The best gaming laptops change a lot over the course of a year. In the early days of mobile games, they were mostly desktop replacements – clunky casings, multiple power plugs and RGB lighting galore. The top contenders are now different. The manufacturers are now putting powerful specs into thin gaming machines. They’re sleeker, portable and have a more professional build. These laptops have fast-refreshing screens, which are essential for a good gaming experience. These laptops can be used for both gaming and everyday tasks.
The best gaming laptop for 2023 will be the ASUS ROG Zephyrus Z14. The Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 is a powerful gaming laptop that can also be used as a daily driver. Razer Blade 16 or Lenovo Legion 5 Pro are also good choices.
Another thing to consider is the amount of power that you can expect. The RTX 3070 may not perform the same as another RTX 3070 due to the wattage of the chip (as also other factors such as the processor and cooling). Nvidia requires that companies disclose clock speeds and graphic power on the product pages of each model. However, many manufacturers still haven’t done this.
Here are the gaming laptops that we have tested each year. If you’re looking for a more multipurpose device, check out our best laptop page. We’ve got a list for Android gamers of the Best Chromebooks that you can purchase.
What we are looking for
- ValueGaming Laptops are expensive in general, but we still look for devices that provide great value for the asking price. To make this list, a device must be exceptional and expensive.
- Frame Rates We prefer gaming laptops which can run the newest and best titles on their highest settings without any compromises in quality or resolution.
- Screen We prefer high-resolution screens that make games more vivid. We also like high refresh rates, which can show off the power of gaming laptops’ chips.
- Port selection : Laptops that have very few ports may be acceptable in certain categories, but are not allowed on this page. Many gamers need to connect peripherals such as keyboards, mice and monitors. The best gaming laptops should accommodate these peripherals.
- Storage : Gaming laptops require more storage space than other categories of PCs, as games take up so much space. A minimum of 512GB, and ideally at least 1TB, is required.
We strive to keep our selections up-to-date, but may choose an older model over a newer one if the newer version is considered a major downgrade. We do not recommend devices older than two years.
1. Asus ROG Zephyrus G14
Best gaming laptop
Asus ROG Zephyrus Z14
The ROG ZEPHYRUS G14 is a powerful gaming laptop. The AMD Ryzen 9 and GeForce GTX 3060 processors can deliver powerful graphics in games on its QHD display. They are also surprisingly efficient when used for other tasks.
Best Buy: $10
CPU: AMD Ryzen 6900HS/ GPU: AMD Radeon RX6700S/ RAM: 8GB/ Storage: 1TB/ Display: 14″ IPS, 2560×1600, 120Hz/ Dimensions 12.28 x8.94 x 0.73/ Weight 3.64 pounds
The Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 gaming laptop is the best value for money.
You can choose from a few configurations. Make sure you buy the SKU for $1,649.99 with the 6700S graphics card. This model is our pick for the best 14″ gaming laptop.The Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 gaming laptop is the best of 2023.Photo by Amelia Holowaty Krales/The Verge
It is ideal for gaming on the go, as it weighs only 3.79 pounds. The keyboard, touchpad and port selection are all excellent. In our tests, the frame rates were good and there was no significant difference between 6700S and 8800S models. Battery life was also all day, something you don’t find in many gaming laptops today. There’s also a webcam.
You can pay more to get Asus’s AniMe matrix if you want an animated grid with colored lights. These models are not particularly value-for-money, but there are some nice features. You can customize the display to show words or images that you choose, and you can also play with a virtual animal. This device is a great choice if you want a 14″ laptop that’s powerful enough to play games and can also be used as a daily driver.
2. Razer Blade 16
Dual-mode gaming laptops are the best.
The Razer Blade 16 offers a 16-inch MiniLED display, an RGB keypad, and Intel and Nvidia hardcore processors. It’s not cheap.
CPU: Intel Core-i9-13980HX or Core-i9-13950HX. GPU: Nvidia Geforce Geforce RTX 4000, 4070, 4080, 4090. RAM: 16GB. Storage: 1TB. Display: 16″ Mini-LED Dual UHD/FHD+. Dimensions: 13.98 by 9.61 inches. Weight: 5.4 lbs.
The Razer Blade 16 will make your games look stunning. Blade 16 comes with an optional Mini-LED screen that allows you to switch between native UHD Plus /120Hz and FHD plus/240Hz modes in one click.If money is not an issue, this is what you should buy.
The Blade’s internal chips are top-of-the-line from Nvidia, Intel and AMD, and it can run the most demanding games today at the highest settings, with all of the effects that you desire. You can choose cheaper (but still expensive) models if the dual-mode screen is not important to you.
Best 17-inch gaming laptops for the money
Lenovo Legion 5 Pro
Lenovo’s 2021 Legion 5 Pro has a 16-inch display with QHD resolution, the RTX3070 graphics chip and AMD’s Ryzen 5 5800H. It also supports expandable RAM and storage.
Best Buy: $1400 at LENOVO, 1620$
CPU: AMD Ryzen 6 800H, 6900HX/ GPU: Nvidia Geforce Geforce RTX3050 Ti,3060,3070 Ti/ RAM: 32GB, 16GB/ Storage: 2TB, 512GB/ Display: 16″ IPS, 2560×1600, 165Hz/ Dimensions: 14.3 x 10.3 inches/ Weight: 5.51 lbs
Lenovo’s Legion 5 Pro gaming laptop is the best Lenovo has ever produced. You can get AMD Ryzen 5000 processors with exceptional performance in a 16-inch chassis for under $2,000! The laptop delivered good results in every game, even with its native resolution of 2560 x 1650. With the 165Hz screen, you can fully utilize the Legion 5 Pro.The Legion 5 Pro has a 16:10 massive display.
The 16:10 display is the star of the Legion 5 Pro, despite its performance. This tall screen is rare on gaming laptops today, and allows for more multitasking space if the Legion 5 Pro will be used as a daily driver. With 1.5mm of travel, and a four-zone programmable lighting system, the keyboard is a joy to use.
Battery life is the main weakness of the Legion. In our testing, we only managed to get about four and half hours of continuous usage. It’s not the worst gaming laptop we’ve seen, but it’s still nowhere near as good as Asus’ Zephyrus G15. It charges very quickly with the 300W power brick included. The G15 is a great option for people who are always on the move, but the Legion is a good choice for anyone. Lenovo deserves credit for its 16:10 display.
