Top 15 gaming laptops of 2021. How to choose an inexpensive but good model?

Gaming laptop - key criteria for choosing a device. Review and rating of devices of the lower and middle price categories, analysis of top models. The answer to the question - how much do such models cost?

Gone are the days when gaming laptops were a curiosity and had impressive dimensions and weight. Today, these are compact and lightweight devices with powerful hardware.

Consider how to choose a modern gaming laptop, what to look for when choosing which model to give preference to.

Rating of the TOP 15 best gaming laptops

Place	Model	Price
Inexpensive models
#1	ASUS M570
#2	ASUS TUF Gaming FX505
#3	Lenovo Ideapad Gaming L340-15
#4	Acer Aspire 7 A715-41G
#5	ASUS X571
#6	HP Pavilion Gaming 15-ec
Middle price segment
#1	ASUS ROG Zephyrus G GA502
#2	DELL G5 15 5590
#3	Acer Nitro 5 AN515-54
#4	Xiaomi Mi Gaming Laptop 2019
#5	ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 GA401
Premium segment
#1	DELL G3 15 3590
#2	Alienware 15 R4
#3	ASUS ROG Strix G15 G512
#4	MSI GP65 Leopard 10SFK

Criteria for choosing a gaming laptop

There are a number of characteristics that you should focus on when buying any laptop.

How to choose? In the case of game models, a couple of important points are added to them:

Video card.
The more powerful it is, the better.
The best way to find out the power of a video card is to look at its FPS according to tests, including those from independent users.
CPU.
Cannot be upgraded on mobile devices.
However, in general, all modern quad-core solutions from Intel or AMD can run any games in FullHD resolution without any problems.
Cooling.
A gaming laptop without effective cooling is a poor choice.
Of course, the device will make a lot of noise under load, but this is still the only option.
If you use a stand, you can reduce the heating temperature by several degrees
Display.
FullHD resolution is the best option for a clear and colorful picture.
IPS matrix - excellent viewing angles and good response speed.
Keyboard.
A matter of taste and habit.
For gamers, the built-in keyboard may seem inconvenient, but there is always the option to use an external input device.

Inexpensive models

Note! New technical processes and developments have significantly reduced the size of laptop components and had a positive impact on their cost.

Inexpensive models perfect for not very gluttonous games.

TOP-6 rating of the best budget, but good models according to customer reviews and ratings.

ASUS M570

It has a rather modest size compared to bulky laptops for gamers, however, the list of its capabilities includes not only surfing the web or watching videos, but also running modern games.

The thickness of the device is only 21.9 mm, while he feels confident in games and other programs.

Responsible for the performance of a fresh video card, current processor and 8 gigabytes of RAM.

Notebook Asus X570 able to work in optimal mode without recharging almost all day.

Specifications:

OS - Windows 10;
processor - Ryzen 5/7;
RAM - 8 GB;
screen - 15.6 ?, resolution - 1920 × 1080;
matrix type - IPS, TN;
video card - NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050;
hard drive - HDD + SSD, SSD with a total capacity of 128-1256 GB;
support for microSD, microSDHC, microSDXC;
wireless technologies — Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0/4.1/4.2;
interfaces - Ethernet, USB, HDMI, audio;
battery capacity - 4110-4200 mAh;
working time - 9 hours;
webcam 0.3 MP;
weight - 1.9 kg.

Advantages

high performance;
bright screen without glare;
quick start of the system;
quiet operation of the cooling system;
loud and fairly high-quality sound built-in speakers.

Flaws

keyboard backlighting is not provided;
to add RAM or replace a hard drive, you will have to disassemble the entire laptop;
BIOS is not full of settings.

ASUS TUF Gaming FX505

The entry-level gaming model ASUS TUF Gaming FX505 has enough potential to pass most of the current strategies and shooters.

The display of the laptop without distortion transmits a bright and color-saturated picture.

IPS-matrix has a minimum response time, which is important for games.

The narrow frame does not distract from the gameplay and does not visually increase the dimensions of the device.

An aggressively designed lid hides the HyperStrike keyboard with a dedicated WASD key combination, isolated arrows, wide space bar and accelerated keystroke technology.

Specifications:

OS - Windows 10;
processor - Core i5 / i7, Ryzen 5/7;
RAM - 6-16 GB;
screen - 15.6 ?, resolution - 1920 × 1080;
matrix type - IPS;
video card - AMD Radeon RX 560X, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050/1050 Ti/1060/1650/1660 Ti/RTX 2060;
hard drive - HDD, HDD + SSD, SSD with a total capacity of 256-1512 GB;
wireless technologies — Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0/4.2/5.0;
interfaces - Ethernet, USB, HDMI, audio;
battery capacity - 2526-4240 mAh;
operating time - 3-5 hours;
webcam 0.92-1 MP;
weight - 2.2–2.3 kg.

Advantages

reliable and durable body;
relatively low price for a device of this category;
excellent keyboard performance;
modern, powerful stuffing.

Flaws

display frequency 60 Hz;
low viewing angles, maximum brightness.

Lenovo Ideapad Gaming L340-15

Has enough power to go into the thick of online battles or enjoy single-player games.

Easy-to-handle laptop Lenovo Ideapad Gaming L340-15 will delight its owner with a capacious battery, two modes of operation - quiet and fast, best suited for virtual battles.

The bowels of the laptop hide a video card with 4 GB of memory, a central processor and 16 GB of RAM.

The high-quality screen supports Full HD resolution, which is also important for modern games.

Specifications:

OS - Windows 10;
processor - Core i5 / i7;
RAM - 4-16 GB;
screen - 15.6 ?, resolution - 1920 × 1080;
matrix type - IPS, TN, WVA;
video card - NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050/1650;
hard drive - HDD, HDD + SSD, SSD with a total capacity of 256–1256 GB;
wireless technologies - Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.2;
interfaces - Ethernet, USB, HDMI, audio;
battery capacity - 3900 mAh;
working time - 9 hours;
webcam 1 MP;
weight - 2.19 kg.

Advantages

powerful video card;
display with eye protection mode, good viewing angles;
affordable price;
ergonomic keyboard.

Flaws

only one slot for RAM;
only two USB ports;
low maximum screen brightness.

Acer Aspire 7 A715-41G

The Acer Aspire 7 A715-41G model hides remarkable features - a powerful processor and video card that allow you to run modern games without lags and brakes.

The narrow frame of the IPS screen visually makes the body of the device more compact than traditional 15-inch models.

Additional speed is provided by an m.2 SSD drive. The Wi-Fi module of the 6th version is responsible for the wireless connection.

The device is equipped with a capacious battery, up-to-date connectors for connecting peripherals, built-in speakers and a webcam.

Specifications:

OS - Endless, Linux, Windows 10;
processor - Ryzen 7;
RAM - 8-16 GB;
screen - 15.6 ?, resolution - 1920 × 1080;
matrix type - IPS;
video card - NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650/1650 Ti;
hard drive - SSD 256-1024 GB;
wireless technologies — Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.1/5.0;
interfaces - Thunderbolt 3, Ethernet, USB, HDMI, audio;
battery capacity - 4000 mAh;
operating time - 6.5 hours;
webcam 0.92 MP;
weight - 2.15 kg.

Advantages

the body is made of durable plastic;
many relevant interfaces;
the battery holds a charge for a long time;
Responsive touchpad and comfortable keyboard.

Flaws

meager equipment;
high price;
disgusting webcam.

ASUS X571

Notebook ASUS X571, being a compact universal model, is suitable for daily use at home and in the office, as well as playing most modern games.

Powerful hardware configuration, which includes an Intel processor, NVIDIA graphics card and up to 16 gigabytes of RAM, will provide a comfortable passage of games and applications.

The dual drive version combines the advantages of large traditional hard drives with more modern ultra-fast SSDs.

Specifications:

OS - Windows 10;
processor - Core i5 / i7;
RAM - 8-16 GB;
screen - 15.6 ?, resolution - 1920 × 1080;
matrix type - IPS;
video card - NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050/1650/1650 Ti;
hard drive - HDD + SSD, SSD with a total capacity of 512-2256 GB;
support for SD, SDHC, SDXC;
wireless technologies — Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.1/4.2/5.0;
interfaces - Ethernet, USB, HDMI, audio;
battery capacity - 3550 mAh;
operating time - 5 hours;
webcam 1 MP;
weight - 1.8–2.14 kg.

Advantages

high overall performance;
modern design;
thoughtful arrangement of ports for connecting external devices;
responsive touchpad.

Flaws

easily soiled case;
poor equipment;
overpriced.

HP Pavilion Gaming 15-ec

A reliable gaming device with a classic screen size, a set of up-to-date hardware and software support.

Illuminated keys allow you to play with greater comfort, processing power contributes to fast and stable operation.

Modern components - processor, video card and RAM provide high-speed application loading, stability and responsiveness of all processes.

IPS technology gives a clear and realistic image.

Specifications:

OS - Windows 10;
processor - Ryzen 5/7;
RAM - 8-16 GB;
screen - 15.6 ?, resolution - 1920 × 1080;
matrix type - IPS, TN, SVA;
video card - NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050/1650/1660 Ti/1660 Ti MAX-Q;
hard drive - HHDD + SSD, SSD with a total capacity of 256-1256 GB;
support for SD, SDHC, SDXC;
wireless technologies — Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.2/5.0;
interfaces - Ethernet, USB, HDMI, audio;
battery capacity - 3500-4000 mAh;
operating time - 7.25–11.25 hours;
webcam 1 MP;
weight - 1.98–2.34 kg.

Advantages

two-level backlighting of the keyboard;
fairly compact dimensions for a diagonal of 15.6 inches;
fast Wi-Fi module;
It is possible to install an additional hard drive.

Flaws

BIOS from HP with reduced functions;
slight heating of the case;
The device is quite heavy.

Middle price segment

Mid-Range Gaming Laptops imply a high level of performance, modern components, an efficient cooling system.

And all this at a more or less affordable price.

TOP-5 best devices in the mid-price segment in terms of price and quality ratio.

ASUS ROG Zephyrus G GA502

The ultra-thin model ASUS ROG Zephyrus G GA502 once again proves that modern laptops can handle not only Minesweeper and Klondike.

Powerful components allow you to run demanding games.

The display supports refresh rates up to 120Hz. The laptop is relatively light and thin.

Complementing the picture is a high-quality audio system with two speakers and an intelligent Smart-AMP amplifier with a minimum of distortion even at maximum volume.

The keyboard is equipped with additional keys for more convenient control.

Specifications:

OS - Windows 10;
processor - Ryzen 7;
RAM - 8-32 GB;
screen - 15.6 ?, resolution - 1920 × 1080;
matrix type - IPS;
video card - NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti / 1660 Ti MAX-Q / RTX 2060 Max-Q;
hard drive - SSD 512-1024 GB;
wireless technologies - Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0;
interfaces - Ethernet, USB, HDMI, audio, DisplayPort;
battery capacity - 4800 mAh;
operating time - 5.5 hours;
webcam optional;
weight - 2.1–2.2 kg.

Advantages

clear colorful picture;
durable keyboard with white backlight;
modern productive iron;
2 chargers included;
The display lid can be easily opened with one hand.

Flaws

at a brightness of less than 20% there is PWM;
no slot for a memory card;
The display opens up to a maximum of 135 degrees.

DELL G5 15 5590

The DELL G5 15 5590 15.6-inch gaming laptop with a powerful Intel Core processor and a powerful NVIDIA graphics card will provide you with a real gaming experience.

The configuration is complemented by fast DDR4 RAM, a display with narrow bezels and a clear, realistic image transmission.

With impressive technical characteristics, the laptop is quite compact and lightweight, and the thickness of the device case is only 24 mm.

Plus, it's a very stylish device with high build quality.

Specifications:

OS — Linux, Windows 10;
processor - Core i5 / i7;
RAM - 8-32 GB;
screen - 15.6 ?, resolution - 1920 × 1080;
matrix type - IPS;
video card - NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti/1650/1650 MAX-Q/1660 Ti/1660 Ti MAX-Q/RTX 2060/2070/2070 Max-Q;
hard drive - HDD + SSD, SSD with a total capacity of 512-1512 GB;
support for SD, SDHC, SDXC, MultiMedia Card;
wireless technologies — Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.2/5.0;
interfaces - Thunderbolt 3, Ethernet, USB, HDMI, audio, Mini DisplayPort;
battery capacity - 3500-3940 mAh;
operating time - 3–14.5 hours;
webcam 0.92-1 MP;
weight - 2.68 kg.

Advantages

excellent performance of the i5 / i7 bundle and the gaming video card;
premium design;
quality assembly;
comfortable keyboard.

Flaws

heavy;
poor speaker sound
high price.

Acer Nitro 5 AN515-54

Gives gamers the incredible power of a six-core Intel processor and GeForce graphics card to run modern games at high graphics settings and stable FPS.

The keyboard with bright backlight and long-stroke buttons will help you move quickly and shoot without a miss.

The CoolBoost cooling system will keep the temperature of the components stable, eliminating FPS drops.

The Waves MaxxAudio application will support the optimal audio system settings with deep bass, clear voice accompaniment and realistic special effects.

Specifications:

OS - Endless, Linux, Windows 10;
processor - Core i5 / i7;
RAM - 4-16 GB;
screen - 15.6 ?, resolution - 1920 × 1080;
matrix type - IPS;
video card - NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050/1650/1660 Ti/RTX 2060;
hard drive - HDD, HDD + SSD, SSD with a total capacity of 256–1256 GB;
wireless technologies - Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0;
interfaces - Ethernet, USB, HDMI, audio;
battery capacity - 3580-3720 mAh;
operating time - 8 hours;
webcam 1-1.3 MP;
weight - 2.5 kg.

Advantages

excellent screen viewing angles;
soft and clear keyboard operation;
quiet cooling system (no load);
there is no throttling in Heroes of the Storm games.

Flaws

minimum battery life;
decent weight of the laptop itself and the power supply;
high price.

Xiaomi Mi Gaming Laptop 2019

Unusually realistic conveys the picture, allowing the player to feel like a direct participant in the events in the virtual world.

A high-quality 144 Hz IPS display is responsible for bright colors, high contrast and image clarity even in the most dynamic scenes.

Rugged housing mXiaomi Mi Gaming Laptop 2019 Models made in a strict design.

The input device will especially appeal to gamers, it is made with advanced technology, convenient for gaming and work tasks. There is support for memory cards.

Specifications:

OS - Windows 10;
processor - Core i5 / i7;
RAM - 8-16 GB;
screen - 15.6 ?, resolution - 1920 × 1080;
matrix type - IPS;
video card - NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti / RTX 2060;
hard drive - SSD 512-1024 GB;
support for SD, SDHC, SDXC;
wireless technologies - Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0;
interfaces - USB, HDMI, audio;
battery capacity - 4000 mAh;
operating time - 7 hours;
webcam 1 MP;
weight - 2.6 kg.

Advantages

gaming graphics card with appropriate performance;
fast SSD - the highest speed of reading / writing;
smart matrix with fast response;
strict design without pretentiousness;
large, pleasant to the touch touchpad.

Flaws

mediocre speaker sound;
the keyboard flexes slightly when pressed in the center;
non-standard layout due to an additional block of keys on the left;
lack of official services for Xiaomi laptops.

ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 GA401

The compact laptop ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 GA401 is not just a heavy-duty gaming laptop, but a real portable station for gamers.

The powerful 14-inch device is equipped with an AMD Ryzen processor, an NVIDIA GeForce graphics card, a display in two versions - with an increased screen refresh rate of up to 120 Hz and a high resolution of the WQHD standard.

Built-in acoustics are four speakers that work using Dolby Atmos surround sound technology.

Specifications:

OS - Windows 10;
processor - Ryzen 5;
RAM - 8-16 GB;
screen - 14?, resolution - 1920x1080, 2560x1440;
matrix type - IPS;
video card - NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650/1650 Ti/1660 Ti/1660 Ti MAX-Q/RTX 2060/2060 Max-Q;
hard drive - SSD 512-1024 GB;
wireless technologies - Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0;
interfaces - USB, HDMI, audio, DisplayPort;
battery capacity - 4800 mAh;
operating time - 9.5–10 hours;
weight - 1.6–1.7 kg.

Advantages

performance;
relatively light;
build quality;
thoughtful ventilation system;
good built-in speakers;
a fingerprint scanner hidden in the power button.

Flaws

high price;
no webcam;
there are no Home, End, PgUp, PgDown, Insert keys and shortcuts for them.

Premium segment

Game models are cheaper and more expensive, but top versions are invariably associated with a high price tag.

In view of this, it is worthwhile to carefully and carefully approach the choice of a suitable model and configuration.

The best powerful game models for true fans.

DELL G3 15 3590

It belongs to the line of 15-inch gaming laptops with a relatively affordable price tag and sufficient performance for games at high graphics settings.

Also mModel Dell G3 15 3590 will appreciate a high-quality display, the ability to upgrade RAM and storage devices.

Convenience is added by a large touchpad, a set of relevant ports and connectors.

The device highlights the original design. The G3 15 3590 is a good choice for gamers who want to comfortably play modern games, but do not want or are not able to overpay.

Specifications:

OS — Linux, Windows 10;
processor - Core i5 / i7;
RAM - 8-16 GB;
screen - 15.6 ?, resolution - 1920 × 1080;
matrix type - IPS;
video card - NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050/1650/1650 MAX-Q/1660 Ti/1660 Ti MAX-Q;
hard drive - HDD + SSD, SSD with a total capacity of 512-1256 GB;
support for SD, SDHC, SDXC;
wireless technologies — Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.1/5.0;
interfaces - Ethernet, USB, HDMI, audio, DisplayPort;
battery capacity - 3500-4400 mAh;
operating time - 4–7 hours;
webcam 0.92-1 MP;
weight - 2.34 kg.

Advantages

powerful processor and video card at a relatively low price;
capacious battery;
compactness;
custom BIOS.

Flaws

Both RAM slots are occupied;
PWM is present;
very heavy 180W power supply.

Alienware 15 R4

It will allow you not to tie yourself to stationary equipment and at the same time squeeze the most out of modern games in any convenient place.

Alienware 15 R4 laptop received a serious stuffing, comparable to desktop systems.

This is, first of all, the GeForce GTX graphics card, which can handle demanding games and even VR applications, as well as an Intel Core processor and 32 GB of RAM in the maximum configuration.

In addition to iron, the laptop stands out with a futuristic case design, an Alienware TactX keyboard with 2.2 mm key travel and a steel base plate.

The Killer DoubleShot Pro module sets traffic settings to avoid delays and lags.

Specifications:

OS - Windows 10;
processor - Core i5 / i7 / i9;
RAM - 8-32 GB;
screen - 15.6?, resolution - 1920x1080, 3840x2160;
matrix type - IPS, TN;
video card - NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060/1070/1080;
hard drive - HDD, HDD + SSD with a total capacity of 1024–1512 GB;
wireless technologies - Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.1;
interfaces - Thunderbolt 3, USB, HDMI, audio, Mini DisplayPort, docking station interface;
battery capacity - 4800 mAh;
working time - 10 hours;
webcam 1 MP;
weight - 3.49 kg.

Advantages

excellent build quality;
unusual design;
customizable backlighting of the keyboard, logos, side stripes, touchpad;
screen with high-quality color reproduction, without glare;
Speakers are loud enough with clear sound.

Flaws

very heavy;
there is nothing in the kit;
very expensive device.

ASUS ROG Strix G15 G512

The 15.6-inch model is a reimagining of past generations of gaming laptops from ASUS with an updated design and more powerful components.

Top version of the laptop ROG Strix G15 G512 assembled on the basis of an Intel Core i7 CPU, RTX 2060 graphics card and a Full HD display with a frequency of 144 Hz.

The latter also boasts a very fast response time for an IPS matrix - just 3 ms.

Other interesting features include RGB lighting around the contour, Asus Aura sync, metal parts of the case.

Specifications:

OS - Windows 10;
processor - Core i5 / i7;
RAM - 16 GB;
screen - 15.6 ?, resolution - 1920 × 1080;
matrix type - IPS;
video card - NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti/RTX 2060/2070;
hard drive - SSD 512-1024 GB;
wireless technologies - Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.1;
interfaces - Ethernet, USB, HDMI, audio;
battery capacity - 4050 mAh;
operating time - 4 hours;
weight - 2.3 kg.

Advantages

metal imitation design;
robust design, metal hinges;
144Hz gaming display;
convenient touchpad with separate keys;
thoughtful ergonomic keyboard;
quality sound.

Flaws

quite noisy under load;
low brightness of the display with a small coverage of the sRGB palette.

MSI GP65 Leopard 10SFK

It is a fusion of performance, cutting-edge design and mobility, the latter especially appreciated by gamers who are not accustomed to sitting in one place.

The Full HD IPS display delivers an impressive 144Hz refresh rate, perfect for fast-paced shooters and racing fans.

The advanced RTX 2070 graphics card with DirectX 12 support and ray tracing creates realistic reflections and lighting.

Impressive speakers and the Nahimic 3 utility are responsible for high-quality sound.

The keyboard of the MSI GP65 Leopard 10SFK laptop is equipped with a bright backlight with changeable effects.

Specifications:

OS - Windows 10;
processor - Core i5 / i7;
RAM - 16 GB;
screen - 15.6 ?, resolution - 1920 × 1080;
matrix type - IPS;
video card - NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070;
hard drive - HDD + SSD, SSD with a total capacity of 512-1512 GB;
support for SD, SDHC, SDXC;
wireless technologies - Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.1;
interfaces - Ethernet, USB, HDMI, audio, Mini DisplayPort;
battery capacity - 4400 mAh;
operating time - 3 hours;
webcam 1 MP;
weight - 2.3 kg.

Advantages

fast SSD and RAM;
top video card;
game screen 144 hertz with perfect factory calibration;
not too much weight;
the ability to upgrade with a minimum of operations to access the slots;
efficient cooling.

Flaws

too tight hinges on the lid;
slow HDD;
not the most powerful Wi-Fi module.

Reviews

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conclusions

When choosing a gaming laptop, consider the following points:

Gaming laptops today These are powerful, lightweight and compact devices.
A gaming model should have a modern processor, a powerful graphics card and efficient cooling.
Top laptops let you run the most demanding games.
On cheaper models, this can be done with minimal settings.

Useful video

This video presents the ranking of the best gaming laptops 2020:

Reviews Ratings