Find the best laptop for gaming in 2026

To find the best gaming laptop we recommend to focus on these characteristics:

  1. Graphics card - look for latest offering from Nvidia and AMD, make sure it's discrete and has enough VRAM
  2. Thermal performance - rule of thumb: opt for thick and heavy laptop as they tend to handle workload better
  3. Display - 2K display with fast response (1ms) and high refresh rate (120Hz+) is optimal

Best laptops under $500 for gaming

Best Pick

HP OMEN 16" AI Gaming Laptop, 2K 144Hz IPS 300Nits

87.5 Gaming Score
16" Intel Core Ultra 9 285H 64GB RAM 4096GB SSD NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070
Why we recommend this

Its Intel Core Ultra 9 285H CPU and NVIDIA RTX 5070 GPU provide top-tier power for demanding games and creative applications. The generous 64GB of DDR7 RAM and 4TB SSD offer exceptional headroom for large projects and multitasking. This laptop is best for competitive gamers and professional content creators who need maximum performance and storage in a desktop-replacement machine.

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Great Alternatives

These options also score highly and may better suit your specific needs

Auusda 16" Business Laptop, Windows 11 Pro Laptop

49.7 Gaming Score
16" AMD Ryzen 5 7430U 16GB RAM 1024GB SSD AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme
Why we recommend this

Its discrete AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme GPU provides significant graphics power for a business laptop, enabling solid gaming performance. The 16-inch touchscreen and Windows 11 Pro offer versatile productivity, while the backlit keyboard and fingerprint unlock add practical security. This laptop is best for business users who also want capable gaming and media playback on a single device.

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ASUS 15.6" Vivobook 15 Laptop (Quiet Blue)

48.8 Gaming Score
15.6" AMD Ryzen 5 7430U 16GB RAM 512GB SSD AMD Radeon
Why we recommend this

Its AMD 7430U processor and discrete Radeon graphics provide capable performance for everyday multitasking and light creative work. The 16GB of RAM and 512GB SSD offer good responsiveness for a budget-friendly machine, while its 1.70kg weight makes it reasonably portable. This laptop is best for students and home office users who need reliable performance for productivity software and web browsing without a high price tag.

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ASUS Vivobook laptop
Price $430

Best laptops under $1000 for gaming

Best Pick

Acer 16" Nitro V Gaming Laptop

80.6 Gaming Score
16" Intel Core 7 240H 32GB RAM 512GB SSD NVIDIA GeForce RTX (5060 W TGP) with 8 GB GDDR7 VRAM
Why we recommend this

Its standout feature is the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 GPU with 8GB of GDDR7 VRAM, paired with a 32GB DDR5 memory configuration, delivering robust performance for modern titles on its 180Hz display. The inclusion of a Thunderbolt port and WiFi 6 connectivity offers strong future-proofing and fast data transfer capabilities. This laptop is best for competitive gamers who prioritize high frame rates and need the headroom for multitasking with background applications.

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Great Alternatives

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MSI Summit Pro 16 16" Touchscreen Laptop Intel

73.2 Gaming Score
16" Intel Core Ultra 7 255H 32GB RAM 1024GB SSD NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050
Why we recommend this

Its 16-core Intel 255H CPU and RTX 4050 GPU deliver strong performance for creators and moderate gaming on its 16-inch touchscreen. The 32GB of DDR5 RAM and Thunderbolt connectivity support demanding multitasking and fast data transfers. This laptop is best for content creators needing a portable workstation for video editing and 3D rendering, and for users who value touchscreen functionality in a Windows environment.

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Microsoft MSI Thin 15 Gaming Laptop, 15.6" FHD 144Hz, Intel

63.8 Gaming Score
15.6" Intel Core i5 13420H 16GB RAM 512GB SSD NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060
Why we recommend this

Its 8-core Intel i5-13420H and RTX 4060 graphics deliver strong 1080p gaming performance, supported by a 144Hz display for smooth visuals. The laptop maintains a relatively portable 2.22kg build while offering a comprehensive port selection, including USB-C and RJ45. This device is best for gamers and students who need a capable, well-connected machine for modern titles and multitasking without a desktop.

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Dell - Plus - Copilot+ PC - 14" 2K 2-in-1

63.2 Gaming Score
14" AMD Ryzen AI 7 350 16GB RAM 1000GB SSD AMD Radeon 840
Why we recommend this

Its discrete AMD Radeon 860 graphics and 8-core processor provide solid performance for a 14-inch touchscreen laptop. The 1TB SSD and 16GB of RAM offer good multitasking headroom in a portable form factor. This model is best for students or general users who need a capable, all-around Windows machine for everyday tasks and light gaming.

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Best laptops under $2000 for gaming

Best Pick

Lenovo - Legion Pro 5 16" 2.5K OLED Gaming Laptop

95 Gaming Score
16" AMD Ryzen 7 8745HX 32GB RAM 1024GB SSD NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060
Why we recommend this

Its standout 16-inch OLED display with a 165Hz refresh rate offers sharp, vibrant visuals ideal for competitive gaming. The combination of an AMD Ryzen 9 HX-series processor and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 GPU provides robust performance for demanding tasks. This laptop is best for gamers and content creators who prioritize a premium, high-refresh-rate visual experience over extreme portability.

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Price $1,599
Lenovo Legion laptop

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ASUS ROG Strix G16 G615 16" WQXGA 240Hz Gaming

91 Gaming Score
16" Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX 32GB RAM 1024GB SSD NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060
Why we recommend this

Its 24-core Intel Ultra 9 275HX and RTX 5060 GPU provide exceptional power for demanding creator tasks and high-framerate gaming. The 16-inch 240Hz WQXGA display offers a sharp, fluid visual experience, supported by a robust 90Wh battery for extended mobile use. This laptop is best for competitive esports players and 3D animators who need a high-refresh screen and desktop-caliber processing power in a portable, albeit not ultra-compact, form factor.

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MSI Creator M14 A13V A13VF-081US 14" 2.8K Laptop,

86.4 Gaming Score
14" Intel Core i7 13620H 32GB RAM 2048GB SSD NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060
Why we recommend this

Its 14-inch 2.8K display and RTX 4060 graphics provide a potent, portable package for creators needing color accuracy and GPU power. The 32GB of DDR5 RAM and 2TB SSD offer excellent multitasking headroom and storage for large project files. This laptop is best for digital artists and content creators who prioritize a high-resolution screen and strong performance in a compact, sub-4-pound chassis.

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MSI Creator laptop
Price $1,499

HP Omen MAX RTX 5070 Gaming Laptop, 16" WQXGA

86.1 Gaming Score
16" AMD Ryzen AI 7 350 64GB RAM 1024GB SSD NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070
Why we recommend this

Its 64GB of high-speed DDR5 RAM and NVIDIA RTX 5070 graphics provide exceptional multitasking and gaming power for a laptop. The 16-inch WQXGA display offers a sharp 240Hz refresh rate ideal for fast-paced competitive titles. This machine is best for competitive esports players and power users who need to simultaneously run demanding games, streaming software, and numerous background applications.

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Premium laptops for gaming

Best Pick

ASUS ROG Strix Scar- 16" GeForce RTX 5090 Laptop

100 Gaming Score
16" Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX 32GB RAM 2048GB SSD NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090
Why we recommend this

Its Intel 275HX CPU and NVIDIA RTX 5090 GPU deliver top-tier performance for demanding AAA gaming and professional creative workloads. The 16-inch Mini-LED display offers exceptional 240Hz refresh rates and 1200-nit peak brightness for a vivid, responsive experience. This laptop is best for competitive esports players and 3D animators who require maximum graphical power and a high-refresh-rate screen in a desktop-replacement form factor.

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Great Alternatives

These options also score highly and may better suit your specific needs

Lenovo Legion Pro 7i Gen 10 (16 83F50019US

99.3 Gaming Score
16" Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX 64GB RAM 2048GB SSD NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090
Why we recommend this

Its 24-core Intel 275HX CPU and NVIDIA RTX 5090 graphics deliver top-tier performance for demanding AAA gaming and 3D rendering. The 16-inch OLED display offers exceptional contrast and a 240Hz refresh rate, wrapped in a surprisingly portable 2.72kg chassis. This machine is ideal for competitive esports players and professional animators who require maximum graphical fidelity and processing power in a relatively mobile package.

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MSI 16" Vector 16 HX AI Gaming Laptop

96.2 Gaming Score
16" Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX 32GB RAM 2048GB SSD NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080
Why we recommend this

Its Intel 275HX processor and RTX 5080 graphics deliver top-tier performance for demanding games and creative tasks. The 16-inch 240Hz QHD display offers a smooth, bright visual experience, supported by a robust port selection including Thunderbolt and WiFi 7. This laptop is best for competitive gamers and 3D artists who require maximum frame rates and rendering power in a desktop-replacement form factor.

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Gigabyte GIGABYTE AORUS ELITE 16 Gaming Laptop - 165Hz

93.5 Gaming Score
16" Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX 32GB RAM 2048GB SSD NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070
Why we recommend this

Its 24-core Intel Ultra 9 275HX processor and RTX 5070 GPU deliver desktop-tier performance for demanding tasks like 3D rendering and competitive gaming. The 16-inch 240Hz display ensures exceptionally smooth visuals, while the integrated GiMATE AI assistant offers a unique layer of smart system interaction. This laptop is ideal for competitive esports players and AI developers who need maximum processing power in a portable, albeit not ultra-compact, form factor.

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Gigabyte AORUS laptop
Price $2,450