Best Transmission Coolers (Review & Buying Guide) in 2023

Dec 13, 2023

Keep your car running smoothly with a transmission cooler designed to go the distance

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Your transmission allows you to shift gears and uses automatic transmission fluid (ATF) to stay cool. The lifespan of your transmission can be affected if it gets overheated. Common causes for overheating include aggressive driving or towing heavy loads. Avoid damaging your transmission with a transmission cooler, which helps to cool the ATF. Read on to learn more about the top transmission coolers on the market and tips for purchasing one.

B&M SuperCooler Automatic Transmission Cooler

Hayden Automotive Rapid-Cool Plate and Fin Transmission Cooler

Mishimoto MMTC-U Universal Transmission/Power Steering Cooler

This type of transmission cooler tends to be the most budget-friendly. Its defining characteristic is that it features an S-shaped tube that is surrounded by fins. The tubing houses the transmission's fluid, and the fins help to draw heat away from the tube, cooling the fluid. Typically, these models are made of aluminum. Tube and fin coolers are a common option and are highly recommended for older car models or if you only tow heavy loads occasionally. However, they are not recommended for overdrive transmissions and are considered the least efficient option for a transmission cooler.

Plate and fin coolers are similar in design to the tube and fin cooler except they have a higher efficiency rating. Instead of an S-shaped tube, the tubing is horizontal and is placed between two aluminum fin plates. The plate and fin model is much more efficient than the tube and fin style because it can cool a larger quantity of fluid in a shorter amount of time and requires less space as well. While it is pricier than the tube and fin cooler, it is a better option for modern cars and vehicles that frequently tow heavy loads.

This is the most efficient option of the three styles of coolers. As the name implies, this cooler is made up of a series of plates that surround the fluid tubing. The design allows for optimal airflow, which contributes to the faster cooling speeds that are associated with this model. Even though this is the most expensive option, it's your best bet if you’re using your vehicle for racing or heavy-duty towing.

Hayden Automotive is a U.S.-based aftermarket automotive accessories brand that focuses almost exclusively on designing performance cooling products for transmissions, engines, and power steering fluid, but it also manufactures clutches. The company is headquartered in Texas and has been in business for over 50 years. While it's known for its aftermarket category, it also supplies OEM parts to automakers. Hayden is one of the best-known names and trusted brands for transmission coolers.

B&M is a popular aftermarket car accessories brand that is best known for the B&M Shifter. The brand has created a name for itself within the racing community and is known for creating quality shift sticks, transmissions, transmission coolers, and additional parts to help improve the performance of your car. It's one of the top-rated aftermarket brands for transmission coolers, especially with its SuperCooler Automatic Transmission kit.

Mishimoto is a younger brand within the transmission cooler niche, but it is well-respected. With nearly 20 years of experience, the company has proven itself as an aftermarket authority for all of your car cooling needs. In particular, the brand creates products for older car models. While it does emphasize its performance racing categories, Mishimoto also creates transmission coolers and other accessories for everyday use. It is known for creating make-specific transmission coolers; however, they do have a few styles that are universal.

Because the three types of transmission coolers each offer unique features depending on your goals, usage, and the age of your car, it's important to check for compatibility before purchasing one. An older car model might not be compatible with a stacked plate cooler, and if you frequently tow heavy loads, a tube and fin model is not the right option either. Also, many brands build transmission coolers that are specific to a particular make of car. They will often specify whether a cooler is universal (fits any car) or if it only works with a specific make.

If you’re planning to install an automatic transmission cooler yourself and you aren't a mechanic or car enthusiast, you’re going to want to look for cooler models that are easy to install. Not all models are equal when it comes time for installation. Take the time to do your research before you make a purchase so that the process matches your skill level.

This refers to how quickly your transmission cooler will cool the transmission fluid. Efficiency will also depend on the amount of wear and tear you’re putting on your car and the rating given to the cooler you’re planning to buy. It's important to research this information so that you aren't buying a transmission cooler that isn't rated to meet the demands you’re putting on your car.

Since the goal of any transmission cooler is to quickly reduce the temperature of the transmission's fluid, you want to make sure that the cooler is made from efficient materials and with a design that's optimized to achieve this goal.

Best Overall

Our top pick is the B&M SuperCooler automatic transmission cooler. The stacked plate design means that you’ll get the most efficient level of cooling possible. Also, the aluminum alloy composition is designed to resist corrosion and stand the test of time. The transmission cooler is rated at 13.000 BTUs and is designed to withstand up to 200 PSI.

The easy installation process is one of the biggest draws for B&M's SuperCooler automatic transmission cooler. Plus, it delivers on its promise to significantly reduce your transmission's temperature—even in hot weather. It's also confirmed to work on a variety of makes and models of cars, including domestics and imports.

However, common issues with this particular transmission cooler kit include not receiving the necessary parts to install the cooler and occasional design flaws with the plates. Specifically, at times the plates that are shipped can arrive warped, so they won't fit properly and can cause bubbles in the transmission.

Best Value

While all of the transmission coolers we’ve featured in this guide are relatively affordable, the Hayden Automotive Rapid-Cool Plate and Fin transmission cooler is by far the most budget-friendly and highly-rated option that we found. The plate and fin design mean you’ll have efficient cooling capacity, and it's a good option for people towing heavy loads. In particular, it's rated for use with motor homes, travel trailers, and fifth wheel homes. It's designed to accommodate a GVWR of up to 30,000 with a 10,000-pound towing capacity.

The Hayden entry is a popular option because it's easy to install and comes with a kit that features all the necessary parts. It's especially ideal for keeping your transmission cool during extreme heat. Also note that this transmission cooler can work with select older car models as well—just do your research before purchasing to confirm that it will fit your car.

A common issue with this Hayden transmission cooler model is missing parts in the installation kit. In addition, there have been cases of faulty hoses, which can compromise the integrity of your transmission and cooling system.

Honorable Mention

The Mishimoto MMTC-U Universal Transmission/Power Steering Cooler is one of the most popular options on the market, and this universal-fit model is worthy of an honorable mention. While it is a tube and fin model, its universal nature means that it can work on virtually any car regardless of age, make, or model. The kit comes complete with everything you need to properly install the cooler in your car. And, there's the added benefit that you can use this cooler to cool any fluid in your car, including engine and power steering fluid.

The biggest benefits offered by the Mishimoto universal transmission cooler is the fact that it's versatile and easy to install. Because the kit comes with all the necessary pieces, it doesn't take long to upgrade your car's performance. Once you install this cooler, you’ll instantly see a difference in the performance of your car, especially during long-distance driving.

However, some late-model car owners may find that they need to purchase additional parts such as hoses and joints to get this universal transmission cooler to properly fit their car. Nissan and import car owners, in particular, should be aware of this issue. Also, you need to be mindful of spacing as this cooler might not be a good option if space is limited under your hood.

Honorable Mention

Here's another quality product from Hayden. This Hayden transmission cooler is a budget-friendly option that is highly efficient and well-designed. Thanks to the rugged black aluminum plate and fin cooler design, it ensures excellent efficiency in cooling the transmission fluid.

The transmission cooler is suitable for most standard vehicle types, and it proves to be ideal for small to midsize cars and trucks. With the capacity of 18,000 GVWR, it's perfect for towing small loads and ideal for daily situations on the road.

The cooler is not only able to disperse heat efficiently, but it can also withstand heavy daily abuse. One would expect that such a powerful cooler comes in a bulky design, but that's not the case. The Hayden transmission cooler is super small and easy to install. It comes with a transmission hose, pre-drilled mounting brackets, barb fittings, hose clamps, spacers, and mounting ties. All these pieces allow you to mount the item in a convenient place.

However, there are a couple of things to consider before the purchase. Although the installation is quite easy, you might need to make some adjustments depending on your vehicle type. Some buyers complained about the package lacking some of the necessary mounting pieces. The cooling hose might be too short as well.

Honorable Mention

This is a reliable transmission cooler that comes in quite handy in a wide range of daily applications, including light towing and hauling. It's a small cooler compatible with most standard vehicle types. You can use it on all kinds of mid-sized cars, trucks, and SUVs as long as you follow the 19,000 GVW rating.

What makes this product special is a rigid stacked-plate design. Its main benefit is high resistance to damage and excellent cooling capacity. Compared to the traditional tube and fin design, this type of cooler is estimated to be 30 percent more efficient. Due to the aluminum alloy and black finish, the cooler is resistant to corrosion too. Overall, it's very durable, so you can use it for a long time.

The main drawback of this product is the fact it doesn't include a hose long enough for most applications. You'll have to buy an extra piece separately. Several buyers also had issues with the fittings, but that mostly depends on the vehicle type. Overall, most of the reported issues are with the pieces included in the installation kit, not the cooler itself.

Honorable Mention

This is a heavy-duty cooler kit suitable for motorhomes and large travel trailers. With the GVWR up to 26,000 pounds, the device is incredibly efficient and reliable. It's able to keep the transmission fluid at its optimum operating temperature by ensuring maximum heat dissipation.

The cooler is fairly compact and made from quality aluminum. It can withstand a lot of abuse on a daily basis and last for quite a while. That makes it convenient for large vehicles and demanding road situations. Additionally, the cooler is compatible with OEM cooler systems and pressure-tested at 150 PSI.

What can be an issue with this product is the lack of detailed instructions. First-time users might have difficulties with installing the vehicle by simply following the provided manual. Also, there's no other mounting option except the plastic ties. There's no plate or frame you can use, which might be an issue on some vehicles.

Honorable Mention

The Derale plate and fin transmission oil cooler is one of those quality products that come at a reasonable price and turn out to be super efficient. It's a well-made and durable product that is 24,000 GVW rated. You can use it on a daily basis, as well as on a less regular basis, for towing and hauling on mid-sized to large vehicles.

The cooler allows for excellent heat transfer, keeping the transmission fluid at the proper temperature and enhancing its overall performance. It also features sturdy aluminum construction, which makes it resistant to impacts and other daily threats. It's versatile enough so you can mount it on full-size cars, trucks, and SUVs for a variety of applications. The installation is as easy as it can be, although you might run into a few issues along the way/

The short transmission hose might bother you the most with this product. Even if you do lubricate it and manage to attach it, you'll most likely be unsatisfied with the stretched-out rubber. Buying a different hose might be the best option. Also, the included zip ties might break rather quickly.

Honorable Mention

The Mishimoto transmission cooler is made for Ford vehicles. It's a quality and reliable device that ensures temperature drop without influencing the fluid pressure. It also increases the core volume, proving to be 250 percent more efficient than the stock nine-row transmission cooler.

What's also great about this cooler is a compact design that allows for easy installation. The package includes all you need for a hassle-free mount. Furthermore, the cooler is made of sturdy aluminum and proves to be resistant to wear and impacts. All in all, it's quite durable, and you'll be able to use it for a long time.

The cooler does have a couple of drawbacks worth mentioning. First of all, it comes without instructions. You'll be able to find a video online, but a paper version would be more convenient. Secondly, the hose clamps are not of the best quality and might break quite easily. Make sure to handle them carefully.

Honorable Mention

Last but not least, we have another product coming from Mishimoto. It's a universal cooler that works on the transmission fluid, engine oil, power steering fluid, and other automotive fluids. With it, you'll be able to significantly reduce the temperature and prolong the lifespan of your vehicle's fluids.

One of the main benefits of this product is the ease of installation. The package includes a durable rubber hose, a universal mounting kit, and worm-gear clamps. These are all the items you need to mount and set up the cooler. Also, the cooler features a tube-and-fin design and a sturdy yet lightweight housing. It even has a built-in electric fan for high-powered applications and more durability. Additionally, the cooler is backed by a lifetime warranty in case you run into any issues.

One of the things that might be an issue with this product is the price. The Mishimoto transmission cooler is more expensive than some of the previously reviewed products, and might not be a perfect option for those who are on a tight budget. Also, the hose is not resistant to extreme weather conditions and might break easily.

A: Transmissions overheat when the hydraulic fluid that's used to cool its parts doesn't properly cool. This will typically happen if you are driving aggressively, frequently tow heavy loads, or live in a region with extreme heat.

A: There are a number of factors to keep in mind when you pick a transmission cooler. First, you need to confirm the make, model, and age of your car as not all transmission coolers are universal. While we’ve outlined a few popular universal models from some of the top brands, many of these brands also create make-specific coolers. Next, you need to confirm the GVWR for your car and reference that against the approved rating for the transmission cooler.

Look for a transmission cooler that's designed from heavy-duty materials and is resistant to the elements. In particular, you want one that is designed to resist corrosion and can still function properly under high temperatures.

Your transmission is the workhorse of your car, and if you’re using your vehicle for more than the average commute, it's important to give it a little TLC to prolong its lifespan.

Our top pick for the best transmission cooler is the B&M SuperCooler Automatic Transmission Cooler, which comes with a complete installation kit.

For price-conscious shoppers, the Hayden Automotive Rapid Cool Plate and Fin Transmission Cooler is a great option.

Our reviews are driven by a combination of hands-on testing, expert input, "wisdom of the crowd" assessments from actual buyers, and our own expertise. We always aim to offer genuine, accurate guides to help you find the best picks.