Let’s be honest — if it were possible, we would carry our gaming PC everywhere we go. Since that can’t happen, the next best thing is to own one of the best gaming laptops — a device that you can take everywhere.
Gaming laptops are a great alternative to gaming PCs if you lack the space to accommodate a full-fledged PC in your room — they are compact and portable. With gaming technology evolving at a rapid rate, there are potent laptop hardware that offer a close performance to a gaming PC. Gaming laptops don’t have to be used just for gaming, they are backed by powerful CPUs and GPUs, which means all your editing and other productivity tasks can be handled without breaking a sweat. These laptops can handle heavy rendering tasks and some of them can even render 4K videos very efficiently.
Don’t worry, you won’t need to break your bank account to buy a good gaming laptop. We’ve done a thorough research and have great recommendations so that people with different budgets will find something on our list that they can buy.
Buying a gaming laptop off the internet can be very challenging, so our team of experts has gone through tons of products online to find the best of the best. In this article, you’ll find 7 top-rated gaming laptops that you should consider buying.
Should I Get a Gaming Laptop or a Desktop?
Gaming laptops are great for people who have little space in their room, are on a lower budget, or like to carry a computer with them when they’re traveling. If you’re a college student, then it is far more feasible to get a laptop that helps you carry it anywhere you go. Gaming laptops are lightweight and can easily fit in your bag. Although it may not be able to match the performance of a PC, gaming laptops are still powerful enough to run AAA games, 3D rendering, and video editing software. If these are some factors that meet your requirements, then gaming laptops are the way to go.
What Screen Size Should I Pick for a Gaming Laptop?
Games are best enjoyed on a laptop that has a screen size of anywhere between 16-18 inches. They offer a large enough viewing space to enjoy all the games in their glory without missing any details. If you pick a laptop with a higher specification, you can even enjoy games in 4K at high FPS and refresh rates to completely immerse yourself in it.
7 Best Gaming Laptops in 2024
Having the best gaming laptop is like carrying an entire gaming console with you. They are compact and yet very powerful to run some of the best recent games. Here’s a list of our favorite gaming laptops that you should be looking at.
BEST OVERALL
ASUS ROG Strix G16 2024 Model
PHOTO CREDIT: Amazon
Why We Love
Backlit keyboard
Anti-glare display
100% DCI-P3 color space
Four-zone customizable RGB lighting
Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos support
Nvidia Advanced Optimus and DLSS3
But…
Expensive
Specifications:
CPU: Intel 14th Gen 24-core i9-14900HX
GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 8GB
RAM: 16GB DDR5 5600MHz
Storage: 1TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2 SSD
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 is a complete package for all your gaming needs. This Asus gaming laptop has provided gamers with exceptional gaming hardware for years, and they continue to do so with this gaming laptop as well. Powered by a robust Intel processor and RTX GPU, this laptop can run all your favorite AAA games on max settings with consistent FPS at all times. Out of the box, it comes with a 1TB of PCIe storage drive and includes three additional slots to add more SSDs. It has a beautiful 16.5 QHD 240Hz Nebula display for a max resolution of 2560×1600 pixels and latency as low as 3ms. It uses a tri-fan technology with full-surround vents, keeping the temperature of the device under control even under intense usage.
BEST BUDGET
HP Victus 15 Gaming Laptop
PHOTO CREDIT: Amazon
Why We Love
Backlit keyboard
Anti-glare display
Sleek modern design
Multi-monitor support
Up to five hours of battery life
Built-in Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth support
But…
Maximum 2 TB SSD capacity
Specifications:
CPU: AMD 6-core Ryzen 5 7535HS 3.3 GHz
GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 2050 4GB
RAM: 16GB DDR5
Storage: 1TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2 SSD
Balancing performance and affordability, the HP Victus 15 gaming laptop caters to gamers who are on a tight budget. This 15.6-inch laptop uses an AMD Ryzen 5 processor with a base clock speed of 3.3 GHz, allowing for a decent gaming experience. However, with a bit of tweaking, you can push the clock speed up to 4.55 GHz if you desire a noticeably better performance for both games and multi-tasking activities. With the help of its RTX 2050, you can play most games at low-medium settings at 1080p resolution. And the nearly bezel-less display ensures complete visual stimulation. This is one of the best gaming laptops under $1,000; go get it.
BEST QHD DISPLAY
Acer Nitro 17
PHOTO CREDIT: Amazon
Why We Love
DTS:X Ultra support
Nvidia DLSS 3 support
165Hz refresh rate support
Four-zone customizable RGB keyboard
Liquid metal thermal grease for the CPU
Nvidia G-Sync and Nvidia Advanced Optimus support
But…
Heavy price tag
Specifications:
CPU: AMD 8-core Ryzen 7 7840HS 5.1 GHz
GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 8GB
RAM: 16GB DDR5
Storage: 1TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2 SSD
Acer Nitro 17 has a 17.3-inch QHD display that will take your breath away. Banking on its 2560x1440p display, you can crank the games’ visual settings to the max and lose yourself in the world completely. It features the latest AMD processor and Nvidia graphics card, so you can rest easy knowing that you can play any game that has been released or will be released in the next few years at high settings. Furthermore, you can utilize its Precision Boots to overclock the laptop to 5.1 GHz for those processing-rich games. Acer redesigned its cooling chassis to have dual fans to intake cool air and dissipate hot air through the quad port at the back. There is a lot of processing that happens, so Acer allows you to track and customize your laptop’s performance using its NitroSense software, which can be downloaded from the website.
BEST HIGH-END LAPTOP
Lenovo Legion Pro 7i
PHOTO CREDIT: Amazon
Why We Love
240Hz refresh rate
Backlit RGB keypad
Upgradable up to 4TB SSD capacity
Legion Coldfront 5.0 advanced cooling system
Wireless Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.0 support
Free access to Xbox Game Pass for three months
But…
Overheats during intense usage
Specifications:
CPU: Intel 24-core i9-13900HX 4.10 GHz
GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080 12GB
RAM: 32 GB DDR5 5600MHz
Storage: 2 TB SSD M.2 2280 PCIe Gen4 TLC
The best gaming experience requires the best gaming laptop, and that is exactly what the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i is. The Legion 7i is a vast improvement over its predecessor with major upgrades to the hardware. It has an extremely powerful Core i9 processor that is meant to handle the most processor-intensive tasks with ease. Apart from gaming, it can also handle 4K video editing, 3D rendering, simulations, and so much more. The processor is backed by the latest Nvidia RTX 4080 to utilize its RTX features and deliver life-like images on its 16-inch WQXGA display. It also comes with Lenovo’s AI Engine+, which intelligently optimizes all your games for maximum FPS achievement. The engine constantly learns and evolves to proactively work towards providing you with the best gaming experience. So, are you ready for the future of gaming?
BEST GAMING LAPTOP UNDER $1000
ASUS TUF Gaming A15 (2024)
PHOTO CREDIT: Amazon
Why We Love
DTS:X Ultra support
250 nits brightness
Wi-Fi 6 compatibility
Dual self-cleaning fans
Optimized airflow system
Up to 12.3 hours of battery life
144Hz refresh rate with Adaptive-Sync technology
Free access to Xbox Game Pass for three months
But…
Noisy fans
Specifications:
CPU: AMD 6-core Ryzen 5 7535HS 4.5 GHz
GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 2050 4GB
RAM: 8GB of DDR5 5600MHz
Storage: 512GB PCIe 4.0
The Asus TUF A15 is a game-changer owing to its features, which is an absolute bang-for-buck in the affordable range. It is built with a sturdy and durable material, resulting in its military-grade toughness that can endure harsh usage. It is capable of everything from gaming and productivity to streaming and editing. With its FHD display, you can enjoy games and movies at 1080p. Even with the previous-gen processor and graphics card, you can easily run games with medium-high graphics settings. It’s not just the processing, it also has an incredible dual speaker system with two-way AI noise-cancellation technology for crisp and clear audio output. Basically, it’s a complete package with an affordable price tag.
BEST LIGHTWEIGHT GAMING LAPTOP
MSI Thin GF63
PHOTO CREDIT: Amazon
Why We Love
Thin-bezels
Hi-res audio support
Includes all commonly used ports
15-inch display with 144Hz refresh rate
Wireless Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.0 support
Nahimic in-game 3D surround sound support
But…
Finicky touchpad
Specifications:
CPU: Intel 6+4 Core i7-12650H 1.7 GHz
GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 6GB
RAM: 16GB DDR4 3200MHz
Storage: 512GB NVMe SSD
Despite its lean build, the MSI Thin GF63 is a powerhouse of a laptop. MSI has many awards to its name and it doesn’t surprise us at all. This thin laptop boasts a 12th Gen Core i7 processor and an RTX 4050 graphics card, which combined offers impeccable performance that leaves behind other laptops in the same price range. With its 16 GB RAM, you will have enough memory to run games smoothly without requiring you to close other applications. To top it all, it features MSI’s Cooler Boost technology, which is fine-tuned to the max to be silent yet efficient even under heavy use.
BEST FOR DAILY USE
Lenovo LOQ 15
PHOTO CREDIT: Amazon
Why We Love
Backlit keyboard
Dual-channel memory
Nvidia ray tracing support
High-speed data transfers
Nvidia G-Sync compatibility
Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.2 support
But…
Finicky display
Specifications:
CPU: 13th Gen Intel 8-core i5-13420H 3.4 GHz
GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 6GB
RAM: 16GB DDR5 5200 MHz
Storage: 512GB PCIe SSD
Lenovo is one of the most trusted and best gaming laptop brands in the market, so when you buy Lenovo LOQ 15, you know you’re buying from a seasoned brand. If you’re obsessed with playing games and watching movies in 4K, you’ll love its 15.6-inch FHD IPS display. It has a maximum resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels, so you’ll be watching everything in a full HD resolution without losing any details. The screen supports a refresh rate of up to 144Hz, eliminating any video jitters for a butter-smooth viewing experience. Be it for video editing or just casual gaming, you will hardly notice any screen tearing. Bring on all your gaming or daily activities, this laptop can handle it all.
How We Chose the Best Gaming Laptops
We have a talented team of experts who are well-versed in gaming technology. We reviewed hundreds of products online and streamlined them to just a handful after considering all their features and what the gamers would like. Some of the factors we gave the most importance to were the unique features, price range, and durability of the product. We also considered the reviews on Amazon to see how well the products have met gamer’s expectations.
FAQ
Which brand of laptop is best for gaming?
Asus ROG is the best brand for gaming laptops.
Can RTX 2050 run all games?
With RTX 2050, you will able to run games on low-medium graphical settings with decent FPS.
Is a laptop good for gaming?
Yes, laptops are great alternatives for PC gaming. It saves you from having a dedicated space, and you can take them anywhere you go.
Can RTX 3050 run GTA V?
Yes, RTX 3050 can run GTA V.
Will RTX 3060 be able to run future games?
It will depend on how graphic-intense the games will be. RTX 3060 can run current-gen games at 1080/1440p, so it should fare well with games in the future, too.
GTX or RTX: Which is better for gaming?
RTX is definitely the better choice here as it supports ray tracing features that imitate real-life lighting and tonnes of other features that are lacking in GTX.
What is the most powerful laptop?
Lenovo Legion Pro 7i is one of the most powerful gaming laptops on our list.
How much RAM do I need for gaming?
We highly recommend that you have at least 16GB RAM for optimal performance.
Which laptop can run GTA 5 smoothly?
ASUS ROG Strix G16 2024 Model is our top choice for running all AAA games at max settings.
Which graphics card is best for GTA 5?
When GTA 5 was released nine years ago, the official recommendation was Nvidia GTX 660 2GB / AMD HD 7870 2GB. So, any RTX or AMD equivalent card should be good enough to run it.
Can RTX 3050 support 4K?
Yes, RTX 3050 does support 4K gaming and video streaming. You can see some FPS issues quite often, but it can run 4K nonetheless.
What is the memory size of the RTX 3060?
The RTX 3060 comes in two variants — 8GB and 12GB versions.
What is the minimum graphics card for a gaming laptop?
8GB VRAM is the minimum requirement for a laptop to run games smoothly.
How much SSD do I need for gaming?
If you play games one at a time or have at least a few games installed, then a 1TB SSD should do the job. But if you like to have a lot of games installed and ready to go, 2TB is ideal.
MSI or Asus: Which is better for gaming
Between the two, Asus definitely takes the cake. With ROG and TUF series of laptops, Asus is one of the best brands for gaming hardware.
