Deeper Dive: Our Top Tested Picks
EDITORS’ NOTE
July 2, 2025: With this update, we removed the discontinued Lenovo Legion Pro 5i Gen 9 and Asus TUF Gaming A14, replacing them with the Acer Predator Triton Neo 16 (Best Gaming Laptop for Most People) and the Lenovo Legion 7i Gen 9 (Best Midrange Gaming Laptop). We added the Asus ROG Zephyrus G16 (2025) as our new Best Gaming/Content Creation Laptop Crossover, while we replaced the out-of-stock MSI Cyborg 15 with the Acer Nitro V 15 (ANV15-41-R2Y3) as our Best Budget Gaming Laptop. Since this article’s last update, we have reviewed and considered more than two dozen new laptops for inclusion in this and our other laptop buying guides.
- Elegant design
- Effective CPU and GPU combo
- Bright, vivid display
- Decent battery life
- Loud fans
- Slightly mushy keyboard
- Weak speakers
We tested a $1,599 review model of Acer’s Predator Triton Neo 16, and given this midrange pricing, we can comfortably recommend it to most gamers between entry-level and high-end price points. No one laptop will please everyone (you’ll find cheaper and more expensive alternatives on this list). Still, this expertly designed Triton model splits the difference, with more power than budget systems while staying at less than the $2,000 price mark of enthusiast systems. With its Intel Core Ultra 9 185H processor, 32GB of memory, and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 GPU, mainstream and competitive gaming are a lock. Only the hard-core crowd will look for a higher-tier GPU (see our pricier picks below), but otherwise, this is a fine deal on effective components and a vibrant 16-inch screen that won’t break the bank.
While the price is beyond the budget class, most of you will find this laptop’s performance enough at a reasonable cost. The premium build makes it easier to recommend, and the performance pleases both aspirational entry-level shoppers willing to push their budget and midrange gamers looking for a fair value. You can find plenty of more portable laptops if that’s your priority, though 16 inches is rapidly becoming a standard size among gaming machines. If you have money to spend, but not that kind of money, consider the Predator Triton Neo 16.
Class
Desktop Replacement
Processor
Intel Core Ultra 9 185H
RAM (as Tested)
32 GB
Boot Drive Type
SSD
Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested)
1 TB
Screen Size
16 inches
Native Display Resolution
2560 by 1600
Panel Technology
IPS
Variable Refresh Support
G-Sync
Screen Refresh Rate
120 Hz
Graphics Processor
Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060
Graphics Memory
6 GB
Wireless Networking
802.11ac, Bluetooth 5.3
Dimensions (HWD)
0.82 by 14 by 9.8 inches
Weight
4.5 lbs
Operating System
Windows 11 Home
Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes)
10:16
Learn More
Acer Predator Triton Neo 16 Review
- Potent gaming performance
- Looks sharp in Glacier White
- Bright screen
- Comfortable input devices
- Fingerprint reader
- Average battery life
- No G-Sync support
The Legion 7i Gen 9 is a brilliant all-around gaming laptop, with extremely well-performing mobile parts in a premium build. It runs right against the $2,000 midrange limit in our tested system, but the base model of this laptop starts at around a more palatable $1,700. The Intel Core i9-14900HX and Nvidia RTX 4070 GPU made quick work of our gaming tests, beaten only by the most premium laptops available.
This is an upper-midrange system (all the better if you can find it on sale), but it still sits clear of the many $2,200-plus gaming laptops we see each year. With a bright display, a slick all-white look, and a comfortable design, the Legion 7i Gen 9 is an excellent choice if you can afford it.
Hard-core gamers and mainstream shoppers with a bigger budget should love this system. Anyone looking for performance but who would rather stay below the $2,000 threshold will be pleased with this combination. The processor is fast, and the RTX 4070 supports 1600p gaming (the panel is 2,560 by 1,600) without vaulting the cost into the next tier up. It has plenty of RAM and storage, and a big and sharp screen, to serve as your everyday PC in addition to its primary function: PC gaming.
Class
Gaming
Processor
Intel Core i9-14900HX
Processor Speed
2.2 GHz
RAM (as Tested)
32 GB
Boot Drive Type
SSD
Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested)
1 TB
Screen Size
16 inches
Native Display Resolution
2560 x 1600
Panel Technology
IPS
Variable Refresh Support
None
Screen Refresh Rate
240 Hz
Graphics Processor
Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Laptop GPU
Graphics Memory
8 GB
Wireless Networking
802.11ax, Bluetooth 5.3
Dimensions (HWD)
0.78 by 14.1 by 10.3 inches
Weight
4.9 lbs
Operating System
Windows 11 Home
Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes)
6:23
Learn More
Lenovo Legion 7i Gen 9 Review
- Exceptional performance
- Gorgeous gaming display
- Sturdy build and quality design
- Respectable battery life
- Thunderbolt 4 and USB4 are MIA
- No biometric login options
- Heavy and bulky
Simply put, this laptop is the best of both worlds in performance and price. Bargains aren’t the primary consideration in this price tier, but it doesn’t hurt that Lenovo’s Legion Pro 7i Gen 9 16 delivers top-end performance for less than its competition. The build lacks the ultra-premium materials of some rivals, but it’s well worth the savings. Our test model includes an Intel Core i9-14900HX and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080, which delivered performance in line with much more expensive laptops, letting the Legion punch well above its weight.
If you are shopping in this laptop’s price range (the mid $2,000s), you’ll find lots to love here. This Legion Pro’s performance rivals pricier and heavier systems, which is reason enough to check it out; anyone seeking the best deal in the high-end range should look no further.
Class
Gaming
Processor
Intel Core i9-14900HX
RAM (as Tested)
32 GB
Boot Drive Type
SSD
Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested)
1 TB
Secondary Drive Type
SSD
Secondary Drive Capacity (as Tested)
1 TB
Screen Size
16 inches
Native Display Resolution
2560 by 1600
Panel Technology
IPS
Variable Refresh Support
G-Sync
Screen Refresh Rate
240 Hz
Graphics Processor
Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080 Laptop GPU
Graphics Memory
12 GB
Wireless Networking
Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth
Dimensions (HWD)
1.01 by 14.3 by 10.3 inches
Weight
6.17 lbs
Operating System
Windows 11 Home
Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes)
8:04
Learn More
Lenovo Legion Pro 7i Gen 9 16 Review
- Sub-$1,000 price
- Sufficient for mainstream 1080p gaming
- Long battery life
- Decent array of ports
- Middling processing speeds
- Performance mode gets extraordinarily loud while gaming
- Restrictive 512GB SSD
If you can expand your budget beyond our ultra-cheap alternative, this model is one of the better deals available for less than $1,000. The entry-level parts won’t set any records, but an RTX 4050 GPU and a Ryzen 5 processor deliver reasonable performance for the cost. You’ll always have to make concessions in a budget machine (like so-so processing speeds and loud fans in performance mode), but this gets you in the door to mainstream 1080p gaming for as little cash as possible. A 144Hz screen, 16GB of memory, many ports, and long battery life sweeten the pot.
If the super-budget alternative to this model that we recommend doesn’t sound sufficient, and you can muster a bit more cash, look to one of the best gaming laptops we’ve tested for less than a grand. Young players getting their first gaming laptop and students on a budget will get what they need here. Under-$1,000 gaming laptops are getting less common these days, but this Nitro gets there with acceptable caveats.
Class
Gaming, Budget
Processor
AMD Ryzen 5 7535HS
RAM (as Tested)
16 GB
Boot Drive Type
Hard Drive
Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested)
512 GB
Screen Size
15.6 inches
Native Display Resolution
1920 by 1080
Panel Technology
IPS
Variable Refresh Support
None
Screen Refresh Rate
144 Hz
Graphics Processor
Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 Laptop GPU
Graphics Memory
6 GB
Wireless Networking
802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6)
Dimensions (HWD)
1.08 by 14.28 by 9.45 inches
Weight
4.6 lbs
Operating System
Windows 11 Home
Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes)
9:48
Learn More
Acer Nitro V 15 (ANV15-41-R2Y3) Review
- Attractive price
- Suffices for 1080p gaming
- Wide selection of ports
- Lengthy battery life
- Lagging processor performance
- Limited 512GB SSD
You’ll find plenty of powerful and pricey systems on our list, but we’re thinking of shoppers on tight budgets, too. The Acer Nitro V 15 (ANV15-51-59MT) starts at the low price of $699.99 and was tested at $849.99, beating several competitors as the best gaming laptop under $1,000 right now. For the money, you get an Nvidia RTX 4050 GPU and an Intel 13th Gen Core i5 CPU, which posted comfortable 1080p gaming numbers in our testing. The 512GB drive is a bit restrictive for gaming, but that’s normal in this price range, and crucially the battery life and port offerings are broad enough to balance out the package. The Nitro focuses on gaming performance per dollar, presenting a low-cost laptop for gaming with a smooth experience in the modern market.
For anyone who agrees $1,000 is too much to spend, this is the best affordable gaming laptop today. The last thing you want to concede for a gaming rig is graphics performance, and in that regard, the Nitro hangs with more expensive machines. This laptop can run all of the most popular games, including the more demanding big-budget titles, at 1080p without issue. Only the most cutting-edge games will require you to turn down some visual settings at that resolution, making for a generally plug-and-play experience. If you’re a parent buying your child a first or college laptop, or a mainstream gamer on a strict budget, this is the best option for as little as possible.
Class
Gaming
Processor
Intel Core i5-13420H
RAM (as Tested)
8 GB
Boot Drive Type
SSD
Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested)
512 GB
Screen Size
15.6 inches
Native Display Resolution
1920 by 1080
Panel Technology
IPS
Variable Refresh Support
None
Screen Refresh Rate
144 Hz
Graphics Processor
Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 Laptop GPU
Graphics Memory
6 GB
Wireless Networking
802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6), Bluetooth
Dimensions (HWD)
1.06 by 14.3 by 9.4 inches
Weight
4.66 lbs
Operating System
Windows 11
Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes)
9:51
Learn More
Acer Nitro V 15 (ANV15-51-59MT) Review
- Elegant, compact redesign with metal chassis
- Powerful all-around performance and gaming speed
- Brilliant 1800p 120Hz OLED panel with G-Sync support
- Wide selection of ports
- Long battery life
The G14 is our current favorite ultraportable gaming laptop for its combination of performance, style, and price. Our $1,999.99 review configuration is not cheap, but light and compact gaming notebooks are inherently expensive, and this is a fine deal with an even more approachable $1,599.99 base model. Our test unit packs an AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS processor, 32GB of RAM, a 1TB SSD, and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 GPU into its compact frame. Frame rates easily hit triple digits at 1080p and stayed well over 60fps even at native 3K resolution. This performance comes in a stylish, high-quality chassis that weighs only 3.3 pounds, and it’s realized through a 120Hz OLED panel with G-Sync support. Battery life is long, and you’ll find plenty of ports despite the Zephyrus’ small frame. It’s difficult to find much fault with the system, adding up to a capable, chic, and portable gaming machine.
PC gamers seeking a light gaming laptop should look no further. You’ll see some worthy alternatives, especially the Razer Blade 14 (for those with even bigger budgets), but this ROG Zephyrus is the best mix of the most critical factors. The less-expensive base model can give you a lot of design advantages for hundreds less if our review configuration stretches your budget too far. If you are looking for a primary gaming PC that you can travel with over short or long distances, or if you want a mobile partner for your home desktop, the Asus is your best bet.
Class
Gaming
Processor
AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS
RAM (as Tested)
32 GB
Boot Drive Type
SSD
Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested)
1 TB
Screen Size
14 inches
Native Display Resolution
2,880 by 1,800
Panel Technology
OLED
Variable Refresh Support
G-Sync
Screen Refresh Rate
120 Hz
Graphics Processor
Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Laptop GPU
Graphics Memory
8 GB
Wireless Networking
Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth
Dimensions (HWD)
0.64 by 12.2 by 8.7 inches
Weight
3.3 lbs
Operating System
Windows 11 Home
Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes)
11:52
Learn More
Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 (2024) Review
- Blistering processing and gaming performance
- Relatively approachable starting price
- QHD+ 165Hz display with FHD+ 480Hz option
- Optional mechanical Cherry MX keyboard
- Expensive as tested
- Heavy, even for its size
- Screen could be brighter
Want the best big-screen experience that money can buy? Your best bet today is Alienware’s m18 R2, which goes all in for processing and graphics muscle. This is the second edition of Dell’s Alienware m18, carrying over a lot of what we liked from the first. Namely, this machine goes right to the top end of the power stack, complemented by high-end style and premium features like an advanced display. You can pick from a 1600p 165Hz or 1080p 480Hz panel, and our review unit was loaded with an Intel Core i9-14900HX CPU and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 GPU. Unsurprisingly, these parts made mincemeat of our benchmark tests, posting staggering 3D and gaming results. Extra options like a Cherry MX mechanical keyboard elevated the experience even further.
Fiscally flush gamers who are all about size and want the latest parts with the most power should consider this beast. The m18 R2 is just about the best-performing gaming laptop available, especially if frame rates and performance in the latest titles are your primary concern. It isn’t travel-friendly at 8.9 pounds, so shoppers should know this is a desktop replacement in the purest sense, luggable along with its AC adapter only when you need it to be. But for that sacrifice, you’ll be rewarded with desktop-topping performance.
Class
Gaming
Processor
Intel Core i9-14900HX
RAM (as Tested)
32 GB
Boot Drive Type
SSD
Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested)
2 TB
Screen Size
18 inches
Native Display Resolution
2560 by 1600
Panel Technology
IPS
Variable Refresh Support
G-Sync
Screen Refresh Rate
165 Hz
Graphics Processor
Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 Laptop GPU
Graphics Memory
16 GB
Wireless Networking
Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth
Dimensions (HWD)
1.05 by 16.2 by 12.6 inches
Weight
8.9 lbs
Operating System
Windows 11
Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes)
6:45
Learn More
Alienware m18 R2 Review
- Lightning-fast CPU
- Brilliant OLED screen
- Long battery life
- Thin, light, and deluxe build
- Limited gaming speeds for $2K-plus
- Runs loud and hot, especially in high-performance mode
The 2025 AMD Ryzen AI 9-based version of the Zephyrus G16 is a dream laptop for demanding creative professionals who also play PC games. The 16-inch 1600p OLED screen is beautiful, the battery is long-lasting, and the AI-ready HX processor in our review model is up to tackling strenuous media editing and content creation workloads. Nvidia’s RTX 4070 is equally ready to power high-end gaming sessions and 3D content tasks, and it’s all wrapped up in a thin, light, premium-feeling package.
Video editors and graphic designers will come for the display and processor, wrap up their workday, and stay for the gaming-ready GPU. It’s not a perfect answer for every creator or gamer, as high-end workloads or top-end gaming goals will need a beefier GPU. Still, the processing power, memory, and sharp display make it an excellent fit for most that won’t delete your checking account.
Class
Gaming
Processor
AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370
RAM (as Tested)
32 GB
Boot Drive Type
SSD
Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested)
1 TB
Screen Size
16 inches
Native Display Resolution
2560 by 1600
Panel Technology
OLED
Variable Refresh Support
None
Screen Refresh Rate
240 Hz
Graphics Processor
Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Laptop GPU
Graphics Memory
8 GB
Wireless Networking
Wi-Fi 7
Dimensions (HWD)
0.65 by 13.94 by 9.96 inches
Weight
4.08 lbs
Operating System
Windows 11 Home
Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes)
12:34
Learn More
Asus ROG Zephyrus G16 (2025, AMD Ryzen AI 9) Review
- Boosted productivity and gaming performance
- High-res IPS screen with 120Hz refresh rate
- Four-zone RGB keyboard with anti-ghosting
- Wi-Fi 6E and Ethernet
- Below-average battery life
- Non-touch display limits Android app use
This is a relatively new category of gaming laptop. Many companies have tried to capitalize on the concept of cloud gaming, and now the hardware and infrastructure are coming together in a handful of cloud-streaming Chromebook machines with gamer-friendly details that set them apart from mainstream or ordinary Chromebooks. The Acer Chromebook Plus 516 GE is Acer’s second-gen effort at a gaming Chromebook, and it’s our top pick. The performance is consistent across the board for gaming and general use; the build is top-quality for its price; the screen is sharp and peaks at a 120Hz refresh rate; and the keys even have RGB backlighting. Perhaps the gaming Chromebook trend won’t last, but if this machine is any indication, there’s a lot of promise here.
Gamers who can’t afford a pricey dedicated laptop have a relatively easy out with this system. It doesn’t need a discrete GPU of its own, cutting down on the cost of the laptop itself significantly. It’s much more affordable than the average gaming laptop because this Chromebook relies on cloud streaming services to play games. Of course, that requires at least a stable (if not outright fast) internet connection, and a subscription to a cloud gaming service, each a possible no-go if you’re on a tight budget. But if you can get by with a Chromebook for your everyday computing life outside of your gaming, and an under-$700 price is right, this is a fine solution.
Class
Chromebook, Gaming
Processor
Intel Core i5-120U
RAM (as Tested)
8 GB
Boot Drive Type
SSD
Boot Drive Capacity (as Tested)
256 GB
Screen Size
16 inches
Native Display Resolution
2560 by 1600
Panel Technology
IPS
Variable Refresh Support
Yes
Screen Refresh Rate
120 Hz
Graphics Processor
Intel Graphics
Wireless Networking
Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2
Dimensions (HWD)
0.84 by 14.0 by 9.8 inches
Weight
3.75 lbs
Operating System
Chrome OS
Tested Battery Life (Hours:Minutes)
9:16
Learn More
Acer Chromebook Plus 516 GE (2025) Review
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The Best Gaming Laptops for 2025
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Buying Guide: The Best Gaming Laptops for 2025
How to Choose a Gaming Laptop: Start With Your Budget
No surprise here: The ultimate factor in your gaming laptop purchase decision will be how much money you have to spend. Gaming systems have higher-end components than run-of-the-mill consumer laptops, so their prices will be higher, but the range across the category is huge, from under a grand to nearly $5,000. Budget gaming laptops start at around $800 and can go up to about $1,250. For that, you get a system that can play games at full HD resolution (1080p) with the settings turned down in most titles or at maximum quality settings in simpler games. Storage will likely be a modest-capacity solid-state drive (SSD); a hard drive indicates an older model best avoided. An SSD as the boot drive is always preferable.
Want something better? Midrange systems give you smoother gameplay at high or maximum settings on a better-quality 1080p screen (which will support high refresh rates; more on that in a moment), and they should add support for VR headsets. These models will range in price from around $1,250 to $2,000.
(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)
High-end systems, meanwhile, should guarantee you smooth gameplay at 1080p with graphics details maxed out, invariably on a high-refresh screen. They may even let you play at 4K resolution if the screen supports it. A high-end model should also be able to power a VR headset and support additional external monitors. These machines tend to come with capacious PCI Express SSDs, and they are priced above $2,000, often closer to $3,000.
Still, you can easily spend more than $3,000 on a gaming laptop, with some models (particularly the 18-inchers, when fully kitted out) approaching $5,000. A big, beautiful screen often calls for a big price tag and is often paired with the highest-end components.
Some laptops in this class support QHD (2,560-by-1,440-pixel) or 4K screens, a hard drive to supplement the SSD, and ultra-efficient cooling fans as optional extras. Thanks to modern advancements, an increasing number of systems are even relatively thin and portable. With laptops in this tier, you’ll either pay a premium for high-end performance in a thin chassis or pay for the most possible power in a chunkier build.
Which Component Matters Most for Gaming Laptops?
While your budget will be the ultimate deciding factor, knowing which components to prioritize can be challenging. Unless you have no spending limit, you must choose where to compromise and where to double down between the graphics processing unit (GPU), central processing unit (CPU or processor), memory, storage, and display. We’ll run through the different components below, in order of where to spend your cash.
1. GPU
It’s natural to ask, “What is the best GPU for a gaming laptop?” But that’s not quite the right question for your shopping search. The “best” GPU overall will always be the fastest, most expensive AMD or Nvidia has to offer, so you should ask: “What’s the best GPU for my gaming goals?” We only consider a laptop to be a gaming laptop if it has a discrete graphics chip from Nvidia or AMD (or, much less commonly, an Intel Arc GPU).
A quick crash course for the uninitiated: The higher the suffix number in a GPU series, the more powerful it is. For example, an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080 will generally produce faster frame rates and higher-quality graphics than an RTX 4070, and so on down the stack. The “40” denotes the generation, so the latest GeForce RTX 50 series is preferable to the older RTX 40 series since, for example, the GeForce RTX 5080 is the successor to the RTX 4080. Nvidia dominates the field right now, currently producing discrete GeForce RTX 50-series mobile GPUs based on its latest “Blackwell” microarchitecture, though you’ll still find plenty of RTX 40-series “Ada Lovelace” GPUs for the time being.
(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)
Nvidia’s GeForce RTX 40 and 50 series GPUs carry an RTX designation (rather than the GTX name of old), a nod to the ray-tracing lightning technology that provides enhanced visuals with compatible games. This fancy real-time lighting effect looks impressive, but it is very demanding to run. (See our primer on PC ray-tracing.)
Combined with an AI-based rendering and upscaling technique called DLSS, Nvidia GPUs can push ray-tracing at higher resolutions in the latest titles. Nvidia is continuously working on this technology, and the improvements in the latest edition, DLSS 4, are a big part of the effectiveness of its 50-series GPUs. Depending on the laptop, demanding games may not hit 60 frames per second (fps) at 4K resolution, especially with ray-tracing active. But it’s much more feasible for a laptop to manage both a high frame rate and high resolution with a top-end GPU’s DLSS 4 and “frame generation” feature, which stitches AI-generated frames between GPU-rendered frames to increase frame rates. From DLSS 4 onward, in particular, Nvidia’s biggest GPU performance gains likely will be achieved via DLSS, rather than via pure horsepower.
Lovelace and Blackwell laptop GPUs are not 1:1 performers in line with their desktop counterparts, but performance is still respectable. We’ve found some sizable real-world performance variance between the same GPU in one laptop versus the same silicon in another, depending mostly on the power or wattage that laptop manufacturers allocate to the GPU. To see why this is, read our article comparing the laptop versus desktop GeForce RTX 4090, and pay attention to the listed TGP on any given laptop GPU. This makes laptop shopping a bit more complicated than simply finding the GPU model in the spec sheet. Our hands on testing is more important than ever.
(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)
As for the model hierarchy, high-priced notebooks with RTX 4080, RTX 4090, RTX 5080, and RTX 5090 GPUs are exceptional performers at all resolutions. As mentioned, DLSS is recommended for running ray tracing at higher resolutions and visual settings, but these top-end 40- and 50-series GPUs are much more capable than the lower-tier chips (with and without the help of DLSS). Our first opportunity to test the mobile RTX 50 series was with an RTX 5090 in a Razer Blade 16, where it proved its power, while an RTX 5080 laptop was our first full RTX 50-series review.
Moving down the stack, Nvidia has RTX 5070 Ti, RTX 5070, and RTX 5060 laptop GPUs, with RTX 5050 coming in July 2025. We have not yet had the chance to test samples of them all. Expect the RTX 5070 Ti to occupy the upper-midrange tier below the true premium systems, while the RTX 5070 will be a true midrange GPU.
Like the RTX 4060, the RTX 5060 will live in less expensive machines as a reliable, steady pick for 1080p laptops right at or above four figures. These are your bread-and-butter entry-level laptops, though you’ll occasionally find an RTX 4060 in a more midrange laptop attempting to keep its overall cost down. The xx60 tier is meant for your mainstream, everyday gaming experience and doesn’t presume to power all of the visual details higher-end gaming rigs can. Likewise, the RTX 5050, when it comes, will be the true budget pick, in parallel with the RTX 4050, and likely feature in gaming laptops below $1,000 or a bit above.
(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)
Nvidia is still the leading player in graphics, and while its rival, AMD, does sell alternatives, you won’t find them nearly as often. AMD’s current mobile generation is the Radeon RX 7000M line, but we’ve seen only a few of them since launch in gaming laptops.
Even with all the above complexity, we can still draw some basic conclusions about graphics performance. Today, a single midrange or high-end discrete GPU will let you play the latest AAA gaming titles on a 1080p screen with high-quality settings turned on and be fine for powering VR play. The RTX 3070 and 3080 made smooth 1440p gaming the norm, the RTX 40 series raised the baseline and made high-res gaming on laptops more plausible, and the RTX 50 series is doubling down on DLSS effectiveness.
2. CPU
As you may have surmised from the GPU section, we have no one clear answer to someone asking, “What CPU do I need for a gaming laptop?” either, though there are clearer baselines. Intel’s 13th Generation (“Raptor Lake”) chips and AMD’s Ryzen 7000 processors dominated most of 2024, before Intel’s 14th Gen “Raptor Lake Refresh” H chip launched and took over in many of our top picks. Unlike in the GPU space, you will see more AMD processor options out there, as the company’s current offerings stack up well against Intel’s chips.
Intel also launched its Core Ultra “Meteor Lake” and “Lunar Lake” chips with onboard AI processing, which will run in some gaming systems, but won’t be seen in most. You’ve likely seen the hype around Copilot+ PCs and Qualcomm’s Snapdragon chips, but these AI processors are not relevant for gaming, at least for now.
2025 brings us even more options, though: AMD has Ryzen 9000 HX “Fire Range,” Ryzen AI 300, and Ryzen 200 processors for this year, while Intel has “Arrow Lake” mobile processors. (Arrow Lake-H bridges the gap between AI performance and general power; see our first tests of those chips here.) The more AI-centric chips aren’t primarily aimed at gaming laptops, but that’s not to say you won’t find them at all; a few of our picks (particularly high-end or cross-functional models) employ Ryzen AI and Core Ultra processors. The potent H and HX processors from AMD and Intel alike are likely to appear in your favorite laptop lines as the year progresses.
(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)
Many entry-level and midrange gaming systems sport 7-class Intel processors, with the most expensive flaunting 9-class. The most affordable systems settle for 5-class chips.
In general, more cores and higher clock speeds bring better overall efficiency and much-improved performance on multithreaded tasks like media projects, but are less vital for gaming. Gaming usually sees less of a boost from multiple threads than many media tasks do, but having a beefier CPU certainly doesn’t hurt.
If you have to choose between a deluxe CPU and a high-end GPU, however, go for the graphics. For example, we’d recommend getting a Core 5-class processor over a 7 if the money saved could go, say, toward an Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060 GPU instead of an RTX 5050. Spending your money on the GPU makes more sense if gaming is your chief concern.
(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)
Look for Intel Core i5 processors in budget gaming systems, with Core i7 H, HQ, and HK processors in midrange gaming laptops. The H-series processors are higher-power and tend to show up in more expensive gaming laptops, while lower-power Core i7 U-series chips are designed for thinner, more portable, generally non-gaming machines. The most expensive, biggest gaming laptops for sale use Core i9 or Ultra 9 H-series processors, which are also superior for media tasks. The newer Core Ultra Meteor, Lunar, and Arrow Lake processors drop the classic Intel “i” in the chip number but still have their own Ultra 5, 7, and 9 tiers, as well as designations like H series and U series.
Then you have the AMD side, which we alluded to at the start of this discussion. As mentioned, AMD’s chips long played second fiddle to Intel’s offerings, but these days, Intel and AMD tug back and forth for performance supremacy, and you can largely follow the same 5-, 7-, and 9-tier logic when shopping AMD. AMD’s Ryzen 7000 and 8000 chips go toe-to-toe with Intel’s 13th and 14th Gen processors, making for fiercer competition. Any Ryzen 7000 or 8000, Ryzen AI 300, or Intel 13th or 14th Gen Intel H-class chip should be a capable enough gamer under most circumstances.
3. RAM
How much memory should you get? For gaming on Windows, demand at least 8GB of RAM. (In practice, no real gaming model will come with less.) That will give you some breathing room when switching back and forth between your gameplay window and your messaging app, but we’d save researching game tips for when you’re not playing, as each successive browser tab you open eats into your RAM allotment.
Memory capacities of 16GB are becoming increasingly standard for all but the least expensive laptops, particularly for gaming. With this, you can have your gaming session, a messaging app, several websites, a webcam, and streaming video active simultaneously. A budget gaming laptop should function okay with 8GB of RAM, but this amount is gradually being left behind, and you should be aware that some new laptops are not upgradable. You may be stuck with the amount of memory you order. For a midrange or enthusiast gaming laptop, 16GB is the minimum target; for most folks who aren’t serious streamers or multitaskers, more than that is overkill. Higher-end gaming laptops will come with 32GB or more these days, which helps you multitask and run games at the highest settings.
(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)
4. Screen
This aspect has become increasingly complicated for gaming laptops, really boiling down to two questions: “What is the best size for a laptop screen?” and “What is the best refresh rate?”
First, regarding display size, we’re always talking about the diagonal distance from corner to corner. A 15.6-inch screen was the traditional sweet spot for a gaming laptop, but screens that measure 16 inches have gradually replaced them as the standard. You can buy models with larger displays, but this will almost certainly increase the weight to well beyond five pounds and put portability in question.
Larger 18-inch laptops started to arrive in force in early 2023, and they’ve stuck around. These have all but replaced 17-inch laptops as the largest laptop screen you’ll find, a monitor-like experience that can substitute for a desktop permanently or when you’re away from home.
(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)
Smaller, super-portable gaming laptops, usually around 14 inches, are also mildly popular. These are for gamers who know they’ll be on the go frequently, but make sure you’re OK with this smaller size if it will be your primary gaming PC.
In terms of resolution, the default minimum has changed slightly as many laptop screens have shifted from a 16:9 aspect ratio to a 16:10 ratio—screens that are just as wide, but a little taller. This changes the exact pixel count, but the resolutions are nearly functionally identical: You’ll find either a “full HD” 1080p screen (1,920 by 1,080 pixels) in a 16:9 aspect ratio, or a full HD-equivalent 1200p (1,920 by 1,200 pixels) in a 16:10 aspect ratio.
Those are generally the lowest resolutions you’ll see, and for gaming laptops, this HD picture both looks sharp enough and is less taxing on your hardware. Higher resolutions have more pixels, making it more strenuous to run games, which in turn means you’ll need more powerful laptop hardware. For this reason, many budget and mainstream laptops stick to 1080p (or 1200p) to ensure higher frame rates.
More expensive laptops can give you those higher-than-full-HD resolutions, but choose wisely, as a resolution of 1440p (QHD) or 4K (UHD) can boost the real-world cost twice: first for the more advanced panel and second, for that higher-quality graphics chip you’ll need to drive it to its full potential. As mentioned, look for a high-refresh-rate screen (as discussed earlier) if you want smoother visuals; they are now standard in gaming laptops.
Because they require the most potent GPUs for smooth gameplay at native resolution, gaming laptops with 4K screens (3,840 by 2,160 pixels in 16:9) are still an exception, and still expensive. Only the most powerful and pricey GPUs can render complex game animations at playable frame rates at 4K, so a 1080p or 1440p screen may be a better use of your money if all you do is play games.
Even though the RTX 4080, 4090, 5080, and 5090 can handle 4K gaming much more ably than any laptop GPUs before them, we still don’t generally think it’s worth the cost to seek out 4K gaming in laptops unless you can spend big. Nvidia’s DLSS and AMD’s FSR can greatly improve frame rates at high resolutions, making 4K play more attainable than ever, but these resolutions are still generally recommended with more powerful desktop GPUs. The screens do look excellent, though, especially since they’re sometimes paired with OLED technology. QHD is often a better resolution pairing for modern high-end GPUs on laptops.
(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)
Now, to address the refresh rate question. Refresh rate is the number of times a screen refreshes itself per second and, thus, how “fast” it can display images. This will always be a relatively large number measured in hertz (Hz). Refresh rate functions alongside a video game’s frame rate, measured in frames per second or fps; the Hz limit of your screen is the cap for how many frames per second can be rendered on the display. These together determine how smooth a game looks in practice: The computer’s CPU and GPU can power a game at a specific frame rate, and your screen needs the Hz to display the images equally often.
As with GPUs, you should consider what your target refresh rate is for your gaming goals. In the past, the power of a GPU like the RTX 5070 would look like overkill for gaming at “just” 1080p, but several new factors can absorb that extra potential. A high-refresh-rate screen is now the norm in any new gaming laptop, allowing for a full display of lofty frame rates to smooth out the perceived gameplay. You’ll need a powerful graphics chip to leverage the benefits of a high-refresh panel with demanding games. You can identify machines like these by marketing lingo about, say, a 144Hz, 240Hz, or even 300Hz-plus screen. (A typical display on a laptop is a 60Hz panel, but new gaming models all have 144Hz-plus screens now.)
A 144Hz panel is emerging as the most common, but we’re also seeing some 240Hz and even 360Hz options in pricey models, all capable of displaying more than 60 frames per second (for example, up to 144fps in the case of 144Hz screens). This makes gameplay look smoother, but in many cases, only high-end GPUs can push those limits. Additionally, the aforementioned ray-tracing techniques (real-time lighting and reflection effects) are demanding to run, and as more video games implement the technology, the more you will want to flip them on.
(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)
Because of that, you have multiple reasons to opt for a high-end GPU, even if playing games at full HD (1080p) resolution doesn’t look too demanding to you on paper. On the lower end, DLSS can also help less powerful hardware like the RTX 3050 or 4050 run or enable ray-tracing with limited downsides, so you’re not totally out of luck if you can’t afford the top-end chips. DLSS support is far from universal, but it’s appearing in more and more titles.
Nvidia’s G-Sync and AMD’s FreeSync technologies are more down-to-earth. They help increase the quality of the gaming experience and smooth out frame rates by letting the laptop screen rewrite the image on-screen at a variable rate that depends on the output of the GPU (rather than the fixed rate of the screen). Look for support for one of those technologies if you’re a stickler for perfectly rendered visuals. These technologies, collectively known as “adaptive sync,” tend to show up in pricier machines, with G-Sync being much more common in laptops.
5. Storage
How much storage space should you get in a gaming laptop SSD? These days, virtually every laptop comes with an SSD as the boot drive, and most have eliminated spinning hard drives entirely. SSDs speed up boot time, wake-from-sleep time, and the time it takes to launch a game and load a new level. Only older laptops will still have a hard drive as the boot drive.
In large gaming laptops, it was previously common to see a small-capacity (256GB) SSD boot drive paired with a roomy (1TB or greater) secondary drive to store the bulk of your library. You may still find this kind of combination (it’s rare now), but as higher-capacity SSDs have become more affordable, a single large SSD has become the norm. A 512GB SSD is the new default, even for new budget gaming laptops, with 1TB the mainstream amount. High-end systems will include a 2TB or larger SSD. New machines almost all implement their boot SSDs via the M.2 gumstick format.
Adding greater SSD capacity will undoubtedly increase the price, but it may be necessary, given how large modern game installations can be, so shop accordingly. We recommend at least a 512GB SSD if you can afford it; even then, your library will fill up your drive fast. If you see 256GB offered, that suggests an older model; bump up the capacity if you can, unless you know you only want to play smaller indie titles, perhaps. A too-small SSD can mean you’re forever shuffling games on and off the drive. One workaround: Some larger gaming laptops include an extra M.2 SSD slot or two, in addition to the slot holding the boot drive; it may be possible to add an aftermarket M.2 drive and designate it as your secondary “game” drive if space runs low.
6. Battery
Given that high-end components tend to drain battery life, don’t plan on taking any of these gaming rigs too far from a wall socket very often. Gaming laptops have improved on average regarding battery life, but it’s generally not a long-lasting category. While many will now get you five, six, or seven hours, we still see more powerful laptops last only two to three hours in our rundown test. It’s also something you can’t especially tell when shopping for a laptop without looking at our reviews.
This is, of course, before even playing games on battery. Doing so will drastically run down the charge on your laptop, meaning you’ll be looking to plug in soon if you’re playing on battery power. Between the fact that you’re going to buy this laptop to play games mostly and a battery run time that’s short, even when you’re not gaming, battery power just is not one of the priorities when buying a gaming laptop. Longer is still better than shorter, and we include at least one gaming pick among our list of overall laptops with the best battery life, but it’s not a strength of gaming machines.
Buying the Best Cheap Gaming Laptop
If you’re shopping for a gaming system on a limited budget (in this case, between roughly $800 and $1,300), you must make some sacrifices. Maximizing power while staying within a limited price range is the goal, but you’ll have to accept that some components won’t be comparable with the more expensive laptops you’ll see while browsing. That said, $1,200 is a reasonable ceiling for what some buyers are ready to spend on a gaming laptop, and you can still get an effective system for that much. (Check out our side roundup of the best cheap gaming laptops.)
The main drop-off will be in the graphics since the dedicated graphics chip is one of the most expensive components in a machine and the primary factor in a laptop’s gaming prowess. The graphics chip almost single-handedly defines the class of laptop you’re dealing with, so pay attention to that part. Fortunately, even the less powerful GPU options these days are pretty capable.
(Credit: Joseph Maldonado)
Past budget systems were equipped almost exclusively with those wallet-friendly Nvidia GeForce GTX GPUs we mentioned earlier. The RTX 4050 has been the go-to budget GPU of the past few years, with the rare RTX 4060 system sometimes found at budget pricing.
The RTX 4050 was the budget baseline for some time, but the mobile RTX 5060 is now on the market, and RTX 5050 laptops are imminent. You’ll be able to play smoothly at 1080p with an RTX 4050, just not at high settings in newer games. All should be able to provide at least a decent level of VR play if that’s your thing. An RTX 4060 is much more capable, so look out for sales. Expect the same rough calculus with the RTX 5060 and 5050.
Processors are the next most significant difference. In a budget model, you’ll likely get a capable Core 5 instead of a faster Core 7. Still, some of the benefits of a Core 7 machine aren’t a major factor for gaming, but instead benefit video editing and other creative uses. So a Core 5 will usually do the job for basic budget gaming. Over the past few years, we saw more AMD Ryzen CPUs in cheap, general-use laptops than in affordable gaming laptops, despite their adoption in some higher-end or ultraportable gaming systems. AMD GPUs are much less common in budget gaming laptops than Nvidia ones. You’ll probably be sussing out Intel CPUs and Nvidia GPUs in the budget zone.
Outside of the graphics card and processor, the other components should be closer to more expensive machines than you’d expect. SSD boot drives are the norm even in the cheapest new gaming laptops, though they may be small in capacity. The display will almost certainly be 1080p; grainy 1,366-by-768-pixel panels are now reserved only for the very cheapest non-gaming systems, and sharp 1440p isn’t a budget resolution. The RAM will likely top off at 8GB in the cheapest gaming laptops, but you will find some (more ideal) 16GB laptops in this range.
What Else Do You Need to Up Your Game?
Cutting-edge ports like USB Type-C and Thunderbolt 4 are beneficial now and will only be more so down the road, but look for at least two ordinary-shaped (aka, “Type-A”) USB 3.0 ports so you can plug in an external mouse and a hard drive for your saved media files. There’s also a load of extras like RGB key and chassis lighting, software performance modes, and Ethernet ports for wired downloads or online gaming.
If you want to attach a wired VR headset to your rig, look for the right loadout of ports to accommodate it. You’ll need a well-placed HDMI or DisplayPort video out (it depends on the headset, which one you’ll need) and enough USB ports for a possible hydra-head of cabling. Other video ports, like DisplayPort or mini-DisplayPort (sometimes implemented over a USB-C port), will be helpful if you want to play games on an external display, but they aren’t necessary if your laptop’s screen is large enough.
Which Brand Is Best to Buy a Gaming Laptop From?
Our picks run the gamut of many different brands, though we do often see the same names rate highly in our lists. Some of these are gaming specialists, and others are not. At any given time, you should expect to see some systems from the biggest manufacturers, which always sell multiple models and configurations at various price points. These primarily include Acer, Asus, Dell, and Lenovo. The last, in particular, has been serving up impressive value in the gaming category recently.
Some of the more specialist brands that consistently produce great gaming rigs are Alienware (a Dell subsidiary), Gigabyte, MSI, and Razer. Some of these, particularly Razer machines, come with hefty price premiums but emphasize superior build quality.
Ready to Buy the Right Gaming Laptop for You?
Feeling more prepared now to buy than before? We hope so. Our detailed spec breakout of all the top-pick machines we have laid out should help you settle on the best gaming laptop that fits your budget and your gaming aspirations. Game on!
