The 5 Best Gaming Laptops - Fall 2024

The best gaming laptop we've tested is the Razer Blade 18 (2024). This is the one to get if money is no object. It has an all-aluminum chassis that feels incredibly sturdy and just as premium as an Apple MacBook Pro. There's only one CPU option, the top-end Intel Core i9-14900HX, which you can pair with an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070, 4080, or 4090 Laptop GPU. Needless to say, there's plenty of processing power to deliver a smooth gaming experience in the most demanding titles. There are two display options: a 300Hz QHD+ Mini LED and a 200Hz 4k+ IPS panel, so you can choose whether you want better responsiveness or a sharper image. Both displays have a fast response time and G-SYNC support, and they get bright enough to combat glare in well-lit settings.

The keyboard feels spacious and tactile, and of course, there's per-key RGB backlighting. You get tons of ports for peripherals and external displays, including three USB-As, two USB-Cs (one with Thunderbolt 4/5 support, depending on the configuration), an HDMI 2.1, and a 2.5Gbps Ethernet port. If you aren't close enough to your router for a wired connection, don't worry; there's Wi-Fi 7 onboard. The only downside of this device is that the fans get incredibly loud, reaching 57.0 dBA at their full speed. Battery life is pretty bad, lasting only an hour or so when gaming, though that isn't uncommon for gaming laptops.

If you want something a little less expensive than the Razer Blade 18 (2024), check out the Dell Alienware m18 R2 (2024). It's also an 18-inch model available with Intel 14th Gen CPUs and discrete NVIDIA GPUs, up to a Core i9-14900HX and an RTX 4090, respectively. Display options include a 480Hz FHD+ and 165Hz QHD+ IPS panel; both have a fast response time to deliver a clear image and VRR to reduce screen tearing. It performs just as well as the Blade 18, so you aren't losing anything performance-wise; however, its overall build doesn't feel as premium. Additionally, its displays are dimmer, so glare may be an issue in well-lit settings, and the keyboard deck gets much hotter under load. On-the-go use is out of the question—it's even bulkier and heavier than the Razer.

For gaming on the go, we recommend the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 (2024), a compact 14-inch model. Unlike the Dell Alienware, it has a sleeker, more subdued design, so it won't stick out in a professional environment should you use it for work. However, because it's a smaller laptop with more limited cooling, you have to compromise a bit on performance. The available AMD Ryzen CPUs aren't nearly as fast, and you can only get up to an RTX 4070 GPU. Also, while its OLED display is bright and colorful, it has a lower refresh rate of 120Hz, so the overall gaming experience won't feel as smooth or responsive as the Dell. Storage configuration maxes out at 1TB, which isn't a lot considering the size of modern games, but thankfully, the SSD is user-replaceable.

Our best mid-range pick is the Lenovo Legion Pro 5 Gen 8 16 (2023). Available with AMD Ryzen 7040-series CPUs and NVIDIA 40-series GPUs (up to an RTX 4070), this 16-inch model also delivers an excellent gaming experience. Display options include a 165Hz or a 240Hz QHD+ IPS panel; both have a fast response time and FreeSync support. It has a tactile, full-size keyboard, Wi-Fi 6E wireless connectivity, and tons of ports, including an HDMI 2.1 and Ethernet.

Unfortunately, this model's more budget-friendly price does come with a couple of downsides compared to the Dell above, like the lack of Thunderbolt 4 support, an SD card reader, a facial recognition IR camera, and fewer M.2 storage slots. Also, while it feels sturdy build-wise, it isn't quite the same level as the Dell, as the construction has a bit more plastic. On the upside, it doesn't get as hot or loud under load.

The best budget gaming laptop we've tested is the ASUS TUF Gaming A16 Advantage Edition (2023). You can get this laptop in a Ryzen 7 7735HS or Ryzen 9 7940HS CPU configuration paired with an AMD Radeon RX 6700S or Radeon RX 7700S. Every configuration can deliver high, consistent frame rates in demanding AAA games at 1080p or 1440p. Display options include a 165Hz FHD+ or a 240Hz QHD+ panel; both are 16-inch panels that support variable refresh rates to reduce screen tearing.

This laptop sports a solid port selection for peripherals and external displays, including an Ethernet and HDMI 2.1 port. The RAM and storage are user-replaceable, providing a clear upgrade path down the line. Thermal throttling is minimal under load, but the laptop does get hot and loud. Thankfully, there aren't any hot spots around the WASD keys. This laptop also isn't particularly portable as it's relatively bulky, and you'll need to carry along its fairly beefy charger for use on the go as its battery life lasts a little over an hour when gaming.

The best gaming Chromebook we've tested is the Acer Chromebook Plus 516 GE (2024). Unlike our picks above, this device runs Chrome OS, an operating system that isn't typically associated with gaming. You can play mobile games from the Google Play Store, but the main focus is on cloud gaming through services like NVIDIA GeForce NOW. Besides, this laptop only has integrated graphics, which aren't powerful enough to handle highly demanding games, and some mobile games from the Google Play Store might not run properly, with many lacking keyboard, mouse, and controller support. GeForce NOW has a free tier, though you'll have to pay if you want the best experience with higher frame rates and longer play sessions. The laptop comes with a three-month trial.

As for the build and design of the laptop, this 2024 model is very similar to its predecessor, the Acer Chromebook 516 GE (2022). The overall build quality is good, and while it's on the bulkier side, it isn't too heavy, so it's still portable. Its 16-inch 120Hz QHD+ display looks very sharp and gets bright enough for use in most indoor settings; the response time is a bit slow but better than most productivity laptops, so there isn't too much ghosting behind fast-moving objects. You get Wi-Fi 6E wireless connectivity and an Ethernet port, which is great, as cloud gaming performance is highly dependent on your internet connection. The keyboard feels spacious and tactile, doesn't get hot under load, and has RGB backlighting. The most significant upgrade over the 2022 model is battery life; you can get almost 10 hours in light use and over five hours when gaming.