Gaming Laptop: Top 10 Best Gaming Laptop
Gaming Laptops, Best Gaming Laptop Right Now You Can Buy Now, Best Laptop For Gamer, Best Price For Gaming Laptop
Gaming Laptop: The best gaming laptops come in all shapes and sizes for different needs and budgets. Because a $5,000-plus model with the highest-end graphics and best performance can give you the best gaming laptop experience, most of us can't afford a rig like this. Our picks here are often high-end models (we're an enthusiast site after all), but most come in a variety of configurations at different price points.
Thankfully, there are more gaming laptop options than ever before, ranging from budget-friendly to desktop replacements. Some come with full-size Nvidia GeForce RTX graphics cards, while others go for more efficient Max-Q designs that enable thinner chassis and (sometimes) quieter fans.
While many of the best gaming laptops come with 1080p displays and high refresh rates, some include 4K screens, so you can choose between fidelity and resolution. Many gaming laptops run at 360 Hz.
There is also more choice than ever in components. While Intel is still a popular choice, AMD's Ryzen processors are becoming more common, although most notebooks in general still use Intel. On the GPU side, Nvidia's RTX GPUs are in far more laptops, though AMD is slowly starting to pair its graphics cards with hit CPUs, which it calls the "AMD Advantage."
The latest technologies in processors include Intel's 11th generation "Tiger Lake" processors and AMD's Ryzen 5000 CPUs. Like desktops, due to the lack of global components, anything with the latest graphics can still be hard to come by.
To help you find the best gaming laptop today, we've compiled a list of the best models we've tested and reviewed recently. For more information on how to narrow down your list of best gaming laptop ideas, check out our best gaming laptop buyer's guide. But here are some quick tips to start down the road to the right portable gaming rig for you.
While many gamers may turn to a desktop to get the most performance for their money, try toting a tower, monitor, and keyboard around in your backpack. When you need a powerful device that you can take with you, there's no substitute for a gaming laptop.
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Quick Choice Gaming Laptop Tips
Note on GPU: Most games are GPU dependent, and they are not upgradeable. If you splurge on a powerful GPU now, you'll be gaming comfortably for a few years.
You Can Upgrade Some Parts Later: While the best CPUs for gaming and GPUs are almost always soldered in, most gaming laptops let you replace the RAM and storage, so you can buy cheaper now and get more memory and more efficient storage. Larger hard drives or SSDs can be added down. Way.
Battery life will probably be poor: Very few gaming notebooks get 8 hours or more on a charge, and you need a power supply to get the best gaming performance anyway. However, we've seen some strong times from AMD's Ryzen processors, and Nvidia suggests that its improved Optimus technology could help turn the tide.
Top 10 Best Gaming Laptop
1. MSI GE76 Raider - Best Gaming Laptop
2. Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 - Best Gaming Laptop
3. Razer Blade 15 Advance Model - Best Gaming Laptop
4. Alienware m17 R4 - Best Gaming Laptop
5. Acer Nitro 5 - Best Gaming Laptop
6. Acer Nitro 5 (Alternate Configuration) - Best Gaming Laptop
7. Asus ROG Strix G15 Advantage Edition - Best Gaming Laptop
8. Asus ROG Strix Scar 17 G733 - Best Gaming Laptop
9. Lenovo Legion 5 Pro - Best Gaming Laptop
10. Asus ROG Zephyrus Do 15 SE GX551 - Best Gaming Laptop
1. MSI GE76 Raider - Best Gaming Laptop
The Best Overall Gaming Laptop
Pros
- Strong gaming performance
- Fast SSD speeds
- RGB light bar (that you can turn off)
- Bright, fast display
- 1080p webcam
Cons
- Runs a bit warm
- Very expensive
| MSI GE76 Raider Specification | |
|---|---|
| Price | Check Now |
| CPU | intel Core i9-11980HK |
| GPU | Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 |
| Display | 17.3 inches, 1920 x 1080, 360 Hz |
| Weight | 6.39 pounds (2.9 kg) |
Gaming Laptop: The MSI GE76 Raider is our pick for gaming laptops that can replace your desktop. And yes, it has a huge RGB light bar. It delivers seriously strong performance with components up to an Intel Core i9-11980HK and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080.
The 17.3-inch display is bright and goes up to 360Hz for those who want to play esports titles like Dota 2 or League of Legends as smoothly as possible.
But unlike many other laptops on this list, the Raider isn't slim. In fact, it's quite large, but you need that inside for all the power (and build quality) of 17.3-inches. If you want something smaller, the GE66 Raider, our former pick for the space that we reviewed last year, has also been updated in recent parts.
2. Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 - Best Gaming Laptop
Best Thin and Light Gaming Laptop
Pros
- Amazing Performance
- Good looks
- AMD Ryzen 4900HS offers strong performance
- Stellar battery life
- Comfortable keyboard
Cons
- No webcam
- No Thunderbolt 3
- Fan sometime whirs when idle
| Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 Specification | |
|---|---|
| Price | Check New |
| CPU | AMD Ryzen 4900HS |
| GPU | Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060 Max-Q |
| Display | 14-inch, 1920 x 1080 120Hz |
| Weight | 3.5 pounds (1.6 kg) |
Gaming Laptop: For those looking for something slim and sleek, our pick is the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14. As far as gaming laptops are concerned, the Zephyrus is simple in white or gray with minimal styling. But with the AMD Ryzen 4900HS and Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060 Max-Q in our review unit, you get strong productivity and gaming performance. It's not the best performer on the market in terms of graphics, but it's the best value for most people.
Battery life is also surprisingly long for a gaming notebook and the keyboard is clickable and comfortable. However, the fan sometimes turns off even when sitting on the desktop, and the system doesn't come equipped with a built-in webcam.
3. Razer Blade 15 Advanced Model - Best Gaming Laptop
Best Thin and Light Gaming Laptop (Alternate Pick)
Pros
- Amazing Performance
- 300 Hz Display
- Stunning design
- Thin and light
- Great selection of ports
Cons
- Expensive
- Uncomfortable keyboard
| Razer Blade 15 Advanced Model Specification | |
|---|---|
| Price | Check New |
| CPU | Intel Core i7-10875H |
| GPU | Nvidia RTX 2080 Super Max-Q |
| Display | 15.6 inch, 1920 x 1080, 300Hz |
| Weight | 4.7 pounds (2.1 kg) |
Gaming Laptop: If you want higher specifications and are willing to pay more for a thinner and lighter gaming laptop, the Razer Blade 15 Advanced model is a strong choice. It has a sleek design that's easy to take with you wherever you go and a good selection of ports if you want to plug in a bunch of peripherals.
While the Zephyrus stops at the RTX 2060, the Blade moves up to an Nvidia RTX 2080 Super Max-Q. It also has options for a sharp 300Hz display, which is great for esports.
Instead of a Ryzen chip, Razer has opted for Intel's 10th Gen H-Series processors to power the Blade 15. It's not power-efficient but delivers strong performance.
4. Alienware m17 R4 - Best Gaming Laptop
Best 17-inch Gaming Laptop
Pros
- Best Gaming Laptop
- Unrivaled performance
- Snappy keyboard
- Attractive design
Cons
- Price
- Heavy
- Noisy fan
| Alienware m17 R4 Specification | |
|---|---|
| Price | Check New |
| CPU | Intel Core i9-10980HK |
| GPU | Nvidia Geforce RTX 3080 (165W TGP) |
| Display | 17.3-inch 1920 x 1080 360Hz |
| Weight | 6.6 pounds / 3 kg |
Gaming Laptop: A 17-inch gaming notebook falls into the desktop replacement category, and so does the Alienware m17 R4. In its top-end configuration, like the one we reviewed, it can get pretty expensive, but you also get a top-end Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 laptop GPU with 165W TGP. There are options for esports aficionados in 4K or our 1920 x 1080 360Hz option.
Other RTX laptops we've tested to date haven't touched the m17 on performance, eschewing Max-Q technologies in favor of the most powerful part you can pack in a notebook.
It also has a nice, snappy RGB keyboard and the design, at 0.87 inches, is still pretty stealthy for a notebook packing that much performance.
5. Acer Nitro 5 - Best Gaming Laptop
The Best Budget Gaming Laptop
Pros
- Amazing Performance
- Great value
- Comfortable keyboard
- Good webcam
Cons
- Dim display
| Acer Nitro 5 Specification | |
|---|---|
| Price | Check New |
| CPU | AMD Ryzen 5 4600U |
| GPU | Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 |
| Display | 15.6-inch, 1920 x 1080 |
| Weight | 5.3 pounds / 2.4 kg |
Gaming Laptop: Acer Nitro 5 is the best gaming laptop for low-budget people. For the price, you will get great value at entry-level performance. When you sacrifice a bright display, the keyboard is comfortable and you also get a decent webcam.
Our review unit contained an AMD Ryzen 5 4600U paired with an Nvidia GeForce 1650. We've seen some Ryzen-based gaming laptops deliver better than expected battery life, and the Nitro 5 lasted over 11 hours.
If you're in the works, there's plenty of room to upgrade (and you'll want to consider it in our review unit down the line with just 256GB of storage), but for $700, you're getting a lot for the money.
6. Acer Nitro 5 (Alternate Configuration) - Best Gaming Laptop
A Souped Up Version of our Budget Pick
Pros
- Strong performance
- Good viewing angles
- Best Gaming Laptop
Cons
- Pricier than other Acer Nitro models
| Acer Nitro 5 Alternate Specification | |
|---|---|
| Price | Check New |
| CPU | AMD Ryzen 7 5800U |
| GPU | Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070 |
| Display | 15.6-inch, 2560 x 1440, 165 Hz |
| Weight | 4.85 pounds / 2.2 kg |
Gaming Laptop: Since we reviewed the Acer Nitro 5 above, the company has released more models with updated specs. The most recent one we reviewed uses a Ryzen 7 5800U and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070, which allows for strong performance and ray tracing in select games.
This model boasts a 1440p display clocked at 165Hz, which is far higher than the 1080p you'll find in the budget version. However, it still looks crappy, and you pay for parts with a $1,699 price tag.
Acer is still selling the Nitro 5 in a budget configuration - it's a new one that adds to the lineup along with a more premium configuration. It's a bit out of the budget category at this point, but we found the additions to be pretty decent.
7. Asus ROG Strix G15 Advantage Edition - Best Gaming Laptop
The All-AMD Gaming Laptop
Pros
- Solid gaming and productivity performance
- Cool at most touchpoints
- Long battery life for a gaming notebook
- Dolby Atmos audio
Cons
- No webcam
- Middling SSD
- The display could be brighter
| Asus ROG Strix G15 Advantage Edition Specification | |
|---|---|
| Price | Check New |
| CPU | AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX |
| GPU | AMD Radeon RX 6800M |
| Display | 15.6-inch, 1920 x 1080, 300 Hz, IPS |
| Weight | 6.61 pounds / 3 kg |
Gaming Laptop: The Asus ROG Strix G15 Advantage Edition is the first laptop under AMD's Advantage program, which combines the company's CPU and GPU in a premium design that's built for solid screen use and comfortable gaming. The Strix works on many of those points by offering robust performance at the Ryzen 9 5900Hz, Radeon RX 6800M, and moving power between the two via SmartShift technology.
The laptop also offers powerful audio with Dolby Atmos support, and we found it to be quite good on most touchpoints, even when gaming. It also lasts longer on battery when you are not gaming.
There are a few concerns worth noting, including a complete lack of a webcam, and the display, while decent, could be brighter. But for all those AMDs and the copious amounts of RGB lighting in laptops, it's worth a look.
8. Asus ROG Strix Scar 17 G733 - Best Gaming Laptop
The Best Esports Gaming Laptop
Pros
- Amazing Performance
- 360 Hz Refresh Rate
- Comfortable keyboard
- Bassy Audio
- Best Gaming Laptop
Cons
- Price
- Short charging cable
- Divisive Design
| Asus ROG Strix Scar 17 G733 Specification | |
|---|---|
| Price | Check New |
| CPU | AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX |
| GPU | Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 |
| Display | 17.3-inch, 1920 x 1080, 360 Hz |
| Weight | 5.95 pounds / 2.7 kg |
Gaming Laptop: If you want to play eSports like a pro, you need a laptop with the sharpest screen you can get. The Asus ROG Strix Scar G733 offers a 360 Hz refresh rate on its FHD screen and has top-end components that power titles to reach the frame rates it can use.
The design feels premium but has an interesting mix of dark material and clear plastic. It's reminiscent of both a hot rod car and a 90's mp3 player, which may put some people off.
But the comfortable keyboard, strong overall performance, and bassy audio all contribute to a strong gaming experience, even if you don't like looking inside your laptop.
9. Lenovo Legion 5 Pro - Best Gaming Laptop
A 16-inch Esports Option
Pros
- Strong performance
- Beautiful, high-res display
- Comfortable keyboard
- Best For Gamer
Cons
- Bulky design
- Middling Audio
| Lenovo Legion 5 Pro Specification | |
|---|---|
| Price | Check New |
| CPU | AMD Ryzen 7 5800H |
| GPU | Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070 |
| Display | 16-inch, 2560 x 1600, 165 Hz |
| Weight | 5.4 pounds / 2.45 kg |
Gaming Laptop: If you're willing to sacrifice your refresh rate for a higher resolution, the Lenovo Legion 5 Pro is one to check out. While some other gaming notebooks opt for 300Hz, the Legion's 165Hz, 2560 x 1600 screen is a stunner in its own right. It also has a 16:10 aspect ratio, which we appreciate for productive use.
Our review unit came with a Ryzen 7 5800H and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070, which together offered competitive performance in our suite of gaming benchmarks. Our system also includes 512GB of storage and 16GB of RAM.
We were also impressed with this laptop's keyboard, which seems to have benefited from the excellence of Lenovo's business-oriented ThinkPads.
However, the system is a bit rough. If you don't want to deal with the bulk, you can consider the other options on this list.
10. Asus ROG Zephyrus Duo 15 SE - Best Gaming Laptop
The Best Dual-Screen Gaming Laptop
Pros
- Excellent productivity performance
- AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX
- Bright, colorful displays
- Good battery life
- Gaming Laptop
Cons
- No webcam
- Input devices are awkward
| Asus ROG Zephyrus Duo 15 SE Specification | |
|---|---|
| Price | Check New |
| CPU | AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX |
| GPU | Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 |
| Display | 5.6-inch, 3840 x 2160 primary display, 3740 x 1100 ScreenPad Plus |
| Weight | 5.29 pounds / 2.4 kg |
Gaming Laptop: Asus's latest ROG Zephyrus Duo uses AMD's top-end RYzen 9 5900HX, paired with an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 for powerful results while using a second screen that's more capable of improving cooling. Lifts to provide ventilation.
The two displays are both bright and colorful, and at over 4 hours and 52 minutes on our battery test, it has good endurance (for a gaming notebook anyway).
The keyboard and mouse are in an awkward position, like most dual-screen notebooks on the market (most people will use an external mouse for gaming). That's why you'll have to decide whether that second screen—great for a chat program, gaming guide, or music app—is worth the more difficult typing experience.