Gaming laptops allow gamers to take their favourite immersive experiences nearly wherever they go. Although many gaming laptops are a little bit too cumbersome to lug round, the previous few years have launched a bevy of travel-friendly choices that make up our picks for one of the best skinny and lightweight gaming laptops in the marketplace.
When you could assume a thinner construct means sacrificing some processing energy, that’s not essentially true. A few of our favourite light-weight gaming choices are comparable in efficiency to the finest gaming laptops no matter kind issue.
What you do sometimes sacrifice is thermal efficiency, as airflow and fan measurement are shrunk in favor of a extra transportable gaming laptop computer. In case your setup permits, you may flip to the finest laptop computer cooling pads to maintain the CPU from melting.
Our computing specialists have examined hundreds of laptops for TechRadar – a lot of which have been gaming laptops – and we have narrowed our favourite skinny and lightweight gaming laptops down so yow will discover one of the best decide in your price range and efficiency wants.
The fast listing
Need to reduce to the chase and discover out what one of the best skinny and lightweight gaming laptops are? Under, you’ll discover a roundup of our selections, and you may bounce to a extra detailed assessment of each decide, together with our value comparability instrument that will help you discover one of the best offers.
The most effective total
This fashionable but sturdy laptop computer presents spectacular QHD+ efficiency and boasts a quick and correct show for aggressive video games and artistic workloads.
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The most effective price range
A wonderful low-cost possibility that does not sacrifice efficiency, it has a quick show, a terrific port choice, and a skinny, light-weight chassis.
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The most effective premium
For a skinny and lightweight gaming laptop computer, the Origin EON 16SL is a fully monster of a machine, bringing unbelievable efficiency with a best-in-class show.
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4. MSI Stealth GS66 12UGS
The most effective for 1440p gaming
A premium gaming laptop computer with a terrific show and a good battery life, this comes with highly effective specs to deal with wonderful 1440p gaming at 240fps.
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The most effective 17-inch possibility
Whereas staying transportable and trendy, this highly effective, long-lasting, large-screen laptop computer will see you thru gaming and artistic workloads.
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The most effective with 240Hz show
This gorgeous gaming laptop computer delivers top-tier efficiency and a well-balanced chassis. The most effective half: it presents a quick show providing a 240Hz refresh charge.
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The thinnest gaming laptop computer
With its significantly slender kind issue, this belies some top-notch specs whereas weighing much less and being thinner than the remainder of the choices right here.
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The most effective skinny and lightweight gaming laptops in 2025
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Under you will discover full write-ups for every of one of the best skinny and lightweight laptop computer in our listing. We have examined each extensively at TechRadar, so you may ensure that our suggestions could be trusted.
The most effective skinny and lightweight gaming laptop computer total
Purchase it if:
✅ You need a skinny and lightweight gaming laptop computer: It weighs surprisingly little for its specs (simply 4.05 lbs / 1.84kg) and might simply slip right into a backpack or laptop computer bag to hit the street.
✅ You need nice efficiency: Efficiency scores very nicely on each benchmark with excessive body charges at highest settings.
Do not buy it if:
❌ You are on the lookout for a price range possibility: The Razer Blade presents the ability that you must recreation and create, but it surely does not include a reasonably price ticket.
❌ You need a greater battery life: Nice efficiency means nice energy draw, and the battery does not final so long as some options.
The 2023 Razer Blade 14 earned a spot on a number of of our laptop computer roundups, together with a snug top-spot place on finest gaming laptops. The Razer Blade 14 (2024) options even higher specs because the earlier yr’s mannequin, and it does so on the similar skinny and lightweight 4.05 lb (1.84kg) weight.
This glossy gaming laptop computer from Razer comes outfitted with a AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS and an Nvidia RTX 4070 to place some energy behind its stunning 240hz show. Our suite of benchmarks discovered the 2024 Razer Blade 14 presents best-in-class efficiency for contemporary 14-inch laptops, and whenever you marry that with the polished design, THX audio capabilities, and satisfying keyboard and trackpad, you get an excellent gaming laptop computer that doubles as a cellular workstation.
With Nvidia’s 50 sequence GPUs introduced at CES 2025, and Razer’s new lineup of Blade laptops revealed on the similar occasion, we may even see a brand new contender for one of the best skinny and lightweight gaming laptops quickly. However because it stands, the Razer Blade 14 (2024) presents unparalleled efficiency at its weight class with the added options to make it an entire package deal.
Learn our full Razer Blade 14 (2024) assessment
The most effective price range skinny and lightweight gaming laptop computer
Purchase it if:
✅ You wish to recreation on a price range: Let’s face it: gaming laptops could be bloody costly, however in the event you low-cost out, you’ll possible be caught with low body charges or poor graphics. The MSI GF63 Skinny walks the road between worth and efficiency expertly.
✅ You want a multi-purpose laptop computer: First rate efficiency in nearly each space and a reserved design implies that the GF63 Skinny can fortunately double as a laptop computer for work or examine, in addition to be a stable PC gaming machine.
Do not buy it if:
❌ You need ray tracing: Whereas it’s technically succesful, the RTX 3050 Ti simply isn’t actually in a position to run video games with ray-tracing settings turned on.
❌ You want good battery life: The battery life on supply right here is much from dismal, but it surely’s not what we’d name spectacular, if you wish to preserve the brightness at most, you’ll have to plug in.
Funds gaming laptops that also ship on efficiency are arduous to search out, which makes the MSI GF63 Skinny (2022) a superb alternative for these wanting to avoid wasting with out having to sacrifice an excessive amount of in specs in return. The beginning value is one that the majority gaming laptops can’t hope to match on this era of efficiency behemoths, particularly one which’s additionally so skinny and light-weight. Its battery life is common, however that’s what you’d count on from a gaming laptop computer within the first place.
Its specs embrace as much as an Intel Core i7-11800H CPU, although the Core i5 model is extra distinguished, and as much as an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 Ti GPU. For the latter, you too can get the GeForce GTX 1650 GPU model for a less expensive value level, which nonetheless can deal with most video games simply positive, however we discovered after testing that it’s finest to pay a bit extra for the 3050 Ti, because the gaming efficiency is greater than price it.
The show can also be 1080p HD and we discovered that when mixed with its 144Hz refresh made for a clean gameplay expertise and a transparent vibrant image high quality. Nonetheless, it’s not well-suited for top demand duties, like 4K video modifying and working number-crunching scientific applications. The port choice is great as nicely, with each kind you want. Actually, compared to many different current-gen gaming laptops we’ve examined, it surpasses all of them. It does have points with bloatware, and generally the charging cable can block these many ports too.
Learn the total MSI GF63 Skinny (2022) assessment
The most effective premium skinny and lightweight gaming laptop computer
Purchase it if:
✅ You need a skinny and lightweight gaming laptop computer: It weighs surprisingly little for its specs and might simply carry round.
✅ You need nice efficiency: Efficiency scores excessive on each benchmark with excessive body charges at highest settings.
Do not buy it if:
❌ You need a greater webcam: The webcam is fairly common, so not nice for livestreaming.
❌ You need a greater air flow system: It principally heat, however it’ll run sizzling below stress.
The Origin EON 16SL is a real darkish horse of gaming laptops, because it’s in a position to stability efficiency with one of many thinnest and lightest kind elements of any of 2023’s choices. Origin has really knocked it out of the park with its aesthetic, permitting patrons to customise their laptop computer precisely how they need it. Even higher is the pricing, which is far more cheap in comparison with different competing gaming laptops.
Regardless of having a 16-inch show, it matches nicely in most medium-sized luggage and its lightness retains it from weighing down your bag whereas the skinny chassis ensures it doesn’t take up a lot area. Due to its sturdy spec choices, together with the RTX 4000-series GPU and the Thirteenth-Gen Intel Core i9 CPU, this machine delivers excellent efficiency, enabling Cyberpunk 2077 to attain over 90fps on excessive settings and even surpass 60fps with ‘Ray Tracing Overdrive’ enabled. Moreover, the 16-inch QHD+ show boasts a formidable 240Hz refresh charge, guaranteeing clean, stutter-free gameplay.
Even with the spectacular efficiency of the Origin EON 16SL, it’s not with out its drawbacks. One notable problem is its mediocre webcam, which calls for good lighting situations to supply acceptable picture high quality. Moreover, whereas the cooling system is satisfactory for normal gaming use, it falls in need of perfection. This turns into evident because the laptop computer’s underside tends to overheat throughout extended and heavy gaming classes.
Learn the total Origin EON 16SL assessment
The most effective skinny and lightweight for 1440p
Purchase it if:
✅ Robust battery life: You’ll want a while to cost it, however as soon as it is at 100%, It’ll be an excellent few hours earlier than that you must plug it in once more, good when travelling about.
✅ Ergonomic design: Regardless of the high-end specs, MSI’s newest felt refined in its design. It’s not cumbersome, can simply be carried round, and feels adaptable.
Do not buy it if:
❌You need a quieter machine: Given its specs, the MSI Stealth GS66 12UGS is an unsurprisingly loud laptop computer. Even when doing basic duties, it might sometimes sound like a aircraft taking off.
❌ You want a extra reasonably priced laptop computer: You’ll solely want a gaming laptop computer like this if nothing however the transportable finest will do. Such excessive efficiency is extraordinarily expensive – you will get away with cheaper choices
If you happen to’re on the lookout for a premium gaming laptop computer that not solely has wonderful specs, a terrific show, and might recreation at 1440p, all whereas sustaining a light-weight kind issue with an ergonomic and comfy design made for lengthy classes, the MSI Stealth GS66 12UGS is the right alternative.
Packing as much as an Intel Core i9-12900H CPU with a Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070 Ti GPU we discovered that, after intensive benchmarking, it tackles any of the finest PC video games at excessive settings with ease. We pushed this laptop computer to its limits and the ensuing efficiency with video games like Dust 5 and Cyberpunk 2077 have been really wonderful.
The battery does take ages to cost, however because it’s a gaming machine there’s no purpose to take away it from energy within the first place. It does pay for that efficiency with some noisy followers and a excessive value, however in the event you don’t thoughts both it’s a terrific funding.
Learn our full MSI Stealth GS66 12UGS assessment
The most effective 17-inch skinny and lightweight gaming laptop computer
Purchase it if:
✅ You like nice design: This can be a attractive machine, the design could also be a few years outdated, however with uber-slim bezels it’s nonetheless bang updated and really slick.
✅ You want first rate battery life: Regardless of the big 17-inch display screen a beefy CPU efficiency, the Dell XPS 17 nonetheless delivers over 10 hours of battery life away from the mains making for spectacular all-day longevity.
Do not buy it if:
❌You need most bang in your buck: The Dell XPS 17 is a good performer, however it’ll value you.
❌ You need a true gaming laptop computer: Critical players can get higher efficiency at this value level.
The Dell XPS 17 (2024) is one of the best laptop computer for people who find themselves on the lookout for a big display screen but additionally need a slick and trendy machine that may be comfortably carried round. This spectacular skinny and lightweight laptop computer comes with Intel’s newest Twelfth-gen Alder Lake CPUs and might even be kitted out with a graphics card.
Whereas we would not counsel making this as your major gaming laptop computer, it’s wonderful for some 1080p gaming on the go because of that RTX 3050 or 3060 below the hood. It is also wonderful for graphic-intensive duties like photograph modifying. It tore by every little thing from video encodes to 3D renders with ease throughout our testing.
Couple that with its attractive show and excellent design, and you have a laptop computer to indicate off whereas on the workplace, on the espresso store, or on the lengthy haul flight in the event you journey for work. It is obtained a incredible battery life that may allow you to preserve working for hours.
Learn the total Dell XPS 17 (2024) assessment
The most effective skinny and lightweight with 240Hz show
Purchase it if:
✅ You need a gorgeous and distinctive design: If you need a gaming laptop computer that has probably the most jaw-dropping designs on the market, this can be a alternative decide with its white chassis and exquisite RGB lighting.
✅ You want one thing skinny and transportable: One way or the other Dell managed to pack a few of the finest specs on the market in an impossibly skinny chassis that doesn’t really feel any of its 5 kilos as a consequence of a balanced design.
Do not buy it if:
❌You may’t afford to pay hundreds of {dollars}: This can be a premium gaming laptop computer in each means and you may guess Dell is making you pay for that honor with the worth, at minimal, of $2000.
❌ You want an ethernet port: The truth that such an in any other case wonderful and costly gaming laptop computer doesn’t include an ethernet port is an absolute crime.
Alienware laptops and PCs are well-known for his or her high quality, distinctive designs, and efficiency, and the Alienware x15 R2 is not any slouch in any of those elements. That includes a surprising design mixed with stunning white colour and RGB lighting within the again, it’s a laptop computer that’s assured to show heads. That is coupled with its skinny chassis that feels extremely light-weight regardless of it being 5 kilos, as a consequence of how well-balanced the laptop computer is.
Its efficiency can also be top-tier, because it scored nicely in each benchmark we ran the CPU and GPU by, in addition to basic stress testing with a wide range of high-end PC video games. Actually, we discovered that after testing it completely it beat out most different laptops sporting related specs and sizes.
Sadly, it does have just a few caveats. Its horrible webcam is technically 1080p although it doesn’t look that means once we examined it out throughout a convention name and located the framerate and visuals missing. The battery lasts at most about three hours, so put together to maintain this unhealthy boy plugged in. And its skinny chassis comes at an overheating value, although the wonderful software program can mitigate that by its fan settings.
Learn our full Alienware x15 R2 assessment
The thinnest gaming laptop computer
Purchase it if:
✅ You need one thing skinny and lightweight: The Alienware X14 is simply over 0.5 inches thick and weighs slightly below 4lb, making it straightforward to slide into your backpack and carry wherever.
✅ You need a premium gaming laptop computer: This actually is an attractive laptop computer, and one of many solely gaming laptops in the marketplace that you just will not wish to disguise away in disgrace.
Do not buy it if:
❌You want lengthy battery life: If you happen to’re simply on the lookout for a laptop computer with sturdy efficiency and lengthy battery life, we might really suggest an XPS 15 or a MacBook Professional as an alternative.
❌ You are on a price range: Identical to any Alienware laptop computer, the Alienware X14 is an costly piece of {hardware}
Amongst skinny and light-weight laptops, the Alienware X14 (2022) has a very slender kind issue, which belies some top-notch specs. Geared up with an RTX 3060 GPU and a Twelfth-gen Intel Core i7 CPU we discovered that, throughout our efficiency testing, it was in a position to deal with high-end PC video games at excessive settings with no points. Usually you would need to pay for the distinction of nice specs wrapped in such a small and lovely chassis, however Dell is at present promoting it for a much-reduced value level.
The light-weight is particularly spectacular for a gaming laptop computer, and much more so as a result of we in contrast it to the Razer Blade 14 and located the X14 weighs much less and is thinner as well. And regardless of the skinny measurement, it nonetheless manages to cram in a various port choice with almost any slot and port {that a} purchaser might presumably need.
The 14-inch show is not any slouch as nicely, packing in a 1080p LED display screen with a 144Hz refresh charge and 7ms response time that’s greater than responsive and clean sufficient for many players on the go, and definitely sufficient to impress us once we examined it utilizing the likes of Cyberpunk 2077, Dust 5, and different demanding video games. Nonetheless, you’ll must cope with a less-than-stellar battery life that lasts at most a little bit over six hours, and a subpar HD webcam.
Learn our in-depth Alienware X14 (2022)assessment
How to decide on: finest skinny and lightweight gaming laptop computer
There’s very skinny line between portability and energy with regards to gaming laptops. That is since you want a bit extra energy than what built-in graphics can supply to have that clean and immersive gaming expertise, and extra sturdy internals like discrete graphics require a correct cooling system and air flow, particularly when being pushed, to carry out nicely. In any other case, you find yourself with throttling points, which can wreck your gaming expertise.
So, when selecting one of the best skinny and lightweight gaming laptop computer for you, that is an important factor to deal with: that no matter GPU is powering the laptop computer you are eyeing is staying cool below strain.
Count on additionally to pay a little bit greater than you’d a daily gaming laptop computer. If you happen to check out our listing above, whereas there’s a few reasonably priced, below $1,000/£1,000 choices on this listing, you might have to stretch your price range a little bit. It is not, in any case, low-cost to make such skinny and lightweight laptops that may ship as a lot energy as they do.
Pay shut consideration to the battery life as nicely. A curse of gaming laptops is the horrible battery life, however if you’d like one thing that may get you thru a few hours’ of gaming on a prepare, you will definitely discover a handful of choices readily available. So do not surrender on that dream.
How we examined these skinny and lightweight gaming laptops
Very similar to our common laptop computer evaluations, we have now a regular technique of judging the worth, design, efficiency, and battery lifetime of gaming laptops. On this case efficiency will not be solely in reference to how nicely they carry out customary benchmark assessments, but additionally noting how briskly it masses up the finest PC video games and the way easily they run.
In the case of skinny and lightweight gaming laptops, we made certain the laptops really ship on their promise of being slim and straightforward to move. We additionally run the laptops all day to check their battery life to be sure to actually can recreation all through the day with out problem. Worth will fluctuate per gaming laptop computer, however we don’t hesitate to let you realize if an merchandise is dearer than its competitors.