Find the best laptop for gaming in 2026
To find the best gaming laptop we recommend to focus on these characteristics:
- Graphics card - look for latest offering from Nvidia and AMD, make sure it's discrete and has enough VRAM
- Thermal performance - rule of thumb: opt for thick and heavy laptop as they tend to handle workload better
- Display - 2K display with fast response (1ms) and high refresh rate (120Hz+) is optimal
Best Laptops under £500 for gaming
ASUS Vivobook Go 15.6” Slim Laptop, AMD Ryzen 5
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AMD 16 Inch Laptop Computer - AMD Ryzen 3 3250U
Why we recommend this ▼
Its standout feature is the AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme discrete GPU with 16GB of dedicated VRAM, offering significant graphics power for its class. The 16-inch FHD+ IPS display and comprehensive port selection, including USB-C and HDMI, enhance its versatility for connectivity. This laptop is best for casual gamers and entertainment users who prioritize a dedicated GPU for light gaming and media consumption over raw CPU performance for development tasks.
Allwinner Lenovo - IdeaPad 1 14" Laptop - AMD A6-Series -
Why we recommend this ▼
Its AMD A6 processor and discrete Radeon R4 graphics provide basic performance for everyday tasks, housed in a lightweight 1.41kg chassis. The 14-inch 1080p display and 64GB SSD offer a functional foundation for essential computing. This laptop is best for students or home users needing a compact, no-frills device for web browsing and document editing.
Intel Laptop, Core i5-7Y54 Gaming Laptop, 15.6 Inch
Why we recommend this ▼
Its 16GB of RAM and 1TB SSD provide strong multitasking and storage for a budget-friendly machine, housed in a surprisingly portable 1.6kg chassis. The 15.6-inch FHD IPS display offers good clarity for media, supported by a backlit keyboard for low-light work. This laptop is best for students or office workers who prioritize everyday productivity and portability over gaming or intensive creative tasks.
Best Laptops under £1,000 for gaming
Lenovo LOQ Gaming Laptop, 15.6" FHD 144Hz Display,
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ASUS TUF Gaming A16 Laptop: AMD Ryzen 7 7445HS,
Why we recommend this ▼
Its AMD Ryzen 7 7445HS processor and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 graphics deliver solid 1080p gaming performance, backed by a durable MIL-STD-810H build. The 16-inch 144Hz display provides smooth visuals, making it a strong value in its class. This laptop is best for budget-conscious gamers seeking reliable performance for mainstream titles and everyday multitasking.
MSI msi Thin A15 15.6” 144Hz FHD Gaming Laptop: Ryzen
Why we recommend this ▼
Its AMD 7735HS processor and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 graphics deliver solid 1080p gaming performance on its 144Hz FHD display. The 16GB DDR5 RAM and WiFi 6 connectivity provide a responsive, modern foundation for its competitive price point. This laptop is best for budget-conscious gamers seeking smooth frame rates in popular esports titles and modern AAA games at medium to high settings.
Omnica Laptop, AMD Ryzen 5 7430U Gaming Laptop, 15.6 Inch
Why we recommend this ▼
Its 32GB of VRAM from a discrete AMD Radeon GPU is a standout for a laptop in this class, enabling it to handle demanding textures. The 32GB of DDR4 RAM is also generous and user-expandable, offering good future-proofing. This configuration is best for budget-conscious gamers who prioritize maximum graphics memory for mods or high-resolution textures in specific titles.
Best Laptops under £2,000 for gaming
Lenovo Legion Pro 7i – AI-Powered Gaming Laptop –
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ASUS - TUF Gaming F16 16" FHD+ 165Hz Gaming Laptop
Why we recommend this ▼
Its 16-core Intel 14650HX processor and RTX 5060 graphics deliver strong performance for modern games at its 165Hz FHD+ display. The 32GB of RAM and touchscreen functionality add versatility beyond standard gaming laptops. This model is best for gamers who prioritize high frame rates and also want a responsive touch display for casual use or content navigation.
Gigabyte AERO X16 Copilot+ 16" Ryzen AI 9 HX 370
Why we recommend this ▼
Its AMD 370 processor and RTX 5070 graphics deliver strong performance for gaming and creator tasks. The 16-inch 165Hz display offers a sharp, smooth visual experience ideal for fast-paced games. This laptop is best for competitive gamers and content creators who need high frame rates and solid multitasking power in a portable form factor.
MSI Katana 15 HX 15.6 165Hz QHD+ Gaming Laptop:
Why we recommend this ▼
Its 24-core Intel 14900HX processor and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 graphics deliver high frame rates for demanding games on its 165Hz QHD+ display. The 32GB of DDR5 RAM provides ample headroom for multitasking and content creation workflows. This laptop is best for competitive gamers and streamers who need maximum performance from a desktop-replacement machine.
Premium Laptops for gaming
ASUS - ROG Zephyrus G14 14" 3K OLED 120Hz Gaming
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Lenovo Legion Pro 7i Gen 10 (16 83F50019US
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.
MSI 16" Vector 16 HX AI Gaming Laptop
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.
Gigabyte GIGABYTE AORUS ELITE 16 Gaming Laptop - 165Hz
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.
