Best Gaming Laptops UK: 8 Great Options Compared

Best gaming laptops UK: our shortlist

The best gaming laptop in the UK depends on your budget, the graphics performance you need and whether portability matters more to you than desktop-style upgradeability. This comparison covers documented models from Currys, Very and John Lewis, including RTX 4050, RTX 5060 and RTX 5070 laptops, together with one refurbished option.

Prices and specifications below are retailer listings checked on 7 September 2026. The graphics processing unit (GPU) does most of the heavy work in modern games, while RAM, storage and the screen affect how practical the laptop is for everyday use. The table includes models with documented display information.

Prices can change, and a refurbished listing should be judged together with its stated condition and retailer terms. The figures above are the listed prices for the named configurations, rather than a guarantee that every version of the same laptop family has identical hardware.

HP OMEN 16: best balanced choice

Currys lists the HP OMEN 16-ap0506na with an AMD Ryzen AI 7 processor, RTX 5060 graphics, 24GB RAM, 1TB storage, a Quad HD display and a 240Hz refresh rate for £1,399. Its combination of more memory than the 16GB models below and a particularly fast display makes it the strongest balanced option in this comparison.

MSI Katana 15 HX: QHD performance at a lower price

The MSI Katana 15 HX B14WFK has an Intel Core i7-14650HX processor, RTX 5060 graphics, 16GB RAM, 1TB storage, a Quad HD display and a 165Hz refresh rate. At £1,299 from Currys, it sits below the HP OMEN and the higher-priced premium models while retaining a high-refresh QHD specification.

ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14: premium compact option

This ASUS gaming laptop has an AMD Ryzen 9 processor, RTX 5060 graphics, 32GB RAM, 1TB storage and a 3K OLED screen with a 120Hz refresh rate. Currys lists it at £1,849. Its 32GB memory and OLED display make it a premium choice for buyers who place greater value on the specification and screen than on the lowest price.

Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 AI: large high-resolution display

Currys lists the Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 AI with an Intel Core Ultra 7 processor, RTX 5060, 16GB RAM, 1TB storage and a Quad HD+ display for £1,499. Its 16-inch format and high-resolution panel suit shoppers who want more screen space while staying with the RTX 5060 tier.

Lenovo LOQ 15ARP10E: well-rounded budget gaming laptop

The Lenovo LOQ 15ARP10E is listed by Very at £839, reduced from £899. It has an AMD Ryzen 7 processor, RTX 4050, 16GB RAM, 1TB storage and a 144Hz 15.6-inch Full HD screen. The 1TB drive and 144Hz display give it a well-rounded specification for buyers moving into dedicated-GPU gaming.

ASUS V16: the lowest listed price in the comparison

John Lewis lists the ASUS V16 at £779.99 with an Intel Core 5 processor, RTX 4050, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD and a 16-inch WUXGA display. It is the lowest-priced model in this table and a practical starting point for someone who wants a dedicated gaming GPU and a larger screen without moving into four-figure pricing.

MSI Pulse A16 AI+: refurbished RTX 5070 option

Currys lists this refurbished MSI Pulse A16 AI+ in “Very Good Condition” at £1,899. It has an AMD Ryzen AI 7 processor, RTX 5070, 16GB RAM, 1TB storage, a Quad HD+ display and a 240Hz refresh rate. It offers a higher-tier GPU and faster display than the new RTX 4050 and RTX 5060 choices in the table, but its refurbished condition is an essential part of the purchase decision.

How to choose a gaming laptop in the UK

Start with the GPU, then compare the display, RAM, storage and processor. The model name alone is not enough because one laptop family can be sold with several different configurations.

• GPU: the graphics chip is the first specification to compare for modern games. This shortlist includes RTX 4050, RTX 5060 and RTX 5070 laptops, providing clear performance tiers within the documented listings. The RTX 4050 models are the entry point here, while the RTX 5060 and RTX 5070 options target buyers who want more graphics headroom.
• Refresh rate: this is how often the display refreshes per second. Lenovo identifies 144Hz or higher and a capable GPU as important for smooth gaming. The Lenovo LOQ reaches 144Hz, the MSI Katana reaches 165Hz and the HP OMEN and MSI Pulse reach 240Hz. A high refresh rate is most useful when the laptop can produce enough frames to take advantage of it. Lenovo’s gaming-laptop guidance explains why the GPU and display should be considered together.
• RAM: 16GB is the most common capacity in this comparison. The HP OMEN has 24GB and the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 has 32GB. TechRadar says 8GB is increasingly insufficient for gaming, making 16GB a more sensible starting point for a new gaming laptop.
• Storage: 1TB gives more room than 512GB for a growing game library. TechRadar notes that modern PC games can use around 100GB of storage, so a 512GB laptop can become restrictive sooner. The ASUS V16 has 512GB, while the other listed models provide 1TB.
• Screen: compare resolution and refresh rate together. QHD, Quad HD+, WUXGA and 3K describe resolution or panel format, while 144Hz, 165Hz, 120Hz and 240Hz describe refresh rate. A sharper display can improve image detail, but the GPU still determines how well demanding games run at that resolution.
• Portability: larger screens and more powerful components can make a machine less convenient to carry. A 16-inch model may provide more viewing space, while a compact model such as the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 places more emphasis on a smaller format and premium display.

New or refurbished gaming laptops?

Choose a new laptop when you want the clearest specification and a straightforward comparison between current models. Choose refurbished when a higher-tier GPU or more generous display specification matters and the stated condition and retailer cover are acceptable to you.

Before buying refurbished, focus on four practical points:

1. Confirm the exact GPU, processor, RAM, storage and display for the named configuration.
2. Read the stated condition grade and the product description.
3. Review the retailer’s return policy and the length and type of warranty or guarantee.
4. Compare the refurbished price with a new model using a similar GPU and storage capacity.

The Currys MSI Pulse A16 AI+ illustrates the trade-off. It combines an RTX 5070, 16GB RAM, 1TB storage and a 240Hz Quad HD+ display, but it is listed as refurbished in “Very Good Condition”. That condition grade belongs in the comparison alongside the hardware.

Where to buy gaming laptops in the UK

Currys, Argos, Very and John Lewis all have documented gaming-laptop listings, but the same brand name can cover different processors, screens, storage capacities and GPUs. Compare the named configuration rather than relying on the laptop family or retailer alone.

Currys has several of the higher-performance models in this comparison. Its listings include the MSI Katana 15 HX at £1,299, the HP OMEN 16 at £1,399, the Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 AI at £1,499 and the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 at £1,849. Currys also has a dedicated refurbished gaming-laptop category, represented here by the MSI Pulse A16 AI+.

Very provides the Lenovo LOQ 15ARP10E at £839. Its listing gives an AMD Ryzen 7 processor, RTX 4050, 16GB RAM, 1TB storage and a 144Hz Full HD display. Very also lists other Acer, HP and MSI gaming-laptop configurations, including models with RTX 4050, RTX 5060 and RTX 5070 graphics.

Argos lists the Lenovo LOQ 15.6-inch with Ryzen 7, 16GB RAM, 1TB storage and RTX 3050 at £799. It also lists an ASUS V16 RTX 4050 bundle at £849 and an ASUS ROG Zephyrus 16-inch model with RTX 5070, 32GB RAM and 1TB storage at £2,329. Argos’s gaming-laptop range gives buyers another documented set of configurations to compare.

John Lewis lists the ASUS V16 with an Intel Core 5 processor, RTX 4050, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD and a 16-inch WUXGA display at £779.99. It also lists the ASUS TUF A16 with AMD Ryzen 7, 16GB RAM, RTX 4050 and 512GB SSD at £879, plus a Lenovo LOQ with AMD Ryzen 7, 16GB RAM, RTX 5060 and 512GB SSD at £1,299.

Gaming laptop or desktop PC?

Choose a gaming laptop when you need one computer that can move between home, study and travel. Intel identifies portability as a key advantage of gaming laptops. Choose a desktop when your gaming space is fixed and you value more ports, customisation and easier component changes.

There are practical compromises. Lenovo says gaming laptops generally have shorter battery life during demanding gaming, while RAM and storage may be upgradeable and the CPU and GPU are often soldered or not user-replaceable. For demanding gaming, mains power is the practical choice. If future expansion matters, the upgrade information for the particular model is important.

Intel’s laptop-versus-desktop comparison covers the main portability, ports, customisation and upgradeability trade-offs.

Frequently asked questions

What’s the best gaming laptop in the UK?

The strongest budget choice in this comparison is the ASUS V16 RTX 4050 at £779.99 from John Lewis, with the Lenovo LOQ RTX 4050 at £839 from Very as a stronger storage and refresh-rate alternative. For a balanced higher-performance option, choose the HP OMEN 16 RTX 5060 at £1,399 from Currys. For the highest graphics tier listed among the documented models, the MSI Pulse A16 AI+ has an RTX 5070, although it is refurbished and listed at £1,899.

Are gaming laptops worth buying?

They are worth buying when portability matters or when you need one computer for gaming and other tasks. Desktops offer more customisation and upgrade flexibility, while gaming laptops usually have shorter battery life during demanding gaming and less replaceable core hardware. The deciding factor is whether you will move the computer regularly enough for portability to outweigh those compromises.

Where is the best place to buy gaming laptops in the UK?

There is no single best retailer for every model. Currys is useful for comparing several RTX 5060 and RTX 5070 configurations, Very has competitively positioned RTX 4050 listings such as the Lenovo LOQ, Argos offers additional Lenovo and ASUS configurations, and John Lewis lists the ASUS V16 at £779.99. Compare the exact specification and listed price for the configuration you want.

What’s a good budget gaming laptop?

The ASUS V16 with RTX 4050, Intel Core 5, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD and a 16-inch WUXGA display is listed at £779.99 by John Lewis. The Lenovo LOQ 15ARP10E at £839 from Very is another strong budget option because it combines 16GB RAM and 1TB storage with a 144Hz Full HD display.