The Best 14 Inch Laptops for Gaming in 2024 (2024)

Modern gaming laptops have come a long way since they were first envisioned decades ago. They are a far cry from the current generation of gaming laptops that offer substantial battery life, excellent displays, and performance that is an order of magnitude beyond what was previously possible due to chip fabrication and design limitations.

This has, in turn, birthed a new class of gaming laptops that offer excellent performance in an ultra-light form factor with multiple options ranging between 13 and 14-inch models. While some of these turn to external GPUs (via Thunderbolt) to power their needs, newer models leverage the fact that modern GPUs use newer manufacturing processes and architectures that can deliver far higher performance per watt than their predecessors.

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

Best Overall 14-inch Gaming Laptop

ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 2024 (RTX 4060)

Performant All-Rounder With An OLED Display

The 2024 model of the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 comes with an AI-infused 8-Core AMD Ryzen 9 CPU in addition to Nvidia's mid-range RTX 4060 GPU. With 16GB of LPDDR5X memory on offer and a large 1TB PCI-E 4.0 SSD.

It offers a high PPI 14-inch 3K OLED display with a 120 Hz refresh rate and a backlit chiclet keyboard while clocking in at just under 1.5 kg.

Operating System

Windows 11 Home

CPU

AMD Ryzen™ 9 8945HS

GPU

Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 90W

RAM

16GB LPDDR5X

Storage

1TB PCI-E 4.0 SSD

Battery

73WHr 4-Cell Battery

Display (Size, Resolution)

14-Inch 3K OLED Display 120Hz

Camera

1080P IR Camera With Windows Hello

Speakers

4 integrated speakers

Network

Wi-Fi 6E, BT 5.3

Weight

1.50 Kg

See Also

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Brand

ASUS

Model

GA403UV-G14.R94060

Colors

Platinum White

Power

180W AC Adapter

Pros

• AI-capable 8-Core Ryzen 9 CPU that games well
• Houses a mid-range Nvidia RTX 4060 GPU with a 90W TGP
• Plenty of fast SSD space and adequate RAM
• Excellent 3K OLED display that can do 120Hz

Cons

• Slightly pricier versus competing 14-inch RTX 4060-based laptops
• RAM is no longer user-upgradeable

$1600 at Best Buy

The 2024 refresh of the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 offers a new 3K OLED display that refreshes at 120Hz and an upgraded AI-focused Ryzen 9 8945HS CPU. It focuses on allowing users to game and be productive while building on its portability advantage over the last generation G14, clocking in at just under 3.5 pounds of total weight.

It is powered by a 90W TGP RTX 4060 that offers plenty of power under the hood for gamers looking to play esports titles, but users might find it a bit challenging to max out the OLED display's native resolution and refresh rate on newer titles, given its hardware limitations. The G14 comes well endowed, however, offering 1TB of fast PCI-E 4.0 SSD storage and 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM, which should meet most user needs adequately in 2024.

The G14 does trade at a significant premium versus its 2023 model even as it offers a higher-end option for gamers needing more power with an RTX 4070-based model that also offers 32GB of RAM costing an additional $400 at Best Buy.

Best Premium 14-inch Gaming Laptop

Razer Blade 14 Gaming Laptop with RTX 4070

Performance With Razer Tax In Tow

$1900 $2700 Save $800

Razer Blade 14 Gaming Laptop has several editions, but this one is the latest with the Ryzen 7940HS CPU, featuring AMD's Zen 4 architecture for improved IPC performance and pairing it with a decently powerful iGPU.

The laptop 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", 2560x1600 (QHD+) 240Hz

Brand

Razer

Display type

IPS

Connectivity

Wi-Fi 6E, BT 5.2

Model

Blade 14

Battery

68.1 WHr

Camera

Windows® Hello built-in IR FHD webcam

Weight

1.84 kg / 4.05 lbs

Pros

• AMD Zen-4 based 8-Core, 16-Thread Ryzen 9 CPU
• Blistering 240Hz Refresh Rate On a QHD+ Resolution
• Looks and feels more premium than the competition

Cons

• Trades at a considerable premium versus other 14-inch laptops

$1800 at Amazon$1900 at Best Buy

For users aiming for a more powerful configuration, the 2023 model of the Razer Blade 14 is trading at a discount versus its new refresh but still houses all of the improvements that make it a force to be reckoned with in the 14-inch gaming laptop segment. It pairs an Nvidia RTX 4070 mobile chip with an AMD Ryzen 9 7940HS CPU along with 16GB of DDR5 RAM and a large 1TB SSD, making for a capable all-rounder in a compact frame that retains much of the design philosophy that drives its larger Blade 16 and Blade 18 siblings. The hardware is married to an excellent QHD+ display that offers a sharp and high refresh rate configuration of 240Hz even as Razer's laptop earns its keep by offering a more premium feel than most of its peers.

However, even with its discounted price tag, the Razer Blade 14 is an expensive affair, making it a premium consideration for users as what many jokingly refer to online as the "Razer Tax" or the premium one must pay for Razer's products in competing market segments is still in play in an increasingly competitive market.

Best Mid-Range 14-inch Gaming Laptop

Lenovo Legion Slim 5

The OLED Bargain

TheLenovo 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

See Also

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Model

Legion Slim 5

Adaptor and Battery

170W

Pros

• Gorgeous high-resolution OLED panel at 120Hz
• Packs a mid-range AMD Ryzen 7 CPU and an RTX 4060 GPU
• Large 73.6Wh Battery with rapid charging support

Cons

• Underlying GPU might limit performance at its target resolution

$1300 at Amazon

Users looking for an OLED-based gaming laptop in the 14-inch segment without wanting to pay the high ask for the ASUS G14's 2024 offerings can turn to the Lenovo Legion Slim 5 gaming laptop instead. While it isn't a true 14-inch gaming laptop (it clocks in at 14.5 inches), it comes close enough to be a contender, opting for an octa-core Ryzen 7 CPU paired with an RTX 4060 GPU.

The Lenovo Legion Slim 5 offers an impressive 4-cell 73.6WHr battery that allows for rapid charging along with an excellent QHD+ OLED display that maxes out at a 120Hz refresh rate and a 400 Nits brightness rating. It is slightly on the heavy side compared to other 14-inch gaming laptops but does offer a balanced CPU/GPU offering and a price tag that feels considerably more competitive than its peers. The underlying RTX 4060 GPU (105W TGP), much like the one in G14 above, might not be able to max out the demanding resolution and refresh rate that the OLED display has, despite offering an additional 15W of leeway in TGP versus ASUS's Zephyrus offering.

All in all, the Lenovo Legion Slim 5 is a balanced all-rounder that offers substantially better value than its peers, even as it comes well-equipped to handle gaming and productivity alike with a gorgeous display and a large battery.

Best MiniLED 14-inch Gaming Laptop

Acer Predator Triton 14 Gaming Laptop

A Powerful Value-Centric Player

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", 2560x1600

Brand

Acer

Connectivity

WiFi 6E, Bluetooth

Weight

3.75lbs

Display type

IPS Mini LED

Size

12.3"x8.9"x0.78"

Pros

• Excellent MiniLED display that offers a 250Hz refresh rate
• Powerful yet balanced CPU/GPU combination
• Excellent price-performance ratio for its internals

Cons

• Can get noisy when gaming

$1330 at Amazon$1598 at Newegg$2000 at Best Buy

Users looking for a MiniLED display at an excellent price tag in the 14-inch segment can turn to the Acer Predator Triton 14 Gaming Laptop, which offers plenty of power thanks to its RTX 4070 GPU and Intel Core i7 13700H CPU in play.

With a QHD+ MiniLED display that can manage an impressive 250Hz refresh rate and the hardware to back it reasonably well, the Acer Predator Triton 14 Gaming Laptop is a balanced, well-priced option in a market segment that often has a sub-$2000 price tag for similar specifications, even as it can be found for under $1500 at the time of writing. It does have a key drawback, however, but one that is not exclusive to this particular laptop. It can get noisy fast when under load, to the point that users might want to invest in a good set of headphones with a noise-cancelling microphone for those competitive gaming sessions that the Predator Triton can power for users looking to push it all the way.

Best Performance 14-inch Gaming Laptop

Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 (4080)

$2200 $2500 Save $300

Featuring theAMD Ryzen 9 7940HS CPU and the Nvidia RTX 4080 GPU, theAsus ROG Zephyrus G14 is a unique laptop that is compact and lightweight while offering uncompromising performance thanks to its internals. With a 14-inchQHD+ (2560x1600) display that refreshes at 165Hz, theROG Zephyrus G14 offers a great gaming experience.

Operating System

Windows 11 Home

CPU

AMD Ryzen 9 7940HS

GPU

Nvidia RTX 4080

RAM

16GB

Storage

1TB

Battery

76Wh

Display (Size, Resolution)

14-inch, 2560x1600

Weight

1.72 kg

Brand

Asus

Model

Zephyrus G14 GA402XZ-CS94

Speakers

4-speaker system

Colors

White

Adaptor and Battery

240W

Connectivity

Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3

Pros

• Powerful RTX 4080 GPU in a compact chassis
• One of the brightest displays in the business
• Leverages a powerful 8-core, 16-thread CPU

Cons

• Pricey versus larger RTX 4080-based laptops

$2929 at Newegg$2200 at Best Buy

The ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14's 2023 model still offers plenty of power under the hood when one considers its RTX 4080-based variant that has a 125W TGP and 12GB of GDDR6 VRAM in play. Its 14-inch QHD 165Hz ROG Nebula Display that can do 500 Nits of brightness might feel underwhelming on paper versus the other options on the list, but when one considers the fact that this is a thermally-constrained 14-inch laptop, it feels like a reasonable tradeoff with a considerably high PPI offering.

The G14 is powered by an excellent 8-Core, 16-thread Ryzen 9 CPU, even as it offers 16GB of DDR5 RAM and a fast 1TB NVMe SSD, making for a well-rounded combination of hardware. It does, however, trade at a premium versus other RTX 4080-based laptops that can often be found at a sub-$2,000 price tag. The G14 does trade at a discount at Best Buy, which does considerably even this out, but most users also need to factor in the relatively lower 16GB DDR5 RAM it currently ships with versus most of its competition that offers 32GB as a new standard for its price range.

Best Productivity-Centric 14-inch Gaming Laptop

ACER Swift Go 14 Intel Evo 718K

A Productivity-Centric Laptop For Casual Gaming

This Acer Swift Go 14 Intel Evo model brings the latest Meteor Lake Ultra 7 processor to fulfill every type of user requirement including work and gaming. The display is especially unique as it boasts an IPS panel with FHD+ resolution for great picture quality and has touch gestures enabled. It's a complete package on a budget that can last up to 10 hours and is easy to carry around.

Operating System

Windows 11

CPU

Intel Core Ultra 7 155H

GPU

Intel Arc Graphics

RAM

16GB LPDDR5X

Storage

512GB SSD

Battery

65Wh

Display (Size, Resolution)

14", 1920x1200p

Dimensions

12.32" x 8.58" x 0.59"

Weight

2.91 lbs

Brand

Acer

Model

SFG14-72T-718K

Display type

IPS

Pros

• Excellent 14-core CPU with integrated ARC Graphics
• Considerably more lightweight than the competition
• Better price-to-performance ratio versus the competition

Cons

• Integrated Intel ARC graphics, while powerful, are not comparable to most discrete GPUs
• Limited to a 60Hz refresh rate on its screen

$800 at Amazon$981 at Newegg

Users looking for an entry-level laptop for gaming while being constrained to a smaller 14-inch form factor can opt for the ACER Swift Go 14, which leverages a powerful 14-core Intel Core Ultra 7 155H with Intel's considerably improved ARC graphics under the hood. While it still lags noticeably versus its more powerful discrete competition from AMD and Nvidia, it still offers plenty of power for casual use cases, including light gaming and most esports titles that it can reasonably handle even as it clocks in at just under $800 at the time of writing.

For the lower price and the lower graphics performance on offer, the ACER Swift Go 14 weighs just under 3 pounds, making it the lightest entry on the list as a productivity-centric laptop that can also game to a certain degree. It does, however, suffer a limited 60Hz display, which could make it a poor contender for esports titles such as DotA 2, Counter-Strike 2, and Valorant, where gamers prefer screens that offer refresh rates of 144Hz or higher.

The ACER Swift Go 14 is not a gaming laptop per se, but it does do a decent job running most titles while offering a current-gen CPU at an attractive price tag, making it worth taking a second look for casual gamers looking for a 14-inch daily driver currently.

Things to Consider When Buying a 14-inch Gaming Laptop: A Primer

Users looking for a new 14-inch gaming laptop should consider several factors before taking the plunge. These include, but are not limited to:

CPU and GPU Performance

CPU: While much of the onus for gaming falls on the GPU in play for a gaming PC and/or laptop, the CPU remains a core (pun unintended) factor when it comes to performance. Having a high IPC count CPU that offers better efficiency and, with higher clocks, better performance is key to many esports titles that are decidedly more CPU-bound than GPU-bound, especially at higher refresh rates. Having a fast, capable CPU is key to avoiding causing a performance bottleneck for most modern titles currently.

GPU: The GPU is arguably the most important component when it comes to gaming PCs and laptops alike, and it drives performance in most modern games as well as some productivity tasks, making it an important factor to consider when picking out a gaming laptop. Likewise, the amount of dedicated VRAM available to the GPU is also a key factor, and game engines (and their titles) continue to become more demanding.

Compatibility and driver support for the latest AI sharpening tech, such as Nvidia's DLSS and AMD's FSR, often allow games to be playable on gaming laptops that would otherwise struggle to run them at a playable frame rate.

Other Key Factors

Screen: Modern gaming laptops often leverage the best displays available to them and new 14-inch gaming laptops are no exception. Users have choices that range from OLED, MiniLED, and high-resolution LED displays with refresh rates that can go to 240Hz or higher for said form factor.

Diminishing returns, however, are in play for 14-inch gaming laptops at resolutions beyond QHD/2K, given that the screens move into very high PPI ranges. This directly affects battery life due to the added overhead on the GPU and the screen's power draw, which means that some users might prefer a mid-range FHD screen with a 144Hz or similar refresh rate instead.

Connectivity: While modern laptops come with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity out of the box, not all of these are equal in terms of performance. Newer standards like Wi-Fi 7 and Wi-Fi 6E allow for better, lower latency access to data, which can make a large difference when it comes to gaming casually or competitively online. While most 14-inch gaming laptops skip a dedicated ethernet port in a bid to save space, it still happens to be the best way to get access to the lowest latency possible despite the advances wireless tech has made to date.

Battery Life: A 14-inch gaming laptop is generally in play because the user needs a portable machine that houses both powerful internals but enough battery life to last it between charging sessions while gaming, running productivity-related or other tasks, and general-purpose entertainment use cases.

FAQ

Q: Are 14-inch laptops good for gaming?

14-inch laptops can offer great performance and value when it comes to gaming while maintaining their portability edge over their larger brethren.

Q: What Is A Good Budget For A 14-Inch Laptop That Can Game?

In the burgeoning laptop market of 2024, there are 14-inch gaming-capable options as low as $800 even as premium gaming-centric variants can fetch over $2500 easily.