Reverse Blade Fans are one of the latest innovations in the PC Cooling arena. As the name indicates, reverse blade fans have an inverted blade design and airflow compared to a standard PC Case fan. The image below shows the blade design of a standard fan and a reverse fan.
The direction of the airflow in a reverse blade fan is opposite to that of a standard or regular fan when installed in the same orientation. Reverse Blade fans serve a particular purpose and eliminate some problems associated with regular computer fans for some specific placement or installation. The image below shows the difference between the airflow direction of regular and reverse blade fans.
Standard Blade vs Reverse Blade Fan Airflow Direction
Right now, only a few manufacturers have reverse blade computer fans, but they are becoming popular as more people learn about them. Regarding dimensions, there are more 120mm reverse fan models in the market compared to the 140mm reverse fan models. Reverse Blade Fans are also called Reverse Fans, Reverse PC Case Fans, Reverse Computer Case Fans, or Reverse PC Fans.
Why Buy Reverse Blade Fans?
Reverse blade fans can perform better than standard fans in specific locations, positions, and scenarios. Below are the main applications and usages for reverse blade fans in PC Cases, CPU Heatsinks, and Radiators.
PC Case – Reverse blade fans should be installed inside the PC Case only, not outside. The best positions for reverse blade fans in a PC Case are at the bottom, side, and front. In a PC Case, reverse blade fans should be installed as intake fans only, i.e., blowing fresh air inside the PC Case by pulling fresh air from outside.
Radiator – Reverse blade fans should be installed in an exhaust or pull configuration on radiators, i.e., pulling hot air away from the radiator and moving it to the surroundings. If you want to install a radiator at the bottom of the PC or the front (inside the PC Case), reverse blade fans will be better than regular blade fans.
CPU Heatsink – If you want to add an extra fan to your CPU heatsink in pull configuration, a reverse blade fan will be more beneficial in terms of performance and aesthetics.
Advantages of Reverse Blade PC Fans
Below are some of the top advantages of using reverse blade fans for PC, Radiator, or CPU Heatsinks. You should note that these advantages only apply when the reverse fan is installed in the correct configuration or direction inside the PC Case or on the Radiator or CPU Heatsink.
Aesthetics & Clean Looks – Reverse fans look much better because the fan frame does not come in front of the blades, and you have a clear view of the blades and the fan center (hub). Some reverse fan blades come with fancy ARGB LED lighting and a mesmerizing infinity mirror effect (on the fan center).
Better Cable Management – Cable management with reverse blade fans is much better than with regular fans because the cable wire does not come in front of the fan blades and gets hidden with the frame. Moreover, most reverse blade fans use pin-to-pad connectors or bridge connectors to connect with each other (daisy chaining) without the need for any extra cables or wires. The power and signal are carried by the fan at the corner, which is then fed to the connected fans using the contact points.
Easier to Clean – Reverse blade fans are easier to clean as the fan frame does not obstruct the fan blades.
Better Performance – Reverse blade fans can offer better airflow performance when installed in a pull configuration on the heatsink/radiator or inside the PC Case as intake fans. Also, some reverse blade fans are thicker than 25mm (up to 30mm), resulting in more stability, lesser vibrational noise, and better airflow and static pressure.
Can be Less Noisy – When installed in a specific configuration (intake fan, etc.), reverse blade fans can generate less noise compared to similar specs standard blade fans installed with the same airflow direction, i.e., intake in this scenario.
Best 120mm Reverse Blade Fans
Below are the best 120mm reverse blade PC fans from top brands.
Lian Li UNI Fan SL-Infinity 120 Reverse Blade Fan
[Infinity Mirror Effect, Lots of ARGB Lighting, Daisy Chain Design, Very Good Performance, Start/Stop Mode, Beautiful Looks]
Lian Li UNI Fan SL-Infinity 120 Reverse Blade Fan is one of the top reverse blade fans you can buy for your computer requirements. It is a beautifully designed fan with good performance, many features, and fancy ARGB lighting and effects. The fan features an ARGB infinity mirror effect at the center (fan hub) and on the sides of the frame, creating a 3D effect that looks breathtaking. There are 40 ARGB LEDs in total that can be customized to create beautiful effects using the Lian Li L-Connect 3 software. The fan also features aluminum trims on both sides of the frame and an aluminum logo at the rear end of the fan center.
When it comes to performance, the Lian Li UNI Fan SL-Infinity 120 Reverse Blade Fan generates airflow of 63.6 CFM and air pressure of 2.02mmH2O. The maximum speed of the fan ranges from 200 – 2100 RPM, and it uses Fluid Dynamic Bearing (FDB) for a longer lifespan. The fan also features start/stop mode where the fan stops spinning completely when the CPU or GPU is running below the system’s set temperature. The fan is silent at low to moderate speeds but can be a little noisy at full speed. The maximum noise level rating for the fan stands at 32 dBA, and the anti-vibration rubber pads at the corners help to reduce vibrational noise to significant levels. The fan comes with pin-to-pad contact points and interlocking keys on the sides to connect multiple similar fans (up to four) in a daisy chain fashion. The fan can be directly connected to the motherboard using a 4-pin PWM connector (for signal and power) and 5V connector (for ARGB Lighting) or can be connected to the Lian Li Controller Hub for connecting up to 16 fans (4 fans in each group) and 2 SM-type connecting devices. The fan is best suited for use as Case fans and on AIO Radiators. It is available in two colors: black and white. The Triple Fan pack of this fan comes with an ARGB controller and offers better value.
| Lian Li UNI Fan SL-Infinity 120 Reverse Blade Fan Specifications | |
| Fan Size | 120mm |
| Thickness | 25mm |
| Bearing Type | Fluid Dynamic Bearing (FDB) |
| Fan Speed | 200 -2100 RPM |
| Airflow | 63.6 CFM |
| Air Pressure | 2.02 mmH2O |
| Noise Level | 32 dBA |
| Connector Type | 4-pin PWM |
| LED Lighting | ARGB LED Lighting |
| Usage/Application | PC Case Fan, Radiator |
Buy Lian Li UNI Fan SL-Infinity 120 Reverse Fan
Thermalright TL-C12RB-S V2 Reverse Fan
[Budget Pricing, Good Performance, Very Silent, ARGB Lighting]
It is the best budget 120mm reverse blade fan that can be used as a PC Case Fan or on a Radiator or CPU Heatsink. Thermalright is a very reputable Taiwanese company that specializes in PC Cooling products. Thermalright TL-C12RB-S V2 Reverse Fan has a maximum speed of 1500 RPM and uses S-FDB Bearing. The fan generates airflow of 58 CFM and air pressure of 1.53 mmH2O, which are pretty decent figures. It is a silent fan with a noise level of 25.6 dBA only at maximum speed. The fan has rubber pads installed at all four corners to reduce vibrations and vibrational noise. The fan features ARGB LED Lighting that can be customized using the motherboard’s RGB software (Asus Aura Syn, MSI Mystic Light, etc.). For connectivity, the fan uses a 4-pin PWM connector for power and signal and a 5V 3-pin connector for ARGB Lighting. The fan is available in two colors: black and white.
| Thermalright TL-C12RB-S V2 Reverse Fan Specifications | |
| Fan Size | 120mm |
| Thickness | 25mm |
| Bearing Type | S-FDB Bearing |
| Fan Speed | 1500 RPM |
| Airflow | 58 CFM |
| Air Pressure | 1.53 mmH2O |
| Noise Level | 25.6 dBA |
| Connector Type | 4-pin PWM |
| LED Lighting | ARGB LED Lighting |
| Usage/Application | PC Case, CPU Heatsink, Radiator |
Buy Thermalright TL-C12RB-S V2 Reverse Fan
Cooler Master SickleFlow 120 ARGB Reverse Edition
[Good Overall Performance, Silent, ARGB LED Lighting]
Cooler Master SickleFlow 120 ARGB Reverse Edition is the reverse edition of the Cooler Master’s all-time popular SickleFlow 120 ARGB fan. It is a high static pressure fan that also has good airflow. The fan speed ranges between 650 to 1800 RPM, generating airflow of 62 CFM and static air pressure of 2.5 mmH2O. The fan comes with Rifle bearing and uses a 4-pin PWM connector for signal and power. The maximum noise level rating is 27 dBA, which is on the quieter side. To reduce vibrations, the fan has rubber pads on all four corners.
The fan features ARGB LED Lighting on the fan blades and uses a 3-pin 5V connector for ARBG connection to the motherboard. The ARGB LED lighting and effects can be customized and controlled using the motherboard’s RGB software, including Asus Aura Sync, Gigabyte RGB Fusion 2.0, MSI Mystic Light Sync, and ASRock Polychrome. The fan can be used on Radiators, CPU Heatsinks, and inside the PC Case.
| Cooler Master SickleFlow 120 ARGB Reverse Edition Specifications | |
| Fan Size | 120mm |
| Thickness | 25mm |
| Bearing Type | Rifle Bearing |
| Fan Speed | 650 -1800 RPM |
| Airflow | 62 CFM |
| Air Pressure | 2.5 mmH2O |
| Noise Level | 27 dBA |
| Connector Type | 4-pin PWM |
| LED Lighting | ARGB LED |
| Usage/Application | Radiator, CPU Heatsink, PC Case |
Buy Cooler Master SickleFlow 120 ARGB Reverse Edition
Phanteks D30-120 Reverse Fan
[30mm Thick, Daisy Chain Design, High Air Pressure, Fancy ARGB Lighting, Great Looks]
Phanteks D30-120 Reverse is a high static reverse blade fan with good airflow. It is a feature-rich 120mm reverse fan and offers excellent performance. The fan is 30mm thick, which results in higher static pressure, better stability, less vibrations, lower noise, and better overall performance. The fan is best suited for radiators and PC Cases. The fan speed ranges from 250 to 2000 RPM and uses FDB (Fluid Dynamic Bearing). It generates a maximum air pressure of 2.72 mmH2O and airflow of 61.5 CFM. The fan uses a standard 4-pin PWM controller for signal and power. Rubber pads are present on all four corners at each side to reduce noise and vibrations. The maximum noise level for this fan is 31.8 dBA, which is a bit loud. However, at low to moderate speeds, the fan is pretty quiet.
Phanteks D30-120 Reverse Fan comes with connecting pads at two of its corners for connecting up to four fans in a daisy chain fashion. A bridge connector connects the neighboring fans to pass the fan signal, power, and ARGB signal. The fan has 30 RGB LEDs, and the ARGB Lighting can be controlled and customized using the motherboard’s RGB software or by Phanteks Digital Controller Hub. The RGB lighting and effects on the fan look amazing as the blades reflect the light coming from the HALOS lighting ring for a smooth lighting effect. The fan is available in two color options: black and white, and a regular blade model is also available. Overall, it is a beautiful fan with solid build quality and many features, and it delivers excellent performance.
| Phanteks D30-120 Reverse Fan Specifications | |
| Fan Size | 120mm |
| Thickness | 30mm |
| Bearing Type | FDB (Fluid Dynamic Bearing) |
| Fan Speed | 250 – 2000 RPM |
| Airflow | 61.5 CFM |
| Air Pressure | 2.72 mmH2O |
| Noise Level | 31.8 dBA |
| Connector Type | 4-pin PWM |
| LED Lighting | ARGB LED Lighting |
| Usage/Application | Radiator, PC Case |
Buy Phanteks D30-120 Reverse Fan
Montech RX 120 ARGB Reversed Fan
[Great Value, Unique Octagonal Type Design, ARGB Lighting]
It is one of the best budget reverse fans you can get for your PC Case, Radiator, or CPU Heatsink. Montech is a Taiwanese brand with quite a good reputation in the PC Industry for offering good quality products at affordable prices. Its main products include PC Cases, CPU Cooler, Cooling Fans, Power Supplies, and Gaming Peripherals. Montech RX 120 ARGB Reversed Fan is stylish with a curved frame. The fan spins at 800 – 1600 RPM and uses Rifle bearing. It generates airflow of 59 CFM and air pressure of 1.8 mmH2O, which are pretty good figures. The fan is quiet in operation and has a noise level rating of 27 dBA. Round rubber pads are present at all four corners to suppress the vibrational noise and vibrations. The fan uses a standard 4-pin PWM connector for power and signal.
There are 20 RGB LEDs present on the fan. The ARGB Lighting runs around the frame border, forming a hexagonal RGB ring that looks subtle and refreshing. The ARGB LED lighting can be customized and controlled using the motherboard’s RGB software, as the fan uses a standard 3-pin 5V ARGB connector. Overall, it is an excellent budget 120mm reverse blade fan that you can get for your PC. It is available in two colors: black and white.
| Montech RX 120 ARGB Reversed Fan Specifications | |
| Fan Size | 120mm |
| Thickness | 25mm |
| Bearing Type | Rifle Bearing |
| Fan Speed | 800 – 1600 RPM |
| Airflow | 59 CFM |
| Air Pressure | 1.8 mmH2O |
| Noise Level | 27 dBA |
| Connector Type | 4-pin PWM + 3-pin ARGB |
| LED Lighting | ARGB LED Lighting |
| Usage/Application | Radiator, CPU Heatsink, PC Case |
Buy Montech RX 120 ARGB Reversed Fan
Other 120mm Reverse Blade Fans
- Thermaltake CT120 EX Reverse ARGB Fan
- Antec 120mm Reverse Fan (No RGB or LED Lighting)
Best 140mm Reverse Blade Fans
Below are the best 140mm reverse blade fans for PC from top brands. Most are the 140mm versions of some of the above-mentioned 120mm reverse blade fans.
Lian Li UNI Fan SL-Infinity 140 Reverse Blade Fan
[Infinity Mirror Effect, Lots of ARGB Lighting, Daisy Chain Design, Very Good Performance, Start/Stop Mode, Beautiful Looks]
Lian Li UNI Fan SL-Infinity 140 Reverse Blade is the bigger version of the Lian Li UNI Fan SL-Infinity 120 Reverse Blade Fan mentioned above in this post. The 140mm version offers higher airflow and air pressure over the 120mm one and that too with being quieter. The fan features, ARGB LED Lighting, and design remain the same as in the 120mm version. Lian Li UNI Fan SL-Infinity 140 Reverse Blade Fan spins at a lower speed of 1600 RPM compared to the 2100 RPM of the 120mm one. It generates higher airflow and air pressure of 71.6 CFM and 2.95 mmH2O. It is also quieter and has a noise level rating of 28.6 dBA. Features such as daisy chain design, start/stop mode, infinity mirror effect, etc., remain the same. The fan is best suited for use on radiators and in PC Cases.
| Lian Li UNI Fan SL-Infinity 140 Reverse Blade Fan Specifications | |
| Fan Size | 140mm |
| Thickness | 25mm |
| Bearing Type | Fluid Dynamic Bearing (FDB) |
| Fan Speed | 200 – 1600 RPM |
| Airflow | 71.6 CFM |
| Air Pressure | 2.95 mmH2O |
| Noise Level | 28.6 dBA |
| Connector Type | 4-pin PWM |
| LED Lighting | ARGB LED Lighting |
| Usage/Application | Radiator, PC Case |
Buy Lian Li UNI Fan SL-Infinity 140 Reverse Fan
Phanteks D30-140 Reverse Fan
[30mm Thick, Daisy Chain Design, High Air Pressure, Fancy ARGB Lighting, Great Looks]
Phanteks D30-140 Reverse Fan is the 140mm version of the Phanteks D30-120 Reverse Fan mentioned above in this post. The 140mm model generates significantly higher airflow and air pressure with the same noise. Fan design, ARGB Lighting, connectors, and other features remain the same as in the 120mm model. Phanteks D30-140 Reverse Fan spins at 250 – 1800 RPM and uses FDB (Fluid Dynamic Bearing) for a longer lifespan. It generates airflow of 71.76 CFM and air pressure of 3.08 mmH2O, which are great figures. The noise level rating of the fan is 32.1 dBA, which is almost the same as that of the 120mm model. The fan is best suited for Radiators and PC Cases but is not a good option for CPU Heatsink because of its greater thickness (30mm).
| Phanteks D30-140 Reverse Fan Specifications | |
| Fan Size | 140mm |
| Thickness | 30mm |
| Bearing Type | FDB (Fluid Dynamic Bearing) |
| Fan Speed | 250 – 1800 RPM |
| Airflow | 71.76 CFM |
| Air Pressure | 3.08 mmH2O |
| Noise Level | 32.1 dBA |
| Connector Type | 4-pin PWM |
| LED Lighting | ARGB LED Lighting |
| Usage/Application | Radiator, PC Case |
Buy Phanteks D30-140 Reverse Fan
Montech RX 140 ARGB Reversed Fan
[Great Value, Unique Octagonal Type Design, ARGB Lighting]
Montech RX 140 ARGB Reversed Fan is the 140mm model of the Montech RX 120 ARGB Reversed Fan mentioned earlier in this post. Compared to the 120mm model, the 140mm model generates significantly higher airflow and air pressure without being louder. The fan generates airflow of 90.5 CFM and air pressure of 2.9 mmH2O, with a noise level rating of 27.9 dBA. Besides fan technical specifications related to performance, other parameters such as ARGB Lighting, design, connector type, and features remain the same. The fan can be used as an intake fan on the Radiator, CPU Heatsink, and inside the PC Case. It is an excellent budget reverse blade fan and is available in two colors: black and white color options.
| Montech RX 140 ARGB Reversed Fan Specifications | |
| Fan Size | 140mm |
| Thickness | 25mm |
| Bearing Type | Rifle Bearing |
| Fan Speed | 600 – 1600 RPM |
| Airflow | 90.5 CFM |
| Air Pressure | 2.9 mmH2O |
| Noise Level | 27.9 dBA |
| Connector Type | 4-pin PWM + 3-pin ARGB |
| LED Lighting | ARGB LED Lighting |
| Usage/Application | Radiator, CPU Heatsink, PC Case |
Buy Montech RX 140 ARGB Reversed Fan
Final Words
In the end, I would like to say that reverse blade fans are totally worth getting for specific positions and scenarios. They eliminate some of the shortcomings of a standard blade fan for particular purposes. Right now, there are limited options available for reverse blade fans. However, we can expect to see more reverse blade fan models from various other reputed brands or manufacturers (Noctua, Corsair, etc.) in the future. If you have any queries regarding reverse blade fans, please ask them in the comment section below.
(*This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission if you choose to purchase through the links I provide (at no extra cost to you). Thank you for supporting the work I put into this site!)
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