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Kraken Elite 280 (2023)

280mm AIO Liquid Cooler with LCD Display

3.9
Rated 3.9 out of 5 stars
3.9 Stars (106 Reviews)
Sale price$212.49 Regular price$249.99
$37.50 Off
Color:Black
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Overview

Get high-performance cooling, display a favorite animated GIF or static image, monitor real-time PC performance metrics, see music that's currently playing, stream browser content and more with NZXT CAM software.

  • 2.36” diameter wide-angle LCD display with 640x640 resolution and 60 Hz refresh rate provides a sharp image from any viewing angle
  • Screen supports the display of custom images, animated GIFs, and CAM system info with adjustable orientation
  • Powerful Asetek pump provides optimal cooling and up to 2,800 RPM whisper-quiet operation
  • Includes F140/F120 RGB Core fans
  • Includes RGB Controller, RGB Fans, & USB Y-Cable
  • Single breakout cable simplifies installation
  • Rubber tubing is reinforced with nylon-braided sleeves to prevent leaks
  • Control custom screen content, pump speed, and zero-noise fan curves with NZXT CAM
Close-up of a computer motherboard with an NZXT liquid cooling system displaying a temperature of 32°C on a circular digital screen; black cables and RAM slots are also visible.

Wide-Angle LCD Display

2.36" diameter LCD display with a wide viewing angle, 640x640 resolution, 60 Hz refresh rate, and ultra-high brightness.

A circular NZXT liquid cooling pump with a digital display reading 32° Liquid is shown. The front displays the screen, while the back reveals a copper base with multiple screw holes.

High-Performance Pump

The powerful Asetek pump circulates coolant efficiently and quietly.

A black dual-fan computer liquid cooling system with digital display on the pump; arrows indicate cool air entering and warm air exiting through the radiator.

Powerful Cooling

Static Pressure Fans with fluid dynamic bearings provide powerful cooling with minimal noise.

A close-up view of the interior of a desktop computer case, featuring a liquid cooling system with a digital display showing 32°C, three vertical fans, and neatly managed cables.

Installation Made Easy

  • A single breakout cable from pump to motherboard streamlines installation.
  • Includes compatible mounting brackets for Intel (LGA 1700/1200/115X/1851) and AMD processors (AM4, AM5).
  • Pre-applied NZXT High-Performance Thermal Paste.
  • Extended rubber tubing with durable nylon-braided sleeves for worry-free handling.
Tech Specs
Material
Aluminum and plastic
Display Orientation
Software adjustable Default, +90, +180, and -90 Degrees
Display Panel Active Area
2.36” (60mm) diameter
Display Color
24-bit true color LCD
Display Resolution
640 x 640 px
Display Brightness
690 cd/m²
Display Panel Type
TFT-LCD (Wide Viewing Angle)
Dimensions
Diameter: 81.9mm H: 59.5mm
Material
Block: Copper; Housing: Plastic
Motor Speed
800 - 2,800 ± 300RPM
Power
12V DC, 0.3A
Dimensions
143 x 315 x 30mm
Material
Aluminum
Length
400mm
Material
Ultra-low Evaporation Rubber with Nylon Braided Sleeve
Model
F140P Static Pressure Fan
Quantity
2
Dimension
140 x 140 x 26mm
Speed
500-1,500 ± 150 RPM
Air Flow
33.22 - 99.68 CFM
Air Pressure
0.91 - 2.75mm-H2O
Noise
19.4 - 32.1dBA
Bearing
Fluid Dynamic Bearing
Power Consumption
12V DC, 0.28A, 3.36W
Connector
4-pin PWM
Life
60,000 hours / 6 Years
Intel
Intel Socket LGA 1851/1700, 1200/115X Intel Core i9 / Core i7 / Core i5 / Core i3 / Pentium / Celeron
AMD
AMD Socket AM5, AM4, sTRX4*, TR4* (*Threadripper bracket not included) AMD Ryzen 9 / Ryzen 7 / Ryzen 5 / Ryzen 3 / Threadripper
Warranty
6 Years
Model Number
RL-KN28E-B1
UPC
810074842211
EAN
5056547202211
3.9
Rated 3.9 out of 5 stars
Based on 106 reviews
72%would recommend these products
Total 5 star reviews: 64 Total 4 star reviews: 12 Total 3 star reviews: 6 Total 2 star reviews: 5 Total 1 star reviews: 19
AI Reviews Summary
Customers say this cooling system offers impressive display customization and cooling performance. Many reviews mention the quiet operation and sleek RGB lighting. Common feedback includes issues with cable thickness and management, with some noting the cords are bulkier than expected. While most praise the easy setup and temperature control, some report missing parts or software compatibility challenges. The customizable screen is a standout feature that users particularly enjoy.
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106 reviews
  • T
    tyer
    Reviewing
    Kraken Elite 360
    I do not recommend this product
    Product Standouts Ease of use
    Rated 2 out of 5 stars
    2 weeks ago
    its an ok aio for looks

    i went from a lian li ga 2 lite and it preformed better around 8c but then ive seen it get to 60 degrees and the liquid get up to 38c idling and i dont like that after like 30 percent fan speed they dont really go any faster

    Product QualityRated 3.0 on a scale of 1 to 5
    Value for MoneyRated 2.0 on a scale of 1 to 5
  • TH
    tyler h.
    Verified Buyer
    Reviewing
    Kraken Elite 360
    Rated 3 out of 5 stars
    3 weeks ago
    its ok

    its looks cool lbut my 80 dollar lian li aio ran aio ran like 8c cooler

    Product QualityRated 3.0 on a scale of 1 to 5
    Value for MoneyRated 2.0 on a scale of 1 to 5
  • P
    Paul
    Verified Reviewer
    Reviewing
    Kraken Elite 360
    I do not recommend this product
    Rated 1 out of 5 stars
    3 weeks ago
    NZXT destroyed my PC's cooling and offered no solution

    I am writing this because NZXT’s support has left me with an unusable workstation. I originally owned a Kraken Z73 that worked perfectly with my sTRX4 (Threadripper) setup. Following a warranty claim, NZXT support instructed me to permanently destroy my functional Z73 before they would ship a replacement.

    They sent me the Kraken Elite 360, only for me to discover—and for them to later admit—that this unit is physically incompatible with the sTRX4 socket. The cold plate is too small to cover the CPU, and they do not offer a bracket for it.

    The result? I followed their instructions, destroyed my original cooler, and now I have a "replacement" that doesn't fit and a dead computer. Instead of sending a compatible unit or offering a refund, they told me to "contact AMD" for a bracket that doesn't exist for this model.

    If you are on a high-end platform, be very careful: NZXT’s RMA department does not seem to check compatibility before asking you to destroy your hardware. I am still waiting for a professional resolution.

    Product QualityRated 2.0 on a scale of 1 to 5
    Value for MoneyRated 1.0 on a scale of 1 to 5
  • C
    Chandler
    Reviewing
    Kraken Elite 360 RGB
    I do not recommend this product
    Product Standouts Performance
    Rated 1 out of 5 stars
    1 month ago
    Be better NZXT

    Everything works fine, expect, it came with a defective breakout cable preventing

    Product QualityRated 1.0 on a scale of 1 to 5
    Value for MoneyRated 2.0 on a scale of 1 to 5
    N Profile picture for NZXT
    NZXT
    3 weeks ago

    Hi Chandler,

    Thank you for your review. We’re sorry to hear that your unit arrived with a defective breakout cable.

    We were able to locate your support ticket and previously reached out regarding a replacement for the cable. However, we haven’t received a response yet. We’d still be more than happy to send a replacement—please reply to our ticket when you have a moment so we can proceed.

    We look forward to assisting you.

  • M
    Marc
    Reviewing
    Kraken Elite 360 RGB
    Rated 3 out of 5 stars
    1 month ago
    Had to return it...

    The Turbinepump is noisy no matter what. It is NOT going to the advertised 1200rpm because it has a firmware safety feature that cuts at 1600rpm (20-30% speed is the same) I don't like that new pump and switched to a "Kraken 360" with the older asetek pump - silent again.

    Product QualityRated 3.0 on a scale of 1 to 5
    Value for MoneyRated 3.0 on a scale of 1 to 5
    N Profile picture for NZXT
    NZXT
    3 weeks ago

    Hi Marc,

    Thank you for sharing your feedback, and we’re really sorry to hear about the noise issue you experienced with the Kraken Elite 360 RGB.

    We’ve sent you a support ticket regarding your concern so we can look into this further. We’d really appreciate it if you could let us know how your current unit is performing and if everything is running as expected now.

    We’re here to help and look forward to your reply.

  • D
    Drunkenstein
    Verified Reviewer
    Reviewing
    Kraken Elite 280 RGB (2023)
    I recommend this product
    Product Standouts Great Quality, Performance, Design, Value for Money, Ease of use
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    1 month ago
    Superior and Sublime!

    If you appreciate a simple design, this is the perfect choice. The pump is very quiet, even at high speed. The display isn't excessively large, but it's also small. The resolution is high, and uploading GIF background images is simple. Various display options are available, so there's something for everyone. I have the pump in white.

    Product QualityRated 5.0 on a scale of 1 to 5
    Value for MoneyRated 5.0 on a scale of 1 to 5
  • K
    Kevin
    Reviewing
    Kraken Elite 360 RGB
    I recommend this product
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    1 month ago
    5 Stars

    La mejor inversion que hice para mantener el CPU a una temperatura estable y refrescante, Super silencioso y la pantalla es bastante grande y super comoda de ver, El driver de NZXT CAM es super facil de utilizar, Es una maravilla para poner videos personalizados o poner lo que tu quieras. 100% Recomendado

  • S
    sxlkxyy
    Reviewing
    Kraken Elite 360 RGB
    I do not recommend this product
    Rated 2 out of 5 stars
    1 month ago
    Worked great... for 4 months

    Everything worked good for 4 months until pump randomly died. Now its unusable and makes my cpu hit 100 degrees celsius within seconds of turning pc on

    Product QualityRated 3.0 on a scale of 1 to 5
    Value for MoneyRated 2.0 on a scale of 1 to 5
  • M
    Madelyn
    Reviewing
    Kraken Elite 360 RGB
    I recommend this product
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    1 month ago
    5 Stars

    Beautiful, my pc is finally working correctly! Im so excited to play and ise my pc once more!

  • J
    Juan
    Reviewing
    Kraken Elite 360 RGB
    I do not recommend this product
    Rated 2 out of 5 stars
    1 month ago
    Worked great for 3 months...

    Everything worked great for 3 months and now it suddenly stopped working. cpu hits 110 celsius within minute of turning on. pc wont boot from cpu overheating, pump is broken

    Product QualityRated 2.0 on a scale of 1 to 5
    Value for MoneyRated 1.0 on a scale of 1 to 5