Find the best laptop for gaming in 2026
To find the best gaming laptop we recommend to focus on these characteristics:
- Graphics card - look for latest offering from Nvidia and AMD, make sure it's discrete and has enough VRAM
- Thermal performance - rule of thumb: opt for thick and heavy laptop as they tend to handle workload better
- Display - 2K display with fast response (1ms) and high refresh rate (120Hz+) is optimal
Best Laptops under CA$700 for gaming
Acer Predator Helios 18 AI 18" PH18-73-90A6 Abyssal Black 2025
Great Alternatives
These options also score highly and may better suit your specific needs
Apple MacBook Pro 16" MVVJ2LL/A Space Gray 2019
Why we recommend this ▼
A 9th Gen Intel Core i7-9750H and AMD Radeon Pro 5300M with 4GB GDDR6 drive reliable multitasking and graphics, while the 16-inch 3072x1920 Retina display with P3 wide color and 500 nits delivers sharp, accurate visuals. The dual-fan cooling system keeps operation quiet under load, and the refurbished price—along with the scissor-switch Magic Keyboard—makes it a compelling value among 16-inch macOS laptops. It’s best for students, media consumers, and casual content creators who need a spacious color-accurate screen and steady performance without the cost of a new model.
HP ZBook Ultra 14" G1a Meteor Silver 2025
Why we recommend this ▼
Combining an AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 processor, Radeon 8050S graphics, and up to 64GB of unified memory, this 1.57kg workstation delivers desktop-class rendering on a 14-inch 2.8K 120Hz OLED display. The 1.57kg design and 74Wh battery keep it truly portable, with EPEAT Gold sustainability and HP Wolf Pro Security adding enterprise-grade protection. It’s ideal for AI developers and 3D creators who need to run large language models locally or render complex models while traveling.
ASUS Vivobook 15.6" 15
Lenovo IdeaPad 5 15.6" 15ALC05 Graphite Gray 2022
Acer Aspire 3 15.6" A315-24P-R7VH Silver 2023
HP 15.6" OmniBook 3
Dell Latitude 14" 5400 Black
Why we recommend this ▼
With 32GB RAM, a 1TB NVMe SSD, and Thunderbolt connectivity, this refurbished Dell provides robust multitasking and storage at a value-focused price, while a thorough refurbishment process ensures near-new functionality. Its 14-inch FHD display and 1.48kg weight make it a portable workhorse with a full array of ports including HDMI, Ethernet, and four USB-A slots. It's best for office workers or students who need to run memory-intensive spreadsheets and archive large project files without spending new-laptop money.
ASUS GT730-SL-2GD5-BRK
Lenovo V14 G5 IRL 14" V14 G5 IRL
Acer Aspire Go 15.6" AG15-32P-39R2 Silver
HP Stream 14" 14-dq6015dx Pale Rose Gold 2025
Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14
GXMO 14.1" 568432564 Silver
BRENUC Business Laptop 14" NC14N White 2025
HP 15-fd000 15.6" 15-fd000 Moonlight Blue 2024
Best Laptops under CA$1,500 for gaming
ASUS TUF 15.6" FX507VV-BH74-CB Mecha Grey
Great Alternatives
These options also score highly and may better suit your specific needs
Apple MacBook Pro 16" MVVK2LL/A Space Gray 2019
Why we recommend this ▼
The Intel 9th Gen Core i9 8-core processor and AMD Radeon Pro 5500M with 4GB GDDR6 deliver strong performance for demanding creative tasks, complemented by a vivid 16-inch Retina display and 11-hour battery life. Its six-speaker audio system with force-canceling woofers and the Touch Bar with Touch ID offer a high-end multimedia and security experience. With an entertainment score of 85.8 and solid developer tools, it’s ideally suited for video editors working with 4K footage and software engineers who need a reliable macOS environment.
Lenovo LOQ 15.6" 15IRX9 Luna Gray 2023
Why we recommend this ▼
A 13th Gen Intel Core i5-13450HX and 6GB GeForce RTX 3050 drive the 144Hz G-Sync IPS display with 100% sRGB coverage, ensuring fluid 1080p gameplay. DDR5 memory, a MUX switch, and HDMI 2.1 provide flexible connectivity and direct GPU frame delivery rarely found at this level. This laptop suits budget-focused gamers and streaming hobbyists needing a color-accurate screen and strong I/O without overspending.
HP Victus 15.6" 15-fa2080ca Black
Lenovo ThinkPad 16" E16 G1 Graphite Black
Why we recommend this ▼
The 16-inch 1920x1200 touchscreen with 100% sRGB color gamut and a full port selection—including Thunderbolt, Ethernet, and HDMI 2.1—sets it apart for desk-bound productivity. Its durable chassis houses a backlit keyboard with a number pad, along with enterprise security like a dTPM 2.0 chip and a hybrid FHD IR camera with a privacy shutter. This laptop is best for office workers who need a large, color-accurate display and extensive wired connectivity for tasks like data analysis and content review, accepting its 2.73kg weight and limited portability.
Lenovo IdeaPad 14" IdeaPad 5 2-in-1 14AHP9 2026
ASUS Vivobook 16"
Why we recommend this ▼
The AMD Ryzen AI 5 330 processor and 32GB of 5600 MHz DDR5 RAM provide strong multitasking headroom for a budget 16-inch laptop, though the 300-nit, 45% NTSC display limits color-critical work. Its 1.88kg weight and full port selection, including dual USB-C with Power Delivery and HDMI 2.1, make it a practical, portable workstation for desk and travel use. This configuration is best for students or office workers who need a large screen for documents and spreadsheets, with enough memory to handle heavy browser-based research.
Acer Nitro V 16 Shale Black 2025
MSI Thin 15.6" B13VE-1697CA Cosmos Gray 2023
Why we recommend this ▼
The 13th Gen Intel Core i5-13420H and RTX 4050 6GB GPU push a 144Hz 1080p display, keeping frame rates smooth in esports titles. At 1.90kg, it’s easily portable and drives two external displays via USB-C and HDMI for expanded multitasking. It’s best for budget-conscious gamers who want a light 1080p gaming laptop with enough power for entry-level content creation.
Acer Nitro 16 16" AN16-41-R148 Black
Why we recommend this ▼
Powered by a 6-core AMD Ryzen 5 7640HS boosting to 5.0GHz and an NVIDIA RTX 4050 with DLSS 3, the Acer Nitro 16 drives a 165Hz 1920x1200 IPS panel while dual-fan cooling with liquid metal thermal grease keeps temperatures in check. The display supports NVIDIA G-SYNC and Advanced Optimus for smooth, tear-free gaming, and a 4-zone RGB keyboard with a dedicated NitroSense key provides granular control over fan speeds and lighting. This machine is best for desk-bound gamers who value a large, high-refresh screen and DLSS 3 performance without a premium price.
ASUS Vivobook 16 16" M1607 Quiet Blue
Lenovo LOQ Essential 15.6" LOQ Essential Luna Grey 2022
Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 15.6" 82XM00LMUS Arctic Grey 2025
Dell Inspiron 16" 5645 Midnight Blue 2024
Why we recommend this ▼
The Ryzen 7 8840U processor with integrated AI ensures smooth performance and crisp video calls on a 16-inch 16:10 display with Dolby Vision. Military-grade testing, AI noise-reducing microphones, and a mechanical camera shutter deliver dependable security and communication. It suits remote workers and students who prioritize clear virtual meetings and daily productivity, though the 250-nit brightness limits outdoor visibility.
HP 255R 15.6" G10 Dark ash silver 2026
ASUS V16 16" V3607VH-BB54-CB Black
Best Laptops under CA$3,000 for gaming
Lenovo Legion Pro 5i 16" 16IAX10 Eclipse Black 2025
Great Alternatives
These options also score highly and may better suit your specific needs
ASUS ROG Strix 16" G615LM-DS96 Eclipse Gray 2025
MSI Raider 16" GE68 HX 14VGG-287US Black
Gigabyte GAMING A16 PRO 16" DYHG5USCC4SH Titanium Black
Why we recommend this ▼
An Intel Core 7 240H and GeForce RTX 5080 Laptop GPU with 16GB VRAM drive the 165Hz 2560x1600 IPS panel, kept cool by WINDFORCE INFINITY EX cooling with 0dB silent mode. The 100% sRGB display at 400 nits supports accurate color work, while the 180-degree hinge and 19.45mm slim chassis enhance versatility. It’s best for gamers and video editors handling 4K footage who need high frame rates and robust GPU acceleration in a desktop replacement.
Lenovo LOQ 15.6" LOQ Grey 2023
Why we recommend this ▼
Its 14-core Intel Core i7-13700H and RTX 4060 with 8GB VRAM power smooth 144Hz gameplay, while the 32GB DDR5 memory handles multitasking. A unique bonus is the included KKE mousepad and the versatile port selection, including USB-C with DisplayPort 1.4 and 140W charging. This machine suits budget-conscious esports players and streaming creators who value a high-refresh 1080p screen and full I/O without premium pricing.
MSI Crosshair 16 HX AI
Why we recommend this ▼
The 20-core Intel Core Ultra 7 255HX and RTX 5060 with 8GB GDDR7 drive a vivid 2560x1600 240Hz IPS panel covering 100% DCI-P3. Its 32GB of DDR5 RAM and a 1TB PCIe 4.0 SSD provide a solid out-of-box foundation for demanding workflows. This laptop is best for creators and gamers who need high color accuracy and smooth frame rates but can accept a 2.5kg chassis.
Lenovo Legion 5i 15.1" 83LY000LUS Eclipse Black
Why we recommend this ▼
A 15.1-inch 2560x1600 OLED display with 165Hz refresh and 500 nits brightness, paired with an RTX 5060 GPU and 20-core i7-14700HX, enables smooth gaming and creator workloads. Its 100% DCI-P3 color gamut ensures accurate color reproduction for HDR work, while the 1.9 kg weight and Wi-Fi 7 add portability and future-ready connectivity. This laptop is ideal for video editors, 3D artists, and competitive gamers who need a fast, color-accurate display and strong multi-core performance.
HP ZBook Ultra 14" G1a
Why we recommend this ▼
The AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 380 processor with integrated Radeon 8040S graphics and a 14-inch 2880x1800 OLED 120Hz touchscreen delivering 400 nits and 100% DCI-P3 coverage sets this workstation apart for AI-accelerated tasks. At just 1.57kg, it combines a 74Wh battery and Wi-Fi 7 connectivity for all-day portability without sacrificing the vibrant OLED panel. This laptop is best for video editors and AI practitioners who need to run local large language models while benefiting from a color-accurate, high-refresh display.
MSI Katana Katana 15 HX B14WGK-247CA
Why we recommend this ▼
The 24-core Intel i9-14900HX and RTX 5070 with 8GB GDDR7 drive a 15.6-inch 165Hz QHD IPS display for high-detail gaming and rendering. Despite its 4.31kg chassis, the laptop packs Thunderbolt 3, HDMI 2.1, six USB ports, and 32GB of DDR5 memory for serious multitasking. It’s best for video editors cutting 4K footage and 3D artists who need raw multicore throughput and the GPU’s fast memory bandwidth.
Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 AI 16" PHN16-73-92B8 Abyssal Black 2026
Why we recommend this ▼
Intel’s Core Ultra 9 275HX and RTX 5070 Ti GPU with 12GB VRAM drive high-frame-rate gaming and AI tasks on a 16-inch 240Hz WQXGA display covering 100% DCI-P3. The 500-nit brightness and Thunderbolt 4 connectivity add versatility for color-sensitive creative work and fast peripheral links. This model suits gamers and video editors seeking a desktop-replacement with serious GPU power, though its 2.7 kg weight sacrifices portability.
MEPC BLAZE 16" N5070A9HX Black
Why we recommend this ▼
A Ryzen 9 8945HX and GeForce RTX 5070 with 8GB VRAM drive a 16-inch 180Hz QHD display at 500 nits for fluid high-resolution gaming. Its 2TB NVMe SSD, 32GB DDR5 RAM, and 100% sRGB panel handle demanding creative tasks with ease and color accuracy. This machine is ideal for gamers who also edit 4K video or render 3D projects on one device.
MSI Cyborg 15.6" B2RW
Why we recommend this ▼
The Intel Core 7-240H and RTX 5060 with 8GB VRAM drive consistent 1080p gaming on a 144Hz IPS panel, all encased in a translucent, mech-inspired chassis that gives it a unique look. Pre-loaded with 32GB DDR5 RAM and a 1TB SSD, it eliminates the need for immediate upgrades while Wi-Fi 6E and an RGB keyboard add everyday utility. This laptop suits gamers and aspiring streamers who want a distinctive, upgrade-ready machine for 1080p high-refresh play and occasional creative work right out of the box.
Acer Predator 16" Helios Neo 16 AI LED
Gigabyte A16 Pro 16" GAMING A16 PRO DXHG4USCC4SH
Lenovo Legion 16" Legion Pro 5
Why we recommend this ▼
A Ryzen 9 8945HX and RTX 5070 power a vibrant 16-inch 2560x1600 OLED 240Hz display, delivering fluid gameplay with deep contrast. Its 32GB of RAM and 1TB SSD handle 4K video editing and heavy multitasking without stuttering, while the OLED panel’s color accuracy adds creative versatility. It’s best for desk-bound gamers and streamers who also produce content, as the 2.2kg build and 80Wh battery sacrifice portability for raw performance.
HP ZBook 14" G1a
Why we recommend this ▼
The 12-core AMD Ryzen AI Max PRO 390 chip and integrated Radeon 8050S graphics accelerate local AI inferencing and complex rendering, backed by 32GB of 8500 MHz LPDDR5X RAM and a 1TB PCIe 4.0 SSD. Its professional feature set includes a 5MP IR camera with Windows Hello, quad speakers, and broad connectivity with Thunderbolt, HDMI 2.1, and Wi‑Fi 7. This mobile workstation suits data scientists and engineers running local large language models and 3D workloads who need a 14-inch anti‑glare display, though at 2.67 kg it sacrifices portability.