Power-packed performance meets precision design in the latest generation of gaming laptops. From the sleek Razer Blade 16 to machines armed with RTX 40 graphics, these rigs combine raw speed, striking displays, and advanced cooling for gamers who demand more than desktop power on the go.
Sure, gaming on a laptop is more cumbersome compared to using handhelds like the Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck, or a smartphone. However, gaming laptops beat them handily with power, and by being more useful for non-gaming tasks. And, unlike a desktop, their portable nature makes it easier to connect to your TV when you want big-screen gaming in your living room.
While buying a gaming laptop is more beginner-friendly than building a desktop, there are still many factors to consider, from your preferred portability, screen size, ports, and whether you really need the very latest Nvidia GeForce RTX GPU when the previous generation still yields excellent results. If you need some recommendations, our guide contains some great gaming laptops you can buy now to suit both your budgetary and PC gaming needs.
Best overall gaming laptop
The Razer Blade 16 stands out for its sleek aluminum design, powerful RTX 40 graphics, and bright mini-LED display that delivers stunning color accuracy and smooth frame rates. Its combination of portability and strength makes it ideal for both gaming and creative work, while the advanced cooling system keeps performance stable under heavy loads. With a premium build and cutting-edge hardware, it delivers one of the best gaming experiences available in a portable form.
Razer Blade 16
The Razer Blade 16 is the best overall gaming laptop if you want to make practically any game absolutely sing with the latest RTX 40 graphics chip and look great, too, on its crisp QHD 16-inch display that has a 240 Hz refresh rate. It’s far from the cheapest option, starting at $3,299.99, but it’s a reasonable price for those who want to play the most demanding games at their highest settings, and who want to go wild customizing Razer’s fancy Chroma RGB lighting for the keyboard.
How to pick the right gaming laptop for you
With so many gaming laptops available, it’s all too easy to just focus on buying whatever has the latest processors and GPU. However, we suggest weighing your options. If you have a specific budget in mind, what spec do you care the most about? Is it the screen size, resolution, or just fast refresh rates? Is it important that it has enough SSD storage to keep your favorite games installed at any given moment? Is portability a top priority, or do you plan to just use it at home? Only you can answer these questions.
The high-end brands can offer the best of everything – at a premium. You may find that you want to spend a lot to ensure you’re future-proofed for at least another generation, and that’s OK. But you may find that you don’t need to splash out on the latest chipsets to get your favorite games running smoothly. Our options account for both scenarios.
The price goes up much higher (exceeding $4,000) if you’re after an even higher tier of the RTX 40-series graphics chips, as well as Razer’s interesting dual-mode display model where, at the click of a button, you can toggle the screen’s resolution and refresh rate between native 4K at 120 Hz and 1080p at 240 Hz display modes. While impressive, that model is made to appeal more to creators and gamers who want to have the best of both worlds, no matter the cost. And, as the pricey RTX 4090 GPU option has arguably more power than most users can fully take advantage of, you likely don’t need to shell out for the highest tier of GPU when the RTX 4060 and 4070 can run most games well, even at QHD resolution.
As game installs are getting increasingly larger, it’s nice that the Blade 16 offers an additional M.2 SSD slot, meaning you’ll be able to expand the storage if needed (it comes with a 1 TB SSD by default). Fortunately, the cost of high-speed SSDs has been coming down, so you can easily add an extra 1 TB for well under $100.
It has a slim design, though it’s not the most lightweight laptop – at 5.40 pounds, it’s a pound heavier than the Razer Blade 15 – but that added weight feels justified since it brings faster hardware, plus five ports (three USB-A, one USB-C, and one Thunderbolt) to take your experience further with other accessories.
Razer Blade 16
$3300$36008% off $3300 $3300 at Amazon$4000 at Best Buy<
Best portable gaming laptop
A compact, high-performance portable option that blends solid frame durability with strong cooling and a vibrant display, the best portable gaming laptop delivers smooth frame rates for modern titles and long battery life for on-the-go play, making it a reliable pick for gamers who want power without sacrificing mobility.
Asus ROG Zephyrus G14
All gaming laptops are theoretically portable, but what about ones that are small and light enough to bring anywhere, without sacrificing too much power? The Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 manages to strike that fine balance. Weighing just 3.64 pounds, it’s astonishingly lightweight while still holding its own against the most demanding games.
Diving into the specs, its AMD Ryzen 9 CPU and Nvidia RTX 4060 GPU should result in satisfying gamers who want solid midrange performance. You’ll get lush graphics that look beautiful on its 2560 x 1600 display – and it’s smooth, too, thanks to its 120 Hz refresh rate. It doesn’t skimp on a host of other niceties, including a 720p webcam (full HD would have been nice, a minor complaint), a customizable RGB keyboard, four USB ports (two USB-A, two USB-C), and a large trackpad.
Given its smaller dimensions, with a thickness of just 0.73 inches, it’s the perfect laptop for gaming when commuting and traveling. Better yet, it’s got terrific battery life. If you’re not just using it for gaming, you can expect the battery to last up to 10 hours, which is far better than most gaming laptops, though that’s probably a different story if you’re running the latest blockbuster titles at ultra settings.
Asus ROG Zephyrus G14
$1600 $1600 $1600 at Best Buy
Best high-end gaming laptop
The Razer Blade 16 stands out as the best high-end gaming laptop thanks to its premium build, outstanding performance, and sleek design. Equipped with the latest NVIDIA RTX 40-series graphics and Intel Core i9 processor, it handles demanding titles with ease while maintaining excellent cooling and quiet operation. The stunning dual-mode Mini LED display offers both ultra-smooth gameplay and accurate color reproduction for creative work, making it an exceptional choice for gamers who value power, precision, and portability.
Asus Strix Scar 18
The Asus Strix Scar 18 is a bit of a mouthful, its name aptly mirroring its maximalist design and specs. But if money is no object and you’re after the ultimate powerhouse gaming laptop, this $2,599.99 laptop is our pick.
This model has a huge 17-inch IPS display that’s perfect for viewing sharp QHD graphics on, which its Intel Core i9 processor and RTX 4080 GPU are more than capable of delivering. Its 240 Hz refresh rate is just as speedy as our top all-around pick, the Razer Blade 16, ensuring you’re getting ultra-smooth performance in big and beautiful open-world games, whether you dig Cyberpunk 2077, Elden Ring, or The First Descendant.
The Asus Strix Scar 18 itself isn’t much of a looker compared to some of our other picks. It’s also massive, weighing in at 12.5 pounds. You’ll likely struggle to fit it in most laptop bags. But if you insist on taking it with you, don’t forget its huge 330 W power supply, which is all but necessary to lug around if you want to do anything on this laptop for a few hours. You’re looking at a couple of hours of gaming time at most, so this is definitely not the most practical or portable option available. However, some of you may be happy to sacrifice these factors for the power that this model can supply.
Ultimately, it’s what’s inside that counts the most here. In addition to its powerful CPU and GPU, it comes with a 1 TB SSD and 32 GB of RAM, with more slots available if you want to boost either. Going over a final few spec details, it has a 1080p webcam and mic built in, a higher resolution than what’s included with most gaming laptops. There are plenty of ports, too, including two USB-A ports, three USB-C ports (one of which is Thunderbolt 4), plus HDMI 2.1, an SD card reader, a headphone jack, and an Ethernet port.
Asus Strix Scar 18
$2600 $2600 $2781 at Amazon$2600 at Best Buy
Best cheap gaming laptop
For gamers on a budget, the best cheap gaming laptop balances solid performance with accessible pricing. Models powered by mid-range processors and GPUs, such as the RTX 4050, can handle popular titles smoothly while keeping costs down. Many affordable options also feature high-refresh screens and SSD storage, cutting load times and giving users a responsive experience. Brands like ASUS, Lenovo, and Acer offer dependable builds that prove you don’t need to spend a fortune to enjoy quality PC gaming.
Gigabyte G6X
Gaming laptops are a luxury, but they don’t always have to vault over the $1,000 mark. So long as you aren’t obsessed with having the latest hardware, there are some options that do a good job at keeping up with the latest game releases. At $1,199.99, the 16-inch Gigabyte G6X is one of the best value options.
It’s a midrange gaming laptop, containing a 13th-gen Intel i7-13650HX CPU and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 GPU. Bundled with its 16 GB RAM, you’ll be able to run most demanding games, like Cyberpunk 2077, at decent frame rates on its 1920 x 1200 display. If you’re looking to prioritize a faster frame rate over a gorgeous-looking picture, you can turn graphical settings down a bit to take advantage of the display’s fast 165 Hz refresh rate.
It also has everything else you’d expect from a modern gaming laptop, including a good number of ports, a webcam and a mic, and a high-speed SSD – speaking of, it comes with 1 TB by default, which for most gamers will quickly fill up. Thankfully, with SSD prices coming down, it’s inexpensive to manually insert another SSD into its extra M.2 slot. The G6X’s RAM can be upgraded after purchase, too, which is a nice touch.
It may be rather plain in design, and it has some minor compromises (the screen isn’t as bright as more high-end laptops). However, when it comes to affordability while still being able to play the latest games PC gaming has to offer, the Gigabyte G6X is a good place to start.
Gigabyte G6X
$1100$12008% off $1100 $1200 at Amazon$1100 at Best Buy$1200 at Newegg
Best affordable 16-inch gaming laptop
The best affordable 16-inch gaming laptop balances strong performance with a price that won’t break your budget. Models like the ASUS TUF Gaming A16 Advantage Edition and Lenovo Legion 5 Pro offer powerful AMD or Intel chips, competent RTX 40-series GPUs, and bright 165 Hz displays. Their solid keyboards, cooling systems, and sturdy builds make them reliable machines for both gaming and everyday tasks, giving players great value without paying premium prices.
Acer Nitro V
If you have a budget of below $1,000 and really want a solid laptop that doesn’t break the bank, the Acer Nitro V is a fantastic value.
The Nitro V is equipped with a powerful Intel 13th-gen i7 processor and RTX 4060 GPU pairing. You’ll be able to get games looking great and smooth with its FHD 15.6-inch, 144 Hz display.
The Nitro V borrows several design elements from much pricier laptops. It also inherits some of their not-so-great qualities, like a middling webcam and short battery life when you’re not plugged in. If you’re planning on using this laptop for non-gaming tasks, it should serve you well for a few hours. But if you plan to do more work than play, you may want to consider the more compact Asus ROG Zephyrus G14.
If the Nitro V is looking like the gaming laptop for you, Best Buy offers the best value on this machine. Currently, the $899.99 model at Best Buy includes an Intel 13th-gen i7 series CPU, RTX 4060, 16 GB of fast DDR5 RAM, and a 512 GB SSD. The price on this model has dropped by hundreds of dollars on occasion, so stay tuned for the next deal.
Razer Blade 16 current price and configurations
Razer Blade 16 configurations in 2026 typically feature AMD Ryzen AI 9 processors, NVIDIA RTX 50-series GPUs, and premium OLED displays, with prices starting around $2,600 for entry-level models and reaching $4,500+ for top specs.
Current Pricing Overview
Entry-level configs like the Ryzen AI 9 365 with RTX 5070, 32GB LPDDR5X RAM, 1TB SSD, and 16-inch QHD+ 240Hz OLED start at $2,599 on Razer’s site, with European pricing around €2,799. High-end variants with RTX 5080, 32GB RAM, and up to 8TB SSD list at $4,589 on Newegg, while fully loaded RTX 5090 models hit $4,500.
Available Configurations
Common builds include:
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RTX 5070: Ryzen AI 9 365, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD – $2,599-$2,799.
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RTX 5080: Ryzen AI 9 365, 32GB RAM, 8TB SSD (2x4TB), Wi-Fi 7 – $4,589.
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RTX 5090: Up to 32GB RAM, 2TB SSD – $4,500+ for premium chassis and 90Wh battery.
Prices vary by region and retailer, with discounts possible on older stock; check Razer’s configurator for custom options like RAM upgrades.
Razer Blade 16 performance benchmarks RTX 5070
Razer Blade 16 with RTX 5070 delivers strong gaming performance in its slim chassis, often matching or exceeding RTX 4080 laptops at 140W TGP, with minimal throttling in stress tests.
Synthetic Benchmarks
3DMark Time Spy scores exceed RTX 4080 levels, with users reporting competitive results against modified RTX 4090 laptops at lower wattage; Fire Strike and Wildlife Extreme also show capable ray-tracing and rasterization. Time Spy stress tests pass at 97.5%, indicating stable sustained performance without significant thermal limits. Driver updates can boost TGP from 110W to 140-150W for 10%+ gains.
Gaming Frame Rates
Expect playable 50+ fps in modern titles at QHD without DLSS 4/MFG, rising higher with upscaling; it’s near RTX 4080 speeds in demanding games like Assassin’s Creed Mirage. Fan noise hits 53-57 dB under max load, but surface temps stay manageable. Compared to RTX 5080/5090 siblings, it trails slightly but offers better value in quieter operation.
