The Lian Li Lancool 216 is the objective winner of this comparison, securing victories in five out of eight evaluated categories. Its most significant technical advantage is its support for larger cooling solutions, offering a 29% increase in maximum radiator capacity compared to its competitor. This superior thermal flexibility makes it the more capable choice for users prioritizing high-end liquid cooling configurations and overall airflow potential within their system builds.

Choose the Lian Li Lancool 216 if your primary goal is maximizing radiator support for advanced cooling setups. Conversely, select the Lian Li O11 Air Mini if your build requirements prioritize storage density, as it provides a 33% advantage in 3.5-inch drive bay capacity. While the former excels in thermal hardware compatibility, the latter remains the better option for users who need to house multiple mechanical hard drives in a compact form factor.