The best gaming laptop of 2022 is the Asus ROG Zephyrus G15. It can handle the most demanding games on the market today and also serves as an excellent daily driver.
Of course, this list will likely need updating soon as strong contenders are expected to hit shelves later this year. Some highly anticipated updates include AMD and Nvidia’s next-gen mobile processors and graphics cards, following the Ryzen 5000 and GeForce RTX 3000 series found in high-end gaming laptops.
QHD displays are becoming a key feature in top gaming laptops. More manufacturers are offering 1440p screens, even in gaming laptops under $2,000 (about 47 million VND). This hits a sweet spot for many gamers: better visuals than 1080p without the higher price or raw power needed for 4K. You can also expect high refresh rates depending on the model.
Another important factor is the power of the laptop’s chips. Not all processors with the same name perform equally, an RTX 3070 in one laptop might not deliver the same frame rates as an RTX 3070 in another due to power limits and other factors like cooling and CPU.
Nvidia now requires companies to disclose clock speeds and graphics power on each model’s product page, but many manufacturers still don’t. If you can’t find those numbers on the company’s site, check out reviews to make sure the model you’re considering delivers the frame rates you want.
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 light weight, it packs top-tier 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 that adds to the gaming vibe.
It’s not just for gaming, almost everything else about the G15 is excellent. It has six speakers delivering punchy bass and clear sound, a keyboard and trackpad with satisfying feedback, and a battery that can last up to 8.5 hours.
However, the G15 isn’t for everyone. This Asus laptop lacks a webcam and might not appeal to those wanting flashier aesthetics. But overall, the G15 is a serious contender, not only the best gaming laptop you can own but also one of the best laptops you can buy.
2. ASUS ROG ZEPHYRUS G14 – GREAT GAMING LAPTOP
If you want something thinner and lighter than the G15, the G14 is basically a smaller version of it. This model is rated as the best 14-inch gaming laptop you can buy.
It’s perfect for gaming on the go or at work, weighing just 3.79 pounds (1.36 kg) and measuring 0.77 inches (about 2 cm) thick. It comes with a great keyboard, trackpad, port selection, and display. Frame rates during testing were stable, with little performance difference between the 6700S and 6800S models. The G14’s battery can last all day, which is rare for gaming laptops today, and it even includes a webcam.
If you want animated RGB lighting, you can pay extra for Asus’s AniMe Matrix version. These models offer great value for the price. You can customize the display with words, images, or even a virtual pet for fun. If you’re looking for a powerful 14-inch gaming laptop that’s also a solid daily driver, this should top your list.
3. RAZER BLADE 17 – BEST LARGE SCREEN GAMING LAPTOP
The Blade 17 delivers some of the highest 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 unreal power packed into a slim, sleek chassis. It’s less than 0.8 inches thick and only needs one charger, so you can carry it in a backpack or briefcase without worrying about power.
This year’s model features a QHD 240Hz display and per-key customizable RGB keyboard, adding color without being too flashy for the office.
The Blade 17 isn’t cheap, but it’s the laptop to get if you want the absolute best.
4. LENOVO LEGION 5 PRO – GAMING LAPTOP WITH 16:10 SCREEN
The Legion 5 Pro is Lenovo’s best gaming laptop to date. Priced under $2,000, it delivers outstanding performance with AMD’s Ryzen 5000 processors in a 16-inch chassis. It performs impressively across all games, even at its native 2560 x 1600 resolution. With a 165Hz display, you’ll get the most out of the Legion 5 Pro’s power.
Beyond performance, the standout feature is its 16:10 screen. It’s rare to find such a tall display on gaming laptops today, giving you more space for multitasking if you want to use the Legion 5 Pro for everyday tasks. The keyboard is also enjoyable to use, with 1.5mm key travel and programmable four-zone backlighting.
The main downside is battery life: only about 4.5 hours of continuous use. On the plus side, it charges quickly with the included 300W power brick. Overall, while the G15 might be a better choice for frequent travelers, the Legion remains a strong contender.
5. MSI GE76 RAIDER – BEST GAMING LAPTOP WITH FLASHY RGB
The GE76 Raider isn’t cheap but delivers excellent quality. You can configure it with Nvidia’s top mobile GPU and Intel’s top processor. It also has a cooling system to keep everything stable (currently available with 11th-gen chips, but 12th-gen models require a preorder and come with a QHD 1080p 360Hz display).
Keep in mind this laptop is really just for gaming. Its battery life is average, and the chassis is thick and heavy. So if you want a device for both work and play, you might want to consider other options.
6. ASUS ROG STRIX G15 ADVANTAGE EDITION – BEST AMD GAMING LAPTOP
The ROG Strix G15 Advantage Edition is one of the few gaming laptops featuring both an AMD processor and AMD GPU. It delivers gaming performance on par with laptops sporting Nvidia’s top GPUs. It also offers one of the best gaming battery experiences, maintaining playable frame rates on Red Dead Redemption 2 for over an hour unplugged.
Its average battery runtime is 9 hours and 16 minutes between charges, making the Strix G15 one of the longest-lasting gaming laptops available. That’s impressive considering it powers tons of flashy LEDs, including per-key RGB lighting and a colorful light strip around the keyboard’s front edge. If you want a bold, fun design and prefer AMD, the Strix G15 Advantage Edition is an ideal gaming laptop.
7. RAZER BLADE 14 – BEST 14-INCH GAMING LAPTOP
If you want a powerful 14-inch device that can keep up with the best 15-inch gaming laptops, the only real choice is the Razer Blade 14. This slim, portable machine packs Nvidia RTX 3070 and 3080 mobile GPUs and a powerful eight-core AMD chip.
It’s a beautiful device with a QHD 165Hz display option and a premium RGB keyboard. It also offers a reasonable port selection, including HDMI 2.1 and two USB-C ports.
8. MSI GS76 STEALTH – GREAT 17-INCH GAMING LAPTOP
If you like the RGB style of the GE76 Raider but are put off by the price and bulky chassis, the GS76 Stealth might be a more practical choice. This gaming laptop features per-key customizable lighting. While it lacks a light bar, which some gamers might miss, it makes the GS76 more suitable for office or public settings.
Though the GS76 Stealth isn’t as powerful as top-tier models and can’t fully utilize its QHD screen on all games, it can still run most titles at impressive frame rates. As one of the thinnest and lightest 17-inch gaming laptops available, it’s a solid pick if you want a large screen that’s still portable.
