasts who are looking to dip their toes into the world of mini-ITX. We don't recommend this particular case for beginners as the overall installation process can be very overwhelming.

The NZXT H1 Version 2 mini-ITX case.
NZXT H1 Version 2
Great tower case bundle

For those who love refrigerators

$350 $400 Save $50

The NZXT H1 Version 2 is a tower-style PC case for mini-ITX systems. It supports midrange to higher-end components while taking up much less desk space than the typical chassis.

Pros
  • Small footprint
  • Acceptable clearance for GPUs and CPU coolers
  • Comes with a 750W PSU and 140mm AIO liquid cooler
Cons
  • Included parts increase the price significantly
  • Building inside is difficult

If you're looking to pick up a mini-ITX tower, then we also recommend the NZXT H1 Version 2 case. The overall form factor is very similar to that of the Evolv Shift 2, but you can get it in a bundle with a 140mm AIO liquid cooler, a 750W gold-rated PSU, and a PCIe 4.0 riser. Naturally, this bundle will go for at least $350. Make sure you get the updated Version 2 model, as the original has a defect that sometimes causes it to short and catch fire.

The NZXT H1 tower, which comes in either black or white, stands 15 inches tall, making it significantly shorter than the Evolv Shift 2. The overall form factor remains the same, however, which means building inside the H1 tower is still somewhat difficult. Newcomers with little-to-no experience with mini-ITX towers should definitely check out other options on the market like the H210 or the NR200P Max.

In terms of component clearance, the NZXT H1 will let you install a GPU with a maximum length of up to 305mm, which is decent, but with only two expansion slots you're limited in what kind of graphics card you can install. The included 140mm AIO is fine for midrange CPUs with lower power consumption but not much more. Next to the Evolv Shift 2, the H1 is going to be a bit more limited in graphics horsepower.

Compared to the Phanteks Evolv Shift 2, the NZXT H1 Version 2 is more expensive but also comes preinstalled with a PSU and AIO cooler, which is nice, but we're not sure if it's an-extra-$400-nice. If the Evolv Shift 2 didn't exist, we'd definitely say the H1 is the best tower-style mini-ITX case.

Best mini-ITX PC cases to buy in 2023: Final thoughts

We've recommended many cases here, but we like Lian Li's Q58 the most. It does everything you'd expect a PC case to do, and it's not gimmicky like many other mini-ITX chasses. Additionally, it's suitable for midrange and high-end components whereas many other cases aren't. If you're looking to build a mini-ITX system, the Q58 is probably your best option.

The Lian Li Q58 mini-ITX case.
Lian Li Q58
Best mini-ITX PC case
$146 $170 Save $24

The Lian Li Q58 is a premium mini-ITX case that offers plenty of great features at an affordable price.

We recommend checking out our collection of the best motherboards and the best graphics cards to pick and choose the right components that can fit inside an SFF chassis. We also encourage you to join our XDA Computing Forums to discuss your build and get more product recommendations from the experts in our community.