Summary

• There are great PC cases from lesser-known brands that offer features and affordability outside of well-known brands like Lian Li and NZXT.
• The Vetroo AL700 and Zalman Z1 Iceberg are budget-friendly cases with good feature sets, perfect for system builders on a budget.
• The Vetroo K3, BitFenix Prodigy M 2022, and Montech Sky Two offer unique designs and features that cater to different preferences and build needs.

When it comes to choosing a PC case, we often limit ourselves to the best cases from the most well-known brands, such as Lian Li, NZXT, Corsair, be quiet!, Fractal Design, Thermaltake, Phanteks, and HYTE. Even the best budget cases seldom include anything outside these brands. This can sometimes cause you to miss out on some really great cases from lesser-known brands.

With this list, I aim to highlight some of my favorite cases coming from brands that are often ignored. Whether you're after a fish tank case or a compact mini-ITX one, this list has something for you. These cases offer a great feature set combined with affordable pricing, making them worth your attention, if nothing else.

5 Editor's choice: Vetroo AL700

Dual-chamber cases are quite popular with system builders around the world. The fish tank design is still going strong, with Lian Li, NZXT, and others already offering time-tested options. Why, then, should you look at the Vetroo AL700? Well, it offers you the convenience and flexibility of an O11 Dynamic or H9 flow along with some tasteful RGB lighting and a pre-installed fan, all while costing less than them.

Vetroo isn't an unknown entity either — it regularly produces some of the best budget CPU coolers on the market, handily beating many pricier options in performance. So, it isn't a complete surprise that the AL700 is a high-quality offering that can tick all your boxes for esthetics, airflow, space, ease of building, and pre-installed extras. You can install a 360mm radiator on the top and front of the case, and the I/O panel includes USB 3.0 and USB-C.

4 Best value: Zalman Z1 Iceberg

If you're building a budget gaming PC, you probably want to spend as little as possible on your PC case. If you want decent looks and features without exceeding your budget, the Zalman Z1 Iceberg deserves your attention. Zalman is known for some popular budget cases like its S2 and S3, but the Z1 Iceberg features a more traditional mini-tower form factor which most users would prefer over the vertically-oriented one of the S2 and S3.

Any mATX motherboard would easily fit in this case, and you can install up to a 240mm radiator at the top, which is enough if you're using a budget liquid cooler for your CPU. Plus, you also get three pre-installed 120mm fans, so you don't need to spend extra for case fans. The design of the case is a bit aggressive, thanks to the straight edges on the front, but it doesn't go overboard with it. The tempered glass swings to open, making it convenient to access your components.

The PSU shroud hides your power supply and the inevitable cable mess you'll end up with despite perfect cable management.

3 Best design: Vetroo K3

Another Vetroo case on the list, the K3 instantly distinguishes itself from the rest due to its black-and-orange color scheme. It looks like a candy bar and a sports car at the same time. Besides the unique colors, it also sports dual tempered glass panels on the side and front, further adding to its looks. In terms of airflow, you're getting side and bottom intake, and a single ARGB fan comes pre-installed at the rear to get you started.

The Vetroo K3 is compact, but it doesn't compromise on internal space. You can still install a 360mm radiator at the top, with a 240mm radiator being the maximum for the side. The I/O panel includes USB 3.0 and USB-C ports, so you're getting decent coverage in terms of fast transfer ports. The storage expansion slots allow you to mount up to 2 HDDs and 2 SATA SSDs. Finally, you don't need to spend much on the K3, as it costs comfortably less than many other popular cases.

2 Best mini-ITX: BitFenix Prodigy M

For those in love with mini-ITX cases, the BitFenix Prodigy M 2022 is definitely worth a second look. It comes in a stunning matte design with reinforced handles and sleek curves, resembling a compact sports car. The brilliant design is available in both white and black variants, but I think the white option is far more appealing. Being a compact case, you can only mount a 280mm radiator at the top, but the case comes with 3 pre-installed ARGB fans for ample airflow.

It even has a mounting slot to install your GPU vertically, but you'll have to buy the PCIe extension cable yourself. Even if you install the GPU horizontally at the top, you don't lose out on esthetics, as your GPU fans will be visible through the top mesh. If you're not into mini-ITX motherboards, the Prodigy M 2022 supports mATX motherboards too. Lastly, you have USB 3.0 and USB-C ports on the I/O panel for seamless connectivity.

1 Best White: Montech Sky Two

If you want one of the best-looking white cases for your PC, the Montech Sky Two should be on your radar. It's a mid-tower case with a dual tempered glass design. For air intake, it features mesh panels at the front, side, and bottom of the case. Plus, it comes with 4 ARGB fans, conveniently installed as side intake, bottom intake, and rear exhaust. On top of that, they have reversed blades, so you don't sacrifice esthetics for airflow.

If you want to enhance your PC's looks even further by installing your graphics card vertically, the Sky Two makes it simple as the rear PCIe slots can be removed. The case is available in black and blue variants too. And as for radiator support, you can install a 360mm one at the top, and a 240mm one on the side.

Don't ignore your PC case

You might be tempted to focus all your budget and attention on the CPU, GPU, and other components when building your PC. However, the PC case is an essential part of any build, dictating not only your thermals and esthetics, but future upgrades too. Leaving your case as an afterthought can ruin your build, making you regret your choice as well as the money lost. Hence, give your PC case purchase the time it deserves, and choose one that'll satisfy the various needs of your build.