The 8 Best Clear PC Cases of 2023
For those looking to show off their beautiful internal builds
We updated this feature in June 2023. After reviewing the latest options, our top picks remain the same this time, but we’ve included a couple of decent alternatives where relevant.
Let’s look at a hypothetical:
You’ve dedicated loads of time and money into putting together your perfect build.
The hardware looks amazing and you plan to set it up as neatly as possible.
…but then most of the cases you’re looking at only have one small window showing the internals!
Thankfully, there’s been an emergence of beautiful, clear computer cases that give as much transparency to your build as possible.
I’ve reviewed all of the significant offerings and reviewed/ranked them below for a range of sizes/budgets.
Best Clear PC Case: Thermaltake Core P5 V2
The Thermaltake Core P series is the undisputed king of transparent computer cases.
The P5 is the best “all-around” pick.
A tempered-glass ATX case, it has a single window on the top and completely open sides, with its slim base being made up of SPCC steel.
The case can be orientated horizontally, vertically, or even wall-mounted.
So you’re well-positioned to ensure the non-transparent base is against a wall/your desk with the rest fully on display.
Inside room for:
- 8 Expansion slots
- VGA lengths up to 570mm (without drive reservoir)
- 1 x accessible 2.5″/3.5 & 3 x hidden 2.5″/3.5″ drive bays
You’ll have plenty of space for a meaty GPU and good storage options for a gaming PC.
I really appreciate how most of the drives can be hidden in a case designed to be so exposed.
Some builders choose to keep the top glass panel off. Source: chief3630
The other impressive allotment is cooling. Despite not having a lot of fixtures, the case still manages to have room for either
- 4 x 120mm fans
- 1 x 480mm radiator
This may not seem like much for an ATX case.
But remember, this clear tower has excellent ventilation with airflow from 4 of its sides. Meaning you don’t need as much internal cooling (a nice value-add).
With some basic air/water cooling setup you have a chassis perfectly capable of decent overclocking. I was really pleased with the thermals I observed in a test build.
Don’t be intimidated by the lack of fixtures and mounts that you’d see in a traditional case. The P5 is actually quite beginner-friendly for building.
When taking off the glass panel during assembly, you have a lot of space to place around with and are not “reaching inside” plastic/metal casing like you are with other chassis.
Is there anything I don’t like about the P5? Honestly; not really.
It is pretty expensive considering its very bare-bones material. But what you do get is high quality and I have seen so many great looking builds inside that it feels worth the premium.
If you’re comfortable paying a bit of a premium for an amazing aesthetic, I can’t recommend the P5 (and the other P-series options) enough. I’ve not seen another fully visible case that better balances excellent build quality, style, and space.
2023 update: The P series is still the best choice for clear case builders. I think the P5 is still one of the better mid-range options, but you might want to consider the P3 if you have less of a budget or if the P5 is out of stock.
Best Clear Case Runner-Up: Lian Li PC-011 Dynamic
One of the most renowned PC cases on the market, and for good reasons.
Lian Li’s flagship PC-011D model seems to tick every box most users need for a gaming ATX case and also ranks at the top of the list in our overall best PC case feature.
While a little more covered than the Core P5, I still think it warrants a good place on this list because of its full-length tempered glass panels on the side and front. It’s a lot more visible than a majority of options.
And with the rest of the exterior made between high-quality SECC steel and aluminum, even the non-clear sides look and feel excellent.
The case has great room for a mid-tower, with:
- 8 expansion slots
- VGA cards up to 420mm in length
- 2 x 3.5″ & 4 x 2.5″ drive bays
There’s a very important USP over other chassis on this list: it’s a dual-chamber case.
This means it has a second compartment fully dedicated to hiding your “uglier” parts; think PSU, hard drives & cables.
I think this is a great bonus add for those after a clear case. It gives you the freedom to fine-tune how your build looks and make sure only the parts that you want on show are visible.
I’ve seen so many builds in the PC-011 and they never disappoint. Source: jerameyj
It also maximizes the airflow to your key components that need it (i.e. GPUs and CPU).
Despite the split compartments, the PC-011 still has room for:
- Up to 9 x 120mm fans
- Up to 1 x 360mm, 1 x 280mm & 1 x 240mm radiators
I’ve seen great thermal results in the case despite how much of it is covered. Both watercooling and air cooling builds have excelled in overclocking due to its great internal layout.
The reason I don’t give this case the top spot over the P5 is because it’s significantly more covered.
But if you prefer the 2-window approach of the PC-011 to the very transparent presentation of the P5, then I truly don’t think you can find a better case on the market.
