Best gaming laptop in 2024 - budget, 17-inch, More (2024)

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We’re bringing you all of our top choices for the best gaming laptops on the market now.

Whether you’re after a bleeding edge device, looking for something more mid-range, or have a firm budget in mind, we’re rounding up all the top options from trusted manufacturers such as Alienware, Gigabyte, Razer, Asus, Acer, and more.

While it’s true that many of the best gaming laptops cost a pretty penny, that’s only one side of the story. That’s because certain companies have carved out a niche for themselves by utilizing still-powerful, previous generation hardware with a couple of concessions to keep the asking price low. We’re all about getting the best value for money, and we’ve employed our years of experience to ensure you’re always getting a high quality product.

1. Razer Blade 14 (2023) – The best gaming laptop overall

The Razer Blade 14 takes the top spot for the best gaming laptop overall. That’s due to the fact these smaller-than-usual systems have an excellent battery life of up to 10 hours, feature powerful hardware running the latest AMD CPUs and Nvidia GPUs, combined with stellar high refresh-rate 1440p displays. If you’re after stunning performance combined with lightweight style then this is the gaming laptop for you.

Speaking of lightweight, the Razer Blade 14 is not only slight in display size but weighs in at just 1.84 kg / 4 lbs with a thickness of 18 mm / 0.7-inches, earning it the reputation as of the best thin gaming laptops on the market. That makes it ideal for going in your bag or on the go with you, and you aren’t sacrificing the power either. With configurations starting with the RTX 3080 Ti, but also updated to the RTX 4060 and RTX 4070, you’ll be able to push even the most demanding software in 1440p to max settings with DLSS support, too.

What’s more, the Razer Blade 14 exclusively runs on the AMD Ryzen 9, either the 6000 or newer 7000 series which means DDR5 RAM as standard. It’s considerably faster than laptop DDR4 memory, and further bolstered by a 1TB NVMe SSD inside, so more than enough room for storing several high-profile PC games at once.For more from Razer, check out the best Razer gaming laptops currently on the market. Alternatively, for a cheaper selection with the same graphics power, consider the best RTX 4060 gaming laptops instead.

2. Acer Nitro 5 – Best budget gaming laptop

When it comes to the best budget gaming laptop, the Acer Nitro 5 exudes quality and a price-to-performance ratio that few other models can argue with. A perennially popular wallet-friendly pick for many years now, this model starts at incredibly aggressive rates of around $680 and up to around $940 spending on how capable you need your rig to be.

Now, this means that the hardware inside will be humble. You’ll usually see these machines rocking an RTX 3050 or something like the GTX 1660 at the lower end of the scale. However, considering the former is capable of ray tracing, bolstered by DLSS in 1080p, you should have no problems with light gaming performance. There are models which run the RTX 3050 Ti that has 4GB GDDR6 memory which should be enough to play most games in the target resolution in high FPS, many displays of which are 120Hz to 144Hz.

If you’re looking for something to play the likes of Counter-Strike Global Offensive, Rainbow Six Siege, Dota 2, and Fortnite then there are few better options in this price range than the Acer Nitro 5 as long as you keep your expectations in check. Amazon has many deals on these machines, so you’re frequently able to score rigs cheaper than MSRP as well.

3. Asus ROG Strix G15 – Best gaming laptop for competitive gaming

The ASUS ROG Strix G15 has value for money that few other gaming laptops can compare to with its excellent build quality, impressive hardware, and style for a competitive point of around $1,199 depending on configuration. That places this machine firmly in the mid-range, with the only main compromise being RTX 30-series GPUs are inside instead of the newer RTX 40-line.

However, that’s without considering the 300 Hz IPS display on the ASUS ROG Strix G15 that you just won’t find on many gaming laptops in its price range. If you’re someone who enjoys having the edge in competitive titles like Overwatch 2, Call of Duty: Warzone, Apex Legends, Rainbow Six Siege, and Fortnite, then you’ll really be able to gain every advantage here. Another strength is the USB-C charging, with up to 12-hours playback. You’re unlikely to get that when intensive gaming, but that’s still at the upper end of gaming laptop hardware, all for a competitive rate.

What’s more, different sizes are available from 15.6-inch to the larger form factor 17.3-inch if you want a little extra real estate. Prices begin at $999 for a base configuration, but we recommend upping the budget slightly for the aforementioned variant for the best value overall. Adding to the ASUS ROG Strix G15 further is the implementation of Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision, which means the supported software will look and sound more immersive, which is impressive given many gaming laptops usually omit this. If you’re a fan of the aesthetics of this laptop, consider the best ASUS gaming laptops for even more.

4. Razer Blade 15 – Best 15-inch gaming laptop

The Razer Blade 15 is our pick for the best 15-inch gaming laptop on the market right now. It’s been a staple of strong design and effective hardware for many years, and the most recent iteration has further reinforced exactly why. Utilizing stunning design more similar to an Apple MacBook than a traditional gaming laptop, complete with an aluminum chassis and a gorgeous screen, look no further for the blend of power and prettiness.

Because the Razer Blade 15 has been around for a while, there are a ton of configurations, many of which are discounted through online retailers such as Amazon. You can save a bundle by going for a rig running previous-generation hardware, or push for an RTX 4070 and up to 32GB DDR5 RAM with the latest Intel Core i9 CPU. You are paying a premium on the chassis and RGB lighting however, and that’s the catch with Razer products on the whole, but if you want something classy for home office use as well as gaming then few machines can match up in this respect.

5. Alienware X16 R1 – The best 16-inch gaming laptop

When it comes to established gaming laptop brands, Alienware is at the forefront and the X16 R1 does a good job of encapsulating exactly why. Armed with the most recent Intel Core i9 CPU and the powerful RTX 4080 GPU, not to mention 32GB DDR5 RAM and a 1TB NVMe SSD, this is the gaming laptop if you have your heart set on a slightly bigger machine than the more conventional sizes.For more laptops performing to a similar graphics performance, then the best RTX 4080 gaming laptops might also be worth considering.

What helps the Alienware X16 R1 stand out from its predecessors is the new design to the chassis itself which is noticeably sleeker than previous models, rocks RGB lighting, and a re-designed trackpad, too. With its 16-inch 240Hz QHD display, you’ll be able to make good use of the extra real estate as well with no compromises in the target resolution to play any games at max settings.

It’s due in part to the 12GB RTX 4080 GPU that powers the Alienware X16 R1, which is more than enough VRAM for demanding software, and should be for many years to come. All the better, too, as the rig starts at $3,249.99 as standard. With that said, you can pick this build up for $2,999.99 as it is commonly discounted, and offers good value overall considering the full package.

6. ASUS ROG Strix G17 – Best 17-inch gaming laptop

17-inch gaming laptops don’t get much better than the ASUS ROG Strix G17 for the money. While not exactly the cheapest gaming laptop at $2,099.99, you’re getting the RTX 4070 inside paired with the latest AMD Ryzen 9 CPU and a 240Hz QHD 17.3-inch display. All told, that isn’t bad value whatsoever as some manufacturers would charge upwards of $3,000 for similar hardware. That’s also while factoring in the larger screen than is typically seen at this price range as well.

Where the ASUS ROG Strix G17 really excels, though, is in the cooling. That’s due to the “ROG Intelligent Cooling” fans as the company claims under 40 db of noise from the four total fans when in full throttle. Considering how many other gaming laptops can get loud and hot during intensive gaming sessions, it’s clear that the added chassis space has made a difference here.

The RTX 4070 is a very capable GPU for 1440p gaming and this extends to its mobile counterpart as well. Armed with 8GB of GDDR6 memory, there’s going to be very little that the ASUS ROG Strix G17 won’t be able to achieve, especially factoring in DLSS for the added performance and framerate boost.

7. Razer Blade 18 – Best 18-inch gaming laptop

If money’s no object for you then the Razer Blade 18 is a truly a high-performance beast which could put even the most thoughtfully built gaming towers to shame. At $4,499, it’s by no means a budget pick, nor does it offer exceptional value for money, however, that’s before you consider the RTX 4090 GPU inside combined with a 24-core 13th gen Intel Core i9 CPU, and 32GB DDR5 RAM. If you’re looking for raw power above all else, this model delivers across the board.

Considering the leading hardware inside, it will come as no surprise that the Razer Blade 18 rocks an 18-inch 240Hz QHD display, and you’ll be able to push even the most demanding titles, complete with ray tracing, to those higher fps through DLSS. This 4090 laptop might be considered overkill, though it’s worth buying if you want to play at max settings without dropping frame rates. The display itself also features a 16:10 aspect ratio, being slightly wider with thinner bezels so you can make the most of the larger screen real estate.

That’s not to say you necessarily have to shell out a staggering amount of money for the premium Razer Blade 18’s aluminium chassis, stellar display, and processing power, though. That’s because variants are available running the more-than-capable RTX 4070 for $3,199.99 and the RTX 4080 for $3,799.99 as well. You’re still paying a premium on the hardware, but if you want the best of the best then there’s no better option out there.Don’t forget that Razer is a premium laptop brand (for good reason), so we’ve also rounded up the best RTX 4090 gaming laptops too for a wider price range of top performance laptops.

8. MSI Cyborg – Best mid-range gaming laptop

Further adding to the value of the MSI Cyborg gaming laptop is the addition of a 2TB NVMe SSD which is unusual at this price range. Generally speaking, machines in the sub-$1,500 category usually only ship with 1TB so you’re getting double the space for the same price. The RTX 4060 features 8GB GDDR6 memory, so you shouldn’t have to worry about hitting any kind of bottleneck for the next several years at least.

9. ASUS ROG Zephyrus Duo 16 – The best dual-screen gaming laptop

If you want to maximize your productivity or game in a new and exciting way then there’s no better choice than the ASUS ROG Zephyrus Duo 16 which is about as unconventional as they come. True to its name, there’s a dual display which means gaming on the top screen and having whatever other applications you may need on the bottom.

This is a concept which has thrived with certain games consoles over the years but has rarely been explored with PC gaming hardware. The bottom screen acts as a second monitor which could mean being able to keep up with chat during a Twitch, Kick, or YouTube Gaming stream, or having a strategy guide up during a tricky game, for instance. While the first run of machines was incredibly expensive for the price, with the second iteration now available, rates have dramatically reduced so you can try out dual-screen gaming for a more competitive rate in 2023.

Best gaming laptops – FAQs

Which brands make the best gaming laptops?

Our roundup goes through some of the best gaming laptop brands including Razer, ASUS, and Acer, and Alienware. Generally speaking, the best gaming laptops in terms of performance are either Alienware or Razer, but these are the most expensive options, with Acer providing more wallet-friendly alternatives in the mid-range.

How long do gaming laptops last?

Gaming laptops effectively last for around five years with moderate to heavy use. However, some machines could still be kicking for longer than this. As with all PC hardware, laptop components are generally outdated within 9-12 months after release, and laptops are far harder to upgrade core components then that of a tower PC.

Should I keep my gaming PC plugged in when gaming?

For the best performance your gaming laptop should always be plugged in as the chargers give the machine a considerable boost, which can even be overclocked, too. Gaming laptops rarely have the best battery lives due to the high level of hardware packed into a small chassis either.