The 10 Cheapest PC Cases Worth Buying in 2024
This feature has been updated to cover cases new (and upcoming) for mid-2024. Our main picks are the same this time around, but we’ve added a couple of alternatives where relevant.
Though we love to recommend cases in all shapes, sizes, and price-ranges, we know that some readers are on very tight budgets.
That’s why today’s feature will take you through the Cheapest PC cases for gaming, work, and more.
We’ve specifically chosen very cheap PC cases that are still worth purchasing, and some options are on the list may cost a tiny bit more for having great extras for a budget build (e.g. fans included) so read each one before you judge on price alone!
- Overall Best Cheap PC Case: Cooler Master N200
- Cheapest PC Case for Silent Build: Fractal Design Core 1100
- Cheapest PC Case for Airflow: Zalman S2
- Cheapest PC case with RGB Fans: MUSETEX 903-N4
Best of the Rest: Quick-Fire Picks
- Cheapest PC Case (Under $30): HEC HX210
- Cheapest ATX Case with Fan: Zalman T4
- Cheapest Tempered Glass PC Case: DEEPCOOL MATREXX 30
- Cheapest Gaming ITX Case: Thermaltake Core V1
- Cheapest Non-Gaming PC Case: Goodisory 05
- Cheapest Micro ATX Case Alternative: Rosewill SRM-01B
Source: Cooler Master
Overall Best Cheap PC Case: Cooler Master N200
Now yes, there are some cheaper towers around (we go over them further below).
But if you’re looking for the best value cheap PC case, and especially the cheapest PC case for gaming we would recommend, the N200 is your best choice.
Why? Well, you’re not just getting a very cheap Micro ATX Case, but also:
- Decent build quality for the price from one of the best PC case brands, with extra ventilation and mesh panels to maximize airflow.
- 2 x 120mm included fans (fantastic for the price) which combined with the airflow design, will be enough to get a build up and running
- Perfect space for a budget gaming PC case with 4 x expansion slots and GPU lengths up to 355mm (more than enough)
- Great storage space with up to 3 x 2.5″ & 4 x 3.5″ drive bays (more than enough for budget builds)
- 5.25″ optical drive bay space if you require a DVD/CD drive.
This really is an excellent package. We really appreciate the inclusion of the 2 fans at this price-point (pretty unheard of, especially from a large manufacturer). Assuming you’re looking at purchasing a graphics card in the low to mid-range price point; then all of the included cooling will likely suffice, but you have options to expand with up to 2 further 120mm fans in the future if needed.
If you’re a non-gamer looking for something without a GPU, then this will handle your needs without spending any more money on additional fans.
There are other features in this case that we’re shocked to see at this price point: decent cable management, USB 3.0 port on the front I/O panel, and an all-around decent layout to work in as you’re building.
There’s a reason we’ve featured the N200 multiple times before. When we think of the cheapest PC case worth buying, there really is no greater contender.
2024 update: For 4 years running, the N200 remains my top pick for the cheapest PC case worth buying. No other chassis has managed to retain the balance between quality and price displayed here for ultra-cheap builds.
Source: Fractal Design
Cheapest PC Case for Quiet Build: Fractal Design Core 1100
Another surprisingly cheap PC case from one of the best manufacturers in the chassis space (and the best for silent builds), the Core 1100 is the cheapest Fractal Design case around, but still retains some of the company’s signature features.
The build-quality is simple as you’d expect for the price, but the front of the case has a nice aluminum-brush finish to give this case a deceptively slick aesthetic.
The 1100 has been designed to provide a reduction in noise through its build, with a vibration dampening setup on the 3.5″ drive bays (a common noisy part) and the included high-quality Fractal 120mm fan.
You’re of course not going to get the same silent PC as you would with the mid/premium-tier choices, but at this price range? You can’t expect much more (if you’re really dedicated to a silent PC, there are some excellent choices if you can consider a larger budget).
This is one of the cheapest mini-tower cases around (which is the most common form factor for budget builds), with room inside for:
- 4 x expansion slots
- GPU length clearance up to 350mm (enough for any budget card)
- 2 x 3.5″ HDD or 3x 2.5″ HDD/SSD or 1x 2.5″ HDD/SSD or 1x 3.5″ HDD bays
- 2 x 5.25″ optical drive bays
- Room for additional 1 x 120mm & 1 x 92mm fans
As you can see, the specs aren’t quite up to speed for gaming with the N200. We’d definitely recommend our top pick over this for that purpose.
But if you’re looking for the cheapest HTPC case or something for office work? This would be a decent quiet runner.
Source: Zalman
Cheapest PC Case for Airflow: Zalman S2
Now, as capable as the N200 is for a cheap gaming PC case, if you’re looking to purchase a premium GPU, or you simply like to have a windowed PC case, the Zalman S2 will likely be your better choice.
The first ATX case on the list, this is one of the cheapest mid towers available. What makes that more impressive is that the S2 comes with 3 pre-installed fans. Simply unheard of for an ATX case at this price.
The GPU clearance length is actually a tad less at 330mm; but this will still be more than enough for nearly every card (just check length before purchasing). The reason we like this case for airflow (other than its incredibly valuable 3 fan inclusion) is its:
- Decent ventilation setup, with mesh and other vents surrounding most sides of the case
- ATX form factor, meaning there’s a little more room to breathe within the case (you can still set up an mATX motherboard within it if you wish)
- Room to install an additional 5 x 120mm fans in the future (not necessary for a budget build, but nice to have the option for overclocking/dual-GPU setups at a later date)
The build quality is perfectly serviceable for the price range, with the option to pay a tiny bit more for a tempered glass side (but an acrylic window is fine if you’re on a tight budget).
This cheap ATX case also has room for:
- 7 x expansion slots
- 2 x 2.5″ & 2 x 2.5″/3.5″ drive bays (perfectly decent for a budget setup)
- Front I/O panel that includes a USB 3.0 port
What else is there to say, if you want an incredible deal on a larger chassis for a gaming build, the S2 is the cheapest ATX case with the level of airflow it offers.
Source: MUSETEX
Cheapest PC case with RGB Fans: MUSETEX 903-N4
Our next option is for those after something a little flashier.
Of course, with the introduction of RGB fans, comes a slightly higher price-tag, but the 903-N4 is still a very cheap deal for what you are getting. On top of the 4 included RGB fans (with front I/O light controller), you’re also getting a case with a decent build quality that includes 2 x tempered glass windows (many non-RGB cases at this price don’t even include one!)
This is certainly the best looking PC case on the list; and what’s more, with its included fans and decent internal ventilation, you’re still getting one of the cheapest gaming PC cases with good cooling out of the box.
This ATX tower has room for:
- 7 x expansion slots
- GPU lengths up to 380mm (this will almost certainly be enough for you).
- E-ATX motherboard support (unlikely suitable for a budget build but a nice option nonetheless)
- 3 x 2.5″ & 3 x 3.5″ drive bays – more than enough for gaming, also great for a budget media PC case
- Option to add an additional 2 x 140mm fans (but not required)
As you can see, excellent specs for a cheap gaming PC case, or simply someone looking for a chassis for non-gaming that’s a little head-turning.
Yes, there is a slightly cheaper option for a case with LED fans.
But this cheaper choice only offers fans that output static colors, not RGB. The 903-N4 is, by far, the cheapest RGB PC case. The difference is that you can actually customize and change the colors of the RGB lights. In cheaper cases, they are usually a static rainbow-color, which isn’t nearly as good for creating your own style/aesthetic.
If you can’t afford the more luxurious light-focussed PC cases, the MUSETEX 903-N4 is the best cheap PC case with RGB fans without question.
Quick-Fire Picks (Best of the Rest)
While the top 4 picks are what we consider the cheapest PC cases worth buying for a majority of gaming or budget work needs, we appreciate there will be some users with more specific requirements, and perhaps some more who are looking specifically for a case as cheap as possible regardless of value inclusions like fans. The picks below are worthy for you to consider if you fall into one of these camps.
Cheapest PC Case (Under $30): HEC HX210
The cheapest PC case we can find that is suitable for a “traditional” build. There are some quality drops here compared to the above picks that we don’t think is worth the saving (with significantly less value when you consider fans), but you could certainly still build a budget setup with this.
Cheapest ATX Case with Fan: Zalman T4
If you want an ATX case, but don’t feel the need to have 3 fans like the Zalman S2 (2 is still enough for a beginner budget build), the T4 is another great value pick.
Cheapest Tempered Glass PC Case: DEEPCOOL MATREXX 30
This isn’t just the cheapest Micro ATX case with tempered glass, but the cheapest in any form factor. With a fan and decent mesh layout, this would be good for a budget build (but if you’re looking at gaming, you’ll want to add at least 1 more fan, ideally 2).
Cheapest Gaming ITX Case: Thermaltake Core V1
For those after a cheap ITX case for a gaming build, one of the best Mini ITX cases happens to be a very cheap offering, read more about it here.
Cheapest Non-Gaming PC Case: Goodisory 05
The cheapest PC case on the list (and the cheapest we could find). This could only be recommended to someone with very basic needs (e.g. a budget HTPC case) due to its tiny size (no room for GPU). If you have even remotely serious non-gaming requirements, we’d recommend the N200 or Core 1100 over this.
