If you desire a gaming PC that is in a position to observe wherever you might roam, one of the best gaming laptops are the place you need to look. While desktop elements are normally nonetheless increased efficiency, one of the best gaming laptops supply wonderful efficiency within the newest video games. Best of all, there are even fashions which can be in a position to supply peak efficiency whereas nonetheless remaining skinny and light-weight, just like the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 – our No. 1 decide. And with CES 2025 taking place this week, the most recent enhancements introduced will make the following gen of gaming laptops even higher. At the occasion, Intel has introduced that Arrow Lake, the CPU powering the Intel Core Ultra 9 285K, is coming to gaming laptops.
TL;DR – These Are the Best Gaming Laptops:
When you are looking for a gaming laptop computer, the very first thing I at all times advocate individuals take into account is what PC video games they really hope to play. The second is what settings they hope to play them at. These two questions can information your buy to higher- or lower-end {hardware} and what trade-offs you are keen to make. Now greater than ever, gaming laptops are available each form and measurement, from skinny and light-weight units to reasonably heavy powerhouses just like the Lenovo Legion 9i. Larger, performance-driven laptops (like those that include a 4K show) obtain their enhanced efficiency with extra highly effective, and power-hungry, parts, which implies sacrificing on portability, battery life, and fan noise.
There are oodles to select from a ton of various gaming laptop computer manufacturers, and discovering one of the best for you could be greater than a bit of daunting. I’ve examined dozens over time and have a deep understanding of what it takes for a gaming laptop computer to ascend to greatness. These are one of the best gaming laptops of 2025 I’ve examined to this point.
Additional contributions by Georgie Peru, Jaqueline Thomas, and Danielle Abraham.
Looking for reductions on laptops like these? Check out our information to the finest gaming laptop computer offers.
1. Asus ROG Zephyrus G14
Best Overall Gaming Laptop
Asus ROG Zephyrus G14
The Zephyrus G14 balances efficiency, portability, and magnificence for an important all-around decide for many players.
Display
14-inch OLED 3K (2,560 x 1,600)
CPU
AMD Ryzen™ 9 8945HS
GPU
Up to Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070
Dimensions
0.63 x 8.66 x 12.24 inches
Thin and light-weight for distinctive portability
Plentiful connectivity for gaming
Tops out with an RTX 4070
The finest general gaming laptop computer you should purchase proper now could be the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 (GA403, the 2024 version). It’s not the hands-down strongest laptop computer, however its attraction lies in simply how properly it balances its totally different elements. Between portability, efficiency, ease of use, and value, it’s the very best wager for many laptop computer players. We reviewed the 2022 model of this gaming laptop computer and thought a lot the identical factor again then.
This laptop computer has loads to like about it. At solely 3.31lbs, it’s remarkably light-weight for a gaming laptop computer. When you boot up a recreation and notice how nice its efficiency is, its svelte measurement turns into much more spectacular. Though it’s solely obtainable with an RTX 4070 as of this writing, it offers plentiful energy to run fashionable video games at excessive settings and afford you entry to performance-enhancing options like Nvidia DLSS.
It’s additionally a pleasure to have a look at. Its display screen is extremely sharp and provides an amazing HDR expertise due to its shiny OLED panel and crisp 2560×1600 (3K) decision. Its chassis exudes a classiness that jogs my memory of nothing greater than Apple, so you possibly can get pleasure from it for gaming and even an workplace or classroom. HDR gaming and flicks are a deal with, with vivid colours and distinctive smoothness due to its 120Hz show.
For most duties – together with video enhancing, content material creation, and digital artwork – the G14 is ready to supply snappy efficiency. Its Ryzen 9 8945HS processor is a beast, providing eight cores and 16 threads and a quick 5.2GHz clock pace. Plus, it has AI enhancements for issues like background blur and AI noise elimination in Nvidia Broadcast. It additionally comes with 32GB of reminiscence and a 1TB SSD so you possibly can obtain and run a number of totally different video games with out worrying about area. The largest draw back is that the reminiscence isn’t upgradeable, however should you go for 32GB, which is what we’re recommending right here, will probably be sufficient to final most a number of generations into the long run.
The Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 will set you again round $2,200, nevertheless it’s properly definitely worth the funding for a gaming laptop computer nearly as good as this.
2. MSI Thin A15 AI
Best Budget Gaming Laptop
MSI Thin A15 AI
2
This laptop computer packs loads of efficiency for round $1,000. There are some trade-offs, nevertheless it’s deal.
Display
15.6” QHD (1,920 x 1,080), 144Hz
GPU
Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060
Storage
1TB NVMe PCIe 4.0 SSD
Dimensions
14.13″ x 9.99″ x 0.85″
Very good processor and GPU at an affordable value
Can’t change keyboard RGB
The MSI Thin A15 AI provides nice FHD gaming efficiency at an affordable value. At lower than $1,000, it provides a formidable array of specs which can be greater than as much as the duty of 1080p gaming and even open the door to streaming and content material creation. Best of all, as you may need guessed from the title, it does this in a package deal that is comparatively skinny and light-weight for a gaming laptop computer.
Its portability would possibly lead you to imagine it would not be capable to sustain with the most recent video games, however in truth, the other is true. By going for a 1080p display screen (that runs at a clean 144Hz), its Nvidia RTX 4060 is completely suited to dialing up settings and having fun with the bells and whistles your video games have to supply. It additionally comes with an AMD Ryzen 9 8845HS processor that features eight cores and 16 threads and is ready to hit a peak clock pace of 5.2GHz. The laptop computer additionally comes with 16GB of DDR5 RAM and a 1TB NVMe SSD, making certain that you simply will not run brief on reminiscence or storage.
It’s a killer machine that I like to recommend for anybody on a price range, however there are some trade-offs you make to carry residence this type of efficiency sub-$1,000. Foremost is cooling. More to the purpose, noise. Thin gaming laptops usually have roaring followers to dissipate the warmth and the A15 isn’t any exception. It additionally has static backlighting for the keyboard, so your customization choices are extra restricted. In my opinion, the {hardware} you are getting in trade is greater than definitely worth the sacrifices it takes to get there. If you go for it, I like to recommend pairing it with probably the greatest laptop computer cooling pads.
3. Lenovo Legion 9i
Best High-End Gaming Laptop
Lenovo Legion 9i
5
No holds barred efficiency, the Lenovo Legion 9i is the gaming laptop computer to decide on should you demand one of the best of one of the best — and cash isn’t any object.
Display
16” (3,200 x 2,000) Mini LED 165Hz
CPU
Intel Core i9-14900HX
GPU
Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080 – 4090
RAM
32GB 6,400MHz DDR5 (Up to 64GB 5,600MHz DDR5)
Dimensions
0.75-0.89” x 10.93” x 14.08”
Integrated liquid cooling
Breathtaking RGB lighting
The Lenovo Legion 9i is one in all my all-time favourite laptops. In my evaluate, I used to be completely smitten with its stability of efficiency and killer aesthetics. It’s not precisely mild, nevertheless it’s a full-fledged desktop alternative that is greater than as much as the problem of taking part in the most recent video games.
Given its considerably staggering value that begins properly above $3,000, it ought to come as no shock that it options top-tier specs. It runs a excessive efficiency 14th-gen Intel processor that routinely tops efficiency charts in gaming benchmarks. It will also be outfitted with both an RTX 4080 or 4090 to push excessive settings even on probably the most demanding video games (and the GPU is liquid-cooled to make sure peak efficiency). It helps as much as 64GB of reminiscence and comes with both 1TB or 2TB of storage to carry a big recreation library. Simply put, this laptop computer is totally beastly.
Its gaming prowess would not cease there. It contains a mini-LED display screen for next-level HDR and brightness that I discovered to be beautiful for a gaming laptop computer. It options an prolonged keyboard with a numpad, excellent for video games with a number of abilities and talents (I’m taking a look at you, World of Warcraft), and sports activities a number of sources of RGB lighting to light up your desk. The largest draw back, exterior of value, is that it tends to get loud, so that you would possibly need to decide up probably the greatest gaming headsets to dam out the noise.
4. HP OmniBook Ultra
Best for Work
HP OmniBook Ultra
0
Thin, mild, and providing an all-day battery, this laptop computer additionally has a leading edge built-in GPU for mild to reasonable gaming.
Display
14” (2,240 x 1,400), IPS, 60Hz
GPU
Integrated: AMD Radeon 880M Graphics
RAM
16 GB LPDDR5x (7,500MHz)
Dimensions
12.41″ x 8.96″ x 0.65″
Thin, mild, and extremely moveable
Cutting-edge built-in graphics for reasonable gaming
IR digicam and fingerprint reader
Limited efficiency in demanding video games
Display is restricted to 60Hz
Just since you’re a grown-ass grownup does not imply that you must hand over on gaming when you’re via together with your day job. If you want one laptop computer that may see you thru your work day and cargo up your favourite video games within the night, the HP OmniBook Ultra is the laptop computer for you.
The motive it is such decide lies with its wonderful Ryzen 9 AI HX365 processor. It’s greater than succesful for productiveness purposes and even demanding apps like Adobe Premiere or Photoshop. It additionally contains one of many highest efficiency built-in GPUs at present obtainable. You will not be capable to play the most recent video games on their highest settings, however due to AMD’s clever upscaling and body technology applied sciences, FidelityFX Super Resolution and AMD Fluid Motion Frames, you possibly can get pleasure from playable body charges on most video games obtainable right now – simply do not anticipate it to match a laptop computer with a devoted graphics card. But because the show maxes out at 60Hz, you needn’t hit triple-digit body charges to max out its potential.
For productiveness, you’ll get pleasure from a glossy, business-first exterior that exudes class and wonderful portability. At solely 3.47lbs, you possibly can carry it all through your work day with out getting residence with sore shoulders. It additionally sports activities biometric login with an IR webcam and built-in fingerprint sensor for additional safety on the job.
5. Asus TUF Gaming A14
Best for Students
Asus TUF Gaming A14
4
The excellent laptop computer for the on-the-go gamer. It’s supremely moveable, understated sufficient for sophistication, and quiet sufficient for late evening gaming periods with out disturbing your dormmate.
Display
14” (2560 x 1600), IPS, 165Hz
CPU
AMD Ryzen 7 8845HS to AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370
GPU
Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060
RAM
16GB to 32GB (7500MHz)
Dimensions
12.24″ x 8.94″ x 0.67″ – 0.78″
Soldered reminiscence cannot be upgraded
If you are a pupil, the Asus TUF Gaming A14 is a wonderful decide that I merely adored in my evaluate. It’s surprisingly skinny, exceptionally quiet, and provides spectacular battery life. If you want a pocket book you possibly can carry between lessons, and that additionally permits you to sneak away into the library to play your favourite video games (shh!), look no additional: This is the laptop computer for you.
While “skinny and light-weight” is likely to be the watch phrases for productiveness laptops, the design pays dividends for college kids that need to get pleasure from some video games of their downtime. At solely 3.2lbs and 0.78″ at its thickest level, it is compact sufficient to suit into any bag with out weighing you down. When it is time for gaming its Eighth-gen high-performance AMD Ryzen processor and Nvidia RTX 4060 GPU are well-matched to its 1600p show, although I’d advocate dropping the decision to 1200p to push the body charge even increased. The image stays crisp on its 14″ show and the upper fps actually take advantage of its 165Hz display screen.
The largest nitpicks I made about this machine actually needed to do with its expandability and comparatively excessive value for the extent of {hardware} it options. While you possibly can’t broaden the reminiscence, the general stability between efficiency, portability, and noise that Asus struck right here is pitch excellent for on-the-go college students.
How to Pick the Best Gaming Laptop
Gaming laptops have come a good distance in comparatively little time. Power, portability, and value have all seen dramatic enhancements in simply the final 5 years, and in some way gaming laptops are getting thinner and including much more options.
Portability
Where will you be taking this gaming laptop computer? If you think about your self taking it out each day, you’ll need one thing moveable, comparable to a 15-incher or one thing smaller. Users who simply desire a laptop computer to stay at residence as extra of a desktop alternative ought to go for a 17″ rig or larger for the bigger display screen measurement and larger energy.
Power
The latest gaming laptops come geared up with the most recent Nvidia RTX or Radeon RX graphics chips. These cell chips are practically as succesful as their desktop model, plus they assist the most recent ray tracing and DLSS applied sciences. Choosing the newest processor is not fairly as needed, nevertheless it’s good to have.
When looking for a gaming laptop computer make sure the Intel processor has a mannequin variety of Intel Core ix-14xxxH (i.e. Intel Core i7-14700HX or Intel Core i9-14900HX). This denotes it is one in all Team Blue’s Raptor Lake H-series processors. If the gaming laptop computer you are eying has an AMD processor, guarantee its mannequin quantity has a seven or eight in the beginning of it – comparable to AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS – because it lets you recognize it is one in all AMD’s newest 7000-series or 8000-series processors.
Price
If you are set on a gaming laptop computer and simply have to resolve which one to get beneath a sure value level, then your selections will probably be narrowed down primarily based in your most price range. If that is you, you may in all probability need to discover our full checklist of low-cost gaming laptops we might advocate as a substitute, however here is our prime price range decide proper now:
Most gaming laptops are solely as moveable as the closest electrical outlet. All that energy comes at a value, although. After all, there are a couple of exceptions like our best choice, however the common rule of thumb in gaming laptops is their battery life stinks.
Another consideration when selecting a gaming laptop computer versus a gaming desktop is its value. It prices fairly a bit extra to stuff all these parts (i.e. the built-in trackpad, keyboard, audio system, and show) into an easy-to-carry shell.
From our expertise, it is at all times higher to stay with the least quantity of reminiscence and storage on checkout, after which improve it your self with increased capability parts which can be less expensive to purchase on their very own. A 1TB SSD would possibly sound tempting because it’ll assist get your system boot immediately and retailer all of your video games, however a high-end improve like that may usually value half or 1 / 4 as a lot as the entire machine.
However, upgrading leads straight to a different consideration: How simple is it to swap out parts? Whereas it is normally a snap so as to add or change a element in your desktop rig, upgrading something in your gaming laptop computer, apart from RAM, will usually imply having to purchase a complete new pc.
Gaming Laptop FAQ
Should you purchase a gaming laptop computer or a gaming PC?
When contemplating a gaming laptop computer over a gaming desktop, ask your self: Is the premium in value value it for the posh of portability?
Gaming desktops present extra bang on your buck, are inexpensive to improve and restore, and last more earlier than they go out of date. However, should you’re in search of portability, then a gaming laptop computer is definitely your finest wager. See our information to gaming PCs vs. gaming laptops for more information.
When is one of the best time to purchase a gaming laptop computer?
A gaming laptop computer is an costly buy, however there are a couple of occasions all year long the place you could find some actually good reductions on these units. The most evident occasions are Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and back-to-school gross sales in the summertime. For extra particulars, see our recommendation on one of the best time to purchase a laptop computer.
Should you purchase a Steam Deck or a gaming laptop computer?
One of the most important benefits to a gaming laptop computer over a gaming PC is that it provides portability. Which can be the best benefit of the Steam Deck over a gaming laptop computer. Gaming handhelds are moveable and have sufficient energy to run nearly any PC recreation it’s essential. Of course, they’re additionally much less helpful as a pc, because of the smaller display screen measurement and lack of keyboard. Check out our information on the Steam Deck vs. gaming laptops for a deeper evaluation or checkout among the finest handheld gaming PCs.
Are MacBooks good for gaming?
Don’t get us flawed, MacBooks are distinctive laptops that excel in lots of areas, however gaming isn’t one in all them – not less than not but. Apple merely hasn’t designed its units for this objective, with lots of its strongest Pro fashions centered on skilled and artistic use. That being mentioned, the Apple-developed silicon in these machines is mighty highly effective and graphically able to dealing with many gaming titles. However, you possibly can’t simply make upgrades like PC gaming laptops permit for.
While you possibly can play some video games on a Mac, one of many largest drawbacks to MacGuide gaming is MacOS’ lack of assist for most of the hottest video games on the market, which regularly run on the Windows platform. Apple has launched a porting toolkit to carry extra PC video games to Mac, and a brand new “Game Mode” on MacOS Sonoma. It’s clear Apple is making strides within the gaming world, however at this time second, there’s a methods to go earlier than MacBooks turn into a go-to moveable gaming possibility.
Do you want a laptop computer cooling pad?
Many fashionable gaming laptops include ample cooling options baked into the chassis. But given their a lot smaller kind issue than conventional desktop gaming PCs, thermal throttling can sometimes be a problem. If you might be experiencing a downgrade in efficiency or your machine appears a bit of too scorching to the contact, a laptop computer cooling pad may very well be a easy, reasonably priced resolution. Laptop cooling pads usually characteristic followers and air flow slots or mesh for higher airflow than when your laptop computer rests on a gaming desk or your lap, serving to to make sure your machine is working to its full potential and may even enhance its longevity. If you are seeking to maintain your gaming laptop computer cool on a budget, the Havit HV-2056 is a wonderful possibility.
Christopher Coke has been a contributor to IGN since 2019 and has been masking video games and expertise for greater than a decade. He has coated tech starting from gaming controllers to graphics playing cards, gaming chairs to gaming displays, headphones, IEMs, and extra for websites comparable to MMORPG.com, Tom’s Hardware, Popular Science, USA Today’s Reviewed, and Popular Mechanics. Find Chris on Twitter @gamebynight.
Image Credit: Annalee Tsujino is a multi disciplinary designer and illustrator. Check them out on Instagram @antsu_illustrations.
