Performance: 38 out of 40
The Cooler Master’s 2023 Hyper 212 Black edition is easily the best ‘slim’ cooling solution Cooler Master has ever released. Arguably it is the best ‘slim’ 4x6mm HDT available today and does set the bar higher than we thought possible. Even compared against the ~20 percent more expensive ‘Halo’ variants the new Black does prove the old movie meme ‘Always Bet on Black’ to be true. Furthermore, it is easily the best 4x6mm “212” style cooling solution available today and outmuscles, outperforms, and outshines (in its overall aesthetics) the chinse clones. It out shines them so much that even if one could find a clone for ~33 percent less than this new edition they would still be overpriced. Color us extremely impressed.
Ease of Use: 19 out of 20
As with its direct descendent, the Halo variant and not the previous Black Edition, the 2023 Black Edition is about as easy to install as it gets. As long it fits inside your case it will “Just Work™”. No need to needless worry about RAM height, motherboard VRM height, or basically anything else. If it fits, it works. The same is now true of the installation hardware and process. It too pretty much holds your hand every step of the way and is an excellent option for first time system builders. One where they can get some experience and build their confidence without needless pain/suffering… or anything else us old-timers had to endure like a right of passage.
Build Quality & Warranty: 17 out 20
On the one hand this is arguably the best built, best thought out Hyper 212 that Cooler Master has ever released and we have zero issues on this side of the equation. Sadly, the warranty is still lackluster and Cooler Master has to put their warranty where their mouth is. They have to step up and offer a warranty that is worthy of such good, and yet inexpensive, kit. Until then the short warranty is going to continue to give the wrong impression about how good the new ‘212 really is. Which is disappointing to say the least.
Value: 18 out 20
Good cooling? Check. Good installation process? Check. Good looks? Double check. Relatively reasonable asking price (by 2023 standards). Triple check! With the sole exception of lighting the new Hyper 212 Black is a great value. One that is an extremely safe choice for many entry-level to mid-range system builds. Just the way the Hyper 212 series used to be, and once again is. So, while it may have taken Cooler Master a couple years to overcome the Chinse clone invasion and adapt to the new realities of the marketplace… they finally have done just that and we the consumer are better off for it.
Final Score: 92 out 100
The 2023 Black edition finishes what the Hyper 212 Halo series set out to do: eliminate any good argument for why buyers should go with a clone over the ‘real thing’. Thanks to its combination of excellent performance, excellent ease of installation, generally great good looks, and extremely competitive pricing the new Cooler Master Hyper 212 Black 2023 edition is a great value-oriented cooler. One that can handle a wide variety of builds and do so with very few compromises.
