I found the ultimate laptop accessory for power users – and it's gloriously designed

Laptop cooling pads are functionally simple. Plug the accessory into a power source, and the device immediately begins cooling the computer down. Some offer on-device controls for adjusting the fans or RGB lighting, but they’re not complicated.

Most manufacturers have stuck to this basic design but leave it to Razer to evolve such a simple concept into much more. Recently, I had the opportunity to try out the Razer Laptop Cooling Pad and it blows similar products out of the water. It offers a level of control the others don’t even come close to delivering. 

Also: The best laptop cooling pads you can buy: Expert tested

First, let’s review the design because that’s where the magic starts. It sports a recessed pit housing a single, large fan surrounded by a foam base. I am a huge fan (pun intended) of this form factor. Placing a laptop on top creates a vacuum-like effect, ensuring effective cooling efficacy. 

What’s unique about the foam is that it can be swapped out for another in-package frame. There are three in total: Frame A is for laptops over 14 inches, but less than 17, Frame B is for 18-inch laptops and Frame C is best suited for laptops lacking bottom ventilation. These bases attach to the pad via magnets.

The device has a stiff body. It can’t be raised or lowered, but you can shift the “foot” below the foam up or down to whatever best fits your laptop. The pad possesses good ergonomics. Typing on keyboards didn’t strain my hands, although being able to adjust the height would’ve been nice.

Another aspect I enjoyed was that the RGB lights are at the bottom instead of around the body. It’s a good way to have the light show without bothering other people.

Buttons are located on the right side. There’s a power switch, one for altering the RGB pattern, and one for changing the fan speeds. However, if you install Razer’s Synapse 4 app, you can actually remap the inputs for the last two buttons. Many customization options are available, allowing you to tie specific keyboard functions or use them to control media playback.

Synapse 4 also lets you control fan speed via two operation modes. Fixed RPM lets you set a speed limit for said fan. The maximum is 3,000 RPM. I found such a speed to be overkill. 2,000 RPM was more than enough to cool down my overheating test laptop. 

The second mode is the Smart Fan Curve, which activates adaptive cooling. Razer’s app automatically adjusts speeds to best suit the computer’s temperature. This is a hands-off mode for users who don’t want to manually tweak the fan.

Also: I tested Dell’s $3,000 gaming laptop, and it spoiled me with unconventional features

I did find one potential issue with the model: it demands a lot from the user. The power adapter only runs the fan, while the pre-installed USB-A cable you see in the images above is for the RGB lights. So, getting the most out of the cooling pad requires connecting multiple power sources. You’ll be forced to relinquish a USB-A port and a wall outlet. However, additional USB-A ports supporting passthrough are found around the back.

ZDNET’s buying advice

The Razer Laptop Cooling Pad is available on the company’s website for $150. Yes, it is rather expensive, but you get a high-end accessory that works effectively. It’s one of the fancier cooling pads I’ve ever tested. If you want something similar and cheaper, check out the Aicheson K1.