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When looking for the smallest micro ATX case, you’ll come across many options to pick from. But unless you really know what you’re looking for, finding the small micro ATX case for your needs might be difficult.
There are a lot of factors to consider, and there are a lot of brands that will have options that aren’t really worth it. You’ll come across cases that neglect important aspects such as good airflow and cable management, and there are even some that are pretty compact but can’t really fit the GPU you’ve got in mind for your build.
To help you a bit with this, we’ve got a list of some of the top micro ATX case models on the market. If we’re being perfectly honest, you can’t go wrong with pretty much any of them, but we’ll take a good look at all and hopefully, you’ll get an idea of which one suits you best.
Smallest Micro ATX Cases Comparison
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Thermaltake Core V21 |
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Corsair Crystal 280X RGB |
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Cooler Master MasterBox Q300L |
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Corsair Carbide Air 240 |
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Cooler Master Silencio S400 |
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darkFlash Micro ATX Tower DLM21 |
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InWin 301 |
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Thermaltake Versa H15 |
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Thermaltake Level 20 VT |
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Cooler Master MasterBox Q300P |
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Thermaltake Versa H18 |
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Cooler Master MasterBox MB320L |
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Thermaltake Core V21 SPCC
When it comes to compact cases, especially small ones for micro ATX builds, Themaltake has some really nice options. And by far one of the most popular ones is the Core V21 case. It’s a compact cube case that has excellent build quality and plenty of versatility so you can set things up just how you want them.
To begin with, you’re looking at a case that you can set up both horizontally and vertically, and it can host both an mATX and a mini ITX motherboard. This is the versatility we’re talking about, and the chamber concept design that has plenty of cable management room just adds to it. You have plenty of airflow when you set things up right, and you get buttons on the left side of the case, which makes for a clean aesthetic upfront.
Add to this the excellent capabilities for storage and cooling, and you’re looking at a phenomenal case that also doesn’t cost too much.
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Corsair Crystal 280X RGB
While the Carbide Air is usually the go-to case for mATX builds, Corsair has a much more modern variant. Well, that’s if you don’t mind paying a bit extra for it. We’re talking about theCrystal 280X, a case that gives you an unparalleled ability to put your system on display.
The hallmark feature of theCrystal 280X is undoubtedly the cooling options. You can have up to six 120mm cooling fans, and there’s room for a 240mm radiator at either the top, bottom or front. The case does come with two Corsair LL120 RGB fans to get you started and illuminate your build.
There are three tempered glass panels that will showcase your system in a very beautiful way. The dual-chamber layout gives you a hidden area to hide all your cables, so cable management won’t be an issue here. Aside from cooling, there’s also plenty of room for storage, with up to two 3.5” drives and three 2.5 drives. It’s overall one of the best micro ATX cases.
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Cooler Master MasterBox Q300L
Cooler Master are well known for their excellent cases that range from budget options to high-end models. However, when looking for the smallest micro ATX case for your next build, it’s the MasterBox Q300L you should be looking at. It’s a compact case with a lot of versatility and beautiful design.
We must compliment the front panel, which comes with a magnetic dust filter, and so does the top panel, too. They look stunning and make cleaning your system a breeze. We also love the I/O panel, and the fact that you can have it in one of six possible locations. This only adds to the versatility, and there’s also the fact that you can have this either horizontally or vertically set up, it works both ways.
Inside you get room for an mATX board, but you can fit a normal ATX power supply, which is nice. Behind the motherboard tray, you will find extra space for cable management, making it really easy regardless of how many cables you have. All things considered, this is truly an excellent option for a compact mATX case.
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Corsair Carbide Air 240
Possibly one of the best selling micro ATX cases of all times, the Carbide Air is still a great option even today, when you’ve got a lot of choices. It comes with a compact, simple and minimalist design that doesn’t cut any corners, with its only downside being the high price.
If you don’t mind the price, however, you get a case that allows you to fit a compact motherboard, but then add a full-size graphics card to the system. If going for a micro ATX setup, you can have dual GPUs and a 240mm liquid cooling radiator, that’s how well made it is in terms of space.
Build quality is phenomenal, with a metal case and a side window panel that lets you showcase your entire build. There are plenty of drive bays, so you can have quite a lot of storage in your build.Add to this the cable management room that sits behind the motherboard tray, and you’ll have a stunning build in no time.
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Cooler Master Silencio S400
The fact that you’re looking for an mATX case doesn’t mean you’re limited to loud cases with little to no isolation – the Silencio S400 is one of the quietest cases you can get for an mATX build, and it’s not too expensive either. This makes it an excellent choice for people who want a minimalist design and a near-silent system.
There’s plenty of sound dampening material behind the front panel, both side panels, and the top panel.Unfortunately, this means there’s no tempered glass side panel so your system will remain hidden. You can, however, remove the top cover panel to increase ventilation when you need to.
The steel front door can be opened from any side, which is a nice feature. You also get two of CoolerMaster’s PWM Silencio FP fans at 120mm each, complete with rubber padding to keep things cool, yet quiet.
Now, make no mistake, this might not be the prettiest case with its industrial design. But if you want the smallest micro ATX case that keeps things near-silent, you won’t find a better option.
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darkFlash Micro ATX Tower DLM21
Even though there are certainly fewer choices than with a full size or mid-size tower, the fact that you’re going for a micro ATX case doesn’t mean you have to spend a lot of money to get a beautiful design – just look at the darkFlash DLM21. It’s a compact case with a lot going for it, and it comes in at a very reasonable price.
First things first, the front panel and its triangular design looks really nice and modern. Pair this with a window side panel that opens and closes magnetically, and you’ve got yourself a truly stunning case that allows you to showcase your build’s internals. The window is darkened, which subdues any light effects inside the case for an even better look.
The case is compatible with a240mm water cooler, or you could go for dual 120mm or 140mm air coolers, so you do get some cooling versatility. Add to this quite a lot of room for cable management, and you’re looking at an excellent budget mATX case.
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InWin 301 Black Tempered Glass
InWin is another one of those brands that has some truly stunning and highly functional cases at reasonable prices, and their 301 is a good option for users looking for an mATXcase for their next build.
The entire case comes with a minimal design. It’s all black, with the exception of the colorful inputs at the front and the LED display above them. The side panel is made of tempered glass and is easily detachable, you can remove it just by pressing a single button.
Ventilation is excellent, and the case does provide plenty of airflow. You can even go for up to a 240mm radiator at the front, or a 120mm radiator in the rear. Cable management, however, isn’t perfect, and we would’ve preferred a bit more room in that regard. You can, however, fit a GPU that’s up to 330mm long, which is a nice feature, and an ATXPSU at up to 160mm long.
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Thermaltake Versa H15
Compared to their Cube designs, the Versa lineup by Thermal take looks more like a conventional case. The H15, in particular, is the smaller variant that’s also incredibly budget-friendly, yet it is still one of the top micro ATX case models you can go for at the moment.
When you get it, it comes with a single 120mm fan preinstalled. But the perforated top panel and high bottom stands allow for plenty of airflow, so when you add a few more fans, you’ll get excellent cooling. It’s worth noting that you’re limited in terms of CPU cooling, as the maximum height is 155mm. The maximum GPU length is pretty good, however, at up to 315mm.
The drive bays are completely tool-free, and the case does provide ample room for cable management in the back. Both the front and the top can accommodate up to a 240mm radiator, which combined with a good exhaust can give you low temperatures on your entire system. A thing to note is that if you have an optical drive installed, you’re limited to a miniITX build, which is something to note.
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Thermaltake Level 20 VT
There are some people that just want their entire micro ATX build to be on display for everyone to see. If you’re one of those people, Themaltake’s Level 20 VT case is the one to go for. This case comes with a compact, “chamber” design that gives you quite a lot of versatility and allows you to set things up in a variety of ways.
First things first, there are four tempered glass side panels which are 4mm thick. This is plenty of protection for your components, but also a very nice view of everything that’s happening. The top, sides and bottom panes are interchangeable, so you can have them set up just the way you like them. One of those panels is gapped, to increase airflow.
There’s no shortage of room for cable management, and this is one of the best cases you could possibly go for if you’re making a custom cooling loop. You’ll be able to display it really nicely, something not a lot of cases will offer.
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Cooler Master MasterBox Q300P
Make no mistake, the Q300P is not the most compact case in Cooler Master’s Masterbox lineup. It is, however, one of the most beautiful ones for users looking to build a micro ATX system on a budget and want their entire system to be on display.
There are edge-to-edge acrylic panels that will let you showcase the internals rather easily, and they do look pretty good. Add front fans, or use the included 120mm RGB fans at the front, and they’ll look really stunning through the darkened transparent panel. While we’re discussing the design, it’s worth mentioning that you have an I/O panel that you can have at any of the six possible locations, and there are four removable handles that let you carry the case around.
A nice thing about the Q300P is that it can host a full-size ATX power supply, so you aren’t limited in that regard. There’s also plenty of space behind the motherboard tray for cable management, which when done well, results in a really clean build aesthetically.
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Thermaltake Versa H18
There are truly a lot of people out there who simply love a good mesh design. If that’s you, and you want a good, compact mATX case without spending half of your system’s budget on it, the Thermaltake Versa H18 should be right up your alley.
The front panel is all mesh, which does help with cooling too. There’s a blue LED strip off to the side, to make the design less boring and a bit more aesthetically pleasing. And it succeeds rather well. The tempered glass side panel looks really nice, too, and lets you showcase your system’s internals.
On the inside, you can have up to a 240mm or 280mm fan, which is quite a bit for an AiO. There is, however, a full-length PSU cover which can house a decent sized PSU, so that’s one less worry for you. There are four hidden drive bays in total, two of which are 2.5” and two are 3.5”. Overall, the Versa H18 is a very reasonably priced case that cuts no corners, and could very well be the go-to case for your next micro ATX build.
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Cooler Master MasterBox MB320L
Another one of Cooler Master’s MasterBox cases, the MB320L is an absolute beast when it comes to airflow. Whether you’ve got a high-temperature system, or you just want a bit more airflow going through it, the large mesh intakes that flank the front transparent panel are something you’ll love.
Behind the front panel, you have two preinstalled 120mm ARGB fans, and you can use the included splitter to have a comprehensive lighting system by adding a few more compatible fans. The side panel is tempered glass, too, and it spans edge to edge. If you want to show your build’s internals, there’s plenty of possibilities for that. You can have up to six 120mm fans at various places of the case, and you can also have a radiator at the front, or the top, or the rear, which adds to the versatility of the case. And best of all? It’s actually priced rather well compared to most of the competition!
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