Our Top Picks for Gaming Laptops for 2024

Gamers who prioritize a high level of graphics quality in their games often argue that a PC is necessary. In particular, gaming desktops are considered the best option for smooth 4K gameplay and supporting virtual reality (VR) setups due to their powerful components. However, if you’re looking for a portable option that you can take with you to a friend’s place or move around your home, we can assist you in choosing the right gaming laptop.

We’ve looked into what the latest laptops on the market have to offer, and we have narrowed it down to these specific choices. They each suit the different needs of different people but are all extraordinary in their regard.

We have conducted extensive research on various gaming laptops, delving into the latest AMD processors and Nvidia graphics components to determine which notebooks perform the best and which ones do not quite measure up. Our selection includes gaming laptops at different price points to showcase the ones that offer the best value for money and those that are simply exceptional, not just the expensive and sleek new models.

Check out a detailed breakout of our current picks for the best gaming laptops for 2024 below, followed by our extensive buying guide to how to shop for a gaming laptop.

The Best Overall Gaming Laptop

Asus ROG Zephyrus G14

The best overall gaming laptop

SPECIFICATIONS

CPU: AMD Ryzen 9 7940HS
GPU: Up to Nvidia RTX 4090
RAM: Up to 32GB DDR5-4800
Screen: 14-inch 1600p @ 165Hz | IPS or Mini LED
Storage: 1TB SSD NVMe PCIe 4.0
Battery: 76Wh
Dimensions: 12.28 x 8.94 x 0.77 inches
Weight: 3.79lbs

REASONS TO BUY

• Incredible OLED display
• Slick redesign
• Impressive build
• Compact thin, and light form
• Incredible OLED display
• Solid Gaming Performance

REASONS TO AVOID

• Not a good fit for high-end configuration options

In 2024, Asus released the ROG Zephyrus G14, which featured an OLED display and a slimmer design aimed at providing a more ultrabook-oriented experience. They also removed some of the top-end components to make it even more portable. This laptop is perfect for those who prioritize both power and portability and want the best possible experience.

The Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 is the best gaming laptop available at a reasonable price. Although there are various configurations available, we believe that the one with an AMD Ryzen 9 7940HS processor, paired with either an RTX 4060 or RTX 4070 GPU, is the top choice for a 14-inch gaming laptop.

This device is an excellent option for gaming on the go, whether you’re travelling or commuting. It weighs just 3.79 pounds and is only 0.77 inches thick, making it extremely portable. It features a fantastic keyboard, touchpad, port selection, and screen. During our testing, it consistently produced solid frame rates across multiple generations of this laptop. Additionally, we were impressed with its all-day battery life, which is not commonly found in gaming laptops. Furthermore, it even has a webcam.

The Best Budget Gaming Laptop

Dell G15

The best budget gaming laptop

SPECIFICATIONS

CPU: Intel Core i7-13650HX
GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU
RAM: 16 GB
Screen: 15.6-inch 1920p @ 165Hz | IPS
Storage: 1TB SSD
Battery: 56Wh and 86Wh
Dimensions: 1.06 by 14.07 by 10.8 inches
Weight: 6.2lbs

REASONS TO BUY

• Low starting price
• Fun color options
• Great performance and storage
• High refresh rate screen

REASONS TO AVOID

• Midrange competitors are much lighter
• restrictive configuration choices

Dell’s G15 has been a popular choice for budget-friendly gaming laptops for several years, alongside the HP Victus line. Recently, in late 2022, a 16-inch G16 model was added to the veteran 15-inch G15. If you’re looking for an affordable gaming laptop, the G15 is a great option. However, if you can spend a little more and prefer a larger screen, the G16 would be a better choice for long-term use.

The G15 is a solidly built and durable device. Although it’s entirely made of plastic, its unique design and high-quality construction make it a reliable option in the budget range. The keyboard lacks a bit of punch – the keys don’t offer much travel or feedback – but it’s acceptable and comes with a complete numeric keypad. The touchpad is similarly unimpressive, a bit small for the size of the device, but it gets the job done.

While it’s not the most powerful gaming laptop compared to the others on this list, it can certainly run a number of games at its maximum capacity. If you want to run AAA titles, I would personally aim for the RTX 4060 model to be able to run those hard-intensive games. If you have a tighter shopping budget, the Dell G15 is worth considering

The Most Powerful Gaming Laptop

Asus ROG Strix Scar 18

The most powerful gaming laptop

SPECIFICATIONS

CPU: Intel Core i9-13980HX
GPU: RTX 4070 | RTX 4080 | RTX 4090
RAM: 16GB | 32GB
Screen: 18-inch QHD+ IPS @ 240Hz
Storage: 1TB + 1TB PCle 4.0 NVMe M.2 | 1TB PCle 4.0 NVMe M.2
Battery: 56Wh and 86Wh
Dimensions: 1.21 by 15.71 by 11.57 inches
Weight: 6.77lbs

REASONS TO BUY

• Top of the line performance
• Impressive gaming display
• Semi-reasonable weight and size
• Sophisticated cooling
• Full sized keyboard

REASONS TO AVOID

• Not very portable
• Can become loud
• Expensive

Some of the laptops in the market are designed to be balanced for size or budget, but the product we’re discussing now is not one of them. If you have a lot of money to spend and are looking for a powerful laptop, then your best bet is the Asus ROG Strix Scar 18.

This laptop is a part of the first wave of 18-inch laptops and it is packed with the latest Intel and Nvidia components that provide top-of-the-line gaming performance. The laptop is quite large, measuring 1.21 inches thick and weighing 6.77 pounds, so it is not very portable. However, the upside to its size is that it has a roomy QHD 240Hz screen that provides a desktop-like experience.

In our review configuration, the Intel Core i9-13980HX CPU and Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 GPU delivered unmatched raw 3D and gaming results, making it a great option for gamers. The laptop’s feature set is also quite impressive, making it a great choice for anyone with a big budget.

The Best 15-Inch Gaming Laptop

Razer Blade 15

The best 15-inch gaming laptop

SPECIFICATIONS

CPU: Up to Core i9 13800H
GPU: Up to RTX 4070
RAM: Up to 32GB DDR5
Screen: 1080p @ 360H or 1440p @ 240Hz
Storage: Up to 1TB SSD
Battery:  80Wh
Dimensions: 9.25 x 13.98 x 0.67 inches
Weight:  4.40lbs

REASONS TO BUY

• Great battery life
• Wide range of GPU/CPU options
• Excellent colour and contrast
• Solid Build with a luxury design

REASONS TO AVOID

• Razer premium price
• Trackpad feels weird

The latest version of the Razer Blade 15 has once again improved upon one of the best gaming laptops ever made, making it the best 15-inch gaming laptop available today. It features the stunning CNC-milled aluminium chassis that was present in its predecessor, but this time it can accommodate the latest Nvidia RTX 40-series GPUs and an Intel 13th Gen Core i9 CPU.

However, it seems that the Blade 15’s days may be numbered as Razer has not indicated that they will release a new version with the 14th Gen Intel chips. This could be the last run for this machine.

This is understandable as the Blade 16 is not much bigger but can accommodate a larger screen. However, the Blade 16 is thicker than the older Razer chassis, and some people prefer the more svelte design of the older model.

The Razer Blade 15 is a popular 15-inch gaming laptop that combines style with performance and a large screen. It offers a range of configurations, but it tends to be more expensive due to the Razer price premium. However, if you’re willing to pay for the best, Blade 15 is a great option that deserves to be at the top of your list.

The Best 16-Inch Gaming Laptop

Lenovo Legion Pro 7i (Gen8)

The best 16-inch gaming laptop

SPECIFICATIONS

CPU: Up to Core i9 13900HX
GPU: RTX 4090, RTX 4080, or RTX 4070
RAM: Up to 32GB DDR5
Screen: 2560 x 1600, 16:10 aspect ratio
Storage: Up to 2TB Gen 4 SSD
Battery:  Up to 99.99Wh
Dimensions: 10.32 x 14.3 x 0.86–1.01 inches
Weight:  6.17lbs

REASONS TO BUY

• Excellent CPU performance
• Competitive price
• Solid build

REASONS TO AVOID

• Weak battery life

The Lenovo Legion Pro 7i is an excellent 16-inch gaming laptop that stands out as the best in its category. This makes it the best gaming laptop overall as well. It comes with a price tag that is much lower than other high-end RTX 40-series laptops that cost over $4,000. The RTX 4080 model of the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i impressed us with its gaming performance during testing. In fact, its performance was so good that we question why anyone would want to buy an RTX 4090 machine instead.

The Legion Pro 7i is an impressive gaming laptop that solidifies Lenovo’s position in the top tier of gaming machines. The high-end components inside this laptop provide excellent performance and value, allowing it to compete with much more expensive systems without producing too much noise. Currently, it is the best 16-inch laptop and the best gaming laptop available.

The Best 18-Inch Gaming Laptop

Alienware M18

The best 18-inch gaming laptop

SPECIFICATIONS

CPU: Up to Core i9 13900HX
GPU: RTX 4090, RTX 4080, or RTX 4070
RAM: Up to 64GB DDR5
Screen: 18-inch QHD+ (2560 x 1600), 165Hz | 18-inch FHD+ (1920 x 1200), 480Hz
Storage: Up to 8TB Gen 4 SSD
Battery: 97Wh
Dimensions: 1.05 by 16.15 by 12.59 inches
Weight:  8.9lbs

REASONS TO BUY

• Incredible power
• Simple yet effective design
• plenty of ports with good placement
• full-sized keyboard

REASONS TO AVOID

• Heaviest laptop
• Speakers arent as strong
• Display quality lacks a bit compared to others

The Alienware M18 and the Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 are both high-performing gaming laptops. While the Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 claims the title of ‘most powerful,’ the Alienware M18 is not far behind in terms of sheer performance. However, the Alienware M18 stands out as the best 18-inch gaming laptop overall due to its range of configuration options, sleek design, and features that cater more towards desktop usage.

The Alienware M18 is a powerful gaming laptop that performed exceptionally well in benchmarking scenarios and even outperformed the Strix Scar 18 in some cases. Although the Asus rig remains the top choice, the M18 still delivers impressive performance, especially in demanding titles like Returnal and Total War: Three Kingdoms, with consistent three-figure framerates on the highest graphics settings in native resolution.

The Alienware M18 may have made some compromises, but it still manages to position itself as a highly versatile gaming laptop. You can customize it to your heart’s content if you have the budget, or opt for a more affordable configuration for big-screen gaming under $2,000. This is something that not many 18-inch gaming laptops can offer, especially considering the amount of power that the M18 delivers.

Conclusion

Gaming has become such a core of our entertainment in this day and age, and some people enjoy it on the go, so a gaming laptop is a must-have for gamers on the move. With so many gaming laptops on the market, the best way to find out what suits you is to follow a hand-picked guide. If you would like to see other ways you can improve your gaming set up, be sure to check out our article on it.

After going through all the specs and details about our top picks for gaming laptops, I hope you can find one that really suits all your gaming needs. From the best budget one to the overall best one, I am sure one of these is best for you. Good luck with finding what suits you so you can start gaming on the go. Happy gaming!