Raspberry Pi 5 Cooler Comparison
Comparing 8 cooling configurations for the Raspberry Pi 5. SoC: Broadcom BCM2712.
Expert Summary
The Raspberry Pi 5 is the most power-hungry board from Raspberry Pi to date, and whilst a later revision of the System on Chip cut out a chunk of unused silicon and reduced power draw (and in turn, temperatures) a little, it still requires some kind of cooling if you're intending to push it to its max for more than a few seconds at a time.
Luckily, the Pi 5's popularity means we have a huge range of coolers, and even an official active cooler, and they all do a great job. From the bulky 52Pi ICE Towers, Entaniya's passive heatpipes, and the ever present Flirc, there'll be something to match all space and cooling requirements.
Peak Temperatures at a Glance
Temperature Comparison
Cooling Solutions
| Cooler | Type | Peak Temp↕ | vs Stock↕ | Throttling | Price↕ | Value↕ | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No CoolingBaseline | None | 87°C | - | after 28s | - | - | Details | |
52Pi ICE Tower Plus | Active Best Active | 50°C | -37.0°C | None | $16.99 | $0.46 | Details | |
Entaniya Heat Pipe for Raspberry Pi 5 | Passive Best Passive | 61°C | -26.0°C | None | $169.00 | $6.50 | Details | |
Entaniya Heat Pipe for Raspberry Pi 5 with Heatsink Plate | Passive | 61°C | -26.0°C | None | - | - | Details | |
Raspberry Pi Active Cooler | Active Best Value | 68°C | -19.0°C | None | $5.30 | $0.28 | Details | |
Akasa Pi-5 Pro | Passive | 73°C | -14.0°C | None | $31.00 | $2.21 | Details | |
Flirc Raspberry Pi 5 Case | Passive | 79°C | -8.0°C | None | $16.95 | $2.12 | Details | |
Entaniya Pi 5 Heatsink | Passive | 87°C | 0.0°C | after 1m 19s | $3.15 | - | Details |
Frequently Asked Questions
How hot does the Raspberry Pi 5 get without a cooler?
The Raspberry Pi 5 reaches 87°C under sustained CPU load without a cooler, with an idle temperature of 50°C. Thermal throttling was detected during testing.
What is the best cooler for the Raspberry Pi 5?
The 52Pi ICE Tower Plus provides the best thermal performance, reducing load temperatures by 37.0°C to a peak of 50°C at a price of $16.99.
Does the Raspberry Pi 5 need a cooler?
Yes. The Raspberry Pi 5 experiences thermal throttling under sustained load without adequate cooling, which reduces CPU performance. An aftermarket cooler is recommended for sustained workloads.