Our pick for the best laptop cooling pad is the Targus Laptop Chill Mat Plus with 4-port Hub and it wins our coveted top placement for multiple reasons. For starters, it's large enough to securely hold up to a 17-inch laptop. In use, my laptop stayed in place firmly. This Targus pad also has an adjustable base height, so you can raise the device for better ergonomics. The height adjustment helps mitigate stress on your hands. Typing on a keyboard doesn't sound super strenuous, but when you're doing it for hours, you start to feel it. 10.5 x 1 x 14 inches |14.96 x 1.38 x 11.81 inches |15.79 x 1.22 x 10.71 inches | Yes | 5,000 RPM | 17.3 inches | 2.54 pounds | 16.93 x 2.76 x 13.03 inches | Yes | 2,800 RPM | 17 inches | 2.57 pounds | 16.33 x 1.45 x 11.81 inches | Yes | 1,200 RPM | 19 inches | 1.6 pounds | Yes | Not disclosed | 17 inches | 2.55 pounds | Yes | 2,500 | 17 inches | 2 pounds | 

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The Chill Mat comes with a pair of robust high-speed cooling fans that can lower the temperature of your laptop noticeably, turning an uncomfortably hot keyboard into something much more manageable. To work, the fans drain power from the host laptop via a USB cable. This would normally mean you sacrifice a USB port, but in fact you gain USB-A ports since the Chill Mat has four ports at the rear. The ports support USB passthrough so you can connect extra peripherals and accessories. 

Targus' mat takes the crown because of just how useful it is. If we have to give it a knock, its plastic construction feels flimsy.

Targus Laptop Chill Mat Plus Specs: Dimensions: 10.5 x 1 x 14 inches | Weight: 2 pounds | Max laptop size: 17 inches | Fan RPM: 2,500 | USB passthrough: Yes | LED lighting: No 

The Kootek Laptop Cooling Pad houses one large fan surrounded by four small ones. This five-fan array design provides better heat dissipation, according to the company.  

Even so, we found the Cooling Pad's performance was mixed. Our hefty test laptop still felt warm to the touch after hours of use.  Don't just take our word for it: Many user reviews on Amazon say the same thing. It was cool enough to keep on with our work, but the fans didn't cool the laptop as thoroughly as the more powerful Targus model.

Still, if you want an inexpensive laptop cooling pad with lights and USB ports, the Kootek Laptop Cooling Pad is a good choice -- especially if you have a thin, more mid-powered laptop. Like the Targus Chill Mat Plus, it's height adjustable for better ergonomics, or you can lay it down completely flat. Kooktek doesn't let you control the fan speed, but it does have separate on/off buttons for the fans and for the Cooling Pad's LED lights (your choice of blue or red). We liked the extra flair of the LED lights. Another bonus, at this price: Kootek includes a pair of USB-A ports for supporting additional peripherals. The ports are along the side of the pad. 

Kootek Laptop Cooling Pad Specs: Dimensions: 14.96 x 1.38 x 11.81 inches | Weight: 2.55 pounds | Max laptop size: 17 inches | Fan RPM: Not disclosed | USB passthrough: Yes | LED lighting: Yes 

The KLIM Wind laptop cooling pad has a very fitting moniker for the device since it harnesses the power of the wind. Underneath the mesh plate are four large fans located at the four corners making sure every area of the laptop stays cool. Each one rotates at a 1,200 RPM, almost half of what the fastest pads we've seen go. But the low RPM is why the KLIM Wind's fans are quiet. The cooling pad also has dials at the rear so you can control the fans' speed. Next to the dials is a button for turning off the LED lights.

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The Wind's large size can support massive laptops up to 19 inches in size. KLIM even boasts this pad can support a Sony PlayStation 5. Your computer stays in place thanks to the pad's sturdy feet and the front stoppers. 

KLIM Wind owners on Amazon praise this cooling pad for its high value and its ability to keep their laptops cool. enjoy how great the KLIM Wind is at cooling their gaming laptops. A few users expressed concern about the build quality, since the Wind is primarily made from plastic. 

KLIM Wind Specs: Dimensions: 15.79 x 1.22 x 10.71 inches | Weight: 1.6 pounds | Max laptop size: 19 inches | Fan RPM: 1,200 RPM | USB passthrough: Yes | LED lighting: Yes 

Many laptop cooling pads come equipped with LED lights to give them extra pizzazz. For the most part, though, the lights are static. KeiBN breaks that trend with its RGB Laptop Cooler, which provides a variety of customization options. 

The RGB Laptop Cooler has 10 different lighting modes, ranging from a single shade to unique patterns like breathing, which sees the lights rhythmically fade in and out. In addition to controlling the lights, this cooling pad has six fans. You can choose among three fan modes: One for all six fans blowing air full blast, one for only the bigger fans, and one for only the smaller fans. The fans have their own RGB lights you can tweak using on-device controls. 

KeiBN's RGB Laptop Cooler is large enough to hold 17-inch laptops. On the back are a pair of USB 2.0 ports to make up for the single input uses on your computer. One of my favorite features on the RGB Laptop Cooler is the built-in phone holder (sans charging). 

KeiBN RGB Laptop Cooler Specs: Dimensions: 16.33 x 1.45 x 11.81 inches | Weight: 2.57 pounds | Max laptop size: 17 inches | Fan RPM: 2,800 RPM | USB passthrough: Yes | LED lighting: Yes

The IETS GT500 V2 (Hub+RGB) has the most powerful fan on this list, with blades rotating at 5,000 RPM. Nothing on the guide comes close to this speed, which creates a wind tunnel instead of a focused airstream. 

The fan sits in the center of the cooling pad. Instead of blowing air up towards the bottom of the laptop, it spins the air around it like a washing machine. This causes what the company describes as "360-degree undifferentiated cooling," which means air cools every part of a laptop equally. 

Furthermore, the fan sits recessed in a pit surrounded by foam, an unusual design that promotes maximum cooling. The foam creates a vacuum seal with the bottom of your laptop that traps the circulating air. Together with the 360 fan, the GT500 V2 can cool even the most powerful gaming laptop. This model also has a three-port USB-A hub and RGB lights for extra bling.

The drawback to that high fan speed is this device gets really loud. The fan volume is the number one criticism seen on its Amazon reviews. IETS is well aware of this issue, and its product listing states noise can reach 65dB and "if you are sensitive to noise, please buy carefully." They're not hiding the fact the GT500 V2 sounds like a jet engine. If noise bothers you, buy something else.

IETS GT500 V2 Specs: Dimensions: 16.93 x 2.76 x 13.03 inches | Weight: 2.54 pounds | Max laptop size: 17.3 inches | Fan RPM: 5,000 RPM | USB passthrough: Yes | LED lighting: Yes