Fractal Design Pop Air vs Fractal Design Terra

Researched, not hands-on tested.How we review ›

all judged against PC cases at a similar price

The Fractal Design Pop Air scores 6.5/10 overall, ahead of the Fractal Design Terra at 5.6/10.

The Fractal Design Pop Air leads on airflow and cooling, space and compatibility and value.

They score the same on build and ease of building and noise.

Fractal Design Pop Air

6.5/10verdict: good, not the best

The Pop Air is for builders who want a mesh-fronted ATX mid-tower with room for large graphics cards and radiators. It suits people who plan to add or swap fans for better cooling. It is less suited to anyone who wants a quiet case or relies on the stock fans.

Typically about £80 in the UK when we researched itSearch Amazon UK

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Fractal Design Terra

5.6/10verdict: good, not the best

The Fractal Design Terra is for builders who want a compact, well-finished Mini-ITX system and are happy to choose their own cooling. It suits people planning a full-size graphics card in a 10.4-litre case with an SFX or SFX-L power supply. It is a poorer fit for anyone who wants a big radiator, lots of storage or a roomy, forgiving build.

Typically about £174.95 in the UK when we researched itSearch Amazon UK

Affiliate link. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Details

Scores, criterion by criterion

Criterion	Weight	Fractal Design Pop Air	Fractal Design Terra
Airflow and cooling	30%	6/10	5/10
Build and ease of building	20%	7/10	7/10
Space and compatibility	20%	8/10	6/10
Noise	15%	5/10	5/10
Value	15%	6/10	5/10
Overall		6.5/10	5.6/10

Specifications

Spec	Fractal Design Pop Air	Fractal Design Terra
Case type (mid tower, Micro-ATX, small form factor…)	Mid-tower ATX	Small form factor case, 10.4 L (343 x 153 x 218 mm)
Motherboard sizes supported (E-ATX, ATX, Micro-ATX, Mini-ITX)	ATX, Micro ATX, Mini ITX	Mini-ITX
Maximum graphics card length (mm)	405 mm	322 mm maximum (drops to 200 mm if a 120 mm radiator is installed)
Maximum CPU cooler height (mm)	170 mm	77 mm maximum with spine set for CPU clearance; 48 mm when configured for maximum GPU length
Power supply type supported (ATX or SFX) and maximum PSU length (mm)	ATX only; PSU max length 170 mm	SFX and SFX-L, maximum length 130 mm
Radiator support (e.g. 360mm top, 280mm front)	Top 120, 240 mm; front 120, 240, 280 mm; rear 120 mm	One 120 mm side radiator slot
Fans included and fan mounts	Front 2x 120/140 mm; top 2x 120/140 mm; rear 1x 120 mm; included 2x Aspect 12 (front), 1x Aspect 12 (rear)	None included; one 120 mm bottom fan mount
Drive bays (3.5 and 2.5 inch)	2x dedicated 2.5" mounts; 3x combined 3.5"/2.5" mounts; 2x 5.25" mounts	Two 2.5-inch mounts included; no 3.5-inch or 5.25-inch bays

Strengths and weaknesses

Fractal Design Pop Air

+ Honeycomb mesh front with dust filter
+ Fits 405 mm GPUs and 280 mm front radiator
+ Cable ties and pass-through holes ready to use
− Included fans criticised for weak airflow
− Only 19 mm of cable routing space
− RGB fans measured at 39 dBA at 85% power

Skip it if:

Buyers who want a quiet build without changing the stock fans
Anyone who needs a PSU longer than 170 mm
Builders who want lots of cable routing space behind the tray

Read the full Fractal Design Pop Air review ›

Fractal Design Terra

+ Premium anodised aluminium build, with a solid walnut front option
+ Room for graphics cards up to 322 mm
+ Owners describe the build as easy
− No fans or dust filters included
− Weak AIO support and tight clearance for CPU cooling
− Two 2.5-inch mounts and no 3.5-inch bays

Skip it if:

Buyers who want a 240 mm or larger radiator for liquid cooling
Anyone needing 3.5-inch drive bays or lots of internal storage
Builders who want a cooler and fans included, or a roomy, forgiving case

Read the full Fractal Design Terra review ›

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