Gaming is one of the most popular forms of entertainment in America. It is estimated that over 200 million Americans enjoy playing video games as a way to unwind after a long day or just enjoy a night at home. The availability and popularity of video games have never been more prevalent than it is right now. No longer is gaming limited to old consoles that need to be connected to your television using bulky wires and coveted outlet space. A lot of gamers are playing from computers and even laptops. With all the love for the industry, it definitely pays to know your options for the best gaming laptops so you can hop on the game from anywhere.
While research is divided on the impact of playing video games, they have a bad reputation for instilling violent tendencies and teaching less-than-ideal values. However, a recent study indicates that moderately playing video games is not linked to aggressiveness, lowered empathy, mental health issues, or an unhealthy social life. In fact, did you know that gaming can even be beneficial?
Another recent study suggests that gamers appear to have more activity in key regions of their brains. The study indicates that high video game scores may improve academic grades. Kids who spent more time playing video games also experienced above-average increases in intelligence. That’s certainly a reason to invest in some new equipment.
So, which laptops are the right choice for your next gaming adventure? StudyFinds did some digging, consulting 10 tech and gaming websites in an effort to bring you a consensus list of the best gaming laptops. Our list comprises the seven most frequently listed laptops from across these sites. Think our experts whiffed on a few of these choices? Feel free to share your thoughts with us in the comments section below!
The List: Best Gaming Laptops, According to Techies
1. ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14
The top spot on the list of the best gaming laptops belongs to the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14. ASUS produces some of the top gaming computers around and gamers everywhere will love the features this device has to offer.
“New year, new Zephyrus G14. This time around you’ll find a stonkin’ combination of AMD’s excellent 7000-series processors and Nvidia’s RTX 40-series GPUs. With the right chip under the hood, this is unbeatable as the best 14-inch gaming laptop… The G14 is also chocked full of useful ports. There’s a microSD card reader, a USB4 port, and even a HDMI 2.1 port. If you do end up with the RTX 4090 model, you’ll also be greeted by one of the most stunning screens on the G14. Asus call it ROG Nebula HDR. To you or I, it’s a 165Hz, 3ms Mini LED 1600p panel with 600 nits of brightness and 504 dimming zones. It’s also drop-dead gorgeous,” raves PC Gamer.
The Zephyrus G14 offers a really cool outer design that’s built to help this laptop perform at its best. Gamers need a cool-looking laptop that can go anywhere and do anything, and that’s exactly what the Zephyrus G14 offers.
“One of our favorite design aspects was the hinge, though. Like in previous models, lifting the lid also angles the body of the laptop, creating space for extra ventilation and creating a floating effect. It’s a luxury aesthetic that works hard to keep your laptop running at its best at the same time,” explains Games Radar.
The Zephyrus is thin and portable – two essential qualities in a gaming laptop. “If you’re a PC gamer on the go, a thin PC like the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 may be up your alley. The Zephyrus uses an AMD Ryzen 9 6900HS and an AMD Radeon RX 6800S, as well as the company’s proprietary features like SmartShift (to move power between the CPU and GPU) and SmartAccess Memory. For the latest update, Asus added a webcam, which was a glaring omission on previous models. The all-AMD model has also moved to a taller, 16:10 aspect ratio,” furthers Tom’s Hardware.
2. Dell Alienware m18
Next up on the list of the best laptops for gaming is the Dell Alienware m18. This laptop gets a lot of love from gamers and rightfully so. The Alienware m18 is fast, sleek, and has a big display that’s perfect for playing your favorite video games.
“The best gaming laptop we’ve tested is the Dell Alienware m18 (2023). This 18-inch premium model provides a fantastic gaming experience at 1080p or 1440p. It’s available with fast AMD Ryzen 7000 CPUs and various discrete AMD and NVIDIA GPUs, up to an RTX 4090. Display options include a FHD+ 480Hz and a 165Hz QHD+ IPS panel, so you can choose whether you want smoother motion and better responsiveness or a sharper image,” writes RTINGS.
Dell is a powerhouse in the world of PCs and laptops, so it’s no surprise that this company is also producing some truly high-end gaming machines. The Alienware m18 offers gamers a big laptop that’s capable of holding all of the top hardware components.
“The burgeoning 18-inch laptop space is home to some of the most powerful gaming laptops available, allowing manufacturers to pack the best parts and plenty of thermals into larger chassis. Dell’s Alienware m18 brings all of this and more to the table, from powerful components and high-end style to premium features like an advanced display,” explains PC Mag.
The Alienware m18 offers an 18-inch screen which is more than big enough to enjoy your favorite gaming titles. Beware, though, the m18 will cost you a decent amount of money.
“One of the first of the new generation of 18-inch laptops, the m18 can get expensive if you push it up to a high configuration — an RTX 4090 and Core i9-13900HX will get you to $3,300 even without a lot of memory or storage. But if the big screen is most important to you, it starts at $2,000 with a respectable i7-13650HX and RTX 4050,” adds CNET.
3. ASUS ROG Strix Scar 18
The next spot on the list of the top gaming laptops belongs to another ASUS laptop, this time it’s the ROG Strix Scar 18. These gaming laptops deliver an incredible gaming experience with amazing graphics.
“The Scar 18 makes it a point to give you the best in the game when it comes to graphics. It houses the formidable GeForce RTX 4090 that can handle high-end games without breaking a sweat. One of the coolest (brace yourself for the incoming pun) features about this laptop is the ROG Intelligent Cooling System… Asus also integrates a switch feature between the iGPU and the dGPU to ensure that the battery life doesn’t take a hit. Asus has put in every effort to make sure that this laptop is nothing short of pure gaming luxury,” raves The Gamer.
ASUS produces some of the most luxurious gaming laptops you’ll find, and the Strix Scar 18 is no different. Similar to the Alienware m18, this model features an 18-inch screen for enjoying all of the top gaming titles.
“If money is no object, your best bet is the Asus ROG Strix Scar 18, which goes all-in for power with little regard for cost. As the name suggests, this is a sizable 18-inch laptop, one in the first wave of this new screen size. The latest Intel and Nvidia components are a chart-topping combination for gaming performance, with a supporting feature set that will make any shopper with a big budget happy,” adds PC Mag.
Although 18-inch laptops aren’t the most portable computers, you’ll love the trade-off between a little extra portability and the size of the screen. The Strix Scar 18 is powerful, too. This gaming laptop can do everything video game enthusiasts need it to do.
“18-inch gaming laptops are here, and while the majority struggle to define themselves against cheaper desktop PCs and infinitely more portable 16-inch laptops, the Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 just about wiggles its way into the top spot. After all with benchmark numbers putting it right at the top of our scoring table, it’s the most powerful rig we’ve tested to date. And that can’t be ignored,” furthers Games Radar.
4. Razer Blade 14
The fourth spot on the list of top laptops for gaming enthusiasts belongs to the Razer Blade 14. Razer Blade gaming laptops are some of the best gaming devices you’ll find, and the Razer Blade 14 is exactly what you need to build the ultimate gamer’s paradise.
“Sure, it might be very expensive, but the new Razer Blade 14 is just a thing of beauty; a compact, quiet, durable, and powerful gaming laptop that ticks just about every box. Top-notch internal components are joined by an incredibly bright and vivid screen, with the classic machined metal chassis that has come to define the aesthetic of the Blade laptop line,” writes Tech Radar.
The Razer Blade 14’s are small, sleek, yet powerful. The size of this laptop is a far cry from the previous 18-inch models we listed, but it’s just as powerful. “A smaller version than the 15-inch staple, the 14-inch Razer Blade delivers a lot of gaming power for its size without feeling small — an important consideration for a gaming laptop. It also offers decent battery life, a nice size for travel and a subtle design (for a gaming laptop) that’s buttoned-up enough for sitting in a meeting with the top brass or clients,” adds CNET.
“The all-metal Blade line always impresses with a premium look and feel, which is even easier to appreciate at this size. There’s substance too, with the latest components coming along with this update,” explains PC Mag.
5. Lenovo Legion Pro 7i
The next device to find its way onto the list of the top gaming laptops is the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i. Lenovo produces a variety of high-end computers and their gaming laptops are no different.
“The Lenovo Legion Pro 7i is the best 16-inch gaming laptop, and since 16-inch is the best form factor for a gaming laptop, it is therefore the best gaming laptop overall as well. Win and win. It’s a machine that comes in at a price point that makes the rest of the high-end RTX 40-series look even more ridiculous on their lofty $4,000+ perches. And its the RTX 4080 model that has us impressed in testing, offering the sort of gaming performance that has me questioning why anyone would want an RTX 4090 machine,” raves PC Gamer.
The Lenovo Legion Pro is one of the top gaming laptops for a range of reasons. These gaming laptops are affordable and powerful, offering gamers the best experience at the best price. “Simply put, this laptop is the best of both worlds in performance and price. Bargains aren’t the main consideration once you’re in this price tier, but it doesn’t hurt that the Legion Pro 7i Gen 8 delivers top-end performance for less than its competition… This Legion Pro’s performance rivals pricier and heavier systems, which is reason enough on its own; anyone seeking the best deal in the high-end range should look no further,” writes PC Mag.
Lenovo produces a range of computers for business, education, and gaming. The Legion Pro 7i is one of Lenovo’s top gaming units because it offers a world-class gaming experience.
“The Lenovo Legion Pro 7i is one of the most powerful gaming laptops we’ve tested so far, thanks to its RTX 4080 mobile GPU. When we tested it out, it delivered some incredible gaming performance, absolutely smoking through every one of our graphics-based benchmark tests with flying colors, and nearly matched our scores for the Alienware Aurora R15 gaming PC. This level of power also translates to gaming performance, with titles like Marvel’s Spider-Man Remastered looking its best,” explains Tech Radar.
6. Acer Nitro 5
The next laptop to top the list of the best gaming laptops is the Acer Nitro 5. This model is widely regarded as one of the best budget gaming laptops and for good reason. The Nitro 5 offers everything you need for a quality gaming experience without sacrificing the entire college savings fund.
“What if there was a gaming laptop that was designed to deliver high-performance gameplay without emptying your bank? Sounds too good to be true? The Acer Nitro 5 is all about that gaming life while on a budget. It comes with a respectable Intel i5 12th Gen processor that clocks an impressive 4.5 GHz processor. The main attraction would be the GeForce RTX 3050 Ti which comes equipped with a 4GB GDDR6 VRAM,” writes The Gamer.
You can easily walk away with a quality Nitro 5 gaming set up for less than $1,000. You’ll get a high-end gaming experience for nearly a third of the cost of the average gaming laptop.
“The Acer Nitro 5 comes in both 17.3- and 15.6-inch sizes. A 17-inch cheap gaming laptop is a rarity with entry-level gaming laptops; most sub-$1,000 gaming laptops have 15.6-inch displays, and the Acer’s larger screen lets you sink in and get lost in your chosen gaming world. The 17-inch version we reviewed starts at less than $900 with an AMD Ryzen 5 5600H,1080p screen and an GTX if you’re OK with 8GB RAM. If you can manage about $200 more though, you can get a significantly better system, with an i7-11800H, RTX 3050 Ti and 16GB RAM,” explains CNET.
The Nitro 5 is lightweight, sleek, and incredibly efficient. Although the outer design leaves a little to be desired, the Nitro 5 is a great choice for beginners. “The Acer Nitro line has a distinct look about it, the most recent Nitro 5 doesn’t stray too far. It’s a plastic chassis which can collect fingerprints quickly, but feels remarkably durable in the hand. It also helps that at 2.3kg this is one of the lighter gaming laptops on the market right now,” explains Games Radar.
7. ASUS ROG Zephyrus Duo 16
Rounding out the list of the top gaming laptops is another ASUS, this time it’s the ROG Zephyrus Duo 16. The Zephyrus Duo 16 is routinely recognized as the best dual-screen gaming laptop and it’s easy to see why.
“A dual-screen laptop might still not be mainstream, but for enthusiasts who know how to take advantage of one—whether placing a handy map on the second screen or being able to quickly look down to reference your discord chat—it’s an excellent choice. And right now there is no dual-screen laptop we like more for gaming than the Asus ROG Zephyrus Duo 16. It packs a Ryzen 9 CPU, RTX 3080 Ti GPU, 32GB of RAM, and a 1TB PCIe 4.0 SSD. That’s a ton of firepower in a laptop,” explains PC World.
There are a range of benefits to having two screens for gaming. Dual screens allow you to transform your gaming experience into a creative multitasking session.
“You know if you actually need a dual-screen laptop: Maybe a single 17-inch screen isn’t enough, or you want a mobile setup that’s closer to a multi-monitor desktop. If that’s the case, the Zephyrus Duo 16 is the best laptop for you. It’s powerful, and its extra 14-inch screen can easily let you multitask while gaming dutifully working. It also has all of the latest hardware you’d want, like AMD’s new Ryzen chips and NVIDIA’s RTX 4000 GPUs. Sure, it’s nowhere near portable, but a true multitasker won’t mind,” writes Engadget.
The Zephyrus Duo 16 is also great for streaming or watching movies. ASUS designed this gaming system with excellent graphics and powerful speakers. “The Asus ROG Zephyrus Duo 16 is also an absolute monster of a system thanks to its Ryzen 9 6900HX processor and RTX 3080 Ti graphics card, backed up by a whopping 64GB of DDR5 RAM. It’s great for gaming and watching movies, in no small part due to a set of powerhouse speakers that provide shockingly good room-filling audio,” adds Tech Radar.
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Whoah…what?
Interesting to see that MSI Titan GT77 with Intel I 12 processor 64Gb/128 Gb DDR5 RAM Rt 3070 16Gb graphics card does not feature in this list which undoubtedly is the most powerful gaming laptop in the market today.
Nice