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10 Best Gaming Laptops 2025 in the United States

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Our technology thoroughly searches through the online shopping world, reviewing hundreds of sites. We then process and analyze this information, updating in real-time to bring you the latest top-rated products. This way, you always get the best and most current options available.

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Our Top Picks

#1

Winner

ASUS ROG Strix G16 Gaming Laptop, 165Hz Display, NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 4060, Intel Core i7-13650HX, 16GB DDR5, 1TB PCIe Gen4 SSD, Wi-Fi 6E, Windows 11, G614JV-AS74

Rating
9.8
Chosen by1,457
Graphics Card (GPU)
Processor (CPU)
Display

Most important from
1960 reviews

Graphics Card (GPU)
The Intel Core i7-13650HX and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 combo delivers exceptional performance, running all games smoothly at high settings.
Processor (CPU)
The Intel Core i7-13650HX and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 combo delivers exceptional performance, running all games smoothly at high settings.
Display
The 16-inch FHD display with a 165Hz refresh rate offers vibrant, crisp, and smooth visuals, perfect for fast-paced gaming.
Battery Life
Battery life is surprisingly efficient for non-gaming tasks, making it more versatile for everyday use.
Cooling System
The laptop's premium and sturdy build, combined with excellent cooling, allows it to stay cool even during intense gaming sessions.
Keyboard and Build Quality
The RGB lighting on the keyboard adds a stylish touch and is highly customizable.

The ASUS ROG Strix G16 (2024) gaming laptop is designed to provide an exhilarating gaming experience, making it a solid choice for gamers. It features an Intel Core i7-13650HX processor and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 GPU, which work together to deliver high performance and speed. The 16GB DDR5 RAM ensures smooth multitasking, while the 1TB PCIe Gen4 SSD offers ample storage with fast load times. The 16-inch FHD display with a 165Hz refresh rate provides sharp visuals and fluid motion, enhancing gameplay significantly.

One of the standout aspects of this laptop is its cooling system. It uses Thermal Grizzly’s Conductonaut Extreme liquid metal for better thermal management, which is crucial during extended gaming sessions. The addition of a third intake fan further supports its cooling efficiency, aiming to maintain performance without overheating.

Weighing in at 5.51 pounds, it may be a bit heavy for users seeking a highly portable gaming option. Additionally, while the FHD resolution is good, some gamers might prefer higher resolution displays for more detailed graphics. Battery life can also be a concern for intensive gaming laptops, as high performance often requires more power.

Rating
9.8
Chosen by1,457
Graphics Card (GPU)
Processor (CPU)
Display

Most important from
1960 reviews

Graphics Card (GPU)
The Intel Core i7-13650HX and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 combo delivers exceptional performance, running all games smoothly at high settings.
Processor (CPU)
The Intel Core i7-13650HX and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 combo delivers exceptional performance, running all games smoothly at high settings.
Display
The 16-inch FHD display with a 165Hz refresh rate offers vibrant, crisp, and smooth visuals, perfect for fast-paced gaming.
Battery Life
Battery life is surprisingly efficient for non-gaming tasks, making it more versatile for everyday use.
Cooling System
The laptop's premium and sturdy build, combined with excellent cooling, allows it to stay cool even during intense gaming sessions.
Keyboard and Build Quality
The RGB lighting on the keyboard adds a stylish touch and is highly customizable.
#2

Alienware M18 R2 Gaming Laptop - 18 QHD+ 165Hz 3ms Display, Intel Core i9-14900HX, 32GB DDR5 RAM, 1TB SSD, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 12 GB GDDR6, Windows 11 Home, Onsite Service - Dark Metallic Moon

Rating
9.6
RAM
Display
Cooling System

Most important from
161 reviews

RAM
Switching to 32GB of Kingston Fury Impact DDR5 at 6400 MT/s made the machine run amazingly, even with all settings turned on.
Display
The 165Hz display feels a bit underwhelming for a system with an RTX 4080.
Cooling System
It never overheats, shuts down, or throttles, even under heavy load.
Keyboard and Build Quality
Alienware's aesthetic and build quality are second to none.

The Alienware M18 R2 Gaming Laptop is designed for serious gamers who crave high performance and stunning visuals. With a powerful Intel Core i9-14900HX processor and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 graphics, it can handle the most demanding games effortlessly. The 18-inch QHD+ display boasts a refresh rate of 165Hz, ensuring smooth gameplay and vibrant colors, which is a significant advantage for any gamer looking for an immersive experience.

One of its standout features is the dedicated cooling system that utilizes advanced thermal materials, allowing for prolonged gaming sessions without overheating. This laptop also offers ample storage options, as it supports up to 9TB of SSD storage, making it easy to manage large game libraries.

The Alienware M18 R2 is an excellent choice for dedicated gamers who prioritize performance and visual quality. It's best suited for those who primarily game at home and don’t require a lightweight or ultra-portable machine, as its size and weight might be a hindrance. If you're looking for a powerhouse that delivers a premium gaming experience, this laptop could be a solid fit.

Rating
9.6
RAM
Display
Cooling System

Most important from
161 reviews

RAM
Switching to 32GB of Kingston Fury Impact DDR5 at 6400 MT/s made the machine run amazingly, even with all settings turned on.
Display
The 165Hz display feels a bit underwhelming for a system with an RTX 4080.
Cooling System
It never overheats, shuts down, or throttles, even under heavy load.
Keyboard and Build Quality
Alienware's aesthetic and build quality are second to none.
#3

MSI Katana 17 Gaming Laptop: 13th Gen Intel Core i7, GeForce RTX 4060, 17.3" 144Hz FHD Display, 32GB DDR5, 1TB NVMe SSD, USB-Type C, Cooler Boost 5, Win11 Home: Black B13VFK-835US

Rating
9.3
Graphics Card (GPU)
RAM
Storage

Most important from
291 reviews

Graphics Card (GPU)
The laptop's great memory, graphics, and storage make it highly recommended for anyone looking for a gaming laptop.
RAM
The laptop's great memory, graphics, and storage make it highly recommended for anyone looking for a gaming laptop.
Storage
The laptop's great memory, graphics, and storage make it highly recommended for anyone looking for a gaming laptop.
Display
The keyboard feels good, and the screen's 144Hz refresh rate keeps up with the busiest action scenes in games and movies.
Battery Life
The battery life can last up to 5-6 hours unplugged, contrary to claims of shorter durations, making it practical for longer sessions.
Cooling System
It runs small business office and accounting software silently, with the cooling system only kicking in during graphic-intensive games.
Keyboard and Build Quality
Despite being heavy, it works wonderfully and is not the heaviest among peers, with a light-up keyboard that garners compliments.

The MSI Katana 17 Gaming Laptop is designed to provide a powerful gaming experience, thanks to its 13th Gen Intel Core i7 processor and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 graphics card. With 32GB of DDR5 RAM and a 1TB NVMe SSD, it offers ample memory and storage for gamers who need to run and store multiple games and applications. The 17.3-inch FHD display with a 144Hz refresh rate ensures smooth and vibrant visuals, which is crucial for an immersive gaming experience.

Additionally, the laptop features MSI's Cooler Boost 5 technology to manage heat efficiently during intense gaming sessions. The Windows 11 Home operating system adds to the user-friendly experience, making it easy to navigate and utilize both gaming and productivity applications. The laptop's build quality is solid, providing a durable feel, although the simplistic design may not stand out aesthetically.

At 9.68 pounds, it is relatively heavy, which might not be ideal for gamers who need a portable device. The battery life, typical for gaming laptops, may require you to stay close to a power source during extended gaming sessions. The keyboard is designed with gamers in mind, offering good tactile feedback, but may lack customizable RGB lighting, which some gamers prefer. In summary, the MSI Katana 17 is a strong contender for those seeking a high-performance gaming laptop with excellent graphics, processing power, and a large, fast display, though its weight and potentially average battery life could be considerations for mobile gamers.

Rating
9.3
Graphics Card (GPU)
RAM
Storage

Most important from
291 reviews

Graphics Card (GPU)
The laptop's great memory, graphics, and storage make it highly recommended for anyone looking for a gaming laptop.
RAM
The laptop's great memory, graphics, and storage make it highly recommended for anyone looking for a gaming laptop.
Storage
The laptop's great memory, graphics, and storage make it highly recommended for anyone looking for a gaming laptop.
Display
The keyboard feels good, and the screen's 144Hz refresh rate keeps up with the busiest action scenes in games and movies.
Battery Life
The battery life can last up to 5-6 hours unplugged, contrary to claims of shorter durations, making it practical for longer sessions.
Cooling System
It runs small business office and accounting software silently, with the cooling system only kicking in during graphic-intensive games.
Keyboard and Build Quality
Despite being heavy, it works wonderfully and is not the heaviest among peers, with a light-up keyboard that garners compliments.

Buying Guide for the Best Gaming Laptops

Choosing the right gaming laptop can be a daunting task, but with the right approach, you can find a model that fits your needs perfectly. The key is to understand the specifications that matter most for gaming and how they align with your gaming habits and preferences. Here are the key specs you should consider when picking a gaming laptop, along with explanations to help you make an informed decision.
Graphics Card (GPU)The graphics card, or GPU, is crucial for gaming as it handles rendering images, videos, and animations. A powerful GPU ensures smooth gameplay and high-quality visuals. GPUs are typically divided into entry-level, mid-range, and high-end. Entry-level GPUs are suitable for casual gaming and older titles, mid-range GPUs can handle most modern games at medium to high settings, and high-end GPUs are designed for the latest games at ultra settings. Choose a GPU based on the types of games you play and the visual quality you desire.
Processor (CPU)The processor, or CPU, is the brain of your laptop and affects overall performance, including game loading times and multitasking capabilities. CPUs are categorized by their core count and clock speed. Dual-core and quad-core CPUs are sufficient for basic tasks and light gaming, while hexa-core and octa-core CPUs are better for demanding games and multitasking. If you plan to play CPU-intensive games or stream while gaming, opt for a higher core count and clock speed.
RAMRAM (Random Access Memory) is important for smooth gameplay and multitasking. It temporarily stores data that your laptop needs to access quickly. For gaming, 8GB of RAM is the minimum, allowing you to run most games at decent settings. However, 16GB is recommended for a more seamless experience, especially with modern games and multitasking. If you are a heavy gamer or plan to use your laptop for other memory-intensive tasks, consider 32GB of RAM.
StorageStorage affects how much data you can store and how quickly your laptop can access it. There are two main types: HDD (Hard Disk Drive) and SSD (Solid State Drive). HDDs offer more storage at a lower cost but are slower, while SSDs are faster and improve game loading times and overall system responsiveness. A combination of both (HDD for storage and SSD for speed) is ideal. For gaming, a minimum of 512GB SSD is recommended, but if you have a large game library, consider 1TB or more.
DisplayThe display is where you see all the action, so it's important for an immersive gaming experience. Key factors include resolution, refresh rate, and size. A 1080p resolution is standard and sufficient for most gamers, while 1440p and 4K offer sharper images but require more powerful hardware. The refresh rate, measured in Hz, affects how smoothly the game appears; 60Hz is standard, but 120Hz or 144Hz is better for fast-paced games. Screen size is a personal preference, with 15-inch and 17-inch being common choices. Choose based on your visual preferences and portability needs.
Battery LifeBattery life is important if you plan to game on the go. Gaming laptops typically have shorter battery life due to their powerful components. Look for a laptop with a battery life that suits your usage patterns. If you mostly game near a power outlet, battery life may be less critical. However, if you need portability, aim for a laptop with at least 4-6 hours of battery life during gaming sessions.
Cooling SystemA good cooling system is essential to prevent overheating during long gaming sessions. Overheating can throttle performance and damage components. Look for laptops with efficient cooling solutions, such as multiple fans and heat pipes. Some models offer advanced cooling technologies like liquid cooling. If you plan to game for extended periods, prioritize a laptop with a robust cooling system to maintain performance and longevity.
Keyboard and Build QualityThe keyboard and build quality affect your gaming comfort and the laptop's durability. Look for a keyboard with good key travel, tactile feedback, and customizable RGB lighting if you prefer. Build quality is also important; a sturdy chassis made of high-quality materials will withstand the rigors of gaming. If you play games that require precise and fast inputs, a high-quality keyboard is essential. Additionally, consider the overall build quality to ensure your laptop can handle frequent use.

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