Only a few years ago, purchasing the finest gaming laptops meant paying a large price and sacrificing a high-quality gaming experience in exchange for a little amount of portability. Fortunately, much has changed since then. They’re not only lighter and smaller than ever before, but they also pack a considerable punch, capable of providing the kind of fast and seamless gaming experience that previously required a desktop PC. And you can get capable versions at almost every price range, ranging from high-end gaming notebooks capable of 4K gaming to cheap models capable of 1080p gaming.
Furthermore, quality gaming does not necessitate purchasing the top-of-the-line model. Getting one with rapid refresh rates and a 3080 mobile GPU is, of course, ideal. However, depending on what you believe to be the best PC games, you may be able to save money by sacrificing a little power while still running your favourite titles. Some models may sacrifice some performance in exchange for portability, which is still uncommon among gaming notebooks, fitting easily into some of the best backpacks and allowing you to carry them with you on the move.
Intel, Nvidia, and AMD all demonstrated strong new mobile components at CES 2022, which will make the finest gaming laptops of 2022 even more potent.
When it comes to the finest gaming laptops, you have plenty of alternatives regardless of your needs or budget. To assist you, we’ve compiled a list of the best of the best below, as well as foolproof advice on how to make the greatest decision. Take a peek, and don’t forget to use our price comparison tool to get a great gaming laptop offer.
How to choose the best gaming laptop for you?
When you have a big budget or a few thousand dollars to spare, picking the finest gaming laptop is simple. Getting a quality gaming laptop becomes more difficult when your budget is limited.
Fortunately, there are lots of more affordable CPUs and GPUs on the way that don’t skimp on performance. The latest internals, such as Intel’s Comet Lake, AMD’s Big Navi, and Nvidia’s RTX 3000 series, are more competent than ever while also being less expensive. As a result, gaming notebooks under $1000 can be just as capable as any gaming PC while remaining portable and space-saving, similar to the greatest Ultrabooks.
Some components, however, are more powerful or less expensive than others. While there is no hard and fast rule, AMD’s offerings are normally more economical, which implies AMD Ryzen-powered laptops are slightly less expensive.
Nvidia is still the king of graphics cards when it comes to performance, but which RTX card you should get depends on the type of gaming experience you desire. For example, the RTX 3060 is a fantastic mid-range contender with plenty graphics power for 1080p gaming. However, if you want to play at 4K, you’ll need an RTX 3070 or above.
Think about the RAM as well. Many gaming laptops come with an 8GB DDR4 memory module, which is the bare minimum these days. However, if you plan on playing a lot of demanding AAA games, a minimum of 16GB is advised for the best performance.
The amount of storage, the style of display, and the type and diversity of ports are all items to consider. Examine the battery life as well, particularly if you intend to game on the go. Be aware that just because something is high-end doesn’t imply it will have a lengthy battery life – the Alienware laptops are a case in point. And, of course, because you must enjoy the appearance of your gaming notebook, consider the design and whether or not you like it.
Best gaming laptops 2022
1. Asus ROG Zephyrus G15
The Asus ROG Zephyrus series has consistently delivered some of the greatest gaming laptops on the market, and the new ROG Zephyrus G15 is no exception. They’re highly powerful and capable of seeing you through the most demanding games, thanks to the latest and most powerful AMD Ryzen and Nvidia RTX 3000 series. Of course, the famed battery life as well as the sleek chassis have made an appearance. Nothing matches this laptop for a high-performance gaming laptop at an affordable price.
2. Asus TUF Dash F15
The Asus TUF series is no stranger to exceptional performance at a low price. For example, last year’s Asus TUF A15 was just outstanding while remaining affordable to budget-conscious gamers. The Asus TUF Dash F15 is returning to keep things affordable while yet delivering a lot of power. It features Intel Tiger Lake processors, Nvidia GeForce RTX 3000 mobile GPUs, and a 240Hz 1080p display without breaking the bank, while remaining light, thin, and military-grade robust.
3. Gigabyte Aorus 17G (2021)
A haptic mechanical keyboard and a display with a refresh rate of 300Hz are only the start. The Gigabyte Aorus 17G (2021) boasts outstanding gaming performance that rivals that of desktop gaming PCs. With one of the RTX 3000 GPUs, you’ll be able to play even the most graphically demanding games, including competitive ones. And, thanks to its long battery life, you can do so even when you’re not near a power outlet.
4. Lenovo Legion 7 (Gen 6)
The Lenovo Legion 7 (Gen 6) is a terrific laptop that delivers incredible performance across the board, and it’s already shown to be worth its hefty price tag – even if it’s not something most people can afford. With only approximately three hours of battery life, this is a costly behemoth, but if you’re okay with something you wouldn’t want to travel with, this is a winner. Apart from its unrivalled gaming performance, you’ll also get a slew of RGB lighting options and a slew of connections — three USBs, three USB-C, one HDMI 2.1 port, and two DisplayPort 1.4 ports – so you’ll never need a separate peripheral hub.
5. Alienware m17 R4 (2021)
It isn’t always a case where substance trumps style. With the new Alienware m17 R4, a highly powerful gaming laptop with plenty of ports and an exceptionally attractive chassis that lights up like a Christmas tree, the Alienware m17 series continues to prove this. That way, you’ll be able to play all of the latest AAA games in comfort and luxury. Of course, as one of the fastest gaming laptops on the market, it won’t come cheap. If you have the funds, you’ll be glad you went with this option.
6. Asus ROG Strix G15 AMD Advantage Edition
Powerful, low-cost laptops are hard to come by, so when one does appear, we’re eager to put it to the test. The Asus ROG Strix G15 AMD Advantage Edition, one of the most recent best value laptops to reach the market, is AMD’s successful high-end swing, featuring AMD’s top processor and GPU. But it isn’t only the show’s performance that is the focus here. The battery life is also incredible, especially given the powerful specifications.
7. Razer Blade 15 (2021)
The follow-up to the Razer Blade 15 series isn’t far in the making. It’s still as stunning and beautiful as ever, flaunting its opulent, slender, and light design as if its reputation hinged on it. But it’s not just a pretty piece of gear; it’s also a powerful one. Its 11th-generation CPUs and Series 3000 GPUs ensure that it delivers a gaming-worthy performance. Razer completes the package with a comfortable keyboard and one of the greatest trackpads available on a Windows laptop. This is a winner if you’re searching for a gaming laptop that’s as powerful as it is beautiful.
8. Asus ROG Strix SCAR 17 G733
The Asus ROG Strix SCAR 17 G733, one of the most powerful gaming laptops available, barely breaks a sweat. That outstanding performance is due to the fantastic specifications it is equipped with, which unfortunately put it out of most people’s pricing range. If you can afford it, there are a few more features you’ll appreciate, including the unapologetic design, which glows like Christmas thanks to its vibrant RGB lighting, and the optical mechanical keyboard, which is simply one of the nicest we’ve ever used on a laptop. This is one of the best of the best out there, and it’s worth considering if your budget isn’t a constraint.
How we test gaming laptops
It’s not as simple as you might assume to put a gaming laptop through its paces. However, neither is narrowing down your alternatives and selecting the ideal option for you, which is why we take our job seriously. Even if it means playing video games for hours on end — someone has to make the sacrifice, right?
In all seriousness, we put every gaming laptop we review through its paces to ensure that it delivers on its promises and is worth your money. That means we do synthetic benchmarks like PCMark 10, 3DMark, and Geekbench 5, as well as battery tests, in addition to playing the latest and greatest games on it and noting factors like gaming and thermal performance.
We look at how smooth and fast the display is, how comfortable and responsive the keyboard is, whether there are enough ports on hand, and how nice the entire design is because a gaming laptop is only as good as its accessories. We also put its webcam to the test in case customers wish to use it to stream games.
After that, we evaluate everything we’ve learned about the gaming laptop to its pricing to see if its performance and features are worth the money, and if it provides the best value to customers.