ASUS is one of the biggest suppliers of PC hardware in the world and their gaming laptops are considered to be among the best on the market. In this guide, we’ve highlighted five of the top ASUS gaming laptops across a range of categories to help you find a solid option for your needs and budget.
Whether you’re in the market for a new gaming monitor, a new tablet, or a new motherboard for your high-end gaming PC build, ASUS is a brand that you will grab your attention. ASUS has been one of the biggest players in the PC hardware, PC systems, and peripherals market for a long time now. And, they have built a reputation for providing quality products.
Their line of gaming laptops is no different. ASUS has a number of different laptops geared towards gaming and, in this post, we’ve covered five of the best options across a variety of categories and pricepoints. So, whether you’re looking for a budget-friendly gaming laptop, or an extreme RTX 4080 laptop, there is an option that will suit your needs below.
Table of Contents
1. Top Pick: ASUS ROG Strix Scar 16
2. For Streamers: ASUS ROG Zephyrus Duo 16
3. 18-Inch Display: ASUS ROG Strix Scar 18
4. Value Pick: ASUS ROG Strix G16
Our Picks for the Best ASUS Gaming Laptops
In the table below, we’ve made selections for the best ASUS gaming laptop overall, the best option for streamers, the best 18″ ASUS gaming laptop, the best value option, and the best budget ASUS gaming laptop.
|
NAME | SOUND | RATING | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
TOP PICK
|
Strix Scar 16 |
|
/10 | ||
STREAM
|
Zephyrus Duo 16 |
|
/10 | ||
18-INCH
|
Strix Scar 18 |
|
/10 | ||
VALUE
|
Strix G16 |
|
/10 | ||
BUDGET
|
TUF Gaming A15 |
|
/10 |
*Read more about our picks for the best ASUS gaming laptops listed above by clicking the “Read Review »” link.
1. ASUS ROG Strix Scar 16
The top ASUS gaming laptop
The ASUS ROG Strix Scar 16 is a stunning display of power and style that flawlessly combines aesthetics and performance. The Intel Core i9-13980HX processor, 175W Max TGP NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090, and 32GB DDR5 of memory, and a blazing fast 2TB PCIe SSD give this laptop a muscle that handles the most demanding games with ease. Coupled with its intelligent cooling system, including a tri-fan intake system, system-wide heatsink, and liquid metal on both the CPU and GPU, it offers superior performance for sustained gaming sessions.
The laptop’s design stands out, with a semi-transparent chassis that exudes a nostalgic vibe akin to the Game Boy Color of yesteryear. The addition of a touch-based grid of numbers right on the touchpad offers a clever way of providing full-sized keyboard functionality on a tenkeyless-style laptop. And the Scar 16’s signature Nebula HDR Display doesn’t fail to impress, offering superior visuals with its Mini LEDs, 240Hz refresh rate, and 1100 nits brightness.
The 720p webcam doesn’t deliver the best quality for modern standards, and it’s a bit heavy at 5.7 pounds. But for gaming enthusiasts seeking a unique blend of power and style, the ASUS ROG Strix Scar 16 is a stellar choice.
2. ASUS ROG Zephyrus Duo 16
The best ASUS gaming laptop for streamers
Packed to the brim with powerful hardware, the ASUS ROG Zephyrus Duo 16 offers an excellent gaming experience, with remarkable performance, with its AMD Ryzen 9 7945HX processor and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 GPU. Along with 32GB of high-speed DDR5 memory and 1TB of PCIe storage, and you’ve got a well-rounded package that’s perfect for intensive workloads.
But the real standout feature is the second 14.1-inch Mini LED touchscreen display that rises upon opening the lid and sits above the keyboard. The ROG ScreenPad Plus offers a unique experience that promises to enhance multitasking capabilities, and can act as a built-in stream deck of sorts.
At full throttle, the laptop can be quite noisy, and the lack of USB-C ports is disappointing. The mandatory BIOS upgrade post-purchase could prove to be inconvenient, and – between the computer’s size, and the bulky charger – the Zephyrus Duo 16 isn’t the most portable machine. But if you’re looking for a desktop replacement laptop with streaming in mind, the ASUS ROG Zephyrus Duo 16 is a stellar choice.
3. ASUS ROG Strix Scar 18
The best 18-inch ASUS gaming laptop
The 2023 ASUS ROG Strix Scar 18 truly sets a new standard for performance in the industry. Equipped with a formidable 13th Gen Intel Core i9-13980HX processor and the robust NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 Laptop GPU, it handles even the most demanding games with ease. Paired with an impressive 32GB of DDR5-4800MHz memory and a swift 2TB PCIe 4×4 storage, it breezes through multitasking and reduces load times to virtually nil.
The massive 18-inch Nebula display is in a league of its own, providing a QHD 240Hz/3ms display that ensures superb visuals, be it for gaming or productivity tasks. And the ROG Intelligent Cooling system, which – despite being occasionally loud – effectively prevents overheating and ensures sustained high performance.
Of course, with all the power under the hood, the battery life is limited due to the substantial power requirements. Along with its bulky size and considerable weight, it – like the Zephyrus Duo 16 – is more of a desktop replacement than a truly portable machine.
Yet, for those seeking the pinnacle of performance, the ASUS ROG Strix Scar 18 is a formidable contender that should satisfy even the most demanding gamers, despite its premium price tag.
4. ASUS ROG Strix G16
The top value gaming laptop from ASUS
Finding a suitable gaming laptop isn’t just about raw power and frilly features. In fact, sometimes it’s about finding something that strikes a good balance between performance and affordability. And the 2023 ASUS TUF Gaming A15 is a strong contender for one of the best budget ASUS gaming laptops around.
Also Read: Best Gaming Laptops Under $1,000
The TUF Gaming A15 provides the power and readiness for all kinds of gaming challenges, thanks to its AMD Ryzen 7 7735HS CPU, and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 GPU. Furthermore, the MUX Switch with Advanced Optimus technology optimizes battery life by intelligently switching between the integrated and dedicated graphics based on the task at hand.
The presence of a 144Hz FHD display, 100% sRGB color, and Adaptive Sync technology further enhances the TUF Gaming A15’s gaming experience by minimizing stutter and visual tearing. But raw power aside, it also offers 16GB of DDR5-4800MHz memory and a 1TB PCIe SSD, along with a sturdy build that passes the rigorous MIL-STD-810H military-grade testing for a truly durable machine.
It doesn’t excel at intensive single-core or multi-core performance for tasks like 3D modeling or complex editing. But for gamers foregoing extreme performance in lieu of value, the ASUS TUF Gaming A15 remains a strong contender for those looking for a capable gaming machine.
5. ASUS TUF Gaming A15
The best budget ASUS gaming laptop
If you’re looking for a powerful mid-range gaming laptop, then you can’t go wrong with the ASUS ROG Strix G16. With an Intel Core i9-13980HX CPU and GeForce RTX 4070 GPU that collaborate seamlessly, this machine allows for smooth, flawless gameplay even on ultra settings. It also features liquid metal on the CPU, as well as a third intake fan, making for better sustained performance during long gaming sessions.
The FHD 165Hz display with Dolby Vision and Adaptive-Sync support delivers smooth visuals and vibrant colors, enhancing the gaming and viewing experience. And aesthetically, the eclipse gray finish complements the cool ROG aesthetic with an added charm from the LED lights.
The 1TB PCIe SSD and 16GB DDR5 memory provides a strong foundation, though some may find the amount of RAM slightly insufficient. Fortunately, the laptop’s internals are easily accessible for a future upgrade. The lack of a numpad might also come as a disappointment, while others could find the ASUS software suite a bit bloated and overwhelming.
However, despite some minor inconveniences, the ASUS ROG Strix G16 exudes quality in every aspect. With powerful components that offer a great value that makes it a magnificent choice for both gamers and power users alike.
6. ASUS ROG Strix G17
Honorable mention
Another good mid-range gaming laptop that offers stellar performance, the ASUS ROG Strix G17 proves its worth as a powerhouse gaming laptop, merging form with function in its sleek eclipse gray chassis. Housing an AMD Ryzen 9 7945HX, an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060, 16GB of DDR5 memory, and a 1TB PCIe SSD, it delivers exceptional performance for gaming, streaming, and video editing tasks.
The Strix G17 shines with its 17.3” QHD 240Hz/3ms panel, providing a superior visual experience with excellent response times. Its advanced optimus with MUX Switch boosts gaming performance while optimizing battery life. And if you prefer slim laptops, the Strix G17 is noticeably slimmer than the Strix G16 and older ROG models, although it falls short of the slimness of ASUS’s Zephyrus line and MSI’s Katana.
Accessing the battery and back compartment can be a bit challenging. Also, some may find the combined home and end button a bit confusing and inconvenient. But these are just minor setbacks on an otherwise stellar gaming machine. For gamers in search of a capable machine that offers superior value for its performance, this laptop is certainly worth consideration.
What is the Best ASUS Gaming Laptop?
Ultimately, ASUS easily has some of the best gaming laptop options currently available. Whether you’re looking for an extreme gaming laptop, an option for serious competitive gamers, or a budget-friendly laptop that will still max out your favorite games, ASUS has a product that will work for you.
So, if you’re in the market for a new gaming laptop, you’ll definitely want to check out what ASUS has to offer. We’ve highlighted five of the best ASUS gaming laptops in the guide above and one of them will likely meet your needs.