Best gaming laptop 2023

The best gaming laptop can give desktops a run for their money, with the added conveniences of better portability and a built-in display. However, for all the similarities these clamshell computers share with tower PCs, they have a number of unique quirks you need to be aware of before buying on. So, whether you’re in the market for a desktop replacement or a mighty micro machine, we’re here to help.

The latest laptops pack Nvidia GeForce RTX 40 or AMD Radeon RX 7000 series graphics, alongside AMD Ryzen 7000 and 13th Gen Intel Core processors, all of which will handily run the latest games. Just note that higher-spec models will typically run hot and loud under full load, as the components inside them pull the most power and so require more active cooling.

While battery life is understandably an important consideration when buying a gaming laptop, you’ll get the most performance out of one by having it plugged in. This is true at every price point, from the best budget laptops to the most expensive. Generally, the most critical specs will be your GPU and CPU, as the majority of models feature upgradeable RAM and SSD storage.

There are other factors like a laptop’s screen that also greatly impact the experience of using it, with resolution, refresh rate, and panel type all affecting usability in their own ways. Some even feature dual-mode displays, as seen in our Razer Blade 16 (2023) review. We’re constantly testing the latest models and adjusting our list here accordingly, so be sure to read our reviews for each entry.

Here are the best laptops in 2023:

• Asus ROG Strix Scar 17 – best gaming laptop overall
• Dell G15 Ryzen Edition – best value gaming laptop
• Alienware m17 R5 – best 4K gaming laptop
• Razer Blade 14 – best 14-inch gaming laptop
• Gigabyte Aorus 5 SE4 – best battery

1.  Asus ROG Strix Scar 17

The best gaming laptop overall.

Pros

• Fantastic gaming performance
• Large 1440p IPS screen
• 240Hz refresh rate

Cons

• Expensive
• Short battery life

The Asus ROG Strix Scar 17 redefines what it means to truly be one of the best Asus gaming laptops, packing an Intel Core i9 12900H CPU and up to an Nvidia RTX 3080 Ti graphics card. Being stacked up to the nines with this calibre of hardware means this beast makes short work of the best PC games, especially with Nvidia DLSS to help boost frame rates further.

The 1440p 17.3-inch IPS display on the Asus ROG Strix Scar 17 delivers wonderfully sharp images and boasts an ultra-responsive 240Hz refresh rate with response times of just 3ms. That might seem like a lot of numbers, but these specs essentially mean your games will both run fast and look good while you play.

Aesthetics aren’t as important as performance, of course, but the ROG Strix Scar 17 is also a treat for the eyes. Pushing the signature Asus two-tone style in black and grey, it’s the RGB backlit keyboard that threads everything together. Asus puts its stamp on the trackpad, too, hiding a full numpad as a secondary function.

Read our Asus ROG Strix Scar 17 (2022) review.

 

2. Dell G15 Ryzen Edition

The best value gaming laptop.

Pros

• 120Hz display
• Nvidia DLSS support
• Great AMD CPU

Cons

• Single-channel memory configuration
• Build quality reflects the price point
• Only 8GB RAM

The Dell G15 Ryzen Edition is a great fit for anyone looking to game on the go without breaking the bank. The Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 has enough power to play the latest games at 1080p on its 15.6-inch, 120Hz display, and even supports DLSS upscaling for an easy way to boost fps.

Dell’s cheap and cheerful laptop isn’t the flashiest around, and its outer shell won’t wow enthusiasts. Yet, if you’re a competitive player that wants to maximize performance in the best FPS games, the G15’s 120Hz screen will prove invaluable.

At its core, the G15 features an AMD Ryzen 5 6600H CPU that pairs well with Nvidia’s laptop GPU. In fact, the chip’s Radeon graphics alone should be enough to run Warzone 2 without a graphics card (even if that is a silly and redundant thing to do when you’ve got a 3050 to hand).

If the Dell G15 misses the mark with one thing, it’s gaming RAM. The system sticks with an 8GB Single-channel configuration, which means it’s not as futureproof as some alternatives. That said, you’ll probably struggle to find a 16GB option for the same price, so it’s perhaps a necessary compromise. If this isn’t quite right for you, check our guide to the best Dell gaming laptops.

 

3. Alienware m17 R5

The best 4K gaming laptop.

Pros

• Powerful Ryzen processor and Radeon graphics
• Features all AMD Smart Technologies
• 17.3-inch 4K/120Hz AMD FreeSync Premium display

Cons

• Specs greatly impact battery life
• Ray tracing performance can’t keep up with Nvidia

Look, we get it, some of you like to stick with one company when it comes to PC parts. So, if you bat for the red team, the Alienware m17 R5 should check all the boxes in terms of performance and functionality.

In many ways, the M17 R5 is a stand-in for a full desktop setup, as its 17.3-inch 4K display trades blows with the best gaming monitor. Available in two configurations, you can choose between a Ryzen 7 6800H or Ryzen 9 6900HX CPU, paired with either a Radeon RX 6700M or RX 6850M XT graphics card.

Both of the above options bring a lot to the portable table, but AMD Advantage laptop features are a performance cherry on top. Smart Shift, Smart Access Graphics, and Smart Access Memory enhance the hardware’s natural abilities, and the tech will ultimately help the laptop keep up with the latest games.

With great power, comes great batter caveats, as the M17 R5’s souped-up specs are ravenous for power. Sure, most laptop gamers are accustomed to dwelling near outlets, but it’s still worth keeping in mind if you’re an on-the-go player.

 

4. Razer Blade 14

The best 14-inch gaming laptop.

Pros

• Top-of-the-range Ryzen 6000 CPU
• Razor-sharp 1080p display

Cons

• Low battery capacity
• RTX 4060 will offer extra features

Razer is renowned for the quality of its peripherals, and the same premium-level craftsmanship you’ll find with its best gaming keyboard options is readily apparent when using the Razer Blade 14. In addition to its high levels of performance, your cash feels well spent when using it thanks to its CNC aluminium chassis.

At 14 inches, the Razer Blade 14 is a dinky little powerhouse featuring a top-of-range AMD Ryzen 9 6900HX and Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060. This size also makes the 1080p 144Hz IPS display sharper than you’d think, with a dense PPI (pixel per inch).

Modern games take up a lot of room, but the Blade 14’s 1TB storage has you covered. Better still, it’s actually a Gen4 NVMe drive, so you won’t have to trade away speed for capacity. Even still, there’s nothing stopping you from popping the best SSD for gaming later, as the M.2 slot isn’t hard to reach.

It’s worth noting that while the RTX 3060 is a capable graphics card, RTX 4060 mobile GPUs are now a thing. Features like DLSS 3.0 could make all the difference when it comes to entry-level performance, so you’ll want to think twice before investing in a $2,000 laptop with RTX 3000 innards. We’ve picked all the best Razer laptops if you’re set on this brand. 

 

5. Gigabyte Aorus 5 SE4

The best gaming laptop with long battery life.

Pros

• Higher specs than those typically found at this price
• The biggest battery on the list

Cons

• DDR4 memory
• Smaller 512GB SSD

We’re really impressed by the specs that the Gigabyte Aorus 5 SE4 has to offer, which at this price point makes it one of the best value setups on this list. The Intel Core i7-12700H and Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070 make for a great gaming combo, and easily drives the 15.6-inch 1080p IPS 144Hz display.

It’s also got the biggest battery amongst our picks at 99.9Wh, meaning you’ll be gaming on the go for many hours. It doesn’t skimp on gaming RAM either with dual-channel 16GB DDR4 memory — an addition that’ll combat demanding system requirements (at least for a few years).

The laptop’s 512GB SSD is speedy, but you might want to factor in a replacement if you’ve got a large Steam library. Alternatively, investing in the best external SSD for gaming will save you any future hassle, especially if you tend to swap your rig regularly.

FAQ

Are gaming laptops worth the cost?

A common misconception is that all gaming laptops are too expensive and not worth the cost. Unlike desktops, where you can pick and choose your components then build it yourself, gaming laptops charge a premium for being a pre-built package designed to achieve the best gaming performance possible (within the limits of its specs). As long as you’ve done your research on the specifications you want, you’ll see that gaming laptops follow a standard pricing structure with only certain brands charging well-above these costs based on their own proprietary features. All in all, the convenience of a gaming laptop is worth the cost.

How long should a gaming laptop last?

Gaming laptops tend to have a shorter lifespan than a typical daily use machine. This is due to the strain they perform under while gaming. We would say that a gaming laptop should last anywhere between three and five years if well maintained. This means regular cleaning and ensuring your game settings are always optimized so your hardware isn’t working overtime every time you boot up a game.

What size screen is best for a gaming laptop?

This is a decision that could come down to personal preference, but we believe that 17.3-inches is the ideal screen size for gaming. You will find that 15-inch screens are the most common, but our reasoning behind 17.3-inches comes down to more than just screen real estate. With a larger screen comes a larger frame, and this can often allow manufacturers to implement a better cooling system to keep your laptop at a more manageable temperature for longer gaming sessions. It will also come down to the technology included with the screen, as we’d take a 15-inch 4K 144Hz OLED display over a 17.3-inch 1080p 60Hz option any day.