Let’s be real: PC gaming offers the best possible experience for gamers. We love consoles, too, but you just can’t deny it.
High-end gaming computers pack more graphical and processing power than any home console, and they offer a level of freedom in terms of customization and game choice that you’re just not going to find anywhere else. Unfortunately, a desktop PC does force you to keep your gaming sessions tied to your desk.
While desktops deliver elite performance, the best gaming laptops fit into the modern lifestyle more smoothly thanks to their portability. It’s more convenient to take your gaming rig with you on the go, whether that’s to a friend’s place or just to another room. Whether you’re looking for a powerhouse that supports eye-popping visuals, a lightweight notebook to fit snugly in your backpack, or hoping to find the best budget gaming laptop, we promise there’s a machine for you.
What are the best gaming laptops?
Finding the best laptop for your needs and budget can be tricky. They may be easier to parse than their desktop counterparts, but gaming laptops still require a fair bit of careful spec scrutiny. These are no consoles — you can’t just pick the latest generation system off the shelf and get playing. Choosing between the many graphics cards, processors, storage sizes, and screen types can be a real head-scratcher. Thankfully, you’ve got us to guide you through the process.
Read on to find our recommendations for the best gaming laptops of 2025, including the best inexpensive gaming laptops on the market right now. Before you buy, though, you may want to just add them to your wishlist and shop during Amazon Prime Day 2025 from July 8 to July 11 — a few of them will likely go on sale during the event.
What’s the best cheap gaming laptop, and is it worth it?
When it comes to gaming laptops, it’s totally fine not to immediately spring for the top-of-the-line, $3,000-plus powerhouse. Plenty of gaming laptops fall below the $1,000 mark and are well worth the money. But, we would advise you against going too cheap. You really do get what you pay for, and if you settle for a bottom-of-the-barrel machine, you’re not going to be able to run the games you want to play anyway.
Credit: Dylan Haas / Mashable
However, if you’re looking to keep a tight budget and don’t mind playing via cloud streaming, the Acer Chromebook 516 GE is a great option (more details on that laptop below). And if you’re looking to spend even less, the Lenovo Gaming Chromebook 16 is another solid cloud gaming laptop, which you can read about in our guide to the best laptops under $500.