Find the best laptop for gaming in 2026
To find the best gaming laptop we recommend to focus on these characteristics:
- Graphics card - look for latest offering from Nvidia and AMD, make sure it's discrete and has enough VRAM
- Thermal performance - rule of thumb: opt for thick and heavy laptop as they tend to handle workload better
- Display - 2K display with fast response (1ms) and high refresh rate (120Hz+) is optimal
Best Laptops under $500 for gaming
Best Laptops under $1,000 for gaming
HP Victus 2025, Ryzen 7 7445HS, 16GB, 512GB SSD, RTX 4050, Mica Silver
Great Alternatives
These options also score highly and may better suit your specific needs
Why we recommend this ▼
The RTX 2050 GPU and 144Hz IPS display provide a smooth 1080p gaming experience in a chassis weighing under 2kg, making it a genuinely portable entry-level machine. Its translucent build panels offer a distinct visual flair rarely found at this budget, complemented by 16GB of fast DDR5 RAM. This laptop is best for students and casual gamers who prioritize a lightweight design and high refresh rate over maximum graphical fidelity.
ASUS TUF Gaming A15 FA506NC-DS53 2025, Ryzen 5 7535HS, 16GB, 512GB SSD, RTX 3050, Graphite Black
Why we recommend this ▼
Equipped with a Ryzen 5 7535HS and RTX 3050 graphics, the 144Hz display pushes smooth frame rates in esports games. Its MIL-STD-810H certified chassis handles knocks and drops, while 16GB of DDR5 memory keeps background tasks fluid. Budget-conscious gamers wanting a durable machine for 1080p competitive play get a reliable pick.
Lenovo Legion 5 15.6" 82B5000VUS, Ryzen 7 4800H, 8GB, 512GB SSD + 1TB HDD, GTX 1650 Ti, Black
Why we recommend this ▼
The Ryzen 7 4800H processor and 120Hz IPS display provide a solid foundation for smooth 1080p gaming, though the GTX 1650 Ti and dim 250-nit screen limit visual fidelity. Its dual-drive storage with a 512GB SSD and 1TB HDD offers generous space for game libraries without a premium price. This is a practical choice for budget-conscious gamers who prioritize frame rates in esports titles over high-end graphical detail.
MSI GF63 Thin 15.6" 11UC-1276US 2021, Core i5-11400H, 16GB, 512GB SSD, RTX 3050, Black
Why we recommend this ▼
The Intel Core i5-11400H and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 with 4GB VRAM deliver solid 1080p gaming performance, paired with a 144Hz IPS display for smoother motion. At 1.86kg, it is lighter than many gaming laptops, and the 16GB DDR4 RAM and 512GB NVMe SSD provide ample multitasking and fast load times. This laptop is best for budget-conscious gamers who want a portable machine for esports and mid-settings AAA titles.
ASUS ROG Zephyrus M 15.6" GU502GU-XH74-BL, Core i7-9750H, 16GB, 512GB SSD, GTX 1660 Ti, Glacier Blue
Why we recommend this ▼
A 240Hz Pantone-validated display and 18.9mm-thin metal chassis set this laptop apart for fluid, color-accurate gaming on the go. Its 1.9kg weight and subtle styling make it a genuinely portable 15-inch machine that doesn't sacrifice a full-fat GTX 1660 Ti GPU. This is best for competitive gamers who need high refresh rate performance in a travel-friendly form factor.
Why we recommend this ▼
The Intel Core i5-12450H and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2050 with 4GB VRAM deliver solid 1080p gaming performance, while the 144Hz FHD display ensures smooth motion in fast-paced titles. The 16GB DDR5 RAM and 512GB SSD provide ample multitasking and storage, and the Cooler Boost 5 keeps thermals in check during long sessions. Best for budget-conscious gamers who want a capable entry-level gaming laptop for esports and moderate AAA titles without overspending.
MSI GF Series 15.6" GF65 Thin 9SD-837, Core i7-9750H, 8GB, 512GB SSD, GTX 1660 Ti, Black
Why we recommend this ▼
Combining a 9th Gen Core i7-9750H with a GeForce GTX 1660 Ti, this 4.1-pound chassis delivers smooth 1080p gaming on a 144Hz IPS-level display. The thin-bezel design and 0.85-inch profile make it a portable option that doesn't sacrifice a full HDMI port or dual USB-C connectivity. It’s best for budget-conscious gamers who prioritize high refresh rate esports titles over color-accurate content creation.
MSI GF65 15.6" Thin 10UE 2021, Xeon Platinum 8160M, 8GB, 512GB SSD, RTX 3060, Black
Why we recommend this ▼
The RTX 3060 with 8GB VRAM and ray tracing support drives the 15.6-inch 1920x1080 IPS panel at 144Hz, making this a capable gaming machine. At 1.90kg and 0.9 inches thin, it offers portability without sacrificing a backlit keyboard or 802.11ax Wi-Fi. This is best for gamers on a budget who want smooth high-refresh play and ray tracing in a lightweight chassis.
Dell G5 15.6" G5587-7866BLK-PUS 2018, Core i7-8750H, 16GB, 128GB SSD + 1TB HDD, GTX 1050 Ti, Licorice Black
Why we recommend this ▼
The 8th Gen Intel Core i7-8750H 6-core processor and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti with 4GB GDDR5 deliver solid 1080p gaming performance. A 128GB SSD boot drive paired with a 1TB HDD offers fast system responsiveness and ample storage for games and files. This laptop is best for budget-conscious gamers who want a capable 15-inch machine for playing titles like Fortnite or Overwatch at medium settings.
Samsung Galaxy Book Odyssey 15.6" NP762XDA-XA1US 2021, Core i7-11600H, 8GB, 512GB SSD, RTX 3050 Ti, Mystic Black
Why we recommend this ▼
The Intel Core i7-11600H and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti with 4GB VRAM deliver solid 1080p gaming and creative work in a 1.85kg full-metal chassis. Its 83Wh battery supports long sessions, and the backlit keyboard plus Odyssey Control software let you customize performance for each game. Best for a student or casual gamer who wants a portable laptop for both daily productivity and moderate gaming without spending on a bulkier rig.
HP OmniBook 3 15.6", Ryzen AI 5 340, 16GB, 512GB SSD, Radeon 840M
Why we recommend this ▼
The AMD Ryzen AI 5 340 processor with a dedicated NPU and 16GB of DDR5 RAM provides capable performance for everyday multitasking and local AI tasks. A 1080p webcam with a physical privacy shutter and a full set of ports, including USB-C and HDMI, add practical value at this price point. This notebook is best for students or office workers who need a reliable 15.6-inch machine for web-based productivity and video calls.
Best Laptops under $2,000 for gaming
Lenovo Legion 5 Gen 10 15.1" 2025, Ryzen 7 8000, 16GB, 1TB SSD + 1TB SSD, RTX 5070, Eclipse Black
Great Alternatives
These options also score highly and may better suit your specific needs
Acer Predator Helios Neo PHN16-73-95G8, Core Ultra 9 275HX, 32GB, 1TB SSD, RTX 5070
Why we recommend this ▼
The 24-core Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX and GeForce RTX 5070 drive a vivid 2560x1600 240Hz display with full DCI-P3 color, making it a powerhouse for high-fidelity gaming. Its robust port selection, including Thunderbolt 4 and dual USB-C, complements the 32GB of DDR5 RAM for a desktop-like connectivity suite. This machine is best for competitive gamers and streamers who need high frame rates and color-accurate visuals without sacrificing multi-tasking headroom.
ASUS ROG Zephyrus 14" ASUS GA403UM-G14.R9HX4 2025, Ryzen 9 270, 16GB, 1TB SSD, 5060
Why we recommend this ▼
The 14-inch 3K OLED 120Hz 0.2ms ROG Nebula Display with 100% DCI-P3 delivers vivid colors and fast response, paired with an AMD Ryzen 9 270 and RTX 5060 8GB GDDR7 for smooth 1080p gaming. At 1.50kg with a 73Wh battery and Wi-Fi 7, it is a portable gaming machine that also handles creative work well. Best for gamers who want a lightweight 14-inch laptop with a top-tier OLED screen for both gaming and content creation.
Gigabyte GAMING A16 CWHI3US864SH 2026, Core i7-13620H, 32GB, 1TB SSD, RTX 5070, Black Steel
Why we recommend this ▼
Combining a 10-core Intel i7-13620H with an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 and 32GB of DDR5 RAM, this laptop delivers strong 1080p gaming and AI-accelerated creative performance in a slim 19.45mm chassis. The 180-degree hinge and GiMATE AI assistant add practical flexibility and system-level personalization not captured by raw specs alone. It’s best for students and casual gamers who want a capable, portable machine for both gaming and entry-level generative AI tasks.
Lenovo Legion Pro 5 16" 83LT000MUS 2025, Ryzen 7 8745HX, 32GB, 1TB SSD, RTX 5060, Eclipse Black
Why we recommend this ▼
The-inch 162560x1600 OLED panel with DisplayHDR True Black 1000 and 100% DCI-P3 coverage delivers exceptional contrast and color accuracy for gaming and content creation. A 32GB DDR5 memory configuration and the RTX 5060 with 115W TGP provide strong 1440p performance, while the chassis remains relatively portable at 2.30kg. This laptop is best for gamers and creators who prioritize a high-contrast OLED display and need substantial multitasking headroom without stepping up to a higher GPU tier.
Lenovo LOQ IdeaPad L340-15IRH Gaming 2023, Core i7-13700H, 32GB, 1TB SSD, RTX 4060, Grey
Why we recommend this ▼
Combining a 14-core Intel i7-13700H with RTX 4060 graphics and 32GB of DDR5 RAM, this configuration handles modern games at the 144Hz refresh rate without bottlenecking. The 350-nit IPS display and a generous port selection including USB-C with 140W Power Delivery add practical versatility beyond raw performance. It’s best for gamers and streamers who need high frame rates and ample multitasking memory in a single, desktop-replacement machine.
Lenovo Legion Pro 5i Gen 10 16" 2025, Core i7-14650HX, 16GB, 1TB SSD, RTX 5060, Eclipse Black
Why we recommend this ▼
Powered by a 16-core Intel 14650HX and RTX 5060 with 8GB GDDR7, it drives a 2560x1600 IPS display at 240Hz with full DCI-P3 color coverage for fluid, color-accurate visuals. Its 500-nit brightness and robust port selection, including Thunderbolt and Wi-Fi 7, make it a versatile workstation beyond gaming. This laptop is best for competitive gamers and content creators who need high-refresh precision and wide-gamut color accuracy in a single machine.
Why we recommend this ▼
Combining an NVIDIA RTX 5070 GPU with a remarkably thin 16.75mm chassis, this laptop delivers serious graphics power for AI-driven tasks and gaming without the typical bulk. Its 16-inch 2560x1600 IPS display and 14-hour battery life make it a practical choice for all-day productivity, further enhanced by the integrated GiMATE AI for intelligent system optimization. This machine is best for gamers and creators who need a powerful, portable workstation that prioritizes a slim profile over absolute peak performance.
Why we recommend this ▼
Combining an Intel Core 7 240H with an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 and 32GB of DDR5 RAM, this laptop delivers capable 1080p-class gaming and creative performance at its 144Hz refresh rate. The 1TB NVMe SSD provides ample fast storage, while the matte black chassis and full-size backlit keyboard offer a practical, understated build. It’s best for budget-conscious gamers and students who need strong multi-core and GPU power in a 2.00kg package without a premium price tag.