Portability doesn’t always have to stay limited to laptops. Yes, desktops can be made portable as well. With a couple of unique features, you can carry your case just about anywhere. That’s what we’re gonna discuss in this one. We’ll cover the best portable PC cases and what makes them special.
There are a lot of brands that make compact, portable PC cases that are easy to travel with. However, there are a few other things to consider as well. A PC case should cover all the essentials apart from just being portable.
Let’s not spice it up any further and move forward to the main dish. Read every bit. I think you’ll like it.
Contents
Portable Pc Case Comparison Table
| Pc Case Name | Case Type | Weight | W" x H" x L" | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asus ROG Strix Helios | Midi Tower | 39.6 Pounds | 22.24 x 9.84 x 23.27 | Check Price |
| Cooler Master C700M | Full Tower | 52.4 Pounds | 25.6 x 12 x 25.6 | Check Price |
| ASUS TUF GT501 | Mid Tower | 65 pounds | 214.57 x 98.82 x 217.32 | Check Price |
| COUGAR Panzer Max | Full Tower | 8.8 pounds | 21.89 x 10.4 x 24.1 | Check Price |
| Cooler Master XB EVO | Mini Tower | 1 Pounds | 17.4 x 13 x 16.7 | Check Price |
| Thermaltake Core V21 | Mini Tower | 14.3 Pounds | 16.7 x 12.6 x 13.25 | Check Price |
| SilverStone ML08B-H | Mini Tower | 9.4 Pounds | 14.96 x 3.43 x 14.57 | Check Price |
Features That Make Portable PC Cases Worth it
If you’re looking for computer cases with handles that can be carried around, you need to look into some key features. If you have all these aspects in line, your purchase will be totally worth it. Let’s look at the vital stuff that makes a portable PC case truly worthwhile.
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The Handle Build Matters
Since handles are one of the prime features that actually make a PC case portable, you really need to know more about them. You’ll also find handles in PC cases that are not so portable.
Yes, I’m talking about cases like the Cooler Master Cosmos C700P. This behemoth of a case has a set of fine handles as well. However, it’s not really the best LAN party PC case in my book.
But that’s not the point. The case handle should be properly built and be able to carry the weight of a full build. Keep note that plastic handles can be good enough as well. Some come with metallic aluminium ones. That adds to the weight of the entire case, though.
Just make sure the case handle is sturdy and well attached to the case. You wouldn’t want one to pop off while you’re carrying it now, would you?
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Compact Size Can Go a Long Way
Even if your PC case does have a handle, make sure that the case is small in size. Don’t go full tower if you have a portable PC case in mind. Well, you can, if you have the biceps for it. Size matters in the end. However, larger PC cases with handles are better than small PC cases without handles, to be honest.
However, smaller cases with well-built handles are even better. A Mini-ITX case with a handle? You just hit portability gold! But Mini-ITX cases are not everyone’s favourite cookie. Mid towers are more often preferred than other form factors.
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A Well-Built Case is a Good Case
Remember, portability is often associated with ruggedness. In this case, a flimsy one won’t do. If the PC case is sturdy enough to take some bumps and bruises, that’s the ideal one. At least for this scenario. Tempered glasses are okay, but I really wouldn’t recommend more than one side glass panel.
Suppose you’re taking your PC case for a ride, one hard bump, and you’ll risk a shattered side panel or a displaced inner component. Worse! A damaged piece of hardware. We wouldn’t want that now, would we? So, make sure the PC case can house all the components properly inside as well.
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Component Space is Essential
DON’T try to cramp up all your hardware inside your PC case forcefully. Make sure you’ve planned out all the essential hardware you’re gonna install in the case. The best LAN party PC cases are often the most optimized ones.
By optimization, I mean to say getting a particular PC case that can house all your necessary components and be portable enough to be carried around at the same time. If you’ve check-marked both these boxes, then you’re golden.
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The Air Must Flow
Don’t sacrifice airflow for the sake of compactness and portability. You want your components to live long, right? That’s exactly why you need to keep the temps in check. To do that, you have to make sure that there are ample airflow options in the case.
Some cases don’t come with adequate fans. You might want to look into some aftermarket fans like the Corsair LL Series LL120 RGB. These are great options for both cooling and aesthetics.
The Very Best Portable PC Cases Available
Trust me; if you’re gonna start the search for portable PC cases, you’ll come across a lot. Yeah, it can get confusing. That’s where I come in. I’ve handpicked a few of the best to make things easier for you. So, why wait? Let’s check them out one by one.
ASUS ROG Strix Helios GX601 White Edition
Hey, it’s Asus, and it’s the ROG series. So, it would be a crime to expect anything else but raw style. The ROG Strix Helios White Edition is the best as they come. It’s a premium grade mid-tower case that’s loaded with essential features and beyond.
The first thing you’ll notice in this case is the three tempered glass panels. This is ideal for those who want to showcase their rig. The case looks just awesome with a brushed aluminium finish. The integrated Aura Sync RGB lighting makes the whole deal even sweeter.
The case makes PC building easy with dedicated graphics card holders and a multi-function cover. Even the PSU shroud is a sight to behold. Asus went the extra mile for the cable management as well. The translucent rear cable cover is a really nice touch.
This case has it all covered. I mean literally. Holding graphics cards vertically is on-trend now, and you can have two vertical mounts on this one. As far as basic mounting goes, this case can support up to three graphics cards. I really don’t think you need any more than that. You also get a bundled bracket with it.
Speaking of expandability, the Helios can house up to EATX motherboards. So, there’s no reason to go for basic ATX ones if you have the budget for it.
Now, let’s look into the water-cooling department. Since this one is the white edition, you can consider AIOs of a similar colour. Yes, I’m talking about the ones like the NZXT Kraken X73 RGB. Plus, you can go up to 480mm radiators, which is pretty cool if you ask me.
You also have the option for custom loop water cooling. There’s ample space in the case for a pump and reservoir. There’s also a dedicated space for the ROG terminal. All I’m getting at is, there’s more than ample room inside the case itself.
The fabric handles on this one makes it an easy pick for LAN parties. The handles are sturdy and well built. So, no issues there.
If you’re concerned about the front I/O, there’s a dedicated USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-C port, four USB 3.0 ports, fan speed and lighting control buttons. To wrap it up, this case offers all you could possibly need and more!
Cooler Master Cosmos C700M
This one might be on the BIG side, but I just had to put it in our best portable PC case list. And of course, for obvious reasons. Cooler Master has always focused on making the consumer experience as rewarding as possible. And that clearly shows in the Cooler Master C700M.
This case has metallic handles that blend in with the design to offer an awesome look. It can be carried around with a bit of effort. It’s a bit on the heavy side and even more so with a full-fledged build.
The first eye-catching feature of this case is the dual-curved side panels. These not only look super sleek, but they offer a clear view of your cherished inner components. The curved edges actually offer a wider angular view.
I don’t know if you’ve noticed yet or not, but the prime selling point of this case is the awesome aesthetics. Then of course there’s the build. The aluminium panels and handles not only look good but keep the case nice and sturdy.
The case is just awesome for versatile liquid cooling options. There’s a dedicated flat radiator bracket that allows you to mount the radiator on the top, front, and bottom. Each side can support up to a 420mm radiator. How much more could you possibly need?
Note that the radiators can be mounted on either side of the brackets.
There’s also a lot of room for extra fans. Even if you’re thinking of custom loop water cooling, you should be good to go!
What’s a modern case without a bit of lighting, eh? The C700M offers two strips of parallel RGB lighting from the top to the front. You have to see it to believe it. The ambient ARGB lighting on the bottom reflects against the aluminium bars to offer a majestic look.
I’ve always been picky about the I/O panels. But this one absolutely nails it. The four pole audio/mic jack is a given. Apart from that, there’s also four additional USB 3.0 ports, PWM fan speed button, RGB button, and of course, the USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-C port.
You also get a few more unique features like the GPU riser cable for custom mounting. The extensive cable cover system also ensures great cable management and routing experience. But make sure your PSU cables are long enough for this big boy. It’s not gonna settle for short stuff in any way.
ASUS TUF Gaming GT501
We’ve covered a case from ROG. I’m glad to know that we get a worthy contender from the Asus TUF series as well. Presenting the ASUS TUF Gaming GT501. This mid-tower case is a beast of a different kind. Let’s see how it stands out in the best LAN party PC case category.
Just like the Helios, this one supports EATX motherboards. So, if you’re looking for full-fledged beastly builds, the GT501 has got your back. The entire thing is basically metal. Keeping the TUF series’ military theme in mind, you’ll get to see some TUF gaming spatter pattern.
The 4mm thick smoked side panels are really nice to look at. They give a complete view of the inner system. If you have some RGB components inside, you’ll get to see them in full glory. The hinged bottom makes it all the easier to open up the case.
It’s really nice to see that the case included three RGB Aura Sync illuminated fans along with the case. These really add to the overall aesthetic appeal. Apart from these, you also get seven optional fan mounting points. Asus made sure that this case offered ample airflow throughout the whole system.
Since this whole writeup is about portable cases, we just have to cover the carrying handles, right? The ergonomic woven-cotton made carry handles make it oh so much easier to carry this whole thing around. Keep note that it can take up to 65lbs, which is fairly enough for any mid-tower gaming case.
In the case, you’ll get seven vertical expansion slots along with dedicated vertical GPU expansion slots.
Apart from all this, I have to say that the case is very rigorously built. The chassis is made of 1.5mm thick galvanized steel, and it’s super strong. Apart from offering a completely industrial look, it’s well-crafted to resist scuffs and scratches.
As expected, the case is fully Aura-Sync compatible. So yeah, you can really outshine the competition with this one.
As for cooling, both the top and front can house 360mm radiators. As the rear is only limited to 140mm. The interior is also DIY friendly. For those who prefer custom water cooling, this case will offer a very rewarding experience. Pre-drilled water pump/reservoir mounting holes make it very convenient.
Lastly, the cable management and low hassle compartments make building a PC with this case super fun!
COUGAR Panzer Max
The next one on our list is the Cougar Panzer Max. This case is made for those who want to go beyond the ordinary and expand their horizons. The entire case is designed for pro gamers, overclockers, modders, and enthusiasts alike.
Despite being a full tower case, it isn’t that difficult to carry around. The best bit about this case is that it offers complete motherboard freedom. You get six different motherboard form factors to choose from. Apart from that, you can actually go for four double slot GPUs of 390mm of max length.
Many small form factor cases struggle with providing ample storage space. That definitely won’t be the case with this one. The Panzer max can host up to six separate storage devices. Terabytes of data can be easily stored without any problems whatsoever.
As I said before, this case is just awesome for modding. The covers are easily removable, and the orifices on all four sides make it super convenient. Transforming this case into any gaming theme is fully possible with just a bit of ingenuity.
Note that there’s a metallic military side window. Just in case you want a clear view of your system.
There are of course, dedicated handles for easy portability. Apart from that, the guys at Cougar even included a keyboard tray, headphone hook, and four USB plugs. How cool is that?
Eight fan slots and four radiator mounting possibilities definitely doesn’t sound like something measly. This case ensures ample airflow and multiple AIO mounting possibilities. You’ll have enough cooling to save your system from overheating even if you overclock your components to the max.
The dedicated fan control switch makes things even easier.
With the dimensions of 21.89 x 10.4 x 24.1 inches, the case really doesn’t fall under the small category. However, the weight is well distributed. The case weighs just about 8.8 pounds in total. Worry not; the handles are well built. So, it won’t be all that difficult to carry the case around with you.
The handles can take up to 35kg of weight. I think that’s fairly enough for an enthusiast-grade PC. Even with a big fat PSU and multiple graphics cards, it won’t be easy to surpass that weight limit.
Cooler Master HAF XB EVO
I personally find this case to be rather cute. Introducing the Cooler Master HAF XB EVO. This is probably one of the best portable cases that we’ve discussed so far. By the looks of it, it’s obvious that it isn’t the stereotypical case. Intrigued? Let’s get to know more.
Just like the previous one, this too is designed for enthusiasts and overlockers. As the name suggest it’s a high airflow case that promises extreme cooling performance.
Just so you know, the horizontal motherboard in this case is removable. What I’m getting at is, the large mesh on the top and front offer optimal airflow possibilities that keep the components super cool. By the way, two 120mm XtraFlo front fans are included straight out of the box.
Worry not about the motherboard placement, my dear friend. The case itself is spacious enough to house the tallest of heat sinks. Even the thickest of liquid coolers won’t be a problem at all. This revolutionary design really pulls everything off nicely.
Speaking of liquid coolers, you can mount a 240mm at the front. You’ll also be able to mount 4 HDDs or choose SSDs with the removable HDD trays. It’s very much possible to mount three high-end graphics cards of large sizes. 334mm height support isn’t all that bad now, is it?
With a minimalistic size of only 17.4 x 13 x 16.7inches, the case is ideal for LAN parties. There are two holdable areas in the sides that allow easy portability.
Note that the case won’t support EATX boards. The Cooler Master HAF XB EVO is specially designed for Mini-ITX, microATX, and ATX motherboards, which isn’t a bad thing. You can build a powerful PC using this case nevertheless. Be it for gaming or some serious productivity.
Thermaltake Core V21 SPCC Micro ATX
Remember when I said mini-ITX cases are just great for portability? You’re looking at the perfect example. This tiny yet simple case offers oh so much more than what you’d expect. FYI, this one can house micro-ATX boards as well.
I really should mention the motherboard sizes before we begin. When it comes to Mini-ITX, the board offers support for the maximum of 6.7” x 6.7”. Then again, if you’re opting for Micro-ATX boards, your limit will be 9.6” x 9.6”. It doesn’t sound too bad now, does it?
The case offers both vertical and horizontal orientation for the motherboard. This opens up possibilities for more customization options. The case is built on the chamber concept design. This means it’s optimized for proper cable management space, especially for small form factor builds.
The upper chamber is dedicated to cooling efficiency and performance, while the lower chamber is ideally crafted for the PSU and drive bays.
The Core V21 offers a clean aesthetic look in either orientation of the motherboard. So, if you’re up for some classy looking small sized build, look no further.
This is the first of its kind that allows expandable modular upgrades. I mean, this is a very genuine implementation from Thermaltake. This puts this case leagues ahead of the basic competition.
Apart from a large 200mm fan pre-installed in the front, the case is very well optimized for water cooling. It’s amazing to see a case this small being ready for DIY setups and custom water loops.
Then, of course, there are the basic I/O ports. Here we have, 2x USB 3.0 ports, 1x Headphone jack, and 1x Mic Front Port. Pretty basic, but it gets the job done just fine.
SilverStone Technology Mini-ITX ML08-H
Here we have yet another Mini-ITX case from SilverStone. This might be the last chip in the bag, but it’s definitely worth looking into. The ML08-H offers a modern console like look, which is loved by many. This has limited housing capacities. However, the possibilities are still good if you know how to manage.
There’s ample room for low profile coolers inside the case. This case will support a full-sized GPU as well. But keep in mind that the PSU compatibility range is SFX-L-class.
IT’s really surprising to see a computer case with a total volume of only 12 litres. You even get a carrying handle that makes it super easy to carry around. The independent expansion slots make it super easy to make efficient builds in no time.
There’s also the 2.5-inch drive slot that comes with a tool-less design. Also, you get a vertical foot stand to keep things in a different angle.
The dimensions of the case is only 16.53″ (W) x 3.43″ (H) x 14.57″ (D). Apart from the cooler height limit of 58m, I’d say this one is a pretty decent buy. Note that the case was targeted for compact simplicity. There’s really no point in comparing it with the full tower beasts that we’ve talked about earlier.
Carrying it Home
We’ve pretty much covered all the best possible options for portable PC cases by now. There are some that offer a lot of features by sacrificing the lightweight perk. Then again, there are some that have kept the balance between compactness and versatility.
The choice ultimately depends on personal perspective. I really hope you enjoyed the read. My sole purpose was to give you adequate info on the best portable PC cases and the features that make them worthwhile.
So, farewell. Until next time!
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