Best Gaming Laptops of 2026: Razer, Asus, Dell and More Reviewed
Wired has rounded up its top gaming laptop picks for 2026, ranging from slim high-performance machines to budget options around $1,000. The list also covers experimental form factors like tablet-style and dual-screen devices.
Gaming laptops have changed considerably over the past decade, moving from bulky, underpowered machines to devices that now rival desktops in performance while staying close in size to standard laptops. Wired's latest roundup highlights the standout models across several price and performance categories.
Slim, high-performance picks
At the premium end, the Razer Blade 16 got an even slimmer redesign in 2025 and can be configured with the powerful RTX 5090 GPU, though it remains costly and is sold only through Razer's own site. The smaller Razer Blade 14 offers RTX 5060 or RTX 5070 options at a lower price and better portability. Asus's ROG Zephyrus G14 and G16 have grown into serious rivals to the Blade line, both featuring high-resolution OLED displays. For raw performance, the Lenovo Legion 7i Gen 10 offers a bright OLED screen and RTX 5070 Ti or RTX 5080 graphics, while the Asus ROG Strix G16 delivers RTX 5070 performance at a more accessible price.
Budget-friendly options
Around the $1,000 mark, Wired names the Lenovo LOQ 15, equipped with an RTX 5060, as its top recommendation, alongside the cheaper MSI Cyborg A15 with an RTX 5050. The outlet advises against laptops still using older RTX 4050 or RTX 3050 cards, noting these chips can already be several years old. Newly added alternatives include the Alienware 15 and the Lenovo LOQ 15 Essential Gen 11, though both have notable drawbacks — a washed-out display on the former and an underpowered charger on the latter that can drain the battery during demanding gameplay.
Experimental designs
The guide also covers unconventional options, including the Asus ROG Flow Z13, a tablet-style gaming device with a detachable keyboard, and the upcoming dual-screen ROG Zephyrus Duo. Wired notes that even non-gaming laptops can handle games well, pointing to the Dell XPS 14, which averaged 56 frames per second in Cyberpunk 2077 at medium settings using only Intel's integrated graphics.
