The best gaming laptop of 2022 is the Asus ROG Zephyrus G15. It can handle the most demanding games on the market today and is also a great tool for everyday tasks.
Of course, this list may soon need updating as heavyweights competing for the top spots are set to hit the shelves in the remainder of this year. Some highly anticipated updates include: AMD and Nvidia have announced their next-generation mobile processors and mobile graphics cards – respectively the Ryzen 5000 series and GeForce RTX 3000 series, the components found in high-end gaming laptops from manufacturers.
A QHD display is a crucial feature of the best gaming laptops. More and more manufacturers are releasing configurations with 1440p screens, even in gaming laptops under $2,000 (about 47 million VND). These configurations can appeal to many gamers: a better experience than 1080p without the higher price or raw power needed for a 4K display. You can also expect high loading speeds from these panels, depending on the model.
Another thing to note with the best gaming laptops is the power of the chipsets. Not all chips with the same name are created equal – an RTX 3070 in one laptop may not deliver the same frame rates as an RTX 3070 in another laptop due to its power (as well as other factors like processors and cooling).
Nvidia currently requires companies to disclose clock speeds and graphics power on each model’s product page, but many manufacturers have yet to do so. If you can’t find those numbers on the company’s website, you should read some reviews and ensure that the model you are considering will deliver the frame rates you are looking for.
1. ASUS ROG ZEPHYRUS G15 – BEST GAMING LAPTOP
The ROG Zephyrus G15 is the best 15-inch gaming laptop you can buy.
Weighing just over 4 pounds (about 1.81 kg), the Zephyrus G15 is one of the lightest 15-inch gaming laptops. Despite its lightweight nature, the quality of this laptop is excellent with top-of-the-line mobile chips from AMD and Nvidia alongside a 165Hz QHD (1440p) display. Together, they can handle even the toughest AAA games at QHD resolution. The keyboard also features customizable RGB lighting, making gaming even more exciting.
Not just for gaming; most everything else about the G15 is excellent. The sound is delivered from a six-speaker system with strong bass, and the keyboard and trackpad feel very responsive. The battery can last up to 8.5 hours.
However, the G15 may not be the laptop for everyone. This laptop from Asus lacks a webcam and may not please customers seeking flashier aesthetics. But overall, the G15 is truly a formidable contender; it is not only the best gaming laptop you can own but also one of the best laptops you can buy.
2. ASUS ROG ZEPHYRUS G14 – EXCELLENT GAMING LAPTOP
If you are looking for something thinner and lighter than the G15, the G14 is basically a smaller version of the G15. This model is rated as the best 14-inch gaming laptop you can buy.
It’s a fantastic device for gaming on the go and for work, weighing only 3.79 pounds (1.36 kg) and measuring 0.77 inches (about 2 cm) thick. It comes with an excellent keyboard, trackpad, port selection, and display. The frame rates in testing are quite stable, and there does not seem to be a significant performance difference between the 6700S and 6800S models. The G14 has a power supply that can last all day, which is rare in today’s gaming laptop lineup, and even the G14 comes with a webcam.
If you want a colorful animated light grid on your laptop, you can also pay extra for the Asus AniMe Matrix model. These versions offer particularly good value for their price. Additionally, users can customize the display to show any words or images and even have a virtual pet for entertainment. If you are looking for a 14-inch laptop with powerful gaming features that can also be a good everyday laptop, this device should top your list.
3. RAZER BLADE 17 – LARGEST SCREEN GAMING LAPTOP
The Blade 17 provides some of the top gaming performance you can find in a laptop – but that’s not even its secret weapon. What makes Razer’s flagship 17-inch model impressive is its incredible power, all packed into a slim and smooth chassis. It is less than 0.8 inches thick and requires only one charger – so you can carry it in a backpack or briefcase without compromising power.
This year’s model comes with a QHD 240Hz display, along with customizable per-key RGB keyboard, adding color without being too flashy for the office.
The Blade 17 is certainly not cheap, but it is the laptop to buy if you want the best of the best.
4. LENOVO LEGION 5 PRO – GAMING LAPTOP WITH 16:10 DISPLAY
The Legion 5 Pro is the best gaming laptop Lenovo has ever produced. Priced under $2,000, this laptop delivers outstanding performance from AMD’s Ryzen 5000 processor in a 16-inch frame. It delivers impressive results across all games, even at native 2560 x 1600 resolution. And with a 165Hz display, you’ll be able to fully utilize the power of the Legion 5 Pro.
Aside from performance, the standout feature of the Legion 5 Pro is its 16:10 display. It’s hard to find such a tall screen on today’s gaming laptops, and it gives you more room for multitasking if you want to use the Legion 5 Pro for everyday tasks. The keyboard is also very enjoyable to use, with a 1.5mm travel distance and four-zone programmable backlighting.
The main downside of the Legion is its battery life: only about 4.5 hours of continuous use. On the plus side, it charges very quickly with the included 300W power brick. Overall, while the G15 may be a more appealing choice for frequent travelers, the Legion is still a solid option.
5. MSI GE76 RAIDER – BEST LAPTOP WITH FLASHY RGB
The GE76 Raider is not cheap, but it comes with great quality. You can configure it to the max for Nvidia’s top mobile GPU and Intel’s top processor. The GE76 Raider also features a cooling system to keep them stable (currently available with 11th generation chips, but 12th generation models will need to be pre-ordered for a few weeks). Users will receive it with a QHD 1080p 360Hz display.
Keep in mind that this laptop is really just for gaming. Its battery life is average, and its chassis is quite thick and heavy. So you may want to consider other options if you’re looking for a device that can be used for work as well.
6. ASUS ROG STRIX G15 ADVANTAGE EDITION – BEST AMD GAMING LAPTOP
The ROG Strix G15 Advantage Edition is one of the few gaming laptops you will see with both an AMD processor and AMD GPU. However, it delivers gaming performance on par with what you would see from laptops with Nvidia’s top GPU. It also provides one of the best gaming battery experiences seen, maintaining playable frame rates on Red Dead Redemption 2 for over an hour without needing the included charger.
The average battery life is 9 hours and 16 minutes of work between charges, making the Strix G15 one of the longest-lasting gaming laptops on the market. That’s doubly impressive as it powers a ton of flashy LEDs, including a per-key RGB keyboard and a colorful light strip around the front edge of the keyboard. If you’re looking for a fun, bold design and you like AMD, the Strix G15 Advantage Edition is an ideal gaming laptop for you.
7. RAZER BLADE 14 – BEST 14-INCH GAMING LAPTOP
If you are looking for a powerful 14-inch device that can keep up with the best 15-inch gaming laptops on the market, the only choice you will find is the Razer Blade 14. This slim and portable device includes Nvidia’s top mobile GPUs, the RTX 3070 and RTX 3080, along with a powerful eight-core AMD chip.
It’s a gorgeous device with a QHD 165Hz display option and luxurious RGB keyboard. There’s even a decent port selection, including HDMI 2.1 and two USB-C ports.
8. MSI GS76 STEALTH – EXCELLENT 17-INCH GAMING LAPTOP
If you like the RGB machine horse aesthetics of the GE76 Raider but are put off by the price and the bulky chassis, the GS76 Stealth could be a more practical choice for you. This gaming laptop features a customizable per-key backlit keyboard. The lack of a light bar may be a downside for some gamers, but it makes the GS76 more suitable for taking into an office or other public places.
Although the GS76 Stealth doesn’t have the power of the top devices on the market and can’t fully utilize its QHD display across all games, it can still run most titles you might want to play at very respectable frame rates. As one of the thinnest and lightest 17-inch gaming laptops available, this will be a good option for those looking for a large-screen device that can still be portable.