The Best 14 Inch Laptops for Gaming in 2024

14-inch laptops are compact but provide sharper details. These may not be as popular as 15-inch or 17-inch gaming laptops in the gaming community, but they have their own fanbase who like vivid visuals and want something that can fit their smaller backpacks for easy portability. Except for the smaller screen size, there are hardly any drawbacks to 14-inch gaming laptops compared to 15 or 17-inch gaming laptops.

Whether users want the fastest gaming processor with superb single-core performance or a high core count CPU that excels in both gaming and productivity, there are laptops for every need. From entry-level RTX 3050 GPUs to the latest high-end ADA cards, users can choose from the best 14-inch gaming laptops Game Rant recommends to its readers.

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The best gaming laptop for you will come down to budget, expected performance, and workload. Let’s dive in and find your new gaming laptop.

Things to Consider When Buying a 14-inch Gaming Laptop

Buyers should consider several different factors before taking the plunge on a new gaming laptop. These include:

Resolution: Typically, 14-inch gaming laptops come with full HD resolution as the screen is smaller and 1080p feels sharp enough. However, QHD resolutions are also available on some higher-end models that provide higher PPI (Pixels per inch) for sharper visual quality.

Configuration: Depending on the budget, users can opt for somewhat older hardware, but it’s recommended not to settle with anything that is two to three generations older. The latest generation of CPUs and GPUs provide the best bang for the buck and are going to last for several years. A CPU with at least four cores with hyperthreading or higher is recommended for those who are on a budget. However, if budget isn’t a big problem, users should feel free to go with eight-core processors, at least 16GB of RAM, and a powerful mid-range or high-end GPU.

Display: Displays are available with different panels. The most popular, currently, is IPS, which offers great viewing angles and accurate colors. Users should also look for the response time and refresh rate if they want a smoother gaming experience. A high refresh rate display that is also quick in transitioning to the next frame will feel smoother and more responsive.

Connectivity: Connectivity options on laptops are generally fewer than what is found on desktops. Still, a good gaming laptop should come with a Wi-Fi 6 adapter, a fast LAN port, a couple of high-bandwidth USB ports, and Bluetooth. Having a fast-charging USB-C port or a Thunderbolt port is also recommended for various purposes.

Battery Life: Gaming laptops generally consume a lot more power compared to non-gaming ones as they come with dedicated graphics cards and faster displays that are power-hungry. A laptop with a good battery backup should allow gaming for around three hours on a single charge.

Game Rant’s Picks for the Best 14-inch Gaming Laptops

Lenovo Legion Slim 5

Best Overall 14-inch Gaming Laptop

The Lenovo Legion Slim 5 is a jack of all trades. It brings a bright and sharp OLED display that has a 2880 x 1800 resolution and 120 Hz refresh rate. It is relatively lightweight at under 1.7kg and still accommodates a big enough keyboard as well as a large trackpad. With a combination of the Ryzen 7 7840HS processor and RTX 4060 GPU, it can run any game one throws at it. 

Operating System

Windows 11 Home

CPU

AMD Ryzen 7 7840HS

GPU

Nvidia RTX 4060

RAM

16GB

Storage

1TB

Battery

73Whr

Display (Size, Resolution)

14, 2880 x 1800

Camera

1080p

Speakers

2x2W

Network

WIFI 6E

Weight

1.7kg

Brand

Lenovo

Model

Legion Slim 5

Adaptor and Battery

170W

Pros

• High refresh rate OLED panel
• USB-C supported fast charging
• 16:10 aspect ratio for better productivity

Cons

• OLED display is only 120 Hz

The Lenovo Legion Slim 5 stands as the best 14-inch gaming laptop overall because of the price-to-performance ratio it offers. It has a beautiful and crisp OLED display that not many manufacturers offer at this price point. It is a 16:10 aspect ratio screen which is better for productivity and refreshes at 120 Hz with support for VRR, making gaming a smooth and responsive experience. Powered by an AMD Ryzen 7 7840HS processor, the Legion Slim 5 brings powerful performance in a compact form factor.

The graphics are handled by the Nvidia RTX 4060 GPU with 8GB VRAM with a 105W TDP, which means gamers can run most modern titles at high settings and a high refresh rate. All this is backed by a 73.6Whr battery that is not the biggest but is sufficient for casual gaming. For the best performance, it is recommended to plug in the laptop with the AC fast charging adapter that’s included.

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The Legion Slim 5 uses USB-C ports for charging and is capable of up to 140W power delivery (PD). It comes with Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.1. There is no LAN port, but that problem can be easily solved with a high-speed dongle. In terms of aesthetics, the Legion Slim 5 brings the fantastic Legion keyboard that offers a comfortable typing experience that is compounded by a large smooth trackpad.

Acer Predator Triton 14 Gaming/Creator Laptop

Best Mid-Range 14-inch Gaming Laptop

$1840 $2000 Save $160

Acer Predator Triton 14 Gaming/Creator Laptop with the i7 13700H and RTX 4070 is a killer QHD gaming machine that comes with a super fast IPS Mini LED display for unparalleled fluidity. The sleek silverish and the thin build allow users to carry it easily and don’t compromise on the specifications. From productivity to intensive gaming, the Triton 14 is a complete package for enthusiasts.

Operating System

Windows 11

CPU

Intel Core i7 13700H

GPU

Nvidia Geforce RTX 4070 Laptop

RAM

16GB LPDDR5

Storage

1TB PCI-E SSD

Display (Size, Resolution)

14″, 2560×1600

Brand

Acer

Connectivity

WiFi 6E, Bluetooth

Pros

• Super high refresh rate of 250Hz for very fluid gameplay
• RTX 4070 GPU for maxing out modern titles
• 14 cores/20 threads CPU for awesome productivity
• IPS Mini-LED display with 100% DCI-P3 color gamut and HDR support
• Nvidia G-Sync for tear-free gaming

Cons

• QHD resolution on 14-inch is too much for some users
• High GPU power consumption of 140W, resulting in shorter battery life

One of the reasons why the Predator Triton 14 laptop is a great investment is because of the Raptor Lake CPU and the high-end RTX 4070 GPU that can handle any game on Steam. The laptop can easily last for several years before it starts to feel slow as a result of more intensive games. Even then, its balanced configuration will make it ideal for productivity as the i7 13700H provides a high core count to distribute the load on the appropriate cores. Both CPU and GPU aren’t constrained by power consumption, which helps the laptop run like a beast when actively charging. However, this also depletes its battery pretty quickly when not plugged into the outlet.

The laptop is pretty compact and thin, weighing only 3.75 pounds and measuring less than an inch in thickness. So, portability and ease of use are simply unmatched. Moreover, the display quality is unparalleled with its IPS Mini-LED display that boasts a wide color gamut of 100% DCI-P3 for accurate and richer visuals. On top of that, users get an insanely high refresh rate of 250Hz, which will make gameplay buttery smooth. Certainly, it isn’t just any gaming laptop, but a luxury for those who can afford it.

Acer Predator Triton 14 Gaming Creator Laptop

Best Budget 14-inch Gaming Laptop

Acer Predator Triton 14 Gaming/Creator Laptop is a high refresh rate laptop with a quality IPS panel for an immersive gaming experience. With the 14-core Raptor Lake CPU and RTX 4050, it is capable of playing games with decent framerates at 1080p resolution, and rocks in CPU-intensive operations. A thin and lightweight build makes it easily portable and the RGB keyboard makes it look gorgeous.

Operating System

Windows 11

CPU

Intel Core i7 13700H

GPU

Nvidia Geforce RTX 4050

RAM

16GB LPDDR5

Storage

512GB PCI-E SSD

Display (Size, Resolution)

14″, 1920×1200

Display type

IPS

Brand

Acer

Model

Predator Triton 14 PT14-51-78B4

Connectivity

WiFi 6E, Bluetooth

Pros

• Affordable pricing
• Latest 14-core i7 CPU for great productivity
• 165Hz refresh rate for high gameplay fluidity
• Lightweight and thin build

Cons

• RTX 4050 isn’t ideal for intensive games
• 512GB storage space won’t be sufficient for storing several games

Boasting a sparkly silver exterior, the Predator Triton 14-inch gaming laptop is back again, but now with a different configuration for users on a budget. For $900, this laptop delivers a capable Core i7 processor with 14 cores and 20 threads. So, there shouldn’t be any doubt about its gaming or productivity capability, as Raptor Lake CPUs have already proven themselves to be marvelous for all-around purposes. Combined with the RTX 4050 laptop GPU, it is capable of playing games at 60 frames per second on high to ultra settings.

It’s a lightweight and thin notebook for easy portability and also brings a beautifully RGB-lit keyboard and the Predator logo under it. The screen measures 14 inches and brings a high refresh rate IPS panel for great fluidity. This makes it stand out, as there are only a handful of laptops that come with a 165Hz refresh rate for under $1000. Additionally, the laptop also brings Nvidia-Gsync support to eliminate any screen tearing as a result of the difference between the refresh rate and the framerates.

Razer Blade 14 Gaming Laptop with RTX 4070

Best High-End 14-inch Gaming Laptop

$2000 $2400 Save $400

Razer Blade 14 Gaming Laptop has several editions, but this one is the latest with the Ryzen 7940HS CPU, featuring the Zen 4 architecture for improved IPC performance and brings a decently powerful iGPU as well. The laptop, however, uses the RTX 4070 to power the games and graphically intensive tasks on a premium 240Hz IPS display that boasts a QHD resolution for sharper details.

Operating System

Windows 11

CPU

AMD Ryzen 9 7940HS

GPU

Nvidia Geforce RTX 4070

RAM

16GB DDR5

Storage

1TB SSD

Display (Size, Resolution)

14″, 2560×1600

Brand

Razer

Display type

IPS

Connectivity

WiFi 6E, Bluetooth

Model

Blade 14

Pros

• Latest Zen 4-based mobile CPU with 8 cores and 16 threads for great gaming/productivity performance
• 240Hz refresh rate for unmatched fluidity
• Vapor chamber cooling for quick heat dissipation
• Weighs only 4 lbs for easy portability

Cons

• Very power hungry
• Keyboard could have been better

The Razer Blade 14 has been on the market for a while now and gets upgraded every year with the latest specifications. There are many reasons why enthusiasts prefer going with this model, as it provides a bigger touchpad, a lightweight build, great battery life, and an excellent cooling solution. While Razer advertises that it can last up to 10 hours, in reality, it can last up to 7 hours, which is still far better than the average. This allows users to multitask for longer than other gaming laptops and even on 100% gaming load, it can last around 5 hours on a single charge.

The build quality is remarkable, making it sturdy while keeping it lightweight and thin. Despite featuring high-end hardware, the laptop measures just 0.71 inches in thickness and weighs only 4 pounds. The screen features a high refresh rate of 240Hz with great color accuracy and a QHD resolution for sharper images. While it’s difficult to reach 240 fps, the RTX 4070 is capable of providing over 100 fps in most modern titles, and reaching 200+ frames per second is no big task when it comes to esports games such as CS2, Valorant, Apex Legends, and others.

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At its core lies the latest Phoenix Ryzen 9 7940HS APU that brings 8 cores and 16 threads to the table with major IPC uplifts, thanks to the Zen 4 architecture. This, however, doesn’t stop here as the CPU also comes with a Radeon 780M iGPU which has shown remarkable gaming performance in various tests. But as the RTX 4070 is far superior in gaming, users won’t have to compromise on the intensive graphical settings anymore.

Acer Swift X Laptop

Best Entry-level 14-inch Gaming Laptop

Acer Swift X Laptop is an affordable entry-level gaming laptop with an RTX 3050 for playing on high settings. The processor is a Zen 3-based Ryzen 5600U that comes with 6 cores and 12 threads to get the job done without breaking the bank. The laptop’s highly power-efficient operation results in a longer battery life and its compact build quality makes it highly portable.

Operating System

Windows 11

CPU

AMD Ryzen 5 5600U

GPU

Nvidia Geforce RTX 3050

RAM

8GB LPDDR4X

Storage

512GB NVMe SSD

Display (Size, Resolution)

IPS, 1920×1080

Brand

Acer

Model

Swift X SFX14-41G-R7YT

Connectivity

WiFi 6, Bluetooth

Pros

• Highly power efficient and excellent battery life of up to 12 hours
• Lightweight build and backlit keyboard
• Satisfactory for non-intensive and casual gaming

Cons

• Not meant for graphically-intensive games
• Low refresh rate
• 8GB RAM may introduce bottlenecking

Finally, those who are looking for an affordable option that can game well should opt for the Acer Swift X laptop that provides acceptable hardware specs and a good quality build. It’s pretty lightweight and thin, weighing only 3 pounds and measuring 0.7mm in thickness, which makes it one of the thinnest and lightest gaming laptops in 2024. Not only is it portable, but it is very power efficient too. Thanks to the Ryzen 5 5600U CPU, which consumes a max power of only 15W while offering 6 cores/12 threads with a clock speed crossing the 4.0GHz mark in turbo mode.

For gaming, the RTX 3050 is onboard, which is just fine for high settings at 1080p resolution, but users shouldn’t expect a lot from it. With 4GB VRAM, older games and esports titles will run pretty well, but newer titles can also work just fine on medium settings. The battery life is highly impressive and can last up to 12 hours, as per the company’s claim. So, it’s safe to say that the laptop can last up to 7 hours on gaming loads, which is a result of highly power-efficient components. Game Rant, however, recommends upgrading the storage and system RAM to have adequate space for storing games/files and eliminating bottlenecks from the memory side.

ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 GA401Q

Best Value 14-inch Gaming Laptop

ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 Gaming Laptop is a 2023 edition with an impressive RAM capacity of 40GB and a balanced configuration for completing any task. The Ryzen 5800HS CPU and RTX 3060 combo ensures the laptop can provide a consistent 60 fps and the insanely high memory size keeps bottlenecking at bay. The 144Hz display with a full HD resolution makes sure users get smoother gameplay and the IPS panel produces excellent color accuracy.

Operating System

Windows 11 Home

CPU

AMD Ryzen 7 5800HS

GPU

Nvidia Geforce RTX 3060

RAM

40GB DDR4

Storage

1TB SSD

Display (Size, Resolution)

14″, 1920×1080

Brand

Asus

Connectivity

WiFi 6, Bluetooth

Pros

• High refresh rate IPS panel for fluid gaming experience
• Thin and compact build quality
• Ideal for both gaming and productivity

Cons

• Poor battery life
• RTX 3060 comes with only 6GB VRAM

Not many gaming laptops feature more than 16 or 32GB of system RAM. Even if they do, they cost much more than their counterparts with the rest of the specs being identical. The Zephyrus 14, however, comes with a whopping 40GB of system RAM that won’t kneel in front of the Google Chrome browser. The laptop is fairly priced for its configuration and comes with satisfactory specifications to run games at 1080p ultra settings. While it isn’t meant for maxing out every modern title, it can do so with a lot of games, thanks to the RTX 3060 laptop GPU that gets sufficient power to maintain its performance for a long period.

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It would have been better if the 3060 had 8GB VRAM, but compromising on a setting or two shouldn’t be a big deal. The CPU, on the other hand, is also an excellent choice that brings both the CPU and iGPU on the same chip. While the iGPU won’t be as good as the RTX 3060, the 8-core and 16-thread CPU will make sure users get all that horsepower to execute intensive applications. So, it’s kinda fantastic for both gaming and work and provides a decent IPS display with a 144Hz refresh rate for fluidity.

The laptop has got hundreds of positive reviews for these reasons, and it comes in different variants for those who want a different RAM and storage configuration. Nonetheless, its short battery life makes it difficult to game for longer than 2 hours without being plugged into the outlet.

Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 WQXGA

Best AMD 14-inch Gaming Laptop

Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 WQXGA is among the very few gaming laptops that boast an AMD CPU and GPU configuration. The Rembrandt APU Ryzen 9 6900HS elevates its overall gaming/productivity performance significantly while the Radeon RX 6800S provides the strength to power the pixels in the latest games. The laptop boasts a decent memory, SSD, and display configuration to keep it relevant for the next few years.

Operating System

Windows 11 Home

CPU

AMD Ryzen 9 6900HS

GPU

AMD Radeon RX 6800S

RAM

24GB DDR5

Storage

2TB PCI-E SSD

Display (Size, Resolution)

14″, 2560×1600

Brand

Asus

Display type

IPS

Connectivity

WiFi 6, Bluetooth

Pros

• Dedicated AMD RX 6800S GPU with 8GB VRAM
• 120Hz refresh rate IPS display
• 24GB RAM for great productivity and 2TB fast SSD for sufficient storage

Cons

• Pricier compared to alternatives with Nvidia Ada GPUs
• RX 6800S not much capable in ray tracing

Featuring a premium compact and thin build, the Rog Zephyrus 14-inch laptop boasts a fully white exterior and weighs less than 4 pounds. Despite being lightweight and thin, the configuration is impressive and sufficient for gaming and work. The laptop is powered by the Ryzen 9 6900HS, which is one of the best-performing Rembrandt APUs that also comes with an integrated GPU. It features 8 cores and 16 threads that can go as high as 4.9GHz with the turbo mode, resulting in a dramatic increase in performance.

On the other hand, the Radeon RX 6800S – despite being less popular – performs well at both 1080p and 1440p resolutions. It is around 10-15% slower than the RTX 3070 laptop GPU but comes with 8GB VRAM and can provide satisfactory performance on the QHD display. The panel used is an IPS one and provides excellent color gamut coverage for good color reproduction. Moreover, the 120Hz refresh rate prepares it for smooth gameplay, which could have been even better, as some $1500 gaming laptops boast displays with a 144Hz refresh rate or higher.

Alienware x14 R2

Best-Looking 14-inch Gaming Laptop

The x14 R2 from Alienware is a unique-looking gaming laptop that comes in Lunar Silver color. The 14-inch display supports a 165Hz refresh rate and 3ms response time. There is also an 80Wh battery and the company claims it can last up to 6.5 hours under typical use. The laptop brings an RGB keyboard and a glass trackpad, along with USB Type-C fast charging and two Thunderbolt 4 ports.  

Operating System

Windows 11

CPU

Intel Core i7-13620H

GPU

RTX 4060

RAM

16GB

Storage

1TB

Battery

80Wh

Display (Size, Resolution)

14-inch, 2540 x 1600

Speakers

2x2W

Colors

Lunar Silver

Network

WIFI 6E, Bluetooth

Weight

1.91kg

Brand

Alienware

Model

X14 R2

Pros

• Full-metal construction gives a premium feel
• 80Wh battery with support for fast charging
• Comes with compact Gallium Nitride power adapter

Cons

• Screen could be brighter
• A bit on the heavier side

When it comes to aesthetics, no one does it better than Alienware. The Alienware x14 R2 comes with a full-metal chassis with its popular Lunar Silver color that makes it stand out in the sea of black gaming laptops. Powered by the 13th-Gen Intel Core i7-13620H CPU and RTX 4060 8GB GPU, it is no slouch when it comes to raw gaming performance. The QHD+ (2560 x 1600) display refreshes at 165 Hz and has a response time of 3ms.

The large 80Wh battery can deliver up to 6.5 hours of battery life under typical use. Of course, gaming will deplete the battery a lot quicker. The keyboard supports RGB lighting and the glass trackpad offers a precise and smooth navigation experience. The sides of the Alienware x14 R2 are clean with only exhaust vents on either side and the ports lined at the back. The light-up Alienware logo on the lid and the ‘X’ branding add to the aesthetic appeal, making it the best-looking 14-inch gaming laptop.

Finding the Best 14-inch Gaming Laptop

Resolution

Because of the compact 14-inch screen size, gaming laptops don’t need to push a lot of pixels, as even 1080p looks good. Because of the relatively lower resolution requirement, manufacturers can push higher frame rates and response times for a smooth and responsive gaming experience. However, those looking for some more pixels per inch can find 14-inch gaming laptops with QHD displays, such as the Lenovo Legion Slim 5 and the ROG Zephyrus G14 WQXGA. Therefore, remember that it will take a lot more power to push 2K or 4K resolutions at high refresh rates which will add to the cost of a gaming laptop.

Configuration

As mentioned earlier, the latest generation of CPUs and GPUs will provide the best performance numbers and will last for several years. However, older hardware from the previous generation is still very capable and can meet the demands of most users. Depending on the types of games one wishes to play, there may not be a need for the latest and greatest generation of CPU and GPU, but those who wish to stay at the pinnacle of technology can find gaming laptops with up to an RTX 4090 GPU.

Display

Most displays for 14-inch gaming laptops come with IPS panels which offer great viewing angles and color accuracy, but those who are looking for OLED options can look into gaming laptops from Asus and Lenovo. Gaming is an activity that benefits from a high refresh rate and low response times. The higher the refresh rate, the better the gaming experience. Of course, the refresh rate will depend on the configuration of the laptop as well as the type of game. Those looking to play fast-paced FPS games should look at laptops that offer a 120 Hz refresh rate or more, while those sticking to the more casual side of gaming can opt for a 60 Hz or 90 Hz display.

Connectivity

Modern-day laptops are chasing the slim and light form factor because of which they often compromise on the connectivity options. Finding the right balance between size and ports is essential, and the ideal gaming laptop should feature fast USB ports, a fast LAN port, the latest Wi-Fi standard, and Bluetooth connectivity. A Thunderbolt port is a great add-on, but it will require gamers to stick with the Intel CPU platform. Similarly, some type of card reader should also be present among the ports on the best 14-inch gaming laptop.

Battery Life

Gaming loads quickly deplete the battery, which is the most common problem faced by gaming laptops. While it is well known and accepted that to get the maximum performance out of a laptop, especially when gaming, it should be plugged in with the AC adapter. That being said, the purpose of a laptop is defeated if users have to be tethered to the wall at all times. It is difficult to get several continuous hours of gaming without being plugged in, but a gaming laptop with good battery life should be able to last about 3 hours on a single charge.

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FAQ

Q: Are 14-inch laptops good for gaming?

14-inch laptops offer great value when it comes to gaming. Because of the screen size, even 1080p resolution looks sufficient. Since there are not a lot of pixels to push, a lower or mid-tier CPU and GPU will suffice, bringing the cost down without a significant loss in performance. In the current market, there are options as low as $700 and as premium as over $3000.

Q: What is the best screen size for a gaming laptop?

The best screen size depends on how the gaming laptop will be used. If gamers intend to set it on a table and have an external mouse and keyboard, a bigger screen than 15 inches would be ideal. However, if the user is sitting up close to the screen, a 14 to 15-inch laptop would do the job just fine.

Q: How powerful should a gaming laptop be?

Ideally, a gaming laptop should come with 8 GB of RAM or more, at least 512 GB of fast SSD storage, a quad-core or more CPU from not too many generations ago, and a GPU with at least 6 GB VRAM. The performance of a gaming laptop depends on the types of games that will be running on it. Casual games will work on low to mid-tier hardware, while heavy AAA titles would typically require more expensive hardware.