It’s clear that the best game laptops have the power of a high-end desktop and the portability of a smaller, lighter machine. But really good gaming laptops can do all of this while staying cool and comfortable enough to use for long amounts of time. They can also do all of this while having high-quality graphics, displays, and performance at a fair price.
So far, the Asus ROG Strix Scar 16 is the best gaming laptop of 2023. However, many of our favorite machines are a good mix of raw power and value for money. Some of these top models won’t have the best graphics cards or a lot of RAM, but they will still work better than their price suggests. After all, why pay for a rig that can do everything if you don’t need it?
What Do Our Scores on Benchmarks Mean?
We put every gaming laptop we get through a set of tests to see how well it works for both gaming and work. Here are two of these numbers for each of our two favorite machines: Fire Strike and Time Spy. Both tests put a laptop’s images and processing power to the test. Once both tests are done, a single score is given. The more points you get, the better you did.
BEST OVERALL: Asus ROG Strix Scar 16 (2023)
The Asus ROG Strix Scar 16 is the best RTX 40-Series gaming laptop we’ve tried so far. In our opinion, it’s the best system on the market.
BEST UNDER $1,000: Acer Nitro 5
The Acer Nitro 5 doesn’t look great, but it often has some of the best component value on the market. Some of the best deals on high-end parts can be found in these tools.
BEST FOR MOST: Alienware M15 R7
The M15 R7 is a good balance of price and ability. It’s a great all-arounder because it can be set up to have real power across a wide range of musical styles.
BEST 14-INCH: Asus ROG Zephyrus G14
The Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 does everything a 14-inch machine should do. It has a small footprint and works hard to keep up with the speed of larger devices.
BEST 15-INCH: Razer Blade 15 (2022)
The Razer Blade 15 is the best 15-inch laptop we’ve tried so far because it has great performance, a slim design, and a beautiful screen. It’s expensive, but if you’re spending, it’s well worth it.
MOST POWERFUL: Asus ROG Zephyrus Duo 16
The Asus ROG Zephyrus Duo 16 is now the most powerful game laptop we’ve tried, beating out the Strix Scar 16. The speed is very fast, and there are also two screens going at the same time.
BEST SLIMLINE: HP Omen 16 Transcend
The Alienware x14 is the thinnest game laptop on the market, but the HP Omen 16 Transcend manages to fit both power and portability into its thin body. In this RTX 40-Series age, that’s hard to do.
Conclusion
The Asus ROG Strix Scar 16 is the best gaming laptop of 2023, offering high-end desktop power and portability. Other top models include the Acer Nitro, Alienware M15 R7, Asus ROG Zephyrus G14, Razer Blade 15, Asus ROG Zephyrus Duo 16, and HP Omen 16 Transcend. These laptops offer a good balance of power and value for money, making them suitable for various gaming and work needs.