Best gaming laptops in 2021

 The best gaming laptop means not having to compromise on portability and playability.

Best gaming laptops in 2021
The best gaming laptop means not having to compromise on portability and playability. (Image credit: Lenovo )

When it comes to the best gaming laptops, it's all about taking the experience of playing all your favorite games as well, if not better than your gaming desktop. Sometimes work, life or space limitations might keep you from setting up the gaming rig of your dreams, but a decent gaming laptop might be the best option for you so you can still play all your favorite PC games. 


Unlike their desktop cousins, gaming laptop CPUs and GPUs are all pretty well stocked during this era of global shortages for pretty much everything. Honestly, these laptops might be the only way to get an Nvidia GeForce RTX 30-series GPU or even the new AMD Ryzen 5000-series processor. 


Though they might not offer the same raw performance power as one of the best desktop gaming PC, what gaming notebooks do offer are slimmer, quieter, and in some cases, better gaming experiences, especially for the gamer on the go. Brands like Razer, MSI, and Dell offer tons of different configs with high refresh rate displays to ray-tracing powered GPUs


We're not going to lie; the best gaming laptops can be pretty expensive investments, especially if you're looking to crank your graphics settings to the max, with some easily costing up to $3,000. 


Prices are so high because there are no upgrading key performance components like the CPU or GPU down the road. It puts folks in a tough spot because you either need to blow your entire budget to future-proof your laptop. Though if you're looking to save a buck, we did find a couple of great mid-range gaming laptops that won't hurt your wallet.


If you are looking for a bargain on gaming laptops, though, we make it a point to check out the best cheap gaming laptop deals on the internet. And hey, just because you went with a budget or entry-level gaming laptop doesn't mean you can't enjoy some of the best laptop games you can play with no problem on lower-spec machines. 

Best gaming laptops

Image 4 of 4

(Image credit: RAZER)

1. Razer Blade 15

The best gaming laptop

SPECIFICATIONS
CPU: 10th Gen Intel Core i7
GPU: Up to Nvidia RTX 3080 Max-Q
RAM: Up to 32GB
Screen: Full HD 360 Hz, QHD 165 Hz, or OLED 4K 60 Hz
Storage: Up to 1TB SSD
Battery: 80 Wh
Dimensions: 9.25 x 13.98 x 0.78 inches
Weight: 4.63 lbs
REASONS TO BUY
+Unparalleled build quality+Wide range of CPU/GPU options+Looks as good as it performs+Great battery life
REASONS TO AVOID
-You won't get the fastest RTX 3080-Trackpad can be finnicky

Our favorite config:

Razer Blade 15 Base Edition | 6-core Intel i7 | RTX 3070
You can, of course, go for the big boi, the RTX 3080, but in this slimline chassis, the Nvidia RTX 3070 will deliver fantastic frame rates, especially at the native 1080p res of the 144Hz screen. You also get 512GB NVMe SSD and 16GB of dual-channel DDR4 RAM.
VIEW DEAL

The latest spin of the Razer Blade 15 once again improves on one of the best gaming laptops ever made. It has the same gorgeous CNC-milled aluminum chassis as its predecessor, only this time it can house one of Nvidia's latest RTX 30-series GPUs and an Intel 10th Gen CPU.

We've played with the Razer Blade 15 Advanced with a 10th Gen Intel chip and RTX 3080 (95W) GPU inside it. And we fell in love all over again. These latest models up the graphics processing even further, with support for up to the 8GB RTX 3080, which is incredible in this small chassis. You will get some throttling because of that slimline design, but you're still getting outstanding performance from this beautiful machine.

One of the best things about the Blade 15 is the number of configurations Razer offers for it. From the GTX 1660 Ti Base Edition all the way up to the RTX 3080 Advanced with OLED 4K panel, there's something for almost everyone. It's one of the most beautiful gaming laptops around and still powerful.

Whatever config you pick, we think the Razer Blade 15 is the overall best gaming laptop on the market right now, though you will be paying a premium for the now-classic design.

Image 1 of 4

(Image credit: ROG)

(Image credit: ROG)

(Image credit: ROG)

(Image credit: ROG)

2. Asus ROG Zephyrus G14

The best laptop for raw processing power

SPECIFICATIONS
CPU: Up to AMD Ryzen 9 5900HS
GPU: Up to Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 Max-Q
RAM: 16GB DDR4-3200
Screen: 14-inch Full HD IPS 120 Hz
Storage: 1TB SSD NVMe PCIe 3.0
Battery: 75 Wh
Dimensions: 12.76 x 8.74 x 0.70 inches
Weight: 3.53 lbs
REASONS TO BUY
+Incredible CPU performance+Beautifully vibrant screen+Gorgeous design and materials
REASONS TO AVOID
-Looks a bit plasticky-Can be loud when pushed

Our favorite config:

Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 | Ryzen 9 5900HS | RTX 3060
This combination of the new Ryzen 9 5900HS and RTX 3060 makes for a great gaming laptop with plenty of power in both gaming and raw CPU terms. You get 16GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD for storing your games, and it's all in one of the smartest chassis around. 
VIEW DEAL

Not everyone needs the thinnest or the most powerful gaming laptop. Sometimes just lightweight and speedy are fine. Striking a healthy balance between portability, performance, and price is the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14. The original machine was an impressive RTX 2060 Max-Q notebook whose incredible AMD CPU performance managed to impress our dedicated team of hardware testers at the top-secret PC Gamer lab. 

The G14 is still a great laptop; especially now, we're getting the RTX 3060 update in that smart chassis. The Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 is a reliable 14-inch system with high-end graphics that rivals even some gaming desktops despite being loud.

Image 1 of 4

Razer Blade 14 gaming laptop

(Image credit: Future)

Razer Blade 14 gaming laptop

(Image credit: Razer )

Razer Blade 14 gaming laptop

(Image credit: Razer )

Razer Blade 14 gaming laptop

(Image credit: Razer )

3. Razer Blade 14

The most desirable compact gaming laptop

SPECIFICATIONS
CPU: AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX
GPU: Up to Nvidia RTX 3080
RAM: 16GB DDR4-3200
Screen: 14-inch 1080p 144 Hz or 1440p 165Hz
Storage: 1TB Samsung 981a SSD
Battery: 61.6Whr
Dimensions: 0.66 x 8.66 x 12.59 inches
Weight: 3.92 lb
REASONS TO BUY
+Looks great+Outstanding build quality+Excellent all-round performance+Ultra-portable ultrabook style
REASONS TO AVOID
-Only way to bag a Razer Ryzen-Pricey for 1080p gaming-Higher-spec GPUs will sacrifice performance

Our favorite config:

Razer Blade 14 | Ryzen 9 5900HX | RTX 3060 | 144Hz
As far as we're concerned, this is the ultimate configuration of the diminutive Blade 14. It's the most affordable, but it also matches the RTX 3060 GPU with a 1080p, 144Hz screen to deliver excellent gaming performance. The eight-core, 16-thread AMD CPU then gives it workstation processing power too.
VIEW DEAL

I am mighty tempted to push the Razer Blade 14 further up the list here, simply because the 14-inch form factor has absolutely won me over. The Asus G14 above re-introduced the criminally under-used laptop size, but Razer has perfected it. Feeling noticeably smaller than the 15-inch Blade and closer to the ultrabook Stealth 13, the Blade 14 mixes a matte black MacBook Pro-style with genuine PC gaming pedigree.

The Razer style is classic, and it feels great to hold too. And, with the outstanding AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX finally finding its way into a Blade notebook, you're getting genuine processing power you can sling into a messenger bag.

Add in some Nvidia RTX 30-series graphics power, and you've got a great mix of form and function that I kind of think makes it the most desirable laptop I've maybe ever tested. 

My only issue is that the RTX 3080 would be too limited by the diminutive 14-inch chassis and run a little loud. So I would then recommend the lower-spec GPU options, though if you're spending $1,800 on a notebook feels like a lot for 1080p gaming. But you're not buying the Blade 14 specifically for outright performance and anything else; this is about having all the power you need in a form factor that works for practical mobility.

Image 1 of 4

(Image credit: Dell)

(Image credit: Dell)

(Image credit: Dell)

(Image credit: Dell)

4. Dell G3 15

The best budget gaming laptop with great battery life

SPECIFICATIONS
CPU: Up to 10th Gen Intel Core i7
GPU: Up to Nvidia GTX 1660 Ti
RAM: 16GB
Screen: 15.6-inch Full HD IPS 144 Hz
Storage: 512GB SSD
Battery: 51 Wh
Dimensions: 0.85 x 14.4 x 10 inches
Weight: 5.40 lb
REASONS TO BUY
+Affordable configuration options+Good battery life+Powerful laptop
REASONS TO AVOID
-A little chunky

Our favorite config:

Dell G3 15 | Intel Core i5 | Nvidia GTX 1650 Ti
For only a little more than the cheapest $699 configuration, you can pick up the superior GTX 1650 Ti GPU. It's not the most powerful GPU available, but it's affordable, available, and will still deliver decent 1080p frame rates for the money. The 256GB SSD and 8GB RAM feel a little mean, but the 120Hz display is ace, and the price is great.
VIEW DEAL

Let’s face it, trying to find a quality gaming laptop on a budget can be a chore. You have to make compromises in areas like performance, design, and even battery life. Thankfully, the Dell G3 15 offers decent 1080p gaming with configurations under $1,000, and the battery is actually good.

The most significant improvement from its previous model is its slimmer, sleeker design. With thinner bezels around a 144 Hz display, the sleeker design gives it a more high-end vibe. It’s a welcome toned-down look, in case you’re hoping for a gaming laptop that doesn’t shout ‘gamer’ as soon as you pull it out of your bag. The display itself seems the only downside, not having as rich a color range as the other gaming laptops on this list.

Image 1 of 4

(Image credit: ASUS)

(Image credit: ASUS)

(Image credit: ASUS)

(Image credit: ASUS)

5. Asus TUF Gaming A15

The best mid-range gaming laptop

SPECIFICATIONS
CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 4800H
GPU: Nvidia RTX 2060
RAM: 16GB DDR4-2666
Screen: 15.6-inch Full HD IPS 144 Hz
Storage: 1TB M.2 NVMe
Battery: 90 Wh
Dimensions: 14.1 x 10.1 x 1 inches
Weight: 5.07 lbs
REASONS TO BUY
+Impressive 8-core AMD APU+90 Wh battery+Decent 144 Hz FHD screen+Robust design
REASONS TO AVOID
-Can get hot and therefore LOUD

Our favorite config:

Asus TUF Gaming A15 | AMD Ryzen 4800H | RTX 2060
It may be knocking on last-gen now, but the eight-core, 16-thread AMD CPU is still an incredible chip, and the RTX 2060 a powerful 1080p gaming GPU for the money. There are GTX 1660 Ti machines that cost more than this machine, and they won't give you a high refresh rate or 512GB SSD either.
VIEW DEAL

Last year's Asus TUF Gaming A15 is still one of the best gaming laptops around, thanks mainly to the AMD 8-core Ryzen 7 4800H APU that can be found beating at its heart. Throw in the speedy 1TB NVMe SSD and Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060 graphics, and you've got yourself one hell of a workhorse for gaming.

In our review, we called the TUF Gaming A15 an "incredibly versatile, affordable gaming laptop, with a battery life that is almost unprecedented at this price point or performance level."

The only slight downside is the price, especially as there are $999 RTX 2060 machines out there. The TUF Gaming A15's game performance, CPU power, and impressive battery life make it an excellent laptop for both work and play. 

Asus has recently released a new version of the TUF Gaming A15 (2021), but it doesn't quite hit the highs of the previous year's model. Components run hot, and the laptop gets incredibly loud in-game too. The older model regularly sees serious savings as well, so you're better off trying to find those.

Image 1 of 4

MSI GS66 Stealth RTX 3080

(Image credit: MSI)

MSI GS66 Stealth RTX 3080

(Image credit: MSI)

MSI GS66 Stealth RTX 3080

(Image credit: MSI)

MSI GS66 Stealth RTX 3080

(Image credit: MSI)

6. MSI GS66 Stealth

The most stylish gaming laptop

SPECIFICATIONS
CPU: Up to Core i9 10980HK
GPU: Up to Nvidia RTX 3080
RAM: Up to 32GB DDR4-3200
Screen: 15.6-inch Full HD 240Hz or 300Hz
Storage: Up to 2TB M.2 SSD
Battery: 99.9 Wh
Dimensions: 9.65 x 14.17 x 0.71 inches
Weight: 4.63 lbs
REASONS TO BUY
+Sleek and powerful+Long battery life+1440p options on the way
REASONS TO AVOID
-Gets loud-Slim chassis compromises fps

Our favorite config:

MSI GS66 Stealth | Intel i7 | RTX 3070
There's no getting away from it; this is a lot of laptops for a lot of money. The RTX 3070 is a quality gaming GPU, and that 300Hz 1080p screen will allow you to get the most out of it too. The MaxQ 3.0 features mean this thin-and-light gaming laptop feels slick and quick with 32GB RAM and a 1TB SSD backing it all up.
VIEW DEAL

The MSI GS66 is one hell of a machine: It's sleek, slick, and powerful. But it's not Nvidia Ampere's power without compromise, however. MSI has had to be a little parsimonious about its power demands to pack something as performant as an RTX 3080 into an 18mm thin chassis. 

The top GPU is the 95W version, which means it only just outperforms a fully unleashed RTX 3070, the sort you'll find in the Gigabyte Aorus 15G XC. But it is still an astonishingly powerful slice of mobile graphics silicon.

It can get a little loud if left to its own devices, but thankfully you have the benefits of all the Nvidia MaxQ 3.0 features at your disposal. That includes Whisper Mode 2.0, which will bring gaming down to barely audible levels, you know when you want to be stealthy.

The GS66 also comes with an outstanding 240Hz 1440p panel, which perfectly matches the powerful GPU when it comes to games. Sure, you have to make some compromises on raw frame rates in comparison with the sort of RTX 3080 you might find in a hulking workstation, but the MSI GS66 Stealth is a genuinely slimline gaming laptop.

Image 1 of 3

Asus Rog Strix Scar 17 gaming laptop

(Image credit: Asus)

Asus Rog Strix Scar 17 gaming laptop

(Image credit: Asus)

Asus Rog Strix Scar 17 gaming laptop

(Image credit: Asus)

7. Asus ROG Strix Scar 17

The best big-screen gaming laptop

SPECIFICATIONS
CPU: UP to AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX
GPU: Up to Nvidia RTX 3080
RAM: Up to 32GB DDR4-3200
Screen: 17.3-inch Full HD 360Hz or 165Hz WQHD
Storage: Up to 2x 1TB M.2 SSD
Battery: 90 Wh
Dimensions: 11.1 x 15.55 x 0.92 inches
Weight: 5.95 lbs
REASONS TO BUY
+Flashy but not obnoxious+Opto-mechanical keyboard+Quiet cooling+Incredible screen refresh rate+Fantastic battery
REASONS TO AVOID
-17-inch screen makes it large

Our favorite config:

Asus ROG Strix Scar 17 | Ryzen 9 5900HX | RTX 3080
You don't get much more high-performance than this beast of a laptop. With an overclocked Ryzen 9 5900HX and GeForce RTX 3080 forming an incredibly potent core, hooked up to a 360Hz 1080p display, this is portable gaming nirvana. Yes, it's expensive, but this is the pinnacle of high-end gaming right now. 
VIEW DEAL

There's absolutely no question you can buy a much more sensible gaming laptop than this, but there is something about the excesses of the ROG Strix Scar 17 G733 that make it incredibly appealing. It feels like everything about it has been turned up to 11, from the overclocked CPU—which is as beastly as it gets—to the gorgeously speedy 360 Hz screen; Asus has pushed that little bit harder than most to top our gaming laptop benchmarks.

And top the benchmarks of the best gaming laptops it does, thanks in the main to the GeForce RTX 3080 that can be found beating away at its heart. This is the 115W version of Nvidia's top Ampere GPU, which means it's capable of hitting the kind of figures thinner machines can only dream of. You can draw on Nvidia's excellent DLSS, where implemented, to help hit ridiculous framerates too.

The 17-inch chassis means the components have a bit more room to breathe compared to the competition too, and coupled with the excellent cooling system; you're looking at a cool and quiet slice of gaming perfection. This extra space has allowed Asus to squeeze an optomechanical keyboard onto the Scar 17, which is a delight for gaming and more serious pursuits.

Image 1 of 4

(Image credit: ACER)

(Image credit: ACER)

(Image credit: ACER)

(Image credit: ACER)

8. Acer Predator Helios 300

A quality, affordable 240Hz gaming laptop

SPECIFICATIONS
CPU: Intel Core i7 10750H
GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 2070 with Max-Q
RAM: 16GB DDR4-2666
Screen: 15.6-inch Full HD IPS 240 Hz
Storage: 512GB PCIe NVMe SSD
Battery: 3720 mAh
Dimensions: 10.01 x 14.23 x 0.9 inches
Weight: 5.51 lbs
REASONS TO BUY
+Great performance for price+Decent battery life+Room for 2 x SSDs, 1 x HDD
REASONS TO AVOID
-Average CPU performance
YOUR NEXT MACHINE

(Image credit: Future)

Best gaming PC: the top pre-built machines from the pros
Best gaming laptop: perfect notebooks for mobile gaming

We loved Acer's Predator Helios 300 during the GTX 10-series era, and the current generation Helios still manages to punch above its weight class compared to other $1,500 laptops. It may not be the best gaming laptop, but it's one of the best value machines around. The 2020 model Helios is back with an RTX 2070 Max-Q GPU and a sleeker form factor without raising the price significantly. 

The new and improved Helios 300 has a 240 Hz IPS screen and smaller bezels, putting it more in line with sleek thin-and-lights than its more bulky brethren of the previous generation. The only real drawback is the diminutive SSD, although the laptop has slots for 2x SSDs and an HDD which makes upgrading your storage as easy as getting a screwdriver. 




Post a Comment

1 Comments

  1. Asus ROG Strix RTX 2060 in UAE, EVO Gaming Advanced Edition in UAE, 8GB GDRR6 256-Bit Graphics Card in UAE
    https://pcdubai.com/asus-rog-rtx-2060/
    Asus ROG Strix RTX 2060 in UAE, Safe Shopping Multiple Payment Options Express Delivery PC Dubai Moneyback Guarantee.
    1632370923546-15

    ReplyDelete