The best gaming laptop can pretty comfortably keep up with some of the best pre-built PCs now, thanks to smaller tech being just as powerful, and laptop makers being a lot more inventive with how they use the technology at hand.
You can regularly find laptops capable of maxing out the settings of even the most recent big games (just look at some of the best laptops for Starfield), and the novelty of being able to do so on the train is never really lost.
You just need to make sure you get a laptop whose specs meet your requirements. For a AAA title like Call of Duty, including the new Modern Warfare 3, that means you'll need something with a powerful processor and graphics card, backed by plenty of RAM and storage.
With one of the best gaming laptops, you'll still be able to enjoy high refresh rates on the screens too, so you're really not sacrificing anything aside from the ability to easily upgrade them.
There are a lot of amazing laptops out there though, so finding the best means looking at all of the options and considering performance, form, price, as well as any extra features. We've done that for you though so you don't have to. Here are the best gaming laptops we could find.
Best gaming laptops
- ASUS ROG Zephyrus G15
- Razer Blade 16
- MSI Katana GF66
- ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14
- Alienware x17 R2
- Lenovo Legion 5 Pro
- MSI Raider GE67HX
1. ASUS ROG Zephyrus G15
Best gaming laptop overall
The ASUS ROG range is known for gaming gear, so it's no surprise there's a great laptop in there too. The ASUS ROG Zephyrus G15 tops the list with a powerful processor and GPU, which makes it suitable for demanding games.
To begin with, the laptop sports the AMD Ryzen 9 5900HS processor, which, combined with NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080, packs quite a punch. The 1TB SSD ensures that your games load quickly as well. Throw in a battery that lasts for 8 to 9 hours, and you have got yourself a real powerhouse.
To view your games, you get a 15.6-inch screen with a stunning QHD display, and a 100% DCI-P3 colour gamut, which means you can expect vivid colours. The visuals don’t compromise precision and speed as you have a 165Hz refresh rate and 3ms response time to make sure everything runs quickly and smoothly.
Despite being powerful with a large battery capacity, it's surprisingly “ultra slim”. It comes in at just 0.78” and weighs 4.2 lbs. So if you are planning to carry your laptop around to game on the go, this is the device for you.
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2. Razer Blade 16
Best 4K gaming laptop
As 4K gaming monitors are becoming increasingly popular, there’s no reason why we shouldn’t have 4K laptops. These days, we do, thankfully, with the Razer Blade 16 standing out as one of the best.
To begin with, it features a 16-inch, IPS-panelled 4K display that will make your FPS action look more realistic and immersive thanks to the sheer detail. Furthermore, it’s a ‘dual mode mini LED’ display', which means you can switch between 4K/120Hz and FHD/240Hz depending on what you're playing.
It's an absolute powerhouse under the hood too. It packs in the immense NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 CPU, giving you advanced ray tracing, AI graphics, ultra-low latency, and other high-performance features. Plus, you get the 13th Gen Intel i9 Core HX, which peaks at a speed of 5.5 GHz and boasts desktop-grade silicon. Considering this powerful combo, expect this laptop to play all the AAA titles without a hitch. And the 32 G DDR5 RAM will ensure that any boot-up is a breeze every time.
Razer’s laptop is also a great match for content creators. You get 100% DCI-P3 colour accuracy to work, which is complemented by 1k nits of brightness. And the 4000-series graphics card is sure to make video editing and graphic designing easier. As a result, we'd say the Razer Blade 16 is a good pick for both gamers and content creators who want the best there is in 4K technology.
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3. MSI Katana GF66
Best budget gaming laptop
MSI is another name renowned in the gaming sphere, particularly when it comes to laptops. The MSI Katana GF66 is a great example of the company's expertise, yet doesn't break the bank with its price tag.
For under $1,000 most places you look, you get a very respectable NVIDIA RTX 3050 Ti graphics card, which features AI-enhanced graphics, low system latency, and ray tracing. Plus, you get an Intel Core i5-11400H processor, which lends efficiency to the device to make multitasking easier.
Display-wise, you get an 15.6-inch IPS-level FHD screen, which might not be as good as 4K, but it does boast a 144Hz refresh rate, which makes it suitable for fast-paced action games like CS:GO.
Even with all these power-packed features, you don’t have to worry about your laptop heating up as it features Cooler Boost 5, a cooling system with dual fans, five heat pipes, and MSI-exclusive thermal grease. It's features like these that make the MSI Katana G66 a great pick, especially for the price.
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4. ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14
Best thin and light gaming laptop
A laptop’s portability is what separates it from a hefty desktop. There’s no need for a suitcase to lug it around, just a big enough backpack. Of course, gaming laptops are a little chunkier than your average device since they need to make room for all that cooling and powerful hardware. Finding a thin and light one can be like looking for a needle in a haystack, but the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 has you covered.
We’re used to seeing gaming laptops shave off a few pounds year after year, but its 1.73kg weight is astonishing by even today's standard. This is, in part, thanks to its smaller 14-inch screen, but the display’s no slouch. It boasts a bright and colourful IPS panel, and a zippy 120Hz refresh rate to make your games look smooth.
Even more of an eye-opener is what it packs inside its 19.5mm height, with an AMD Ryzen 7-5800HS processor, mid-range NVIDIA graphics card, and enough storage to save a few games.
ASUS offers the ROG Zephyrus G14 in both dark grey or white editions, with the option of an AnimeMatrix panel on the lid. It’ll all come down to whether you want to stand out as you game on the train with a flashy light show on the lid or not - and the price, given the bulbs on the back demand an extra premium.
In case you’re looking for a lightweight, thin laptop to carry around, then ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 is a power-packed portable option.
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5. Alienware x17 R2
Best 17-inch gaming laptop
We appreciate many of you prefer larger laptop screen like 17-inch or even 18-inch. And while it adds a little bulk to the device, it also allows for greater immersion, which is great for video games as well as content creation.
Dell’s Alienware lineup is full of high-end gaming devices, and that’s why we have the x17 R2 laptop on this list. The 17-inch laptop is described as a "Mean, Lean, High-Powered Machine", a moniker it really does live up to.
To start with, it does pack a punch with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Ti GPU, featuring NVIDIA’s 2nd gen RTX architecture. As a result, it can deliver realistic graphics, low latency, support for streaming, and much more.
Then, you get high-speed loading with 32GB DDR5 RAM and 1TB SSD, so you don’t have to worry about slow loading times or having enought storage for your favourite titles. And, to view your game, you get a 17.3-inch FHD display. To some, FHD might seem not-so-immersive, but the 360Hz refresh rate really makes up for it. Besides, you get Dolby Vision, which delivers authentic colour profiles using metadata.
Furthermore, It's equipped with Advanced Alienware Cryo-tech, a feature that keeps your device cool and stable during intense performance. And let's not forget it's a thin laptop, so you can carry it around occasionally, although it is best stationed at your desk.
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6. Lenovo Legion 5 Pro
Best budget 16-inch gaming laptop
The Lenovo Legion series is a great option if you’re looking for a budget gaming laptop with a 16-inch screen, with the Lenovo Legion 5 Pro, in particular, standing out as an ideal choice.
The laptop features a fast processor combined with a powerful GPU. You get an AMD Ryzen 7-5800H with NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070, which makes it ideal for gaming. In fact, you can run most of the demanding games on this device due to its impressive power.
Also, you get 16 GB DDR4 RAM, which is quite fast and would certainly reduce your loading time. Then, for storage, you get a 1TB SSD, which is more than enough for AAA titles.
In terms of detail, the 16-inch screen features an FHD resolution. Okay, it may not be 4K, but as far as performance is concerned, you get a 165Hz refresh rate, which is more than ideal for competitive gameplay where the detail isn't such a huge factor.
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7. MSI Raider GE67HX
Best OLED gaming laptop
The MSI Raider GE67 HX is a bit of a beast with Intel Core i9-12900HX and the RTX 3070 Ti graphics. Whether you’re a gamer or a creator, this device is definitely one to consider.
One of the main reasons for this is that its 16GB DDR5 RAM makes multi-tasking a breeze. And the 1TB NVMe SSD ensures that all your games, files, and media are stored without a hitch.
The highlight here is the 15.6-inch OLED QHD display though as it delivers stunning visuals in great detail. Plus, you get a 100% DCI-P3 colour gamut, allowing you to create content with high colour accuracy.
Performance-wise, you get a 240Hz of refresh rate, which is probably slightly overkill for most titles. The likes of Fortnite, for example, will never have looked so smooth when loaded up on this thing.
Therefore, if you’re looking for a gaming laptop that will deliver high-quality visuals, then MSI Raider GE67 HX with its OLED display is a great pick.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
When shopping for the best gaming laptops, it's natural that most people have a few questions. To make sure you've got a good grasp of things, we've answered a few of the most common ones below.
Which gaming laptop brand is best?
ASUS, Razer, and Alienware regularly battle for the top spot with elegant, but premium, finishes. MSI and Lenovo offer some fantastic high-end gaming laptops too, but we find their budget options far better value for money. There are a lot of good laptop companies out there, but we wouldn't recommend one to you without it being excellent.
Should you buy a gaming laptop or PC?
The choice between a laptop and a desktop PC for gaming, especially when it comes to demanding titles, largely hinges on your individual preferences and requirements, as well as the hardware capabilities of each option.
In recent years, laptops have significantly improved their gaming prowess, with many specialised gaming laptops capable of handling video games effortlessly. Their key advantage lies in their portability; you have the freedom to play on the go or easily relocate within your home. This mobility is particularly attractive for gamers who enjoy switching locations or have limited space.
However, gaming on a laptop does come with potential drawbacks. Typically, laptops offer limited upgradability when compared to desktop PCs. Enhancing gaming performance may be restricted due to limitations on upgrading components like the graphics card. Cooling can also pose a concern, as laptops tend to heat up quickly, potentially resulting in reduced performance during extended gaming sessions.
The trade-off is, of course, the lack of portability. Desktop PCs are typically fixed to a specific location and can be cumbersome to move. Furthermore, you'll need a dedicated space for your PC setup, complete with a monitor, keyboard, and mouse, which may not be as space-efficient as a laptop. Additionally, running a PC necessitates a constant power source, something a laptop does not always require.
Ultimately, both laptops and desktop PCs are capable of gaming smoothly, provided they meet the game in question's system requirements. Your choice should be guided by your specific gaming needs, budget, and how you intend to use the device, ensuring an informed decision.
Are gaming laptops good for everyday use?
The best gaming laptops tend to have a lot of power to make sure they can keep up with big games, which means they're generally powerful enough for video editing, content creation, and basically everything else too, so yes, they're good for everyday use.
How much RAM is needed for a gaming laptop?
Nowadays, 8GB of RAM is the benchmark requirement for most AAA games released today, therefore we'd recommend this as a minimum.
If you're looking to run games at their highest performance, you may need more than 8GB, for example, Red Dead Redemption 2 recommends 12GB for optimal use.
While at the moment there are no games that require upwards of 16GB of RAM as a minimum, it may be worth investing in a laptop with more memory for future-proofing.
What screen size is best for a gaming laptop?
Generally speaking, it depends on what you value in the best gaming laptop. 14-inch gaming laptops are coming into fashion for their portability, while something like a 15.6-inch laptop can be better if you like a more immersive experience.
Is a 4K gaming laptop worth it?
It's easier to play games in 4K resolution than ever before, thanks to better hardware under the hood and upscaling software like NVIDIA DLSS, AMD FSR, and Intel XeSS in supported games. That said, the resolution isn't everything. A 4K screen is nice and clear but is more valuable if you're also video or photo editing alongside gaming.
We consider refresh rate a higher priority, as this is intrinsically linked to the frame rate your screen can physically display. You're more likely to put that 144Hz screen to better use at 1080p or 1440p resolution as you'll be able to play more games at higher frame rates.