Our picks for the best gaming laptops 2025 for every type of gamer and budget
Intro:
A gaming laptop fits PC graphics capabilities into a small, portable form factor, making it ideal for travelling, using on the sofa, or simply taking up less desk space. With displays that range from 14 to 18 inches and graphics cards that can manage a range of resolutions.
The market is flooded with possibilities for every budget, from entry-level to fully equipped, multi-thousand dollar setups. High refresh rate displays, opulent RGB lights, and occasionally even mechanical keyboards are features found in the best gaming laptops.
Every year, we test a number of models to help you select the best gaming laptop, comparing them against well-known titles like Red Dead Redemption 2 and Cyberpunk 2077.
We also have special pages for the top gaming laptops under $1,000 and the top gaming laptops under $1,500 for gamers on a limited budget. We have begun testing the newest 2025 components, including as Nvidia’s “Blackwell” mobile GPUs and Intel’s most recent Core Ultra CPUs.
Even though we’re constantly anticipating the upcoming generation of gaming notebooks, those GPUs from the RTX 50 series haven’t yet hit our list. We’re waiting on Nvidia to resolve certain driver issues that were discovered during our assessment of the Razer Blade 16. More testing is underway, and we anticipate updates soon so that we may add.
Additionally, integrated graphics in gaming handhelds are enjoying a resurgence, which may encourage some businesses to explore the possibilities of developing systems without discrete GPUs altogether.
This implies that a number of updated gaming laptops for on-the-go gaming should be available over the coming months.
The Quick List:
Best Overall
MSI Titan 18 HX AI
The most recent Titan from MSI has 6TB of SSD storage, a remarkably brilliant screen, and performance that tops the charts. For those who can afford it, this is a gaming dream machine, but be prepared for its noisy fans and short battery life. LINK TO AMAZON.
Best Budget
Dell G16
The Dell G16 (7630) is notable for its robust configuration possibilities at a price point around $1,000. Even if the device is still bulky and constructed of plastic, the combination of an Intel Core i7 and Nvidia RTX 4060, along with a mechanical keyboard, is surprising at this price range. LINK TO AMAZON.
Best RTX 4050 Laptop
MSI Katana 15
The Core i713620H and Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 in the $999 variant provide powerful 1080p performance.It is good to note that it has 16GB of RAM and 1TB of storage, as those are sometimes among the first specifications to be trimmed for a lowcost PC.Esports players will benefit greatly from its 144 Hz refresh rate. We also value the speakers’ quality in relation to their cost.
Best MID Range Value
Gigabyte Aorus 16X
This model has excellent specs for the price, including an Intel Core i7-14650HX, Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 laptop GPU, 32GB of RAM, and 1TB of storage, if you get it on sale like we did at $1,599. It’s plenty to power the laptop’s gorgeous 2560 x 1600 screen. LINK TO AMAZON,
Best 14-INCH
Asus TUF Gaming A14
The TUF Gaming A14 from Asus feels high-end, has a mature appearance, and has a long battery life for non-gaming activities.An excellent option for genuinely portable gaming is this AMD and Nvidia-based device. LINK TO AMAZON.
The Best Desktop Replacement
Alienware m18 R2
If you want to maintain your entire setup on one device, the Alienware 16 Area51 is a powerful gaming laptop that is heavy and has a great keyboard.This is a portable system that weighs 7.49 pounds and is 1.12 inches thick, but you might want to leave it at home. LINK TO AMAZON.
Best Gaming Laptops 2025
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The Best Gaming Laptop – Overall
MSI Titan 18 HX AI (4.2/5)
The Best Gaming Laptop
| Specifications | CPU: Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 5090 Laptop GPU Display: 18-inch, 3840 x 2400, 16:10, Mini LED, 120 Hz Weight: 7.93 pounds (3.6 kg) |
| DEAL OF THE DAY | LINK TO AMAZON |
| Reasons to consider | + Exceptional performance + Superb Mini LED screen + Cherry MX mechanical keyboard + Impressive build quality + Thunderbolt 5 ports + Triple SSDs, including one Gen5 |
| Reasons to skip | +Exceptional performance +Superb Mini LED screen + Cherry MX mechanical keyboard +Impressive build quality +Thunderbolt 5 ports +Triple SSDs, including one Gen5 |
Final verdict:
| Buy if: ✅ You want a very high-res display: Very few gaming laptops offer screens higher than 2560 x 1440. The Mini-LED screen on the Titan goes up to 3840 x 2400 at 120 Hz. ✅ You love clicky keys: The Cherry MX keyboard on the Titan is luxurious, though the number pad and arrow keys still use membranes. |
| Don’t buy if: ❌ You can’t afford it: The Titan is prohibitively expensive. We tested it at $6,379, which is a lot to spend on a gaming laptop. ❌ You want to take it on the go: This desktop replacement is large, heavy, and doesn’t have long battery life. It’s really designed to be plugged in. |
The top gaming laptop has to be the MSI Titan 18 HX AI. It has the most potent Intel and Nvidia chips available, a mechanical keyboard, and a tonne of storage space, and it costs $6,379 as tested.
Even the RTX 5090 may not always be able to run games at native resolution without the aid of DLSS or lowering certain settings, but the system still provides great gaming performance on a laptop. I discovered that you’re probably better off changing the resolution when playing games on it.
It’s about time for MSI to add the arrow keys and numberpad to the Cherry MX mechanical keyboard, which is a luxury found on very few laptops. Still, the majority of typing and gaming feel wonderful.
Connectivity is amazing. In our review model, the system’s three SSDs total 6TB of storage. There are Thunderbolt 5 ports for some of the fastest external storage devices available if that isn’t enough to hold your collection of games.
However, the Raider might not be for you if battery life is important to you. It operated for two hours and sixteen minutes throughout our test rundown.
It performed considerably worse in a coffee shop with the light turned up. This system is designed to be connected. Additionally, the Mini-LED display is stunning.
These days, gaming laptops rarely have a screen as large as 3840 x 2400. Even though it’s not OLED, I think it’s a beautiful screen that looks fantastic for both work and games.
However, many people cannot afford this price. If so, continue scrolling for a plethora of options at more reasonable costs.
Best Budget Gaming Laptop – Budget
Dell G16 (4/5)
The Best Budget Gaming Laptop
| Specifications | CPU: Intel Core i7-13650HX GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 Display: 16-inch, 2560 x 1600, 165 Hz, 240 Hz Weight: 6.3 pounds (2.87 kg) |
DEAL OF THE DAY | LINK TO AMAZON |
| Reasons to consider | + Strong gaming performance across the board +16-inch QHD + display with 240 Hz refresh rate + Excellent Cherry MX mechanical keyboard |
Reasons to skip | – Subpar 720p webcam – A bit heavier than I’d like – Chassis gets warm while gaming |
Final verdict:
| Buy if: ✅ You want a mechanical keyboard option: Some configurations of the Dell G16 include a Cherry MX mechanical profile, which you usually only find in more premium machines. ✅ Refresh rate is your priority: Our budget configuration had a 240 Hz option, which is great for esports and games run at low resolution. |
| Don’t Buy if: ❌ You want something light: At 6.3 pounds, the Dell G16 is a bit heavier than some of its competitors. |
These days, very few laptops are under $1,000; thus, the finest equipment for a low budget is frequently a little older. However, the Dell G16 (7630), which is currently frequently in that low-cost price band, offers several conveniences that other businesses do not.
The RTX 4060 in the G16 provides much better gaming performance than the RTX 4050 seen in the majority of gaming laptops at this price. The cherry on top is the fact that Dell came with a Cherry MX mechanical keyboard, which is frequently seen in more expensive laptops bearing the Alienware moniker.
When typing and playing games, I adored the feel of these keys. Additionally, a 16-inch screen with a refresh rate of up to 240 Hz is available for quick-twitch competitions.
Like most budget machines, it’s a little bulky and doesn’t have all of the most modern features (this, for instance, has a 720p webcam). But the power you get for the performance is hard to ignore.
The Best Gaming Laptop – RTX 4050
MSI Katana 15 (4.8/5)
Best RTX 4050 Laptop
| Specifications | CPU: Intel Core i7-13620H GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 Display: 15.6-inch, 1920 x 1080, 144 Hz Weight: 5.51 pounds / 2.5 kg |
| DEAL OF THE DAY | LINK TO AMAZON |
| Reasons to consider | + Strong 1080p gaming performance + Good speakers + Excellent value |
| Reasons to skip | – Short battery life – Washed-out display |
Final verdict:
| Buy if: ✅ You want strong 1080p performance under $1,000: The RTX 4050 isn’t the most powerful mobile GPU, but it’s hard to argue with value. |
| Don’t Buy if: ❌ You want the best display: In our testing, we found the screen to be a bit washed out. Something usually has to give at this price. |
One of our top picks for gaming laptops under $1,000 is the MSI Katana 15. A $999 model with a Core i7-13620H and Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 that we tested had good 1080p performance, while some games may require you to lower the settings.
Although other benchmarks, such as Red Dead Redemption 2, were performed at lesser speeds, the Katana passed 60 frames per second in our tests at some quite high settings.
Budget laptops cannot operate at the highest settings for very long when the games become more difficult.
It’s good to see that you get 16GB of RAM and 1TB of storage for less than $1,000, as those are frequently among the first specifications to be trimmed for a low-cost PC.
Rather, the chassis is composed of inexpensive plastic, but the interior components ought to function well.
The Best Gaming Laptop – MID Range
Gigabyte Aorus 16X (4.3/5)
Mid-range value
| Specifications | CPU: Intel Core i7-14650HX GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 Laptop GPU Display: 16-inch, 2560 x 1600, 16:10, IPS, 165 Hz, Advanced Optimus Weight: 5.07 pounds (2.3 kg) |
DEAL OF THE DAY | LINK TO AMAZON |
| Reasons to consider | +Well-priced +Vibrant screen +Thunderbolt 4 and Wi-Fi 7. IR webcam +Supports two storage drives |
| Reasons to skip | -Mediocre battery life -Unintuitive software |
Final verdict:
| Buy if: ✅ The screen is important to you: The 16-inch, 2560 x 1600 proved to be vibrant in our testing, with beautiful colors and deep contrast. ✅ You want to add storage later: This laptop has room for you to add a second SSD down the line. |
| Don’t Buy if: ❌ You want inuitive software: Gigabyte’s Control Center isn’t the easiest to use when you want to make changes in settings. |
With a 16-inch screen and a price tag of $1,599.99 as tested, the Gigabyte Aorus 16X is a powerful device.
The laptop’s bright 2560 x 1600 screen operates at 165 Hz, making first-person shooters and esports fluid. Its builtin speakers are good enough that I didn’t have to worry about headphones in an emergency, and its Core i7-14650HX CPU and GeForce RTX 4070 graphics card easily handle games on the large display.
Practically speaking, it boasts a cosy mouse and keyboard, great connectivity (with Wi-Fi 7 and Thunderbolt 4), and biometric security via its infrared webcam.
Considering how many midrange gaming notebooks completely lack biometrics, I was grateful for these security features.
Gigabyte’s software isn’t the most user-friendly, and you’ll still need to bring a charger with you. However, it’s difficult to argue with what’s being presented here if you want powerful gaming on a good screen at a reasonable price.
Best Budget Gaming Laptop – In 14-INCH
Asus TUF Gaming A14 (4/5)
Best 14-inch Laptop
| Specifications | CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 8845HS GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 Display: 14-inch, 2560 x 1600, 165Hz, IPS-level Weight: 3.22 pounds (1.35 kg) |
| DEAL OF THE DAY | LINK TO AMAZON |
| Reasons to consider | + Barely bigger or heavier than an ultrabook + Great battery life + Understated design |
| Reasons to skip | -Disappointing speakers |
Final verdict:
| Buy if: ✅ You want a great gaming device you can take with you: At just 3.22 pounds and 0.78 inches thick, the TUF Gaming A14 competes with ultrabooks on size |
| Don’t Buy if:❌ You want to play games without headphones: In our testing, the speakers were a weak point on this system, so you’ll want some earbuds or a headset. |
The A14 feels very high-end, even though Asus has frequently viewed its TUF Gaming brand as a low-cost portfolio.
It stands out in a suddenly crowded field and is actually my favourite 14-inch laptop that we have reviewed recently.
It appears to take inspiration from the more expensive Zephyrus range for its subtle appearance. The TUF weighs only 3.22 pounds and is 0.78 inches thick, which puts it in par with certain ultrabooks even though it has an RTX 4060 in our evaluation configuration.
During our battery test, which includes web browsing, streaming, and browser-based graphics tests, the A14 managed to squeeze out 10 hours and 4 minutes of life by employing Nvidia’s Advanced Optimus and switching to the integrated graphics when we weren’t using it for gaming.
The speakers are a bit quiet, but we appreciated the travel-friendly design. The 100W RTX 4060 can only play games at moderate settings, but if you’re on the go, the A14 is a great option.
Best Budget Gaming Laptop – Desktop Replacement
Alienware m18 R2 (4/5)
The Best Desktop Replacement
| Specifications | CPU: Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080 Laptop GPU Display: 16-inch, 2560 x 1600, 240 Hz, G-Sync, Advanced Optimus Weight: 7.49 pounds (3.4 kg) |
| DEAL OF THE DAY | LINK TO AMAZON |
| Reasons to consider | +Strong gaming performance +Lots of ports +$50 mechanical keyboard upgrade is worth it +Novel color |
| Reasons to skip | -Bulky and heavy -Short battery life -No OLED display options |
Final verdict:
| Buy if: ✅ You want a laptop with a mechanical keyboard: The Cherry MX keyboard on the Area-51 feels great for typing and gaming. ✅ You want powerful performance: The Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080 and Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX powering our review units tore through benchmarks. |
| Don’t Buy if: ❌ You want to carry your laptop around: Even this 16-inch notebook is a hefty and I had a hard time fitting it in my backpack. ❌ You want OLED: Despite the price, Alienware isn’t offering OLED display options with the most vivid colors and deepest blacks. |
Typically, desktop replacements are rather permanent desk accessories.
If you want to maintain your entire setup on one device, the Alienware 16 Area-51 is a powerful gaming laptop that is heavy and has a great keyboard.
This is a portable system that weighs 7.49 pounds and is 1.12 inches thick, but you might want to leave it at home. 18-inch desktop replacements are common.
Although we haven’t had a chance to try it yet, there is also an Alienware 18 Area-51 if that’s more your style.
The system has a unique “liquid teal” colour and is well-built. I adore the way the $50 mechanical keyboard alternative feels, so it’s well worth the money.
Although the Wi-Fi is soldered, the 16-inch includes three M.2 SSD spaces and slotted RAM in case you wish to replace it later.
The Nvidia GeForce RTX 5080 and Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX dominated our benchmarks, frequently outperforming the Razer Blade 16’s RTX 5090 with a 28W AMD CPU. Performance was also excellent.
The display is nice and bright, but at this price, Alienware should have OLED options. And while gaming laptops typically don’t last all day on a charge, the Area-51 lasted only 4 hours and 10 minutes on a charge, far shorter than some competitors.
FAQS:
Are gaming laptops worth it?
Yes, if you’d like to play games on your laptop! A gaming laptop with a dedicated graphics card, a high-end CPU, and robust cooling can help you attain good gaming performance on the road, even though most laptops include integrated graphics that can run select games.
More ports for your peripherals and displays with a faster refresh rate are also common features of these systems. Gaming laptops come at a range of pricing points, from entry-level models to those that exceed $5,000.
What is the most powerful gaming laptop 2025?
Depending on your needs and price, the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i (Gen 9) or the Alienware m18 R2 will probably be the best powerful gaming laptop in 2025. With top-tier CPUs, GPUs, and upscale amenities like mechanical keyboards and sophisticated screens, these devices provide optimal performance.
Will a gaming laptop last 5 years?
With typical use, you can expect a gaming laptop to last about 4 to 6 years.
Can you upgrade gaming laptops?
The majority of gaming laptops offer some degree of aftermarket upgradeability, but this varies from system to system. If nothing else, a lot of computers allow you to install a larger (or second) SSD, which is advantageous because video games are quite popular. Although many thin laptops still contain removable SO-DIMMs, the RAM may be soldered down. Every CPU and GPU is soldered down.
What are the future proof specs for a gaming laptop?
If you want your gaming laptop to last 3-5 years, here are the best specs for gaming laptop longevity: GPU: RTX 5070 or better. CPU: Ryzen 9 or Core i9 HX models. RAM: 32GB DDR5 with upgrade support.
What is battery life like on gaming laptops?
Generally speaking, gaming laptops don’t have as long of a battery as ultrabooks. Although AMD’s Ryzen processors have shown some impressive performance, we frequently see less than 8 hours on a charge when you aren’t even gaming. Nvidia says their enhanced Optimus technology can help change that. Generally speaking, we don’t advise playing games on a battery, but if you do, it will greatly depend on the game. Compared to a large first-person shooter with all the effects turned up, a 2D side-scroller should use less battery life.
Shopping Tips: Gaming Laptop
- Pay attention to the GPU: The majority of games rely significantly on the GPU, which cannot be upgraded. You will have years of comfortable gaming if you invest in a strong GPU now.
- The greatest gaming CPUs and GPUs are nearly always soldered down, but most gaming laptops allow you to swap out the RAM and storage, so you can purchase a lesser model now and upgrade to a larger hard drive or SSD later on. Do your homework before purchasing a laptop because it’s usually easier to upgrade a thicker, more powerful model than a thinner one. This material is part of our reviews.
- Battery life is likely to be poor: The best gaming performance requires a power source, and very few gaming notebooks last eight hours or longer on a single charge. AMD’s Ryzen processors have, however, shown promise in recent years, and Nvidia says its enhanced Optimus technology could help reverse this trend. However, you should make sure that you are connected in when playing in order to get the best possible gaming experience.
- Get enough storage for your games: High-end gaming laptops are costly, and video games now consume more storage than ever before. Anything less than 512GB should be avoided. For a gaming laptop, 1TB is the sweet spot and 2TB is perfect. Fortunately, the majority of PCs allow you to add more storage later on if necessary.