Please note: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. I also work with other affiliate partners and may be compensated from the links below. Details here.
It has finally happened! 18″ Laptops are now a mainstream purchasing option as opposed to the 17″ being the cap for most manufacturers. Today, we’ll review and compare the biggest gaming laptops currently available on the market.
Whether you’re just curious or actually looking to purchase a powerful punch in a laptop package that is big enough to replace a traditional desktop setup, you’ll find all the relevant information in this article.
These laptops have multiple purchasing options to accommodate your specific needs while providing the larger form experience you (likely) crave, sometimes competing as a desktop replacement entirely.
For each laptop, we’ll provide an overview, cover specifications, discuss pros and cons, and share our thoughts on price and overall value. This should help you determine whether any of these laptops will be a worthy investment.
Biggest Gaming Laptops in 2024 Round-Up
The table below will give you a quick look at the 5 biggest gaming laptops currently available on the market. To read a full review, simply click on ‘review>>’ in the respective row.
Product | Image | Rating | |
1. Alienware M18 “Best option for competitive gamers” |  | 9.5 | |
2. ASUS ROG Strix Scar 18 “Fusion of style, RGB & performance” |  | 9.6 | |
3. Razer Blade 18 ''Biggest & most premium gaming laptop'' |  | 9.7 | |
4. Acer Predator Helios 18 “Cheapest 18-inch laptop on the market” |  | 9.5 | |
5. ASUS ROG Strix G18 “Cheaper alternaive to the ROG Scar 18” |  | 9.5 |
1. Alienware M18
Display Size: 18” | Panel Type: IPS | Screen Resolution: FullHD+ (1920 x 1200) | CPU: AMD Ryzen 9 7845HX | GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080 | RAM: 32 GB DDR5 | Storage: 1 TB SSD | Weight: 9.3 lbs / 4.2 kg
REASONS TO BUY
- Beautiful aesthetics
- High-quality build
- Vibrant, accurate colors
- Excellent gaming performance
- Lots of screen real estate
- Smooth 480hz screen
- Crisp mechanical keyboard
- 1080p webcam
REASONS TO AVOID
- Middling speakers
- Gets loud and warm under load
- Thick and really heavy
- Short battery life
- Pricey
Our Rating: 9.5/10
Alienware laptops are renowned for their unique design, high performance, and quality build, but also higher prices compared to the competition. While the blend of power and design is very appealing here, this laptop, in particular, is reserved for those seeking a true powerhouse at a large expense.
With an 18-inch screen, dimensions of 410mm x 402.6mm x 53.3mm, and a weight of 9.3 pounds (4.2 kg), this is the largest, heaviest, and thickest gaming laptop on the market.
With its size and power combined, it is almost a complete desktop replacement, making travel and mobility a bit tougher than a traditional laptop would provide. However, it still remains a viable option if you bring the charging cable.
The build quality is superb. The magnesium alloy construction ensures good durability while preventing chassis flex and complementing it with a premium finish. However, the top deck is quite prone to scratches and blemishes.
The star of the show is definitely the display. Depending on the model, you could get an 18” 165hz QHD+ display or a 480hz FHD+ display. Regardless, these are both high-end options, with the 480hz panel providing an extra smooth FPS in competitive games.
However, 1080p on an 18” panel is not as sharp as it could be, with a PPI of 125, compared to 167 on the QHD+ version. For gaming, this is not an issue and comes down to personal preference.
Nonetheless, both versions offer a stunning visual experience with vibrant and accurate colors (full coverage of both sRGB and DCI-P3 color gamuts). A small downside is the relatively low brightness (330 nits)–It won’t hinder your experience if you don’t use it in direct sunlight, but for a laptop this expensive, we expected better.
At its core, the M18 R1 can host up to a Ryzen 9 7945HX + RX 7900M on the AMD side and up to an Intel i9-13980HX + RTX 4090 on the Intel and Nvidia side. This will give you enough performance to fully utilize the 480hz display and play the latest AAA titles, but you will have to pay top dollar for the high-end options.
The high-end hardware has one more drawback. The base version with an RTX 4070 is easier to manage, but on the highest-end version, heat is an issue- the laptop has been tested upwards of 50°C near the top of the keyboard plate, getting very warm.
Another feature we absolutely love is the mechanical CherryMX keyboard. Regarded as the better option for competitive gaming due to the tactile feedback and resistance, it’s rare on the average laptop, and it’s nice to see it included here. Additionally, you’ll get a built-in 1080p webcam, as expected for this price, for crisp video calls.
Now, onto some considerable drawbacks. Firstly, the speaker quality is mediocre for a laptop going for more than $2k at the cheapest base configuration. They are loud but lack any kind of detail, depth, or bass. You will not be able to direct the footsteps of your enemy with these; however, it can be assumed that if you spend this kind of money on a laptop, you already have a quality gaming headset to go with it.
The battery life is rough as well. With the top CPU/GPU, you’re looking at about 2.5+ hours of intense gaming or roughly 4+ hours of general usage. Utilizing all of the power-saving options, dimming the screen considerably, and just surfing the web or watching YouTube can boost this up to 6+ hours, but you should bring the charger everywhere you go. (Note: cheaper version of this laptop using an RTX 4070 will have different battery results in your favor.)
Value-wise, it’s up for interpretation. Compared to the competition, it is considerably cheaper than the Razer Blade 18 (though with a weaker display) and slightly more expensive than the two 18-ich laptops ASUS offers (Scar 18 and G18).
If budget doesn’t play a role, the Blade 18 is the superior option, but the 480hz display and the mechanical keyboard offered by the M18 could be a big draw, especially for competitive players.
Overall, Alienware doesn’t disappoint with the M18, the biggest laptop currently available on the market. It’s got tough competition in the Razer Blade 18 or ASUS’ two 18-inch offerings, but it delivers a couple of features that help it stand out. Plus, the design is excellent as well–If you’re a competitive gamer and the aesthetics of your laptop are just as important to you as performance or display, you’ve found your winner with the Alienware M18.
- YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Laptops With The Best Displays
2. ASUS ROG Strix Scar 18
Display Size: 18” | Panel Type: IPS | Screen Resolution: QHD+ (2560 x 1600) | CPU: Intel Core i9-13980HX | GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 | RAM: 32 GB DDR5 | Storage: 2 TB SSD | Weight: 6.8 lbs / 3.1 kg
REASONS TO BUY
- Solid value for the money
- Lots of customizable RGB lighting
- Sturdy build
- Top-of-the-line performance
- Large, smooth, immersive display
- Accurate color reproduction
- Excellent speakers
- Solid battery life, given the hardware
- Effective cooling system
REASONS TO AVOID
- 720p webcam
- Mostly plastic build
- Higher price
- Fans get loud during intense use
Our Rating: 9.6/10
Next up, we’ll take a look at another massive gaming laptop, the ASUS ROG Strix Scar 18. ASUS currently offers two 18-inch laptops, this and the ROG G18. We’ll review both in this article, but let’s first discuss the Scar 18 and see if it’s a good fit for you.
With an 18” screen, dimensions of 15.71 x 0.91 x 11.57 inches, and a weight of 3.1kg, this laptop is better suited for a dedicated gaming setup with optional mobility than for regular travel. It’s one of the biggest laptops on the market, but it’s not a burden to move unless you do so daily. Compared to the Alienware M18, it’s over 2.5 pounds lighter and more than an inch thinner, making it much more travel-friendly.
Built using a mostly plastic chassis and aluminum lid, this laptop looks sleek and stylish while remaining very durable. Aesthetics-wise, you get the standard ROG look, with prominent branding on the lid and a LOT of programmable RGB lighting.
When it comes to display, you’ll not be disappointed in the slightest. The laptop comes equipped with an immersive 18” IPS display featuring a QHD+ resolution, providing sharp images, crisp colors, high brightness, and amazing gaming metrics with 240hz and 3ms response time. ASUS did a great job of balancing picture quality with gaming performance, achieving maximum immersion on the 18” screen.
Performance is also top-notch; with 32GB of DDR5 RAM, up to an RTX 4090, and i9-13980HX implanted in this monster, you can do just about anything with ease. From competitive gaming to professional high-end video editing, you can expect the highest levels of performance here using some of the best consumer hardware available.
The cooling is somewhat impressive for a laptop using this much power. The size, location, and shape of the vents around the laptop play a big factor, as well as the inclusion of a robust internal cooling system. It will certainly get warm, and you’ll need a headset to block out the noise generated by the fans, but for the amount of power in use, it runs relatively cool during intense gaming sessions.
Unlike the Alienware M18, this laptop features a standard laptop chiclet keyboard. It’s a full-sized keyboard with Numpad and per-key RGB backlighting. While a mechanical keyboard would definitely be a welcomed feature in such a gaming-focused laptop, it’s one of the better laptop keyboards, with firm and responsive clicks and a smooth typing experience.
The webcam is a big letdown. For some strange reason, ASUS decided to put a 720p unit on their premium 18-inch laptops. That being said, the image quality is pretty decent, but…really ASUS?
On the other hand, the 4-speaker audio system is amazing. It’s not the loudest, but it provides rich audio at all frequencies with thumping bass.
When it comes to battery life, you can expect 3+ hours of intense gaming and 4-5+ hours of light use. You could turn on all the power-saving features, dim the brightness, cut the refresh rate, and bump it up to 6+ hours, but being such a powerhouse, I wouldn’t recommend going too far without your charger.
When it comes to pricing, I feel like the value is on point here, given it’s priced similarly to some 17-inch options. The performance and design are amazing, and the massive 18-inch screen provides beautiful images and will immerse you in games like not a lot of laptops can. If you don’t mind the plastic construction and 720p webcam, it’s a great buy.
- READ ALSO: Laptops With The Longest Battery Life
3. Razer Blade 18
Display Size: 18” | Panel Type: IPS | Screen Resolution: QHD+ (2560 x 1600) | CPU: Intel Core i9-13950HX | GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 | RAM: 32 GB DDR5 | Storage: 1 TB SSD | Weight: 7.1 lbs / 3.2 kg
REASONS TO BUY
- Durable full aluminum build
- Excellent performance
- Large 18” QHD+ screen
- Bright, smooth, and color-accurate display
- Generous I/O selection
- Responsive, comfortable keyboard
- Solid battery life
- Amazing audio system
- Effective cooling
REASONS TO AVOID
- Super pricey
- Weak performance per dollar
- No numpad
Our Rating: 9.7/10
When it comes to laptops, Razer has a very limited selection, but they always deliver top-quality machines, and things are no different with their largest offering, the Blade 18. It’s one of the most premium laptops on the market, delivering top performance and impeccable build quality, but also a premium price tag.
With an 18-inch display, measuring 15.74 x 10.84 x 0.86 inches, and weighing 7.05 pounds, it’s one of the biggest and heaviest laptops available, but it’s beautifully thin, which helps a bit with carrying it around. Plus, It features a full aluminum unibody that ensures sturdiness and reliability–Build quality is definitely one of the best features of the laptop.
Speaking of standout features, the next thing that comes to mind is the display–It’s easily one of the best laptop displays on the market. The 18-inch, 240Hz, QHD+ (2560 x 1600) IPS panel provides the perfect balance between crisp visuals and gaming performance.
The color accuracy is also excellent (100% DCI-P3 coverage), meaning you can confidently use it for content creation. Plus, with 500 nits of brightness, it’s plenty bright and ensures ease of use outside or in brightly lit environments.
That gets us rolling into the options and specs, which is another great part about the laptop. With the Blade 18, you have the option of an Nvidia RTX 4060, 4070, 4080, or 4090 GPU in the laptop. This is notable, as some manufacturers offer only two GPU models. The CPU selection is a different story, with only two models being offered–The Intel i9-13950HX and i9-13980HX.
We highly recommend going with either the RTX 4070 or 4080, as you’ll have enough power to take full advantage of the display. The RTX 4060 will be weak for graphically demanding games or professional work, while the RTX 4090 is overkill for gaming and may cause some thermal issues.
The port selection is excellent, with three USB type-A ports, USB type-C ports, Thunderbolt 4, an HDMI 2.1 port, and a standard Ethernet connection. In addition to that, the Blade 18 supports the latest wireless technology, with built-in WiFi 6E and BlueTooth 5.3.
If you’ve read some of our previous reviews of Blade laptops, you know how much we always praise the audio. We’re happy to report that things haven’t changed, and this laptop also holds the ”best audio on a gaming laptop” title. The six-speaker audio system produces clear and full-bodied sound with natural bass.
Additionally, the keyboard is a bit of a mixed bag. The keys are large and responsive, ensuring both a comfortable typing experience and snappy gaming. However, there is no Numpad, which is a surprising omission on an 18-inch laptop. The touchpad is as good as on any other Blade laptop. It’s large, responsive, and accurate–No problem there.
When it comes to battery life, the 91Wh battery ensures a surprisingly long usage, considering what’s under the hood. For casual use, like office work or web browsing, you’ll be able to get around 5-6 hours, and around half of that when gaming, which is more than expected.
All in all, the Razer Blade 18 is our favorite 18-inch laptop on the market. What makes this laptop stand out is the attention to detail in nearly every aspect–It features impeccable build quality, a gorgeous display, plenty of options for your components, an excellent set of features, and a clean and elegant design that means business.
That said, it’s also the most expensive among its peers. As such, we recommend it to folks who want the best and are prepared to pay for it. If you’re looking for a more cost-effective option, cheaper alternatives are available.
- RELATED ARTICLE: Best Gaming Laptops With a Touchscreen
4. Acer Predator Helios 18
Display Size: 18” | Panel Type: IPS | Screen Resolution: QHD+ (2560 x 1600) | CPU: Intel Core i9-13900HX | GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080 | RAM: 32 GB DDR5 | Storage: 1 TB SSD | Weight: 7.2 lbs / 3.3 kg
REASONS TO BUY
- Very sturdy build
- Affordable with lower-end hardware
- Clean design
- Rich I/O selection, including two Thunderbolt 4
- Large, thin-bezel display
- Smooth, color-accurate screen
- Excellent gaming performance
- Comfortable, responsive keyboard
- FullHD webcam
REASONS TO AVOID
- Quite thick and heavy
- Weaker cooling system
- Poor speakers
Our Rating: 9.5/10
Featured at CES 2023, the Predator Helios 18 from Acer is not as flashy as the other 18-inch laptops but comes in as a more budget-friendly option. You also have the option for a miniLED panel, which is absent from its competitors, and the overall quality and performance match the competing laptops.
To start off, this laptop measures 11.93 x 0.97-1.06 inches and weighs 3.3kg, which puts it in the middle of the pack in terms of size, thickness, and weight. While it doesn’t feature any flashy details like the Alienware or ASUS laptops, it hits the mark of subtle elegance and is very well constructed.
When it comes to display options, you can choose between a crisp 250hz Mini LED, a 165/240hz IPS QHD+, or a 165hz IPS FullHD+ panel. The Mini LED panel delivers an exceptional visual experience with vibrant colors and a true HDR experience, but it’ll be out of reach for most buyers.
The best bang for your buck will almost always be the QHD+ IPS panel. It features an excellent gaming performance with a smooth 165hz refresh rate and 3ms response time. And while not as crisp and bright as the Mini LED option, it’s still plenty bright and color-accurate with wide viewing angles.
The main problem you’ll be facing with the IPS panel is weaker contrast, which makes black look washed out in darker rooms, but that’s a common issue; overall, the screen is on par with the best IPS panels on the market.
Performance-wise, Acer currently offers a choice of RTX 4060, 4070, or 4080 for graphics cards and an Intel i7-13700HX or i9-13900HX for CPU. The RTX 4060/i7 setup would be best paired with the FullHD+ panel, and the RTX 4070+/i9 would be best paired with the 250hz and larger resolution panels to properly utilize the potential of all your components.
Battery life will heavily depend on what components you are fitting in your laptop, and you can assume a worse battery life with more power-hungry components. The laptop comes with a 90Wh battery, and on average, you can expect about 2 hours of heavy gaming and up to 6 hours of casual usage and battery-saving options.
When it comes to connectivity, this laptop has all the ports you need scattered around the back and both sides of the chassis. It has two USB-C ports (Thunderbolt 4), a microSD card reader, three USB-A ports, a single HDMI port, and a 3.5mm jack.
Additionally, the keyboard is on the softer side compared to ASUS keyboards but provides a comfortable typing experience with very nice tactile feedback. And, of course, you get per-key RGB lighting that is customizable via the Predator Sense software. The 1080p webcam is fairly average in terms of image quality–Not bad, but not great either.
Value is where this laptop shines. With an average $1400 difference between the cheapest and most expensive options at full MSRP, you can customize it to fit your specific needs and budget. It also comes with one of the lowest purchase options on this list, making the Helios 18 the only 18-inch laptop you can get for under two grand.
Overall, this laptop shines brightest in its mid and lower-tier options, giving great value while still keeping the benefit of a large and immersive screen for gaming. It fulfills all the gamer’s needs without being flashy and yet still has an elegant look. If you want to buy an 18-inch laptop for cheaper (compared to what’s already on the market), the Acer Predator Helios 18 is your best bet.
- YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Most Durable Gaming Laptops
5. ASUS ROG Strix G18
Display Size: 18” | Panel Type: IPS | Screen Resolution: QHD+ (2560 x 1600) | CPU: Intel Core i9-13980HX | GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080 | RAM: 32 GB DDR5 | Storage: 2 TB SSD | Weight: 6.6 lbs / 3 kg
REASONS TO BUY
- More affordable than competition
- Striking gamer aesthetics
- High-quality build
- Large, immersive screen
- Bright, smooth, color-accurate display
- Top gaming performance
- Solid speakers
- Long battery during casual use
- Lots of RGB
REASONS TO AVOID
- 720p webcam
- Can get really hot
- Limited hardware options
- Weaker connectivity
- Mostly plastic construction
Our Rating: 9.6/10
The ROG G18 is the second, more affordable 18-inch option from the ROG lineup, and they both share a lot of similarities. This laptop also offers a large, beautiful display, high gaming performance, and aggressive gamer design with a lot of RGB on board. However, they also share the same drawbacks (including the same 720p webcam).
Standing at 15.71 x 11.57 x 0.91 inches and weighing in at 6.61 pounds, the G18 is on the lighter and thinner side when it comes to 18-inch laptops. While this portability is still terrible, it’s slightly more feasible than most of the competition.
In terms of build quality and design, the G18 follows the same philosophy as every ROG laptop–Gamer-centric design, lots of RGB lighting, and sturdy build despite being mostly plastic. If you’re a fan of RGB, you’ll appreciate the LED strip on the bottom of the chassis and per-key RGB for the keyboard, both fully customizable through software.
Now, boasting a smooth and beautiful 18-inch 2,560 x 1,600 (QHD+) IPS panel with a 240hz refresh rate, the G18 delivers a vibrant and crisp image quality, perfect for both gaming and color-critical work. The color accuracy is also excellent, and with 500 nits of brightness, it’s bright enough to use in well-lit rooms.
Smooth FPS in games is ensured with an Intel i9-13980HX processor and an Nvidia 4070/8GB or 4080/12GB GPU. There are also various RAM and SSD options, but the core components are more than sufficient to fully utilize the awesome display. The price difference between the two isn’t too much either, making the RTX 4080 version a much greater value.
Cooling might be where this laptop falls short. While it’s fairly quiet for such a powerful laptop, it does get quite hot. While this isn’t going to damage internal components, it makes for an uncomfortable “lap” top.
Battery life here has an interesting 2-sided dynamic. While it is one of the worst laptops for battery life when used at full potential, it is one of the best options when used casually, holding an average of 1.5 hours while gaming and 7.5 hours browsing the web on a reduced brightness and RGB turned off.
The keyboard that ASUS uses on these higher-end Strix laptops is excellent, and this one is no different. It’s not as soft as I’d prefer, but the keys are responsive feedback and overall comfortable to type on. But, of course, it’s not as nice as the mechanical CherryMX keyboard on the Alienware M18.
The connectivity options on such a big laptop could definitely be better. The laptop features two USB-C ports, two USB-A ports, one HDMI port, and a headphone jack. Compared to the Acer Helios 18, there is no SD card reader and only two USB-A ports.
Generally, you would want to pick the best option for your own needs when making any purchase. However, with this laptop already retailing for over $2000 and the price difference between the 4070 and 4080 versions only a couple hundred dollars, investing a little extra in the 4080 version will net you a much higher value for your purchase and extend the life of the laptop.
Overall, the ASUS ROG G18 has some drawbacks. However, at its current price, which is cheaper than the very similar ROG Strix Scar 18, we feel like it’s a great buy. Both the performance and display are excellent, and if you’re into aggressive gamer design and RGB, you should put this high on your list.
- .RELATED ARTICLE: Best Gaming Laptop Under $1200
Final Words
So there you have it, the 5 biggest gaming laptops in 2024. We really hope that our reviews have helped you pick the best one for your needs.
If you did find this article helpful, make sure to share it with your friends on your favorite social media!
Besides that, if you have any additional questions or are still not sure which laptop is best for you, feel free to reach out to us, and we’ll be more than happy to help you out.
We love hearing from you!
Be the first to comment