Best Affordable Laptops for Gaming in 2022

For several years now, gaming laptops have been some of the most interesting computers. They're naturally thinner and lighter – but they've also become much more powerful and efficient, making them suitable for work and play. They've adopted some bold innovations like pivoting hinges and almost desktop-like customizability. Gaming laptops are where PC manufacturers can go on an adventure.

If you're a professional in the market for a powerful new computer and like to play a few rounds of Apex Legends now and then, it might make more sense to go for a gaming laptop instead of a MacBook Pro-type workstation. You'll still have plenty of power for video encoding and 3D rendering, and you can end up paying less.

What is your budget?

Your laptop shopping journey starts and ends with the amount of money you're willing to spend. No surprise. 

The good news: There are plenty of options for gamers of all budgets. In particular, we're seeing some great sub-$1,000 options like Dell's G15 series. Computers in this price range will feel a bit more delicate than more expensive models, and will likely skimp on RAM, storage, and overall performance. But they should handle most games at 1080p at 60fps, which is the bare minimum you'd want from any system.

Stepping up to mid-range options above $1,000 is where things get interesting. That's when you start to find computers like the ASUS Zephyrus ROG G14, one of our favorite gaming laptops. In general, you can look forward to much better build quality than cheap laptops (metal cases!), improved graphics performance, and enough RAM and storage to handle the most demanding games. These are the laptops we would recommend to most people as they will allow you to play and work for years before you need to worry about upgrading.

If you're willing to spend around $1,800 or more, you can start considering more premium options like Razer's Blade. Expect perfectly polished cases, the fastest hardware on the market, and a ridiculously thin design. 

The sky's the limit here: the Alienware uber 51m customizable area is a huge beast that can cost up to $4,700. Few people need such an expensive machine, but if you're a gamer who needs the extra cash, it might be worth taking a closer look at some of these more expensive systems.

What type of CPU and GPU do you want?

The answer to this question used to be quite simple: Just get an Intel chip with an NVIDIA GPU. But over the past few years, AMD has come out with its Ryzen laptop processors that are better suited for juggling multiple tasks at once (like streaming on Twitch while blasting goons in Fortnite). Intel responded with its impressive 12th-generation chips, but it's nice to have decent AMD alternatives available, especially since they're often cheaper than comparable Intel models.

When it comes to graphics cards, AMD is still catching up. It's Radeon RX 6000M GPU was a fantastic performer in notebooks like the ASUS ROG Strix G15, but it still lags behind NVIDIA when it comes to newer features like ray tracing. But at least a notebook with Radeon ht can approach the general gaming performance of NVIDIA's RTX 3070 and 3080 GPUs.

If you're looking to future-proof your purchase or just want to see how much better ray tracing can improve the look of your games, you're probably better off with an NVIDIA graphics card. They are in many more systems and it is clear that NVIDIA has better-optimized ray tracing technology. RTX GPUs also feature the company's DLSS technology, which uses AI to upscale games to higher resolutions. This will allow you to play a game like Destiny 2 in 4K with a higher frame rate. This is useful if you are trying to take advantage of a high refresh rate monitor.

The NVIDIA RTX 3050 is a decent entry point, but we think you'd be better off with at least an RTX 3060 for solid 1080p and 1440p performance. Meanwhile, the RTX 3070 represents the best balance between price and performance. With the help of DLSS, it will be able to run many games in 4K and even handle demanding titles like Control. The NVIDIA RTX 3080 and 3080 Ti are the kings of the hill; you pay a premium for each machine that contains them.

It's worth noting that NVIDIA's mobile GPUs aren't directly comparable to more powerful desktop hardware. PC manufacturers can also adjust the voltage to work better in a thinner case. Don't be surprised to see laptops that perform very differently even if they all feature the same GPU.

What type of screen do you want?

Screen size is a good place to start when evaluating gaming laptops. In general, 15-inch laptops strike the best balance between immersion and portability, while larger 17-inch models are bulkier but naturally give you more screen. There are some 13-inch gaming laptops out there, like the Razer Blade Stealth, but ironically, you'll often pay more for them than slightly larger 15-inch options. We're also seeing a lot of 14-inch options like the Zephyrus G14 and Blade 14, which are generally more powerful than 13-inch laptops while still being relatively portable.

But these days, there's a lot to consider beyond screen size. First: the refresh rate. Most monitors refresh their screens vertically 60 times per second, or at 60 Hz. This is the standard used by black and white NTSC televisions. But displays have evolved considerably over the past few years. Now, 120Hz 1080p screens are the bare minimum you'd want in any gaming laptop – and there are faster 144Hz, 240Hz, and even 360Hz panels. All of this serves one thing: to make everything on your display look as smooth as possible.

For games, the higher refresh rate also helps eliminate screen tearing and other artifacts that could get in the way of your frag fest. And for everything else, it just makes for a better viewing experience. Even scrolling a web page on a 120Hz or a faster monitor is significantly different from a 60Hz screen. Instead of seeing a jittery wall of text and images, everything moves smoothly like you're unrolling a glossy paper magazine. Going over 120Hz makes the game look even more responsive, giving some gamers a slight advantage.

To make things more complicated, you should also watch out for NVIDIA's G-SYNC and AMD's FreeSync. Both are adaptive sync technologies that can match your screen's refresh rate to your game's frame rate. This also helps reduce screen tearing and allows for smoother gameplay. Consider them nice bonuses over a high refresh rate monitor; they are not necessary but can still offer a slight visual enhancement.

One more thing: Most of these suggestions are for LCD screens, not OLED. While OLED is a phenomenal choice for TVs, it's a bit trickier for gaming laptops. They are mostly limited to 60 Hz, although some models offer 90 Hz. Still, you won't see the smoothness of a 120Hz or 144Hz screen. OLEDs also usually come as 4K or 3.5K panels – you'll need a lot of GPU power to natively run games at that resolution. They look incredible, with the best black levels and contrast on the market, but we think most gamers would be better off with an LCD.

A few other observations:

Get at least 16GB of RAM. And if you plan to do a lot of multitasking while streaming, 32GB is worth considering.

Storage is still a big problem. Nowadays, I'd recommend aiming for a 1TB M.2 SSD, which should be plenty of room to juggle a few big titles like Destiny 2. Some laptops also have room for standard SATA drives, which are much cheaper than M.2 and hold more data.

Normally we'd recommend you get your hands on the system before you buy, but it's difficult because we're in the middle of a pandemic. I would recommend getting your preferred system from a seller with an easy return policy, like Amazon or Best Buy. If you don't like it, you can always easily send it back.

Don't forget the accessories! You will need a good mouse, keyboard, and headphones.

ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14

If you can't tell by now, we really like the Zephyrus G14. It's surprisingly compact, weighing just 3.5 pounds, and features AMD's new Ryzen chips paired with Radeon 6000M graphics (we recommend the $1,400 Ryzen 9 model with RX 6700M). While its 14-inch screen is slightly smaller than our other recommendations, it looks great and has a fast 144Hz refresh rate. We also like its retro-futuristic design (some configurations have small LEDs on the back panel for added flair). While the G14 has jumped in price since its debut, it's still one of the best gaming laptops out there, especially since ASUS finally added a built-in webcam.

Dell G15

We've been fans of Dell's G5 series since it first appeared a few years ago. Now called the G15, it starts at under $1,000 and packs all the latest hardware, like 12th-gen Intel processors and NVIDIA RTX 30-series cards. , but otherwise, it's a solid laptop. And you can even take it into mid-range gaming territory if you go for the RTX 3060.

Razer Blade 15

Razer continues to do a great job of delivering high-end hardware in a sleek package that would make Mac users jealous. The Blade 15 has almost everything you could want, including NVIDIA's fastest mobile GPU, the RTX 3080 Ti, as well as 12th Gen Intel processors and fast quad-HD screens. Our recommendation? Consider the model with a Quad HD 165Hz screen and an RTX 3070 GPU for $2,050. You can easily save some money by buying a cheaper laptop, but they won't feel nearly as sleek as the Blade.

The Acer Predator Triton 500 SE

While we've seen some wilder concepts from Acer, such as the Triton 900 equipped with 360-degree hinges, the Triton 500 is a more affordable bread-and-butter option. This year, it has increased to a 16-inch display to give you a more immersive gaming experience. It's relatively thin, weighs just over five pounds, and can be equipped with 11th-gen Intel processors and NVIDIA RTX 30-series GPUs. Acer's build quality is as durable as ever, and it has most of the standard features you'd expect from a gaming laptop.

The Razer Blade 17

Take everything we loved about the Razer Blade 15, scale it up to a larger 17-inch screen, and you're almost in a gamer's paradise. If you can live with its six-pound weight, the Blade 17 will give you the most comfortable desktop-like gaming experience you'll find in a laptop. It's relatively slim and perfect for watching Netflix in bed. The Blade 17 is also a smart choice if you're editing media, as the larger screen space makes it ideal for diving into larger timelines. It's not for everyone, but sometimes you just have to go big or go home, right?

ASUS ROG Zephyrus Duo 16

Know if you really need a laptop with two screens: Maybe one 17-inch screen isn't enough for you, or you want a mobile setup that's closer to a multi-monitor desktop. If so, the Zephyrus Duo 16 is perfect for you. It's powerful and its extra 14-inch screen lets you easily multitask while playing games obediently. It also has all the latest hardware you'd want, like AMD's new Ryzen chips and NVIDIA RTX 3000 GPUs. Sure, it's far from portable, but a true multitasker won't mind.