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

ASUS TUF A18 Gaming Laptop, 18" FHD+ 144Hz

68.9 Gaming Score
18" Intel Core i7 14650HX 16GB RAM 1024GB SSD NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060
Why we recommend this

Its 15.6-inch 144Hz display is an unusual feature for a Chromebook at this performance tier, offering smoother scrolling. The inclusion of a backlit keyboard adds a touch of premium convenience often missing in budget laptops. This model is best for students or home users who prioritize a large, fluid screen for web browsing and basic productivity over raw processing power.

Read Full Review
Price $113
ASUS TUF laptop

Great Alternatives

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

Lenovo LOQ Essential Gaming Laptop, 15.6" FHD

64.7 Gaming Score
15.6" Intel Core i5 12450HX 16GB RAM 512GB SSD NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050
Why we recommend this

Its 144Hz display and RTX 3050 graphics provide a solid foundation for smooth 1080p gaming. The 16GB of DDR5 RAM ensures strong multitasking performance for its price segment. This laptop is best for budget-conscious gamers prioritizing high frame rates in competitive esports titles.

Read Full Review

AMD CHUWI CoreBook Plus Gaming Laptop 16'', AMD Ryzen

63.6 Gaming Score
16" Intel Core i7 1355U 16GB RAM 512GB SSD AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme
Why we recommend this

Its standout AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme discrete GPU with 16GB VRAM delivers robust graphics power for a sub-1kg laptop. The 16-inch FHD IPS display with a 90.3% screen-to-body ratio and a user-friendly backlit keyboard enhance its portable usability. This device is best for mobile gamers and students who prioritize strong GPU performance and a large screen in an exceptionally lightweight chassis.

Read Full Review

Omnica Laptop, AMD Ryzen 5 7430U Gaming Laptop, 15.6 Inch

63.6 Gaming Score
15.6" AMD Ryzen 5 7430U 32GB RAM 1024GB SSD ‎AMD Radeon
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.

Read Full Review

Best Laptops under $1,000 for gaming

Best Pick

MSI Titan 18 HX AI 18" 120Hz MiniLED UHD+ Gaming

85.6 Gaming Score
18" Intel Core Ultra 9 285H 64GB RAM 6144GB SSD NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090
Why we recommend this

Its 18-inch Mini-LED UHD+ display and desktop-grade RTX 4090 graphics provide exceptional visual fidelity and raw power for gaming. The 64GB of RAM and 6TB SSD offer immense capacity for demanding creative workloads and large game libraries. This laptop is best for competitive gamers and professional 3D artists who require maximum performance and screen real estate in a portable, albeit heavy, workstation.

Read Full Review

Great Alternatives

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

Lenovo Legion Pro 7i Gen 10 16" Gaming Laptop

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

Its standout 16-inch OLED 240Hz display and powerful RTX 5080 GPU deliver exceptional visual fidelity and performance for demanding games. The substantial 2TB SSD and Intel 275HX CPU provide a strong foundation for creators managing large project files. This laptop is best for competitive gamers and content creators who prioritize top-tier screen quality and raw graphical power over portability, given its significant 4.91kg weight.

Read Full Review

ASUS TUF Gaming A14 Copilot+ PC Gaming Laptop, 14”

73.1 Gaming Score
14" AMD Ryzen 7 8845HS 16GB RAM 512GB SSD NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050
Why we recommend this

Its AMD 8845HS chip and discrete RTX 4050 graphics deliver solid 1080p gaming performance in a durable chassis. The 14-inch 165Hz QHD display offers a sharp, fast panel for competitive titles, balancing portability with visual quality. This laptop is best for gamers and students who need a compact, resilient machine for on-the-go gaming and multitasking.

Read Full Review

HP Victus 15.6" 144Hz Full HD Gaming Laptop | AMD

73 Gaming Score
15.6" AMD Ryzen 7 7445HS 32GB RAM 512GB SSD NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050
Why we recommend this

Its AMD 7445HS processor and NVIDIA RTX 4050 graphics deliver strong 1080p gaming performance, backed by a smooth 144Hz display. The 32GB of DDR5 RAM is a significant advantage for multitasking and future-proofing over many competitors. This laptop is best for budget-conscious gamers who prioritize high frame rates in esports titles and need extra memory for streaming or having many applications open.

Read Full Review
HP Victus laptop
Price $566

Best Laptops under $2,000 for gaming

Best Pick

Lenovo Legion Pro High-Performance i9 Gaming

95.3 Gaming Score
16" Intel Core i9 14900HX 64GB RAM 4096GB SSD NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090
Why we recommend this

Its standout feature is the desktop-caliber Intel 14900HX processor paired with an NVIDIA RTX 4090 GPU, delivering top-tier performance for demanding tasks. The 16-inch 240Hz display with 500 nits brightness and 100% DCI-P3 color coverage provides an excellent, color-accurate gaming and creative canvas. This laptop is best for competitive esports players and professional 3D artists who require maximum frame rates and rendering power in a portable, albeit heavy, form factor.

Read Full Review
Price $1,959
Lenovo Legion laptop

Great Alternatives

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

ASUS 16" Republic of Gamers Strix G16 Gaming

91.7 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.

Read Full Review

Acer 16" Predator Helios Neo 16 AI LED IPS Gaming

90.6 Gaming Score
16" Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX 32GB RAM 1024GB SSD NVIDIA GeForce RTX (5070 W TGP) with 8 GB GDDR7 VRAM
Why we recommend this

Its Intel 275HX processor and RTX 5070 Ti graphics provide a powerful foundation for high-fidelity gaming on its 240Hz IPS display. The 90Wh battery and robust port selection, including Thunderbolt, offer solid all-day usability for a gaming laptop. This machine is best for competitive esports players and content creators who need high refresh rates and strong GPU performance in a relatively portable 16-inch form factor.

Read Full Review
Acer Predator laptop
Price $1,450

MSI 16" Crosshair 16 HX AI Gaming Laptop

87.3 Gaming Score
16" Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX 32GB RAM 1024GB SSD NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060
Why we recommend this

Its 16-core Intel 255HX CPU and RTX 5060 graphics deliver strong performance for high-refresh gaming and creative tasks, supported by a 240Hz QHD IPS display. The 90Wh battery and 32GB of DDR5 RAM provide solid endurance and multitasking headroom for a 2.5kg machine. This laptop is best for competitive gamers and content creators who prioritize raw frame rates and application performance over extreme portability.

Read Full Review

Premium Laptops for gaming

Best Pick

Lenovo Legion Pro 7i Gen 10 (16 83F50019US

100 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.

Read Full Review
Price $3,450
Lenovo Legion Pro Series laptop

Great Alternatives

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

ASUS ROG Strix Scar- 16" GeForce RTX 5090 Laptop

99.7 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.

Read Full Review

MSI 16" Vector 16 HX AI Gaming Laptop

95.9 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.

Read Full Review

Gigabyte GIGABYTE AORUS ELITE 16 Gaming Laptop - 165Hz

93 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.

Read Full Review
Gigabyte AORUS laptop
Price $2,450