If used to be a case that choosing from the best gaming laptops was an undertaking fraught with compromises; you could get a lightweight laptop with anaemic performance or a powerful machine that really pushed the boundaries of what can really be called a laptop. But gaming laptops have improved a lot over the past few years, most notably thanks to Nvidia and its Pascal architecture GeForce graphics cards that bought graphics performance to laptops that weren’t left in the dust by gaming desktops.
Now thanks to Nvidia’s Max-Q technology you can even get gaming laptops that are almost as slim and slick as the Dell XPS 15 2020 or 16-inch MacBook Pro for example, yet can still run modern triple-A games at high settings. Of course, if you still want a very powerful gaming laptop that’s designed more as portable gaming station than a machine that you’ll actually use on your lap, then they are still available only with seriously improved components.
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In short, it’s now easier than ever to pick one of the best gaming laptops around. Granted, there are still some things to weigh up, but take a look at our picks below and you’re sure to find a machine that suits your needs.
What are the best gaming laptops right now?
Our pick for the best gaming laptop is the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14, which packs class-leading battery life and powerful Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060 graphics into one of the slimmest and lightest gaming laptop designs we've ever held. It's extremely rare that a gaming laptop lasts more than a few hours, but the Zephyrus holds out for more than 11, all while looking and performing great in the process.
If money is no object, the Alienware Area 51m is our favorite high-end gaming laptop. This portable monster can be oufitted with up to an Intel Core i7 processor and Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 graphics, and has a ton of RGB customization options that make it truly deserving of the Alienware name.
Some of the other best gaming laptops include the petite and portable MSI GS65 Stealth Thin as well as the MSI GT75VR Titan, an expensive laptop known for its otherworldly keyboard and 4K display. We also have some smart budget options, like the Acer Nitro 5, listed for frugal folks.
The best gaming laptops you can buy today
1. Asus ROG Zephyrus G14
The gaming laptop to beat
Display: 14-inches, 1920 x 1080 | CPU: AMD Ryzen 9-4900HS | GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060 | RAM: 16GB | Storage: 1TB SSD | Weight: 3.5 pounds
Meet the new king of gaming laptops. The Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 sets a new benchmark for portable gaming, with an impossibly sleek design that’s complemented by some of the best battery life we’ve ever seen on a gaming notebook. This mobile powerhouse lasted an incredible 11 hours and 32 minutes on our battery test — not only is that exponentially better than the puny 3 to 4 hours we see on many gaming machines, it also keeps up with some of the best mainstream notebooks out there.
But the Zephyrus’ killer battery life is just one of many reasons it’s the best gaming laptop you can buy right now. It’s svelte design is one of the smallest and lightest out there, all while packing in an AMD Ryzen 9-49000HS processor and Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060 Max-Q GPU that can handle the latest PC games at 1080p with cranked-up settings. Factor in a swath of attractive RGB customization options, a vibrant display and strong speakers, and the ROG Zephyrus G14 is the premium gaming laptop to buy.
Read our full Asus ROG Zephryus G14 review.
2. Alienware Area 51m
Gaming greatness for a premium price
Display: 17.3 inches, 1,920 x 1,080 | CPU: 9th Generation Intel Core i7-i9, 3.6-5 GHz | GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060-2080 | RAM: 16-64GB | Storage: 1TB-2x1TB SSDs+1TB SSHD | Weight: 8.5 pounds
For gamers who demand maximum graphics settings for every game currently on the market, the Alienware Area 51m is built to impress. It has a few different configurations, and all are built to run games as smoothly as butter. The 'weakest' GPU it offers is a GeForce RTX 2060, which is already overkill for modern games. This machine's most powerful model includes an RTX 2080, which will future-proof you for a long time. The Area 51m's CPUs range from very strong Intel Core i7s to even stronger Core i9s, with the lowest clock speeds hitting 3.6 GHz and the highest reaching up to 5 GHz. Similarly, the system's base model includes a whopping 16GB of RAM, which can be upgraded to a ludicrous 64GB.
That upgradeability is what sets the Area 51m apart. Unlike with most laptops, you can improve this machine's RAM, storage, CPU and GPU as time goes on, which gives this monster a lot of extra mileage. Not that you'd need to upgrade anytime soon; this tank's specs are designed to keep you gaming on max settings for many years to come.
3. Lenovo Legion Y7000
The budget-minded gaming laptop
Display: 15.6 inches, 1920 x 1080 | CPU: 2.2-GHz Intel Core i7-8750H | GPU: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060 | RAM: 16GB | Storage: 256GB SSD | Weight: 5.3 pounds
The Lenovo Legion Y7000 is one of the best gaming laptops for hardcore gamers not looking to break the bank. This machine's Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060 GPU will ensure you can play most modern games on max settings with silky smooth frame rates, and you'll be able to play virtually all games on some mixture of medium and high. The Legion Y7000 also packs enough RAM (16GB) to keep the system relevant for a few years.
The miniscule storage space (256GB) is a big drawback, especially since certain modern games suck up 100GB by themselves. But the Y7000 offers a decent overall value that makes it one of the better gaming-laptop options for economical techies.
4. Acer Predator Triton 500
Display: 15.6 inches, 1920 x 1080 | CPU: 10th gen Intel Core i7-10750H processor | GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 Super | RAM: 32 GB | Storage: 1TB SSD | Weight: 4.6 pounds
If you're looking for a premium gaming laptop with great performance — and an especially killer display — the Acer Predator Triton 500 is one of the best gaming laptops you can buy. The latest Triton 500 stands out with its 15.6-inch 1080p screen, which not only looks great, but packs a blistering 300Hz refresh rate for playing the top PC games at the fastest framerates possible.
The laptop's Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 Super GPU can handle the latest AAA titles at high graphical settings, and its 10th Gen Core i7 CPU blows through everyday productivity tasks with ease. There's also its elegant black design, which packs in plenty of ports for connecting peripherals and external monitors. While its performance comes at the cost of battery life and heat, the Triton 500 is a great premium buy for folks who want great performance and an even greater display.
Read our full Acer Predator Triton 500 review.
5. MSI GS65 Stealth Thin
A backpack-friendly supercomputer
Display: 15.6 inches, 1920 x 1080 | CPU: Intel Core i7-i9 | GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060-2080 Max-Q | RAM: 16-32GB | Storage: 512GB-1TB SSD | Weight: 4.2 pounds
MSI has gotten pretty good at making ultrapowerful portable gaming laptops — just take a look at the GS65 Stealth Thin. It's under 5 pounds and less than an inch thick, all while packing GPUs like Nvidia's GeForce RTX 2080. That's an achievement.
The drawbacks of this strong-but-slim design are twofold: Not only is the Stealth Thin priced at a premium for its compact nature (with only a 1080p display, no less), but the machine also runs hot enough to burn your bare skin. So, either place this laptop on a desk or put a fire blanket on your lap before using this machine.
6. Razer Blade Pro 17
A cool (literally) alternative to the GS65 Stealth Thin
Display: 17.3 inches, 1920 x 1080 | CPU: 2.6-GHz Intel Core i7-9750H | GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060-2080 Max-Q | RAM: 16-64GB | Storage: Dual 512GB SSDs | Weight: 6.1 pounds
Like the GS65 Stealth Thin, the Razer Blade Pro 17 is one of the best gaming laptops for portability and power. Its 0.8-inch thick chassis and GeForce RTX GPU lineup keep it competitive with the Stealth Thin, and it holds a very slight advantage in the temperature-control department. The Razer Blade Pro 17's undercarriage can reach 115 degrees Fahrenheit during intensive gaming, so resting this machine on bare skin is still not safe, but if you're wearing shorts, there's a chance this laptop will offer a more comfortable experience than the even-hotter GS65.
Above all else, this laptop is built to be skinny and strong, and it does both these things in spades. If you're willing to shell out top dollar for a brand, you could do worse than a Razer Blade Pro 17.
7. Dell G5 15 SE
Excellent gaming laptop performance for a budget price
Display: 15.6 inches, 1920 x 1080, 60Hz/144Hz | CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 4600H/Ryzen 5 4800H | GPU: AMD Radeon RX 5600M | RAM: 8-16GB | Storage: 256GB/512GB/1TB SSD | Weight: 5.5 pounds
If you’re after an affordable but well-specced gaming laptop, the Dell G5 15 SE 2020 is well worth your consideration. Its distinctly un-flashy name hides a very capable machine clad in a rather neat if unassuming chassis, for less than $1,000. And despite its price, it can keep up with some of the more expensive gaming laptops, especially at 1080p. You can expect very playable frame rates in the likes of Shadow of the Tomb Raider when running at max settings.
Dell has opted to go with an all AMD configuration, with a Ryzen 5 4600H or 4800H taking care of processor duties, and the Radeon RX 5600M handling the graphics. With up to 16GB of RAM and 1TB of SSD space, the Dell G5 15 SE 2020 is a very capable gaming laptop. You'll have to pay $1,049 for the best specs, but that price also gets you a speedy 144Hz refresh-rate display. A plastic build might not scream ‘premium’ but it still looks rather sharp and could even pull double duties as a powerful work machine if needed.
Read our full Dell G5 15 SE (2020) review.
8. Alienware m17 R2
Great battery life
Display: 17.3 inches, 1920 x 1080 | CPU: Intel Core i5-i9, 2.4-2.6 GHz | GPU: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660 Ti-RTX 2080 Max-Q | RAM: 8-16GB | Storage: 256GB SSD-4TB | Weight: 5.7 pounds
Like all of Alienware's gaming laptops, Alienware m17 R2 is expensive. However, for the price points of the fancier m17 R2 models, you'll get top-of-the-line GeForce RTX GPUs, Core i9 CPUs and more storage space than a U-Haul facility.
What differentiates this laptop from the others we've listed is its best-in-class battery life, clocking in at roughly 4 hours. For RTX-carrying hardcore gaming laptops, hitting the 4-hour mark is an accomplishment. Plus, at under 6 pounds, the m17 R2 isn't impossible to lug around in a backpack, making it an option worth investigating for traveling gamers who demand ultra-high graphics on the go.
9. Acer Nitro 5
The laptop for economy gamers and AMD fans
Display: 15.6 inches or 17.3 inches, 1920 x 1080 | CPU: 2.4-GHz 9th Gen Intel Core i5-9300H or AMD Quad Core 2.1-GHz Ryzen 5 3550H | GPU: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 or AMD Radeon RX 560X | RAM: 8GB-32GB | Storage: 256GB-512GB SSD | Weight: 5.7 pounds
A rarity in the gaming laptop scene, the Acer Nitro 5 offers good performance for a price that's actually reasonable to regular people: under $900 for the model with the Intel CPU and Nvidia GPU, and under $700 for the model with the weaker AMD parts. Either model can handle most modern games at max settings with frame rates near the magical 60-frames-per-second mark, and they do this at a ridiculously small fraction of the cost of other gaming laptops on this list. Check out all the positive user reviews cheering on the Acer Nitro 5 for these reasons and more.
For laptop gamers who support only AMD, the Nitro 5 also presents the rare opportunity to ditch Nvidia and Intel entirely. So, whether you're a thrifty buyer who demands good value in your technology or an ardent AMD fan who refuses to convert to the opposition, Acer's Nitro 5 has something to offer you.
10. MSI GT75VR Titan
A keyboard warrior
Display: 17.3 inches, 1920 x 1080, 3840 x 2160 | CPU: 2.8-GHz Intel Core i7-7700HQ, 2.9-GHz Intel Core i7-7820HK | GPU: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1080, Dual GeForce GTX 1070 | RAM: 16-64GB | Storage: 256GB SSD, two 256GB SSDs+1TB HDD | Weight: 10.1 pounds
Though its specs aren't comparable to those of the GeForce RTX 2080-equipped, wallet-munching machines on this list, and though it isn't even close to "budget friendly," some unique benefits give the MSI GT75VR Titan an edge in an otherwise crowded marketplace. Chiefly, it's a laptop with a configuration that can net you an Nvidia G-Sync-enabled 4K display, meaning screen tearing will be a thing of the past while you enjoy the bleeding-edge resolutions of modern gaming.
Another big advantage for the Titan is its comfy keyboard. With this machine's 2.6 millimeters of key travel and 81 grams of actuation force, your fingers glide across the keyboard with just enough touch resistance to feel satisfying while typing. So, if you want the best gaming laptop for typing, the Titan just might scratch your particular itch. However, keep in mind that with its sub-3-hour battery life and 10-plus-pound weight, you won't want to be stuck with this machine while on the go.
How to choose one of the best gaming laptops
Power or portability? You’ll need to consider what type of gaming and where you’ll be doing it before you decide what’s the best gaming laptop for you. Do you plan to mostly play triple-A demanding games at home and on a desk, but have the scope to occasionally move your machine, then a chunkier and more powerful gaming laptop, like the Alienware Area 51m might be best. But if you plan to carry your gaming laptop around a fair bit, say for LAN parties, then a thinner and lighter laptop like the MSI GS65 Stealth Thin could be for you.
Display: These days there’s a wide range of display choice for gaming laptops. You can get a standard 60Hz 1080p panel that might come with built-in anti-screen-tearing features like Nvidia’s G-Sync. But if you’re willing to pay more, you can get gaming laptops with high refresh-rate displays, often sitting at 144Hz. But the latest machines can hit 240Hz, with those on the cutting-edge sporting 300Hz displays. HIgh refresh-rate displays are great for people who play fast-paced games such as Overwatch or Counter-Strike: Global Offensive. But if you mostly plan to plug in an external monitor, then you might be better off saving money by going for a 60Hz Full HD screen.
Budget or high-end? If you don’t want to break the bank by paying for a gaming laptop, then a budget machine, like Acer’s Nitro 5, could be for you. It won’t run the very latest games at the best frame rates, but will be more than capable for decent 1080p gaming. But if you want a real monster of a gaming laptop that’ll easily chew through the most demanding games, then a laptop like the MSI GT75VR Titan is worth checking out, but do be prepared to pay quite a bit for a high-end laptop.
Gaming only, or work as well? The good thing about gaming laptops is they have plenty of power for professional tasks as well, such as video rendering or CAD work. As they can be an expensive purchase, it might be worth looking at getting a machine that can pull double duties as a gaming and work laptop. Machines like the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 or the Razer Blade Pro 17 are good examples of this, offering a form-factor that’s slim enough to easily take them to work, yet also have a powerful enough specification for triple-A gaming.
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