Jane
Gaming laptops offer high-performance power in a portable design, ideal for gamers needing mobility and muscle. With screen sizes from 14 to 18 inches, they handle everything from 1080p to 4K resolutions. The best gaming laptops impress with RGB lighting, high-refresh-rate displays, and mechanical keyboards. We’ve rounded up the best options for various sizes, budgets, and use cases, ensuring there’s a perfect gaming laptop for everyone—from compact powerhouses to budget-friendly options and top-tier machines.
Top 10 Best Gaming Laptops of 2025: Performance Tested & Reviewed
1. MSI Titan 18 HX
The MSI Titan GT77 HX is an absolute beast of a gaming laptop, and honestly, it should be with everything it packs inside. There’s much to love, from its powerhouse performance to the gorgeous 18-inch mini-LED display and a satisfyingly clicky mechanical keyboard. Whether you’re gaming, streaming, or tackling demanding creative projects, this machine is built to handle it all. Under the hood, you’ve got an Intel Core i9-14900HX and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 Laptop GPU, delivering top-tier performance, though, to be fair, they aren’t a massive leap over past generations.
But where the Titan truly stands out is its insane 128GB of RAM and 4TB of SSD storage, giving you more than enough space and speed for any game, project, or workflow. It might be overkill for the average gamer, but this laptop is a dream for video editors and power users.
2. Dell G16 (7630)
When gaming on a budget, the best gear is often a little older—but that’s not the case with the Dell G16 (7630). This laptop has recently dropped into the budget price range, making it a fantastic deal for gamers looking for solid performance without breaking the bank. Unlike many competitors at this price that settle for an RTX 4050, the G16 steps it up with an RTX 4060, giving you noticeably stronger gaming power.
What sets this laptop apart is the premium touches that Dell includes. The Cherry MX mechanical keyboard, usually reserved for high-end Alienware models, makes every keystroke feel satisfyingly crisp. And the 16-inch display, with a blazing-fast 240Hz refresh rate, is perfect for fast-paced esports action. If you want a budget-friendly gaming laptop that doesn’t skimp on performance or features, the Dell G16 is a standout choice.
3. MSI Katana 15
The MSI Katana 15 is one of our favorite gaming laptops, offering an outstanding balance of performance and affordability. Powered by an Intel Core i7-13620H and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050, it delivers solid 1080p gaming performance. While you might need to tweak some settings for more demanding titles, it still holds its own in most modern games. The Katana 15 consistently hit over 60 fps in our benchmarks, even at high settings. That makes it an excellent choice for gamers who want smooth gameplay without spending a fortune. If you’re looking for a reliable laptop that can easily handle most games, the Katana 15 is a strong contender.
4. Gigabyte Aorus 16X
The Gigabyte Aorus 16X crams many great features into its sleek 16-inch design, making it a solid choice for gamers who want both power and style. Its 2560 x 1600 display is crisp and vibrant, and with a 165Hz refresh rate, it keeps fast-paced shooters and esports titles feeling buttery smooth. Under the hood, the Aorus 16X is no slouch, either. With a Core i7-14650HX processor and an RTX 4070, it handles games effortlessly on that gorgeous screen. Plus, the built-in speakers are surprisingly good, so you won’t be stuck with weak, tinny audio if you ever forget your headphones.
5. Asus TUF Gaming A14
Asus has traditionally positioned its TUF Gaming lineup as a budget-friendly option, but the A14 feels anything but. It’s our favorite 14-inch gaming laptop we’ve tested recently, standing out in an increasingly competitive category. With an understated design that borrows inspiration from the sleek Zephyrus series, it looks and feels more premium than expected. Despite packing an RTX 4060 in our review unit, the A14 remains impressively lightweight at just 3.22 pounds and 0.78 inches thick, putting it in the same league as some ultrabooks.
Thanks to Nvidia’s Advanced Optimus, it seamlessly switches to integrated graphics when needed, helping it last an impressive 10 hours and 4 minutes in our battery test, which included web browsing, streaming, and graphics-heavy tasks. For gamers who want power without sacrificing portability, the TUF A14 is a fantastic pick.
6. Asus ROG Strix G16
The Asus ROG Strix G16 is a serious contender in powerful, portable gaming laptops, closing the gap with Razer in performance and design. Packed with a Core i9-13980HX and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070, this machine delivers excellent gaming power while maintaining a slim 0.89-inch chassis. It’s an outstanding balance of strength and portability, making it ideal for gamers who need both. Beyond performance, the Strix G16 impresses in other areas, too.
It lasted an impressive 8 hours and 49 minutes in our battery test, which is solid for a gaming laptop. Plus, the RGB keyboard isn’t just for looks. It offers 2mm of key travel, making every keystroke responsive and satisfying. Whether gaming, working, or doing a bit of both, the Strix G16 is a well-rounded option worth considering.
7. Lenovo Legion Pro 5i (Gen 8)
The Lenovo Legion 5i Pro gives you a 16-inch gaming laptop that balances esports-level speed and high-resolution visuals. Its 2560 x 1600 display hits a sweet spot, offering a smooth 165Hz refresh rate fast enough for competitive gaming at 1080p while making high-resolution action games look fantastic. Sure, some gaming laptops come with even faster screens, but they often have a much higher price tag.
Under the hood, the “i” in 5i Pro stands for Intel, and this model packs a Core i7-13700HX alongside an RTX 4060, delivering strong gaming performance. Our review unit also had 16GB of DDR5 RAM and a speedy 512GB SSD, which held up well in our tests. An upgraded 1080p webcam is a nice touch, making this laptop just as applicable for work as gaming. If you’re looking for a well-rounded machine that won’t break the bank, the Legion 5i Pro is a solid pick.
8. Lenovo Legion Pro 5 Gen 8 16 (2023)
Our top mid-range pick is the Lenovo Legion Pro 5 Gen 8 16 (2023), and for good reason. With AMD Ryzen 7040-series CPUs and NVIDIA 40-series GPUs (up to an RTX 4070), this 16-inch gaming laptop delivers excellent performance without the premium price tag. You can also choose a 165Hz or 240Hz QHD+ IPS display with fast response times and FreeSync support for smooth gameplay.
It has features like a full-size tactile keyboard, Wi-Fi 6E, and a generous selection of ports, including HDMI 2.1 and Ethernet. Unlike some higher-end models, it lacks Thunderbolt 4 support, an SD card reader, and a facial recognition IR camera, and it has fewer M.2 storage slots. The Legion Pro 5 Gen 8 is a fantastic choice if you want strong gaming performance without overspending.
9. Alienware m18 R2
An 18-inch laptop is usually more of a desktop replacement than a travel companion, and the Alienware m18 R2 fits that role perfectly. At 8.63 pounds, it’s definitely on the heavier side, but that weight comes with the benefit of solid build quality and powerful gaming performance. Its large, high-resolution display makes games look stunning, giving you an immersive experience perfect for a permanent spot on your desk.
One of the standout features of the m18 R2 is its premium build, with plenty of aluminum reinforcing the frame, which also adds to its weight. But what steals the show is the Cherry MX low-profile mechanical keyboard, which feels incredible whether you’re gaming or typing. If you’re looking for a powerhouse laptop that prioritizes performance and build quality, the Alienware m18 R2 is a fantastic choice.
10. Razer Blade 18 (2024)
The best gaming laptop is the Razer Blade 18 (2024), and if you’re willing to splurge on a premium model, this is the one to get. With its all-aluminum chassis, it feels incredibly sturdy on par with the build quality of a MacBook Pro. The massive 18-inch display makes for a highly immersive gaming experience, but that size does come at the cost of portability. This isn’t it if you’re looking for something to carry around. Performance-wise, the Blade 18 is an absolute powerhouse.
It’s configurable with up to an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090, meaning you’ll have more than enough power to run demanding AAA titles like Cyberpunk 2077 at top settings. The fans can get seriously loud, hitting 57.0 dBA at full speed. But if you want one of the most premium gaming laptops available and don’t mind the noise, the Razer Blade 18 is hard to beat.
Find Your Ideal Gaming Laptop
No matter your gaming needs or budget, there’s a laptop out there that fits the bill. Whether you’re looking for a high-end powerhouse like the Razer Blade 18, a well-balanced mid-range option like the Lenovo Legion Pro 5 Gen 8, or a budget-friendly gem like the Dell G16, the possibilities in 2025 are more impressive than ever. With features like high-refresh-rate displays, powerful GPUs, and even mechanical keyboards making their way into more models, gaming laptops deliver an experience that rivals desktops all in a portable package.
Ultimately, the best gaming laptop depends on what matters most: raw performance, portability, battery life, or a mix of everything. No matter what you choose, one thing is clear: gaming laptops are more powerful and versatile than ever, proving you don’t need to be tied to a desk to enjoy high-quality gaming.
