Level up with the best gaming laptops of 2024

A high-quality gaming laptop isn't just about the most flashy design or a hefty price tag. It's about finding the perfect balance that caters to your gaming needs with a powerful graphics processing unit (GPU), sufficient cooling system, and ample RAM.

Regardless of whether you’re a newbie or a seasoned pro, we outlined the best gaming laptops for you across 10 categories.

Best gaming laptop overall

Get your game on with the best gaming laptop for most users, the Alienware m18. 

This powerhouse boasts an impressive 18-inch display, which is ideal for gaming. This especially large screen offers ample digital space for gaming or other applications. 

And the screen isn’t the only thing you’ll love. The Alienware m18 offers stellar performance with top-tier processors and crystal-clear graphics. This allows you to conquer even the most demanding games at high settings. 

The m18 is highly customizable, letting you tailor it to your specific needs, including multiple options for RAM speed and keyboard configurations. It’s also built with premium materials, ensuring durability and a luxurious feel.

While the Alienware m18 is our choice as the best gaming laptop overall, there are some drawbacks. 

First, the high quality comes with a high price tag. These machines range from as low as $1,500 to over $3,000 — making refurbished Alienware products much more desirable than full-priced options. 

Second, the m18 is not the most portable option on the market. You can move the laptop from place to place, but be prepared to carry all 8.9 pounds of it in your backpack. The battery life is also a bit short, clocking in at roughly five hours of game time without needing a charge. 

Ultimately, the Alienware m18 offers unparalleled performance, a beautiful display, and extensive customization options, making it a top contender for the best gaming laptop overall.

Specifications 

• Price: $2,700

• CPU: Intel® Core™ i9-13980HX

• GPU: NVIDIA® RTX™  4090

• RAM: 32 or 64 GB 

• Weight: 8.9 lbs

• Screen size: 18 in

• Dimensions: .95” x 16.15” x 12.59”

• Max battery life: 6 hrs

Best splurge gaming laptop

If you're looking for excellent performance and don't mind spending more, the Razer Blade 18 is the best gaming laptop for you. 

It's packed with top-of-the-line specs, including a 13th Gen Intel® Core™ processor and an NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 4080 Laptop GPU. 

Its 18-inch 4K OLED display is stunning, with a 240Hz refresh rate for silky-smooth visuals. It also has a comfortable keyboard, a large trackpad, and a sleek, premium design. 

The Razer Blade 18 caters to a specific niche of gamers seeking an exceptional blend of performance, aesthetics, and build quality without compromising on screen size. 

However, the high cost, limited battery life, and weight might be drawbacks for some. The Razer Blade 18 starts at around $2,899 and reaches over $4,000 for fully optimized options.

Before making your final decision, carefully weigh the pros and cons — or check out more affordable refurbished gaming laptops.

Specifications 

• Price: $3,200

• CPU: Intel® Core™ i9-13950HX

• GPU: NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 4060

• RAM: 16 - 32 GB

• Weight: 6.8 lbs​

• Screen size: 18 in

• Dimensions: 0.86" x 10.84" x 15.74"

• Max battery life: 5.5 hrs

Best budget gaming laptop

Do you want to build a gaming setup without spending too much green? Look no further than the best budget gaming laptop, the Asus TUF Dash F15 (2022). 

This laptop proves that a limited budget doesn't mean compromising on performance. While it may not compete with top-of-the-line machines, like the Alienware m18 or Razor 18, it strikes a nice balance between budget-friendliness and functionality.

Starting at around $1,100, it's considerably cheaper than high-end gaming laptops, making it a great choice for cost-conscious buyers. Despite the friendly price tag, you'll still be able to play most modern games in moderate settings. 

The TUF Dash F15 (2022) also boasts impressive portability. Compared to bulkier options, it's a remarkably thin and light gaming laptop. Weighing in at only 4.4 pounds, the TUF Dash F15 is easy to transfer to school, to work, or to travel. 

While it’s a great value, the affordability comes with some limitations. The TUF Dash F15 won't deliver the highest settings or blazing-fast performance for demanding tasks. It’s a solid choice for casual gamers or those looking for a portable gaming laptop without breaking the bank. 

If you’re looking for more eco-friendly options, see what else Asus has to offer with these refurbished gaming laptops. 

Specifications 

• Price: $1,105

• CPU: Intel® Core™ i7-12650H 

• GPU: NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 3070

• RAM: 8 GB - 32 GB

• Weight: 4.4 lbs 

• Screen size: 15.6”

• Dimensions: 13.94″ x 9.88″ x 0.78″  

• Max battery life: 3 - 4 hrs

Best gaming laptop with extended battery life

It’s difficult to find a gaming laptop with long battery life and powerful performance.  Luckily, the Razer Blade 14 is a great option for gamers on the go.

Unlike most power-hungry gaming laptops, it boasts an exceptional runtime of approximately 10 hours on a single charge. This exceeds the average gaming laptop battery life, allowing for extended unplugged gaming or increased productivity on the go. 

Its physical design also adds to the portability. As the name suggests, the Razer Blade 14 offers a 14-inch screen perfect for slipping into most backpacks. It also weighs under four pounds, making it ideal for gamers who travel frequently. 

And the Blade 14 doesn't compromise on performance. It tackles modern games at high settings with impressive smoothness. 

What’s the primary drawback? The price tag. Starting at around $1,699, the Razer Blade 14 is a significant investment. Fortunately, refurbished gaming laptops offer a more affordable and eco-friendly option for gamers on a budget. 

Specifications 

• Price: $1,699

• CPU: AMD Ryzen™ 9 6900HX 

• GPU: NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 3060

• RAM: 16 GB - 96 GB

• Weight: 3.92 lbs 

• Screen size: 14 in

• Dimensions: 10.66” x 8.66” x 12.59” 

• Max battery life: 10 hrs 

Best gaming laptop for graphics

The Lenovo Legion Pro 7i is a strong contender for anyone prioritizing exceptional visuals and top-tier performance. 

Equipped with high-quality graphics cards, it effortlessly handles even the most demanding AAA titles at high resolutions with smooth frame rates and impressive visuals. 

And the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i isn't just about raw power and stunning visuals. It also boasts a comfortable and sleek design that enhances the overall user experience. 

Unlike some gaming laptops that lean into a more aggressive aesthetic, the Legion Pro 7i features a sleek and minimalist design. The clean lines and subtle Legion branding contribute to a sleek look that wouldn't feel out of place in a professional setting or during casual use outside of gaming.

The Lenovo Legion Pro 7i caters to serious gamers who prioritize top-notch graphics performance, a high refresh rate display, and a powerful processor. However, a high cost and limited battery life are important factors. You can find more budget-friendly Lenovo laptops from refurbished retailers. 

Specifications

• Price: $2,559

• CPU: Intel® Core™ i9-13900HX

• GPU: NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 4090

• RAM: 32 GB

• Weight: 6.2 lbs

• Screen size: 16 in

• Dimensions: 14.23" x 10.27" x 0.88" 

• Max battery life: 6 hrs

Best 14-inch gaming laptop

Packing power and portability into a sleek design, the Alienware X14 R1 is a strong contender for gamers seeking the best 14-inch gaming laptop.

It tackles modern games at moderate to high settings, delivering smooth performance for various titles. Dell is known as one of the best gaming laptop brands, and the X14 R1 lives up to the reputation for high-quality gameplay.

The Alienware X14 R1's Lunar Light color also adds to its premium appeal and distinguishes it from many gaming laptops, which often lean toward darker, bolder color palettes. 

And while the smaller screen size is a bonus for some, it does lead to potential drawbacks. Compared to standard keyboards, the X14 R1 features slightly smaller keys, which might take some time to adjust to. 

Specifications 

• Price: $1,548

• CPU: Intel Core i7-12700H

• GPU: NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 3060

• RAM: 16 GB

• Weight: 5 lbs

• Screen size: 14 in

• Dimensions: 16.73” x 6.69” x 14.65”

• Max battery life: 8 hrs

Best 15-inch gaming laptop

In the competitive arena of 15-inch gaming laptops, the MSI Crosshair 15 Rainbow Six Extraction edition is a formidable contender. With a stellar gaming experience packed into a sleek and compact design, it’s one of the best 15-inch gaming laptops on the market. 

The MSI Crosshair 15 guarantees an immersive gaming experience with an Intel® Core™ i7 processor and a NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ graphics card. It handles graphically demanding games with ease, delivering top-tier performance within the confines of a 15-inch frame.

It also offers a vibrant and high-refresh-rate display, ensuring that every visual detail is crisp and fluid. Users appreciate its solid build quality and reliable performance, emphasizing its suitability for long gaming sessions or demanding work tasks.

Fans of "Rainbow Six Extraction" will appreciate the unique design elements, including the exclusive color scheme, character artwork, and pre-loaded game content. 

If you’re not a fan of that particular game, consider other MSI gaming laptops for a similar performance without the niche theme.

Specifications 

• Price: $1,499

• CPU: Intel Core i7-12700H

• GPU: NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 3060

• RAM: Up to 16GB

• Weight: 4.4 lbs

• Screen size: 15.6 in

• Dimensions: 14.17" x 9.84" x 0.82"

• Max battery life: 5 - 6 hrs

Best 17-inch gaming laptop

Powerful and feature-rich, the MSI Raider GE78 HX 13V is the best 17-inch gaming laptop for gamers seeking an exceptional experience.

Its large display translates to a more immersive gaming experience. This allows players to see more details in the game world, creating a feeling of being truly enveloped in the action. This can be particularly beneficial for games with expansive environments, intricate details, or a heavy reliance on visual storytelling.

If you relocate or travel frequently, the MSI Raider GE78 13V can replace traditional desktop computers. The combination of a large screen, powerful hardware, and the ability to connect external peripherals like monitors, keyboards, and mice creates a capable gaming setup that offers more flexibility than a bulky desktop. 

The Raider GE78 HX 13V comes with a hefty price tag, starting at approximately $2,600. Weighing in at a little over six pounds, it’s also not the lightest option on the market. 

Its average battery life also impacts portability. With only four or five hours between charges, it might not be ideal for extended use away from an outlet. 

Specifications 

• Price: $2,600 

• CPU: Intel® Core™ i9 HX 

• GPU: NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 4090

• RAM: Up to 16 GB 

• Weight: 6.6 lbs

• Screen size: 17 inches

• Dimensions: 14.96” x 11.73” x 0.89”

• Max battery life: 5 hrs

Best portable gaming laptop

If you need a thin and light gaming laptop, take a closer look at the Lenovo Legion Slim 5. It is the best gaming laptop for users who want a portable design plus moderate gaming capabilities.

This five-pound portable laptop offers impressive battery life, lasting up to eight hours on a single charge. That means you can easily carry it around campus, the airport, or the office without stressing about needing an outlet. 

And while some gamers might scoff at its thin profile, the Legion Slim 5 delivers a respectable performance with AMD Ryzen 6000 or 7000 Series processors and NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 30 or 40 Series graphics. These specs ensure a smooth and enjoyable gaming experience in moderate settings. 

Remember that the Legion Slim 5 was built for portability, so it sacrifices in other areas. Some users report playing at high settings with good results, but the laptop could struggle to maintain consistent frame rates or high visual quality in the most demanding games.

If you’re a casual gamer looking for something you can easily carry with you on a long charge, this is the best gaming laptop. 

Specifications 

• Price: $1,295

• CPU: AMD Ryzen™ 7 7840HS

• GPU: NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 4050

• RAM: 16 GB

• Weight: 5 lbs

• Screen size: 14.5 inches

• Dimensions:  14.16” x 

• 0.78” x 10.25”

• Max battery life: 8 hrs

Best gaming Chromebook

While it’s not a traditional gaming laptop, the Acer Chromebook 516 GE (2022) is the best gaming Chromebook. It is a great option if you’re a casual gamer seeking a laptop specifically built for cloud gaming. 

Cloud gaming, also called gaming on demand or game streaming, is a type of online gaming that relies on remote servers to run the games instead of your local computer. Chromebooks cannot run most PC games natively due to their operating system limitations, so you’re restricted to games available on cloud gaming platforms. 

The Chromebook 516 GE is generally more affordable than traditional gaming options, making it an attractive budget gaming laptop. Chrome OS is known for its user-friendly interface, which might appeal to users who prefer a streamlined approach compared to the complexities often associated with Windows gaming laptops.

Remember that cloud gaming relies heavily on a strong and stable internet connection. Lag, stuttering, and disconnections can significantly hinder the gaming experience if your internet connection is unreliable.

And while cloud gaming libraries are expanding, they might not offer the same selection as traditional gaming platforms like Steam or Epic Games Store.

Methodology

Our assessment involved an examination of product specifications and an in-depth exploration of customer feedback across various sources. Through this methodology, we uncovered recurring positive remarks or concerns regarding the features of each gaming laptop. The insights gained from this analysis guided our final rankings, providing a comprehensive overview of the strengths and weaknesses of each product.

When it came to price ratings, we awarded higher stars for a lower price to indicate affordability. Battery life was measured on a five-star scale that is as follows: 1 - 2 hours of battery life equals one star, 3 - 4 hours equals two stars, 5 - 6 hours equals three stars, 6 - 7 hours equals four stars, and 8+ hours equals five stars. 

*Please note: The prices listed above reflect the price of the gaming laptop at the time of publication.