Best Gaming Laptops in 2026

Gaming laptops have come a long way. Today's best models deliver desktop-class performance in portable packages. We focus on GPU power, thermal management, and display quality to find laptops that actually perform in extended gaming sessions.

Updated: January 28, 2026

1
Thin 15 B13V 15.6
MSI

Thin 15 B13V 15.6" Gaming Laptop - i5-13420H / RTX 3050 / 512GB

★★★★★ 5.0/5 (1 reviews)
$699
16GB RAM 512GB SSD 15.6" Intel i5-13420H 3050 144Hz

An entry-level gaming laptop designed for 1080p gaming on medium settings. The Intel Core i5-13420H and RTX 3050 combination is suitable for esports titles like Valorant and Fortnite, and can handle older AAA games. The 16GB of DDR4 RAM is adequate for gaming and multitasking. Its main strengths are its affordability and 144Hz display, but the RTX 3050's performance is limited in modern, demanding titles. The 512GB SSD may fill up quickly with modern games. A good starting point for budget-conscious gamers.

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2
ROG Strix G18 (2025) Gaming Laptop - Intel - Ultra 9 275HX / RTX 5070 / 32GB RAM / 2TB SSD
ASUS

ROG Strix G18 (2025) Gaming Laptop - Intel - Ultra 9 275HX / RTX 5070 / 32GB RAM / 2TB SSD

★★★★★ 5.0/5 (9 reviews)
$2,399
32GB RAM 2TB SSD 18.0" Intel 275HX 5070 240Hz

This high-end configuration of the 18-inch Strix G18 features Intel's flagship Core Ultra 9 275HX processor and the powerful NVIDIA RTX 5070 GPU. It's designed to deliver a premium gaming and productivity experience on its massive QHD+ 240Hz display. The 32GB of RAM and 2TB SSD provide a well-balanced foundation for demanding tasks. This machine is a true desktop replacement, offering top-tier performance for gamers and creators who want a huge, high-quality screen.

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3
ROG Strix G16 (2025) Gaming Laptop - AMD Ryzen 9000 Series - Ryzen 9 9955HX / RTX 5070 / 32GB RAM / 1TB SSD
ASUS

ROG Strix G16 (2025) Gaming Laptop - AMD Ryzen 9000 Series - Ryzen 9 9955HX / RTX 5070 / 32GB RAM / 1TB SSD

★★★★★ 5.0/5 (6 reviews)
$2,057
32GB RAM 1TB SSD 16.0" AMD 9955HX 5070 240Hz

This 2025 Strix G16 model features the latest AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX processor and an NVIDIA RTX 5070 GPU, a potent combination for high-end gaming and content creation. It drives a beautiful 16-inch QHD+ 240Hz Nebula display, perfect for competitive and immersive gameplay. The system is well-equipped with 32GB of fast DDR5 RAM and a 1TB NVMe SSD, offering a balanced and powerful out-of-the-box experience. This laptop is aimed at enthusiasts who want cutting-edge AMD performance for QHD+ gaming.

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4
Thin A15 15.6
MSI

Thin A15 15.6" Gaming Laptop (AMD) - R9-8945HS / RTX 4060 / 32GB

★★★★★ 5.0/5 (5 reviews)
$1,099
32GB RAM 1TB SSD 15.6" AMD 9-8945HS 4060 144Hz

A high-end configuration of the Thin A15, featuring a powerful Ryzen 9-8945HS CPU with strong AI capabilities. This processor excels at both gaming and demanding productivity tasks like video rendering and compiling. The RTX 4060 remains a great 1080p GPU, and the generous 32GB of DDR5 RAM and 1TB SSD make this a well-rounded machine with no immediate upgrade needs. It's an excellent choice for a content creator, programmer, or power user who also enjoys high-quality gaming.

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5
15.6
NIMO

15.6" Gaming Laptop (Ryzen 7 6800H) - 16GB RAM / 1TB SSD / Rose Gold

★★★★★ 5.0/5 (5 reviews)
$600
16GB RAM 1TB SSD 15.6" AMD 6800H Dedicated GPU

A powerful mid-range laptop for gaming and content creation. The AMD Ryzen 7 6800H is an 8-core, 16-thread powerhouse, and its integrated Radeon 680M graphics are among the best available, capable of running many modern games at 1080p low-medium settings. Combined with 16GB of fast DDR5 RAM and a 1TB SSD, this machine offers excellent performance for CPU-heavy tasks like video editing, compiling code, and of course, gaming. A great option for those who want strong performance without a costly dedicated GPU.

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6
ROG Strix G16 (2025) Gaming Laptop - Intel - i7-14650HX / RTX 5060 / 16GB RAM / 1TB SSD
ASUS

ROG Strix G16 (2025) Gaming Laptop - Intel - i7-14650HX / RTX 5060 / 16GB RAM / 1TB SSD

★★★★★ 5.0/5 (5 reviews)
$1,440
16GB RAM 1TB SSD 16.0" Intel i7-14650HX 5060 165Hz

This variant hits the sweet spot for many gamers, combining the powerful Core i7-14650HX with the mid-range RTX 5060 GPU. This pairing is excellent for high-framerate gaming on the 165Hz FHD+ display and is also capable of entry-level QHD gaming. The 16GB RAM and 1TB SSD are standard for this performance tier. It's a very well-balanced configuration that offers significant performance gains over the RTX 5050 models, making it a strong contender for the best value in the high-performance category.

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7
Premium 16 4K OLED Laptop (2025) - Ultra 7 / RTX 5050 / 32GB / 1TB
Dell

Premium 16 4K OLED Laptop (2025) - Ultra 7 / RTX 5050 / 32GB / 1TB

★★★★★ 4.9/5 (39 reviews)
$2,700
32GB RAM 1TB SSD 16.3" Intel 255H 5050 120Hz

A high-performance laptop for creative professionals, featuring a stunning 16.3-inch 4K 120Hz OLED display. The Intel Core Ultra 7 CPU and dedicated NVIDIA RTX 5050 GPU provide ample power for video editing, content creation, and mid-range gaming. Its premium aluminum build is robust, but the high-resolution display results in modest real-world battery life of around 6 hours. The fast LPDDR5X RAM is soldered, limiting future upgradability.

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8
LOQ 15AHP10 15.6
Lenovo

LOQ 15AHP10 15.6" Gaming Laptop - 64GB RAM / 2TB SSD

★★★★★ 4.9/5 (19 reviews)
$1,549
64GB RAM 2TB SSD 15.6" AMD 250 4050 144Hz

A unique workstation-focused laptop with an unusual CPU listing. The listed 'Ryzen 7 250' is a typo, but the underlying specs describe a powerful 8-core, 16-thread processor. This CPU, combined with a massive 64GB of RAM and 2TB SSD, makes it a portable workstation for demanding professional applications. The RTX 4050 GPU is modest but provides hardware acceleration and allows for solid 1080p gaming. This is for a power user who needs extreme memory and storage for work, with gaming as a secondary priority.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What GPU do I need for gaming?

RTX 4060 for 1080p gaming, RTX 4070 for 1440p, RTX 4080+ for 4K or max settings.

Does screen refresh rate matter?

Yes! 144Hz is the minimum for smooth gaming. Competitive players should look for 240Hz+.

How important are thermals?

Critical. Poor thermals = throttling = lower FPS. Look for laptops with good cooling reviews.