Best Thermal Paste
Top thermal paste ranked by transparent trust scores.
8 products ranked
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Top Pick
9.4
Excellent
Noctua NT-H1
Ranked #1 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
#1
9.4
Excellent
Consensus
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Ranked #1 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- Non-conductive and safe
- Very easy to apply
- Long-term stable performance
Cons
- Not the absolute best performer
- Small 3.5g tube
Don't buy this if…
- While performance is excellent, hardcore overclockers seeking every last degree should consider liquid metal alternatives.
#2
9.2
Excellent
Consensus
Compare
Ranked #2 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- Top-tier thermal conductivity
- Non-conductive formula
- Preferred by overclockers
Cons
- Can dry out faster than competitors
- Small tube for the price
Don't buy this if…
- Kryonaut can degrade and pump out at temperatures above 80C sustained; for extreme scenarios, consider Kryonaut Extreme.
#3
9.0
Excellent
Consensus
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Ranked #3 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- 8-year longevity guarantee
- Metal-free safe formula
- Affordable 4g tube
Cons
- Slightly thicker consistency
- Not the top performer in benchmarks
Don't buy this if…
- The thicker consistency makes application slightly harder than NT-H1; spread evenly or use the X-pattern method.
#4
8.7
Excellent
Consensus
Compare
Ranked #4 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- 73 W/mK thermal conductivity
- 10-20C improvement over paste
- Best possible thermal performance
Cons
- Electrically conductive, can short circuits
- Corrodes aluminum heatsinks
Don't buy this if…
- ELECTRICALLY CONDUCTIVE: any spill on motherboard traces or components will cause permanent short circuit damage. Not for beginners.
#5
8.5
Excellent
Consensus
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Ranked #5 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- Includes applicator and wipes
- Improved over NT-H1
- Non-conductive formula
Cons
- Higher price than NT-H1
- Small 3.5g tube
Don't buy this if…
- The performance improvement over NT-H1 is typically 1-2 degrees; the upgrade is worth it mainly for the included accessories.
#6
8.3
Good
Consensus
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Ranked #6 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- Flat syringe for precise application
- Nano-diamond formula
- Good value
Cons
- Less known than Noctua or Arctic
- Can be slightly gritty
Don't buy this if…
- The nano-diamond particles can feel slightly gritty during application; this is normal and does not affect performance.
#7
8.1
Good
Consensus
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Ranked #7 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- 13.8 W/mK high conductivity
- Generous tube size for price
- Near-top-tier performance
Cons
- Less brand recognition
- Can stain IHS over time
Don't buy this if…
- The carbon particles may leave a gray stain on the CPU IHS (integrated heat spreader) that is cosmetic only and does not affect performance.
#8
7.9
Good
Consensus
Compare
Ranked #8 based on expert reviews, user sentiment, and value analysis.
Pros
- Phase change for excellent contact
- No electrical conductivity risk
- Easy pad application
Cons
- Requires initial heat cycle to activate
- Hard to reposition once heated
Don't buy this if…
- The pad must go through one full heat cycle to melt and conform; initial temperatures may be higher until the phase change occurs.
Quick Comparison
How We Rank
Composite trust score from expert reviews, user sentiment, complaint analysis, and value assessment.
Trust Score
Weighted composite of all factor scores
Expert Score
Aggregated expert review ratings
User Sentiment
Community votes and review analysis
Value Score
Price-to-performance ratio
Freshness
Recency of reviews and data
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