A gaming laptop is a portable computer designed for playing video games. The best gaming laptops typically feature powerful processors, dedicated graphics cards, and high-quality displays with fast refresh rates and low response times. They also often have specialized cooling systems to prevent overheating during long gaming sessions, and customizable RGB lighting to enhance the gaming experience.
In addition to hardware performance, the best gaming laptops also offer a comfortable and responsive keyboard, good sound quality, and a selection of ports for connecting to peripherals such as gaming mice, headphones, and external displays.
Some of the top gaming laptop brands include ASUS, MSI, Alienware, Razer, Acer, and Lenovo, among others. When choosing the best gaming laptop for your needs, factors such as budget, portability, battery life, and display quality should also be taken into consideration.
ASUS ROG Zephyrus G15 (2021)
The ASUS ROG Zephyrus G15 (2021) is a high-performance gaming laptop with a 15.6-inch FHD display that offers excellent color accuracy and a high refresh rate of up to 165Hz. It’s powered by an AMD Ryzen 9 5900HS processor and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 graphics card, making it capable of handling even the most demanding games and tasks with ease.
One standout feature of the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G15 is its slim and lightweight design, which makes it easy to take with you on the go. Despite its small size, it still manages to offer impressive performance and a good selection of ports, including USB-C and HDMI.
The keyboard is comfortable to type on and features customizable RGB lighting, while the trackpad is large and responsive. The laptop also includes a fingerprint sensor for added security and convenience.
Overall, the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G15 (2021) is an excellent choice for gamers and power users who need a high-performance laptop that’s portable and easy to use. Its powerful hardware, high-quality display, and sleek design make it one of the best gaming laptops on the market today.
Pros:
- Powerful AMD Ryzen 9 5900HS processor and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 graphics card, providing excellent performance for gaming and demanding tasks.
- Slim and lightweight design, making it easy to carry with you on the go.
- High-quality FHD display with a high refresh rate of up to 165Hz, offering smooth and vivid visuals.
- Customizable RGB lighting on the keyboard and a large and responsive trackpad.
- Good selection of ports, including USB-C and HDMI, allowing you to connect to a variety of peripherals.
- Fingerprint sensor for added security and convenience.
Cons:
- Expensive compared to other gaming laptops on the market.
- Battery life is not as long as some other laptops, especially when using it for gaming or other intensive tasks.
- No webcam, which may be a downside for those who need to use video conferencing regularly.
- Limited upgradability, as some components, such as the RAM and storage, are soldered to the motherboard and cannot be easily replaced.
Alienware m15 R4
The Alienware m15 R4 is a high-end gaming laptop with a 15.6-inch FHD display that offers excellent color accuracy and a high refresh rate of up to 360Hz. It’s powered by an Intel Core i7-10870H processor and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 graphics card, making it capable of handling even the most demanding games and tasks with ease.
One standout feature of the Alienware m15 R4 is its durable and sleek design, which is made of a magnesium alloy and features AlienFX lighting that can be customized to your liking. The keyboard is comfortable to type on and features per-key RGB lighting, while the trackpad is responsive and includes a fingerprint sensor for added security.
The laptop also includes a good selection of ports, including USB-C, HDMI, and Mini DisplayPort, allowing you to connect to a variety of peripherals. It also has a Thunderbolt 3 port for fast data transfer and charging capabilities.
Overall, the Alienware m15 R4 is an excellent choice for gamers and power users who need a high-performance laptop with a sleek and durable design. Its powerful hardware, high-quality display, and customizable lighting make it one of the best gaming laptops on the market today.
Pros:
- Powerful Intel Core i7-10870H processor and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 graphics card, providing excellent performance for gaming and demanding tasks.
- Durable and sleek design made of a magnesium alloy and featuring AlienFX customizable lighting.
- High-quality FHD display with a high refresh rate of up to 360Hz, offering smooth and vivid visuals.
- Comfortable keyboard with per-key RGB lighting and a responsive trackpad with a fingerprint sensor for added security.
- Good selection of ports, including USB-C, HDMI, and Mini DisplayPort, allowing you to connect to a variety of peripherals.
- Thunderbolt 3 port for fast data transfer and charging capabilities.
Cons:
- Expensive compared to other gaming laptops on the market.
- Battery life is not as long as some other laptops, especially when using it for gaming or other intensive tasks.
- The laptop can get quite hot during extended use, which may be uncomfortable for some users.
- No webcam, which may be a downside for those who need to use video conferencing regularly.
- Limited upgradability, as some components, such as the RAM and storage, are soldered to the motherboard and cannot be easily replaced.
Razer Blade 15 Advanced Model
The Razer Blade 15 Advanced Model is a premium gaming laptop with a 15.6-inch 4K OLED display that offers excellent color accuracy and a high refresh rate of up to 360Hz. It’s powered by an Intel Core i7-11800H processor and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 graphics card, making it capable of handling even the most demanding games and tasks with ease.
One standout feature of the Razer Blade 15 Advanced Model is its sleek and slim design, which is made of high-quality aluminum and features a customizable Chroma RGB keyboard. The keyboard is comfortable to type on and has individually backlit keys that can be customized to your liking. The trackpad is large and responsive, and the laptop includes a built-in webcam for video conferencing.
The laptop also includes a good selection of ports, including Thunderbolt 4, HDMI 2.1, and USB-C, allowing you to connect to a variety of peripherals. It also has a microSD card reader and a headphone/mic jack.
Overall, the Razer Blade 15 Advanced Model is an excellent choice for gamers and power users who need a high-performance laptop with a sleek and modern design. Its powerful hardware, high-quality display, and customizable keyboard make it one of the best gaming laptops on the market today.
Pros:
- Powerful Intel Core i7-11800H processor and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 graphics card, providing excellent performance for gaming and demanding tasks.
- Sleek and slim design made of high-quality aluminum and featuring a customizable Chroma RGB keyboard.
- High-quality 4K OLED display with a high refresh rate of up to 360Hz, offering smooth and vivid visuals.
- Comfortable keyboard with individually backlit keys that can be customized to your liking and a large, responsive trackpad.
- Built-in webcam for video conferencing.
- Good selection of ports, including Thunderbolt 4, HDMI 2.1, and USB-C, allowing you to connect to a variety of peripherals.
- MicroSD card reader and headphone/mic jack.
Cons:
- Expensive compared to other gaming laptops on the market.
- Battery life is not as long as some other laptops, especially when using it for gaming or other intensive tasks.
- Can get quite hot during extended use, which may be uncomfortable for some users.
- Limited upgradability, as some components, such as the RAM and storage, are soldered to the motherboard and cannot be easily replaced.
MSI GE75 Raider
The MSI GE75 Raider is a powerful gaming laptop with a 17.3-inch Full HD display that offers good color accuracy and a high refresh rate of up to 144Hz. It’s powered by an Intel Core i7-10750H processor and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 graphics card, making it capable of handling most games and tasks with ease.
One standout feature of the MSI GE75 Raider is its RGB keyboard, which is comfortable to type on and features per-key lighting that can be customized to your liking. The laptop also includes a large trackpad and a built-in webcam for video conferencing.
The laptop includes a good selection of ports, including USB-C, HDMI, and Mini DisplayPort, allowing you to connect to a variety of peripherals. It also includes a LAN port for high-speed internet connectivity.
One potential downside of the MSI GE75 Raider is its weight, as it is a bit heavier than some other gaming laptops on the market. It also has a shorter battery life, especially when using it for gaming or other intensive tasks.
Overall, the MSI GE75 Raider is a good choice for gamers and power users who need a high-performance laptop with a comfortable keyboard and a good selection of ports.
Pros:
- Powerful Intel Core i7-10750H processor and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 graphics card, providing excellent performance for gaming and demanding tasks.
- Comfortable RGB keyboard with per-key lighting that can be customized to your liking.
- Good selection of ports, including USB-C, HDMI, and Mini DisplayPort, allowing you to connect to a variety of peripherals.
- Large trackpad and built-in webcam for video conferencing.
- Includes a LAN port for high-speed internet connectivity.
Cons:
- Heavier than some other gaming laptops on the market.
- Shorter battery life, especially when using it for gaming or other intensive tasks.
- No Thunderbolt 3 port, which may be a disadvantage for some users who need that type of connectivity.
Acer Predator Triton 500
The Acer Predator Triton 500 is a slim and powerful gaming laptop with a 15.6-inch Full HD display that offers good color accuracy and a high refresh rate of up to 300Hz. It’s powered by an Intel Core i7-10750H processor and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 graphics card, making it capable of handling most games and tasks with ease.
One standout feature of the Acer Predator Triton 500 is its slim design, which makes it highly portable and easy to carry around. It also features a comfortable RGB keyboard with per-key lighting that can be customized to your liking.
The laptop includes a good selection of ports, including Thunderbolt 3, HDMI, and Mini DisplayPort, allowing you to connect to a variety of peripherals. It also includes a built-in webcam for video conferencing and a large trackpad that supports Windows Precision drivers.
One potential downside of the Acer Predator Triton 500 is its fan noise, which can be quite loud during intensive tasks such as gaming. It also has a shorter battery life, especially when using it for gaming or other intensive tasks.
Overall, the Acer Predator Triton 500 is a good choice for gamers and power users who need a high-performance laptop with a slim design, a comfortable keyboard, and a good selection of ports.
Pros:
- Slim and portable design, making it easy to carry around.
- Powerful Intel Core i7-10750H processor and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 graphics card, providing excellent performance for gaming and demanding tasks.
- Comfortable RGB keyboard with per-key lighting that can be customized to your liking.
- Good selection of ports, including Thunderbolt 3, HDMI, and Mini DisplayPort, allowing you to connect to a variety of peripherals.
- Large trackpad that supports Windows Precision drivers and a built-in webcam for video conferencing.
Cons:
- Fan noise can be quite loud during intensive tasks such as gaming.
- Shorter battery life, especially when using it for gaming or other intensive tasks.
Lenovo Legion 7i
The Lenovo Legion 7i is a powerful gaming laptop with a 15.6-inch Full HD display that offers good color accuracy and a high refresh rate of up to 240Hz. It’s powered by an Intel Core i7-10750H processor and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 graphics card, making it capable of handling most games and tasks with ease.
One standout feature of the Lenovo Legion 7i is its sleek and stylish design, with a slim profile and an aluminum chassis. It also features a comfortable RGB keyboard with per-key lighting that can be customized to your liking.
The laptop includes a good selection of ports, including Thunderbolt 3, HDMI, and Mini DisplayPort, allowing you to connect to a variety of peripherals. It also includes a built-in webcam for video conferencing and a large trackpad that supports Windows Precision drivers.
One potential downside of the Lenovo Legion 7i is its battery life, which is on the shorter side when compared to other gaming laptops. It also has a tendency to get quite hot during intensive tasks such as gaming, which can be uncomfortable for some users.
Overall, the Lenovo Legion 7i is a good choice for gamers and power users who need a high-performance laptop with a sleek design, a comfortable keyboard, and a good selection of ports.
Pros:
- Sleek and stylish design with a slim profile and an aluminum chassis.
- Powerful Intel Core i7-10750H processor and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 graphics card, providing excellent performance for gaming and demanding tasks.
- Comfortable RGB keyboard with per-key lighting that can be customized to your liking.
- Good selection of ports, including Thunderbolt 3, HDMI, and Mini DisplayPort, allowing you to connect to a variety of peripherals.
- Large trackpad that supports Windows Precision drivers and a built-in webcam for video conferencing.
Cons:
- Shorter battery life when compared to other gaming laptops.
- Tendency to get quite hot during intensive tasks such as gaming, which can be uncomfortable for some users.
HP Omen 15
The HP Omen 15 is a powerful gaming laptop with a 15.6-inch Full HD display that offers good color accuracy and a high refresh rate of up to 144Hz. It’s powered by an Intel Core i7-10750H processor and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 graphics card, making it capable of handling most games and tasks with ease.
One standout feature of the HP Omen 15 is its stylish design, with a sleek aluminum chassis and a customizable RGB keyboard with per-key lighting. It also features a good selection of ports, including Thunderbolt 3, HDMI, and Mini DisplayPort, allowing you to connect to a variety of peripherals.
The laptop includes a built-in webcam for video conferencing and a large trackpad that supports Windows Precision drivers. It also features good sound quality, thanks to its Bang & Olufsen speakers.
One potential downside of the HP Omen 15 is its battery life, which is on the shorter side when compared to other gaming laptops. It also tends to get quite hot during intensive tasks such as gaming, which can be uncomfortable for some users.
Overall, the HP Omen 15 is a good choice for gamers and power users who need a high-performance laptop with a stylish design, a comfortable keyboard, and a good selection of ports.
Pros:
- Stylish design with a sleek aluminum chassis and a customizable RGB keyboard with per-key lighting.
- Powerful Intel Core i7-10750H processor and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070 graphics card, providing excellent performance for gaming and demanding tasks.
- Good selection of ports, including Thunderbolt 3, HDMI, and Mini DisplayPort, allowing you to connect to a variety of peripherals.
- Large trackpad that supports Windows Precision drivers and a built-in webcam for video conferencing.
- Good sound quality thanks to its Bang & Olufsen speakers.
Cons:
- Shorter battery life when compared to other gaming laptops.
- Tendency to get quite hot during intensive tasks such as gaming, which can be uncomfortable for some users.
ASUS TUF Gaming A17
The ASUS TUF Gaming A17 is a powerful gaming laptop with a 17.3-inch Full HD display that offers good color accuracy and a high refresh rate of up to 120Hz. It’s powered by an AMD Ryzen 7 5800H processor and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 graphics card, making it capable of handling even the most demanding games and tasks with ease.
One standout feature of the ASUS TUF Gaming A17 is its rugged design, with a military-grade chassis that’s built to withstand the rigors of gaming. It also features a comfortable RGB keyboard with per-key lighting that can be customized to your liking.
The laptop includes a good selection of ports, including HDMI, USB-C, and Ethernet, allowing you to connect to a variety of peripherals. It also includes a built-in webcam for video conferencing and a large trackpad that supports Windows Precision drivers.
One potential downside of the ASUS TUF Gaming A17 is its weight, which is on the heavier side at around 6.3 pounds. It also has a shorter battery life when compared to other gaming laptops, and its display could be brighter.
Overall, the ASUS TUF Gaming A17 is a good choice for gamers and power users who need a high-performance laptop with a rugged design, a comfortable keyboard, and a good selection of ports.
Pros:
- Rugged design with a military-grade chassis that’s built to withstand the rigors of gaming.
- Powerful AMD Ryzen 7 5800H processor and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 graphics card, providing top-tier performance for even the most demanding games and tasks.
- Comfortable RGB keyboard with per-key lighting that can be customized to your liking.
- Good selection of ports, including HDMI, USB-C, and Ethernet, allowing you to connect to a variety of peripherals.
- Large trackpad that supports Windows Precision drivers and a built-in webcam for video conferencing.
Cons:
- Heavy, weighing in at around 6.3 pounds, which can make it difficult to carry around.
- Shorter battery life when compared to other gaming laptops.
- Display could be brighter.