Best Laptops for Casual Gaming (2025)

Gaming doesn’t have to be extreme to be enjoyable. If you’re someone who loves diving into rich open worlds, exploring indie gems, or playing esports titles with friends, you don’t need the bulkiest rig or the most expensive setup to have a great time. This guide is crafted for the casual gamer looking for a smooth, reliable, and budget-conscious gaming experience, on a laptop that performs well without overkill.

You’re not trying to stream to thousands or max out every graphic slider, but you still want it to feel fluid and responsive without stutter, frame drops, overheating, slow load times And yet, the market is flooded with options: some are overpowered and overpriced, others can’t even run the games you care about.

Finding the right balance of performance, portability, and price shouldn’t feel like a boss fight.

We’re focusing on casual gaming, which means you care about good frame rates, crisp visuals, and fast load times, but you’re not chasing competitive overclocking or high-end VR support. You want to play today’s popular titles at medium to high settings without breaking the bank or your back.

Each machine we recommend hits the sweet spot between performance and portability, with enough graphical power to run today’s most-played games smoothly, and enough efficiency to double as your everyday laptop for browsing, work, or streaming.

Here’s what we prioritize:

• Graphics Performance: Though, integrated GPUs have come a long way. Laptops with Intel Iris Xe, AMD Radeon 680M, or entry-level discrete GPUs like the NVIDIA RTX 3050 or GTX 1650 offer excellent performance for casual titles, most games are not optimized. We focus on systems that deliver at least 60 FPS at 1080p in popular games, which mean you have to have a mid level discrete GPU to be able to do that.
• Display Quality: A great gaming experience starts with a good screen. We look for Full HD (1920×1080) displays, ideally with IPS panels for better viewing angles and color accuracy. A refresh rate of at least 60Hz is a must, but 120Hz or higher gives you smoother visuals in fast-paced titles.
• Processor and Memory: Fast load times and minimal stutter depend on strong CPU and RAM support. We recommend laptops with Intel Core i5 or Ryzen 5 and above, paired with at least 8GB of RAM. For best results, go with 16GB RAM, especially if you multitask or game while streaming media.
• Storage: We focus on laptops with SSD storage (1TB or higher). NVMe drives drastically reduce load times, improve system responsiveness, and help you get into the game faster.
• Battery Life and Cooling: Casual gaming doesn’t mean your laptop should overheat during a 60-minute session. Efficient cooling and a battery that lasts during non-gaming use are part of the package.
• Build and Portability: You might use this device for work, classes, or travel. So we look for slim, well-built designs that are easy to carry, with enough ports to plug in controllers, mice, or an external monitor when needed.

All laptops featured in this guide meet the following performance floor:

• GPU: NVIDIA RTX 3060
• CPU: Intel Core i5 (11th Gen or newer) / AMD Ryzen 5 (5000 series or newer)
• RAM: 16GB
• Storage: 1TB SSD minimum
• Display: 1080p, IPS panel, 60Hz refresh rate or higher
• Battery: 6+ hours in mixed-use scenarios
• Weight: Under 5 lbs

These aren’t top-tier battle stations, however, they’re well-rounded systems designed for play, portability, and productivity. You’ll find options that offer snappy performance in esports titles, indie games, and even some AAA experiences at reduced settings.

And just as importantly, you’ll get reliable machines that won’t weigh down your backpack or your wallet.

Best Laptops for Casual Gamers:

Best Intel Core i7 Laptop for Casual Gaming

OMEN by HP 17-inch Laptop, Intel Core i7-12700H, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060, 16 GB RAM, 512 GB SSD
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CPU	Intel Core i7-12700H
GPU	NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060
Display Size	17.3 inches
Display Resolution	1920 x 1080 pixels
RAM	16GB
Storage Space	512 GB SSD
Operating System	Windows 11
Ports	USB, Ethernet, Audio, HDMI
Dimensions (L x W x H)	1.06 x 10.32 x 15.64 inches
Weight	6.15 lbs
Advantages	Good performance
Disadvantages	weight

Best Ryzen 7 Laptop for Casual Gaming

Lenovo - Legion 5 - Gaming Laptop - AMD Ryzen 7 5800H - 16GB RAM - 512GB Storage - NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050Ti - 15.6
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CPU	AMD Ryzen 7 5800H
GPU	NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050Ti
Display Size	15.6"
Display Resolution	‎1920 x 1080 pixels
RAM	16GB
Storage Space	512GB Storage
Operating System	Windows 11
Ports	USB, Audio, HDMI
Dimensions (L x W x H)	‎21.25 x 13.5 x 3.38 inches
Weight	‎5.29 pounds
Advantages	Good performance
Disadvantages	Storage capacity

Best Mid-Range Laptop for Casual Gaming

HP Victus 16.1 FHD IPS Display Gaming Laptop Intel 6-Core i5-11400H NVIDIA RTX 3050 GDDR6 20GB RAM DDR4 1TB M.2 SSD
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CPU	Intel 6-Core i5-11400H
GPU	NVIDIA RTX 3050 GDDR6
Display Size	16.1 inches
Display Resolution	1920 x 1080 Pixels
RAM	20GB
Storage Space	1TB M.2 SSD
Operating System	Windows 11
Ports	1x SuperSpeed USB Type-A 5Gbps signaling rate (HP Sleep and Charge); 2x SuperSpeed USB Type-A 5Gbps signaling rate; 1x HDMI 2.1; 1x RJ-45; 1x AC smart pin; 1x headphone/microphone combo
Dimensions (L x W x H)	‎14.57 x 10.24 x 0.93 inches
Weight	‎5.49 pounds
Advantages	Quite affordable
Disadvantages

Best Budget Laptop for Casual Gaming

HP Pavilion Gaming 15.6 FHD IPS Laptop, AMD Ryzen 5-5600H (Beats i7-9750H), 16GB RAM, 1TB HDD+512GB SSD, Backlit Keyboard, GeForce GTX 1650
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CPU	AMD Ryzen 5-5600H
GPU	GeForce GTX 1650
Display Size	15.6"
Display Resolution	1920 x 1080 pixels
RAM	16GB
Storage Space	1TB HDD+512GB SSD
Operating System	Windows 11
Ports	Ports: 2x USB Type A, 1x SuperSpeed USB Type-C, 1x Headset, 1x HDMI, 1x RJ-45, 1x Media Card Reader.
Dimensions (L x W x H)	14.17 x 10.12 x 0.93 inches
Weight	‎4.37 pounds
Advantages	Good performance, Large storage, Affordable
Disadvantages

ASUS TUF Dash F15 Ultra Slim 15.6 Gaming Laptop, 144Hz FHD, Intel i7-11370H(Up to 4.8GHz), NVIDIA Geforce RTX 3050 Ti, 16GB DDR4 RAM, 1TB NVMe SSD
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CPU	Intel i7-11370H(Up to 4.8GHz)
GPU	NVIDIA Geforce RTX 3050 Ti
Display Size	15.6"
Display Resolution	FHD (1920 x 1080) , 144Hz Refresh Rate, 16:9, anti-glare IPS display, Game at pro speed with a lightning fast IPS-level panel
RAM	16GB 3200MHz
Storage Space	1TB SSD
Operating System	Windows 10
Ports	Ethernet, USB, Audio, HDMI
Dimensions (L x W x H)	14.17 x 9.92 x 0.78 inches
Weight	4.41 lbs
Advantages	Lightweight with large storage
Disadvantages	n/a

MSI GV15 15.6 Inch 144Hz Gaming Laptop, Intel Core i5-11400H, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD
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CPU	Intel Core i5-11400H
GPU	NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650
Display Size	15.6 inch
Display Resolution	FHD (1920 x 1080)
RAM	16GB
Storage Space	512 GB SSD
Operating System	Windows 11
Ports	3x USB-C 3.2 Gen 1 1x HDMI 1.4b 1x Card reader 1x Headphone / microphone combo jack (3.5mm)
Dimensions (L x W x H)	‎18 x 3.8 x 12.8 inches
Weight	7.39 pounds
Advantages	Good performance
Disadvantages	Storage

Acer Nitro 5 AN517-41-R7EY Gaming Laptop, AMD Ryzen 5 5600H Hexa-Core Processor NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 17.3 FHD IPS Display 8GB DDR4 512GB NVMe SSD
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CPU	AMD Ryzen 5 5600H Hexa-Core Processor
GPU	NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650
Display Size	17.3 inches
Display Resolution	Full HD (1920 x 1080) Widescreen LED-backlit IPS Display | 16:9 aspect ratio
RAM	8GB DDR4 3200MHz Memory
Storage Space	512GB NVMe SSD
Operating System	Windows 10
Ports	Ethernet, Audio Jack, USB
Dimensions (L x W x H)	‎15.89 x 11.02 x 0.98 inches
Weight	‎5.95 pounds
Advantages	Design and build quality
Disadvantages	Heavy weight

Best Laptop for Students and Beginners Casual Gaming

HP Victus 15.6 Gaming Laptop PC, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti, AMD Ryzen 7 5800H, Refined 1080p IPS Display
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CPU	AMD Ryzen 7 5800H
GPU	NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti
Display Size	15.6 inches
Display Resolution	‎1920 x 1080 pixels
RAM	16 GB DDR4
Storage Space	512GB SSD
Operating System	Windows 11
Ports	USB, Ethernet, Audio
Dimensions (L x W x H)	0.93 x 10.04 x 14.09 inches
Weight	7.48 pounds
Advantages	Affordable
Disadvantages

ASUS ROG Strix Scar 17 (2022) Gaming Laptop, 17.3†360Hz IPS FHD Display, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Ti, Intel Core i9-12900H, 16GB DDR5, 1TB SSD
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CPU	Intel Core i9-12900H
GPU	NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Ti
Display Size	17.3 inches
Display Resolution	360Hz IPS FHD Display
RAM	16GB DDR5
Storage Space	1TB SSD
Operating System	Windows 11
Ports	1x Thunderbolt 4, 1x USB 3.2 Type-C (Gen2), 2x USB 3.2 Type-A (Gen1), 1x HDMI 2.1, 1x 3.5mm Audio Jack, 1x 2.5 Gbps LAN
Dimensions (L x W x H)	15.55 x 11.1 x 0.92 inches
Weight	6.40 lbs
Advantages	Good performance, Large display
Disadvantages	Quite heavy

MSI Katana GF66 15.6 144Hz FHD Gaming Laptop Intel Core i7-12650H RTX 3050 Ti 16GB 512GB NVMe SSD
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CPU	Intel Core i7-12650H
GPU	RTX 3050 Ti
Display Size	15.6 inches
Display Resolution	‎1920 x 1080 Pixels
RAM	16GB
Storage Space	512GB NVMe SSD
Operating System	Windows 11
Ports	USB, Ethernet, Audio
Dimensions (L x W x H)	15.63 x 10.24 x 0.9 inches
Weight	‎4.85 pounds
Advantages	Performance, Affordable
Disadvantages	Storage space

MSI Stealth GS77 17.3 QHD 240Hz Ultra Thin & Light Gaming Laptop Intel Core i9-12900H RTX 3070 Ti 32GB DDR5 1TB NVMe SSD
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CPU	Intel Core i9-12900H
GPU	NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Ti GPU
Display Size	17.3 inches
Display Resolution	QHD 240 Hz display
RAM	32GB DDR5
Storage Space	1TB NVMe SSD
Operating System	Windows 11
Ports	USB, Ethernet
Dimensions (L x W x H)	22.87 x 3.74 x 15.16 inches
Weight	8.55 pounds
Advantages	Performance
Disadvantages	Weight

GIGABYTE AORUS 17 XE5 17.3 FHD 1920x1080 IPS-Level Display, Intel Core i7-12700H, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Ti Laptop GPU 8GB GDDR6, 16GB DDR5 RAM, 1TB SSD
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CPU	Intel 12th Gen Ready: 12th Gen Intel Core i7-12700H (2.3GHz~4.7GHz)
GPU	NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Ti Laptop GPU 8GB GDDR6, Boost Clock 1410 MHz, Maximum Graphics Power 130 W
Display Size	17.3 inches
Display Resolution	FHD 1920x1080 IPS-level Anti-glare Display (360Hz, 72% NTSC)
RAM	16GB DDR5
Storage Space	1TB SSD
Operating System	Windows 11
Ports	1x Thunderbolt 4, 1x HDMI 2.1, 1x Mini DP 1.4, 2x USB 3.2 (Type-A), 1x RJ45, 1x Audio Combo Jack, 1x DC-in
Dimensions (L x W x H)	15.7 x 10 x 1.1 inches
Weight	10.63 pounds
Advantages	Very Good performance, Large display
Disadvantages	Might be heavy for some people

Acer Predator Helios 300 Gaming Laptop 15.6 FHD 144 Hz IPS 8-Core 11th Intel Core i7-11800H NVIDIA RTX 3060 6GB GDDR6 32GB DDR4 1TB NVMe SSD
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CPU	11th Intel Core i7-11800H
GPU	NVIDIA RTX 3060 6GB GDDR6
Display Size	15.6 inches
Display Resolution	FHD 144 Hz
RAM	32GB
Storage Space	1TB NVMe SSD
Operating System	Windows 11
Ports	1 x USB 3.2 Type-C with Thunderbolt 4 and Dispay, 3 x SuperSpeed USB 3.2 Type-A; 1 x Mini DisplayPort 1.4; 1 x HDMI 2.1; 1 x RJ-45, 1x Headphone & Microphone Audio Jack
Dimensions (L x W x H)	‎14.31 x 10.04 x 0.9 inches
Weight	5.07 pounds
Advantages	Quality display, Good performance
Disadvantages	None

Best 17 Inch Laptop for Casual Gaming

MSI GE76 Raider Gaming Laptop 17.3” FHD IPS 144Hz 11th Gen Intel 8-Core i7-11800H 64GB RAM 1TB SSD GeForce RTX 3060 6GB
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CPU	Intel 8-Core i7-11800H
GPU	GeForce RTX 3060 6GB
Display Size	17.3 inches
Display Resolution	FHD IPS 144Hz
RAM	64GB
Storage Space	1TB SSD
Operating System	Windows 10
Ports	1 x Thunderbolt 4 USB4, 1 x USB-C 3.2, 3 x USB-A 3.2, 1 x HDMI (Supports 4K @ 120Hz, 8K @ 60Hz), 1 x MiniDP 1.4, 1 x SD Card Reader (XC/HC), 1 x Killer 2.5Gb Ethernet, 1 x Audio Combo (1/8")
Dimensions (L x W x H)	10.57 x 15.63 x 1.08 inches
Weight	‎6.39 pounds
Advantages	Display performance
Disadvantages	Heavy

Best 16 Inch Laptop for Casual Gaming

HP Victus 16-E0161NR AMD RYZEN 7 5800H 3.2GHZ 16GB DDR4-3200 MHz 512GB PCIe NVMe 16.1” FHD 144HZ NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti
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CPU	AMD RYZEN 7 5800H
GPU	NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti
Display Size	16.1”
Display Resolution	1920 x 1080 pixels
RAM	16GB DDR4
Storage Space	512GB PCIe NVMe
Operating System	Windows 11
Ports	USB, Ethernet, Audio, HDMI
Dimensions (L x W x H)	23.5 x 13.82 x 2.8 inches
Weight	‎7.78 pounds
Advantages	Good performance
Disadvantages	Heavy

Best 15 inch Laptop for Casual Gaming

MSI GP66 Leopard Gaming Laptop 15.6 144Hz Full HD+LCD Display (Intel i7-11800H 8-Core, 64GB RAM, 2TB PCIe SSD, RTX 3080 8GB
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CPU	Intel i7-11800H 8-Core
GPU	RTX 3080 8GB
Display Size	15.6"
Display Resolution	Full HD (1920x1080) 144Hz Refresh Rate
RAM	64GB DDR4 SODIMM
Storage Space	2TB PCIe SSD
Operating System	Windows 11
Ports	3 USB 3.2 Gen1, 1 HDMI, 1 mini Display Port, No Optical Drive, Headphone/Microphone Combo Jack
Dimensions (L x W x H)	‎14 x 10.5 x 1.2 inches
Weight	4.73 pounds
Advantages	Good performance
Disadvantages	Quite pricy

Best 32GB RAM Laptop for Casual Gaming

HP 15.6 HD Micro-Edge Laptop，8-Cores AMD Ryzen 7 5700U(up to 4.3GHz), 32GB DDR4 RAM, 1TB PCIe SSD
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CPU	8-Cores AMD Ryzen 7 5700U(up to 4.3GHz)
GPU	AMD Radeon
Display Size	15.6 Inches
Display Resolution	1920 x 1080 Pixels
RAM	32GB DDR4
Storage Space	1TB PCIe SSD
Operating System	Windows 11
Ports	Wi-Fi 6 (1x2 and Bluetooth 5.2 combo, 1 x Multi-format SD media card reader, 720p HD Camera
Dimensions (L x W x H)	14.11 x 9.53 x 0.78 inches
Weight	‎5.49 pounds
Advantages	Performance, Affordable
Disadvantages	n/a

MSI Pulse GL76 Gaming Laptop 17.3 144Hz FHD + IPS Display (Intel i7-12700H 14-Core, 32GB DDR4, 1TB PCIe SSD, RTX 3060 6GB
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CPU	12th Gen Intel Core i7-12700H 2.70GHz Processor (upto 4.7 GHz, 24MB Cache, 14-Cores, 20-Threads, 6 Performance-cores)
GPU	NVIDIA RTX 3060 6GB GDDR6
Display Size	17.3"
Display Resolution	Full HD (1920x1080) 144Hz Refresh Rate IPS Display
RAM	32GB
Storage Space	1TB SSD
Operating System	Windows 11
Ports	1TB PCIe NVMe SSD; 2 USB 3.1 Gen1, 1 USB 2.0, 1 HDMI, USB 3.1 Type-C Gen1, No Optical Drive, Headphone/Microphone Combo
Dimensions (L x W x H)	11 x 16 x 1 inches
Weight	‎6 pounds
Advantages	Good performance, Quality display
Disadvantages	Quite heavy

Best Long Battery Life Laptop for Casual Gaming

ASUS TUF Dash 15 (2022) Gaming Laptop, 15.6†144Hz FHD Display, Intel Core i7-12650H, GeForce RTX 3060, 16GB DDR5, 512GB SSD
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CPU	Intel Core i7-12650H
GPU	GeForce RTX 3060
Display Size	15.6 inches
Display Resolution	1920 x 1080 pixels
RAM	16GB DDR5
Storage Space	512GB SSD
Operating System	Windows 11
Ports	1x Thunderbolt 4, 1x USB 3.2 Type-C (Gen2), 2x USB 3.2 Type-A (Gen1), 1x HDMI 2.0b, 1x 3.5mm Audio Jack, 1x LAN
Dimensions (L x W x H)	13.94 x 9.88 x 0.81 inches
Weight	4.41 lbs
Advantages	Lightweight and well designed
Disadvantages	Storage capacity may be inadeqauet for some people