Best Micro-ATX Cases for 2022
We rated, reviewed, & compared 11 of the best micro-ATX cases across various budgets. We rated each mATX case listed here based on price, build-quality, and feature set.
If you want to build a small form-factor gaming computer, you have a couple of options for the size of motherboard and case you can you. One of the more budget-friendly form-factors is micro-ATX. Micro-ATX cases are a little smaller than the traditional standard ATX mid tower cases and are a little bit larger than the popular mini-ITX cases.
The nice thing about mATX cases and motherboards is that they typically cost quite a bit less than mini-ITX motherboards and cases. In a lot of instances, gamers working with a tight budget can’t afford a mini-ITX case and motherboard because of their higher price. However, there are plenty of micro-ATX cases and motherboards out there that come in at a fraction of the price.
So, in an effort to help you find the best micro-ATX case for your budget and needs, I’ve put together this buyer’s guide. In this guide, you’ll find 11 of the top mATX PC cases that you can use to building a new high-end gaming PC or a budget-friendly system with.
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Our Top Picks for the Best Micro-ATX Cases
The table below represents our top selections for the best micro-ATX cases across a range of categories. We’ve chosen what we feel is the best mATX case overall, our runner-up pick, the best cube-style micro-ATX case, the best value pick, and the best budget-friendly option.
*To read more about each of these mATX cases, click on the “Read Review »” link to skip to our write-up on that case. You can also keep scrolling down to find more micro-ATX cases based on your budget.
1. Lian Li 205M
The best micro-ATX case overall
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Can hold GPUs up to 14.8″ long
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Fits CPU coolers up to 6.2″ tall
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Holds up to 5 fans max
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Available in black or white
Our Rating: 9.1/10
Check Price on Amazon
Lian Li’s 205M micro-ATX case is the perfect option for anyone looking for a nice-looking premium chassis that won’t break the bank. The 250M is also one of the roomier mATX cases on this list with the ability to hold video cards that are up to 14.8″ in length and up to 6.2″ in height.
The case can also hold up to five different fans and can hold up to a 240mm AIO cooler on the top or front of the case. And, the 250M comes with two 120mm fans preinstalled.
While the 250M and Phanteks EVOLV mATX (listed below) are pretty close in terms of overall quality, the 250M has a little bit more room inside of it and it comes in at ~$40-$50 cheaper.
Overall, the 250M is one of the best smaller form-factor cases on the market overall, let alone one of the best micro-ATX cases. So, if you’re looking for a solid mATX case and you have a budget that can accommodate the 250M, it would at least be worth considering.
2. Phanteks EVOLV mATX
The next best mATX case
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Can hold GPUs up to 12.5″ long
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Fits CPU coolers up to 7.6″ tall
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Holds up to 6 fans max
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3 different styles/color schemes
Our Rating: 9.1/10
Check Price on Amazon
Another equally as impressive option as Lian Li’s 250M is the Phanteks EVOLV mATX. The EVOLV mATX also comes with a tempered glass side panel and a PSU shroud. However, it doesn’t have quite as much clearance for video cards as the H400i does as it can only accommodate cards that are up to 12.5″ long.
The good news, though, is that 12.5″ of clearance for graphics cards is more than enough to house even the higher-end GPUs out there. In fact, you’ll find that there are some RTX 3090s and RTX 3080s out there come in at under 12.5″ long. So, really, you aren’t limited in terms of what you can do inside of the EVOLV mATX.
One upside to the EVOLV mATX, though, (at least, in comparison to the 250M), is the fact that it can hold a larger 360mm AIO cooler or radiator. So, if you’re on the fence between the two and you’re looking to fit as big of a cooler in the system as possible, the EVOLV mATX will allow you to go with the bigger radiator.
However, if you prefer the style of the 250M over the EVOLV, then I’d say that you should go with the 250M, as the differences between the cases (feature-wise) probably aren’t so significant to where you’d be mad if you chose one over the other.
3. Thermaltake Level 20 VT
A high-end cube-style mATX case
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Can hold GPUs up to 13.8″ long
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Fits CPU coolers up to 7.3″ tall
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Holds up to 9 fans max
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Available in black or gray
Our Rating: 8.9/10
Check Price on Amazon
We chose the Thermaltake Level 20 VT as our top choice for cube-style micro-ATX cases. The Level 20 VT has received mostly positive reviews. It comes with four tempered glass panels, three of which are removable, on its front, sides, and top.
The case has a ton of room inside of it with support for graphics cards that are up to 13.8″ long and CPU coolers that are up to 7.3″ tall. Both of those represent enough clearance to allow for pretty much any graphics card or air CPU cooler currently on the market. The case also has a ton of support for liquid cooling as well with room for up to 280mm AIO coolers. You can even fit dual 240mm radiators on the top panel of the case, too.
The one downside of the Level 20 VT, though, is that it costs more than all of the other cube-style cases on this list and it doesn’t offer as much airflow as some of the other options on this list. However, with the ability to house up to a maximum of nine fans, and its extensive support for liquid cooling, you can potentially make up for its slightly lower levels of airflow by adding additional hardware to it.
But, if you want something that will provide better cooling out-of-the-box, you might want to check out the Corsair Crystal 280X, the Thermaltake Core X2, or the Thermaltake Core V21 below.
4. Thermaltake S100
The best mATX case for the money?
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Can hold GPUs up to 12.9″ long
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Fits CPU coolers up to 6.4″ tall
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Holds up to 5 fans max
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Available in black or white
Our Rating: 8.6/10
Check Price on Amazon
For our pick for the micro-ATX case that offers the best value for its price, we chose the Thermaltake S100. Why? Well, the S100 has a lot of the features that are popular among system builders right now (mainly, a tempered glass side panel and a PSU shroud) and it has an all-black sleek-looking design that is neither too plain to scare away users looking for a sexier option and too over-the-top to scare away users that are looking for a simpler design.
And, it has enough room on the inside of to meet most buidlers demands. It with the ability to house graphics cards up to 12.9″ long (which is enough clearance to accommodate most graphics cards out there) and CPU coolers up to 6.4″ tall. It can also hold radiators up to 280mm long as long as the radiator and fans on it are no thicker than 55mm. So, liquid cooling is also a possibility in this case as well.
You get all of these features for just a little under $70. So, the bottom line is that if you are looking for a nice-looking micro-ATX case that has plenty of room to house a high-end build, the S100 is worth considering.
5. Montech Flyer
The best budget micro-ATX case
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Can hold GPUs up to 12.9″ long
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Fits CPU coolers up to 6.2″ tall
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Holds up to 5 fans max
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Available in black or white
Our Rating: 8.4/10
Check Price on Amazon
The Montech Flyer is the cheapest option on this list, but that doesn’t mean it’s a bad option. It does only come with two fans preinstalled, but it gives you the option to add up to three more later down the road (for a total of five fans).
The design is pretty straightforward, but it does offer a little bit more than other sub-$50 cases. It has a see-through acryllic side panel, a full length PSU shroud, and an RGB strip offset to one side.
With the Flyer, you can fit graphics cards as long as 12.9″ and CPU coolers as tall as 6.2″ inside of this case. Both of those figures are enough to accommodate high-end video cards and CPU coolers.
Ultimately, for just under $50, the Montech Flyer is the perfect option for budget-oriented system builders who need an affordable case that won’t significantly limit their component options.
6. Fractal Design Node 804
Another cube-style micro-ATX case
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Can hold GPUs up to 12.6″ long
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Fits CPU coolers up to 6.3″ tall
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Holds up to 9 fans max
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Available in black only
Our Rating: 8.8/10
Check Price on Amazon
If you’re looking for a cube-style case, one option you have is the Fractal Design Node 804. The Node 804 has an all-black minimalistic design making it a good option for gamers or professionals who don’t want the over-the-top look that some cases come with.
The Node 804 also provides enough room and clearance for users to be able to build a high-end system inside of as well. It comes with support for up to 12.6″ long graphics cards and up to 6.3″ tall CPU coolers. You can also fit liquid cooling radiators that are up to 280mm long in this case, too, so if you want to put a high-end AIO cooler in it, or put custom liquid cooling inside of it, you should be able to do so.
For us, the main downfall of the Node 804, though, is its price. Compared to other cube-style cases on this list (like the Thermaltake Level 20 VT, the Corsair Carbide Air 240, and the Thermaltake Core X2 and Core V1), the Node 804 comes in at anywhere from ~$35-$65 more expensive. For some users (especially those who like the simpler design of the Node 804) that price difference will be worth it. However, if you’re a bit more budget conscious, you might want to check out the other cube-style micro-ATX cases listed above or below.
7. BitFenix Prodigy M
Nice-looking mATX case with handles
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Can hold GPUs up to 12.6″ long
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Fits CPU coolers up to 6.3″ tall
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Holds up to 5 fans max
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5+ different styles/colors
Our Rating: 8.6/10
Check Price on Amazon
The BitFenix Prodigy M offers the signature Bitfenix Prodigy design—just in a slightly bigger format than its smaller mini-ITX brother. The case is available in a variety of colors, like orange, green, or plain white and it comes with handles on the front and back to make it easier to move around.
For clearance, the Prodigy M can hold graphics cards up to 12.6-inches long and CPU coolers up to 6.3-inches tall. It can also hold up to five fans (comes with two preinstalled on the bottom of the case and the back of the case) and it has room to hold a 120mm or 140mm radiator.
The Prodigy M is also one of the more compact micro-ATX cases on this list, so if you want to build a mini gaming PC, this isn’t a bad case do it in.
Ultimately, if you like the Bitfenix Prodigy design, the Prodigy M comes in at a fairly decent price (considering the competition), is one of the more compact mATX options available, and it has multiple color schemes to help you find the right match for your tastes.
8. Corsair Crystal 280X
Another worthy cube micro-ATX case
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Can hold GPUs up to 11.8″ long
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Fits CPU coolers up to 5.9″ tall
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Holds up to 6 fans max
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4 different styles/color schemes
Our Rating: 8.8/10
Check Price on Amazon
Corsair’s Crystal 280X is another solid cube-style micro-ATX case. The 280X has an attractive design thanks in part to its three tempered glass panels (one on the top, one on the front, and one on the side) and all black color scheme.
It also has a decent amount of interior space as well, thanks to its dual chamber design. The case can hold graphics cards as long as 11.8-inches and CPU coolers as tall as 5.9-inches. It also has space for liquid cooling radiators up to 240mm on either the top, front, or bottom of the case.
The 280X is available in white or black and you can opt for the standard tempered glass edition, or the RGB edition (which also has tempered glass.) If you want to save a little bit of money, the Corsair Carbide Air 240 is essentially the same case, it just doesn’t have tempered glass panels.
Overall, if you like cube-style cases, the Crystal 280X probably has one of the better designs out of all of the box-style cases. The RGB version of the case is fairly expensive, but the non-RGB version comes in at a somewhat decent price.
9. Thermaltake Core X2
A very roomy micro-ATX case
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Can hold GPUs up to 18.9″ long
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Fits CPU coolers up to 9.0″ tall
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Holds up to 15 fans max
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Available in black only
Our Rating: 8.9/10
Check Price on Amazon
If you’re deadset on a cube-style micro-ATX case and you’ve decided to pass on the Node 804, the Level VT, and the Air 240, you might end up with an even better option in the Thermaltake Core X2. While the other options listed above might feature nicer-looking designs, the Core X2 offers more room on its interior and support for more fans (and larger radiators) than any of the other cube-style cases on this list.
In fact, the Core X2 can accommodate more fans and radiators, and larger graphics cards and CPU coolers than any of the cases on this list. It can hold up a whopping 15 different case fans, as well radiators up to 360mm long. You can also technically run up to six different radiators simultaneously in this case as well.
For clearances, the Core X2 can house graphics cards up to 18.9″ long and CPU coolers up to 9.0″ tall. Both of those figures are well over the actual length and height of any existing graphics cards and CPU coolers. So, you shouldn’t have any problems finding a video card or cooler that will fit inside of this case.
Overall, if you’re looking for a budget-friendly cube case that has an insane amount of room and fan/radiator support inside of it, the Core X2 might be the best option for you.
10. Thermaltake Core V21
A cheaper cube-style mATX case
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Can hold GPUs up to 13.8″ long
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Fits CPU coolers up to 7.3″ tall
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Holds up to 11 fans max
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Available in black only
Our Rating: 8.6/10
Check Price on Amazon
Another cube-style micro-ATX case that is worth mentioning is the Thermaltake Core V21 (seriously, how does Thermaltake manage so many different lines of cases?!) It’s not quite as roomy and it can’t support as many fans (or radiators) as the Core X2, but it does come in at about ~$100 cheaper and it is no slouch in graphics card/CPU cooler clearance and the maximum number of fans supported.
The Thermaltake Core V21 can house video cards up to 13.8″ long and CPU coolers up to 7.3″ tall. It can also hold up to 11 difference case fans as well as hold radiators up to 280mm long. So, needless to say, there really isn’t a limit on the kind of system you can put inside of this case.
It probably isn’t suited for a quad-GPU system with an extreme custom liquid cooling setup, but for a high-end single GPU setup with a large AIO cooler, this case will work just fine.
11. MasterBox Lite 3.1
A decent budget-friendly micro-ATX case
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Can hold GPUs up to 14.9″ long
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Fits CPU coolers up to 6.2″ tall
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Holds up to 4 fans max
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Available in black only
Our Rating: 8.4/10
Check Price on Amazon
The MasterBox Lite 3.1 gives a whole new meaning to space management. It utilizes modular elements in the design to give you more room to incorporate larger components. At 456mm x 208mm x 381mm and a little under nine pounds, it’s one of the more compact and lightweight designs available.
The Lite 3.1 can house graphics cards as large as 14.9 inches and CPU coolers as tall as 6.2 inches. Essentially, that means you can build as high-end of a single-GPU system as possible inside this budget-friendly case, as it will fit even the biggest and best GPUs and coolers on the market inside of it.
It also comes with a completely transparent side panel so that you can show off your build.
Ultimately, at this price, the value is insane considering the space you get. If you’re looking for a small form-factor case that will allow you to build a high-end system inside of, or even if you’re looking for a budget-friendly option you can grow into as you upgrade your system, this case fits the bill. You can read more about this case in our review on it, which can be found here.
Which Micro-ATX Case is Right for You?
Whether you’re looking for a stylish micro-ATX case that will make a statement, or a mATX case that can accommodate a high-end gaming PC inside of it, one of the options listed above should do the trick for you. There are micro-ATX cases above that come with RGB lights, clearance for even the longest graphics cards, and the ability to house robust liquid cooling systems. And, there are also plenty of budget-friendly options you can use to put together a solid entry-level gaming PC.
So, if you’re in the market for a new case, the 11 options above represent what we feel are the best micro-ATX cases currently available.