Best gaming laptops 2018: the 10 top gaming laptops we've reviewed

In preparation for the highly anticipated launch of Far Cry 5 on March 27, it’s not only necessary, but essential, to have only the best system for paying your 20-to-30-hour visit to Hope County. Of course, we’re talking about PC. While graphics aren’t everything in the realm of gaming, portability has spawned a newfound popularity as a result of the success of the Nintendo Switch. Meanwhile, a critically-acclaimed lineup of gaming laptops has gone unnoticed.

These mobile monsters are designed from the ground up to deliver an experience that’s better than a PlayStation or Xbox while also bearing reasonable price tags relative to performance. The Razer Blade, for example, is barely over half an inch thick despite being more powerful than an Xbox One X. Better yet, it’s compatible with an endless library of legacy titles on Steam and Origin in addition to new releases. That means that you can use a gaming laptop to play Metal Gear Survive or you can use it to play something better like the original Dead Space.

So, whether you’re in dire need of a laptop that’s as qualified for work as it is play, or you’re in the market for a setup dedicated to gaming and streaming, we have exactly the recommendations that you crave. As we’ve tested, reviewed and subsequently ranked every gaming laptop on this list, we hope to provide trustworthy recommendations that promote the very best gaming laptops with the best value overall.

Kicking Nvidia’s Max-Q technology off right, the Asus Zephyrus GX501 combines the heralded thinness of an Ultrabook with the performance of a gaming PC to bring the best of both worlds to your feet. Despite exhibiting subpar times in our battery life benchmarks, this svelte powerhouse of a notebook is one for the books when it comes to both portability and style. Plus, it’s virtually silent if noise is a cause for distraction in your everyday routine.

Read the full review: Asus ROG Zephyrus GX501

You may not be able to stick a bigger hard drive in it later, but the Razer Blade is otherwise built for stamina and, of course, high quality visuals. On top of boasting a battery life of over 7 and a half hours, it can handle up to 4K Ultra HD gaming with the help of a Razer Core V2 external graphics box and a spare monitor. Or you could opt for the more recently added integrated 4K display option. Either way, you’re in for a treat, we assure you.

Read the full review: Razer Blade

The Asus Strix GL502 may not boast the most innovative design, swapping out the usual black and red color scheme for one that makes it feel like Halloween year-round. But, it's undoubtedly one of the best when it comes to gaming in 1080p. In fact, we were able to crank the settings all the way up in Overwatch without taking a hit below 60fps. The battery life is janky, sure, but the screen, performance and onboard sound system more than make up for it.

Read the full review: Asus ROG Strix GL502

Unlike most laptops its size, the Alienware 13 R3 bears a hinge-forward design. By moving the heat sinks behind the screen, the chassis is allowed to be thinner, at 0.81-inch (0.22cm). Unfortunately, this means you won’t find many 13-inch laptop bags that will actually suit the Alienware 13 R3. While you may be tempted by the inclusion of a full-size Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060, it’s the OLED touch display that caught our attention. 

Read the full review: Alienware 13 R3

At long last, Razer has introduced a true desktop replacement that won’t weigh you down. Measuring in at only 0.88 inches thick with the option between a 17-inch 1080p display running at 120Hz or a G-Sync-laden 4K touchscreen, the Razer Blade Pro also introduces the company’s ultra-low-profile mechanical switches to a notebook for the first time ever. That’s a deal that’s only sweetened by an unusual trackpad placement that makes it comfier to boot.

Read the full review: Razer Blade Pro

For less than a grand and a half, you might not think it, but the Gigabyte SabrePro 15 is a bargain. In its price range, you won’t find a laptop with this level of performance. Although it’s only available in one configuration, the GTX 1060 is a nice change of pace considering most affordable gaming laptops struggle to run triple-A games beyond medium settings. That goes without mentioning the fantastic RGB keyboard and Microsoft Precision Touchpad.

Read the full review: Gigabyte SabrePro 15

To be frank, Alienware hasn’t been a name typically associated with value. That seems to be changing with the Alienware 17 R4, which bears so many different customization options when it comes to specs that you can practically name your own price. Bespeckled with all of the signature elements we’ve come to expect from the brand, such as RGB backlit-accents and tons of ventilation, our only real qualm with the Alienware 17 R4 is a disappointing battery life.

Read the full review: Alienware 17 R4

If you prefer your laptops to be thin, light and inexpensive while featuring lengthy battery life performance, the Asus ROG G703 isn’t for you. This hulking gargantuan of a gaming notebook takes the specs of a desktop PC and condenses them ever-so-slightly into a package that can more or less be carried anywhere. At 10.6 pounds (4.8kg) and with a 17.3-inch screen, it won’t fit in a backpack, but its graphics card and processor will impress, as will its excellent inputs.

Read the full review: Asus ROG G703

For those uninitiated, there are few names in gaming hardware as positively recognized as Gigabyte. The Aero 15X is further proof that all the credit is well deserved. It’s expensive, but no more so than the bulk of gaming laptops we see using Nvidia’s Max-Q design technology today. That means that the Gigabyte Aero 15X packs an Nvidia GeForce GTX 1070 into a frame that’s under 0.8 inches thick – thin enough to qualify as an Ultrabook.

Read the full review: Gigabyte Aero 15X

It’s not the laptop it used to be, but the latest Dell Inspiron 15 7000 Gaming is still worth mentioning as a result of its low-cost barrier to entry and relatively high specs considering its innovative design. Mind you, it’s powered by Nvidia’s Max-Q technology, which makes it thinner than ever, even if it’s simultaneously heavier than its predecessor. As long as you opt for one of the higher storage configurations, you won’t be disappointed by this budget gaming laptop’s hardy specs.

Read the full review: Dell Inspiron 15 7000 Gaming

Watch the video below for the top 7 things to consider when buying a laptop.

Gabe Carey has also contributed to this article

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