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The best thermal pastes to cool your PC in 2026

Find the best thermal paste for your application with our buying guide.

WRITTEN BY: ADRIEN PIRON UPDATED ON 28 NOVEMBER 2025 3 MIN READ
The best thermal pastes to cool your PC in 2026

A high-performance PC is first and foremost a well-cooled PC. Thermal paste, that small, often underestimated component, makes all the difference between a PC that remains stable and one that heats up from the very first application. In this article, discover the best thermal pastes.

Our selection of the best thermal pasta in 2026

We’ve selected the best thermal pastes for you. Since thermal paste is still affordable for everyone, our comparison is based on the best possible performance for the general public and professionals alike.

1. Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut: Top-of-the-range thermal paste for optimum performance

The Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut is a must-have reference for those seeking exceptional thermal conductivity. With a performance of 12.5 W/mK, it’s perfectly suited to high-end configurations and extreme cooling systems, meeting the needs of gamers, overclockers and professionals alike.

Its advanced formula effectively reduces component temperatures, even under intense workloads. Easy to apply and offering long-lasting thermal stability, Kryonaut guarantees optimum cooling, making it the first choice for maximizing your PC’s performance.

Highest performance
Thermal Grizzly Hydronaut: The high-end thermal paste

Highlights :

Excellent option if your main goal is to lower temperatures under load
Particularly relevant for high-end CPUs, intensive use, or cases with poor airflow
Superior 11.8 W/mk thermal conductivity
Good choice for targeted applications when you want to prioritize performance over quantity

Drawbacks :

1g tube is less convenient if you need to perform multiple installations or maintenance
Less attractive in terms of price-to-quantity ratio compared to more general-purpose pastes

2. ARCTIC MX-6: The best alternative for high performance

ARCTIC MX-6 represents a significant evolution, offering a 20% improvement over the well-known MX-4. Designed for high-end configurations and demanding systems, this thermal paste guarantees efficient temperature management, even under intensive loads.

Although ARCTIC is not officially disclosing the thermal conductivity of the MX-6, it is estimated at around 10.5 W/mK, thanks to its advances over the MX-4. Ideal for gamers and professionals, the MX-6 ensures reliable, safe and durable cooling, perfectly meeting the needs of high-performance systems.

ARCTIC MX-6: The alternative for good performance

Highlights :

The best compromise for maintaining most desktop and laptop PCs
Good balance between performance, price, and quantity
10.5 W/mk for a gaming or general-purpose CPU without aiming for the ultra-high-end
4g tube is more convenient if you are doing multiple applications or keeping stock

Drawbacks :

Slightly less performant than the most aggressive benchmarks under heavy loads
Less distinctive if you are looking solely for thermal performance

3. ARCTIC MX-4: Affordable, high-performance thermal paste

The ARCTIC MX-4 is an ideal solution for those seeking a balance between performance and cost. Affordable yet offering excellent thermal performance, it is a competitive alternative to high-end products such as Thermal Grizzly Kryonaut.

Its reliable formulation makes it a popular choice among budget-conscious hobbyists and professionals, while guaranteeing efficient thermal management for standard configurations as well as more demanding systems.

ARCTIC MX-4: The affordable and high-performance thermal paste

Highlights :

Very good thermal paste if you want to refurbish a PC without spending too much
Sufficient for office, multimedia, or gaming use with decent cooling
Attractive price for replacing old or dried-out paste
Cost-effective 4g tube if you plan on multiple applications or regular maintenance

Drawbacks :

8.5 W/mk is less ambitious than higher-end benchmarks for the hottest CPUs
Less suitable if your priority is to shave off those last few degrees under heavy load
How often should I change the thermal paste?

We recommend changing the thermal paste every year, especially if the computer is used intensively. If the processor temperature becomes abnormally high, it’s a sign that it’s time to replace it.
If your computer is close to 80°C when idle, it’s high time to replace the thermal paste.

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Are you hesitating between pad and thermal paste?

Thermal pads are often used when components heat up very little, as is the case with some NVMe SSDs. They’re also preferred for their ease of installation and reusability, unlike thermal paste, which requires replacement with each application.
For advice on choosing between a thermal pad and thermal paste.