The SilverStone FLP02 isn't the most sensible case choice. It won't be as functional as other mid towers out there nor is it more affordable. This case is all about nostalgia and it manages to hit the mark, with lots of details to give you a throwback to the 1980s and '90s, making the FLP02 perfect for those wanting a memorable sleeper build, going back to the roots of what it meant to build your own system 30-35 years ago.
The Fractal Design North Momentum Edition is a new spin on the North chassis released in 2022. While it is essentially the same chassis, Fractal has blacked it all out and now includes three pre-installed retail grade Momentum fans. But is this enough to keep the chassis relevant in 2026?
The be quiet! Light Base 500 LX is not just a more compact dual-chamber case when compared to the 600 series, but is designed completely differently from the ground up. It focuses on functionality while bundling four retail-grade ARGB fans at a price that makes it easy to overlook some of the shortcomings.
The Thermaltake View 600 TG is their largest chassis offering with 45° beveled glass, managing to impress with a focus on a sturdy, functional core, wrapped in that unique exterior shape. Besides the unique color choices, the chassis also manages to offer several engineering highlights to make it stand out more as well.
The Fractal Design Epoch XL is the larger variant of the Epoch series. With its simpler exterior design, a splash of RGB and lower price tag than the North, it even manages to provide an updated interior with BTF support to boot, making it a solid pick for those who enjoy Fractal's clean aesthetic.
The SilverStone Lucid 05 is a bigger brother to the Lucid 04, being able to fit an ATX board vs. MicroATX, besides more potent liquid cooling. As such it is better suited for a larger target audience, while also improving on some functional aspects. While losing the small-form-factor appeal, these advantages make the Lucid 05 not just better value, but also more useful.
The XPG Valor Air Pro is a large variant of the original XPG Valor. As such it can hold bigger AIOs alongside longer GPUs and PSUs, while sporting the same metal front design. Besides coming equipped with four hub mounted ARGB fans, you also get the ability to rotate the expansion slots for vertical GPU mounting.
The ASUS Prime AP202 is the newest microATX case in the Prime family. It sports a bent glass panel and patented slot vent to separate the PSU/storage compartment from the rest of your system while still offering good cooling. With quality in mind, this case may cost more than other microATX cases but could be a great fit to those who want that sturdiness and design in a more compact size class.
The CPS PCCooler K101 Mesh clocks in at just under 12L in volume, making it a very compact, air cooling focused SFF enclosure. Offering the usual sandwich design, it manages to stick to the functional basics, but also includes three slim fans, so you can spend the rest of your budget on the best components possible.
The Thermal Grizzly der8enchtable is a revolution for open-bench testing, combining a compact, ultra-rigid metal design with genuinely innovative onboard electronics. Built for reviewers and enthusiasts who constantly swap hardware, it delivers unmatched build quality and smart integration—but at a high price.
The Einarex Pulse PM400 is a sturdy microATX case with a beautiful wooden accent and some ARGB highlights. Packed with three ARGB fans and sporting a clear glass panel, it certainly has a lot going for it if you build an air cooled system, so lets dive in and see how it holds up under the limelight.
The Cougar CFV235 is a unique looking chassis that breaks the mold of the classic mid-tower by physically separating the PSU and storage from the rest of the system. Cougar did not stop there, making sure that everything still feels functional with lots of attention to detail.
Chieftec's The Cube is the third offering of its cuboid line-up, which first saw the light of day nearly a decade ago. While the first two were aimed at gamers and professionals, The Cube mimics the design of a speaker, to fit into a living room or audiophile setups. But will a case with this kind of history still live up to the needs and requirements of the modern user?
The V2 is the first case from the brand that really feels like APNX is coming into its own in terms of design and functionality. Equipped with three glass panes and sporting four 140 mm fans and a controller, it already checks off most boxes. But the unique interior layout is the star of the show. All this at a price point that seems too good to pass up.
The Athena M4M doesn't have much in common with the rest of the series from Gamdias, but manages to come together as a very functional microATX BTF capable enclosure. It can be the basis for a powerful no-frills gaming rig, once you look past the somewhat fragile construction.
The HYTE X50 is a very unique looking chassis, but it is also surprisingly sturdy. A testament to HYTE's drive for quality, the X50 allows you to build a system that matches your style and favorite hues with one of its six colors, while also managing to deliver the functionality and build experience you would want from a higher-end chassis.
Corsair takes the established dual-chamber design and slices it further apart into a triple-chamber layout with the Air 5400 RS-R ARGB, thermally separating the CPU cooling from the rest of the system. On top of that, the Air 5400 series aims to woo enthusiasts with its dual curved glass panels and funky air shrouds.
The HAVN BF 360 Flow is just the second chassis from the brand after launching the HS 420 a year ago. HAVN clearly took the time to get things right again, as the BF 360 is not just as impressive, but now provides the mid-tower segment with a contender that is hard to beat in many fronts.
The Montech King 45 Pro is the first genuine addition to the King series sporting the same curved design that made the King 95 Pro such an attractive case. Not just offering slimmer dimensions, the King 45 Pro also takes a more streamlined approach to the material mix so that prospective buyers can benefit from a lower price.
Arctic really managed to stick the landing with the Xtender VG chassis, offering a strong contender to those looking for a larger enclosure to fit 420 mm liquid cooling into. Smartly paired with five of Arctic's own retail fans, it practically begs to be combo'd up with an Arctic AIO as well.
The Prisma S800 is not just another fish-tank style chassis in a saturated market, Einarex manages to infuse the competitively priced case with plenty of unique details to make it stand out. Bundled with four ARGB fans, a retail-grade ARGB & PWM controller, and featuring solid build quality and plenty of space for all kinds of cooling setups, it is a strong debut offering.
The Corsair FRAME 4500X RS-R ARGB is not just another FRAME chassis. It is a completely new design with a singular glass panel wrapped around the side and front of the body. Sharing a lot of tooling with the FRAME 4000D, you get all those benefits, but also some of the shortcomings.
The Luca L70 is the first entry into the high-end case market by TRYX. Priced at $250 it enters the ring to duke it out with other spacious boutique cases that also sport custom tooling and design. The Luca L70 certainly looks right at home, but let's find out if it can deliver on the functionality side of things.
The Sharkoon VK4 ARGB comes equipped with four PWM-controlled ARGB fans, interfaced with a fully-fledged PWM hub and capable ARGB controller. Being just big enough to allow for all but the largest GPUs, it could be the perfect case for your next build.
The PA401 embodies the most compact of the ASUS ProArt series cases, while still geared towards the creative professional. With heavy branding alongside wood elements the PA401 manages to integrate many pleasant and functional surprises to make life easier—both when assembling the unit as well as in daily use.
