The best gaming laptop of 2021

What to look for in a gaming laptop in 2022

Gaming laptops don’t come cheap. Not only do they have to pack a bunch of powerful gear, but they also have to be durable, reliable, and have a display that can take a beating after years of relentless travel.

However, having the ability to play all of your favorite games wherever you go cannot be underestimated – and the convenience of gaming laptops continues to make them one of the most popular products for PC gaming.

Unfortunately, buying a gaming laptop is not as easy as playing on one. Hundreds of models have flooded the market over the past few years, and there is no shortage of marketing jargon before you can start comparing different models. However, understanding a few key aspects of a good laptop will make it easier to find the perfect gaming laptop.

Above all, pay special attention to graphics processing unit (GPU) on your future platform. If it has a GeForce RTX 30 series GPU, you’ll likely buy a device that will run popular games for years to come. You’ll also want to look for at least an Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5 processor, as they are powerful enough to play just about all of the most demanding versions today.

Buying a laptop with a high-end GPU and processor doesn’t come cheap, so you’ll need to carefully consider your budget. We would not recommend spending too much a lot on a gaming laptop, as they often have components that can’t be upgraded, meaning you’ll be buying a whole new rig sooner than you think. This is very different from gaming desktop PCs, which allow you to swap out individual components as needed.

If your game library only includes a handful of games, you can save a few dollars by going for a laptop without a lot of internal storage space. Alternatively, you can purchase an SSD or an external hard drive to host a growing catalog. The best option is always internal storage, as it tends to load games faster than external solutions, but these often come with higher prices.

In short, pay close attention to the GPU, processor, and SSD of your future gaming laptop. Just keep in mind that unless you’re ready to break the bank, you’re likely to have to make some trade-offs.

There are many other aspects to consider when buying a gaming laptop, but the five products below offer the best combination of performance, price and reliability for their respective category.

Razer consistently produces premium gaming products, and the Razer Blade 15 is no exception. A variety of configurations are available, but we recommend that you go with the GeForce RTX 3070 and Intel Core i7 to get the most out of your money.

As one of the most powerful GPUs you can buy, the RTX 3070 allows this portable giant to run today’s most demanding games without batting an eyelid. The action is captured on a 15.6-inch QHD display with a 165Hz refresh rate, delivering a smooth, smooth performance that wouldn’t out of place on a bulky desktop platform.

Completing the Package is a list of specifications that never seems to end. Vapor chamber cooling, Wi-Fi 6, 16GB of RAM, and a 1TB SSD are packaged in an intricate aluminum chassis, and you’d be hard pressed to find a better-looking laptop.

If you don’t mind the price, the Razer Blade 15 is close to a perfect gaming rig.

Best gaming laptop overall

Razer Blade 15

The Razer Blade 15 is a high-end laptop with high-end hardware. An RTX 3070 and an Intel Core i7 will serve you well for years to come, albeit a bit pricey.

There is a lot to love in the ASUS ROG Zephyrus. The popular laptop is somehow able to pack a GeForce RTX 3070, AMD Ryzen 9, 1TB SSD, and 15.6in QHD display without managing to jack its price above the bar. of $ 1,900. It is also equipped with 16 GB of DDR4 RAM for all your multitasking needs.

Unlike some of the entries on this list, the Zephyrus is built around an unassuming chassis. You’ll still get backlit keys and a few sharp edges, but its all-black design is surprisingly professional. It weighs just 4.21 lbs, making it easy to toss in a backpack and lug around without adding too much weight to your inventory.

Its minimalist design, RTX 3070 and Ryzen 9 are the specs that will keep you playing for years to come, and the Zephyrus doesn’t compromise to offer a price tag under $ 2,000. Dolby Atmos support, HDMI output, Wi-Fi 6, and even AI noise cancellation for voice chat make the laptop a surprisingly well-balanced purchase.

The Zephyrus only lacks a ten-key number pad, but that’s a small price to pay for such a powerful, portable, and affordable gaming laptop.

Best gaming laptop under $ 1,000: Acer nitro 5

Often available well below the price of $ 1,000, Acer has managed to pack a ridiculous amount of firepower into a budget package. A few shortcuts had to be made to stay below that price (like a measly 256GB SSD), but you won’t find a better product than the Acer nitro 5 in this price range.

The Nitro 5 won’t get you a coveted RTX 30 series GPU, but it does come with a GTX 1650. This highly rated latest-gen graphics card should be more than capable of handling today’s most popular games. hui with settings set to medium or high, and it does so in style on a 15.6-inch FHD display.

Acer continues its tradition of building reliable products with the Nitro 5, although it will take some getting used to its ultra-aggressive “gamer” design. Its all-black design is accented with backlit red accents, and there’s no doubt that it will grab attention if you open it up at the library or coffee shop.

Best gaming laptop under $ 1000

Acer nitro 5

It only comes with 256GB of internal storage, but a GTX 1650 and Ryzen 5 should give you enough firepower for today’s most demanding titles.

Finding a gaming laptop under $ 500 isn’t easy. And even if the Acer Aspire 5 Slim tick a lot of boxes, there are still a lot of limitations for a product in this price range.

The most notable sacrifice is the Vega 3 GPU, which won’t let you run anything above low settings. In fact, most of today’s hottest games probably won’t even be playable with the GPU, although you can probably get away with a few last-gen games with the settings turned down. If you primarily play indie games with lower graphics loads, the Aspire 5 Slim will be a worthy buy.

If you can look past the Vega 3, the Acer Aspire 5 is a solid laptop. The Ryzen 3 processor continues to be an affordable solution for low-end gaming, 4GB DDR4 lets you multitask, and it all comes packed with a premium design and a Full HD display.

We would highly recommend that you save a little longer to buy another gaming laptop on this list if you want modern games, but if you don’t mind being relegated to games from another era, l ‘Aspire 5 might be a perfect choice.

Best gaming laptop under $ 500

Acer Aspire 5 Slim

It’s not quite a true gaming laptop, but they’re slim choices in this price range. You might be better off saving up for a more expensive rig, but the Aspire 5 Slim can at least handle a little light gaming.

Playing on a laptop often means missing out on those little details you’d only catch on a bigger screen. And while it certainly can’t replace an ultra-wide monitor or 75-inch QLED TV, the Razer Blade Pro 17 might be the next best thing for your gaming experience.

Razer’s pricey gaming laptop comes in a variety of versions, but one of our favorites combines the RTX 3070 with an FHD display with a 360Hz refresh rate. This gives you the best combination of price, power, and a vivid display that will easily get you into the action. You can also upgrade to a 4K monitor with 120Hz refresh rate, but that can be a bit of a stretch and it is often out of stock.

Playing on the Blade Pro 17 offers more than a smooth, smooth experience, as the vapor chamber cooling technology helps keep things from overheating without looking like a jet engine. This model even includes a 1TB SSD for easily storing a huge game library and the ability to customize your keyboard backlight with a variety of adjustable areas and hundreds of selectable colors.

It all comes together with an aluminum body that delivers reliability and durability that will keep the Razer Blade Pro 17 going for years to come.

Best 17 inch gaming laptop

Razer Blade Pro 17

It’s one of the more expensive laptops on our list, but there’s no denying the appeal of the Blade Pro 17. Available with a variety of display options and a powerful RTX 3070, it’s the ultimate 17 inch laptop.