More than 150 million Americans play video games. In 64 percent of American households, there is at least one family member who plays video games regularly (at least three hours a week).
Not everyone wants to buy a bulky desktop gaming computer or console to enjoy their games, which is why gaming laptops are rising in popularity.
With recent technological improvement, quality gaming laptops now offer just as good of a gaming experience as desktop machines. Not only that, but they are portable and more convenient.
Today, we will go over 16 of the best gaming laptops.
10 Steps for Buying a Good Gaming Laptop
Before we get into specific laptops, let’s go through some steps that you should take when buying a gaming laptop to ensure that you will get a good gaming experience.
Here are 10 things you should look for:
1. GPU – The quality of the graphics is one of the most important things you should look for in a laptop if you want a high-quality gaming experience. Most gaming laptops now use NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 graphics, at the minimum. Another thing you should look for is the memory size of the graphics card.
2. Screen resolution – Besides having a good GPU, your laptop should have, at the very least, a screen resolution of 1920 x 1080.
3. CPU – The quality of the laptop’s processor should also be at the top of your list of priorities. A high-quality processor will allow you to play games without slowing down your computer or experiencing glitches. Look for an Intel Core i5 processor at least.
4. RAM – Get a laptop with sizable memory storage. This will also prevent your laptop from slowing down or freezing. 8GB RAM should be the minimum, but 16GB or 32GB is better. Even if you can only find a laptop that has 8GB, check to see if the memory can be upgraded.
5. Storage – Having a lot of storage can help you start your games faster and give you more space to store them. Hard-drive storage (HDD) has long been the standard for laptops, but many gaming laptops are now coming with solid state-storage (SSD). A laptop with SSD storage is ideal. If you can only get HDD, then get a laptop with at least 1,000GB (1TB) of storage. Some gaming laptops have both kinds of storage (hybrid storage).
6. Battery Life – One of the main reasons to choose a laptop over a desktop is the ability to move it around and take it anywhere. That’s why long battery life is so important. Average battery life is often mentioned in online product descriptions, but keep in mind that with heavy gaming usage, your battery might drain more quickly.
7. DVD player – Some games still require you to install software with a DVD first. A DVD slot can be a plus on a gaming laptop, but it can also add to its bulkiness.
8. Size and weight – The more you need to move around, the more portable you’ll want your laptop to be. Check a laptop’s weight before you buy it. In addition, take a look at its length and width, especially if you will be carrying it around in your backpack.
9. Audio – A high-quality built-in audio system is a plus.
10. Fans and cooling – Gaming can heat up your computer quickly, so having a high-quality cooling system can help keep your laptop cool and your gaming experience smooth.
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16 Best Gaming Laptops
Following are some of the top gaming laptops currently available.
1. Dell Inspiron i7559
This Dell Inspiron laptop is a great option for those with a little more money to spend but who still want a budget gaming laptop.
At a decent low price, it has many of the things you should look for in a gaming laptop.
It runs on an Intel Quad-Core i7-67000HQ processor and uses NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960M graphics.
It has 1TB of HDD storage and 8GB SSD storage. It has a 15.6-inch LED-lit screen.
The laptop’s Waves MaxxAudio Pro sound system will enhance your listening experience.
It has two fans, three exhausts, and large vents with 240 thermal fins to help provide you with an uninterrupted gaming experience.
It has a 6-cell 74 Whr battery that can give you more than 10 hours of battery life.
It is available with either Windows 10 or Windows 10 Pro.
Check current price and availability on Amazon
2. Dell Inspiron Gaming Laptop
This Dell laptop was designed specifically with gaming in mind and is also a great budget option that doesn’t cut too low on performance.
To start with, it runs on the 7th Generation Intel Core i7-7700HQ processor with 6MB cache. It has only 8GB RAM, but you can upgrade the memory to up to 32MB of space.
It has a dual drive option – 128GB of solid-state storage and 1TB of hard-drive storage. It runs on Windows 10 (64-bit).
It has a 15.6-inch display with an anti-glare backlit screen.
The Dell Inspiron Gaming Laptop uses NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 graphics with 4GB of video memory, allowing you to game at higher settings with a clear display.
The maximum resolution is 1920 x 1080 pixels.
There are three 3.0 USB ports, and the laptop has an average battery life of 7.5 hours. It weighs 5.66 pounds.
Overall, this is a great option for those who are looking for an authentic gaming experience on a budget.
Check current price and availability on Amazon
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3. ASUS TUF Gaming Laptop FX504
This 15.6-inch ASUS gaming laptop is available in two versions.
The first one, which has 256GB SSD storage and runs on an Intel Core i5 processor, is a hot choice.
The second version, which has both 256GB SSD storage and 1TB HDD storage and which runs on an Intel Core i7 processor, is also popular.
Let us first focus on the first version, which has GeForce GTX 1060 graphics with 3GB of graphics card storage. It weighs around five pounds and is less than an inch thick.
It has 8GB RAM with a capacity of 2666MHz. It comes with a 20-million keystroke-durability backlit keyboard and has an anti-dust dual fan cooling system to expel dust and dirt and keep your laptop cool while you game.
The laptop’s DTS Headphone:X 7.1-channel audio system is designed to give you an immersive audio experience, regardless of whether you are using your headphones, external speakers, or your laptop’s speakers.
Depending on who you buy it from on Amazon, you may qualify for a bonus GeForce Fortnight Counterattack game set.
The second version, besides the differences mentioned earlier, also has a number of upgrades. For example, it has 16GB RAM and 6GB graphics card memory storage.
Check current price and availability on Amazon
4. Flagship Dell Inspiron 15 5000
This 15.6-inch HD two-in-one touchscreen laptop uses the 8th Generation Intel Quad-Core i7-8550U processor with 8MB cache.
When ordering your laptop from Amazon, you can customize your RAM and your storage size. For better gaming, order more storage and RAM (though it will cost more than the base price).
RAM comes in 4GB, 8GB, 12GB, 16GB, and 32GB versions. Storage comes in 128GB, 256GB, 512GB, and 1TB versions (all storage options are SSD).
The machine runs on Windows 10 (64-bit) and has a built-in webcam. It uses Intel UHD 620 graphics, which isn’t the best option for gaming but will still give you a solid experience.
This laptop weighs 4.85 pounds.
Check current price and availability on Amazon
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5. Eluktronics N857EK1 Pro-X Premium Gaming Laptop
The Eluktronics Pro-X Gaming Laptop is currently being sold in five different versions on Amazon. Let’s focus first on some of the features that are the same on all versions.
This laptop runs on the 8th Generation Intel Core i7-8750H Hexa-Core processor using Windows 10 (64-bit).
The Eluktronics Pro-X uses NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 ti graphics with 4GB of video card memory. It has a 15.6-inch backlit HD display and a backlit keyboard.
When buying the laptop, you will get a one-year USA-based warranty and lifetime tech support.
This laptop weighs 5.6 pounds and has a powerful 6-cell battery.
Let’s take a look at some of the other versions of this laptop:
- 128GB SSD storage and 8GB RAM
- 256 SSD storage and 16GB RAM
- 512GB SSD storage and 16GB RAM
- 512GB SSD + 2TB HDD storage and 32GB RAM
- 1TB SSD + 2TB HDD storage and 32GB RAM
Check current prices and availability on Amazon
6. Dell Inspiron 7000
The Dell Inspiron 7000 is a 15.6-inch touchscreen laptop that folds over into a tablet.
Its 7th Generation Intel Core i7-7500U processor will give you a high-quality gaming experience. In addition, it has 12GB RAM for better CPU performance.
It has 512GB of SSD storage, which is a great size for gaming.
This laptop weighs 3.64 pounds and is very thin – only 0.7 inches. However, its 3-cell lithium-ion battery doesn’t have the longest life – it only lasts up to six hours.
Its graphics aren’t the best for gaming either – it has Intel HD Graphics 620, which is solid, but not on NVIDIA GeForce levels.
The laptop is silver grey in color and runs on Windows 10 (64-bit). It has a backlit keyboard and a screen with a maximum resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels.
Unfortunately, this laptop does not have a DVD drive.
Check current price and availability on Amazon
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7. ASUS ROG Strix GL502VS-DB71 Gaming Laptop
This laptop is currently being sold in three versions on Amazon. Let’s focus on the cheapest version first.
The ASUS ROG Strix runs on the 6th Generation Intel i7 quad-core processor. It uses NVIDIA GeForce GTXTM 1070 graphics.
It has a 15-inch panel with 160-degree viewing angles. You can connect the laptop to a larger display for a more immersive gaming experience.
It is less than an inch thick and weighs less than five pounds. This makes it very portable.
It features hybrid storage – 256GB SSD and 1TB HDD storage.
The battery life has much to be improved as it lasts only up to five hours.
The Hyper Cool Duo-Copper dual-fan system uses heat pipes to to cool the GPU and the CPU separately.
The laptop can support up to 16GB RAM. It also comes with a one-year damage protection warranty.
The other two versions of this laptop currently being sold on Amazon by other sellers are more expensive and have slight differences.
They both use GTX 1060 graphics, which is a step down from the first version 1070 graphics.
Therefore, the other versions are not recommended unless you want a larger screen, as the other two versions are both 17.3 inches wide.
One has the same amount of storage as the first version, while the other only has 1TB HDD storage.
Check current prices and availability on Amazon
8. Eluktronics Mech-17 G1Rx Gaming Laptop
This Eluktronics Mech-17 laptop is fully customizable on Amazon. You can choose the exact specifications you want when ordering it.
Let’s take a look at the options you can choose from when customizing your order:
Operating System: The default is Windows 10 Home. Selecting Windows 10 Pro will cost you an additional amount.
Processor: The default is an Intel i7-8750H processor. Upgrading to an Intel i7-9750H processor will cost you additional money.
GPU/Graphics Card: The default is NVIDIA RTX 1660 ti with 6GB storage. Upgrading to 6GB RTX 2060 will cost you more. Upgrading to 8GB RTX 2070 will again revise the cost.
RAM: The default is 8GB RAM. Upgrading to 8GB x 2 will cost additionally. Other variants are 16GB, 32GB and 64GB.
Storage: There are many options for your HDD storage and we will not go through all of them. The default is 128GB Samsung PM961. Upgrading to 256GB Samsung PM961 will upgrade the cost. You can also chose from 500GB Eluktro Pro-X, 512GB ADATA SX8200 Pro, 1TB Crucial P1 and 2TB Eluktro Pro-X.
Secondary SSD Storage: There are many options for adding SSD storage and we will only go through some of them. 128GB Samsung PM961, 256GB Samsung PM961, 500GB Eluktro Pro-X, 512GB ADATA SX8200 Pro, 1TB Crucial P1, and 2TB Eluktro Pro-X.
CPU and GPU Cooling System: Those with heavy gaming needs can upgrade their laptop’s cooling system. The MasterGel Maker to CPU and GPU will cost a few bucks more. The Liquid Ultra CPU-MasterGel will also cost more.
Eluktronics Gaming Mouse: This gaming mouse with a 3389 sensor is a good mouse option.
Gaming Mousepad: The stitched edge mouse pad and RGB hard surface mouse pad will also require you to shell more.
Check current prices and availability on Amazon
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9. Alienware M15 15 Inch Gaming Laptop
The Alienware M15 is a particularly thin gaming laptop. It comes with Windows 10 (64-bit), and you can choose between Windows 10 Home or Windows 10 Pro.
By default, it uses NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 graphics with 6GB graphics card storage. You can also upgrade to NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 ti 6GB graphics.
There are a number of different versions and colors as well, which you can see on the product page of Dell.com.
You can choose between two solid state drive storage options: 512GB SSD and 1TB SSD. There are a number of other storage options as well, such as a hybrid 512GB SSD + 1TB HDD.
The default storage option is a hybrid 256GB SSD and 1TB HDD.
The default battery option is a lithium ion 60Wh. You can upgrade to a 6-cell 90 Whr battery which can potentially give you up to 17 hours on idle.
The Alienware M15 is five percent thinner and 20 percent lighter than the M13 laptop. It has a narrow bezel to maximize graphics quality.
It has a 1920 x 1080 resolution with a refresh rate of up to 240Hz.
Its Cryo-Tech v2.0 thermal technology keeps it cool while you game. Here’s what it includes:
1. A dual-intake, dual-exhaust airflow design that pulls in cool air from the bottom vents and removes exhaust out of the rear and side vents.
2. High-voltage driving fan: It has a fire resistant fan with 0.2mm blades and 3-phase fan control. There are over 90 unique blades.
3. Load-balancing heat pipes: Thermal activity is discharged across 2.55mm and 6mm copper heat pipes.
4. Dense copper fin stacks: The 48.6 CC’s of copper-designed fin stacks keep the surface temperature low.
The Alienware M15 has a number of tools for gaming, such as a gaming library that makes it easy to access all of your games and all of your gaming settings.
Accessories that you can get with the Alienware M15 include the Alienware Pro Gaming Keyboard, the Alienware Elite Gaming Mouse, and the Alienware 25 Gaming Monitor.
Check current prices and availability on Dell.com
10. MSI GS75 Stealth-204
This MSI gaming laptop has several versions that are currently available on Amazon.
Here are some different storage versions:
- 256GB SSD
- 2x 256GB SSD
- 500GB Samsung 970 EVO Plus SSD
- 1TB WD SATA SSD
- 512GB Samsung 970 Pro SSD
- 1TB Samsung 970 EVO Plus SSD
- 2TB WD SATA SSD
- 1TB Samsung 970 PRO SSD
- 2TB Samsung 970 EVO SSD
- 2x 1TB Samsung 970 PRO SSD
Other than its storage, the other features are mostly the same.
This is a slightly wider laptop than what we have mostly seen on this list; it is 17.3 inches wide with a full 1920 x 1080 display.
It uses NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 graphics with 6GB of storage on the card. Its RAM memory is 32GB.
The processor is the 8th Generation Intel Coffee Lake Core i7-8750H with 9MB cache. The operating system is Windows 10 Professional (64-bit).
The battery is a 4-cell 82Whr Li-Polymer. The laptop weighs slightly less than five pounds.
This MSI laptop comes with a one year USA-based warranty by MSI for parts and labor and Lifetime Support from the Amazon seller.
If you currently buy this laptop from the main seller on Amazon, who is an official MSI Gaming Partner, you can get a bonus gaming bundle.
It includes:
- MSI Gaming Shield Mouse Pad
- MSI Force GC30 Wireless Gaming Controller
- MSI DS502 Gaming Headset
- MSI Lucky Edge of the Cup
- MSI Clutch GM10 Gaming Mouse
Check current prices and availability on Amazon
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11. Razer Blade 15 Gaming Laptop
The Razer Blade 15 Gaming Laptop is generally considered among the best gaming laptops, both in terms of performance and value for money.
It runs on an Intel Core i7-8750H six-core processor and uses NVIDIA GeForce RTX graphics.
It has 16GB RAM and 512GB SSD storage. It is 15.6 inches wide and only 0.7 inches thin.
Here are some of the different options you can choose for the Razer Blade 15 that are currently available on Amazon:
- RTX 2060 graphics and 144Hz FHD display
- RTX 2070 graphics and 144Hz FHD display (this option has only 256GB SSD storage)
- RTX 2070 graphics and 144Hz FHD display
- RTX 2080 graphics and 144Hz FHD display
- RTX 2070 graphics and 60Hz UHD display
The Razer Blade is compatible with Razer Core external GPU enclosures for even more graphics power, and it supports hybrid storage.
Check current price and availability on Amazon
12. ASUS ROG Zephyrus S GX701 Gaming Laptop
This ASUS ROG laptop is 17.3 inches wide and 0.74 inches thin and runs on an Intel Core i7-9750H processor.
This laptop uses the ROG-exclusive Aerodynamic System and 12V fans for increased cooling.
You can also switch between integrated and discrete graphics to either improve your gaming graphics quality or conserve your battery life.
The laptop’s 1080p webcam is detachable. It weighs 5.73 pounds.
There are a few versions of this ASUS Laptop currently being sold on Amazon.
- With an Intel Core i7-9750H processor, RTX 2070 graphics, 16GB RAM and 1TB SSD Storage
- With an Intel Core i7-9750H processor, RTX 2080 graphics, 32GB RAM, and 1TB SSD Storage
- With an Intel core i7-8750H Hexa-Core Processor, RTX 2080 graphics, 16GB RAM, and 1TB SSD Storage
You can also add an Expert Setup service with it.
Check current prices and availability on Amazon
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13. Acer Predator Triton 500 PT515-51-765U Gaming Notebook
The Acer Predator Triton 500 is a 15.6-inch notebook that runs on an Intel Core i7-8750H (8th generation) Hexa-Core processor.
It has 32GB RAM and 1TB of SSD storage. It runs on Windows 10 Home.
It has a 1920 x 1080 maximum resolution and uses NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 graphics with 8GB of storage.
It weighs around 4.41 pounds and has a battery life of up to 8 hours.
Check current price and availability on Walmart
14. XPC ROG Zephyrus S VR-Ready Gaming Laptop
This XPC Laptop is expensive, but it is also perfect for those who enjoy a high-quality virtual-reality experience when gaming.
Here are some different options that are currently available on Amazon-
- 1TB NVMe SSD storage and 16GB RAM
- 1TB NVMe SSD storage and 24GB RAM
- 2TB NVMe SSD storage and 16GB RAM
- 2TB WD SATA SSD storage and 24GB RAM
- 2TB 970 EVO NVMe SSD storage and 16GB RAM
- 2TB 970 EVO NVMe SSD storage and 24 GB RAM
This laptop is 17.4 inches wide, the largest we’ve seen so far. It weighs six pounds, which is heavier than most of the other options on this list as well.
It runs on the 8th Generation Intel Coffee Lake Core i7-8750H processor. It has NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 graphics with 8GB memory.
It has a Pantone Certified anti-glare display with a wide view.
The laptop comes with a three-year XPC limited warranty.
Check current prices and available on Amazon
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15. Dell Inspiron 15 Model 5559
Let’s start with a cheap option for those who have a tight budget and are looking for an affordable gaming laptop. The Dell Inspiron 15 Model 5559 is a great option.
It has an Intel Core i5-6200U processor and has 8GB RAM.
While it only has hard-drive storage, it does have 1TB of space. It has a 15.6 inch touch-screen HD display.
It has Intel HD 520 graphics and a screen resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels.
Other features include a media card reader, DVD disk space, a backlit keyboard, and a webcam. The laptop operates on Windows 10.
There are two 2.0 USB ports. The laptop weighs 2.65 pounds and has an average battery life of seven hours.
This certainly isn’t the best option around if you are interested in gaming.
You might find that you are limited to certain games or that your gaming performance is a bit slower than you thought it would be.
This Dell Inspiron machine can give you a solid introductory gaming experience.
Check current price and availability on Amazon
16. Flagship HP Pavilion Business Laptop
This 15.6-inch HP laptop has an Intel Core i58250U processor.
It has 8GB RAM, but you can upgrade the memory to 16GB or 32GB.
For your storage, you can choose up to 1TB of SSD storage and 2TB of hard-drive storage, which is more than enough for gaming.
It runs on Windows 10 64-bit, has a touch screen with backlit display, and features B&O audio with dual speakers. It does not have space for DVDs.
It runs on Intel UHD 620 graphics.
Check current price and availability on Amazon
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Tips for Improving Your Gaming Performance
Let’s go over some tips for how to maximize the quality of your gaming performance when using your laptop.
Keep in mind that these tips are for improving the quality of your gaming performance, not for saving the battery (some of these tips can actually cause the battery to drain quicker).
Keep the laptop clean – Make sure to clean out your laptop’s storage and delete unneeded data. This will help your laptop run smoothly. It is also important to keep your laptop clean physically. Clean out the fans and exhaust so that dust doesn’t build up and cause your laptop to overheat.
Use Game Mode – In Windows 10, you can activate Game Mode. According to PC World, doing this can make unplayable games playable. Game Mode blocks background applications and dedicates more of your CPU and GPU for your gaming needs. To bring up the Windows 10 Game Bar, open your game and then press the Windows key + G. Then click “Use Game Mode for this Game.”
Optimize your power settings – In Windows, go to your settings and choose for your laptop to run on maximum power settings.
Get a better connection – Slow connections can slow down your gaming experience when you play games that require an internet connection. Upgrade your internet plan for quicker internet, get a better router, or get an ethernet connection.
Stop unneeded CPU usage – Stop applications from running in the background by closing apps in the Task Manager. You should also disable automatic updates, as large updates can interfere with your gaming.
Brighten the screen – While this won’t help conserve your battery, it can help give you a better gaming experience.
Update your drivers – Make sure your Windows drivers are always up to date.
Get the right accessories – Having the right accessories can make a huge different for your gaming experience. High quality headsets, keyboards, and handsets are always easy to find.
Wrapping It Up
There are dozens of other high-quality gaming laptops out there.
If none of the laptops on this list catch your eye, you can always look on Amazon or on sites such as Dell and HP for good gaming laptops.
After reading this article, you should have a good idea of what to look for in a gaming laptop and which specs are important.
Benjamin Levin is a digital marketing professional with 4+ years of experience with inbound and outbound marketing. He helps small businesses reach their content creation, social media marketing, email marketing, and paid advertising goals. His hobbies include reading and traveling.