
Ranking: Best gaming laptops reviewed by Notebookcheck
February 2025 update.
Featuring powerful processors, high-end graphics cards, and smooth high-refresh-rate displays, gaming laptops are built to handle the latest PC games. In this article, we rank the best models tested by Notebookcheck in recent months.Christian Hintze, ✓ Sebastian Jankowski (translated by DeepL / Ninh Duy) Published 🇩🇪 🇹🇷 ...
There are no compromises in the high-end gaming segment. Equipped with the latest graphics cards and processors, these gaming laptops match desktop-level performance. Even the most demanding PC games run smoothly at high resolutions with maxed-out settings. Additionally, high refresh rate displays enhance competitiveness in fast-paced games.
The following overview lists the top-rated gaming laptops from the last 12 months based on our comprehensive tests. Click the links to read the full reviews.
Best gaming laptops reviewed by Notebookcheck (new v8 rating system)
Image | Model / Review | Price | Weight | Height | Display |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Asus ROG Zephyrus G16 GU605MY Intel Core Ultra 9 185H ⎘ NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 Laptop GPU ⎘ 32 GB Memory, 2048 GB SSD | Amazon: List Price: 4300€ | 1.9 kg | 16.4 mm | 16.00" 2560x1600 189 PPI OLED | |
Acer Predator Helios 16 PH16-72 Intel Core i9-14900HX ⎘ NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 Laptop GPU ⎘ 32 GB Memory, 2048 GB SSD | Amazon: 1. $3,004.58 acer Predator Helios 16 PH16... 2. $2,994.45 acer Predator Helios 16 PH16... 3. $4.99 Silicone Keyboard Cover Skin... | 2.7 kg | 29.6 mm | 16.00" 2560x1600 189 PPI IPS | |
SCHENKER XMG Neo 16 (Early 24) Intel Core i9-14900HX ⎘ NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 Laptop GPU ⎘ 32 GB Memory, 1024 GB SSD | Amazon: 1. $145.00 16.0" WQXGA 2560(RGB)×1600 ... 2. $155.00 Replacement Screen 16.0" for... List Price: 3800 Euro | 2.5 kg | 26.6 mm | 16.00" 2560x1600 189 PPI IPS | |
MSI Raider 18 HX A14V Intel Core i9-14900HX ⎘ NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 Laptop GPU ⎘ 64 GB Memory, 2048 GB SSD | Amazon: $5,499.00 List Price: 3400 USD | 3.6 kg | 32 mm | 18.00" 3840x2400 252 PPI Mini-LED | |
SCHENKER XMG Neo 17 E24 Intel Core i9-14900HX ⎘ NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 Laptop GPU ⎘ 32 GB Memory, 1024 GB SSD | List Price: 3189€ | 2.9 kg | 27 mm | 17.00" 2560x1600 178 PPI IPS | |
Lenovo Legion 9 16IRX9, RTX 4090 Intel Core i9-14900HX ⎘ NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 Laptop GPU ⎘ 64 GB Memory, 2048 GB SSD | Amazon: $4,799.00 List Price: 4899 Euro | 2.5 kg | 22.7 mm | 16.00" 3200x2000 236 PPI MiniLED | |
SCHENKER XMG Core 15 (M24) AMD Ryzen 7 8845HS ⎘ NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU ⎘ 32 GB Memory, 1024 GB SSD | List Price: 1650 Euro | 2.1 kg | 21.9 mm | 15.30" 2560x1600 197 PPI IPS | |
Lenovo Legion Pro 5 16IRX9 G9 Intel Core i7-14700HX ⎘ NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU ⎘ 32 GB Memory, 1024 GB SSD | Amazon: $1,699.00 List Price: 1.432 Euro | 2.5 kg | 26.55 mm | 16.00" 2560x1600 189 PPI IPS | |
Nubia RedMagic Titan 16 Pro Intel Core i9-14900HX ⎘ NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU ⎘ 16 GB Memory, 1024 GB SSD | Amazon: 1. $62.29 atFoliX Plastic Glass Protec... 2. $65.79 atFoliX Screen Protector com... 3. $64.89 atFoliX Screen Protection Fi... List Price: 1759 Euro | 2.4 kg | 23.9 mm | 16.00" 2560x1600 189 PPI IPS | |
SCHENKER XMG Pro 16 Studio (Mid 24) Intel Core i9-14900HX ⎘ NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Laptop GPU ⎘ 32 GB Memory, 1024 GB SSD | Amazon: 1. $155.00 Replacement Screen 16.0" for... 2. $145.00 16.0" WQXGA 2560(RGB)×1600 ... List Price: 2300 Euro | 2.3 kg | 19.9 mm | 16.00" 2560x1600 189 PPI IPS |
Note: The transition to a new rating system took place in June 2024. In the updated v8 rating, certain criteria were adjusted to reflect current hardware developments, new factors were introduced, and some measurement techniques were modified. As a result, v8 ratings are slightly lower than v7 ratings and are not directly comparable to previous versions. For this reason, we currently provide two tables: one listing the best devices according to the v7 rating system and another for the v8 system. More details on the v8 rating system can be found here.
Best gaming laptops reviewed by Notebookcheck (v7 rating system)
Image | Model / Review | Price | Weight | Height | Display |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Lenovo Yoga Pro 9 16IMH9 RTX 4050 Intel Core Ultra 9 185H ⎘ NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 Laptop GPU ⎘ 32 GB Memory, 1024 GB SSD | Amazon: 1. $13.88 MUBUY-GOL Screen Protector F... 2. $10.99 KEANBOLL 3 Pack Designed for... 3. $59.99 Laptop Cover for Lenovo Yoga... List Price: 1900 USD | 2.1 kg | 18.3 mm | 16.00" 3200x2000 236 PPI IPS | |
Lenovo Legion 7 16 IRX G9 Intel Core i9-14900HX ⎘ NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Laptop GPU ⎘ 32 GB Memory, 1024 GB SSD | Amazon: List Price: 2249€ | 2.3 kg | 19.8 mm | 16.00" 3200x2000 236 PPI IPS | |
Razer Blade 18 2024 RZ09-0509 Intel Core i9-14900HX ⎘ NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 Laptop GPU ⎘ 32 GB Memory | Amazon: $6,698.00 List Price: 4500 USD | 3.1 kg | 21.9 mm | 18.00" 2560x1600 168 PPI Mini-LED | |
Alienware m16 R2 Intel Core Ultra 7 155H ⎘ NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Laptop GPU ⎘ 16 GB Memory, 1024 GB SSD | Amazon: List Price: 1850 USD | 2.5 kg | 23.5 mm | 16.00" 2560x1600 189 PPI IPS |
The tables above provide an overview of the best gaming laptops tested by Notebookcheck in the last 12 months, along with relevant models that are still available. If multiple products have the same rating, the newer review is ranked higher. Prices are updated daily and may change.
Link: all tested products in this class
Editorial comment
In February, four devices from our old v7 list are retiring, including the excellent Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 2024, Asus ROG Zephyrus G16 2024, Razer Blade 16 2024, and Razer Blade 14. There are no major newcomers at the moment as we await the arrival of laptops with the RTX 50 generation.
Laptops that narrowly missed our top ten
- Alienware x16 R2 (06/24, 88 %)
- Alienware m18 R2 (03/24, 90 %)
- Lenovo Legion Pro 7 16 (03/24, 90 %)
- HP Omen Transcend 14 (03/24, 89 %)
- MSI Titan 18 HX A14VIG (01/24, 89 %)
- Medion Erazer Beast X40 (02/24, 89 %)
- MSI Stealth 16 Mercedes-AMG Motorsport (11/23, 89 %)
- XMG Pro 16 Studio (11/23, 88 %)
- Lenovo Legion Slim 7 16 AMD (11/23, 90 %)
- Schenker XMG Core 16 (10/23, 89%)
- Lenovo Legion Pro 5 16ARX8 (07/23, 89 %)
- Lenovo Legion Slim 5 14APH8 (07/23, 88 %)
Previous top-listed models
- Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 2024 (02/24, 93 %)
- Asus ROG Zephyrus G16 2024 (02/24, 92 %)
- Razer Blade 16 2024 (02/24, 91 %)
- Razer Blade 14 2024 (02/24, 90 %)
- Asus Zenbook Pro 16X (11/23, 91 %)
- Lenovo Legion 9 16IRX8 (10/23, 90 %)
- Asus ROG Flow X16 (06/23, 90 %)
- Medion Erazer Beast X40 (02/24, 89 %)
- Alienware m18 R1 (04/23, 91 %)
- MSI Stealth 16 Studio A13VG (07/23, 89 %)
- Acer Predator Helios 16 (07/23, 89 %)
- Asus ROG Flow Z13 ACRNM (04/23, 89 %)
- Alienware m16 R1 AMD (08/23, 89 %)
1st place - Asus ROG Zephyrus G16 (Ultra 9 185H, RTX 4090)
Asus only equips the most powerful models of the ROG Zephyrus G16 with vapor-chamber cooling, specifically those featuring the Core Ultra 9 185H and GeForce RTX 4090. It also includes the familiar 240 Hz OLED screen. The Asus Zephyrus G16 2024 remains a thin and relatively lightweight gaming laptop, making it suitable for content creators and multimedia users as well.
With the ROG Zephyrus G16, Asus offers a highly compact 16-inch laptop with the GeForce RTX 4090. However, its emphasis on mobility requires performance compromises, and other RTX 4090 models outperform it in gaming performance.
The ROG Zephyrus G16 with the Intel Core Ultra 9 185H and Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 laptop has an RRP of 4299 euros and can be ordered from Amazon DE, Notebooksbilliger, or directly from Asus.
2nd place - Lenovo Yoga Pro 9 (Ultra 9 185H, RTX 4050)
The Yoga Pro 9 16IMH9 is the most impressive model in the series so far, even in its base configuration without RTX 4070 graphics or the stylish mini LED screen. It presents a real alternative to the XPS 16 or MacBook Pro 16, with an IPS display, strong performance, and a competitive size. Additionally, it offers easier maintenance and a better keyboard than the XPS.
The AI-enabled Lenovo Yoga Pro 9 16IMH9 is not only a great alternative to the Dell XPS 16 or MacBook Pro 16, but it also outperforms them in certain aspects.
Currently, Amazon DE is offering the Lenovo Yoga Pro 9 16 configuration for 1,900 euros.
3rd place - Lenovo Legion 7 16 G9 (i9-14900HX, RTX 4070)
With the Legion 7 16 G9, Lenovo offers a relatively slim and discreet gaming laptop that also appeals to multimedia users and content creators. Equipped with Intel's Core i9-14900HX and Nvidia's GeForce RTX 4070 laptop, it delivers ample power for the 3.2K IPS display with P3 coverage.
The new Lenovo Legion 7i 16 G9 is a discreet gaming laptop with strong performance and solid features. Its high-resolution IPS display is also well-suited for image editing, and it operates without PWM flickering.
The Legion 7i 16 G9 is available directly from Lenovo starting at around 2,100 euro.
4th place - Razer Blade 18 (i9-14900HX, RTX 4090)
Razer sets new standards with the Razer Blade 18, raising the bar again this year with its 300 Hz 2K Mini LED and 200 Hz 4K IPS display options, alongside the already powerful 175 W GeForce RTX 4090. The HDR1000 Mini LED panel, in particular, makes the Blade 18 a standout choice for gaming and multimedia.
Thunderbolt 5, Mini LED, and Wi-Fi 7 help differentiate the 2024 Blade 18 from its predecessor. However, performance enthusiasts will find little difference between the 2023 and 2024 models.
Our test configuration is currently not available for less than 5,000 euros. It starts at 5,105 euros via an eBay store, while major retailers like Notebooksbilliger list it for 5,149 euros. The 4K model costs an additional 200 euros, while opting for an RTX 4070 instead of the RTX 4090 saves 1,600 euros.
5th place - Acer Predator Helios 16 (i9-14900HX, RTX 4080)
A brilliant mini LED display, efficient cooling, and extensive customization options make the Acer Predator Helios 16 a top-tier gaming laptop. Despite its power, it can remain surprisingly quiet in practice.
The Acer Predator Helios 16 delivers impressive performance across the board. Its flexibility allows users to fine-tune the device to their preferences, while the cooling system ensures efficient heat management without excessive noise.
Following the announcement of its successor, the price has dropped significantly. Originally listed at 3,000 euros, it is now available for around 2,500 euros.
6th place - XMG Neo 16 (i9-14900HX, RTX 4090)
The XMG Neo 16 (early 24) is currently one of the most powerful notebooks, featuring a Core i9-14900HX and GeForce RTX 4090, making it ideal for gaming, streaming, and rendering. An optional external water cooling system pushes the hardware to its limits.
Schenker delivers immense power in a compact format with the XMG Neo 16 (Early 24).
The XMG Neo 16 (Early 24) can be customized and purchased via the Schenker online store. The test device is priced at around 3,800 euros, while entry-level models with an RTX 4060 start at approximately 1,850 euros. The optional water cooling system costs an additional 219 euros.
7th place - Alienware m16 R2 (Ultra 7 155H, RTX 4070)
With a smaller and lighter form factor, the Alienware m16 R2 is the first in the newer generation to drop the wraparound thermal deck at the back. Some features were sacrificed, but the result is one of the most portable Alienware notebooks ever.
If you're fine with a GeForce RTX 4060 or 4070, the Alienware m16 R2 stands out as the best all-rounder in the series. For higher performance while maintaining portability, the pricier Blade 16 remains the better option.
Dell now offers the Alienware m16 R2 starting at 1,899 euros for the RTX 4060 model, with the RTX 4070 variant priced at 2,199 euros.
8th place - MSI Raider 18 HX (i9-14900HX, RTX 4080)
The new Raider 18 eliminates many of the "unnecessary" features of the Titan 18 while retaining the same high-end CPU, GPU, and display options. This allows it to deliver an identical gaming and visual experience at a significantly lower price, making it a more appealing choice for enthusiasts.
The Raider 18 HX fully utilizes the potential of the Core i9 CPU and 175W GPU, though it is larger, heavier, and often louder than many competitors.
The MSI Raider 18 HX, in configurations different from the one we tested, is still available on Amazon DE.
9th place - Schenker XMG Neo 17 E24 (i9-14900HX, RTX 4080)
With the XMG Neo 17, you get a pure gaming machine that can be configured with the fastest components available. Optional features include a mechanical Cherry keyboard and an external water cooling system, which not only lowers temperatures but also reduces fan noise.
The XMG Neo 17 is built for gaming performance, delivering excellent results. With optional water cooling, both temperatures and noise levels can be further improved. The matte QHD panel with 240 Hz and fast response times makes it highly suitable for gaming.
The Schenker Neo 17 E24 can be configured and ordered directly from Bestware.
10th place - Legion 9i 16IRX9 (i9-14900HX, RTX 4090)
"Forged carbon... reinforced with 90% recycled magnesium", an update to Intel's Gen14 CPUs including AI functions and a bright MiniLED display with HDR1000. This comes with the RTX 4090 in the 4,899 euro luxury gamer.
The Legion 9i is a stylish high-end gamer, but unlike the smaller Legion models, the expensive high-end model is plagued by annoying problems such as a suboptimal cooling system and major latency issues.
The Lenovo Legion 9 16IRX9 or Lenovo Legion 9i with an RTX 4080 is available directly from Lenovo for 3,499 euros.
Best gaming laptops: Overview
Measurements
Asus ROG Zephyrus G16 2024 GU605M | Lenovo Yoga Pro 9 16IMH9 RTX 4050 | Lenovo Legion 7 16 IRX G9 | Razer Blade 18 2024 RZ09-0509 | Alienware m16 R2 | Acer Predator Helios 16 PH16-72 | SCHENKER XMG Neo 16 (Early 24) | Lenovo Legion 9 16IRX9, RTX 4090 | SCHENKER XMG Core 15 (M24) | SCHENKER XMG Pro 16 Studio (Mid 24) | MSI Raider 18 HX A14V NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 Laptop GPU, i9-14900HX, Samsung PM9A1 MZVL22T0HBLB | Nubia RedMagic Titan 16 Pro NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU, i9-14900HX, Samsung PM9A1 MZVL21T0HCLR | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Display | ||||||||||||
Display P3 Coverage | 99.9 | 95.6 | 95 | 99 | 71 | 99.82 | 70.2 | 95.3 | 73.2 | 68.8 | 96.6 | 96.3 |
sRGB Coverage | 100 | 99.9 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 98 | 99.9 | 100 | 99.5 | 99.9 | 100 |
AdobeRGB 1998 Coverage | 96.9 | 86.5 | 87.2 | 86.9 | 71.4 | 94.12 | 70.6 | 86.6 | 74.6 | 70.8 | 84.8 | 84.1 |
Response Times | ||||||||||||
Response Time Grey 50% / Grey 80% * | 0.22 ? | 12.4 ? | 14.4 ? | 7.6 ? | 5.7 ? | 7.2 ? | 11.2 ? | 12.6 ? | 9.6 ? | 12.7 ? | 10.4 ? | 3.9 ? |
Response Time Black / White * | 0.25 ? | 8.9 ? | 7.2 ? | 14 ? | 8.7 ? | 67.6 ? | 5.1 ? | 10 ? | 9.2 ? | 6.3 ? | 75.8 ? | 5 ? |
PWM Frequency | 960 ? | 26444 ? | 2630 | 5430 | 2606.2 ? | |||||||
Screen | ||||||||||||
Brightness middle | 416 | 404.9 | 412 | 605.4 | 345.8 | 699 | 530 | 631 | 635 | 416 | 575.7 | 543 |
Brightness | 418 | 390 | 396 | 600 | 337 | 672 | 497 | 664 | 604 | 392 | 574 | 516 |
Brightness Distribution | 96 | 91 | 89 | 97 | 87 | 92 | 85 | 91 | 91 | 86 | 94 | 86 |
Black Level * | 0.4 | 0.43 | 0.62 | 0.3 | 0.0001 | 0.53 | 0.03 | 0.64 | 0.38 | 0.51 | ||
Colorchecker dE 2000 * | 1.6 | 2.42 | 0.9 | 1.53 | 1.99 | 3.89 | 3.21 | 2.68 | 1.89 | 2.33 | 3.56 | 3.19 |
Colorchecker dE 2000 max. * | 2.1 | 4.65 | 2 | 4.15 | 3.52 | 5.51 | 5.8 | 6.41 | 3.14 | 6.07 | 8.64 | 7.09 |
Greyscale dE 2000 * | 2.7 | 1.1 | 1.4 | 2.6 | 2.1 | 5.14 | 4.2 | 2.71 | 2.53 | 3.7 | 5.6 | 4.2 |
Gamma | 2.16 102% | 2.22 99% | 2.23 99% | 2.22 99% | 2.32 95% | 2.018 109% | 2.226 99% | 2.27 97% | 2.36 93% | 2.161 102% | 2.34 94% | 1.999 110% |
CCT | 6331 103% | 6468 100% | 6731 97% | 6843 95% | 6369 102% | 7113 91% | 6448 101% | 6135 106% | 6434 101% | 7102 92% | 7872 83% | 7431 87% |
Contrast | 1012 | 958 | 976 | 1153 | 6990000 | 1000 | 21033 | 992 | 1095 | 1065 | ||
Colorchecker dE 2000 calibrated * | 0.93 | 0.6 | 0.62 | 2.17 | 1.44 | 2.68 | 1.14 | 1.02 | 2.69 | 0.69 | ||
Noise | ||||||||||||
off / environment * | 23.9 | 23.6 | 24.5 | 23.4 | 24.7 | 26.1 | 26 | 23 | 23 | 25 | 23.3 | 26 |
Idle Minimum * | 23.9 | 23.6 | 24.5 | 23.9 | 25.3 | 26.1 | 28 | 23 | 23 | 28 | 28.6 | 35 |
Idle Average * | 27.8 | 25.4 | 24.5 | 28.2 | 25.3 | 29.4 | 29 | 23 | 23 | 31 | 28.6 | 36 |
Idle Maximum * | 30.1 | 25.4 | 24.5 | 29 | 25.3 | 31.9 | 31 | 23 | 23 | 35 | 31.3 | 40 |
Load Average * | 34.2 | 44.2 | 34.8 | 36.8 | 31.7 | 51 | 39 | 38.92 | 52 | 44.1 | 49 | |
Witcher 3 ultra * | 46.4 | 48.9 | 54.1 | 54.1 | 53.8 | 54 | 55.32 | 50.96 | ||||
Load Maximum * | 46.4 | 52.6 | 54.1 | 61.1 | 62 | 45.6 | 56 | 55.56 | 52.09 | 52 | 62.7 | 52 |
Cyberpunk 2077 ultra * | 48.2 | 52.06 | 53 | 59.4 | 50 | |||||||
Heat | ||||||||||||
Maximum Upper Side * | 50.3 | 41 | 43.7 | 43.2 | 44.8 | 37.5 | 47 | 56 | 52 | 51 | 40.8 | 50 |
Maximum Bottom * | 48 | 40.6 | 42.9 | 42.6 | 48 | 43.9 | 56 | 53 | 61 | 66 | 43.4 | 58 |
Idle Upper Side * | 28.8 | 30.2 | 29.1 | 36 | 37.2 | 31 | 27 | 38 | 35 | 35 | 36.4 | 31 |
Idle Bottom * | 29.8 | 31.4 | 30.6 | 36.4 | 42 | 42 | 27 | 39 | 39 | 39 | 36.4 | 32 |
Battery Runtime | ||||||||||||
WiFi v1.3 | 435 | 540 | 433 | 263 | 483 | 277 | 350 | 290 | 889 | 337 | 198 | 280 |
Load | 71 | 49 | 58 | 60 | 122 | 129 | 151 | 76 | 76 | |||
Reader / Idle | 395 | 758 | 600 | 264 | 481 | |||||||
Cyberpunk 2077 ultra 150cd | 45 | |||||||||||
Power Consumption | ||||||||||||
Idle Minimum * | 8.3 | 9.9 | 15.4 | 25.4 | 8.1 | 31.5 | 6 | 20.5 | 9.3 | 31 | 27.7 | 16 |
Idle Average * | 12.5 | 16.6 | 21.2 | 37.7 | 13 | 31.5 | 16 | 27.7 | 12.9 | 33 | 38.3 | 19 |
Idle Maximum * | 12.8 | 29.2 | 21.9 | 57.9 | 40.3 | 47.5 | 28 | 32.1 | 12.8 | 41 | 47.1 | 27 |
Load Average * | 71.3 | 100.9 | 128.5 | 128.4 | 79 | 130 | 105 | 114 | 121.2 | 123 | ||
Witcher 3 ultra * | 127.5 | 151.8 | 188.4 | 273.1 | 188.1 | 302 | 246 | 167 | ||||
Load Maximum * | 169.1 | 182.2 | 239.1 | 297.9 | 254.9 | 313 | 361 | 323 | 286 | 250 | 321.8 | 240 |
Cyberpunk 2077 ultra * | 231 | 218 | 313 | 184.3 | ||||||||
Cyberpunk 2077 ultra external monitor * | 270 | 196.8 | 306 | 174.2 |
* ... smaller is better