The Best Gaming Notebooks
The high-end gaming segment does not allow for any compromises. Powered by the latest graphics chips and processors the following gaming notebooks will offer performance at a level similar to that of current desktop computers. Even current and particular demanding PC games will run smoothly in high resolutions and high details. In addition, displays with high refresh rates ensure the highest level of competitiveness possible.
In order to satisfy the increasing number of gaming notebooks we have outsourced the best high-end laptops weighing less than 2.5 kg (5.5 lbs) with a maximum thickness of 2 cm (0.8 inches) as well as the best budget gaming notebooks that cost less than 1,500 Euros onto their separate dedicated lists:
- The Best Thin & Light Gaming Notebooks (lightweight and thin gaming laptops)
- The Best Budget Gaming Notebooks (affordable gaming laptops)
The Best Gaming Laptops
Position | Total Rating | Date | Image | Model | Height | Weight | Size | Resolution | Screen |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 93 % | 02/2024 New! | Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 2024 GA403U AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Laptop GPU 32 GB Memory, 1024 GB SSD | 16.3 mm | 1.5 kg | 14.00" | 2880x1800 | glossy | |
2 | 92.3 % | 02/2024 New! | Asus ROG Zephyrus G16 2024 GU605M Intel Core Ultra 7 155H NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Laptop GPU 16 GB Memory, 1024 GB SSD | 16.4 mm | 1.8 kg | 16.00" | 2560x1600 | glossy | |
3 | 91.1 % | 02/2024 New! | Razer Blade 16 2024, RTX 4090 Intel Core i9-14900HX NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 Laptop GPU 32 GB Memory, 2048 GB SSD | 22 mm | 2.5 kg | 16.00" | 2560x1600 | glossy | |
4 | 90.7 % | 04/2023 | Alienware m18 R1 Intel Core i9-13980HX NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 Laptop GPU 32 GB Memory, 1024 GB SSD | 26.7 mm | 3.9 kg | 18.00" | 1920x1200 | matte | |
5 | 90.5 % | 11/2023 | Asus Zenbook Pro 16X UX7602BZ-MY005W Intel Core i9-13905H NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 Laptop GPU 32 GB Memory, 2048 GB SSD | 17.8 mm | 2.4 kg | 16.00" | 3200x2000 | glossy | |
6 | 90.2 % | 10/2023 | Lenovo Legion 9 16IRX8 Intel Core i9-13980HX NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 Laptop GPU 32 GB Memory, 2048 GB SSD | 22.7 mm | 2.6 kg | 16.00" | 3200x2000 | matte | |
7 | 90 % | 07/2023 | Lenovo Legion Slim 7i 16 Gen 8 Intel Core i9-13900H NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Laptop GPU 16 GB Memory, 1024 GB SSD | 19.9 mm | 2.1 kg | 16.00" | 2560x1600 | matte | |
8 | 89.7 % | 02/2024 New! | Razer Blade 14 RZ09-0508 AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Laptop GPU 32 GB Memory, 1024 GB SSD | 17.99 mm | 1.9 kg | 14.00" | 2560x1600 | matte | |
9 | 89.7 % | 06/2023 | Asus ROG Flow X16 GV601V Intel Core i9-13900H NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU 16 GB Memory, 1024 GB SSD | 19.4 mm | 2.1 kg | 16.00" | 2560x1600 | glossy | |
10 | 89.2 % | 11/2023 | Alienware m18 R1 AMD AMD Ryzen 9 7945HX AMD Radeon RX 7900M 32 GB Memory, 1024 GB SSD | 26.7 mm | 3.9 kg | 18.00" | 1920x1200 | matte |
The table above contains an overview over the best gaming notebooks reviewed by Notebookcheck over the course of the past 12 months as well as still relevant and available older products. In cases of identical score the more recent device is listed first. All prices in above table and price comparisons are updated daily and can thus differ.
Link: all devices in this class reviewed
Editors' Comments
The 2023 Blade 16 is going into well-deserved retirement. But not quite, because as our test of the 2024 version shows, last year's model is still almost on a par. Nevertheless, we have a changing of the guard at the absolute top. Although the new Blade 16 performs very well again, there are now two models in the Asus ROG Zephyrus G series that overtake the Blade in terms of rating, namely the Asus ROG Zephyrus G16 2024 and the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 2024.
Of course, various laptops have to make way for this, for example the previous year's models of the aforementioned newcomers, but also the AMD version of the Alienware m18 R1 or the MSI Stealth 16 Mercedes-AMG Motorsport.
Thanks to the very good newcomers this month, our average rating and thus the entry hurdle in our list for the coming months has increased significantly once again. Even 10th place now has a rating of 90 percent. We would therefore also like to mention some very good devices that do not appear in the list, including the MSI Titan 18 HX A14VIG and the Medion Erazer Beast X40 (2024), which each received a score of 89%.
Alternatives that just didn't make it into our top ten:
- MSI Titan 18 HX A14VIG (01/24, 89 %)
- Medion Erazer Beast X40 (02/24, 89 %)
- MSI Stealth 16 Mercedes-AMG Motorsport (89%, 11/2023)
- XMG Pro 16 Studio (88 %, 11/2023)
- Acer Predator Helios 18 (88 %, 11/2023)
- Lenovo Legion Slim 7 16 AMD (90 %, 11/2023)
- Schenker XMG Core 16 (89%, 10/2023)
- Lenovo Legion Pro 7 16 (88.8 %, 06/2023)
- Razer Blade 14 (88.7 %, 06/2023)
- Lenovo Legion Pro 5 16ARX8 (89 %, 07/2023)
- MSI Stealth 17 Studio A13VH-014 (89.2 %, 04/2023)
- Lenovo Legion Slim 5 14APH8 (87.7 %, 09/2023)
Former top list participants:
1st – Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 2024 (R9 8945HS, RTX 4070)
The new Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 2024 no longer focuses on maximum performance, instead Asus wants to appeal to a larger customer group with a slimmer and more compact aluminum chassis. The result is an excellent gaming/multimedia hybrid with plenty of power.
The new ROG Zephyrus G14 is probably the best all-round notebook currently on the market. Asus combines a lot of positive features in a very high-quality and compact aluminum case with great input devices and excellent speakers, only the soldered RAM is a clear disadvantage.
The new ROG Zephyrus G14 sells through usual retailers, some variants are listed on Amazon US, for example.
Pricecompare
2nd – Asus ROG Zephyrus G16 2024 (Ultra 7 155H, RTX 4070)
With the new ROG Zephyrus G16 2024, Asus presents a completely new and significantly thinner design, which is intended to appeal to other target groups in addition to gamers. The result is a high-quality 16-inch computer with a great OLED panel and excellent speakers that can easily compete with Apple's MacBook Pro or the Razer Blade 16.
High-quality and lightweight aluminum housing, great OLED screen and excellent speakers: Thanks to its powerful hardware, the new ROG Zephyrus G16 can of course still display the latest games, but with the 2024 model, Asus is moving more towards high-end multimedia. Even if you don't have any gaming ambitions, it's worth taking a look at the new Zephyrus G16.
In the US, some variants of Asus ROG Zephyrus G16 2024 are currently available on Amazon.
Pricecompare
3rd – Razer Blade 16 2024 (i9-14900HX, RTX 4090)
The Razer Blade 16 2024 is once again a very successful gaming laptop. It is compact, slim, yet powerful and has a high-quality finish. With the fast and beautiful OLED display, the configurations have been enriched with a beautiful screen alternative.
Just like its predecessor, the 2024 version of the Razer Blade 16 is a very successful high-end gamer. However, there are hardly any reasons to upgrade from the almost equivalent predecessor.
The new Blade 16 is currently available at Razer’s own webstore and at Amazon US.
Pricecompare
4th – Alienware m18 R1 (i9-13980HX, RTX 4090)
Dell tries to breathe new life into the 18-inch Alienware laptops with every conceivable feature. Up to four M.2 SSDs, a 480 Hz display, a 175 Watt GPU, liquid metal, Vapor Chamber, Advanced Optimus and optionally even a mechanical keyboard are used in the Alienware m18 R1.
The Alienware m18 R1 is the ideal notebook for those looking for maximum performance and functionality. But only if they accept the laptop's volume and weight.
Alienware m18 R1 is available on Dell's online shop with prices starting at $2,400.
Pricecompare
5th – Asus Zenbook Pro 16X (i9-13905H, RTX 4080)
The laptop with the special bend is back. Asus installs extremely powerful hardware in the new 18 mm thin Zenbook and finally lets it off the leash. The Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080 is allowed to work with 140 watts in the test device and is therefore in no way inferior to its sisters in many gaming laptops.
The new Zenbook Pro 16X can rightly be called a flagship. Asus shows what is possible despite the 18 mm thin casing.
In the US, a variant of Zenbook Pro 16X, which equipped a Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070, 32GB of LPDDR5X RAM and 2 TB of SSD, is listed on Amazon for around $3,045.
Pricecompare
6th – Legion 9i 16IRX8 Gen 8 (i9-13980HX, RTX 4090)
If you're looking for a Core i9 CPU, an RTX 4090 GPU, and a mini-LED display, the Legion 9i 16 may well be for you. Compared to other mini-LED gaming laptops like the HP Omen Transcend 16, the Razer Blade 16, or the Asus Zephyrus M16, the Lenovo offers a faster graphics card than the HP, lower pricing than the Razer, and a higher native resolution than the Asus. Both the specs and aesthetics are very well done and offer real value over the already excellent Legion Pro 7.
The Legion 9i 16 will definitely impress enthusiasts with its fancy specs and appealing new look, as long as you can forgive its short battery life and relatively large chassis.
At the time of writing, the Legion 9i Gen 8 is available in several configurations directly from Lenovo with prices starting around $3,840.
Pricecompare
7th – Lenovo Legion Slim 7i 16 (Gen 8, i9-13900H, RTX 4070)
Lenovo's latest Legion laptop looks sleek and doesn't compromise on case quality, connectivity or display options. The performance is also excellent.
The Lenovo Legion Slim 7i 16 G8 sacrifices some performance for the slimmer dimensions and lighter weight. However, since the gaming laptop otherwise offers a very good compromise of performance and portability, most gamers should not complain about this.
In the US, the Legion Slim 7i 16 G8 is currently listed on Best Buy. Alternative, the manufacturer is now shipping its new model starting at $1,340.
Pricecompare
8th – Razer Blade 14 2024 (R9 8945HS, RTX 4070)
Razer is starting the new year strong with a small but solid update to its smallest Blade series. Most users will probably miss the AI improvements in the CPU, but the small changes to the GPU ensure that the 2024 Blade overtakes its predecessor.
If you are not interested in CPU AI or Wi-Fi 7, you may be convinced by the slight increase in graphics performance of the 2024 Blade 14. If not, the visually identical 2023 model offers almost the same performance for less money.
In the US, Amazon currently lists Razer Blade 14 2024 for around $2,700. The model is also available directly from Razer.
Pricecompare
9th – Asus ROG Flow X16 (i9-13900H , RTX 4060)
The Asus ROG Flow X16 is one thing above all - versatile! It's a slim, mobile work device, it's a convertible, a tablet, a powerful workstation and a gaming PC as well. What's even more surprising is that it does all of these things really well and hardly makes any major mistakes; it's anything but a lazy compromise.
The Asus ROG Flow X16 is an extremely versatile and powerful gaming workstation convertible with a good touch display.
Currently, users can order Asus ROG Flow X16 on stores. For example, Amazon US lists the model (i9-13900H, RTX 4060) for around $2,770.
Pricecompare
10th – Alienware m18 R1 (R9 7945HX, RX 7900M)
As the first 18-inch gaming laptop from Alienware in over a decade, Dell offers virtually every possible combination of Intel, AMD and Nvidia for its Alienware M18 R1 in order to appeal to as many gamers as possible. Users can therefore mix Intel-Nvidia, AMD-Nvidia or AMD-AMD options according to their own CPU-GPU preferences, which is rather unusual for a gaming laptop so far. The strongest argument of the AMD variant is its performance-per-dollar/euro, which is also the best reason to do without Intel and Nvidia. The price difference is so great that we could almost forget the many minor problems we found in the test, after all, we are saving hundreds of euros here.
Gaming laptops with a GeForce RTX 4080 are extremely bloated in terms of price. The more cost-efficient AMD Radeon RX 7900M is therefore a welcome challenger to bring GPU prices back down to earth.
In the US, Dell is supplying the Alienware m18 R1 in all configurations.
Pricecompare
Comparison of the Top 10 Gaming Laptops
Test Results
Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 2024 GA403U | Asus ROG Zephyrus G16 2024 GU605M | Razer Blade 16 2024, RTX 4090 | Alienware m18 R1 | Asus Zenbook Pro 16X UX7602BZ-MY005W | Lenovo Legion 9 16IRX8 | Lenovo Legion Slim 7i 16 Gen 8 | Razer Blade 14 RZ09-0508 | Asus ROG Flow X16 GV601V | Alienware m18 R1 AMD | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Display | ||||||||||
Display P3 Coverage | 99.6 | 99.9 | 99.1 | 97.7 | 99.93 | 97.2 | 70.4 | 96.9 | 96.61 | 98.5 |
sRGB Coverage | 100 | 100 | 99.9 | 100 | 100 | 99.9 | 99.4 | 99.8 | 99.92 | 99.7 |
AdobeRGB 1998 Coverage | 89.9 | 96.9 | 95.6 | 89.8 | 97.48 | 87 | 72.5 | 85 | 84.63 | 88.7 |
Response Times | ||||||||||
Response Time Grey 50% / Grey 80% * | 0.62 ? | 0.22 ? | 0.24 ? | 3 ? | 1.4 ? | 13.3 ? | 12 ? | 6 ? | 3.8 ? | 2.8 ? |
Response Time Black / White * | 0.68 ? | 0.25 ? | 0.4 ? | 9.9 ? | 2 ? | 11.6 ? | 8.9 ? | 8.3 ? | 7.6 ? | 9.6 ? |
PWM Frequency | 960 ? | 960 ? | 960 | 250 ? | 4742 | |||||
Screen | ||||||||||
Brightness middle | 423 | 416 | 418 | 372.8 | 331.8 | 674.9 | 474.6 | 484.1 | 486 | 319.6 |
Brightness | 424 | 418 | 420 | 367 | 334 | 682 | 445 | 466 | 469 | 304 |
Brightness Distribution | 98 | 96 | 98 | 97 | 98 | 96 | 86 | 89 | 91 | 87 |
Black Level * | 0.01 | 0.02 | 0.32 | 0.07 | 0.04 | 0.39 | 0.38 | 0.39 | 0.25 | |
Contrast | 42300 | 20900 | 1165 | 4740 | 16873 | 1217 | 1274 | 1246 | 1278 | |
Colorchecker dE 2000 * | 0.7 | 1.6 | 1.07 | 1.92 | 1.58 | 2.56 | 2.12 | 2.23 | 2.27 | 1.22 |
Colorchecker dE 2000 max. * | 1.8 | 2.1 | 4.04 | 3.65 | 4.23 | 4.16 | 4.73 | 4.57 | 5.73 | 3.1 |
Greyscale dE 2000 * | 0.8 | 2.7 | 1.12 | 1.5 | 4.25 | 3 | 2.8 | 1.6 | 3.36 | 0.8 |
Gamma | 2.18 101% | 2.16 102% | 2.29 96% | 2.34 94% | 2.206 100% | 2.38 92% | 2.22 99% | 2.24 98% | 2.46 89% | 2.23 99% |
CCT | 6505 100% | 6331 103% | 6417 101% | 6607 98% | 6249 104% | 6799 96% | 6542 99% | 6816 95% | 6625 98% | 6471 100% |
Colorchecker dE 2000 calibrated * | 1.07 | 0.51 | 6.66 | 2.47 | 0.57 | 0.74 | 0.6 | 0.47 | ||
Noise | ||||||||||
off / environment * | 23.9 | 23.9 | 23 | 22.8 | 24.9 | 23.7 | 22.8 | 24.3 | 24 | 22.4 |
Idle Minimum * | 23.9 | 23.9 | 23 | 23 | 24.9 | 24 | 23.6 | 25 | 24 | 23 |
Idle Average * | 23.9 | 27.8 | 23 | 23 | 24.9 | 24 | 23.6 | 25 | 24 | 23.4 |
Idle Maximum * | 23.9 | 30.1 | 27.66 | 23 | 24.9 | 30.4 | 25.7 | 25 | 24 | 33.5 |
Load Average * | 46.2 | 34.2 | 43.76 | 35.6 | 38 | 30.4 | 27.6 | 33 | 36.71 | 33.5 |
Witcher 3 ultra * | 46.2 | 46.4 | 46.81 | 51.3 | 52.2 | 54.4 | 49.5 | 50.92 | 53.6 | |
Load Maximum * | 46.2 | 46.4 | 50.37 | 56.7 | 51 | 54.9 | 54.4 | 51.9 | 50.92 | 53.6 |
Heat | ||||||||||
Maximum Upper Side * | 46.6 | 50.3 | 45 | 39 | 28.2 | 49.6 | 49.8 | 41.8 | 46 | 40.2 |
Maximum Bottom * | 47.8 | 48 | 45 | 36.4 | 35.1 | 48.6 | 48.8 | 42.2 | 41 | 37.4 |
Idle Upper Side * | 26.7 | 28.8 | 29 | 29.2 | 24.6 | 33.2 | 29.4 | 34.8 | 36 | 31.6 |
Idle Bottom * | 27.8 | 29.8 | 30 | 27.8 | 29.4 | 34.2 | 30 | 37.4 | 33 | 30.6 |
Battery Runtime | ||||||||||
WiFi v1.3 | 555 | 435 | 329 | 260 | 472.8 | 159 | 261 | 428 | 474 | 85 |
Load | 64 | 71 | 79 | 44 | 144 | 58 | 55 | 72 | 89 | 41 |
Reader / Idle | 334 | 782 | 404 | 305 | 480 | 268 | ||||
Power Consumption | ||||||||||
Idle Minimum * | 6.9 | 8.3 | 16.9 | 21.6 | 9 | 32.3 | 22 | 20.9 | 9.6 | 30.3 |
Idle Average * | 8.6 | 12.5 | 17.8 | 25.2 | 11.9 | 42.6 | 29 | 25.6 | 16 | 55.6 |
Idle Maximum * | 9 | 12.8 | 19.6 | 56.7 | 20.5 | 57.9 | 39.5 | 32.1 | 16.9 | 101.1 |
Load Average * | 75.2 | 71.3 | 128 | 164.1 | 93.5 | 121 | 98.7 | 72.7 | 104 | 160.3 |
Witcher 3 ultra * | 109.7 | 127.5 | 243 | 311 | 195.7 | 254 | 171.8 | 182.1 | 142 | 216 |
Load Maximum * | 161.6 | 169.1 | 328 | 338.9 | 267 | 297.7 | 213.2 | 228.4 | 214 | 332.1 |
* ... smaller is better