Best Gaming Laptops 2026
Powerful laptops built for gaming with dedicated graphics cards.
Last updated: January 12, 2025•5 products tested
Our Top Picks
Full Rankings
#1
ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14
Best OverallBest balance of power and portability.
Pros
- ✓Powerful gaming performance
- ✓Compact 14-inch form
- ✓Great display options
Cons
- ✗No webcam on some models
- ✗Gets hot under load
- ✗Fans can be loud
#2
Razer Blade 16
Best PremiumPremium build with stunning display options.
Pros
- ✓Gorgeous display options
- ✓Premium build quality
- ✓Powerful specs
Cons
- ✗Very expensive
- ✗Battery life limited
- ✗Can run hot
#3
Lenovo Legion Pro 7
Desktop-level gaming performance.
Pros
- ✓Incredible performance
- ✓Great cooling system
- ✓Good value for specs
Cons
- ✗Heavy and thick
- ✗Aggressive design
- ✗Short battery
#4
MSI Katana 15
Affordable entry into PC gaming.
Pros
- ✓Affordable
- ✓Decent gaming performance
- ✓144Hz display
Cons
- ✗Plastic build
- ✗Average display quality
- ✗Bulky design
#5
Acer Nitro 5
Best BudgetBudget gaming that gets the job done.
Pros
- ✓Very affordable
- ✓Plays most games
- ✓Upgradeable
Cons
- ✗Budget build quality
- ✗Short battery
- ✗Display not great
Comparison Table
| Product | Gaming Performance | Display | Cooling | Build Quality | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
#1ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 9 | $1599 |
#2Razer Blade 16 | 9.5 | 10 | 8 | 10 | $2999 |
#3Lenovo Legion Pro 7 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 8.5 | $2499 |
#4MSI Katana 15 | 8 | 7.5 | 7.5 | 7 | $1099 |
#5Acer Nitro 5 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 6 | $799 |
Buying Guide
Gaming laptops need powerful GPUs, fast displays, and good cooling. Consider refresh rate, GPU power, and whether you need portability.
What We Evaluate
35%
Gaming Performance
FPS in modern games
25%
Display
Refresh rate, response time
15%
Cooling
Thermal management
15%
Build Quality
Keyboard, materials
10%
Value
Performance per dollar
Our Testing Methodology
We benchmark games and test thermals under load.
Learn more about how we test →Frequently Asked Questions
How much GPU do I need?▼
RTX 4060 for 1080p, RTX 4070+ for 1440p.