The best MSI gaming laptops 2024: our pick of the gaming powerhouses

PRICE
VERDICT
REASONS TO BUY
REASONS TO AVOID
VERDICT
REASONS TO BUY
REASONS TO AVOID
a MSI gaming laptop on a white table
This list should help you narrow down your choices for the best MSI gaming laptops of 2022. (Image Credit: TechRadar)

Finding the best MSI gaming laptop among so many choices can be made simple once you know what to look for. MSI’s line of laptops is some of the best in the market when it comes to gaming, and the top choices offer unparalleled gaming performance. Owning one means that you can run any graphically intensive game you want and at high settings.

This doesn’t apply just to the laptops equipped with the best processors and best graphics card either, as plenty of the mid-range options are just as great for gamers. There are also other options that cover those looking for the best cheap gaming laptops as well, which are better suited for low-range AA and indie titles.

Naturally, you need to choose the best laptop that fits your needs, and that’s where we come in. Whatever you’re looking for, our expertise in this industry will help you find the gaming laptop that works best for you. Whether you’re interested in playing Cyberpunk 2077, Sucker for Love, or anything else in between, there’s something in this guide for you.

MSI GF63 Thin gaming laptop open on a wooden desk, with a plant next to it.

(Image credit: Future)
The best overall choice

Specifications

CPU: Intel Core i5-10500H - i7-11800H
Graphics: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 - RTX 3050 Ti
RAM: Up to 32GB DDR4 RAM
Screen: 15.6-inch 1920x1080 IPS-level, 144Hz
Storage: Up to 1TB PCIe SSD

Reasons to buy

+
Excellent performance given the price
+
Solid build quality
+
Good range of ports

Reasons to avoid

-
Average battery life
-
Some annoying bloatware
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Charge cable can block a USB port

Gaming laptops that deliver on performance are hard to find, which makes the MSI GF63 Thin (2022) an excellent choice for those wanting a great balance between performance, portability, and price. The starting price is one that most gaming laptops can’t hope to match in this generation of performance behemoths, especially one that’s also so thin and lightweight. Its battery life is average, but that’s what you’d expect from a gaming laptop in the first place.

Its specs include up to an Intel Core i7-11800H CPU, though the Core i5 version is more prominent, and up to an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 Ti GPU. For the latter, you can also get the GeForce GTX 1650 GPU version for a cheaper price point, which still can handle most games just fine, but we found after testing that it’s best to pay a bit more for the 3050 Ti, as the gaming performance is more than worth it.

The display is also 1080p HD and we found that when combined with its 144Hz refresh made for a smooth gameplay experience and a clear vibrant picture quality. However, it’s not well-suited for high-demand tasks, like 4K video editing and running number-crunching scientific programs. The port selection is excellent as well, with every type you need. In fact, in comparison to many other current-gen gaming laptops we’ve tested, it surpasses them all. It does have issues with bloatware, and sometimes the charging cable can block those many ports too.

Read the full MSI GF63 Thin (2022) review

An MSI GT77 Titan on a pink desktop mat

(Image credit: Future)
The best desktop replacement gaming laptop

Specifications

CPU: 13th Gen Intel Core i9
Graphics: Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080 - 4090
RAM: 64GB - 128GB DDR5
Screen: 17.3-inch IPS, 4K 144Hz Mini LED, HDR 1000, 100% DCI-P3
Storage: 2TB - 4TB SSD

Reasons to buy

+
Out of this world performance
+
Surprisingly OK battery life
+
Mini DisplayPort output

Reasons to avoid

-
Very expensive
-
Enormous and heavy
-
Sounds like a tiny jet engine

If you’re looking for a contender for the most powerful gaming laptop, the MSI GT77 Titan (2023) has the competition beat so far. It comes with the latest in specs, including a 13th-gen Intel Core i9-13980HX CPU and an Nvidia RTX 4080 12GB Laptop GPU. During our extensive testing, we found that it managed to beat out the Lenovo Legion Pro 7i in most of our benchmark scoring when it came to GPU performance.

Its display is a ridiculous 4K resolution with a 144Hz refresh rate, and as we tested this behemoth we found that PC games never looked and moved better. The cherries on top are that this laptop comes with a Mini DisplayPort output and, according to our tests, the battery life is okay for a gaming laptop four and a half hours. It does charge fast, so that’s another positive to add.

There are some caveats we found, however. The biggest one is the sheer size of this behemoth, which weighs over seven pounds. You will never move this laptop off your desk, it’s the truest form of desktop replacement. And thanks to its size, it sounds like a jet engine. Cost is also an issue, but if money isn’t a problem then you can’t go wrong investing in this exceptionally powerful laptop.

Read the full MSI GT77 Titan (2023) review

The MSI Vector GP66 with a Funko Pop and PS5 controller resting on a table

MSI GF63 will deliver great frame rates in your favorite esports titles without paying a fortune. (Image Credit: MSI) (Image credit: Future)
High performance at a decent price

Specifications

CPU: Up to an Intel Core i9-12900H
Graphics: Up to Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 Ti
RAM: Up to 32GB
Screen: 15.6” QHD (2560 x 1440), 165 Hz
Storage: 1TB NVMe SSD Gen4x4

Reasons to buy

+
Fantastic gaming performance
+
Decent value for high-end specs
+
Plentiful display and configuration options

Reasons to avoid

-
Shocking battery life
-
Slow charging capabilities
-
No Nvidia G-sync display

Gaming laptops can get quite expensive and while the MSI Vector GP66 isn’t the cheapest on the market, for its specs it offers a surprisingly good value. Its 12th Gen CPU and 30-series GPU are primed to give you some stellar gaming performance, as we confirmed during our extensive testing. It also features a great refresh rate of 165Hz, so if you prefer first and third-person shooters or action games the experience will be butter smooth.

Its display and other configuration options are quite plentiful, so for those who prefer an even better refresh rate and higher quality screen, you can easily upgrade to what works best for you. The chassis itself is sleek with a decent weight that we barely noticed it when carrying it around, and it has a solid port selection that suits the needs of most gamers.

Unfortunately, this laptop does lack Nvidia G-Sync support, which means that during gaming you may deal with screen tearing or a desyncing of what you see on screen versus what’s actually being processed by the graphics card. Though this is a feature that will have little bearing for more casual gamers, hardcore and professional gamers will definitely notice the difference. And like many other gaming laptops, it’s best to keep this one on the charger as its battery life and charging speed are mediocre at best.

Read the full MSI Vector GP66 review

The MSI Raider GE67 HX photographed on a wooden desk with RGB lighting turned on.

(Image credit: Future)
The best gaming laptop with OLED display

Specifications

CPU: 12th Gen Intel Core i9
Graphics: Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070 Ti - 3080 Ti
RAM: Up to 64GB
Screen: 15.6-inch 2560x1440, 240Hz, OLED
Storage: 1TB PCIe Gen4 SSD

Reasons to buy

+
Bright, super-fast display
+
Sturdy build quality
+
Great gaming performance
+
Comfortable SteelSeries keyboard

Reasons to avoid

-
Large and heavy
-
Trackpad is a little flimsy
-
LOUD FANS!

The MSI Raider GE67 HX is a great choice for gamers who want a well-performing gaming laptop. Despite the specs coming from last-gen — a 12th-gen Intel Core i9-12900HX CPU and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 Ti GPU —, we found after extensive testing that it’s able to keep up with the likes of the current-gen Lenovo Legion Pro 7i in terms of pure performance. Not to mention its meaty 32GB of RAM and 1TB of storage, which sweetens the deal.

It has a solid 15.6-inch display with a 2560x1440 resolution, meaning it can game comfortably at either 1080p or 1440p. It also sports an incredibly high 240Hz refresh rate, and an OLED screen that we found makes any PC game absolutely shine in crystal clarity. It also features a 1080p webcam. The build quality is also nice and sturdy thanks to that extra bulk, and the keyboard is SteelSeries, which has pleasant key travel and no sponginess or real input latency. We wish the touchpad was as high quality, as it’s a little flimsy.

Unfortunately, its battery life is its downfall. We found that, after testing, the battery lasts for an abysmal two hours max and less than six with normal productivity work. And if you plan on carrying this behemoth around, it’s heavy and bulky so you’ll be in for a bad time. The fans are very, very loud so be prepared for the sound of jet engines as you use this laptop.

Read the full MSI Raider GE67 HX review

The MSI Stealth GS66 12UGS gaming laptop resting on a table

The MSI GL63 delivers an Intel Core i7 processor and an Nvidia RTX 2060 for less than the competition. (Image Credit: MSI) (Image credit: Future)
Top-notch screen and practical design

Specifications

CPU: Intel 12th Generation Core i9-12900H
Graphics: Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070 Ti
RAM: 32GB (2x 16GB) DDR5-4800
Screen: 15.6" QHD (2560x1440) at 240Hz, FHD (1920x1080) at 360Hz, 15.6" UHD (3840x2160) at 120Hz
Storage: Up to 2TB NVMe PCIe Gen4x4 SSD

Reasons to buy

+
Strong gaming performance
+
Ergonomic design
+
Comfortable to use
+
High-spec hardware

Reasons to avoid

-
Extremely noisy fans
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The battery takes ages to charge
-
Expensive, even for a gaming laptop

If you’re looking for a laptop with an incredible display and performance, the MSI Stealth GS66 12UGS is right up your alley. It sports an incredible refresh rate of 240Hz, which means that your gaming experience will be ultra-smooth and responsive and after testing we saw that games like first and third-person shooters and action benefited the most. Gaming performance in general is strong due to its excellent specs, which was proven when we tried it out with high-demanding titles like Cyberpunk 2077 and Dirt 5.

Of course, an ergonomic design is equally important for a laptop that you’ll be gaming on for hours at a time and this one delivers on that front as well. Though it’s not the prettiest, the practical form factor is tailor-made for a comfortable gaming experience. We could literally game on this machine for hours with very little fatigue.

All these benefits naturally come with a few drawbacks. The first is the price, as you’ll be paying a mint for its premium features. Its fans are also extremely noisy, which we heard first-hand during our performance testing. And like many other gaming laptops, this one has a terrible battery that takes forever to recharge. With this one, it’s best to keep it plugged in to avoid any battery-related issues.

Read the full MSI Stealth GS66 12UGS review

An MSI Pulse GL66 on a coffee table

(Image credit: Future)
Solid specs at a great value

Specifications

CPU: Up to Intel Core i9-12900H
Graphics: Up to Nvidia RTX 3070
RAM: Up to 32GB
Screen: 15.6-inch FHD (1920 x 1080p), 144Hz
Storage: Up to 1TB

Reasons to buy

+
Powerful Processors
+
Terrific GPU performance
+
Slick RGB Lighting

Reasons to avoid

-
Only one video port
-
Underwhelming battery life

If you truly want a value-based gaming laptop, the 2022 MSI Pulse GL66 is a great start. It features excellent specs including a 12th Gen CPU and a 30-series GPU that stand up to most high-end titles on high configurations. Our extensive performance testing found that even on Ultra settings in Cyberpunk 2077, a notoriously difficult game to run on anything but dedicated gaming machines, its average framerate was above 70.

Though it’s closer to a budget laptop, it does feature some slick design notes of interest. First, its aluminum and plastic chassis was designed by renowned Belgian artist Maarten Verhoeven, which lends it a slick and gorgeous look that stands out from other basic gaming laptops. It also has single-zone RGB lighting that helps with those nightly gaming sessions, as well as a way to round out the softer keyboard.

Its fans can run a bit noisy and it generates heat, so just as we found you’ll want to take breaks. It also doesn’t support video or Thunderbolt, so for gamers looking to connect their laptop to a monitor or to fast charge its otherwise bad battery, you’re out of luck on both fronts. But if any of those issues aren’t any real obstacle, then you’ll find little else to complain about, especially for the price.

Read the full MSI Pulse GL66 (2022) review

How we test gaming laptops

Why you can trust TechRadar We spend hours testing every product or service we review, so you can be sure you’re buying the best. Find out more about how we test.

Testing a gaming laptop isn’t as easy as you might think. But, then again, neither is narrowing down your options and choosing the best one for you, which is why we take our job seriously. Even if that means gaming for hours on end – hey, someone’s gotta make the sacrifice, right?

In all seriousness, we put every gaming laptop we test through its paces to make sure it delivers as promised and is worth your hard-earned case. That means that on top of playing the latest and hottest games on it, noting things like gaming and thermal performance, we also run synthetic benchmarks like PCMark 103DMark and Geekbench 5 as well as battery tests.

Because a gaming laptop is only as good as its peripherals, we take a look at how smooth and fast the display is, how comfortable and responsive its keyboard is, whether or not there are enough ports on hand, and how good its overall design is. We also test its webcam, in case users want to utilize it for game streaming. 

We then take everything we’ve learned about the gaming laptop and compare it to its price – whether or not it’s performance and features are worth that price tag, and whether or not it offers the best value to customers.

How to buy the best MSI gaming laptops

Though there are tons of different MSI gaming laptops to choose from, it can get overwhelming to figure out the best machine for your needs. On top of that, some retailers try to inflate the price of some laptops that don't have the specs to back up the cost, or sell mediocre products instead of the best ones.

That's why it's important to come in knowing what specs are best for your needs, so you can not only choose the perfect laptop that suits them but you also know which offerings to avoid on altogether. And that's where we come in, with all of the information you need to make the most informed decisions.

What specs should I look for in a MSI gaming laptop?

• CPU: For gaming, an Intel Core i5 is perfectly suitable, as the GPU is far more important than the CPU and the i5 can handle any processing just fine.

• GPU: If you're looking for a solid gaming machine to play on high to max out settings, an RTX 3050 and higher is what you're looking for.

• RAM: 16GB of RAM will take care of all your memory needs for any game, though you can get away with 8GB for all but the latest titles if you need to shave off some money.

• Storage: At least 516GB is preferable since that will allow you to install a good amount of games on your PC before having to upgrade or purchase an external hard drive.

• Display: An HD display is good enough for most games, and at least a 120Hz refresh rate should ensure a smooth gameplay experience.

Where can I find the best MSI gaming laptop?

Are MSI gaming laptops good?

MSI makes some of the best gaming laptops on the market. Of course whether they're better than brands like HP, Lenovo, Dell, Asus, Acer, or others is a matter of personal opinion and preference.

Allisa James
Computing Staff Writer

Named by the CTA as a CES 2023 Media Trailblazer, Allisa is a Computing Staff Writer who covers breaking news and rumors in the computing industry, as well as reviews, hands-on previews, featured articles, and the latest deals and trends. In her spare time you can find her chatting it up on her two podcasts, Megaten Marathon and Combo Chain, as well as playing any JRPGs she can get her hands on.

With contributions from