Our Pick Of The Best Gaming Laptops In 2025: Power and Performance For Gamers On The Move

We’re huge fans of ASUS as they make some of the best gaming laptops on the market. This V16 has a 16-inch display and a scorchingly fast NVIDIA RTX 5070 graphics card. The ultra-smooth 144Hz refresh rate of the display is going to elevate fast-paced games too, delivering clean motion for shooters like Black Ops 7 and racing games. We also find that the 16-inch screen is the perfect balance of size and portability – it’s large enough to ensure the graphics are detailed, but not so big that taking it on the move is an inconvenience.

Powered by an Intel Core 7 240H processor, it sports RTX 5070 graphics and an equally ideal 32GB of RAM – a combo that will have your AAA games running at higher settings. Connectivity is pretty much future-proofed thanks to Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3 and USB-C – so staying connected for your online matches, hooking up a wireless headset or plugging in an external SSD is fast and easy.

At close to 2kg though, we do think that this 16-inch machine is a little hefty for the size, but it does pack a lot of raw power into a slim design. Speaking of design, there are a few understated gamer accents but this is a rig that will still look professional outside of a gamer den if you need it to. For us, this is a fantastic all-rounder that overdelivers on spec for the price. It even comes with a free three month subscription to Xbox Game Pass.

This Lenovo LOQ gaming laptop is the best budget option here, offering a ton of technical perks for the price. At this price point we’re happy to see that the 15.6-inch IPS display runs at 144Hz – twice that of many others, giving a more detailed and fluid experience all round. Lenovo’s choice of processor is where the savings are made with this system, as it’s an Intel Core i5 – but the rest of the spec balances that out nicely, making this a great low-to-mid end machine for light and casual gamers.

Entry-level gamers on a budget will get a serious graphical boost thanks to 16GB of RAM and the inclusion of a GeForce RTX 5050 graphics card. As one of the latest 50-series cards, the NVIDIA RTX 5050 unlocks advanced graphic performance that popular games need to run smoothly. It’ll do a lot of the heavy lifting here, freeing-up the i5 CPU. 16GB of DDR5 RAM is a big plus for a budget machine as well – the sweet spot for most gaming laptops when if comes to memory.

The build is classic Lenovo too – minimalist lines and sturdy construction. Port selection is generous, with both USB-A and USB-C onboard. That said, it’s a hefty 2.4 kilograms and something of a chunky wedge compared to many others. Also, don’t expect extended gaming sessions between charges, as battery life is less than 5 hours under average use. That aside, for any gamer looking to spend less this machine offers a lot for the money.

MSI ups its game with this premium gaming laptop model – the Stealth A16. This is packing more tech than most, including 32GB of RAM, a Ryzen AI 7 CPU and even an OLED screen. Stealth is an apt name for such a capable portable machine, at under 2kg it’s one of the few gaming laptops that can deliver on performance without being back-breaking to carry. Incredibly it’s just a shade under 2cm thick at the slimmest end and not much more at the other, so this is an extremely practical high-end gaming option.

The stellar pairing of a next-gen Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 processor with the new RTX 5060 GPU is hard to beat. As its name suggests, the chip is AI-powered for lightning-fast multitasking and other features that benefit gaming as well as content creation. As mentioned, the 16-inch 2560×1440 pixel display is an OLED panel too, so you’ll get perfect black levels and vibrant colour for all of your titles – the sunset vistas of Red Dead Redemption 2 will look more breathtaking than ever. It also runs at a seriously fast 240Hz, so you’ll never encounter a game with a frame rate that’s anything less than smooth.

We love the minimalist aesthetic and metal chassis of this MSI. With the inclusion of Wi-Fi 7, a good array of ports and the six internal speakers it’s a rig that delivers on all fronts.

This HP OMEN Transcend 14 has a 14-inch OLED display, a Core Ultra 7 CPU and a 1TB SSD – yet it weighs-in at just 1.63kg. That small-screen spec makes this a beautifully neat and portable gaming laptop for anyone looking to travel light and keep the footprint small. Given the size, this laptop’s inclusion of DTS: X Ultra audio – a spatial sound format similar to Dolby Atmos – is a welcome addition for those not using a headset for gaming sessions.

As for the internals of this OMEN Transcend, we think that HP has set out to prove that powerful gaming doesn’t have to mean excessive bulk. This is something of a backpack-sized wonder considering what’s been crammed inside. The display may only measure 14 inches, but it’s a 2880×1800 pixel OLED – a true rarity at this size – bringing inky blacks and vibrant colour. The processor is no slouch either, as the Intel Core Ultra 7 will more than bear the load of AAA games.

Unbelievably the graphics card inside this diminutive shell is an NVIDIA RTX 5060, making this a laptop with next-gen visuals. Battery life is a pleasant surprise too, lasting up to 8 hours under general use. On the downside, you won’t be able to upgrade the RAM or SSD storage due to the compact build. That said, storage is easily upgraded using an external SSD, so this is a small nit-pick with what is a neat and brilliantly-specced gaming machine.

Other than having a slightly smaller display, this is an updated version of the Nitro V 16 model we reviewed. They share a Core i7 CPU, but this one now includes an updated RTX 5060 graphics card. Acer’s Nitro V15 is something of a gold standard when it comes to build quality meets gamer specifications. The sharp IPS display runs at a smooth 165Hz and there’s plenty of core horsepower under the hood, making this one of the best 15.6-inch gaming laptops on the market.

Given its size, the 15.6-inch IPS screen is the crown jewel here, offering crisp detail and a refresh rate that will support both fast shooters and immersive RPGs. Inside, an Intel Core i7 is perfectly matched with the NVIDIA RTX 5060 GPU – capable of handling demanding games at high settings with ease. The only real drawback is storage. We think that avid gamers will fill up that 512GB SSD quickly, so those with large libraries may end up adding external storage sooner rather than later.

Elsewhere, Acer’s sturdy design and build weighs-in at just over 2kg – no surprise given what’s been packed inside, but reassuringly solid for gaming on the go. Ports are plentiful too, and you’ll find both Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.3. Battery life hovers just under 8 hours for non-gaming use, so this is also a practical gaming rig for those who need to multitask while on the move.

Any serious gamer looking for a 16-inch model that doesn’t skimp on the internals will love this ASUS ROG Strix G16. We’re impressed by the tech on offer here – with the NVIDIA RTX 5070 graphics card, a Ryzen 9 8940HX processor and a 1TB SSD. That’s an array that out-specs most of the others here.

First up, that 16-inch display runs at a blistering 240Hz, so you’ll be gaming at top frame rates without a hitch (and enjoying more realism thanks to the wide colour range of Dolby Vision). Inside the refined ASUS chassis lies the power-packed partnership of a Ryzen 9 7940HX processor and a NVIDIA RTX 5070 Ti graphics card. If you’re wondering what the ‘Ti’ means at the end of that, it stands for an enhanced, high-performance version of the standard 5070. That means it exceeds the requirements of current-gen games. 16GB of RAM is healthy enough to keep things running smoothly, and ASUS’ signature RGB lighting and sleek gamer aesthetic gives this laptop real presence. But bear in mind that all of this power translates to a rather hefty carry at 2.6kg.

We’re glad to see plenty of good connectivity options, so attaching external displays or peripherals will be straightforward, and cooling is handled by an advanced Tri-fan system that keeps performance at top efficiency. Throw in Dolby Atmos for spatial surround sound, and this is a real show-stopper of a laptop that doesn’t compromise on power.

For some gamers a 16-inch display isn’t quite big enough to handle the detailed maps and various menus of some RPGs, SIMs and strategy games. That’s where this Lenovo LOQ comes in. It’s packing an impressive 17.3-inch screen with an NVIDIA RTX 5060 graphics card to drive it. While the sheer size of the display will be a big draw for those who want games to be easier on the eye, it’s the 165Hz refresh that makes it all worthwhile. Action is silky-smooth and detail-rich, making both games and creative work a pleasure during those longer sessions.

This Lenovo also has more RAM than most, with a whopping 24GB. The Intel Core i7 CPU joins forces with the RTX 5050 to deliver great performance across the board. The gaming credentials are not reflected in its appearance. It looks like a rugged and practical office laptop, and at 3kg it’s certainly one of the heaviest here. If you value an RGB LED or two you will want to look elsewhere.

However, connectivity is excellent, with a port selection that includes latest-gen HDMI and USB-C, so you’ll have no trouble plugging in extra monitors and other gear for a full battle-ready setup. As a desk-friendly gaming laptop option, this Lenovo LOQ is a big-screen behemoth to be reckoned with.

Few gaming laptops come larger than this Acer Nitro 18. Centre stage is of course the beautifully vivid 18-inch IPS display. For us, the addition of the NVIDIA RTX 5070 Ti graphics card, 16GB of RAM, 1TB SSD, and AMD Ryzen AI 9 CPU make this something of a monster rig.

With this much power and screen real estate the Acer’s Nitro 18 AI could be seen as a portable replacement for a desktop PC. That said, this is almost the heaviest of the lot at over 3kg – not entirely surprising given that massive 18-inch 165Hz screen. But we’ll take the sheer size of this model over portability every time, thanks to the extra gameplay immersion on offer – particularly for those games with detailed maps and interfaces. Under the hood lies an AI-powered Ryzen 9 365 CPU and an RTX 5070 Ti graphics card, making this one of the most powerful and future-proof laptops out there – both for gaming and AI content creation.

We’re huge fans of Acer’s design approach, and this one crams everything into a sturdy chassis alongside Acer’s quality Nitro Cooling system. The system uses Liquid Metal, Vector Heatpipes and dual fans to keep temps under control. With Wi-Fi 6E networking your livestreams and MMO sessions are going to be fast and reliable too. If you’re a gamer who prizes screen size and performance over lightweight portability, this is an impressive tournament-ready rig that will devour whatever you throw at it.

This ASUS TUF A15 is another excellent budget gaming laptop option. Its specs make it a great choice for gamers who casually play modern, more lightweight titles. The RTX 3050 graphics may not be the best here, but add the 15.6-inch screen, 512GB SSD and 16 GB of RAM and you’ll be running Valorant and Minecraft in no time.

For us the TUF A15 FA506NCG strikes a clever balance between price and performance – ideal for those who want simple and reliable gaming without going overboard. Its strongest feature is almost certainly the 15.6-inch 144Hz display, making for solid frame rates and super-smooth action. The Ryzen 7 processor is a good match for the RTX 3050 GPU (the lower-end of the NVIDIA graphics card offering), being powerful enough to handle the processing overhead that many games demand.

But let’s not forget that this is a TUF series laptop. ASUS is famous for its durable builds, so the slightly chunky slab on offer here is reassuringly solid. At just over 2kg it’s not an impossible load to carry around, either. Connectivity is excellent, with Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth and USB-C and USB-A to choose from. Battery life is average at around 5-6 hours under mixed use, but that’s perfect for the casual gamer.

Get ready to have your gaming expectations blown away (potentially taking your wallet with them). Every aspect of this Acer Predator Helios 18 is specced to the max. Heading things up are the Intel Core Ultra 9 AI processor and RTX 5090 graphics card. Next in line are the a 2TB SSD and a 18-inch WQUXGA Mini-LED 240Hz display for the ultimate in smooth motion, brightness and contrast. You’re going to break some records with your high frame rate gaming on this system.

And then there’s the gargantuan 64GB of RAM for complete overkill when it comes to memory, not to mention extreme future-proofing. As an Acer, the overall design is expectedly brash, with sharp gamer accents and a high-quality finish. Vents are very apparent around the edges of the case as well, offering extra airflow for all of those high-power components.

The Acer Predator Helios is an uncompromising gaming laptop aimed at power users who need desktop-level speed for pro-level competitive gaming as well as top-tier single player experiences. At a staggering 3.2kg, just don’t expect to lug it around with ease. If you are going places with a rig this expensive, you’ll probably need to invest in an secure laptop bag and and extra-sturdy made-to-measure laptop sleeve too.

When we reviewed the Logitech G Pro X Superlight 2, we gained a competitive edge with games like Counter-Strike 2, thanks to the excellent G-Shift function which we set to toggle a lower DPI for sniping. For us, the Logitech G Pro X Superlight 2 stands out as one of the best lightweight wireless gaming mice on the market. Weighing just 60 grams, this programmable five-button mouse is built for speed and precision, making it a strong choice for competitive FPS players. While it skips RGB lighting, multiple buttons and flashy design, the blend of low weight, high sensor performance, wireless practicality and excellent customisation make it ideal for serious gamers on the move.

This Razer featured in our line-up of the best wireless gaming mice where we complimented its compact yet ergonomic design. Ideal for throwing into that equally compact backpack.

If you’re planning on packing your gaming laptop into a bag for gaming on the move you’ll need a small but responsive gaming keyboard – like this mechanical BlackWidow model from Razer.

This Wireless Gaming Headset from AOC has a lot going on behind those cushioned ear pads – including noise cancellation and 7.1 virtual surround sound. Battery life is 45 hours too.

Keep your new gaming tech safe and secure on its travels with a dedicated gaming laptop rucksack. This one comes from Targus and has enough pockets for your extra kit.