The State of Gaming Laptops in 2025
Gaming laptops have come a long way from being hot, loud bricks that barely held a charge. The latest machines are slimmer, faster, cooler and in some cases good enough to replace both a desktop PC and a work laptop.
PC Gamer tests a lot of hardware every year and gaming laptops are a big part of that. Every model goes through the same benchmarks for gaming and productivity as well as checks on power draw and temperatures. That means the laptops that score over 80 percent really are the standouts of the current generation.
If you are trying to figure out which gaming laptop to buy right now this roundup gives you a clear shortlist, from premium beasts with RTX 5090 GPUs to more sensible 1080p rigs that still crush esports titles.
Flagship Monsters: When You Want It All
At the top end you get the kind of laptops that can genuinely replace a high end desktop. They are expensive but the performance and feature sets are serious.
Razer Blade 16 2025
This is described as simply the best gaming laptop the reviewer has ever used. It is powered by AMD Ryzen AI chips and can be specced up to an RTX 5090, 64 GB of DDR5 memory and up to 4 TB of Gen 4 SSD storage.
What makes it special is how balanced it feels. It is slimmer than the previous model, can run cool and surprisingly quiet and even manages respectable gaming performance on battery. The 16 inch 2560 by 1600 display and solid keyboard make it just as good for work as for gaming. The only real downside is the price and the fact that the RTX 5090 is a bit limited by the compact chassis, making the RTX 5080 version the smarter choice for most people.
Lenovo Legion Pro 7i Gen 10
If you care more about raw speed than elegance, this is one of the most powerful gaming laptops of the current generation. It uses Intel Core Ultra 9 CPUs and can be configured up to an RTX 5090, with a 16 inch OLED 1600p panel and up to 64 GB of RAM.
Performance is top tier and Lenovo gives you deep power tuning options so you can dial in the exact mix of frame rate, fan noise and heat you want. The tradeoffs are weak battery life, a larger and heavier body and a price that can end up higher than some Blade 16 configs.
MSI Vector 16 HX AI
The Vector 16 feels like a classic gaming laptop. It is chunky, loud at full tilt and not very portable but the performance is strong, especially with an RTX 5080 inside. The Intel Core Ultra 9 CPU holds its own and pricing is more reasonable than some of the premium metal machines.
If you mostly game plugged in and do not care about a super thin chassis, this is a good way to get RTX 50 series frame rates without completely emptying your wallet. Just do not expect great battery life.
Alienware 16 and 18 Area 51
Alienware leans all the way into the sci fi aesthetic with its latest Area 51 laptops. The 16 inch model offers a gorgeous chassis, three NVMe slots for loads of fast storage and up to an RTX 5090, though it sticks with a high refresh IPS display rather than OLED.
The larger 18 inch version is a true desktop replacement. You can outfit it with an RTX 5090, powerful Intel Ultra CPUs and up to 12 TB of SSD storage. Cooling is excellent and the chassis feels very premium, but the price is extremely high and the keyboard and screen do not fully match that luxury price tag.
Portable Powerhouses: Smaller but Still Serious
Not everyone wants to lug around a six pound laptop. If you want something lighter that still feels like a real gaming machine there are several strong 14 inch options in this lineup.
Razer Blade 14 2025
The updated Blade 14 is described as close to the ideal gaming laptop. It packs an AMD Ryzen AI 9 processor, up to an RTX 5070 and up to 64 GB of very fast LPDDR5X memory into a genuinely portable 14 inch form factor with an OLED 2880 by 1800 screen.
The new chassis looks and feels great, fan noise is controlled and battery life is solid for a gaming laptop. It is still pricey and there are cheaper machines with similar performance but the overall user experience is excellent if you can afford it.
Asus TUF A14 2025
This one is a bit of a surprise. On paper it is a more affordable 14 inch machine with up to an RTX 5060 and 16 GB of LPDDR5X memory, but the performance is very impressive especially when using Nvidia frame generation. The design is subtle and premium, making it a good option for students or anyone who needs a laptop for both work and play.
Battery life is a highlight and the 16 by 10 display is great for everyday tasks. The tradeoffs are weaker productivity performance compared to some heavier rigs and speakers that get muffled when the laptop sits on your lap.
Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 2025
The G14 has been a fan favorite for years and the 2025 version still delivers strong gaming performance in a sleek 14 inch body. You can configure it from an RTX 5060 up to an RTX 5080, and it comes with a beautiful 120 Hz OLED display.
However, this generation runs into some issues. The fan curve can be grating with inconsistent noise that makes the louder performance modes annoying to use. With the Blade 14 fixing many of its past issues, the G14 feels like the runner up instead of the automatic go to it used to be.
Value Picks: Good Performance Without Going Broke
Not everyone needs or wants an RTX 5090. If you mostly play at 1080p or 1440p and want to keep the price somewhat sane, these laptops hit a nice performance sweet spot.
Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 AI
The Helios Neo 16 offers up to an RTX 5070 Ti, a bright 16 inch 1600p screen and support for up to 64 GB of RAM at a price that is more friendly than the flashy flagships. It is a sturdy 16 inch system that focuses on value and screen quality.
The downsides are predictable for this class: it runs hot under load, battery life is poor and you do not get modern extras like Thunderbolt or USB4. As a mostly plugged in gaming machine though, it is a solid deal.
Lenovo LOQ 15 Gen 10
This is the budget hero of the list. With an RTX 5050 or 5060 GPU, a 1080p 144 Hz panel and a clean design, it nails the basics for smooth Full HD gaming.
The main complaints are the limited RAM and SSD configuration on the cheaper models and underwhelming battery life. If you are comfortable upgrading storage later, it is a great way to get strong 1080p performance without spending high end money.
Overall the 2025 gaming laptop scene is stacked. From ultra premium dual purpose rigs like the Razer Blade 16 to budget friendly systems like the Lenovo LOQ 15 there is something for every player and every setup. The key is deciding what matters most to you performance, portability, battery life or price and then picking the laptop that leans hardest into that priority.
Original article and image: https://www.pcgamer.com/hardware/gaming-laptops/the-best-gaming-laptops-weve-reviewed-in-2025/
