What is the best Dell gaming laptop? We’ve selected the top gaming laptops from Dell available right now; that will also give you the best gaming experience for your budget. Dell’s premium Alienware division is often the first port of call for players wanting a new gaming laptop, but Dell also has its own branded, very competent G series lineup.
The G series positions itself beneath the best Alienware gaming laptops, and includes affordable, mid-range machines. It does take cues from Alienware, however, especially when it comes to thermal design, RGB lighting and dynamic performance. The Dell G16 at the top of our guide offers strong, all-round, gaming performance, while the Dell G15 is a great 15.6-inch option with a QHD 240Hz display option if you want the best visuals. many of our choices could easily be among the best gaming laptops in general, but that goes to show the pedigree that Dell has in the market.
When shopping for a Dell gaming laptop, look for the best overall package for your needs, as its machines are generally good value propositions out of the gate. Dell laptops are frequently discounted, making lower-end and previous-generation models an absolute steal. But you’ll need to weigh up whether missing recent technology such as DLSS 3 frame generation will affect the games you play.
Whether you’re after a highly efficient machine, an esports champ, or something that is going to excel at everything, we’ve compiled a list of the best Dell laptops for gaming in 2024.
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Dell G16
Best Dell gaming laptop overall
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| Graphics | Nvidia RTX 4070 8GB GDDR6 |
| CPU | Intel i9-13900HX 24 Core 5.40Ghz |
| RAM | 16 GB, 2 x 8 GB, DDR5, 4800 MHz |
| Storage | 1 TB, M.2, PCIe NVMe, SSD |
| Ports | Headset jack, RJ45 Ethernet, 3 USB 3.2 Gen 1, 1 HDMI 2.1, Thunderbolt 4 port with DisplayPort |
| Screen | 16″ QHD+ 240Hz (2560 x 1600) |
| Dimensions | 35.7 x 28.9 x 2.57cm |
| Battery | 86 Wh. Up to 6 hrs, 7 mins |
- Alienware performance for Dell price Great screen Beefy cooling
- Great screen
- Beefy cooling
- 4070 VRAM limitations
- No 4080 option
The Dell G16 bears a striking resemblance to the Alienware M16. As Dell owns Alienware, often those designs bleed into Dell offerings and at competitive prices. Inside, the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 review graphics card will make short work of most games and older and esports titles will make full use of the display. Being an RTX 4000 series card, the Dell G16 has access to DLSS 3 frame generation to make for some incredibly smooth visuals.
Keeping the 4070 up to speed is the Intel i9-13900HX which shouldn’t have any issue with CPU bottlenecks as it’s a seriously powerful gaming CPU. As the G16 comes equipped with such a capable CPU, it seems odd that the GPU tops out at a 4070. The 13900HX would work very well with a 4080 and ensure a bit more longevity. It is worth considering if you think 8GB of VRAM is sufficient for your needs going forward. Otherwise, the Dell G16 is a great all-rounder and our top pick for most players.
Dell G15
Best Dell gaming laptop for esports
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| Graphics | Nvidia RTX 4060 8GB GDDR6 |
| CPU | Intel i7-13650HX |
| RAM | 16 GB, 2 x 8 GB, DDR5, 4800 MHz |
| Storage | 1 TB, M.2, PCIe NVMe, SSD |
| Ports | 3.5mm combo jack, RJ45 Ethernet, 3 USB 3.2 Gen 1, 1 HDMI 2.1, USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 |
| Screen | 15.6” FHD 360Hz (1920 x 1080) |
| Dimensions | 35.73 x 27.50 x 2.70cm |
| Battery | 86Wh, Up to 6 hrs, 31 mins |
- Ludicrously quick 360Hz panel
- Well-balanced system
- Great value
- Tops out at 4060
Esports requires you to have every edge that you can get, and the G15 offers a screen with a 360Hz refresh rate. In conjunction with its well-balanced specs, we’re choosing it as our best Dell gaming laptop for esports, but it’s a great choice for anyone who prioritizes screen performance above all else.
Using the RTX 4060 with sensible settings, you should easily be able to max out your panel’s refresh rate to give yourself an extra advantage. For other gaming titles, DLSS 3 frame generation will give the 4060 some extra legs for a smooth single-player experience, especially in graphically demanding titles such as Cyberpunk 2077.
The 13650HX CPU, whilst not as capable as the 13900HX found in the G16, can still achieve some remarkable feats and it’s very suited to the midrange sensibilities of the 4060. It’d be nice to have seen a 4070 paired with a 360Hz panel for versatility, but at a standard price of around $1,549.99 (£1,399.00), the G15 is a good value proposition.
What’s the newest Dell gaming laptop?
The newest Dell gaming laptops are the new G15 and G16 laptops, which make use of the latest Nvidia RTX 4000 series of cards ranging from the 4050 to the 4070. They’re also equipped with Intel’s latest 13th-generation CPUs meaning that there is plenty of power on hand in the midrange market.
There are updated displays too, ranging from FHD panels up to QHD+ 240Hz 16:10 aspect ratio displays that are found in many high-end laptops in 2023.
Is Dell better than Razer and Alienware?
Dell owns Alienware and has done so since 2006, so it’s slightly more nuanced when considering the dynamic between the three. In terms of value proposition, Dell positions itself very well, and given that the G series of gaming laptops shares many of the design cues from the more premium Alienware division, you wouldn’t be wrong to think of them as budget Alienware laptops.
Compared to Razer, its laptops are more affordable and the 4070 class of cards have a bit more breathing room than their Razer Blade counterparts, so temperatures are a bit lower on the Dell side. Razer laptops are generally much more portable, however, so this tradeoff may be worth it if you take your laptop on the go frequently.
The G series currently tops out at the RTX 4070 graphics card though, so if you need more power, Alienware or Razer both have more options available to you.
Is Dell a good gaming laptop brand?
Dell has been in the computer business for a long time and makes many excellent lines of laptops that aren’t exclusive to gaming. The XPS and Precision series have long been regarded as some of the best productivity and workstation laptops going.
Dell also has the expertise of Alienware at its disposal and takes many design and performance cues from there when it comes to designing laptops.