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Buying a new gaming laptop can be overwhelming, as new models with the latest and greatest hardware are being released all the time. There are a few key aspects to consider when shopping. First, you’ll want to look at CPU and GPU performance, and keep performance over time in mind; no one likes to see their frames tank during long gaming sessions due to thermal throttling. For the display, focus on refresh rate, motion performance, and VRR support to ensure your gameplay looks smooth and feels responsive. A good keyboard that gives clear tactile feedback and won’t cause fatigue over long gaming sessions is important, too. If you don’t plan on using a headset, you might want to consider the fan noise, as most gaming laptops can get pretty loud under load. Finally, the laptop’s portability and battery life are important if you plan on gaming on the go; regardless, keep a charger close, as gaming laptops are power-hungry machines.
Razer Blade 18 (2024) – Best Overall
The best gaming laptop we’ve tested is the Razer Blade 18 (2024). This is the one to get if you’re willing to splurge on a premium model. It has an all-aluminum chassis that feels incredibly sturdy, rivaling the build quality of Apple MacBook Pros. Sporting an 18-inch display, this laptop delivers an incredibly immersive gaming experience, though this comes at the cost of portability, making it a poor option for on-the-go use. It’s configurable with up to an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090, giving you plenty of processing power for smooth gameplay in the most demanding AAA titles like Cyberpunk 2077. The downside is that the fans get super loud, reaching 57.0 dBA at full speed.
You can choose between a 300Hz QHD+ Mini LED and a 200Hz 4k+ IPS display; both have a fast response time and G-SYNC support. The former will give you the best experience, as the higher refresh rate will improve input responsiveness and motion smoothness, and its Mini LED backlight allows for much deeper blacks, improving the experience when gaming in the dark. Not that the 4k+ panel is bad; it’s just harder to drive, causing lower frame rates, and the increased resolution isn’t immediately noticeable on an 18-inch screen. For online gaming, there’s a 2.5Gbps Ethernet port and Wi-Fi 7 onboard to ensure a fast internet connection with the lowest latency. Finally, RGB backlighting? Of course! It’s a Razer product, after all.
Dell Alienware m18 R2 (2024) – Best Upper Mid-Range
If you want something a little less expensive than the Razer Blade 18 (2024), check out the Dell Alienware m18 R2 (2024). It’s also an 18-inch model available with Intel 14th Gen CPUs and discrete NVIDIA GPUs, up to a Core i9-14900HX and an RTX 4090, respectively. Display options include a 480Hz FHD+ and 165Hz QHD+ IPS panel; both have a fast response time and VRR support. It performs just as well as the Blade 18, so you aren’t losing anything performance-wise; however, its overall build doesn’t feel as premium. Additionally, its displays are dimmer, so glare may be an issue in well-lit settings. This model isn’t well suited for on-the-go use—it’s even bulkier and heavier than the Razer.
A more portable alternative would be the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 (2024), a 14-inch model. Unlike the Dell Alienware, it has a sleeker, more subdued design, so it won’t stick out in a professional environment should you use it for work. However, because it’s a smaller laptop with more limited cooling, you have to compromise a bit on performance. The available AMD Ryzen CPUs aren’t nearly as fast, and you can only get up to an RTX 4070 GPU. Also, while its OLED display is bright and colorful, it has a lower refresh rate of 120Hz, so the overall gaming experience won’t feel as smooth or responsive as the Dell.
Lenovo Legion Pro 5 Gen 8 16 (2023) – Best Mid-Range
Our best mid-range pick is the Lenovo Legion Pro 5 Gen 8 16 (2023). Available with AMD Ryzen 7040-series CPUs and NVIDIA 40-series GPUs (up to an RTX 4070), this 16-inch model also delivers an excellent gaming experience. Display options include a 165Hz or a 240Hz QHD+ IPS panel; both have a fast response time and FreeSync support. It has a tactile, full-size keyboard, Wi-Fi 6E wireless connectivity, and tons of ports, including an HDMI 2.1 and Ethernet.
Unfortunately, this model’s more budget-friendly price does come with a couple of downsides compared to the Dell above, like the lack of Thunderbolt 4 support, an SD card reader, a facial recognition IR camera, and fewer M.2 storage slots. Also, while it feels sturdy build-wise, it isn’t quite the same level as the Dell, as the construction has a bit more plastic. On the upside, it doesn’t get as hot or loud under load.
MSI Katana A15 AI (2024) – Best Budget Gaming Laptop
The best budget gaming laptop we’ve tested is the MSI Katana A15 AI (2024). There isn’t anything particularly special about this 15-inch model, but it gets the job done. Configurable with up to an AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS CPUs and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Laptop GPU, it delivers smooth gameplay in highly demanding AAA titles. The build quality, as well as the overall user experience, is where the compromises are: its plastic chassis flexes in some areas, especially the display, and the hinges are a tad loose. The laptop also gets fairly hot and loud under load, with a hot spot right in the middle of the keyboard.
You can choose between a 144Hz FHD or 165Hz QHD display. The latter will provide a better gaming experience, as it has a faster response time to deliver a cleaner image with less ghosting in fast-moving scenes. It also has better color reproduction, producing more vibrant colors than the FHD panel, which looks highly inaccurate and washed out. Unfortunately, there’s Wi-Fi 6E onboard but no Ethernet port.
ASUS TUF Gaming A16 Advantage Edition (2023) – Best Cheap Gaming Laptop
For those on a really tight budget, we recommend the ASUS TUF Gaming A16 Advantage Edition (2023). This 16-inch model has been on the market for a little over a year now, so prices have come down considerably. You can get this laptop with an AMD Ryzen 7 7735HS or Ryzen 9 7940HS CPU, which are both last-gen processors, paired with an AMD Radeon RX 6700S or Radeon RX 7700S GPU. Every configuration can deliver high, consistent frame rates in demanding AAA games at 1080p or 1440p—you just have to tweak the settings a bit. Display options include a 165Hz FHD+ or a 240Hz QHD+ panel; both support variable refresh rate to reduce screen tearing.
This laptop sports a solid port selection for peripherals and external displays, including an Ethernet and HDMI 2.1 port. The RAM and storage are user-replaceable, providing a clear upgrade path down the line. Thermal throttling is minimal under load, but the laptop does get hot and loud. Thankfully, there’s no hot spot around the WASD keys. This laptop also isn’t particularly portable as it’s relatively bulky, and you’ll need to carry along its fairly beefy charger for use on the go as its battery life lasts a little over an hour when gaming.