In 2024, gaming laptops have become extremely powerful and easy to carry arround. You don’t need a large, heavy desktop computer to play high-end games like Cyberpunk 2077, Red Dead Redemption 2, GTA 5, COD, Forza Horizon 5 or the one you prefer.
We tested some gaming laptops and identified the best options for all types of gamers. So, whether you’re just having fun or a serious gamer, there’s a perfect laptop for you. For gamers on budget we have also added some affordable gaming laptops.
Best Gaming Laptops
- MSI Titan 18 HX
- Asus ROG Strix 18
- Lenovo Legion Pro 7i (Gen8)
- Gigabyte G5 (budget gaming laptop)
- Acer Nitro 16 (budget alternative)
MSI Titan 18 HX
If money is not an issue for you, then the MSI Titan 18 HX is your best option, as it goes all-in on power. As the name implies, this is a large 18-inch laptop with little concern for portability, weighing 7.93 pounds. Anyone with a big budget will be happy with this laptop.
Specs:
- Price: $5,399
- CPU: Intel Core i9-14900HX
- GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090
- Display: 18-inch, 3840 x 2400, Mini-LED, 120 Hz
- RAM: 128GB
- Storage: 4TB of SSD storage
This beast comes with a Geforce RTX 4090 and Intel Core i9-14900HX CPU. Its 4K mini LED panel with a 120Hz refresh rate is also a major highlight, but performance is the obvious draw. The Intel Core i9-14900HX CPU and Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 GPU in our review configuration dominated our benchmark tests, delivering unmatched gaming performance.
Asus ROG Strix 18
The Asus Strix 18 stands out as a gaming powerhouse, it delivers top-tier performance, thanks to its Intel Core i9-13980HX processor and Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 series GPU. Its design not only optimizes airflow and cooling but also adds to its powerful capabilities.
Furthermore, with a stunning 18-inch QHD+ 240Hz display, this laptop stands as one of the most compelling desktop option we’ve seen so far.
Specs:
- Price: $3,899
- CPU: Intel Core i9-13980HX
- GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090
- Display: 18-inch, QHD+ (2560 x 1600), 16:10 aspect ratio, 240 Hz
- RAM: 32GB DDR 5 / 4800 MHz
- Storage: 1TB PCIe Gen 4 NVMe solid state drive
The Asus Strix 18 is an excellent gaming laptop, there’s no denying that. While it has a few drawbacks, such as an average battery life and a high price, the Strix 18 is packed with enough power to be a prized possession in any gamer’s home. Simply put, if you want the best desktop replacement available and can afford it, you should buy one.
Lenovo Legion Pro 7i Gen 8
In terms of pricing and performance, this laptop offers the best of all worlds. At this price point, value isn’t the main factor to take into account, but it doesn’t hurt that the Legion Pro 7i Gen 8 offers better functionality at a lower cost than competitors. Although the build isn’t as striking as other competitors. However, many users find the simple look more appealing.
Specs:
- Price: $2,399
- CPU: Intel Core i9-13900HX 24-Core
- GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080
- Display: 16-inch, 2560 x 1600, 240 Hz
- RAM: 32GB RAM
- Storage: 1TB M.2 NVMe Gen 4 SSD
If your budget is in the mid-to upper-$2,000 area for this laptop, you’ll find a lot to appreciate here. The performance of this Legion Pro is comparable to that of more expensive and bulkier systems, which is reason enough to give it a try; anyone looking for the best value in the high-end spectrum need look no farther.
Gigabyte G5 (2023)
It is quite unexpected given the price increase for gaming laptops in the RTX 40-series, that the Gigabyte G5 (2023) is such a good value. However, there aren’t any fads or needless extras that would drive up prices here. It’s just a simple, well-made, and carefully equipped gaming laptop that runs games smoothly and comes in at around £900 or $900.
Specs:
- Price: $1,099
- CPU: Intel i7-13620H
- GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060
- Display: 15 Inches, 1920×1080 FHD, 144 Hz
- RAM: 16GB DDR5 RAM
- Storage: 1TB SSD
The design of the G5 (2023) feels really well-built for a gaming laptop. You’re not paying ridiculous amounts for the newest and greatest item, and the performance, flexibility, and upgradeability are all present. In reality, it’s fairly cheap. This is going to be tough to beat for the best affordable gaming laptop to buy right now.
Acer Nitro 16
The Acer Nitro 16 combines build quality, performance, and low pricing to produce a reasonable product. The Nitro 16, which replaces the Nitro 5, provides the entry-level power of an RTX 4050 and a Ryzen 5 7640HS, but with some added features for less than $1,000.
Specs:
- Price: $949
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 5 7640HS
- GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050
- Display: 16-inch, 1920 x 1200, 165 Hz, G-Sync
- RAM: 16GB RAM DDR5
- Storage: 1TB SSD
In our game testing, we realized that while the system is not the most powerful, it is adequate for today’s games at the system’s native resolution of 1920 x 1200. In almost every game we tested, the Nitro exceeded 60 frames per second.
We also appreciated the laptop’s 8 hours and 24 minutes of battery life on our test, which outperformed other laptops in its class — some by several hours.
The webcam isn’t great, and Acer has a habit of including a lot of bloatware on laptops that you’ll have to uninstall later. However, the fact that USB 4 is available for less than $1,000, combined with a solid screen and decent performance for the price, makes this an excellent choice for anyone with a $1,000 budget.