Finding a gaming laptop used to be easy, as there were only a few recognizable brands. Now, though, with companies dropping new laptops every year, finding the best gaming laptop can be a challenge. Luckily, there are a few things you can do to make the journey easier. You can also find our always updated best gaming laptop deals hub here.
Take a look at our picks for the best gaming laptops out there and see what’s out there for you. Upgrade your gaming setup with any of these gaming laptops.
Best overall gaming laptop: 2022 ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 14″ FHD Gaming Laptop
Pros
- Tons of high-bandwidth RAM
- Octal-core processor
- Dolby Atmos audio
- Lightweight
Cons
- Expensive
Why we picked it
When you’re gaming, you want something that has the speeds to keep up with your game while also being incredibly easy to carry around with you. The ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 (2022) does just that. Boasting an AMD Ryzen 7-5800HS processor that maximizes the power and speed, this can do so much. Regardless of what CPU you get in terms of memory and storage, it’s a lot in order to run multiple programs smoothly.
We chose it as the overall best gaming laptop as it is also an incredibly light and portable laptop, with its 14″ FHD screen and anti-glare IPS 60HZ display. Even though it’s one of the lightest gaming laptops, the graphics will also blow you away, giving your chances of conquering your opponents a big boost. It’s also razor thin, making it simple to throw in a bag and head out with. This features Dolby Atmos speakers that will make you feel like you’re inside the game. The long battery life is superb, lasting for up to 10 hours on a single charge.
What to note about it
No doubt about it, the price is expensive for the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14. It’s regularly a minimum of $1,050 for the bare bones model. Also, the backlit keyboard isn’t as bright as it should be. Regardless, this is a solid purchase if you’re a serious gamer looking for the best gaming laptops.
Best gaming laptop for power: Razer Blade 15 Advanced Gaming Laptop 2021
Pros
- Powerful GPU and CPU options
- Aluminum build feels light
- Innovative cooling
- Customizable
Cons
- Expensive
- Only a 1080p display
Why we picked it
There are a lot of great gaming laptop options out there, but if you’re looking for a mix between powerful and light, the Razer Blade 15 Advanced is a perfect fit as one of the best gaming laptops. Not only does it come with a slew of options when you order (either from Razer itself or at outlets like Best Buy and Amazon), but the aluminum body gives a light but cool feel that makes it easy to spend hours using this laptop. Additionally, Razer has filled the sides of the Razer Blade 15 with a slew of ports, including an SD card reader, 2x Thunderbolt 4 ports, a USB Type-A, Type-C, and HDMI 2.1.
The body itself is one of the biggest standout features of the Razer Blade lineup. Its thin material means you won’t have to worry about a bulky setup when you’re playing games on the go. The build also benefits from being extremely light compared to other options out there. Thanks to the 10th Gen Intel 8-Core i7 processor, this manages so many tasks at once. It offers fantastic gaming performance for even the most demanding games. The Razer Blade 15 also comes with enough juice to work as a complete desktop replacement, all without giving up the power that comes with a desktop gaming PC.
What to note about it
The full HD display features 1080P resolution with refresh rate support for up to 360Hz for smooth visuals on the latest games and applications. It is extremely expensive but the quality is unmatched.
Best big screen gaming laptop: Alienware m17 R5 Gaming Laptop
Pros
- Great visuals on big screen
- Updated Cryo-tech cooling
- Strong battery life
- Plenty of configurations available
Cons
- Not as portable as others
- Pricey
Why we picked it
Alienware is another staple name in the big-budget gaming computer world, and the company’s laptops have always been some of the most powerful options out there. That performance does come at a price, but if you’re looking for a vivid display to play your games on, then Alienware’s m17 R5 Gaming Laptop is a perfect example of a dynamic laptop.
You’ll also find plenty of options for customizing the internals, including your choice of processor, RAM limit, internal SSD or HD space, and—of course—access to the latest graphics cards. While gaming laptops can get very hot, this has a Cryo-tech cooling system that helps keep it safer wherever you keep your gaming laptop space.
The 17.3″ FHD display is big laptop screen size, giving you plenty to look at while you’re gaming. The battery life is excellent as well.
What to note about it
The downside to these powerful laptops—outside of the price—is how bulky they are. Bulk isn’t the only concern, either. That makes them less portable than other options on our list, but if you’re looking for this kind of display, you’ll have to sacrifice some of that portability.
Alienware m17 R5 Gaming Laptop $2,299.99
Best compact gaming laptop: Razer Blade 14 Gaming Laptop
Pros
- Light and thin design
- Wide array of ports
- Powerful GPU and CPU options
Cons
- Pricey
- Can get warm
Why we picked it
The Razer Blade 14 is one of the most powerful compact laptops you’ll find out there, especially for gaming. With the newest refresh, Razer has dumped a lot of thought into the design and overall specs of the laptop. These builds are complete with the latest AMD processors and graphics cards. If you’re more of an Nvidia fan, then you can always go for an RTX card instead.
14-inches might not seem that compact, but when you’re talking about gaming laptops, a lot of them just aren’t that small. The fact that Razer has managed to pack so much power into the Razer Blade is impressive. Additionally, the laptop itself is stylish and slick. It’s also very thin, thanks to the aluminum body design that it shares with the slightly larger Razer Blade 15.
There are also a ton of ports on the side of the Razer Blade 14, making it a one of the best gaming laptops for any gamers with a ton of peripherals they need to plug in.
What to note about it
Of course, you’ll need to worry about the usual suspects on powerful gaming computers like this. Excessive heat can build up on the bottom, making it tough to use this laptop without a solid surface underneath it. Thankfully, the smaller size means it can fit onto smaller surfaces you might not be able to use with other gaming laptops. It also is one of the more expensive gaming laptops.
Best budget gaming laptops: Acer Nitro 5 Gaming Laptop
Pros
- Price
- Alexa built-in support
- Backlit keyboard
Cons
- Might be sluggish under heavy load
Why we picked it
If you’re working with a budget or trying to find the best cheap laptops, there may be more limited options. While the Acer Nitro 5 isn’t the most powerful gaming laptop out there, it does serve as a solid laptop for most novice gamers. The included GeForce GTX 1650 is good enough to keep you playing newer games at decent settings and on decent battery life.
As with anything budget, it’s important to remember that the included CPU and GPU here aren’t going to deliver the same results as more expensive options. If you start doing a lot of multitasking, it’s also possible you could run into some sluggishness, as the weaker components just can’t keep up as well. Still, that doesn’t mean you should write this laptop off just yet.
Despite being budget, the Acer Nitro 5 Gaming Laptop delivers everything you need in a basic gaming laptop. The display is full HD at 1080P, which means crisp and clear visuals. There are also optional variants that include more expensive graphics cards. Most games, especially modern games, work perfectly on this.
What to note about it
The price can go up significantly depending on the one you choose. If you really need to watch your spending limits, though, Acer’s budget-friendly gaming laptop is a solid one to put on your desk and could be the right gaming laptop for you.
Best MacBook for gaming: 2021 Apple MacBook Pro with M1 Max
Pros
- Great for multitasking
- Fantastic build quality and internal hardware
- Optimal battery life
Cons
- Limited support for apps and games
Pros: Fantastic multitasking laptop, great build quality and internal hardware
Cons: Price, still limited support for apps and games
The idea of gaming on a MacBook has been the butt of more than a few jokes over the years. While it still has a long way to go in the macOS ecosystem, the 2021 MacBook Pros bring a lot of power to the table. This is mostly thanks to Apple’s M1 Max and M1 Pro chipsets. Like most Apple computers, you’re going to be paying a hefty price for that power, though. These devices are definitely more geared towards professional users than gamers. But, they’re great options if you love the Apple ecosystem, especially if you don’t want to buy a Windows PC.
The M1 Max and M1 Pro have delivered some stellar benchmarks since their launch. Plus, the amount of games available on macOS continues to grow, too.
What to note about it
Of course, there’s still a long way to go for Apple’s premium laptop to reach the same level of gaming proficiency as most gaming laptops, but it isn’t really a hardware issue anymore if you want to play games. Instead, it’s just a matter of time before more developers start supporting Apple’s ecosystem with full game releases of the latest and hottest titles.
What to know when buying the best gaming laptops
If you’re looking to buy a best gaming laptop, you’ll want to take a number of things into consideration. First, keep the memory (RAM) in mind. Some games use up a lot of RAM, so having a good amount of memory on your laptop is going to be important. The graphics card and processor are also super important, so make sure you look for laptops with newer and more powerful internals. Battery life is absolutely something you need to pay attention to as well.
You’ll also want to pay attention to the display type, which can change how smoothly games play and how good they look. Comfort and portability are two other important aspects to keep in mind, especially if you plan on playing games while on the go. You can also try and find the best laptop deals and today’s best deals before you purchase one, too.
Armed with that knowledge, you can start your trek to find the perfect gaming laptop with some of the best choices out there right now with great gaming performance. From powerful to portable, to the unorthodox of gaming on a Mac, there are a lot of best laptop options out there.
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