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
Acer acer Aspire Go 15 AI Ready Laptop | 15.6" FHD
Great Alternatives
These options also score highly and may better suit your specific needs
Lenovo IdeaPad 1 Laptop, 14" HD Screen, Intel
Why we recommend this ▼
Its standout feature is its compact 1.27kg build and modern connectivity, including Wi-Fi 6 and a USB-C port. It offers a basic but functional spec sheet with a 128GB SSD for fast boot-ups and a 14-inch HD screen. This laptop is best for students or home users who need a highly portable machine for web browsing, document editing, and light streaming.
Intel 15.6" Laptop Rose Gold, 8GB RAM 256GB SSD, Backlit
Why we recommend this ▼
Its standout features are its stylish rose gold finish and a built-in fingerprint reader for secure, password-free login. The 15.6-inch FHD IPS display and ultra-slim 15mm profile make it a portable device for everyday tasks. This laptop is best for students or mobile professionals who prioritize a secure, stylish design for basic productivity and web browsing over performance.
ASUS Vivobook Ultrathin Go Laptop 2024Newest, 14''
Why we recommend this ▼
Its AMD 4500 processor and WiFi 6 connectivity provide solid basics for a 1.30kg ultrathin laptop. The 14-inch 1080p display and compact form factor offer good portability for simple tasks. This is best for users needing a very affordable, lightweight machine strictly for web browsing and document editing.
Best Laptops under €1,000 for gaming
Lenovo V-Series V15 Business Laptop, 15.6" FHD
Great Alternatives
These options also score highly and may better suit your specific needs
MSI GF63 Thin Gaming Laptop, 15.6" FHD 144Hz,
Why we recommend this ▼
Its RTX 3050 GPU and 144Hz display provide a solid foundation for entry-level gaming and content creation. The relatively lightweight 3.17kg build and WiFi 6 connectivity enhance its portability and modern feature set. This laptop is best for budget-conscious gamers prioritizing smooth frame rates in esports titles and mainstream games.
Acer acer Nitro V Gaming Laptop | AMD Ryzen 5 7535HS
Why we recommend this ▼
Its combination of an AMD Ryzen 5 7535HS processor and an NVIDIA RTX 4050 GPU with AI-driven graphics provides solid 1080p gaming on its 144Hz IPS display. It offers strong value for a dedicated gaming laptop with modern connectivity like WiFi 6 and a backlit keyboard. This laptop is best for budget-conscious gamers prioritizing smooth frame rates in popular titles over premium build quality or battery life.
HP - OmniBook X Flip 2-in-1 - Copilot+ PC - 14" 2K Touch-Screen Laptop - AMD Ryzen AI 5 340 2025 - 16GB Memory - 512GB SSD - Meteor Silver
Why we recommend this ▼
Its standout feature is the AMD Ryzen AI 5 340 processor with a 50 TOPS NPU, enabling powerful on-device AI tasks for a Copilot+ PC. The 14-inch 2K touchscreen with Corning Gorilla Glass 3 offers versatile, durable input for creative work, supported by up to 19.5 hours of video playback battery life. This 2-in-1 is best for students and professionals who need a portable, AI-accelerated device for note-taking, content creation, and all-day productivity.
Best Laptops under €2,000 for gaming
Acer 16" Nitro V Gaming Laptop
Great Alternatives
These options also score highly and may better suit your specific needs
ASUS 16" TUF F16 Gaming Laptop
Why we recommend this ▼
Its 16-core Intel 14650HX processor and RTX 5050 graphics provide strong performance for gaming and content creation. The 165Hz display and 90Wh battery offer a smooth, long-lasting experience for its price point. This laptop is best for gamers and creators who prioritize raw processing power and a high refresh rate over extreme portability.
Lenovo-LOQ RTX 4050-Gaming Laptop-AMD Ryzen 5
Why we recommend this ▼
Its 14-core Intel i7-13650HX processor and new NVIDIA RTX 5060 GPU deliver strong performance for modern games and demanding tasks. The 144Hz FHD IPS display ensures smooth visuals, supported by a generous 32GB of DDR5 RAM and upgraded thermals for sustained workloads. This laptop is best for gamers and content creators who need reliable, high-frame-rate performance without a premium price tag.
MSI Stealth 14 AI 14" FHD+ 165Hz NVIDIA GeForce
Why we recommend this ▼
Its 14-inch 165Hz display and RTX 4050 GPU deliver smooth performance in a compact, portable chassis. The inclusion of WiFi 7 and Thunderbolt connectivity provides excellent future-proofing for fast data transfers. This laptop is best for gamers and multimedia users who prioritize a high-refresh-rate screen and modern wireless tech in a smaller form factor.