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 CA$700 for gaming
Acer Predator Helios 18 AI 18" PH18-73-90A6 Abyssal Black 2025
Great Alternatives
These options also score highly and may better suit your specific needs
Apple MacBook Pro 16" MVVJ2LL/A Space Gray 2019
Lenovo IdeaPad 5 15.6" 15ALC05 Graphite Gray 2022
ASUS VivoBook 15.6" M1502YA-BS51 Quiet Blue 2026
Acer Aspire 3 15.6" A315-24P-R7VH Silver 2023
HP 15.6" OmniBook 3
ASUS GT730-SL-2GD5-BRK
Dell Latitude 14" 5400 Black 2019
Lenovo V14 G5 IRL 14" V14 G5 IRL
Acer Aspire Go 15.6" AG15-32P-39R2 Silver
Lenovo IdeaPad 14" 82LV0075US Cloud Gray
GXMO 14" 568432564 Silver
BRENUC Business Laptop 14" NC14N White 2025
HP 15-fd000 15.6" 15-fd000 Moonlight Blue 2024
Lenovo V14 G4 IRU 14" Black 2023
Acer Aspire Lite 15.6" AL15-36P-32XP Light Silver 2025
Best Laptops under CA$1,500 for gaming
ASUS TUF F15 15.6" FX507VV-BH74-CB Mecha Grey 2023
Great Alternatives
These options also score highly and may better suit your specific needs
Lenovo LOQ 15.6" 15IRX9 Luna Gray 2023
Why we recommend this ▼
A 13th Gen Intel Core i5-13450HX and 6GB GeForce RTX 3050 drive the 144Hz G-Sync IPS display with 100% sRGB coverage, ensuring fluid 1080p gameplay. DDR5 memory, a MUX switch, and HDMI 2.1 provide flexible connectivity and direct GPU frame delivery rarely found at this level. This laptop suits budget-focused gamers and streaming hobbyists needing a color-accurate screen and strong I/O without overspending.
HP Victus 15.6" B84JSUA#ABL Black 2026
Acer Nitro V 16 Shale Black 2025
Lenovo LOQ 15 Series 15.6" LOQ
Lenovo IdeaPad 14" 83KT001YUS Cosmic Blue 2026
Why we recommend this ▼
The AMD Ryzen AI 7 350 chip paired with 16GB LPDDR5X RAM and integrated Radeon 860M graphics delivers responsive Copilot+ AI features in a 14-inch 1200p touchscreen 2-in-1 chassis. Weighing 1.60kg and bundled with a Lenovo Digital Pen 2, it earns high user satisfaction (4.6/5 stars) for its portable design and distinctive Cosmic Blue finish. It’s ideal for students and mobile professionals who need a lightweight convertible for note-taking, everyday productivity, and light content creation.
MSI Venture 16" A16 AI+ A3HMTG-035CA Solid Gray 2026
MSI Thin 15.6" B13VE-1697CA Cosmos Gray 2023
Why we recommend this ▼
The 13th Gen Intel Core i5-13420H and RTX 4050 6GB GPU push a 144Hz 1080p display, keeping frame rates smooth in esports titles. At 1.90kg, it’s easily portable and drives two external displays via USB-C and HDMI for expanded multitasking. It’s best for budget-conscious gamers who want a light 1080p gaming laptop with enough power for entry-level content creation.
Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 15.3" 83K700G8US Luna Grey 2025
Acer Nitro 16" AN16-41-R148 Black
Why we recommend this ▼
Powered by a 6-core AMD Ryzen 5 7640HS boosting to 5.0GHz and an NVIDIA RTX 4050 with DLSS 3, the Acer Nitro 16 drives a 165Hz 1920x1200 IPS panel while dual-fan cooling with liquid metal thermal grease keeps temperatures in check. The display supports NVIDIA G-SYNC and Advanced Optimus for smooth, tear-free gaming, and a 4-zone RGB keyboard with a dedicated NitroSense key provides granular control over fan speeds and lighting. This machine is best for desk-bound gamers who value a large, high-refresh screen and DLSS 3 performance without a premium price.
Lenovo LOQ Essential 15.6" LOQ Essential Luna Grey 2022
ASUS Vivobook 16" Quiet Blue 2023
Why we recommend this ▼
The AMD Ryzen AI 5 330 processor and 32GB of 5600 MHz DDR5 RAM provide strong multitasking headroom for a budget 16-inch laptop, though the 300-nit, 45% NTSC display limits color-critical work. Its 1.88kg weight and full port selection, including dual USB-C with Power Delivery and HDMI 2.1, make it a practical, portable workstation for desk and travel use. This configuration is best for students or office workers who need a large screen for documents and spreadsheets, with enough memory to handle heavy browser-based research.
Dell Inspiron 16" 5645 Midnight Blue 2024
Why we recommend this ▼
The Ryzen 7 8840U processor with integrated AI ensures smooth performance and crisp video calls on a 16-inch 16:10 display with Dolby Vision. Military-grade testing, AI noise-reducing microphones, and a mechanical camera shutter deliver dependable security and communication. It suits remote workers and students who prioritize clear virtual meetings and daily productivity, though the 250-nit brightness limits outdoor visibility.
ASUS V16 16" V3607VH-BB54-CB Black
Acer Nitro V 15.6" ANV15-41-R6HR Black
MALLRACE RX16 16" RX16 Gray 2026
Best Laptops under CA$3,000 for gaming
Lenovo Legion 5i 15.1" 83F00008US
Great Alternatives
These options also score highly and may better suit your specific needs
ASUS ROG Strix 16" G615LM-DS96 Eclipse Gray 2025
Why we recommend this ▼
The Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX and RTX 5060 GPU drive a 16-inch 240Hz 2.5K display with full DCI-P3 coverage, delivering fluid visuals for fast-paced gaming. Its 32GB of DDR5 RAM and a 1TB PCIe 4.0 SSD handle heavy multitasking, while the efficient cooling system sustains performance under load. This laptop is best for competitive gamers and streamers who need high frame rates and color accuracy in a single, desktop-replacement machine.
MSI Raider 16" GE68 HX 14VGG-287US Black 2025
Why we recommend this ▼
Combining a 24-core Intel Core i9-14900HX with an RTX 4070 GPU and 32GB of DDR5 RAM, this machine delivers high frame rates for demanding titles and smooth multitasking. Its 100Wh battery provides extended play away from the outlet, while Wi-Fi 7 and Thunderbolt 4 offer cutting-edge connectivity. This laptop is best for gamers who prioritize raw CPU and GPU power in a desktop replacement form factor.
Gigabyte GAMING A16 PRO 16" GAMING A16 PRO DXHG4USCC4SH Titanium Black 2026
Lenovo Legion 7i 16" 83KY000UCF Glacier White
Why we recommend this ▼
The 16-inch 2560x1600 OLED display with 240Hz refresh and DisplayHDR True Black 1000 delivers exceptional contrast and color accuracy for both gaming and content creation. Powered by an Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX and RTX 5070 with 115W TGP, it packs strong AI-assisted performance into a relatively portable 2.05kg chassis with a per-key RGB keyboard. This machine is best for gamers who also edit HDR video or 3D render, needing a single device that handles high-refresh esports and color-critical work without an external monitor.
Lenovo Legion Pro 5i 16" 16IAX10 Eclipse Black 2025
Why we recommend this ▼
The Core Ultra 7 255HX and RTX 5070 deliver robust 1440p gaming and creator performance, paired with 32GB DDR5 and a vivid 16-inch OLED 165Hz panel hitting 500 nits and full DCI-P3. Its 80Wh battery and Wi-Fi 7 support practical daily use, while the sturdy build keeps weight at 2.43kg. Best for gamers and video editors who need high-refresh OLED color accuracy without sacrificing multitasking muscle.
MSI Katana Katana 15 HX B14WGK-247CA Black 2025
Why we recommend this ▼
The 24-core Intel Core i9-14900HX and 8GB NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 power a 15.6-inch QHD 240Hz display for fluid gaming and rendering tasks. It includes 32GB DDR5 RAM and a 1TB NVMe SSD pre-installed, plus Thunderbolt 3 and HDMI 2.1 ports, so you avoid immediate upgrades. This 2.4kg laptop suits competitive gamers and video editors who need a high-refresh screen and multi-core muscle, and can sacrifice portability for performance.
Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 AI 16" PHN16-73-92B8 Abyssal Black 2026
Why we recommend this ▼
Intel’s Core Ultra 9 275HX and RTX 5070 Ti GPU with 12GB VRAM drive high-frame-rate gaming and AI tasks on a 16-inch 240Hz WQXGA display covering 100% DCI-P3. The 500-nit brightness and Thunderbolt 4 connectivity add versatility for color-sensitive creative work and fast peripheral links. This model suits gamers and video editors seeking a desktop-replacement with serious GPU power, though its 2.7 kg weight sacrifices portability.
ASUS TUF Gaming 16" FX608JMR-RS76-CA Jaeger Gray 2024
Why we recommend this ▼
The 16-core Intel i7-14650HX and RTX 5060 with 8GB VRAM deliver strong gaming and creator performance, paired with a 165Hz 1600p display and 32GB DDR5 RAM. Its 90Wh battery and military-grade build offer solid endurance and durability for a 2.2kg 16-inch machine, though it's not compact. Best for gamers and 4K video editors who need a rugged laptop with high refresh rates and ample memory.
Lenovo LOQ 15.6" LOQ Grey 2023
Why we recommend this ▼
Its 14-core Intel Core i7-13700H and RTX 4060 with 8GB VRAM power smooth 144Hz gameplay, while the 32GB DDR5 memory handles multitasking. A unique bonus is the included KKE mousepad and the versatile port selection, including USB-C with DisplayPort 1.4 and 140W charging. This machine suits budget-conscious esports players and streaming creators who value a high-refresh 1080p screen and full I/O without premium pricing.
MSI Crosshair 16" Crosshair A16 HX
Why we recommend this ▼
A Ryzen 9 8940HX processor and RTX 5060 GPU drive a sharp 16-inch 2560x1600 IPS 240Hz display, delivering fluid high-resolution gaming. The laptop comes equipped with 32GB of DDR5 memory and a 1TB NVMe SSD, handling demanding multitasking and large file loads straight out of the box. It's best for gamers and content creators who prioritize high-frame-rate QHD performance and can accept the 5.5-pound weight and lack of portability.
ASUS Vivobook 16" V16 Black 2025
MEPC BLAZE 16" N5070A9HX Black
Why we recommend this ▼
A Ryzen 9 8945HX and GeForce RTX 5070 with 8GB VRAM drive a 16-inch 180Hz QHD display at 500 nits for fluid high-resolution gaming. Its 2TB NVMe SSD, 32GB DDR5 RAM, and 100% sRGB panel handle demanding creative tasks with ease and color accuracy. This machine is ideal for gamers who also edit 4K video or render 3D projects on one device.
Gigabyte AERO X16 16" AERO X16 Lunar White 2025
Why we recommend this ▼
The AMD Ryzen AI 7 350 eight-core chip and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 with 8GB GDDR7 drive a 16-inch 2560x1600 IPS display at 165Hz, delivering fluid visuals for demanding tasks. Dedicated Microsoft Copilot and Gigabyte GiMate keys provide distinct on-device AI assistance, complemented by 32GB of DDR5 RAM and a 1TB SSD for heavy multitasking. This laptop best serves content creators like 4K video editors and digital artists who need a 100% sRGB panel and strong GPU acceleration.
MSI Cyborg 15.6" B2RW
Why we recommend this ▼
The Intel Core 7-240H and RTX 5060 with 8GB VRAM drive consistent 1080p gaming on a 144Hz IPS panel, all encased in a translucent, mech-inspired chassis that gives it a unique look. Pre-loaded with 32GB DDR5 RAM and a 1TB SSD, it eliminates the need for immediate upgrades while Wi-Fi 6E and an RGB keyboard add everyday utility. This laptop suits gamers and aspiring streamers who want a distinctive, upgrade-ready machine for 1080p high-refresh play and occasional creative work right out of the box.
HP ZBook Ultra 14" G1a Meteor Silver 2025
Why we recommend this ▼
The AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 380 processor with integrated Radeon 8040S graphics and a 14-inch 2880x1800 OLED 120Hz touchscreen delivering 400 nits and 100% DCI-P3 coverage sets this workstation apart for AI-accelerated tasks. At just 1.57kg, it combines a 74Wh battery and Wi-Fi 7 connectivity for all-day portability without sacrificing the vibrant OLED panel. This laptop is best for video editors and AI practitioners who need to run local large language models while benefiting from a color-accurate, high-refresh display.