5 Best Cooling Pads for MacBook Pro M1

You noticed your MacBook Pro is getting too hot, and you’re looking for a way to cool it down, without opening it up or replacing components. If your MacBook Pro’s fans are loud, it’s likely overheating and the hardware is being throttled. A cooling pad can lower the temperatures of your MacBook Pro to a reasonable level. But what is the best cooling pad for a MacBook Pro? Let’s take a look at some options. Warning: If your MacBook is getting painfully hot, a hardware issue is likely the problem. I would recommend taking the MacBook in for servicing or cleaning to resolve the issue. A cooling pad can help but it won’t fix extreme heat issues.

Best Cooling Pad for MacBook Pro:

1 – HAVIT HV-F2056 15.6″ – 17″ USB Cooling Pad

The HAVIT HV-F2056 has a metal mesh surface and three large fans with a max RPM of 1,100. I like this cooling pad because the height can be slightly adjusted for even better airflow. On top of that, it has two extra USB ports on the back, next to the power switch. So if you have limited USB ports on your MacBook, now you have an extra one. Another interesting feature of the cooling pad is the LED lights, which can come in either red or blue. If you have other LED or RGB devices, the extra LED lights will fit right in. Overall, a decent cooling pad that also acts as a MacBook stand.

2 – Kootek Laptop Cooling Pad 12″-17″

Here’s another metal-mesh MacBook cooling pad that can also work as a laptop stand because it has six height levels. The most notable feature of this cooling pad is it has five fans in total, one large fan in the middle, with two fans on either side of the pad. The fans also have LED lights and you can disable them by holding down the brightness button. If you don’t want all the fans on at the same time, you can control the fans with buttons on the rear panel. There are also two USB ports next to the fan controls. Besides the fans, the next best feature of this cooling pad is the height adjustment. In total, there are six height levels, so you can find the right angle that works for you. And safety panels on the front that securely hold the laptop in place.

3 – Targus Portable Cooling Pad for Mac

Looking for something without all the bells and whistles? Not everyone wants flashy LED lights in their workspace. The Targus portable lightweight laptop cooling pad doesn’t have any LED lights or any other special features. It’s perfect for people who like minimalist styles. However it does have two fans, and a wedge-like shape with a slight tilt, designed to improve airflow. The material for the laptop side is a mesh designed with small grooves to secure the laptop. The other side of the cooling pad has a soft neoprene material. If you use your MacBook on your lap, one of these cooling pads should help reduce the temperature. While you might not notice it at first, the cool pad has a 4 x USB hub tucked into the side panel, almost under the pad.

4 – TECKNET Laptop Cooling Pad

This Tecknet cooling pad is suitable for 12 – 16″ MacBooks. It has a wedge-like design with a metal mesh, similar to the previous cooling pad on the list. It also has two powerful and quiet fans, with either blue or red LED lights. There are also two extra USB ports and a power switch on the back of the pad. What’s good about this cooling pad is that it’s a budget-friendly option, and good enough for most MacBooks. There are only a couple of rubber patches on the corners to secure the laptop. It’s not as stable as other cooling pads, so I recommend using this on a desk and not your lap. Overall though, it’s a good option for people who need a basic cooling pad for their MacBook.

5 – LIANGSTAR Gaming Cooling Pad with 6 Fans

If you’re looking for a cooling pad with the best possible airflow, this cooling pad by Liangstar is worth checking out. It has a total of six fans, covering every inch of the pad. This product was mainly designed for gamers, so it has some flashy designs and colours. Nevertheless, the fans provide plenty of air to keep a MacBook or any other device cool when under heavy usage. The cool pad is made mostly from plastic, with a couple of interesting features. There are two pegs that you pull out which block the laptop from sliding down. There’s also a deep groove along the front of the pad which can hold a phone upright. It also has legs that add a bit of an angle to the cooling pad. I wasn’t a big fan of the flashy “Gamer” designs, but the pad is quite sturdy and the airflow is great. Finally, there are two additional USB ports on the back of the panel.

Buyer Guide:

How Many Fans Does a MacBook Cooling Pad Need?

A MacBook cooling pad should have at least two fans. However, the most important factor is not the number of fans but the location of the fans. Ideally, the fans should be near the ventilation ports of your MacBook or laptop for the best heat dissipation. I wouldn’t buy a cooling pad that has more than five fans.

MacBook Cooling Pad Size:

You want to buy a cooling pad that matches the size of your MacBook. If you have a 13″ MacBook, buy a cooling pad that matches that size. If the cooling pad is too large, the MacBook might slide around, and you could risk dropping it. Make sure the MacBook can find securely in the pad.

MacBook Has No Available USB Ports:

Some MacBooks only have one or two available USB-A ports. If your MacBook does not have any available USB-A ports for the cooling pad, consider buying a USB-C Hub that adds additional ports. A USB-C Hub which adds an HDMI port, as well as extra USB-A ports to your MacBook, can come in handy later on down the line.

Any Practical Tips to Reduce MacBook Temperature?

1. Clean the vents with compressed air
2. Don’t block the vents
3. Use the MacBook on a desk or flat surface
4. Disable Intel turbo boost
5. Use Mac Fan Control to adjust the fan curve
6. Restart the device
7. Check activity monitor for any services using too many resources
8. Re-install Mac OS
9. Disconnect MacBook from external displays

Once again, if the MacBook is very hot, I recommend bringing it in to an Apple service centre for repairs. Most MacBooks only get hot when under heavy loads, such as when editing videos. The best way to reduce the temperature on a MacBook Pro is to clean the air vents.

Can Cooling Pads Work with Every MacBook?

Yes. Cooling pads will work with every MacBook and laptop. The majority of cooling pads use USB only as a power source, so any device that has a USB port will power the fans. You don’t need to install any drivers or software, everything is plug and play. In fact, you can use a USB wall outlet to power the cooling pad too.

Bottom Line:

To wrap it up, almost any cooling pad will work for a MacBook and reduce the temperatures by a few degrees. It’s best to choose one that suits your personal use. For example, if you often use your MacBook Pro on your lap, you might want a lightweight cooling pad that can cool your lap too.