With a gaming laptop, you can take your campaign with you. On a plane. On a cruise. On a train. You’ll be able to keep those missions on track pretty much anywhere. And all those long journeys will absolutely fly by! The good news is that a modern gaming laptop that can take on AAA games might be a lot more affordable than you think.
We haven’t just picked out some good gaming laptops for you though, oh no. We’ve rounded up some of the best gaming laptops out there from Lenovo, Asus, ACER and MSI. Whatever your budget, we’ve definitely got some next level machines for you to pick from…
Best budget gaming laptop
If you’re after the best cheap gaming laptop, we’d go for the ACER Nitro V15 15.6" Gaming Laptop. It’s powered by a Ryzen 7 processor and an RTX 4050 graphics card, which means it can handle big-name games without breaking a sweat. The 144 Hz Full HD screen keeps everything looking smooth and sharp, and the dual cooling fans help it stay cool when things get intense.
You’ve got 16 GB of fast DDR5 RAM for multitasking, and a 512 GB SSD for quick load times and plenty of storage. Audio gets a boost too, thanks to DTS:X Ultra surround sound. Plus, with WiFi 6, HDMI 2.1 and USB-C ports, it’s easy to stay connected and expand your setup. Whether you're gaming, streaming or doing a bit of both, this laptop gives you great value for the price.
Key specs & features
Processor: AMD Ryzen 7 – fast and reliable for gaming and multitasking
Graphics: NVIDIA RTX 4050 – supports ray tracing and AI-enhanced visuals
Display: 15.6" Full HD IPS with 144 Hz refresh rate – smooth, sharp gameplay
Cooling: Dual fans – keeps things cool during long sessions
Memory: 16 GB DDR5 RAM – great for multitasking and speed
Storage: 512 GB SSD – fast load times and room for your games
Audio: DTS:X Ultra – immersive surround sound with headphones
Connectivity: WiFi 6, Ethernet, HDMI 2.1, USB-C – fast and flexible
Control: NitroSense – tweak fan speeds and monitor performance easily
Best mid-range gaming laptop
Got a little bit extra to spend? Then check out the MSI Katana 15 HX 15.6" Gaming Laptop. It’s powered by a 14th Gen Intel Core i7 processor, so whether you're gaming, streaming or multitasking, it won’t slow you down. The RTX 5050 graphics card brings cutting-edge features like AI-powered ray tracing, making your games look more realistic than ever.
The Quad HD display is sharp and vibrant. And with a 165 Hz refresh rate, everything stays smooth and responsive. It also stays cool under pressure thanks to Cooler Boost 5. If you want even more performance, the CPU is unlocked for overclocking. Add in immersive audio, fast connectivity, and a customisable RGB keyboard, and you’ve got a machine that’s ready for serious play.
Key specs & features
Processor: 14th Gen Intel Core i7 – fast, reliable, and unlocked for overclocking
Graphics: NVIDIA RTX 5050 – supports AI-powered ray tracing for realistic visuals
Display: Quad HD with 165 Hz refresh rate – crisp, smooth gameplay
Cooling: Cooler Boost 5 – powerful airflow keeps things cool during intense sessions
Memory: 16 GB DDR5 RAM – great for multitasking, upgradeable to 96 GB
Storage: (Not specified, but likely SSD – can be added if known)
Connectivity: WiFi 6E, Gigabit Ethernet – fast and stable for online gaming
Ports: HDMI 2.1 – supports 8K or 4K at 120 Hz
Keyboard: 4-zone RGB – customise your setup and show off your style
Best gaming laptop under £1500
If you're looking for serious gaming power without going over the £1500 mark, the Lenovo Legion 5 is a top pick. It’s built to handle everything from high-end AAA games to demanding creative work, thanks to a 13th Gen Intel Core i7 processor with 14 cores and an RTX 5060 graphics card.
The 2.5K OLED display is a real standout - rich colours, deep contrast and a super-fast 240 Hz refresh rate make every frame look incredible. It’s also got smart cooling with ColdFront Hyper tech, so it stays cool even when the action heats up. You can overclock the unlocked CPU for extra performance, and AI-powered scenario detection helps optimise things whether you’re gaming, streaming or working. With fast DDR5 RAM, loads of ports, and lag-free connectivity, it’s a well-rounded machine that punches well above its price.
Key specs & features
Processor: 13th Gen Intel Core i7 (14 cores) – powerful and unlocked for overclocking
Graphics: NVIDIA RTX 5060 – great for gaming and creative apps with ray tracing
Display: 2.5K OLED with 240 Hz refresh rate – stunning visuals and ultra-smooth gameplay
Cooling: ColdFront Hyper – keeps performance steady under pressure
Memory: 16 GB DDR5 RAM – fast multitasking, even with demanding apps
Performance Tuning: AI scenario detection – adjusts performance for gaming, streaming, and more
Keyboard: RGB backlit with 100% anti-ghosting – responsive and customisable
Connectivity: HDMI 2.1, Thunderbolt 4, Ethernet, WiFi 7 – fast and flexible
Price Point: High-end specs under £1500 – excellent value for serious gamers
Best gaming laptop under £2000
If you want top-tier gaming performance in a sleek, portable package, the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 is hard to beat - especially under £2000. It’s packed with powerful components like the AMD Ryzen 9 processor and RTX 5070 graphics card, so it can handle the latest AAA games and creative apps.
Despite all that power, it’s just 1.6 cm thick and weighs only 1.5 kg, making it easy to game anywhere. The 3K OLED screen is a real highlight - super sharp, vibrant and smooth thanks to its 120 Hz refresh rate. Cooling is handled brilliantly with ROG Intelligent Cooling, which uses three fans and a smart heatpipe system to keep things quiet and cool. Add in 32 GB of DDR5 RAM, Dolby Atmos sound and fast ports like USB 4 and HDMI 2.1, and you’ve got a premium gaming laptop that’s still great value.
Key specs & features
Processor: AMD Ryzen 9 – fast, efficient, and ideal for gaming and creative work
Graphics: NVIDIA RTX 5070 – handles the latest AAA titles with ray tracing and AI features
Display: 3K OLED with 120 Hz refresh rate – sharp, vibrant, and smooth visuals
Cooling: ROG Intelligent Cooling – triple-fan system keeps it cool and quiet
Memory: 32 GB DDR5 RAM – perfect for multitasking and future-proofing
Audio: Dolby Atmos – immersive virtual surround sound
Mic: AI-powered two-way noise cancelling – clear team comms, even in noisy environments
Connectivity: USB 4, HDMI 2.1 – fast data and high-res monitor support
Security: Full HD webcam with Windows Hello – quick and secure login
Portability: Just 1.6 cm thick and 1.5 kg – easy to take anywhere
FAQ
Are MacBooks good for gaming?
MacBooks are way better for creative work. They’re the go to machines for graphic design, video editing and music production. But, if you want a laptop specifically for gaming, we’d stick with one running on Windows.
They’ll usually have better graphics and a bigger library of games to play on them. After all, not every title gets a Mac release. So, if you don’t want to miss out on your favourites, it’s an easy decision to make!
How long do gaming laptops last?
That really depends on how well you take care of them. Some gaming laptops let you swap out different components too. We’re talking parts like your processor, RAM, and the hard drive. And upgrading these will keep your laptop in tip top shape. Plus, it’ll be future proofed and ready to play all the latest titles when they come out.
Are gaming laptops good for everyday use?
They sure are. You’ll be able to do all the stuff you’d normally do on a regular laptop. Whether that’s a bit of online shopping or scrolling away on social media. Except you’ll also have the added bonus of being able to sit down for some epic gaming sessions too. It’s really like having the best of both worlds.
Are gaming laptops worth it?
If you’re a big gamer and want to play PC games on the go, then it’s a no brainer. You’ll be able to download all the latest and greatest titles from Steam, the Epic Games Store and more. Including exclusive games that you can’t play on consoles. And because they’re portable, you can get a few missions in wherever, whenever. It’ll be a game changer for your daily commute!
So, now you know which is the best gaming laptop for you. But maybe you need one for work or video editing instead? No worries, we’ve got you. Check out the best laptops: which one is right for you? And keep it in great nick and learn how to clean your laptop with our handy guide. You’ll thank us later!
But if you still need a hand finding the best laptop for gaming, head over to ShopLive. Our in-store experts can point you in the right direction and help you level up your setup. Sorted.
