Best Best Gaming Laptops - Expert Reviews 2025

Gaming laptops have truly evolved over the years. Nowadays, you can pack desktop-level performance into a machine that slips into your backpack—though admittedly, some are as hefty as bricks. Whether you're searching for something sleek for both creative work and gaming, or a portable powerhouse that laughs in the face of ultra settings, 2025's offerings have something for everyone.

I've put together a list of the machines that are making waves among UK buyers: the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G16, Lenovo Legion Pro 7i Gen 10, MSI Raider 16, Razer Blade 18, and the HP Omen Max 16. I’ve delved into benchmarks, thermals, battery life in real-world use, and the chatter among UK reviewers and users—both the praise and the gripes. Curious about which to get based on what you value most: raw fps, screen quality, portability, or value for money? Keep reading.

Top Picks with Detailed Reviews

1. ASUS ROG Zephyrus G16 (2025, RTX 5070 / RTX 5090 models)

• Display & Performance: This beauty boasts a 16-inch QHD+ panel with a 240Hz refresh rate and 100% DCI-P3 colour accuracy. Perfect for both gaming and creative work. Featuring an Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX paired with up to an RTX 5090, you'll see about 80+ FPS in Cyberpunk 2077 at 1440p ultra settings, and roughly 93 FPS in Baldur’s Gate 3 on the higher config. Solid and smooth performance, I must say.
• Build Quality: The aluminium chassis feels robust, with a decent hinge and a design that’s more sophisticated than flashy. It’s premium but doesn’t scream it.
• Battery Life: Expect around 1.5 to 2 hours of gaming, and 6 to 8 hours for lighter tasks—not quite tablet-level endurance, but not bad for a 16-inch powerhouse.
• Pricing: Starting at approximately £2,699 for the RTX 5070 at Currys/Scan, while the RTX 5090 configurations can reach around £4,299.98 on Amazon UK/eBuyer.
• Ideal User: This is perfect for power users dabbling in content creation and gamers wanting a serious yet compact laptop that performs reliably and stays cool.

Pros: excellent cooling and build quality; consistently high frame rates.
Cons: premium price, fans can get quite loud when it's working hard, and some configurations have soldered RAM which limits upgrades.

2. Lenovo Legion Pro 7i Gen 10 (2025)

• Display & Performance: Sporting a 16-inch WQXGA display at 240Hz with 100% sRGB, this model comes equipped with an Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX and RTX 5090 GPU, effortlessly handling AAA titles at ultra settings with FPS often exceeding 90 at 1440p.
• Build Quality: It's on the chunkier side, with a business-like design that prioritises practicality: durable hinge, spacious keyboard, and a chassis built for long gaming sessions.
• Battery Life: Offers about 1.5 to 2 hours of gaming and stretches to around 7 hours for lighter desktop tasks.
• Pricing: Priced at approximately £3,499 through Lenovo UK, Currys, or John Lewis.
• Ideal User: Suited for gamers who crave top-tier thermals and prefer an upgrade-friendly machine. Streamers will also appreciate the dual SSD slots and easy internal access.

Pros: excellent thermal management and a superb keyboard.
Cons: heavier than other models, speakers are average, and the fans can be quite noisy when ramped up.

3. MSI Raider 16 (2025)

• Display & Performance: Comes with a 16-inch QHD+ display at 240Hz. Powered by an AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D and the RTX 5090 with 24GB VRAM, it delivers desktop-class performance—fantastic for both gaming and demanding AI/creator tasks.
• Build Quality: Its design is solid and aggressive, built to sustain high clock speeds.
• Battery Life: Not the best for portability, offering around 1.5 to 2 hours during gaming.
• Pricing: Approximately £4,499 from specialist retailers like Scan UK; limited availability on Amazon.
• Ideal User: If maximum portable performance is your goal and you can handle sacrificing battery life and portability, this one's for you.

Pros: sheer power and effective cooling.
Cons: very heavy (over 3kg), noisy under load, and availability in the UK is hit and miss.

4. Razer Blade 18 (2025)

• Display & Performance: Featuring a stunning 18" QHD+ Mini-LED display at 240Hz with 100% DCI-P3—absolutely beautiful. Packing an Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX and RTX 5090, it handles 4K/60+ and high-refresh 1440p without breaking a sweat.
• Build Quality: Razer maintains its premium reputation with slender bezels, a unibody aluminium finish, and overall sleek design. It’s arguably one of the best-built laptops.
• Battery Life: Lasts about 1.5 hours for intense gaming; around 6 hours for less demanding use.
• Pricing: Generally between £4,199 and £4,499 at UK retailers like Amazon, John Lewis, and Currys.
• Ideal User: Perfect for creatives and gamers seeking a top-notch display and a premium build—and who don’t mind paying for it.

Pros: premium construction and an exceptional display.
Cons: steep price, runs hot during prolonged loads, and upgrades are quite limited.

5. HP Omen Max 16 (2025)

• Display & Performance: With a 16" OLED screen, 240Hz refresh rate, and 100% DCI-P3, this laptop combines Intel Ultra 9 275HX with an RTX 5080 for impressive 1440p gaming on ultra settings—especially given its price range.
• Build Quality: Lighter than many competitors with a sensible port layout. It may not exude the same premium feel as Razer or Asus, but it does the job.
• Battery Life: Around 2 hours for gaming; up to about 7 hours for lighter workloads.
• Pricing: Very competitive at £2,649–£2,999 from Currys and HP UK.
• Ideal User: Great for gamers on a budget who want a fantastic OLED display and solid performance without breaking the bank.

Pros: excellent display and port layout; great value for money.
Cons: some BIOS/driver quirks reported, average speaker quality, and lacks premium feel.

Comparison Table

Buying Guide

• Performance Needs: If you want the ultimate fps and desktop-level thermals, consider the MSI Raider 16 or Razer Blade 18. They're hefty and can be loud, but they excel in ultra settings. Looking for a balance between power and portability? The ASUS ROG Zephyrus G16 hits the sweet spot.
• Budget Considerations: Don’t overlook value. The HP Omen Max 16 offers a top-tier OLED panel and strong 1440p performance for £2,649–£2,999—a tough deal to beat. If your budget stretches to £4k, the RTX 5090 configs are undoubtedly fast, but they come with a premium price tag.
• Build Quality vs Price: Razer and ASUS deliver that premium feel; Lenovo opts for practicality and repairability; HP impresses with screen quality for the money. Decide based on what you’ll use daily: keyboard and thermals for lengthy sessions, screen quality for content work, or raw GPU power for maxed-out settings.
• Practical Tips: Most of these laptops offer 1.5 to 2 hours of gaming battery life. If you're gaming at a desk, a cooling pad and headphones are wise choices—fans can get loud, and top models run warm during extended use. For UK buyers, check Currys, John Lewis, Amazon UK, and specialist retailers like Scan and eBuyer for the best mix of price and warranty options.
• Warranty & Support: Lenovo leads the pack in after-sales support and ease of upgrade. Razer and ASUS offer premium service, although repairs out of warranty can be costly.

For more insights, UK tech sites such as Which? and TechRadar provide detailed thermal and battery tests if you’re after deeper, lab-style data.

Conclusion

There's no one-size-fits-all when it comes to the "best" gaming laptop. If I had to choose an Editor's Choice for most UK buyers, it would be the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G16—it strikes a great balance between performance, cooling, and build quality without forcing you into a top-tier price bracket unless you want to. The Lenovo Legion Pro 7i is a close runner-up, ideal for those who prioritise a serviceable, upgrade-friendly machine with excellent thermals. And if pure power in a portable form is your aim, look no further than MSI or Razer, though be prepared for the trade-offs: weight, noise, and cost.

Need something more budget-friendly or compact? Share your budget and whether you prioritise portability, screen quality, or raw fps—I’ll help you narrow down the options.