Axagon CLR-M2L3/6/10 triple test: Pressure for minimal prices

The prices of dedicated SSD coolers we’ve tested recently are climbing towards the prices of the cheapest CPU coolers. Considering the smaller amount of material and the simpler design, this is perhaps a bit disproportionate. That’s why Axagon came up with the CLR-M2Lx coolers at half the price of the renowned CLR-M2 model. Meanwhile, the cooling performance of the top-of-the-line CLR-M2L10 is comparable, and lower-profile variants are also available.

Conclusion

The Axagon CLR-M2L10 has the highest cooling performance, the CLR-M2L3 has the lowest. This was clear even without measurements, an aluminium heatsink with a larger surface area naturally has a higher cooling performance. But remarkably, even a “feather” like the Axagon CLR-M2L3 beats many significantly heavier motherboard coolers. This always happens at a significantly lower profile. This cooler doesn’t want to compete that much, but it’s a good indicator that it really works and will lead to improvements even in cramped cases where there is minimal space above the SSD. For such situations, the CLR-M2L3 profiles as a perfect choice and one of the few compatible options.

If the cooler has to handle continuous cooling of a very powerful SSD, it will be better to reach for a larger cooler with a higher weight (and therefore absorption capacity).
The Axagon CLR-M2L6’s cooling efficiency is already at the level of the BeQuiet! MC1, but with a significantly better price/cooling performance ratio. However, it should also be noted that this Axagon cooler (CLR-M2L6) is already a millimeter taller and thus may not be compatible wherever the BeQuiet! MC1 will fit. Compared to the Akasa Gecko Pro, the Axagon CLR-M2L6 is two millimetres lower at comparable cooling performance.

And finally the CLR-M2L10, which sort of cannibalizes the Axagon CLR-M2. Performance-wise, both coolers are very similar. Looking at the results chapter, the word “same” springs to mind, but note that due to different system cooling, the results may vary somewhat. With less intense surrounding airflow, the CLR-M2L10 will get the edge for three times larger fin spacing, and in very high airflow systems (such as servers in 1U racks), the CLR-M2 will end up with better results.

For a desktop PC, the performance difference between CLR-M2L10 and CLR-M2 will always be very small to negligible and unless you are looking for a more premium installation (CLR-M2), the CLR-M2L10 comes out better in terms of price/cooling performance ratio in this fratricidal duel. In this respect, it is one of the most attractive options and perhaps the most attractive of such still small (low-profile) coolers. However, we can’t say that for sure without testing all models. But you really won’t find many more effective passive SSD coolers under 5 EUR. Although the Axagon CLR-M2L10 is 1.6 mm taller compared to the CLR-M2, it is still low enough not to interfere with the PCI Express expansion card even when placed in the M.2 slot below it.

For the extremely attractive price-to-cooling performance ratio of all Axagon SSD coolers from the CLR-M2Lx series (i.e. CLR-M2L3, CLR-M2L6 and CLR-M2L10 models), we are giving them the “Smart buy!” editorial award.

English translation and edit by Jozef Dudáš

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