all the latest models compared
The best gaming laptops provide the power of a high-end desktop with the portability of a much smaller, lighter machine – that much is obvious. However, truly great gaming laptops manage to do all this while remaining cool and comfortable enough to run for long periods of time, all while packing high quality graphics, displays, and performance into a fair price tag.
Thankfully, those on the hunt for the best gaming laptop in 2023 have plenty to choose from. With 16-inch and 18-inch form factors taking over from the previous 15.6-inch and 17.3-inch mainstream, we’re getting bigger screens, boosted graphics power, and the latest generation of blindingly fast processors. That means PC gaming on the go has never felt so good – and we’re bringing you all the top models right here.
The best gaming laptop of 2023 is the Asus ROG Strix Scar 16 so far, but plenty of our favorite machines balance raw power with value for money. That means some of these top models won’t run the most impressive graphics cards or pack bags of RAM – they will simply outperform their price tag. After all, if you don’t need an all singing rig, why pay for one.
We’ve put a wide range of gaming laptops through their paces to find the best machines in the business, testing performance relative to the specs on offer, efficiency in design and temperature, and overall value for money. We run each machine through a series of performance benchmarks, and live, play, and work with the models we review for an extended period of time – you can check out exactly how we test gaming laptops in our dedicated guide. You’ll find all our recommendations for the best gaming laptop on the market just below, and more information on choosing the right configuration for you and your budget as well.
What do our benchmark scores mean?
We run each gaming laptop we get our hands on through a series of tests across gaming and productivity performance. Of these scores, we’re listing two with each of our favorite machines below; Fire Strike and Time Spy. Both tests stress both the graphics and processing of a laptop, returning one final score once completed. The higher the score, the better the performance.
1. Asus ROG Strix Scar 16 (2023)
The best gaming laptop overall
SPECIFICATIONS
CPU: Intel i9-13980HX
GPU: RTX 4080 | RTX 4090
RAM: 16GB | 32GB
Storage: 2TB M.2 PCL 4.0 SSD
Display: 16-inch QHD+ Mini LED, 240Hz | 16-inch QHD+ IPS, 240Hz
Ports: 1x USB-C Thunderbolt 4, 1x USB-C Gen 2, 2x USB-A 3.2 Gen 2, HDMI 2.1, 2.5G LAN, 3.5mm
REASONS TO BUY
+
Classic RGB-laden aesthetic taken to new heights+
Intel i9 absolutely sings+
Vivid, bright display with excellent contrast+
Three figure framerates at Ultra settings
REASONS TO AVOID
–
Ports moved back to sides-
Translucent design won’t be for everyone-
Trackpad feels a little mushy and clunky
Asus ROG Strix Scar 16 | RTX 4080 | Intel i9-13980HX
This is the CPU / GPU we tested in our Asus ROG Strix Scar 16 review, and even though you’re not going for the top top RTX 4090 model it still provides an eye-watering amount of power. 32GB RAM will see you through the games of the future and that Nebula display certainly isn’t to be missed either.
The Asus ROG Strix Scar 16 has taken over from the Razer Blade 15 (still featured below) as the best gaming laptop we’ve had our hands on yet. This thing flies through anything you can throw at it, without reaching the dizzying heights of other premium RTX 40-Series rigs. That’s because the Strix Scar puts its power exactly where a PC gaming enthusiast wants it – cooling, CPU efficiency, and GPU power – all while still offering a crisp set of RGB panels and a Mini LED display worthy of its next generation chassis.
No, framerates weren’t as impressive as the ROG Zephyrus Duo 16 listed below – but equally you’re not spending an extra $1,000 on a fancy second screen (and the power to run it) you might not use. Plus, at three-figure framerates in Ultra settings across demanding titles, there’s no arguing the raw horsepower baked into this machine.
We tested an RTX 4080 rig with the Intel i9-13980HX processor that comes with both this and the 4090 configuration, drawing a 17,611 Time Spy score and 32,876 Fire Strike score to beat out the Asus ROG Zephyrus M16 by some margin. The Scar 16 even beat the larger (and far more expensive RTX 4090-toting) Razer Blade 18 in these benchmark tests as well. Those are numbers that will comfortably see you through the next five years of gaming, and potentially much more if we don’t see any particularly demanding graphical breakthroughs.
This isn’t a machine for the more subtle amongst us, though. While the RGB panel running across the lower lip can be switched off, this is still very much a gaming laptop. The translucent design across the main deck wasn’t quite our favorite touch and does add to this gamer aesthetic while slightly cheapening the experience, but this is down to personal preference. The lid sports a large ROG logo and a series of etched diagonal lines along the chunky grill towards the back, further removing this rig from your everyday office laptop. However, it’s not such an in your face design, and putting those LEDs to sleep certainly keeps the vibe slick.
On the other side of that panel, though, we’ve got one of the best screens we’ve had the pleasure of using on a gaming laptop. Asus has branded its Mini LED screens ‘Nebula HDR’, and they sing. Between 1,024 dimming zones and 1,100+ nits of peak brightness, colors pop with an excellent vividity and balance well with a deep, rich contrast. Throw in Dolby Atmos and a solid virtual surround system and you’ve got a seriously immersive experience.
We’re getting our hands on more RTX 40-Series gaming laptops all the time, but for now the Asus ROG Strix Scar 16 is the best model to pass our desks. It’s well worth the investment for anyone on the hunt for a high-end machine with bags of power to spare for future releases.
Read more: Asus ROG Strix Scar 16 (2023) review
| Benchmark Test | 1080p | QHD+ |
|---|---|---|
| Shadow of the Tomb Raider | High: 201fps / Highest: 191fps | High: 179fps / Highest: 173fps |
| Total War: Three Kingdoms | High: 193fps / Ultra: 148fps | High: 121fps / Ultra: 87fps |
| Red Dead Redemption 2 | Balanced: 118fps / Highest: 107fps | Balanced: 95fps / Highest: 94fps |
| Metro Exodus | High: 134fps / Ultra: 115fps | High: 101fps / Ultra: 93fps |
| The Division 2 | High: 167fps / Ultra: 138fps | High: 140fps / Ultra: 108fps |
Buy the Asus ROG Strix Scar 16 if you:
- Want to splash out but not on unnecessary features
- Don’t mind a more gamer-styled aesthetic
- Need a machine to see you through the foreseeable future
- Value a high quality screen
- Love RGB
2. Dell G15
The best gaming laptop under $1,000
SPECIFICATIONS
CPU: Intel i5-12500H / i7-12700H
GPU: up to Nvidia RTX 3070 Ti
RAM: up to 32GB
Storage: up to 1TB SSD
Screen: 15.6-inch FHD (1920 x 1080), up to 240Hz
Ports: 1x RJ45 Ethernet | 3x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 | 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 / Thunderbolt 4 | HDMI | 3.5mm
REASONS TO BUY
+
Solid performance+
Sensibly priced+
More powerful configurations now available
REASONS TO AVOID
–
Gets hot under duress-
Chassis is a bit lacking
Our favorite configuration:
Dell G15 | RTX 3050 | Intel i5-11260H at Dell
The Dell G15 works best when it’s super cheap, which is why this entry level RTX 3050 configuration is our favorite. Those on the hunt for a rig designed for lighter gaming and the odd Apex Legends session will find great value here, without needing to break the bank on gaming laptops over $800.
The Dell G15 isn’t going to light the world of the best gaming laptops on fire, but it is at least a dependable choice of gaming companion. Performance in both gaming and general tasks is good considering the price point, and all the features we’ve come to expect from gaming laptops are present and accounted for – apart from that bank-busting price tag. You’ll often find these models on sale with RTX 3050 / RTX 3050 Ti graphics cards for well under $1,000 – sometimes as low as $699.99.
The appearance of this laptop could be a point of contention, though, as we found the chassis to feel a bit old-fashioned for 2022. A dark iridescent finish and thick central hinge feel like throwbacks to a forgotten age of tech design that should perhaps have stayed in the past.
The G15 also runs fairly hot when playing more graphically demanding titles, although not to a worrying extent; we’ve certainly reviewed laptops with noisier fans than this. As it stands, the G15 is a great all-rounder, ideal as a gift for a kid looking to break into PC gaming or the office employee consigned to remote working – and playing.
Buy the Dell G15 if you:
- Want to stay firmly in the three-figure price range
- Don’t need the latest and greatest components
- Play less graphically demanding games
- Don’t prioritize aesthetics
3. Alienware M15 R7
The best gaming laptop for most
SPECIFICATIONS
CPU: i7-12700H | i9-12900H
GPU: RTX 3050 Ti | RTX 3060 | RTX 3070 Ti | RTX 3080 Ti
RAM: up to 64GB
Storage: up to 4TB SSD
Display: FHD at 165Hz / 360Hz | QHD at 240Hz
Ports: 3x USB Type-A 3.2 Gen 1 | 1x Type-C port with Thunderbolt 4, USB 3.2 Gen 2, DisplayPort 1.4, and Power Delivery, 1x HDMI 2.1, 1x RJ-45 Killer E3100 2.5Gbps Ethernet port, 1x 3.5mm headset jack
REASONS TO BUY
+
Incredible performance+
Satisfying keyboard+
Fast display+
Some premium design features
REASONS TO AVOID
–
Cheaper plastic body-
Difficult to transport-
Particularly loud fans
Our favorite configuration:
Alienware M15 R7 | RTX 3060 | Intel i7-12700H at Dell
We tested the Alienware M15 R7 with an RTX 3070 Ti GPU at the helm, but considering that configuration comes in at over $2,000 right now, you’re getting solid value for money with this RTX 3060 build. You’re still getting that uber powerful 12th generation processor, and 16GB DDR5 RAM in here. We’ve opted to keep the 360Hz panel we tested in this build – it’s only $100 more for the luxury and it really was an impressive display, well worth the cash.
The Alienware M15 R7 is here to bring the now mid-range line of luxury laptops into 2022’s standards. With Intel’s new 12th generation processors and Nvidia’s Ti GPUs at the helm, there’s some serious power up for grabs here. While prices are looking a little higher than those of the predecessor (especially now that discounts abound on the outdated model), you’re getting enough new tech under the hood to warrant the splurge.
We were blown away by the performance of this machine. Our test unit featured an i7-12700H processor and an RTX 3070 Ti graphics card, and was easily sailing through our benchmarks and stress tests. This beast didn’t even flinch at heavier titles like Red Dead Redemption 2 and Metro Exodus – offering up 76fps in RDR2’s Ultra settings, and 72fps with all RTX set to max in Metro Exodus. Those are settings that would make the uber expensive RTX 3080 Ti Razer Blade 15 sweat.
However, it’s worth noting that this machine is built purely for power. It’s a stocky design, and a particularly heavy one at that – the charging brick alone nearly runs the full length of the keyboard. So no, this isn’t going to be a gaming laptop you’ll easily throw into a backpack – and those fans can certainly scream – but if you’re looking for an all-rounder that can level with machines far pricier than itself, these are easy sacrifices to make.
Alienware is, after all, a luxury brand. With its M-series now falling to the middle of its range (thanks to the advent of the X-series last year), the Alienware M15 R7 is affordable by the brand’s standards. That means you’ll find far cheaper machines out there, but without that Alienware pedigree to speak of. Still, with performance to rival some of the best gaming laptops in the business, and only a few sacrifices to get there for a great price, this is an excellent option for most players. You could consider the X15 technically the best Alienware gaming laptop on paper alone, but when it comes down to price and the wider market, this is the winner.
| Benchmark Test | 1080p |
|---|---|
| Shadow of the Tomb Raider | High – 148fps / Highest – 129fps |
| Total War: Three Kingdoms | High – 120fps / Ultra – 83fps |
| Red Dead Redemption 2 | Balanced – 79fps / Highest – 76fps |
| Metro Exodus | High – 98fps / Ultra – 72fps |
| The Division 2 | High: 124fps / Ultra: 97fps |
Buy the Alienware M15 R7 if you:
- Need solid all-round power across a range of genres
- Would like a super-fast display
- Want an Ethernet port
- Don’t travel with your machine often