Products at a Glance
How we picked
For this guide, we looked at several Acer laptops, compared them, and picked the ones that we thought were the best. These laptops have been selected based on specs like CPU, GPU, and other important factors. We’re also regularly looking for new products to add to our guide to keep them as updated as possible – so do check back in for new updates.
Product Reviews
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 GPU
- 13th Gen Intel Core i7-13700HX processor
- 165Hz refresh rate
- Mediocre battery life
If you are looking for the best Acer gaming laptop, then we’d recommend checking out the Acer Predator Helios 16.
The gaming laptop comes with an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 graphics card, which, with its new architecture and AI-powered graphics, should deliver immersive graphics. Plus, the GPU is accompanied by a 13th Gen Intel Core i7-13700HX processor, which promises to handle multitasking well.
The variant that we have picked comes with 16GB RAM, which should cut down on loading times and give you an overall speedy performance. Along with this, you get 1TB SSD, which should be sufficient storage space for most users.
On the outside, the laptop sports a 16-inch display, which is a slightly screen than regular 15.6-inch laptops. Plus, much like some of the best 16-inch laptops, this one, too, comes with a WQXGA resolution – so you can expect better picture quality compared to FHD displays.
Further, the laptop offers a 165Hz refresh rate, which should be sufficient for running fast-paced games and action movies. To add to that, you also get support for adaptive sync, so you can expect smoother graphics. Plus, you also get NVIDIA Advanced Optimus – a feature that lets you switch between integrated and dedicated graphics without rebooting.
To customize your experience, you can use the PredatorSense app, which lets you adjust RGB lights, overclocking speeds, fans, and more – so you should have more control over your laptop’s performance.
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 GPU
- Budget-friendly
- 144Hz refresh rate
- Mediocre display
If budget is the constraint, then we recommend checking out the Acer Nitro 5, which we think is one of the best gaming laptops under $800.
The Acer Nitro 5 comes packed with an Intel Core i5 processor and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 graphics card, which should tackle modern games with fairly demanding system requirements efficiently.
Considering its price, the 512 GB SSD and 16 GB RAM should be fine for starters since you’ll have ample storage for games and other files and enjoy faster performance when accessing files or booting up.
The only possible downside for some users is the 15.6-inch Full HD IPS display compared to the other gaming laptops with a larger 17.3-inch display. But what sets Acer Nitro 5 apart from rival RTX 3050 gaming laptops is the 144Hz refresh rate, which should give you a fluid gaming experience at 1080p resolution settings.
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 GPU
- AMD Ryzen 7 Octa-Core CPU
- 17-inch QHD display
- Heavy
If you are looking for a mid-range Acer laptop, then we’d recommend checking out the Acer Nitro 17.
Under the hood, the laptop has the latest AMD Ryzen 7 Octa-Core processor and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 graphics card, so it should run games without a hitch.
You get 1 TB SSD, which should provide enough storage for most games, applications, and other files. Besides the fast storage, 16 GB RAM should let you efficiently multitask while playing games and tackling other everyday tasks without experiencing any lag.
Much like some of the best 17-inch laptops, this one, too, has QHD resolution, which should deliver incredible picture quality on a 17-inch screen. Plus, you get a 165Hz refresh rate, which should be sufficient for giving you a stutter-free gaming experience. Also, the laptop supports adaptive sync, so you can expect smooth visuals.
For a more immersive experience, the laptop features DTS:X sound, so you can expect high-quality audio.
- NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 GPU
- 13th-Gen Intel Core i9 CPU
- 17.3-inch mini-LED display
- Expensive
If you want to go all out, then you can go for the Acer Predator Triton 17X, which we think deserves to be one of the best RTX 4090 laptops.
The laptop runs on the latest 13th-Gen Intel Core i9 CPU and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090 16GB GPU card, which is powerful enough to run even the most demanding games without breaking a sweat.
Further, the gaming laptop packs a 2TB SSD and 64GB RAM, which should ensure that you can access games and other files faster. With this combination, booting up and application loading times should be rapid.
Plus, for optimal performance, the laptop features 5th Gen AeroBlade 3D Fan Technology and Vortex Flow, which should keep your laptop cool even under pressure.
Coming to the display, you get a 17.3-inch mini-LED display, which should deliver high picture quality. The large display packs a 16:10 aspect ratio, which gives you a better viewing experience than a 16:9 ratio.
How to pick the best Acer gaming laptop
Here’s how you can pick the best Acer gaming laptop –
CPU
As Acer laptops come with multiple kinds of processors, you can find a configuration that suits your needs and comes within your budget. However, if you’re planning to go all out, then we’d recommend getting the latest CPUs. For instance, some of the best Intel 13th-gen laptops and the best Intel 12th-gen laptops can handle demanding video games and software well.
GPU
Since you’re looking for a gaming laptop, you’d want a GPU that can handle video games. For casual gaming, you can get the NVIDIA RTX 1000 or 2000 series graphics card. However, if you want to play AAA games, then you can consider investing in NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3000 series or RTX 4000 series GPUs.
Display
As far as display is concerned, you need to determine the right display size first. Acer laptops come in varying sizes, which typically range from 15 inches to 17 inches and more. Further, you can also choose a resolution – FHD, QHD, or 4K – depending on your preference.
You also have to consider the refresh rate. Most gaming laptops come with a refresh rate of 120Hz, which is sufficient for most video games. However, some mid-end and high-end gaming laptops have a higher refresh rate, which delivers a smoother experience.
Our Verdict
If you have a big budget and are looking for a maxed-out gaming laptop, then we’d recommend looking at the Acer Predator Triton 17X. The laptop has a 17.3-inch mini-LED display with a resolution of 2560 x 1600p, which should deliver high picture quality. More importantly, the laptop comes packed with the latest CPU and GPU, that is, Intel Core i9-13900HX and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090, which should run even the most demanding games effortlessly.