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01The best thin and light gaming laptop overall
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03The best value thin and light gaming laptop
If you’re in the market for a portable powerhouse then you’ll want to consider one of the best thin and light gaming laptops available from trusted manufacturers. Fortunately, a good deal through 2023, there are more options than at any other point in time for machines that marry up high-end performance with sleek and slender chassis without breaking the bank too badly.
We should stress that some of the best thin and light gaming laptops are on the pricier-end of things and that’s due to the amount of hardware packed into slimline builds. With that said, we’re also rounding up all our top picks for the best small gaming laptops and the best gaming laptops overall to help you cast a further net. We also recommend the best OLED gaming laptops, too.
Best thin and light gaming laptops at a glance
Got a particular brand in mind for the best thin and light gaming laptop? We’re bringing you a brief list of our top picks from all the major manufacturers on the market to date.
Razer Blade 14 (RTX 3080 Ti)
CPU
AMD Ryzen 9 6900HX
GPU
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Ti
RAM
16GB DDR5
SSD
1TB NVMe
Display
14-inch QHD 165Hz
MSI Thin GF63 (RTX 4050)
CPU
Intel Core i7-12650H
GPU
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050
RAM
16GB DDR4
SSD
512GB NVMe
Display
15.6-inch 144Hz FHD
MSI Stealth GS66 (RTX 3070 Ti)
CPU
Intel Core i9-12900H
GPU
RTX 3070 Ti
RAM
32GB DDR5
SSD
1TB NVMe
Display
15.6-inch 360Hz FHD
Corsair Voyager a1600
CPU
AMD Ryzen R7 6800HS
GPU
AMD Radeon RX 6800M
RAM
16GB DDR5
SSD
1TB NVMe
Display
16″ 2560×1600 240Hz IPS
Lenovo Legion Pro 5i (RTX 4060)
CPU
Intel Core i7-13700HX
GPU
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060
RAM
16GB DDR5
SSD
1TB NVMe
Display
16-inch WQXGA 165Hz
Now that you’ve had an overview of what we’re recommending, we can go into more detail on the best thin and light gaming laptops so you can get the full low down.
1. Razer Blade 14 – The best thin and light gaming laptop overall
Razer Blade 14 (RTX 3080 Ti)
CPU
AMD Ryzen 9 6900HX
GPU
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Ti
RAM
16GB DDR5
SSD
1TB NVMe
Display
14-inch QHD 165Hz
- Powerful CPU and GPU combo
- Small form factor
- Dazzling display
- Can get loud and hot
- On the pricier end of things
The Razer Blade 14 may be one of the most expensive gaming laptops available but there’s no denying just how powerful it is, coupled with a stellar visual design, and aluminium chassis that elevates it above many of its competition. This particular variant has become far more aggressive in pricing in 2023 which means it’s an easier recommendation over a current-generation version selling around the $2400 mark down from its original eye-watering $3500 MSRP. It’s easily one of the best Razer gaming laptops.
We’re talking seriously thin and light with the Razer Blade 14, too. That’s because this diminutive rig weighs in at just 3.93 lbs and 0.66-inches thick, making it the slightest machine in our roundup. As touched upon with the pricing above, this does come at a premium, but considering you’ll be maxing everything out in 1440p or hooking up to one of the best gaming monitors for 4K performance, it’s ultimately worth it.
2. MSI Thin GF63 – The best budget thin and light gaming laptop
MSI Thin GF63 (RTX 4050)
CPU
Intel Core i7-12650H
GPU
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050
RAM
16GB DDR4
SSD
512GB NVMe
Display
15.6-inch 144Hz FHD
- Respectable GPU
- Fast display
- Powerful CPU
- Smaller SSD
- Older, slower RAM
There’s no reason why one of the best thin and light gaming laptops has to cost an extravagant amount of money, and this is evidenced with the MSI Thin GF63 which offers the most aggressive price-to-performance in our roundup. Selling well under $900, you’re getting a machine featuring the capable RTX 4050 GPU for 1080p gaming with a 144Hz display, and you’ll get the smoothest experience with NVIDIA DLSS 3, too.
Thin by name and by nature, and that’s because the MSI Thin GF63 is just 0.85-inches with a weight of 4.1lbs. That means it’ll be easy to carry around in a bag when on the go and still have the guts inside to play the latest PC games at medium, high, and even ultra settings if you’re smart with your sliders.
3. MSI Stealth GS66 – The best value thin and light gaming laptop
MSI Stealth GS66 (RTX 3070 Ti)
CPU
Intel Core i9-12900H
GPU
RTX 3070 Ti
RAM
32GB DDR5
SSD
1TB NVMe
Display
15.6-inch 360Hz FHD
- Powerful CPU
- Tons of superfast RAM
- Lightning fast display
- Previous generation CPU and GPU
The MSI Stealth GS66 can easily be considered the best value thin and light gaming laptop and it all comes down to its aggressive pricing in the $1600 range. For the money, this ultra light machine, coming in at just 0.78-inch thick and weighing only 4.63 lbs, is excellent value and ideal for commuters and those who want portability above all else.
Without question, the MSI Stealth GS66 can be considered one of the best MSI gaming laptops and made all the more aggressive by the reduced pricing. While it originally retailed around the $2500 mark, you’re knocking off several hundred dollars here. This is coupled with a 360Hz refresh rate, ideal for competitive gaming, that many machines can’t quite measure up to.
4. Corsair Voyager a1600 – The best AMD thin and light gaming laptop
Corsair Voyager a1600
CPU
AMD Ryzen R7 6800HS
GPU
AMD Radeon RX 6800M
RAM
16GB DDR5
SSD
1TB NVMe
Display
16″ 2560×1600 240Hz IPS
- Powerful CPU and GPU combo
- Incredible display
- Streaming features built in
- Previous generation CPU and GPU
If you’re all in on Team Red then the Corsair Voyager a1600 should be on your radar. This slimline gaming laptop includes the ultra powerful AMD Ryzen 7 CPU with the RX 6800M for high-end 1440p gaming without compromise. At 0.78-inches thick and just 5.2lbs, this machine is one of the slimmest on the market and a rarity given the chunkier builds that usually run AMD hardware.
Now, the Corsair Voyager a1600 has become far more aggressive price wise in 2023 than when it originally launched as you can now find it around the $1300 mark. You just don’t see this level of hardware in such a sleek package selling at this price range, making Corsair’s first-ever gaming laptop an easy recommendation.
5. Lenovo Legion Pro 5i – The best widescreen thin and light gaming laptop
Lenovo Legion Pro 5i (RTX 4060)
CPU
Intel Core i7-13700HX
GPU
NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060
RAM
16GB DDR5
SSD
1TB NVMe
Display
16-inch WQXGA 165Hz
- Current generation CPU and GPU
- Widescreen 1440p display
- Superfast RAM
- Pricey for GPU choice
The Lenovo Legion Pro 5i is one of the sleekest gaming laptops available and its big USP is the WQXGA display which basically means an extended widescreen 1440p panel for more immersive gaming and media playback. At 5.6 lbs in weight and around an inch thick, there’s a ton of impressive gaming hardware packed in.
Specifically, the choice of 13th Gen i7 CPU and the RTX 4060 which is capable for both 1080p and the system’s native QHD resolution for a very competitive price. This rig currently sells around the $1500 range, which provides strong value for money.
Best thin and light gaming laptop – FAQs
We’re here to answer some of your most pressing questions about the best thin and light gaming laptops so that you can consider the machine that’s right for you and make an informed purchasing decision on your investment.
Are thin and light laptops good for gaming?
Absolutely, some thin and light gaming laptops excel in terms of portable and plugged in gaming performance thanks to the high-end hardware packed into the smaller and lighter chassis. A trade-off tends to be the choice of a smaller GPU, but more premium offerings pack in everything without compromise.
Do thin and light gaming laptops have good battery lives?
Generally speaking, the best thin and light gaming laptops have smaller batteries than some of the bigger and bulkier models on the market, meaning you’re better off staying plugged in constantly for better overall consistent performance.
Which manufacturers make the best thin and light gaming laptops?
Some of the best thin and light gaming laptops include the Razer Blade 14, the MSI Thin GF63, and the Corsair Voyager a1600 just to name a few. Our buying guide goes through all the top options in further detail.
