Searching for the top laptop for gaming? You're in luck since we can help you navigate the greatest gaming laptops of 2024 thanks to our extensive reviews of over 1,800 laptops and more than 15 years of experience.
We put all the newest portable gaming systems through their paces by putting them through rigorous testing in our labs and emphasizing the important characteristics that gamers care about most: performance, price, and critical features
1. RAZER BLADE 14
The best gaming laptop overall
Pros
- Leading gaming performance for the form factor
- Gorgeous 14-inch QHD+ 240Hz display
- The inbuilt speaker system is one of the best of its kind
- Stunning aluminium chassis
Cons
- Incredibly expensive compared to other options here
- The battery life leaves a lot to be desired
- It can get incredibly hot and loud under stress
With a redesigned CPU and the same timeless design that has made this laptop so popular among gamers, the Razer Blade 14 is back for 2024. One of the best-built gaming laptops available, this one is machined from a single block of CNC aluminum, and it immediately reminds me of a MacBook Pro due to its small weight and portability.
Though it doesn't surpass its predecessor entirely, this year's Blade 14's most recent hardware update beats it by a fair amount and outperforms all other 14-inch gaming laptops we've tested so far this year. It's reasonable to assume that, considering Razer's history, I anticipate Razer's lead to remain strong for many months to come.
Regarding the laptop's real performance, the RTX 4070 GPU in the sample I tested was able to run Assassin's Creed Mirage at its highest settings and at the native 2560x1600p resolution of the Blade 14. This translated to an average frame rate of 73 FPS. It performed a little worse than its competitors on Cyberpunk 2077 at native resolution, averaging just 23 frames per second. Nevertheless, DLSS 3 will easily provide you with a playable framerate at native resolution.
2. LENOVO LEGION 5 SLIM
The best midrange gaming laptop
Pros
- Excellent price-to-performance for its bracket
- Thinner bezels than most 14-inch gaming laptops
- Excellent ventilation system under stress
- Tremendous WQXGA 120Hz IPS display
Cons
- Expensive considering mainstream GPU options
- Battery life drains fast when gaming
- It’s chunkier than the Razer Blade 14
The Lenovo Legion 5 Slim 14 fulfills the desires of individuals seeking perfection in almost all aspects, such as dimensions, cost, functionality, and design. Because of its lightweight design and 14-inch display, the Legion 5 Slim 14 is an amazing low-cost laptop that is incredibly portable. When compared to the majority of other gaming laptops available this generation, the price is really reasonable.
The AMD Ryzen 7 CPU that powers the Legion 5 Slim 14 can be updated to a Ryzen 9, and the GPU can be upgraded to an RTX 4060, so gaming and productivity performance are both excellent. The latter in particular, since benchmark results and overall framerate are outstanding, and we were able to maximize settings in every AAA game we tried. It also did well in benchmarks that were not related to gaming, indicating that it is capable of handling artistic and editing tasks. With its outstanding resolution, 100% DCI-P3 color gamut, HDR compatibility, up to 500 nits of brightness, and 120 Hz refresh rate, this stunning display is ideal for both creative work and gaming.
3. MSI KATANA 15
The best budget gaming laptop
Pros
- Aggressive asking price with mainstream configuration
- Strong 144Hz 1080p screen for the money
- Excellent gaming performance in Full HD
- Bright and vivid RGB lighting on the keyboard
Cons
- Plastic chassis feels cheap in some places
- The trackpad is especially poor in use
- The battery life is far from leading
With the MSI Katana 15 (2023), gamers who aren't willing to shell out more than $1,000 for a laptop can now enjoy easily accessible 1080p gaming. Its strong designs are reminiscent of gaming laptops from before the epidemic, with an emphasis on critical gaming performance. Despite some cosmetic and battery limitations, it's a great option for gamers on a budget. It surpasses comparably priced laptops with outdated hardware thanks to its 13th-Gen Intel Core i7, 16GB of RAM, Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050, and 1TB SSD. Priced beginning at $999.
With rather outdated components, alternatives like the Acer Nitro 5 provide less potent but more affordable choices. There are even more expensive variants of the MSI Katana 15, with the most expensive model costing $1,899 and coming with an Intel Core i9, 32GB of RAM, and an Nvidia RTX 4070, but with a 1080p display only. Regional variations exist in configurations, encompassing varying CPU versions and pricing points.
4. ORIGIN EON 16SL
The best custom-design gaming laptop overall
Pros
- Competitively priced for the hardware inside
- Superfast 240Hz QHD+ display
- Highly customizable with leading port selection
- Geared towards high-end 1440p gaming
Cons
- Thermals get hot due to lack of ventilation
- Webcam performance is poor compared to other options here
- Takes nearly two weeks to ship out once customized
The Origin EON 16SL is without a doubt the greatest build-to-order gaming laptop available, striking a good mix of performance, form factor, and affordable price, all of which are on par with or better than comparable models. Its fully customizable front plate distinguishes it from other gaming laptops in terms of looks.
Thanks to its strong specifications, our review unit ran Cyberpunk 2077 at 1080p at high settings and achieved over 90 frames per second at 60 frames per second when using “Ray Tracing Overdrive.” The gaming experience is stutter-free and fluid thanks to the 16-inch QHD+ display's amazing 240Hz refresh rate.
Despite its great qualities, the Origin EON 16SL has two problems. The first is a very mediocre webcam that needs excellent illumination to provide a respectable image. Its ventilation is adequate for casual gaming sessions, but it can get hot on the underside during prolonged and strenuous sessions.
5: ACER NITRO 16
The best affordable midrange gaming laptop
Pros
- Fast 165Hz refresh rate for entry-level price
- Large screen considering the price tag
- Bright lighting on the high-quality keyboard
- Purpose-built for 1080p gaming performance
Cons
- Far from the prettiest gaming laptop
- It’s on the heavy side compared to competition
- Bulkier than many similarly priced laptops
For those who can afford a midrange machine, the Acer Nitro 16 is one of the finest gaming laptops due to its exceptional combination of features, fast display, and great price for its intermediate configuration—but only just.
Excellent 1080p gaming performance can be achieved with the Nitro 16, especially with its fast 165Hz display, which is ideal for competitive games like esports. Few gaming laptops priced under $1,500, £1,500, or AU$2,100 can make that claim.
However, there are compromises, and the Nitro 16's more aggressive “gamer” design could have benefited from greater innovation as opposed to continuing the trend of gaming laptops from the previous few years. Its webcam is also subpar, and if it had higher specs, it may have replaced a desktop because of how big the computer is. Nevertheless, this is a great option if you're searching for a gaming laptop that is just a little bit beyond your “budget.”For those who can afford a midrange machine, the Acer Nitro 16 is one of the finest gaming laptops due to its exceptional combination of features, fast display, and great price for its intermediate configuration—but only just.
Excellent 1080p gaming performance can be achieved with the Nitro 16, especially with its fast 165Hz display, which is ideal for competitive games like esports. Few gaming laptops priced under $1,500, £1,500, or AU$2,100 can make that claim.
However, there are compromises, and the Nitro 16's more aggressive “gamer” design could have benefited from greater innovation as opposed to continuing the trend of gaming laptops from the previous few years. Its webcam is also subpar, and if it had higher specs, it may have replaced a desktop because of how big the computer is. Nevertheless, this is a great option if you're searching for a gaming laptop that is just a little bit beyond your “budget.
FAQs for the top 5 best gaming laptops in 2024
- Razer Blade 14
Q1: What makes Razer Blade 14 top laptop gaming in 2024?
A1: With the never-seen combination of AMD Ryzen 9 processors and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 40-series GPUs, the slim-yet-compact design brings out a whole new level of gaming on the Razer Blade 14.
Q2: How portable is it?
A2: For a gaming laptop, the Razer Blade 14 is very portable, given its size of 14 inches and an estimated weight of 3.9 pounds, hence suitable to use while on the move.
Q3: Is the battery life of the Razer Blade 14 good while gaming?
A3: Although the gaming computers usually run out faster, the Razer Blade 14 can give a decent battery life of about 8 to 10 hours for normal use, but it will surely be shorter if one has an intensive gaming session.
Q4: How is the display quality in the Razer Blade 14?
A4: It sports a QHD 165Hz panel, with crisp graphics and fluid gameplay, ideal for fast-paced gaming and heavy content creation.
Q5: Is Razer Blade 14 good in cooling?
A5: Yes, it provides a system for vapor chamber cooling, which works excellently to control the temperature while doing heavy gaming. It keeps your laptop cool for a pretty long period.
- Lenovo Legion 5 Slim
Q1: What are the highlighted features of Lenovo Legion 5 Slim?
A1: Legion 5 Slim has found a good balance between power and portability by basing its model on AMD Ryzen processors combined with NVIDIA RTX 30-series graphics, adding to its slim design factor that's easier to tote around than bulkier gaming laptops.
Q2: How portable is Lenovo Legion 5 Slim?
A2: Although a gaming laptop is relatively portable, considering that it has a slim profile, a lightweight build of about 4.2 pounds makes it literally easy to take with you on the go for gamers who have to be mobile.
Q3: What is the estimated battery life of the Lenovo Legion 5 Slim?
A3: It gives up to 10 hours for non-gaming use, which will reduce during actual gaming to about 4 to 5 hours, depending on the game and settings applied.
Q4: Does the Legion 5 Slim come with a high refresh rate display?
A4: Yes, it features a 15.6-inch FHD display supporting up to 165Hz-developing smooth, responsive gameplay, especially for fast-paced competitive games.
Q5: How good is the cooling system on Lenovo Legion 5 Slim?
A5: With the Legion Coldfront cooling technology, dual fans, and quad-channel ventilation, it keeps the Legion 5 Slim cool during intense gaming.
- MSI Katana 15
Q1: Why is the MSI Katana 15 a good gaming laptop?
A1: The MSI Katana 15 boasts good value for their money, considering most of them boast Intel Core i7 processors and NVIDIA RTX 40-series GPUs that yield pretty good gaming performance but for a more wallet-friendly price.
Q2: Is the MSI Katana 15 good for high-refresh-rate gaming?
A2: Yes, it features a 144Hz FHD display, much better for smooth and responsive gameplay, which is important in fast-paced shooters and eSports titles.
Q3: What's the build quality on the MSI Katana 15?
A3: The Katana 15 has a solid build with a sleek and understated design. It is, though, a bit more bulkier than some slim gaming laptops.
Q4: How many hours will the battery of the MSI Katana 15 last?
Q4: How much does the battery life last in MSI Katana 15? The battery life of this gaming laptop is average, that is, about 5-7 hours for normal work, but if you go to heavy gaming, then it goes down to about 2-3 hours.
Q1: What distinguishes the Origin EON 16SL from all other gaming laptops?
A1: The Origin EON 16SL is pretty customizable, which means you can configure it with high-end Intel or AMD processors and even NVIDIA RTX 40-series GPUs for flexibility in performance and budget.
Q2: How portable is the Origin EON 16SL?
A2: Despite being such a powerful device, it is rather portable for a 16-inch gaming laptop. It weighs roughly 5.5 pounds, lighter and easier to carry than many other high-performance gaming laptops.
Q3: What's the quality of the display in the Origin EON 16SL?
A3: It features a QHD display with a 165Hz refresh rate: sharp, smooth visual pleasure that really elevates your gaming and media.
Q4: How does the Origin EON 16SL cool itself?
A4: This laptop has been fit with advanced thermals such as multiple heat pipes and large fans that promise the quick dissipation of temperatures that will arise during extended gaming sessions.
Q5: Is the Origin EON 16SL upgradable?
A5: It has one strong point: it's upgradable. Due to this easy-to-upgrade laptop, users can easily upgrade their RAM, storage, and other components to make work life last longer.
- Acer Nitro 16
Q1: What does the Acer Nitro 16 have as specifications?
A1: The Acer Nitro 16 is almost perfectly balanced between performance and price, as it equips the AMD Ryzen 7000 series processor and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 40-series GPU, making this perfect for gamers who are on a very low budget.
Q2: What is the display quality of the Acer Nitro 16?
A2: It flaunts a 16-inch QHD display with a 165Hz refresh rate to deliver seamless and crisp visuals for your game and multimedia consumption.
Q3: How is the portability of the Acer Nitro 16?
A3: At about 5.5 pounds, it weighs enough to be noted as being heavier, but still portable to such that those who want to use it out of the house without giving too much in performance will have that option.
Q4: What's its battery life?
A4: Nitro 16 gives about 8-10 hours in general usage, but if one intends to game, he will reduce this time to about 3-4 hours depending on the settings and the intensity of the game.
Q5: Is thermal management good in Acer Nitro 16?
A5: Yes, it comes with Acer's CoolBoost technology to boost the fan speeds for enhanced cooling, hence keeping the device cool even after long durations of gaming sessions.
These FAQs give an overview of the top gaming laptops in 2024, inclusive of specifications, performance, and portability that would make choosing much easier for the user.