Mini-ITX Cases have turned into household names today and are arguably the best chassis options available as compared to the yesteryear variants that dissipated an undesirable amount of heat. Be it their size, design, aesthetic value, or heat management properties, Mini-ITX cases are the best things to own today.
Their many benefits have expectedly catapulted the demand for Mini-ITX cases worldwide, and have paved the way for the development of an overwhelming number of such products. However, are all those products you see across online portals or retail outlets worth the money? Do they live up to your performance expectations, and are they long-lasting? Several such questions could plague the minds of all you common users. We indulged in comprehensive research of the most cutting-edge ITX cases available today to help paint a clearer picture of what leading manufacturers are offering. This compilation should help you arrive at a decision quickly if buying a Mini-ITX has been on your mind for quite some time.
Scroll through this list of the Top 10 Best Mini-ITX Cases available today to know more about the latest cutting-edge products in town that have redefined technical finesse.
Our Top 3 Picks
Top 10 Best Mini-ITX Cases – Comparative Table
Product Name | Dimensions | Weight | Price |
16.6 x 15 x 13.1 inches | 20.9 Pounds | ||
Phanteks Evolv Shift Mini ITX Case
| 10.8 x 6.7 x 18.5 inches | 14.4 Pounds | |
NZXT H210i – Mini-ITX PC Gaming Case
| 14.7 x 8.3 x 13.7 inches | 16.1 Pounds | |
InWin A1 Plus Black Mini-ITX Tower
| 13.5 x 8.3 x 9.1 inches | 16.8 Pounds | |
CORSAIR CRYSTAL 280X RGB Micro-ATX Case
| 15.7 x 10.9 x 13.8 inches | 15.96 Pounds | |
| 11.1 x 10.3 x 8.2 inches | 5.9 Pounds | |
Fractal Design Node 202 Black Mini-ITX
| 13.1 x 14.8 x 3.5 inches | 7.72 Pounds | |
| 13 x 8.7 x 5.1 inches | 6.95 Pounds | |
SilverStone Technology Slim Computer Case
| 15 x 13.8 x 4.1 inches | 9 Pounds | |
Morex 557 Universal Mini-ITX Case
| 7.7 x 7.5 x 2.4 inches | 2.7 Pounds |
1. Thermaltake Core P1 Mini ITX
The very design of this product is quite unconventional as compared to many ITX Cases or even workstation cabinets you have come across over the years. How often have you come across an ITX case or a workstation cabinet where one of the sides or the chassis is made out of tempered glass? Well, this is where the Thermaltake Core P1 Mini ITX stands out.
The 5 mm thick glass panel not just effectively shields the internal components but also allows users to view the constituent parts easily. Such a design also helps identify wear-and-tear in the parts or detect if any of the components have erred, which wasn’t quite easy with the traditional designs.
Users willing to customize the product can also utilize the benefits of 3D printing to create their own mods, which isn’t a facility a lot of manufacturers offer with their products.
The makers offer a special design bracket along with this product that facilitates versatile GPU orientation.
The components have been designed to be in tandem with most computers we come across today. The layout also accommodates cooling solutions such as the AIO and DIY, which prevents any sort of damage that could be caused to the device due to overheating.
The size of this mini-ITX case as a whole is also quite compact and doesn’t occupy much floor or table space, which speaks volumes about the efficiency of its designers.
Users can also wall-mount this product, apart from placing it horizontally or vertically on a surface, which is a first among products of its kind. That’s not all, you can dismantle the whole system and build it from scratch all over again if you have a better design in mind. This sort of a model termed DMD (Dismantlable Modular Design) offers never-before flexibility that’s hard to find among most products of its kind.
The modular panels, racks, brackets, as well as mounting arrays, are placed in such a way that they can be effortlessly removed. Unlike many other electronic devices of its kind, there aren’t unreachable screws or components that dampen the dismantling process.
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Chassis made of glass, makes the product design seem unique Quite Unique Can be easily dismantled to accommodate a customized design | Screws provide do not seamlessly bridge motherboard and the enclosing case |
2. Phanteks Evolv Shift Mini ITX Case
Those of you who prefer a slim chassis could probably consider buying the Phanteks Evolv Shift Mini ITX Case. The product is incredibly sleek and can house a number of graphics cards that are at least 13.8 inches long.
The benefits of the Evolv Shift are numerous, the most noteworthy being efficient space utilization. The package is pretty sleek and compact, yet effectively houses many components that make this Phanteks invention a powerful device.
To eliminate any issues that could incur due to overheating, Phanteks has included a 280 mm radiator in this device that cools several components. In addition, a pump bracket has also been included in this mini-ITX case, to ensure great cooling.
Apart from these aspects, the makers have included a 120/140 AIO water cooling feature. Dual AIO radiators have been embedded within the device to address the age-old concern of heat dissipation.
One of the firsts of this product that differentiates it from myriad devices of its kind, including workstation cabinets, is 360-degree access to its internal components. Traditionally, such boxes housing several critical electronic parts could be accessed only one-dimensionally, until the Phanteks Evolv Shift Mini ITX Case arrived. The aluminum panels of this product are anodized, which is also a point worth noting.
The Shift can accommodate four SSD brackets as well as two 3.5-inch HDD mounts, which make it one of the most well-designed ITX cases available today. The product also triumphs in terms of cable management, which is an aspect often overlooked by ITX cases of its kind. Dust filters have also been included to shield the product against undesirable foreign particles.
The attention of a user viewing this product for the first time or at a store would turn towards its I/O panel in front. The panel includes two USB 3.0 ports, a power button, as well as an RGB button.
One of the many expectations of customers from products such as ITX cases is an impressive form-factor. The Small Form Factor installation and cable management Phanteks offers makes it a highly preferred product.
Well, we’ve given enough reasons why this product could be worth an investment, but it’s vital for you to assess if these capabilities are aligned with your expectations.
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Users have a 360-degree access to internal components Small form factor and excellent cable management Inclusion of dust filters | Slightly expensive, and additional shipping charges may be included to transport it to a few Asian countries |
3. NZXT H210i – Mini-ITX PC Gaming Case
Although a little expensive, the reason we have included this product in our list is its impressive configuration, which makes it worth every penny.
The uniqueness of the NZXT H210i lies in its cable management ability which is a never-before approach as compared to other ITX cases of its kind. The product has been making waves for its exclusive, patented cable routing kit, which is truly one-of-its kind.
This kit is empowered by pre-installed channels, as well as straps aimed at making wiring effortless and intuitive. Thus, customizing this device to one’s needs would be an absolute breeze, which is why the NZXT H210i – Mini-ITX PC Gaming Case is a product worth considering.
Despite its compact size, the NZXT H210i can accommodate radiators that measure around 200 mm and also support both STX as well as ATX power supplies.
A noteworthy feature of the H210i is the presence of the NZXT Smart Device v2 component that effectively powers the built-in RGB light strips as well as case fans.
A vital aspect of the NZXT Smart Device V2 is the fast microprocessor embedded within, which contributes immensely to this Mini-ITX’s power. The embedded chip offered CAM-powered control of several components, including two HUE 2 RGB lighting channels. In addition, there are three channels exclusively dedicated to powering and regulation of PWM fans.
In terms of the design, this product doesn’t look any different from the traditional products of its kind. The manufacturers deliberately adhered to this sort of a shape to address the space and installation issues of several users.
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Patented cable routing kit Can accommodate multiple radiators measuring 200 mm | Fans don’t meet performance expectations |
4. InWin A1 Plus Black Mini-ITX Tower
The key factor that differentiates this product from a wide range of ITX cases we have seen over the years is the presence of an RGB lighting capability.
The InWin A1 Plus Black Mini-ITX Tower’s design requires a special mention, thanks to its tinted transparent stand. While the product generally doesn’t look any different from any other ITX case, the transparent bottom disperses the light from the internal RGB module. The result is a one of its kind lighting experience which adds to the aesthetic appeal of the product and is a treat to the eye.
The product accommodates several graphics cards that are 320 mm long and includes a CPU heatsink that’s approximately 160 mm in length. The presence of the heatsink prevents excessive heating and any potential damage that could be caused to the device.
The InWin A1 Plus Black Mini-ITX Tower includes two Sirius Loop ASL120 fans that are complimentary. These components too play a vital role in preventing any damage that could be caused due to heat dissipation. The circular RGB strips are placed around both the fans and don’t turn out to be hindrances in blocking any component. This fact speaks volumes about the brilliance in the design of this unique product.
Embedded within the product is a 650W PSU and two GPU connectors to seamlessly accommodate the graphics cards. The InWin A1 Plus Black Mini-ITX Tower includes a wireless charging station that has bagged a WPC Qi 1.2 certificate. This feature makes the product quite advantageous as compared to a dozen products of its kind since it eliminates the hassles caused due to wires. All you need to do is probably place the gadget to be charged, such as your phone, on top of this ITX tower, and the product would effortlessly do the job.
Installation of this product is hassle-free and despite being a mini device, it can house some very powerful hardware components that enhance its efficiency.
Pros | Cons |
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Includes a 160mm CPU heatsink and can accommodate multiple graphic cards measuring 300mm WPC Qi1.2-certified wireless charging station Includes a 650W PSU as well as two GPU connectors | Power Supply Unit doesn’t live up to the performance benchmark |
5. CORSAIR CRYSTAL 280X RGB Micro-ATX Case
Easily one of the best inventions of electronics manufacturer Corsair, this product has many features which make it worth considering.
While many mini-ITX cases have included cooling mechanisms to prevent the damages caused due to heat dissipation, Corsair has gone a notch higher in this regard. The Crystal 280X RGB Micro-ATX Case can accommodate as many as six 120 mm cooling fans, as well as 240 mm radiators in the top, front, and bottom.
As far as storage is concerned, the CRYSTAL 280X RGB Micro-ATX Case is a total delight since it accommodates two 3.5-inch drives as well as three 2.5-inch drives. These components very well take care of the general archiving woes plaguing individuals.
While the Thermaltake Core P1 Mini ITX includes only a single glass chassis, this product includes three tempered panels that display the interiors of the system like no other ITX case.
To prevent the accumulation of dust that’s quite possible after a time period, the makers have included filters in the front, roof, and bottom. A mesh has been included to prevent undesirable particles from dampening the PSU.
The product triumphs in terms of the ventilation too, and facilitates the entry of a sufficient amount of cool air to protect the hottest components from the damage caused by dissipation.
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Multiple radiators, fans, and coolants included to prevent heat dissipation Great storage capacity since many hard drives can be accommodated | The ITX case will heat up if multiple hard drives are installed and won’t last long |
6. Cooler Mater Elite 110
At first glance, the Cooler Mater Elite 110 might resemble a traditional speaker, thanks to the mesh at the front. However, it’s such a design that contributes to the efficiency of this product.
Several key components can be seamlessly accommodated within this sleek device. This includes Mini-ITX motherboards, Standard ATX PSUs, a CPU cooler which is 3 inches tall, graphics cards that are up to 210 mm long, as well as a radiator measuring 120mm installed in the front. The Cooler Master Elite can house up to 3 HDDs or even 4 SSDs too. So, the capacity of this ITX case is quite large although the product looks pretty shrunk from the outside. In addition, ATX power supplies that are approximately 180mm long are also embedded within the device which contributes significantly to the performance.
The fact that the product supports graphic cards implies a significant enhancement in performance as compared to several yesteryear products.
The presence of a CPU cooler, radiator, and a mesh that facilitates sufficient ventilation, helps prevent any damage that could be caused due to overheating. In fact, many electronic industry experts suggest the adoption of a mesh in the design of such devices to facilitate seamless front-to-back airflow.
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Design includes a mesh that accommodates sufficient ventilation, a CPU cooler, as well as a radiator. Accommodates graphic 200 mm long graphic cards, a CPU cooler and a 120-mm radiator | Performance faulters after a short time period |
7. Fractal Design Node 202 Black Mini-ITX
The Fractal Design Node 202 Black Mini-ITX is easily one of the sleekest devices of its kind you could possibly find today and has a volume of merely 10.2 liters. Such a compact product can easily fit into any space and wouldn’t quite disrupt the interiors. So, you can place it either next to your television set or your office desk. You can either place it horizontally or vertically, that’s how versatile this product is.
The product can accommodate several Mini-ITX motherboards, SFX power supplies, as well as graphics cards that are approximately 310 mm long. This fact alone speaks volumes about how holistic the product is in terms of technical capabilities.
Air filters have been strategically placed across several parts of the Mini-ITX to ensure the interiors are dust-free. Such a design has been adopted to enhance the longevity of the Fractal Design Node 202 Black Mini-ITX.
This Mini-ITX boasts of a smart thermal interior design, which implies there are dedicated graphic card chambers as well as an exclusive motherboard.
A vital feature of this Mini-ITX is the presence of the Integra SFX 450W PSU embedded within, responsible for the stable power supply.
Care has been taken to ensure ventilation isn’t compromised and air can quite freely flow across the board to prevent any deceleration in performance due to overheating. Experts suggest that the product be placed vertically rather than horizontally to ensure the cooling is more effective and the ITX, as a whole, is less noisy.
Pros | Cons |
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Stability of power supply is contributed by the Integra SFX 450W PSU embedded within Sleek, quite compact in size | Needs to be placed vertically to ensure less noise and better cooling |
8. Rosewill Mini ITX Tower
The storage capacity of this product is largely unparalleled since it includes an external 5.25-inch drive bay as well as two 3.5-inch drive bays. Equipped with a 250W power supply unit, the Rosewill Mini ITX Tower can effectively handle power consumption woes products of its kind usually face.
Unlike several such products manufactured by competitors, Rosewill has included two USB 2.0 as well as two audio ports in the I/O panel, to the delight of most users. Measuring 13.00″ x 8.70″ x 5.10″, this product is quite compact and doesn’t really occupy a lot of space.
Several users have complained in the recent past that although the product includes a grill with perforations, the air is circulated through a tiny opening in the device. A few users had opined that such a ventilation mechanism didn’t really cool the system significantly.
However, if this shortcoming is to be overlooked, the product is quite worth the investment since it offers many benefits too, and is relatively cheaper than many ITX towers.
Pros | Cons |
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Impressive I/O Panel that includes two USB 2.0 as well as two audio ports Reasonably-priced compared to other favorites with the same technical abilities | LED cables provided by the makers are undesirably long and occupies a lot of space |
9. SilverStone Technology Slim Computer Case
This product, manufactured by Morex, is easily one of the cheapest you could possibly find today. It is also one of the sleekest devices of its kind and occupies a considerably less space, and portability shouldn’t be a concern either.
Unlike how most manufacturers design a typical mini-ITX, Morex has made this invention of theirs fan-less, which also implies it is quiet. Although the manufacturers don’t embed any by default, this Mini-ITX includes mounting holes too that can accommodate four 40mm fans as well as two 60 mm fans.
The product supports two 2.5-inch SSDs, or even HDDs for that matter, which is quite an impressive storage capacity for a Mini-ITX. It is also compatible with a range of PicoPSU DU-DC power supplies. The makers have offered sufficient ventilation on top and the sides of this product to ensure the components remain cool and less susceptible to damage caused due to overheating.
To address installation concerns, the manufacturers offer VESA mounting as well as wall mounting hardware along with this mini-ITX. It is also easily one of the cheapest products you could find in your research of mini-ITX cases today since it costs well less than $50.
Pros | Cons |
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Compatible with ASUS AURA SYNC, MSI Mystic Light Sync, ASROCK AURA RGB, as well as BIOSTAR RACING Supports multiple graphics cards that exceptionally enhance its performance | Plastic cladding isn’t quite durable and in fact disrupts the cabling process |
10. Morex 557 Universal Mini-ITX Case
This product, manufactured by Morex, is easily one of the cheapest you could possibly find today. It is also one of the sleekest devices of its kind and occupies a considerably less space, and portability shouldn’t be a concern either.
Unlike how most manufacturers design a typical mini-ITX, Morex has made this invention of theirs fan-less, which also implies it is quiet. Although the manufacturers don’t embed any by default, this Mini-ITX includes mounting holes too that can accommodate four 40mm fans as well as two 60 mm fans.
The product supports two 2.5-inch SSDs, or even HDDs for that matter, which is quite an impressive storage capacity for a Mini-ITX. It is also compatible with a range of PicoPSU DU-DC power supplies. The makers have offered sufficient ventilation on top and the sides of this product to ensure the components remain cool and less susceptible to damage caused due to overheating.
To address installation concerns, the manufacturers offer VESA mounting as well as wall mounting hardware along with this mini-ITX. It is also easily one of the cheapest products you could find in your research of mini-ITX cases today since it costs well less than $50.
Pros | Cons |
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Supportive of two 2.5-inch SDDs Quite compact Compatible with PicoPSU DU-DC power supplies | Placement of the USB ports in front isn’t quite ideal since they could hinder connectivity with a PSU |
Buyers Guide
There are several factors to look for in a Mini-ITX and it is vital to create performance benchmarks to ensure the product is quite aligned to your needs. The deluge in product availability could often push one into a state of ambiguity and most manufacturers portray their inventions to be the best. However, measuring a product’s configuration against these parameters should help you decide on an ideal Mini-ITX sooner.
Design
Just like how you detest giant workstation cabinets, it is important to ensure the ITX is also quite sleek in its design. In fact, most manufacturers today are striving towards making sleeker products that occupy less space and are also energy efficient.
Ideally, Mini-ITX cases are supposed to be portable and easily fit into the TV rack or even your office table without disturbing other properties around.
Despite sleek sizes, many Mini-ITX cases accommodate an interesting array of components, such as coolers, GPUs, slots for multiple graphics cards, as well as PSUs. This is one of the most important qualities to look for in a Mini-ITX – a product that’s sleek, yet uncompromising in terms of the inclusion of performance-enhancing components.
Cooling Properties
An age-old shortcoming concerning several electronic devices is heat dissipation, which often disrupts performance. We’ve seen our adapters and workstation cabinets heat up after they’ve been used for several hours, which have even forced us to shut off these devices for a while as a result of panic. Despite the presence of coolants, many electronic goods haven’t really done a great job at cooling the interiors. This implies we need to inspect this aspect of the ITX case we are intending to buy since it speaks volumes about the longevity of the product.
Internal Components
As mentioned earlier, even sleek ITX cases house several key components despite their small size, and this ability sets the product apart from a slew of products of its kind. Accommodation of graphic cards, GPUs, an effective PSU, presence of hard drives measuring 3.5-inch and 2.5-inch respectively, are a few vital components these products should contain.
An often overlooked aspect of the design of the Mini-ITX case is the number of coolants included in its design. You need to ensure there are at least two radiators or heat sinks that can manage the dissipation if longevity is one of your primary expectations from a Mini-ITX case.
Cost
Several Mini-ITX cases are priced just above $50, whereas many others are priced above $100. This mixed bag of products at a virtual store might often push you to a state of ambiguity. The dilemma is usually an oscillation between settling for a cheaper product and compromising on the budget for a far superior Mini-ITX.
We suggest you indulge in a comparative study of the various products available, based on the aforementioned factors, to arrive at the most ideal product.
FAQs
1. Which is the Best Mini-ITX case today?
It would be quite unwise to hail a Mini-ITX in particular as the best, considering there are dozens of such products available across online portals today.
However, since we went ahead and conducted research, we would suggest one of the ITX cases in our compilation, to make your job easier. The Phanteks Evolv Shift Mini ITX Case is close to the ideal when compared to several other products on the list. The technical abilities of this product far succeed several other Mini-ITX cases of its kind and it is also quite reasonably priced. Thus, the product has struck an effective balance between price and technical capabilities – a blend you don’t see often among electronic products.
2. Is ITX the same as Mini-ITX?
Mini-ITX cases are quite smaller in size as compared to their macro counterparts, However, what both have in common is a small form factor, which is one of the primary expectations of most users.
3. Is Mini-ITX expensive?
Mini-ITX-powered personal computers are much cheaper than traditional machines since their motherboards are quite less-complex and are less expensive too. However, there are plenty of expensive ITS cases available too.
4. What are the important features to look for in a Mini-ITX case?
Starting from the design to the components included in the box, there are several parameters for users to assess while buying the Mini-ITX. For instance, the number of radiators included in the design reveals how resistant the product is to damage caused due to heat.
Similarly, the room for ventilation, as well as ability to house several graphics cards are some other features to watch out for in a Mini-ITX.
Conclusion
We hope this compilation of the Top 10 Best ITX Cases proved to be quite helpful to each of you seeking one. We’ve tried our best to reveal key details of the various products included in our list. To end your dilemma, or rather, make your job of choosing an ideal ITX case easier, we would like to suggest one that ticks many expectation checkboxes. The Phanteks Evolv Shift Mini ITX Case is quite closely aligned to the needs of most users and is the best combination of economy and quality you could possibly find today.
However, we still suggest you go ahead and indulge in a research to choose a product that’s best aligned with your expectations.
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Last update on 2023-09-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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