The NZXT KRAKEN X73 RL-KRX73-01 Water Block Anti-Glare Protective Film is an accessory that covers the pump-head face of the KRAKEN X73, NZXT's 360mm all-in-one liquid cooler. This article covers where it fits, who actually benefits, and the pitfalls buyers discover after purchase.
Overview
This is a PET film applied to the top of the Kraken X73 pump head, where the infinity-mirror LED ring sits. The published specs are: PET (polyethylene terephthalate) material, anti-glare surface treatment, electrostatic adhesion with bubble-release processing, and a cleaning cloth in the box.
It is not a thick tempered-glass protector — treat it as a thin, scratch- and fingerprint-prevention layer.
It makes sense if you run a tempered-glass side panel and want the head to stay clean-looking for years. If your case is solid-panel and you rarely see the pump, this is low priority.
That is the first decision point.
| Item | Spec | What it means in practice |
|---|---|---|
| Compatible model | NZXT KRAKEN X73 (RL-KRX73-01) | Not for X53 / X63 or other brands |
| Material | PET | Thin and conformable; resin-grade hardness |
| Surface | Anti-glare | Fewer reflections, slightly less gloss |
| Adhesion | Electrostatic, bubble-release | No adhesive residue; easy to reapply |
| Included | Cleaning cloth | No squeegee listed — have a card ready |
Compatibility Guide
The compatibility note is unambiguous: this is made exclusively for the NZXT KRAKEN X73 (RL-KRX73-01). The X53 (240mm) and X63 (280mm) use different radiators, and there is no guarantee their head outline or ring diameter matches, so treat them as unsupported per the manufacturer.
Third-party pumps from Corsair, DeepCool, Lian Li and others are out of the question.
The real stumbling block is not the radiator — it is head orientation. The Kraken X73 head rotates so you can align the logo, but rotating it after the film is on means fingers catch the film edge and start a lift.
Decide the head orientation, mount the cooler, and route the tubing first; apply the film last.
Surface prep decides the result. Factory protective sheets and trace thermal-paste oil from the build often remain on the head.
Wipe with the included cloth, and if oil persists, use a cloth lightly dampened with isopropyl or anhydrous alcohol and let it dry fully. Electrostatic adhesion does not force a bond the way glue does, so leftover oil shows up as edge lift.
For context, the X73 itself needs a 360mm radiator mount (listed dimensions 121x394x27mm), so your case needs top or front 360mm clearance. The film does not affect clearance, but since the whole point is showing off the head, the radiator position can leave the head facing an awkward direction.
Worth checking first.
Product Info
Five specs are published: compatible model, material (PET), surface treatment (anti-glare), adhesion method (electrostatic with bubble-release), and included accessories (cleaning cloth). Thickness in mm, hardness ratings such as 9H, and light transmittance are not in the supplied data, so this article does not state them.
Check the listing spec sheet if those matter to you.
On price: the source listing recorded ￥24,800 as of 26 June 2026, and a marketplace entry showed $200.00 as of 2 August 2026.
Those figures are an order of magnitude off for a protective film and almost certainly reflect the Kraken X73 cooler itself. This article therefore does not treat them as the film's price.
Street prices for films move constantly — check the product page for the current price and, just as importantly, for what actually ships.
The review data tied to the same listing shows 133 total reviews at 4.4 out of 5 stars (roughly 88% positive) as of 26 June 2026.
Be aware that this rating most likely reflects the cooler, not the film, so it is not a reliable guide to how easy the film is to apply or how clear it looks.
Best Use Cases
- X73 owners with a glass side panel — the pump head draws the eye. Fine scratches catch the LED light and become obvious once lit, so prevention is sensible.
- Anyone bothered by reflections — this is exactly what the anti-glare coating addresses. If a desk lamp or window blows out the head with glare, the difference is noticeable.
- Buyers of used or display units — hides existing micro-scratches and stops further wear.
- People who want less cleaning — skin oils land on the film, not the head itself.
Skip it if you use a solid-panel case, plan to swap to an LCD head, or simply do not spend on aesthetics. It contributes nothing to cooling — buying it expecting lower temperatures is a mistake.
Alternatives Compared
There are really three options: a model-specific PET film like this one, a generic round smartwatch protector cut to size, and simply not applying anything.
Generic round films are cheap, but a diameter mismatch leaves edges that peel and trap dust. The value of a dedicated part is fit, more than material or hardness.
Meanwhile, doing nothing is a legitimate answer: wipe in one direction with a microfiber cloth and visible scratches are uncommon in normal use. If you refuse to give up any clarity, not applying anything is rational.
Because this is an anti-glare film, the finish sits matte compared with a clear glossy protector. Reflections drop; LED color goes very slightly softer.
Choose this for killing mirror glare, a glossy type for preserving factory shine.
Application Tips
Lock in head orientation and tubing routing first.
Clean with the supplied cloth; use alcohol if oil remains, then dry fully.
Work in a low-dust environment — right after cleaning the room, or near a steamy bathroom.
Land one edge first and lower the film toward the far side rather than dropping it flat.
Push bubbles from the center outward with a card; pushing inward will not clear them.
If dust gets trapped, lift the film and pick the dust off with tape.
Electrostatic adhesion tolerates reapplication.
Things to Consider
First, be suspicious of the listing itself. The source page carries a price and review count that make no sense for a film (￥24,800 at capture, $200.00 on a marketplace), which strongly suggests cooler data is mixed in.
Open the page and confirm from the images, title, and bullet points whether you are buying the film alone or the cooler. If the ASIN has variations, the selected variation determines what arrives.
Second, the finish. Anti-glare means the factory gloss is slightly reduced and the surface reads matte.
That is the spec, not a defect. If the mirror finish is precisely why you bought the X73, you may not like it.
Third, durability expectations. PET does not absorb impact the way tempered glass does.
A dropped tool or a dragged component will still mark the head. It is a scratch-and-fingerprint measure, nothing more, and as a consumable its warranty coverage beyond initial defects is limited.
Fourth, thermals. The top of the pump head is a cosmetic cover, not a heat-dissipation surface, so one thin film there is not going to move CPU temperatures measurably.
Do avoid covering vent slits or connector areas, though.
Finally, upgrade plans. Later Kraken generations moved to LCD heads with different outlines, and this film will not transfer.
If a replacement cooler is on the horizon, weigh whether the spend is worth it.
FAQ
Q. Will it fit the Kraken X53 or X63? A.
No — the manufacturer lists it as X73-only. Head outline and ring diameter are not guaranteed to match, so you risk overhang or gaps.
Q. Does it dim the LEDs? A.
It diffuses light slightly more than a glossy film. In practice the glare softens rather than the brightness dropping noticeably.
Transmittance figures are not published, so no numeric claim here.
Q. I trapped a bubble — can I redo it? A.
Yes. Electrostatic adhesion allows peeling and reapplying.
Lift dust off with tape and reapply.
Q. Does it affect cooling?
A. Effectively no. The film sits on the pump housing cover, not the copper base or radiator.
Q. Is a squeegee included?
A. Only a cleaning cloth is listed. A spare loyalty card with rounded corners works fine as a substitute.
Product Disclosure (Amazon)
- Manufacturer: NZXT
- ASIN: B08454HD35
- Note: This article covers a manufacturer-made product based on Amazon listing details.
