The Best Gaming Laptops of 2022
Here are the top portable gaming machines you can buy today!
The Age of Portable Gaming
Gaming hardware continues to push the boundaries of performance, offering more immersion and increased frames per second. One of the most popular choices for gaming PCs are laptops that provide portable, lightweight form factors that still pack a punch in terms of graphical processing. However, a quick look online shows just how many options are available for gaming laptops, making choosing the suitable one challenging.
The following article explores the top five choices for gaming laptops in 2022. While each portable PC on the list is a solid choice, only one may check all the requirements for the discerning gamer.
Check out the best gaming laptops of 2022:
1. ASUS ROG Zephyrus G15
First on the list is the impressive ASUS ROG Zephyrus G15, which comes equipped with some robust hardware. Sporting an AMD Ryzen 9 6900HS mobile processor, the CPU includes eight cores, sixteen threads, and up to 4.9GHz max clock speed. AMD has become a popular choice for gaming CPUs in 2022 for performance and price.
Depending upon which G15 model is selected, it will either come with an NVIDIA RTX 3060 laptop variant or the more imposing NVIDIA RTX 3070 Ti laptop variant. The RTX 3060 laptop GPU has proven to be a tremendous budget-friendly card that can offer up a decent ray-tracing experience. The more powerful RTX 3070 Ti laptop GPU allows players to achieve higher frame rates, with higher settings and more well-rounded ray-tracing performance.
The G15 has a 15.6-inch 1440p resolution monitor with a very high refresh rate of 240Hz. The anti-glare screen makes for accessible gaming in various environments without issue. The other feature of note is the low-latency 3ms response time that can mean everything in a FPS.
Other Notable Features
- 2 USB 3.2 Gem 2 Type-C that supports Display Port connection
- Backlit RGB lighting
- Battery life of 90WHrs
- Weight of 4.19lbs
Price Range
$2,009 - $5,459
Buy the new ASUS ROG Zephyrus G15 here.
2. ASUS ROG Flow Z13
The unique design of the ASUS ROG Flow Z13 laptop/tablet allows for different configurations. These include:
- a traditional laptop setup
- a detachable keyboard
- a tablet touchscreen mode
- an adjustable kickstand
- a 170-degree flex view
The CPU included is a more than competent Intel i9-12900H processor that shouldn't be possible in this form factor for proper cooling. However, the Flow Z13 comes equipped with a full vapor chamber cooler that offers silent ambient temperature control for super quiet performance.
Gamers will receive an RTX 3050 Ti laptop GPU and support for an external graphics booster via XG Mobile. This unit makes switching from gaming to watching online content a breeze and even provides a neat viewing window into the inside of the machine.
Other Notable Features
- 16:10 Aspect ratio touchscreen
- 120Hz refresh or option for 4K
- Lightweight 2.4lbs
Price Range
$1799.99 up - $3,299.99
Buy the new ASUS ROG Flow Z13 here.
3. Lenovo Legion Slim 7
The Lenovo Legion Slim 7 offers a powerful gaming experience with a thin design and robust battery life. The laptop offers a 180-degree hinge and a visually appealing laser-engraved logo for a functional and stunning-looking unit. One of the most attractive aspects of this unit is its ability to operate for up to six hours on a single charge. Lenovo has also included rapid charging technology to help players get back into action quickly.
A very capable AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX with up to 4.60GHz of boost helps to provide premium processing power ideal for mobile gaming. The Legion Slim 7 comes equipped with either an NVIDIA RTX 3050 Ti with 4GB of video memory or the more powerful RTX 3060 with 6GB of video memory. If opting for the 15.6-inch 4k IPS display, consider the RTX 3060 with more available VRAM.
In terms of display, gamers must choose between a high refresh rate and 4K resolution. The 1080p display provides a smooth 144Hz, while the 4K screen offers clarity but only a 60Hz refresh rate.
Other Notable Features
- Optional HDR with Dolby Vision on 4K display
- High contrast of 500 nits delivers a good image even in bright environments
- Coldfront 3.0 cooling technology that includes Smart Intake, turbo-charged fans, and multichannel exhaust
Price Range
$1,199.99 - $1,709.99
Buy the new Lenovo Legion Slim here.
4. Razer Blade 17
The Razer Blade 17 gaming laptop is a suitable replacement for the home desktop with impressive hardware and features. Razer Blade 17 incorporates a larger 17.3-inch screen into a form factor equal to that of a 15-inch laptop. This design makes Razer's unit small and sleek while still packing a punch in terms of processing power.
The entry-level model comes equipped with an Intel i7-12800H and NVIDIA RTX 3060 for solid mid-range performance. However, players can also opt for an even more robust Intel i9-12900H paired with an RTX 3070 Ti. Above the mid-range performance level, gamers can expect to receive higher frame rates and the ability to turn up the in-game graphical settings. The premium Razer Blade 17 model includes a 4K display, RTX 3080 Ti, and 32GB of 4800Mhz RAM for the ultimate gaming experience.
Of course, this top-notch performance is under thermal control with an efficient vapor chamber cooler. This advanced cooling technology allows the laptop to be under challenging workloads without thermal throttling hardware.
Other Notable Features
- Up to 360Hz refresh rate
- 8 multi-driver speakers for dynamic sound reproduction
- 82WHR Battery
Price Range
$2,699.99 - $4,299.99
Buy the new Razer Blade 17 here.
5. Lenovo Legion 5 Pro
The Lenovo Legion 5 Pro offers a sizable 16-inch display, RTX 30 series GPUs, and impressive battery life. One of the remarkable features includes a Legion AI engine, designed to take the guesswork out of achieving the best performance in each game. Combine these options with custom RGB backlit keys and 3D audio technology for a great laptop gaming experience.
The Legion 5 Pro comes equipped with an AMD Ryzen 7 5800H processor with up to a 4.40GHz boost. Gamers can choose between several different RTX 30 series graphics cards starting at the RTX 3050 up to the RTX 3070. With so many choices, each gamer can tailor-make their laptop based on performance requirements and pricing.
For those on the go, the Legion 5 Pro offers up to 8 hours of battery life and is compatible with Rapid Charge Pro technology. Depending upon how busy a gamer's lifestyle is, the battery life may become a crucial feature over other similar laptops.
Other Notable Features
- Display with 500 nits peak brightness for quality gaming in many different light levels
- Low-latency 3ms response
- Coldfront 3.0 intelligent cooling technology
Price Range
$1,039.99 - $1,817.99
Buy the new Lenovo Legion 5 Pro here.
Which Gaming Laptop is Best?
Gamers must decide what features are most important to determine which gaming laptop is best. For example, if longer battery life is essential, the Lenovo Legion 5 Pro with up to 8 hours of battery life is the ideal choice. However, if graphical power and fidelity are the most important, the Razor Blade 17 equipped with an RTX 3080 Ti is the obvious choice.
Another primary consideration is price and budget. Among the five laptops on this list, the price range is between $1,039 to $5,459. Gamers should consider their budget and list the essential features desired. It's easy to get caught up in marketing hype, but players must think through each model's build and choose something that makes sense. For example, a 4K display requires extra VRAM, and GPUs with only 4GB of VRAM won't take advantage of the added resolution.
While each unit on this list is a good choice, consider wants versus needs and price points. Gaming laptops above $2,000 may be more than some gamers are willing to pay, while enthusiasts may jump at a premium ASUS ROG Zephyrus G15 at over $5,000. Fortunately, each gaming laptop offers several customizable options to help gamers find the sweet spot of features and price.