If you’re a Millennial who grew up around translucent game controllers, Jungle Green N64s, or the original Halo Xbox, Razer’s new Phantom Collection will feel like a direct hit of nostalgia.

The Phantom Collection updates Razer’s popular gear with a fresh look

Razer this week announced its new “Razer Phantom Collection," which the gaming brand describes as "a bold new colorway that redefines visual design in the gaming space.”

The collection features an all-translucent design and, in the company’s own words, “offers a bold visual departure from traditional finishes.”

Razer mentions that in addition to celebrating the engineering excellence behind its hardware, the Phantom Collection introduces an aesthetic language blending transparency, depth, and modern minimalism.

The Phantom Collection introduces refreshed versions of some of Razer’s most popular gear, just in a brand-new translucent colorway and enhanced Chroma RGB. This includes the Razer Basilisk V3 Pro, which Laptop Mag has previously reviewed and claimed is easily one of the best gaming mice in Razer’s entire lineup.

The Phantom Collection also gave the Razer BlackWidow V4 75% keyboard a design refresh, which Laptop Mag described as “one of the best gaming keyboards out there.”

Razer also gave the Barracuda X Chroma headset the Phantom Green touch and the Firefly V2 Pro mouse mat.

Phantom Collection reminds gamers of classics like the Xbox Halo edition and the Nintendo 64

Interestingly, according to gamers who have seen the new Phantom Collection so far, the Army-green tinted coloring (i.e., the Phantom Green design refresh Razer aimed for) took many gamers back to the ‘90s.

For instance, someone shared images of the Razer Phantom Green collection on the r/MouseReview subreddit, and the comment section is filled with nostalgia-struck gamers reminiscing about the good old days.

One redditor commented, “Welcome back, the 90’s,” while another chimed in and explained how the translucent finish of the Phantom Collection reminded them of the classic ‘80s water pistols and how they could almost taste the warm plastic from their childhood.

The Phantom Collection even reminded many folks of the Jungle Green Nintendo 64 and the Xbox special Halo edition, which featured a similarly rugged, translucent Army-green finish that became iconic among gamers.

The Halo edition Xbox remains a collector’s item to this day, and you can get it on eBay for $399 right now!

The Phantom Collection may also remind some of the Xbox 360 and its interface, which had an iconic green-tinted vibe that Xbox is known for.

It’s funny how certain designs can instantly transport us back to a specific gaming era. Razer’s Phantom Collection, which is already available at Razer’s website, Razer stores, and authorized retailers worldwide, is a perfect example.

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I may be in the minority among gaming laptop enthusiasts, but I’d take an ultra-portable 14-inch gaming laptop with decent performance and good battery life over a massive 18-inch desktop replacement.

Most of my favorite laptops of the last year were in the 14-inch class, so that isn’t exactly a surprise. But my preference for portable gaming power is why I was so psyched to see all the new gaming laptops last week at Computex.

Between Acer, Asus, Gigabyte, HP, and MSI, there were plenty of portable gaming rigs at the show. But the laptop I was truly in search of was the Razer Blade 14 (2025). After all, I enjoyed last year’s model so much that it's still on my home office desk.

Razer has paired an AMD Ryzen AI 9 300 series processor with an Nvidia RTX 50-series gaming GPU to help thin out the Blade 14's chassis, making it thinner than the last gen.

But what else is new with this year’s Blade 14? Let’s take a quick look.

Razer Blade 14 (2025): Specs

Razer Blade 14 (2025): Design

A Razer laptop is always going to look like a Razer laptop. It has that slick, aluminum chassis that skirts around being too Apple-esque to be a gaming laptop, with the classic Razer logo on the top lid.

The Blade 14 (2025) is a bit thinner than previous Blade 14 models, measuring just 0.62~0.64 inches thick, and it weighs just 3.59 pounds.

With dimensions like that, the Blade 14 will fit into any backpack or laptop bag you own for maximum portability.

Razer Blade 14: Battery life

Razer has packed a 72Wh battery in the Blade 14. While we don’t know exactly how much battery life the Blade 14 (2025) will get, we hope it’ll be around 8+ hours thanks to its efficient Nvidia RTX 5060-5070 GPU and AMD Ryzen AI CPU combo, even with an OLED display panel.

We have already seen the benefits of an AI PC chip powering a gaming laptop this year, thanks to the larger Razer Blade 16 (2025). As the Blade 14 features a similar set of specs, it could end up kicking the Asus TUF Gaming A14 off our list as the gaming laptop with the best battery life.

Razer Blade 14 (2025): Display

Razer has outfitted the Blade 14 with a 14-inch, 2880 x 1800, 120Hz OLED panel.

At the Nvidia press suite, I was able to take a look at the Blade 14, which was set up to demo FCB: Firebreak. From what I’ve seen, this display looks great with solid vibrancy and high contrast.

If Razer uses a similar OLED panel on the Blade 14 as the Blade 16, it's likely to be a great option for content creators and gamers who want an immersive experience.

Razer Blade 14 (2025): Performance and graphics

While I did get to play a bit of Firebreak on the Blade 14 at Computex last week, Nvidia had the game settings set to show off the RTX 50-series DLSS 4 technology, so I can’t speak too much to raw silicon power.

However, the AMD Ryzen AI series has benchmarked well for us overall, so we expect the Blade 14 to feature a similar amount of raw computing power.

That top-class CPU strength, combined with a discrete Nvidia RTX 50-series GPU, should give you impressive graphics power for a smooth gaming experience.

While we haven’t reviewed any RTX 5060 or 5070 laptops yet, based on our preview testing session with the Nvidia RTX 5070 laptop GPU on the MSI Crosshair 18, there's plenty of reason to expect solid performance from the GPU, especially with Nvidia's new DLSS 4 tech enabled.

While some gamers hate frame generation tech, it’s typically more worth using than not on a thin and light laptop, though some game types may be worse candidates than others.

Razer Blade 14 (2025): What's next

The Razer Blade 14 (2025) is available now. The RTX 5060 model starts at $2,299, while the RTX 5070 model starts at $2,699 and comes with an upgrade to the base memory to 32GB RAM.

Due to constantly shifting US foreign tariffs, these prices are subject to change. However, you can purchase a Blade 14 (2025) now.

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After years of legal battles, Fortnite is finally back on iOS and iPadOS, and it has already become the number one free game on the App Store!

That shouldn't come as much of a surprise considering Fortnite is one of the most popular games in the world, across PC, console, and now mobile.

This huge win for Fortnite fans is the result of a lawsuit Epic Games has been waging against Apple since 2020, following the game's ejection from the App Store after developer Epic Games subverted Apple's payment system for in-app purchases.

However, earlier this month, Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers ruled that Apple must allow app developers the opportunity to use third-party payment systems — even if that means Apple misses out on a share of the profits.

As a result, Fortnite has finally returned to iPhones and iPads (despite several hiccups along the way).

But before you jump into a match, you might want to check out one game-changing gadget that's so good it feels like a cheat code, taking my mobile gaming experience to the next level.

See also: Best Apple deals in May 2025

Fortnite returns to iOS — and this mobile controller is the best way to play it

Mobile gaming isn't always the best experience, especially if you're used to PC or console.

Touch screen controls lack the precision of a controller or keyboard and mouse. Luckily, I've been using a fantastic accessory that has transformed my mobile gaming experience, and might just be the key to getting more wins in Fortnite on your iPhone.

That accessory would be the Razer Kishi Ultra. I initially picked up this controller to see how the iPad Mini 7 fared with mobile games, but I've been using it on a near-daily basis for weeks now with my phone, too.

In fact, I just finished a complete playthrough of Death's Door on Android with the Kishi Ultra, and it was hands-down the best mobile gaming experience I've ever had.

With Fortnite back on iOS, it's the perfect time to try out the Kishi Ultra for yourself. You could connect any old Xbox or PlayStation controller to your phone and get vastly better precision and gameplay than using the touch controls. But if you want the best experience, the Kishi Ultra simply can't be beat.

For years, I used an Xbox controller with my phone and iPad. It worked, but the ergonomics leave a lot to be desired, and lugging around a separate controller is not exactly ideal for gaming on the go.

Thankfully, the Razer Kishi Ultra clips securely around your phone, plugging into the USB Type-C charging port, for a form factor that's a lot like a handheld gaming PC. It's much easier to hold and travel with compared to the Frankenstein setup of a regular controller with a phone stand.

You may be thinking, why shell out $149 for the Kishi Ultra over a less expensive Backbone controller with a similar design? A few reasons.

First, the Kishi Ultra is a physically larger controller than the Backbone, with sculpted grips that feel very similar to a traditional controller, making it a much better fit for folks with larger hands (or anyone who values quality ergonomics).

The Kishi Ultra also has much better quality buttons and sticks than most mobile controllers, as Razer uses the same hardware found in its premium PC and console controllers.

Plus, the Razer Nexus app allows you to connect to cloud gaming services so you aren't forced to go through a browser (you can also use Nexus to view all your mobile games and customize the Kishi's RGB).

All of that to say, the best Fortnite experience comes via a controller-like experience, and the best one you can buy right now is the Razer Kishi Ultra.

Could Fortnite's return be the start of a mobile gaming renaissance?

If you haven't been following mobile gaming in the past several years since Fortnite's exile began, you may be wondering if it's even worth playing on mobile anymore. After all, aren't most mobile games little more than shovelware bloated with micro-transactions?

Not anymore.

Fortnite's return is incredibly well-timed and lands squarely amid a rising tide of great games arriving on mobile from other platforms.

Netflix Gaming has ported over dozens of fantastic games, like Death's Door and Hades, that you can play on your phone for no extra charge if you're a Netflix subscriber. There's also Apple Arcade, which is introducing mobile versions of games like Disney Dreamlight Valley.

Plenty of great indie games are also available on mobile, like Dredge, Stardew Valley, Wildfrost, Dead Cells, and even Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown.

We're even starting to see AAA games make their way to mobile, like Assassin's Creed Mirage.

There's truly never been a better time to get into mobile gaming. Sure, there are still countless low-quality games filled with ads (and little else) flooding the mobile gaming space. But more and more diamonds are appearing in the rough.

With certain App Store restrictions gone, there's a strong chance we'll see even more great games arrive on mobile in the months and years ahead.

Whether you're new to gaming, looking for an affordable way to game, or just want some fun titles to play on the go, now is the time to see what mobile gaming has to offer.

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When shopping for the best gaming laptops, the expectation is that when it comes to GPUs, bigger is better. An Nvidia RTX 5090 GPU should consistently outperform an RTX 5080. That’s just how the CUDA cores crumble.

But now and again, we get a system that proves the exception to the rule.

In this case, we’re talking about the MSI Raider 18 HX AI, which features the powerful combo of an Nvidia RTX 5080 GPU and an Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX processor.

Due to the Raider’s ability to leverage up to 260 Watts of power for its CPU and GPU, it easily overpowered the RTX 5090 in the Razer Blade 16 (2025) and HP Omen Max 16.

Confused? Let me explain.

More laptop equals more power and better cooling

One of the benefits of an 18-inch desktop replacement gaming laptop is that its size gives it room for a proper cooling system that can leverage as much power as possible to the CPU and GPU, which gets you the kind of performance that justifies ditching your desktop PC for a laptop instead.

The trade-off is that you don’t expect it to be portable. So if it’s more than an inch thick and weighs almost 8 pounds, we don't recommend commuting daily with it.

But returning to the advantages, we ran the MSI Raider 18 HX, Razer Blade 16 (2025), and HP Omen Max 16 through multiple game benchmarks spanning the gamut of optimized performance, older titles, and GPU-melting new releases.

When it comes to 1080p gaming performance, the MSI Raider’s RTX 5080 GPU displayed a significant performance lead over both RTX 5090 systems.

The Raider took a full 33-frame lead on the Blade 16 in Assassin’s Creed: Mirage, and a 28 fps lead on the Omen Max 16 in Black Myth: Wukong using Cinematic graphics preset.

In fact, on most of the 14 games that we use for graphics testing, the Raider’s RTX 5080 outperformed both RTX 5090 laptops at 1080p resolution. The exceptions include Assassin’s Creed: Shadows, Dirt 5, and Metro Exodus Enhanced Edition at the Extreme graphics preset.

But for notoriously intensive games like Black Myth: Wukong, Cyberpunk 2077, Monster Hunter Wilds, and Red Dead Redemption II, the Raider once again surpassed its 5090 counterparts.

1080p performance isn’t the whole story

Of course, that’s just FHD performance. At the native resolution of the three laptops, the RTX 5090 tended to do far better. Of course, the Raider’s max resolution is 3840 x 2400, while the Omen Max 16 and Blade 16 cap out at 2560 x 1600p. But we’ll use the Gigabyte Aorus Master 16 as a stand-in for the Raider.

The Aorus features a 1600p display, an RTX 5080 GPU, and a similar Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX processor. While they’re not identical CPUs, and the Raider includes more system memory, their 1080p benchmarks are in the same ballpark.

With that said, the RTX 5090 takes the lead over the lower-spec GPU when it comes to higher resolution.

We’ve seen CPU bottleneck issues with Nvidia’s high-end cards over the last few generations of gaming laptops, where performance throttles at 1080p due to the communication between the CPU and GPU when rendering frames. Some of that is clearly at work here with the 1080p performance.

However, even at a higher 1600p resolution, the RTX 5080 is still competitive. The Gigabyte Aorus Master 16 was just about as fast as both RTX 5090 laptops on Assassin’s Creed: Mirage and Assassin’s Creed: Shadows, and that trend holds even with Black Myth: Wukong and Cyberpunk 2077.

The only games where we saw a significant performance gap between the RTX 5080 and RTX 5090 were Dirt 5 and Far Cry 6.

On Dirt 5, both 5090 laptops outperformed the Gigabyte by at least 55 fps. But on Far Cry 6, the RTX 5080 in the Gigabyte outperformed both RTX 5090 laptops by 9-19 fps.

But portability is key for many laptop owners

It’s time to choose between power and portability.

If you want the ultimate gaming experience, you’ll need a desktop replacement like the RTX 5090 version of the MSI Raider 18 HX. (It’s just $900 more than the RTX 5080 model.)

But if you want all that power while trying not to break your back, get a portable gaming laptop like the Razer Blade 16 (2025). That laptop is just 0.59 inches thick and weighs just over 4 pounds.

Now, if you’re capping your budget at exactly $4,499, you can choose between the portable Razer Blade 16 (2025) with an RTX 5090 or the mighty MSI Raider 18 HX AI with an RTX 5080.

The Blade 16 (2025) offers a slight edge in 1600p performance on some games, but at 1080p, it’s less powerful.

Or you can go for the Raider, which is more powerful at lower resolutions and has an 18-inch, 3849 x 2400, MiniLED display. After all, with Nvidia’s DLSS 4 super sampling and frame generation technology, you can get a fantastic 4K gaming experience with the Raider.

So, unless you’ve got to haul your gaming rig to a weekly LAN party, the Raider gets you more power for your dollar and an overall better gaming experience.

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The new Razer Blade 16 was supposed to be Razer's sleekest flagship gaming laptop to date — slimmer, lighter, and more compact than ever before, with Nvidia's latest RTX 50-series mobile GPUs packed into an ultra-thin 0.59-inch chassis.

However, this feat of engineering's biggest magic trick isn't how Razer managed to pack that much horsepower into such a slender frame (though it did play a major role in our review of the Razer Blade 16 last month).

Instead, it's the vanishing act this high-powered notebook has pulled over the last 24 hours — dropping its availability entirely in favor of a "Notify me" label, as spotted by The Verge.

More mysteriously, it's not the only Razer gaming laptop to go missing; other Blade models similarly disappeared overnight without explanation.

With no official statement or press release to explain the sudden lack of availability, Razer has left the doors wide open to speculation.

Proposed U.S. tariffs to blame?

Where's the Razer Blade 16? Cutting through the confusion

However, with this change only impacting U.S. customers and taking place just ahead of US President Donald Trump's proposed tariffs, which take effect from today, it's not hard to potentially pinpoint Razer's reasoning.

The sudden disappearance of the Blade 16 is yet to be officially explained by Razer, but timing is everything. It's doubtful that the recent change in U.S. trade policy has nothing to do with the decision.

Razer, an American-Singaporean company, might be dual-headquatered in Irvine, California, and Singapore, but most of its manufacturing takes place in both China and Taiwan — two countries heavily targeted by Trump's reciprocal tariff plan, which went into effect on Wednesday.

The Trump administration seems poised to raise tariffs on Chinese imports to over 100 percent, while Taiwan will be met with a 32 percent high, greatly affecting Razer's ability to do business on U.S. soil.

Razer's sudden rug-pull may be a preemptive move that suggests the company is looking to avoid passing these costs onto customers or, at the very least, absorbing them itself.

It's a tactical retreat of sorts, no doubt buying the company some time to assess financial realities and business practicalities in the wake of these changes.

Similar to the reaction of the right-to-repair champion Framework, which has temporarily pulled certain configurations of its Framework Laptop 13 from sale after new tariff math would've forced it to sell laptops at a loss.

What's next

For now, direct sales of the latest Razer Blade 16 and Blade 18 gaming laptops have been halted — effectively cutting one of the best gaming laptops from sale in the U.S. market, with no word on whether this is a temporary measure by Razer or a permanent move.

Most of Razer's hardware and accessory lineup — like gaming mice, for instance — is still available to purchase, with only a few exceptions, such as the company's Adjustable Laptop Stand, announced only on Tuesday. It has a "Notify Me" button next to its listing.

Razer isn't the first company to feel the sting of Trump-era tariffs, and nor will it be the last. This situation only showcases the precarious nature of the global supply chain for electronics and how quickly policy can present itself on product pages.

With a fresh wave of reciprocal tariffs kicking in and the reactions of companies like Razer and Framework already apparent, this could be the tip of a much larger iceberg. And an indicator of a rough season ahead for consumer tech.

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If you've ever played a game and thought, "This is great, but it needs more AI," then I've got some exciting news for you.

Gaming, like just about every tech niche, is slowly but surely colliding with AI, and Razer is the most recent player to roll the ball forward on that inevitable confluence.

This month, Razer announced its Wyvrn game development platform that encompasses AI across the brand's wide array of gaming software and hardware — everything from RGB lighting to haptic chairs.

That move is an expected one in a lot of ways, but it's not necessarily Razer's embrace of AI that has me paying close attention; it's how Razer's embrace has increasingly become the norm.

The whole gaming industry is sliding toward AI, and I'm not just talking about upscaling or game development, which means your games are about to get a major dose of AI, whether you like it or not.

Razer, Nvidia, and Microsoft, oh my

While Razer announced a lot of AI in its Wyvrn ecosystem, the biggest and most pivotal piece of that puzzle is its AI gaming coach, formerly known as Project Ava.

Razer is rebranding Project Ava as Razer AI Game Copilot, which is a bit of a mouthful but technically more official-sounding than the former moniker.

Just as Razer demonstrated at CES 2025, the AI Game Copilot is a multifaceted AI assistant that Razer envisions wearing a few different hats.

One of those hats is an esports coach that can study your game in real time and give you tailored advice and strategies to win. That means the AI is quite literally watching along with you and acting as a virtual caddy of sorts.

If esports isn't really your thing, Razer also envisions its AI coach in a more solo environment, giving its two cents while you fight bosses in games like Black Myth: Wukong. That coaching style might include instructing you on when your character should roll, your enemy's weak points, or giving you information on where key items are located.

Laptop Mag previewed Razer's AI Game Copilot last week and the AI coach looks similar to what was shown off at CES, which is to say it's an AI with a British accent that tells you how not to get your butt kicked in a boss fight.

Razer isn't the only company looking to get its feet wet in the AI game coach arena.

Microsoft just recently announced its own Copilot for gamers this month, which functions almost identically to Razer's offering with a bit more salesman in it.

In addition to giving in-game advice or recapping a gamer's progress, Microsoft also envisions Copilot giving personalized game recommendations based on your habits or helping you connect with friends online.

Xbox's Director of Xbox Editorial, Jeff Rubenstein says the sidekick is there to help.

“This AI-driven sidekick is designed to be your personalized gaming companion, helping you get to your favorite games faster, coaching you to improve your skills, and connecting you better with your friends and communities... Copilot for Gaming will be there when you need it but out of the way if you don’t.”

And if Copilot for gaming isn't enough for you, Nvidia also has presented its coach of sorts called G-Assist.

Similarly to both Razer and Microsoft's iterations, G-Assist is presented as an AI game guide that gamers can query for more information in lieu of Googling for help.

Nvidia's G-Assist would theoretically crunch game data like skill points to recommend character builds or even help you tweak your game settings for optimal performance.

If all of this is starting to sound similar, it's probably because you've been paying attention to AI writ large.

Ideas like AI agents are among the most exciting applications for companies like Amazon who seek to augment their own assistants (Alexa in this case) into something bigger, better, and more useful.

I think most people probably won't argue with voice assistants that can do more than set timers and turn your lights on and off, but when it comes to games, companies like Razer, Microsoft, and Nvidia might be treading on more sacred territory.

Put me in, coach

I've never been a fan of busy work or administrative lever-pulling, and if AI can swoop in and save me from the tedium of my day-to-day workflow or general computing, then I'm all for it. AI agents are a great idea.

With that said, there are some things that I don't want an AI agent for, and having fun is one of them. I've contended for some time now that the best AI is a boring one, and there's something about AI game coaches that feels like an encroachment into my sacred zone of leisure.

Sure, there is plenty of tedium in gaming (Death Stranding made an entire game out of it), but hidden in that grinding or "Game Over" is also a reward for anyone who learns, strategizes, and solves problems themselves.

I'm not saying I don't ever go to Google to tell me how to beat something or where to find an item (my Elden Ring search history is vast), but it's not my first mode of action when I'm stuck or even frustrated.

Maybe I'm just a masochist who likes to play on hard mode both literally and figuratively, but maybe there's also just something to toughing it out the way game designers intended.

Call me curmudgeonly, but I wonder — technologically brilliant or not — how AI coaches will be received by gamers broadly.

I might just be old and out of touch, and if that's the case, then points for Razer, Microsoft, and Nvidia. But if I were a betting man, I'd put my money on AI coaches being met with skepticism as opposed to open arms.

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We're still early in 2025 and the latest gaming laptops aren't even out yet, because we're still waiting on the Nvidia RTX 50-series laptop launch which is expected sometime next month.

And yet, I may have already found my favorite gaming laptop of the year. Yes, I raved about the Asus ROG Strix Scar 18 at CES because I do love a laptop with self-repair features. And by no means is the Strix Scar 18 out of the running. But for all the Strix's AnimeVision LEDs and RGB lightbars, there's a new gaming laptop out there that's grabbed my attention.

This week, Razer announced the new Blade 18 gaming laptop. This isn't just a hardware refresh, though the Blade 18 (2025) chassis is very similar to the Blade 18 from last year.

Razer has packed some incredible tech into the Blade 18 that makes it a serious contender for Best Gaming Laptop already.

Razer Blade 18 (2025) Specs

Slick performance and a World's First display

This new Razer desktop replacement features the world's first 18-inch dual-mode display, powerful Nvidia RTX 50-series GPUs, desktop-grade Intel Core Ultra 200HX processors, up to 280 watts of total package power, a revamped vapor chamber, THX Enhanced Audio, and an all-new redesigned keyboard.

While Intel's upcoming Arrow Lake HX processors have yet to hit the streets, we do have some early information from Intel that hints at some impressive gaming power. Based on Intel's testing, Arrow Lake HX processors should see a 20% increase in multithreaded performance compared to the 14th gen HX CPUs. Intel's Robert Hallock told the audience at CES that with Arrow Lake HX, "you basically get a desktop in a laptop." This echos what Hallock told Laptop Mag in interviews ahead of the keynote and at CES.

Of course, we always do our own testing to confirm claims like this from makers. However, Intel has had a good track record of reporting real-world benchmark results for mobile CPUs. Our independent testing actually saw higher results on Arrow Lake H than Intel's initial claims. Our experience gaming on Lunar Lake saw impressive integrated graphics performance that reflected Intel's claims.

So we can feel pretty confident that Arrow Lake HX will be a solid gen-over-gen improvement from last year's processors.

As for the GPU side, while Nvidia's RTX 50-series Laptop GPUs are still under wraps, recent leaked benchmarks have taken the RTX 5090 Laptop GPU to the top of the mobile graphics card benchmark lists. However, the Passmark benchmark only saw a 2.7% increase over the RTX 4090 Laptop GPU overall. But if you look a bit deeper into the benchmark results, you will notice a 57% increase in Direct X 12 gaming performance gen over gen.

For the Blade 18, all of this power meant a new vapor chamber cooling system. The Blade 18 has Razer's "biggest vapor chamber ever" with a new thermal hood design, a 3-fan cooler, and improved thermal gel.

Alongside a dual-mode display and revamped keyboard, the Blade 18 (2025) feels like a whole new laptop compared to the previous gen, even if the outside of the chassis hasn't changed much in the last year.

Some expensive drawbacks

The biggest issue with all Razer laptops is price. The Razer tax is real, and the Blade 18 (2025) is no exception.

Starting at $3,199 the new Blade 18 will cost more than half of the average monthly salary in the United States. The starting model comes with an Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX processor, Nvidia RTX 5070 TI Laptop GPU, 32GB of memory, 1TB of SSD storage, and an 18-inch dual-mode display.

Upgrading to an RTX 5080 costs an additional $500, while opting for the RTX 5090 also upgrades you to a 2TB SSD for a total price increase of $1,600. So the lowest price for a Blade 18 with a 5090 is $4,499. If you want to upgrade your RAM to 64GB that's also an additional $400.

The Blade 18 is also heavier than its predecessor. The 2024 Blade 18 weighed 6.8 pounds while the Blade 18 (2025) is 7.06. While that's just .26 pounds difference, it's not nothing if you plan to haul the Blade 18 to a LAN party or two.

The Blade 18 is also thicker, as the Blade 18 (2025) ranges in thickness from 0.86 inches to 1.1 inches while the Blade 18 (2024) is 0.86 inches regardless of configuration. So the portability of the Blade 18 has gone down a bit in this new generation.

Bottom line

While I've gotten hands-on time with some of the other high-end gaming laptop contenders like the Strix Scar 18, MSI Raider 18, and Acer Predator Helios 18 AI, the Blade 18 offers a powerful gaming experience with a dual-mode display, a revamped keyboard, the classic Blade minimalist design, and Razer's solid build quality.

Sure, the other RTX 50-series desktop replacement gaming laptops have opted for extra RGB and gamer aesthetics. But I'll admit, when it comes to my own personal gaming laptops, I often opt for thinner, more stripped-down looks. It just blends better with my personal aesthetic.

Of course, I'll need to wait until we've tested and reviewed all of these flagship gaming laptops to make a final call. But for now, the Blade 18 (2025) is at the top of my list.

You can pre-order the Blade 18 (2025) now on the Razer website, as the laptop is expected to ship on April 30th, 2025.

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Razer announced its "thinnest, most powerful" gaming laptop, the Blade 16 (2025), on January 6 at CES 2025 in Las Vegas, NV.

Featuring an AMD processor for the first time on the mainstream Blade 16, this gaming laptop also leverages the Nvidia RTX 50-series graphics cards, a deeper keyboard, and a redesigned thermal hood, all to get the laptop chassis to measure just 0.59 inches when closed.

But is the Razer Blade 16 (2025) really the thinnest, most powerful Blade laptop ever? Let's check the facts.

Razer Blade 16 (2025): Specs

Razer Blade 16 (2025): Pricing and availability

Razer has not announced pricing and availability yet, but based on the information we have from Nvidia, we expect the RTX 5090 spec of the Blade 16 to cost upwards of $4,000. The 2024 Razer Blade 16 started at $2,999, so don't look for the thinnest, most powerful Blade 16 laptop on our best gaming laptops under $1,500 page.

Like many gaming laptops with the new Nvidia RTX 50-series graphics cards, the Razer Blade 16 (2025) is expected to ship in March.

Razer Blade 16 (2025): Design

In terms of design aesthetic, the Razer Blade 16 (2025) retains most of the features of previous Blade laptops. It's got a black aluminum chassis with a minimalist, almost Apple-style design. The RGB lighting is still limited to the keyboard backlight, and the Blade 16 is still a very slim, portable gaming powerhouse.

However, Razer claims that the Blade 16 (2025) is its thinnest, most powerful Blade laptop ever. But, there are those of us who still remember the 0.5-inch-thick Razer Blade Stealth (2017), which was absolutely thinner than the Blade 16 (2025), which is 0.59 inches thick.

We'll forgive Razer for the marketing because the Stealth line lacked discrete graphics, which allowed it to be thinner. Additionally, the 2025 Blade 16 is far thinner than its 2024 counterpart, which was 0.87 inches thick. The new Blade 16 is even slimmer than the Apple MacBook Pro 16 (M4 Pro, 2024) at 0.66 inches.

The Blade 16 (2025) features a revamped keyboard with deeper key travel at 1.5mm and the same oversized touchpad as previous Blade models. So, it is a fascinating design challenge to fit all of that into such a slim laptop. And we have to give Razer credit for putting in a deeper keyboard while still shaving almost 0.3 inches off the chassis.

Razer Blade 16 (2025): Ports

Razer has not released the official port array for the Blade 16 (2025), but based on the models we saw at CES we can put together a general idea of the port array on the new Blade laptop for you. At least one, if not both of those USB Type-C ports should be Thunderbolt 5.

• 1x DC-in
• 1x HDMI 2.1
• 2x USB Type-C
• 3x USB Type-A
• 1x SD card reader
• 1x security lock slot

This should be enough ports for any gamer, allowing you to skip out on the USB-C hub or laptop docking station.

Razer Blade 16 (2025): Display

The Razer Blade 16 (2025) has a 16-inch 240Hz (2880 x 1440) OLED display with a response time of just 0.2ms. Razer displays are generally on the good side, and OLED panels offer a solid advantage in terms of color vibrancy.

Older OLED panels used to suffer in terms of brightness, but plenty of modern OLEDs can get a good 300-500 nits, so we're not too worried about a dim display with this panel option.

While I didn't get a chance to see the Blade 16 display in a well-lit environment to test for glare, the OLED panel looked great in low-light in the Razer press suite and the Nvidia press demo area. Playing Cyberpunk 2077 on the Blade 16 (2025) was an absolute treat, as the game has a wide array of colors and lighting effects, and the Blade 16's panel handled the game with ease.

Razer Blade 16 (2025): Performance and heat

Rather than pairing the Blade 16 (2025) with the brand new "Fire Range" variant of AMD gaming processors, Razer opted for the "Strix Point' Ryzen AI 300 series. This decision likely came down to the chassis redesign for the Blade 16, which required a new cooling system to keep the RTX 50-series GPUs running. So, to offset the cooling requirements of the RTX 5090 GPU, Razer opted for the more power-efficient AI PC chip instead of the gaming processor.

The Ryzen AI 300 series has proven to have solid multicore performance in our testing on various other laptops, including gaming machines like the Asus TUF Gaming A14. So, seeing the AI PC chip here isn't completely out of nowhere.

Razer's redesigned thermal hood for the 2025 Blade 16 is intended to get the most power out of the CPU and GPU possible with a new generation of Razer's patented vapor chamber. Featuring a dual-fan design with 0.05mm exhaust fins, the new vapor chamber covers 57% of the motherboard surface area. This should keep the Blade 16 cool even under sustained stress conditions like gaming or rendering video.

Of course, we'll have to wait to get the Blade 16 into our labs for testing to determine how well Razer has optimized this ultra-slim laptop for performance and heat management.

Razer Blade 16 (2025): Gaming and graphics

While Razer's choice to opt for AMD's AI PC chip instead of the gaming chip could lead to some CPU bottlenecking, Strix is not a gaming processor; the CPU does have high multicore and multi-thread performance, so gaming at the maximum 1440p resolution should help alleviate any issues there.

We do know a bit about how the Nvidia RTX 5080 laptop GPU will handle various games thanks to Nvidia's most recent news drop. However, we don't have confirmed performance benchmarks for the flagship RTX 5090 laptop GPU. But we expect it to offer about 10-30% better performance than the RTX 4090 laptop GPU.

I spent some time playing Cyberpunk 2077 on the Blade 16 at the Nvidia press suite at CES. While the game did have DLSS 4 enabled, it played smoothly and looked pretty great even with the frame-generation software. A representative from Nvidia confirmed that the Blade 16 had performed well with gaming, without any CPU bottlenecks or thermal throttling in their testing.

For a more reliable understanding of gaming performance on the Blade 16 though, we'll have to see how well the laptop handles in our suite of gaming and graphics tests in the Laptop Mag labs.

Razer Blade 16 (2025): What's next?

As always with our hands-on experiences, our final call will have to wait until we've had a lot of dedicated hands-on time with the laptop and have put it through our rigorous testing process.

However, there is plenty of reason to be eyeing the new Blade 16 if you're looking to upgrade your gaming laptop setup this year. The Blade 16 (2025) does have an improved keyboard, a 240Hz OLED display panel, and a new Nvidia RTX GPU up to the 5090 flagship. So, while it may not be the thinnest laptop Razer has ever built, it is the thinnest Blade 16 model we've seen.

While the CPU and GPU combo isn't the most common we'll see with the RTX 50-series, it isn't unheard of, and of all the AI PC chips, AMD's Ryzen AI 300 "Strix Point" is the best choice for a gaming platform. So it shouldn't hurt your performance.

The only real catch is the price tag, which could be upwards of $4,000 at the top end, but even that remains a mystery for now.

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I know, I know... AI is in everything now.

Your phones, your laptops, your email, and sometimes, regrettably, your search engines. And naturally, as a tech category with lots of avid fans, gaming is seemingly up next.

As it stands, there's a lot that tech companies think AI can offer to the world of gaming — dialogue generation and simplified game development, just to name a couple.

But for Razer, a consistent force in the world of PC gaming in particular, it's all about coaching.

Meet Project Ava

At CES 2025 in Las Vegas, Razer took the wraps off its Project Ava concept which uses AI to give real-time coaching for gamers.

A real-time AI coach for League of Legends wasn't on my CES bingo card, but I got to see Ava in action and I'm now convinced AI is about to completely change the way lots of people play games — for better and maybe worse.

But before we get into that, let's start from the top: what even is an AI coach? In Razer's vision, that answer is a pretty broad one.

Ava, at least in the vision laid out at CES, can do a lot, but the pillar of its usefulness is real-time coaching. In practice, this feature of Ava plays out just like you might think.

Say you're playing League of Legends, for example, and you want to know which lane to push or which strategy to adopt to give you the best chances of winning. All you have to do is query Ava with a question and boom, you'll get a strategy tailored to your question.

Where things get really interesting, however, is in how Ava comes up with the answer. Unlike other AI esports coaches, Ava's answers aren't just based on data from games of other people, it's based on what's happening in your game specifically. That's thanks to the use of Razer's vision analysis. In short: Ava is watching you play.

That difference gives Ava a more personal approach than other AI coaches and could potentially make it more appealing for gamers who want specific questions on the fly. This would also give Ava an edge in more competitive gaming where even minor adjustments in the moment could make a big difference.

And the coaching doesn't stop there. Razer also showed off another feature of Ava, which is a post-game analysis that breaks down what you may have done wrong or what you did right so you can adjust your play in the future. Again, that might not be a must-have feature for everyone, but if you're a competitive gamer who wants to elevate your play, then a little tough love might not be such a bad thing.

Not just esports

So, what about the rest of us who enjoy gaming in a more casual, less eye-eroding, manner?

Well, thankfully it's not all about esports. Razer is also envisioning Ava as a walkthrough coach for more single-player experiences like Black Myth: Wukong. If you're stuck on a boss, for example, you can have Ava give you some tips about timing — when to dodge, when to block, when a special attack is coming. And again, the advice is tailored specifically to the game, meaning you're not getting general tips on RPGs, you're getting tips about the game you're playing in that moment.

Razer also says it will adjust Ava's coaching style to your preferred level of involvement. If you want a more hands-off coach to sprinkle in tips here and there, then you could choose that. If you want a real step-by-step coach, then you could choose that too.

I watched and listened to Ava's advice on a boss in Black Myth: Wukong and was impressed by its real-time coaching acumen during the fight. Whether Razer could actually deliver coaching with that speed in the real world is a different question entirely, but this is a concept after all, and with some suspension of disbelief included, it was fun to watch.

And sure, YouTube could give you the same walkthrough, but why pause your game and trawl the internet for a tutorial when Ava can do it right there and then?

Who is Ava for?

If you're reading the description of Ava and yelling at your screen, I feel you.

An AI gaming coach isn't for everyone, and in some ways, the idea also rubs me the wrong way. Playing a game, fighting a boss, and losing are all a part of the process of learning how to win in a game, but also (to put my philosophical hat on for a moment) learning how to love it.

Game designers, at least good ones, spend a lot of time thinking about the difficulty and how much to instruct players on how to play the game, and making coaching so accessible might detract from the raw discovery and mystique of getting better at it.

Lord knows I've watched my fair share of Elden Ring tutorials, but that's only after trying and failing to figure something out myself. And if an AI coach like Ava is constantly by your side making sure you don't miss something, it's worth asking what, if anything, is lost with that style of play.

Those are all questions we can't answer, of course, but maybe not for long. Razer and other gaming companies seem intent on using AI for in-game guidance, and it's only a matter of time before we start to see more and more of their philosophies creep in.

I might not be convinced that using Ava is the most rewarding way of playing a game, but Razer has convinced me of one thing: AI coaches are coming to a title new year whether you want them to or not.

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While I wasn't a part of Laptop Mag's outbound team to CES 2025 this year, I'd like to imagine that its booth was visible to all in attendance within The Venetian Expo center in Las Vegas, Nevada, guided by an aurora borealis-like glow of colors as the company's peripheral parishioners extol its prime directive: There's no such thing as too much RGB.

In my eyes, Razer is defined by three key things: powerful gaming hardware (as with the recently revealed Razer Blade 16), a wide spread of high-performance and forward-thinking peripherals and accessories (with the company's Project Arielle concept a prime example), and glorious swatches of Chroma RGB.

At CES 2025, Razer revealed a tight packaging of the latter two company values by unveiling its new Monitor Stand Chroma. Part ergonomic laptop or monitor stand, part USB-C hub, part cable management solution, and part disco for your desktop, Razer's latest dive into desktop accessories has a huge amount of potential for modest setups and is available to order now for $199 through Razer's online store.

Razer Monitor Stand Chroma: The illumination of organization

Perhaps taking inspiration from Pink Floyd's The Dark Side of the Moon, Razer's Monitor Stand Chroma comes in any color you like, as long as it's electrochemically bonded matte black. Though, its Chroma RGB does offer a praising prism of customizable colors to be shone on anything tucked into its serviceably sized storage nook.

The stand's remappable Chroma RGB button allows users to cycle through available presets quickly, but as with most Chroma products released by Razer, these options can be tweaked and customized to your liking through the Razer Synapse app, even changing the function of the switch entirely.

Its anodized aluminum build can support devices up to 44 pounds in weight, making it not just a solid solution for your primary monitor but also a decent plinth for your laptop too — as long as it can straddle the stand's 19.7 x 8.27 x 3.09-inch dimensions, anyway.

However, Razer's stand isn't all about the ergonomic benefits of raising your monitor a few inches into the air, something proven to help improve posture and reduce strain on the neck, shoulder, and back (while leaving your setup looking "fly as all hell"). The stand also incorporates a small USB-C hub, capable of supporting a single external monitor via HDMI, and a small selection of Type-A and Type-C USB peripherals (full rundown shown below).

• (Host) 1 x USB Type-C port
• 1 x Remappable Chroma RGB button
• 2 x USB 3.2 Type-A ports
• 1 x USB 3.2 Type-C port
• 1 x HDMI 2.0 port

Great for small setups, but even better when paired with a docking station

As stated, Razer's stand is of fantastic value to those running a minimalist or smaller setup, offering neat cable management, a tidy little storage nook, ergonomic improvements, and the impeccable flair of the brand's Chroma lighting.

However, the Monitor Stand Chroma's port selection is a little on the short side, making it an ideal companion to work with the Razer Thunderbolt 4 Dock Chroma — a similarly RGB-laden accessory ready to host the stand and other Thunderbolt/USB-C peripherals while providing your laptop with a considerable 90 watts of Power Delivery and 40Gbps data transfer rates.

I reviewed Razer's docking station in June 2024, giving it four out of five stars and a spot in our roundup of the best laptop docking stations. While its lack of legacy ports suitable for USB dongles or cables commonly used by gaming peripherals was an issue, pairing both the Thunderbolt dock and monitor stand makes for an impressive combo that's sure to please.

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The Razer Kishi V2 Mobile Gaming Controller turns your phone into a handheld gaming rig. For a limited time, you can now snag one at a massive 60% discount.

Amazon has the Razer Kishi V2 Mobile Gaming Controller for $39. That's $40 off its regular price of $79 and the lowest price ever for this phone controller. It's one of the best gaming deals of the season.

If you want to game on the go and don't want to buy a separate gaming handheld like a Nintendo Switch or Lenovo Legion Go. It connects to most Android phones via a center-mounted USB-C port to convert your phone into a handheld gaming console, complete with D-pad, ABXY buttons, and thumbstick controls. It supports cloud gaming via various popular services, so you can access your favorite AAA games on the go.

If you want to game on your phone and love tactile controls, act fast to grab this limited-time deal at Amazon on the Razer Kishi V2 Mobile Gaming Controller.

Today's best Razer Kishi V2 deal

When it comes to concept flexing, Razer is always ready to pull up to CES with something interesting to show, be that the triple-screened Project Valerie gaming laptop, an RGB-laden N95 respirator to tackle the Corona Virus with pure gamer chic, or Project Fiona — a handheld gaming PC that looks like it fell out of Optimus Prime's chest, ready to light the Autobot's darkest hour.

The company has once again turned up with the goods at CES 2025, revealing Project Arielle, a gaming chair concept designed to keep players cool under pressure or warmly satiated during cozy game sessions.

However, on the surface, Project Arielle lacks the same kind of bold vision we've become used to from Razer concepts, leaving me to wonder if Razer even realizes how well its concept and the Razer Freyja haptic gaming cushion could combine to deliver incredible sensory immersion in today's top games.

Knowingly or not, Razer's Project Arielle is potentially inching the company toward something far greater: at-home 4D gaming.

Keep cool and carry on

Built upon the "exceptional breathability" of Razer's Fujin Pro mesh gaming chair, the elevator pitch for Project Arielle would probably be something along the lines of "Air conditioning for your butt."

Making use of an integrated fan system powered by a whisper-quiet, three-phase, brushless DC motor and energy-efficient PTC heaters, Arielle is capable of raising or lowering temperatures on-demand — capable of reducing the perceived temperature by up to 5°C or bringing the heat with up to 30°C of warm air delivery.

The concept is solid, offering a handy way to keep your temperature well-regulated across ultra-tense, sweat-heavy rounds of Call of Duty: Warzone, or providing a toasty nest to cozy into during your stay in Animal Crossing: New Horizons.

However, while comfort is key, immersion is king, and Razer's Project Arielle could be capable of so much more if it could only adopt similar functionality to Razer's Chroma RGB lighting to react to on-screen action.

Imagine if you will the feel of the sun beating on your back as you wander the tropical island of Guarma in Red Dead Redemption 2, or the chill from Alien: Isolation's narrow retro-futuristic corridors abetting your intensely beating heart, with the only reprise being the electrical shock you feel after wetting yourself when the Xenomorph leaps out of a nearby vent with a hankering for the taste of Warrant Officer.

A match made in immersion heaven

While the potential of what Project Arielle could eventually become goes beyond temperature controls for your tush, the experience could be pushed even further by pairing the gaming chair with Razer's Freyja — a haptic gaming cushion (based on CES 2024's Project Esther concept, and shown below) powered by six Sensa HD haptic motor actuators to deliver tactile feedback synced to in-game actions.

Razer's accessories could combine to provide a genuine at-home 4D gaming experience, allowing you to feel the breeze on your shoulders and the pounding of horse hooves through your core as you ride into battle, or the warmth of a bustling underground Berlin rave with the pulsing of bass rippling through your chest in Hitman World of Assassination.

What's next?

I can speculate endlessly about the possibilities of Project Arielle, but it remains to be seen what Razer will do with the concept following CES 2025. While Project Esther made it to a full release via Razer Freyja, there's no announcement on Arielle following suit just yet. However, if Project Arielle makes it that far, I can only hope that Razer will have found a way to integrate it into the gaming experience further.

Razer doesn't make games, but it excels at crafting hardware that enhances the experience of playing them. Project Arielle deserves no less of a shot at this task.

Perhaps we'll have to wait for this 4D entertainment godsend to arrive, and at CES 2026 we'll be reporting on further coincidental steps towards an obvious outcome.

How about an RGB-laden spray bottle to simulate in-game splashes or an odor diffuser that really lets you soak in the radioactive wasteland populated by Fallout's unwashed masses? Perhaps a 200,000-lumen strobe light to give your Rainbow Six Siege flashbangs a little extra "pop."

Regardless, it's been another bold and vividly RGB-fitted showing from Razer at this year's CES 2025, and we look forward to seeing what the rest of the year holds in terms of releases.

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In the world of tech, the event that kickstarts the year is often the one that defines it, and that honor annually falls to CES (formerly the Consumer Electronics Show) — an exhibition hailed as everything from the world's largest gadget show to the most powerful tech event in the world.

The Laptop Mag team reported directly from Las Vegas, Nevada for the duration of the show's January 7 to January 10 span. It's from here that we captured the computing reveals in consumer tech.

Welcome to Laptop Mag's CES 2025 special issue, offering you a recap of all of the highlights from Las Vegas, Nevada, and a showcase of our hand-picked Laptop Laurel winners across 25 categories.

CES 2025: Laptop Laurels

Throughout this year's showcase, we awarded products that truly stand out from the crowd with our Laptop Laurels — Laptop Mag's very own seal of approval for the best tech on show at CES 2025. Check out the winners below.

CES 2025: News recap

Laptop Mag's combined know-how covers a wide range of tech expertise, from laptops to mobile, processors, artificial intelligence, and more. Thanks to their reporting, our on-the-ground team was able to bring all of the breaking news, hands-on reviews, and consumer tech highlights from CES 2025 to our readers.

This year's outbound team included Laptop Mag Editor-in-Chief Nick Lucchesi, Managing Editor Sean Riley, Senior News Editor James Pero, Staff Writer Madeline Ricchiuto, and Contributing Writer Joanna Nelius.

Cyber Monday is taking absolutely no prisoners with its phenomenal selection of deals, and we're no strangers to finding the best discounts. However, one in particular has absolutely blown me away. I personally believe that Razer Blade offers some of the best gaming laptops out there, thanks to its combination of excellent performance, sturdy design, and long-lasting battery life. However, the downside typically comes in the form of its price, which is always steep.

But now that Cyber Monday is here, the Razer Blade 16 is currently $2,999 at Best Buy. That's still pretty expensive for sure, but it takes $600 off its original price for a laptop featuring an Intel i9-14900HX, Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080, 32GB of RAM, and 1TB of SSD storage. That's all wrapped up in a 2,560 x 1,600-pixel resolution OLED display at 240Hz refresh rate. Essentially, if you're in need of a powerful RTX 4080 laptop that will not disappoint you even a little, look no further than this.

Beyond just that, don't miss out on some of the best Cyber Monday laptop deals we've found throughout our searching for the best deals out there. In general, Razer is hosting its own incredible Cyber Weekend 2024 sales event, where a ton of its best products are on a huge discount.

Today's best Cyber Monday Razer Blade 16 deal

Black Friday is taking no prisoners, yielding some of the greatest discounts we've seen all year, and it's proven the most by our best Black Friday laptop deals. But beyond just laptops, we also have seen great deals on gaming accessories, especially in the realm of keyboards. Razer is one of the best keyboard manufacturers out there, and we're shocked by how steep the deals are for their keyboards.

For example, a keyboard like the Razer BladeWidow V3 Mini Hyperspeed Phantom Edition is now $84 at Best Buy, which is $115 off its original price. Yes, this keyboard is more than half off what it initially was, and beyond just that, it's an absolute champion for competitive gamers, featuring mechanical linear switches that are silent, RGB backlighting and more.

But if you don't want to break the bank, and just need a solid gaming keyboard to accompany your gameplay, there's also an incredible choice like the Razer Cynosa V2 for $24 at Best Buy. Yes, that's right, you'll get a full Razer keyboard (meaning it has a number pad, arrows keys, and navigation keys) for just $24, which is $35 off its original price.

All in all, I'm amazed by the Razer deals we've seen for keyboards so far, so here's a bunch to make your Black Friday even better.

Best Black Friday Razer keyboard deals

Razer makes some of the best gaming laptops, but they're always so expensive. Well, not always. The Razer Blade 16 is seeing a massive discount on its massive features which make it the ultimate gaming laptop.

You can get the Razer Blade 16 for $2,499 at Amazon. No, that is actually not expensive considering what you get. This gaming laptop is outfitted with an Intel Core i9-13950HX processor, an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080 12GB GPU, 32GB of RAM, a 1TB SSD, and a 16-inch, 4K 120Hz and 1080p 240Hz, Mini LED display.

Yes, you read that right. This Razer Blade 16 offers a dual-mode display, which means you can swap between 4K and 1080p. This will give you the best of both worlds: Fidelity and Performance. Depending on the game, you can prioritize one over the other.

In our Razer Blade 16 review, we praised the gaming laptop for its epic performance, bright and vivid dual-mode display, and great audio performance. We dinged it for its slower SSD and the fact you need to restart the laptop in order to switch display types. Overall, however, it earned 4 out of 5 stars with an Editor's Choice award.

It might not be perfect, but the Razer Blade 16 is easily one of the best gaming laptop deals on Black Friday.

The best Razer Blade 16 Black Friday deal

I've been playing Final Fantasy XIV since the Heavensward expansion came out almost a decade ago in the summer of 2015. I've played the game on nearly every platform, including PlayStation 4, Xbox, and macOS. I've used old-school keyboard and mouse controls, and I've played with gamepads on console and PC. My in-game time counter is ranked in months, not hours or days.

I tested the Final Fantasy XIV: Dawntrail graphic updates on two gaming laptops and PS5 to see what specs you need to fully enjoy the increased texture details that came with the latest expansion. I frequently use my FF14 addiction to test gaming rigs and even thin-and-light premium laptops. I used the Dawntrail benchmark and live gameplay to evaluate AMD's new Fluid Motion Frames 2 technology for integrated GPUs.

So, I think it's safe to say that I know Final Fantasy XIV pretty well.

While Cyber Monday is over, you can still get a solid $30 off my favorite Final Fantasy XIV companion, the Razer Naga V2 Pro. The Naga V2 Pro had dropped down to just $132 at Amazon over the Black Friday-Cyber Monday weekend, but the stock has run out so that sale is no longer available. Making the $149 deal from Razer the best bargain right now.

If you've been considering leveling up your gaming mouse, don't wait, the Cyber Monday deals are disappearing quickly.

The best Razer Naga V2 Pro extended Cyber Monday deal

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Amazon has slashed more than $400 off the Razer Blade 14 (mid-2023) model, making one of my favorite gaming laptop configurations an even better deal.

While I am incredibly fond of the Razer Blade 14 (2024) that I reviewed earlier this year, its performance wasn't much better than the previous model, and the battery life was significantly worse. This led me to argue that the Razer Blade 14 (2023) was the better purchase, which isn't shocking given that our reviewer, Claire Tabari, called that model "a jack-of-all-trades that does everything wonderfully."

There are only a handful of differences between the two Blade 14 models, as they're built on the same chassis and feature a powerhouse Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 GPU. Both laptops have the same display specs, similar memory and storage configuration options, making the AMD Ryzen 9 processor generation the only difference. The 2023 Blade 14 features a Ryzen 9 7940HS processor compared to the 2024 Blade which has a Ryzen 9 8945HS CPU.

So, shaving a cool $400 off the Razer Blade 14 (2023) thanks to Amazon's Black Friday deals makes it an even better purchase.

But if the Blade 14 sale isn't quite good enough to tempt you, we have a bevy of gaming laptops on sale for Black Friday if you'd prefer to shop around for the best deal.

The best Blade 14 Black Friday deal

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Black Friday is looming over us all and it's usually the perfect time to upgrade to a new laptop or pick up some accessories, but why wait for another month when there are loads of excellent early Black Friday deals at Razer right now?

If you're looking for the best laptops, a pair of deals caught our eye, starting with a whopping $800 discount on the Razer Blade 18 RTX 4060, down to just $2099. It's got a massive (by laptop standards) 18-inch QHD display that makes AAA games shine, and some serious hardware under the hood to power them.

If you want something a little more portable (and yet somehow even more powerful), there is also $200 off the Razer Blade 16 OLED RTX 4070, down to just $2799. You're paying more for a smaller laptop, sure, but you're upgrading the GPU, CPU, and getting an OLED display to boot.

You can also upgrade your peripheral game in Razer's sale. The best mouse deal we've spotted is this Razer Naga V2 Pro + Mouse Dock Pro Bundle which is $30 off, down to $219. You get a beast of a gaming mouse that's tailor-made for MMO players, and the bundle comes with a wireless charging station too. And for your clickety-clackety mechanical keyboard needs, the Razer DeathStalker V2 Pro Tenkeyless is $60 off, down to $159.

The final thing that caught our eye is a little different — the Razer Edge Gaming Tablet and Kishi V2 Pro Controller which is down to $250, down a massive $150 from its usual price. This powerful Android gaming tablet is the ultimate upgrade for mobile gamers, offering a beautiful display, powerful hardware, and a comfortable controller at a very reasonable price.

Best Razer early-Black Friday deals

We might have mentioned it once or twice already, but October Prime Day is here, and that means great deals on a huge range of tech. One area that caught our eye was the huge range of Razer peripheral deals on Amazon, with up to 55% off on a range of mice, keyboards, headsets, and more — ideal for gamers looking to upgrade their setup.

Razer makes some of the most beautiful and best-performing peripherals on the market, offering premium build quality, top-end specs, and slick-looking RGB. The only downside is that you usually pay a high price for that quality, but these Prime Day offers really take the edge off the Razer, bringing many into downright bargain territory.

If you need a new mouse, you can snag $30 off the Razer Basilisk V3 and Razer Basilisk V3 Pro, or $40 off the Razer DeathAdder V3 Pro. There are some hefty savings to be found on a couple of their mini-format keyboards, with over 40% off both the Razer BlackWidow V3 Mini and Razer Huntsman Mini.

Finally, on the audio front, you can find a tasty $30 discount on the Razer BlackShark V2 gaming headset or a whopping 53% off the Razer Seiren V2 X standalone microphone.

Best Razer gaming peripherals October Prime Day deals

Razer manufacturers some of the best gaming laptops out there, and when looking at 2023, the Razer Blade 14 was my favorite gaming laptop of that year and I went so far as to call it the "best gaming laptop you can buy" in my 4.5 out of 5 star review. And with October Prime Day now live, competing retailers are hosting their own selection of deals for powerful Razer gaming laptops.

In this case, Best Buy features a selection of Razer gaming laptops available at a discounted price. One example is the Razer Blade 17 currently on sale for $1,699 at Best Buy, which is $2,100 off its original price of $3,799. 

Razer gaming laptops excel that going beyond just providing superb frame rates, as they also consider display vibrancy and brightness, battery life, sturdy design, a satisfying keyboard, and a minimalist aesthetic that makes it feel as good as it looks. There are a few excellent Razer gaming laptops on sale, so let us jump into the best deals.

Best Razer gaming laptop October Prime Day deals

Yep, you read that right. Via RazerCon 2024, the company is bringing immersion to your butt and back with the "world's first HD haptic gaming cushion," called the Razer Freyja.

First debuted as Project Esther at CES 2024, the Razer Freyja is powered by six haptic motor actuators — two for the butt area and four for the back — and it's meant to make your gaming experience more realistic and immersive.

I'm not going to lie, when I first saw this haptic seat cushion, I thought, "That's ridiculous." But the more I think about it and read first-hand accounts of people who've had a chance to test it, the more I'm really, intrigued. 

The Razer Freyja could actually enhance your gaming experience

Depending on which games you love playing, a haptic cushion could truly take your gaming experience to the next level. 

Imagine riding on a horse in Red Dead Redemption II, feeling the rumble of the road below you while cruising around in GTA V, or feeling virtual kickback from your guns and hits from enemies in Helldivers II. None of these games have been mentioned yet as having Sensa Game Integration, needed for "specially tuned haptics from game studio developers."

However, with audio-to-haptics tech, the Freyja cushion can translate whatever you're listening to — a movie, song, or video game — into vibrations you can feel.

If you love to play games in which hearing your surroundings is vital, the Freyja cushion could be a smart investment. The GSC Game World Development Team says, “S.T.A.L.K.E.R. is all about the Zone, and the Zone is all about the immersion. You can literally feel the heartbeat of Chornobyl now with Sensa HD Haptics integrated.”

Those who find default levels of haptic settings to be a bit jarring or distracting will be happy to know they're easily adjustable. There are six levels of haptic intensity to swap between, or you can adjust each actuator's intensity from 0-100%.

Jasmine Mannan of the UK's Mirror publication tested Project Esther at CES 2024 and said that it could have "the potential to revolutionise the way we consume gaming content." I haven't had a chance to test the official Razer Freyja cushion, but I'm inclined to agree, and others on Reddit are similarly intrigued. 

Right now, the cushion is only compatible with PC gaming systems (Windows 10 or higher) and Android 12 or higher, but it's worth noting a Razer employee responded to a Redditor's question about PS5 support with "If and when it happens, it will be communicated. The main item is to secure game studio support on PS5, which is a bit longer and trickier compared to PC."

If you're interested in the Razer Freyja, you can check for a RazerStore location near you to test it out in person or buy it for $299 via Razer.

Nothing makes a desk look cleaner than a cord-free setup, which is why a great wireless mouse is an essential companion for any laptop or desktop.

Gone are the days when a wireless mouse was a premium laptop accessory. Now, you can pick up a wireless mouse for well under $100, and there are thousands of options to choose from, ranging from high-performance gaming mice to specially designed ergonomic mice. I've tried out dozens of mice over the years across different niches and price brackets, so I know finding the best wireless mouse is not a one-size-fits-all quest.

Luckily, this guide is here to help. We've compiled the best wireless mice you can buy. We've tested these mice to ensure they deliver top performance at a fair price so you can be sure you're buying a mouse that's worth your hard-earned money.

Our top picks include mice for right and left-handed users, as well as mice that use Bluetooth and wireless USB dongles. If your laptop is running short on USB ports, you can expand your port selection with one of the best docking stations or USB Type-C hubs. If you're specifically looking for a gaming mouse, visit our guide to the best gaming mice for even more options.

Whether you're a gamer, a professional, or a digital nomad, this guide has the perfect wireless mouse to complete your setup.

The Quick List

Best wireless mouse overall

The Logitech MX Master 3S packs a lot of features into its $100 price tag. It features seven buttons (including a thumb wheel), a unique ergonomic design, quiet buttons, and a rechargeable battery with quick charging capability.

The MX Master 3S is a productivity champ. The wealth of programmable buttons makes it perfect for working with apps that utilize shortcuts and macros, such as Adobe Creative apps.

It's also a fantastic ergonomic option for those who may not like the form factor of a vertical mouse. The MX Master 3S has a uniquely angled and curved design with a built-in thumb rest but maintains the horizontal layout of a conventional mouse. So, it can help improve comfort at your desk without forcing you to retrain your muscle memory. The only downside to this design is it's only compatible with right-handed users.

The MX Master 3S is compatible with Windows, macOS, Linux, ChromeOS, iPadOS, and Android via Bluetooth. You can also use the Logi Bolt USB dongle to connect it to Windows, macOS, Linux, or ChromeOS devices.

See our full Logitech MX Master 3S review.

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Best budget wireless mouse

The Logitech G305 LIGHTSPEED is one of the best deals in tech thanks to its streamlined, sturdy design and affordable price. At just $60, it perfectly balances price and functionality, especially since it often goes on sale for $50 or even $40.

All the buttons have moderate tactile feedback but aren't overly loud. The matte plastic stays cool and comfortable even on hot summer days or during fast-paced gaming sessions. While the G305 might not be the lightest mouse on the market, it is more than capable of delivering excellent gaming performance. There's no RGB, but there are several fun color options to choose from.

The Logitech G305 LIGHTSPEED has a neutral, ambidextrous design so you can use it with either your right or left hand. It connects to Windows, macOS, and ChromeOS using a USB 2.4GHz dongle. It does not have a rechargeable battery, unfortunately, but a single AA battery lasts up to 250 hours, so you won't need to change the battery often.

I've personally been using a Logitech G305 LIGHTSPEED for over three years, so I can attest to its durability. The buttons and scroll wheel are just as clicky and comfortable as when I first bought my G305.

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Best wireless gaming mouse

The Razer Viper V3 Pro is the best wireless mouse for gaming today. If you want the top performance on the market in a wireless mouse, this is the one to get.

The Razer Viper V3 Pro is the lightest wireless gaming mouse we've reviewed so far, weighing in at a mere 54 grams. It is also one of the first gaming mice to offer true 8K polling in wireless mode. Razer Synapse gives you a wealth of customization options, as well, including a tool that automatically calibrates the Viper V3 Pro to match your old gaming mouse so you don't have to retrain your game reflexes.

The Viper V3 Pro can go anywhere with you, though; it's not just for gaming. It features a minimalistic matte-black design with a neutral shape so you can use it with either hand. Razer also includes a set of stick-on grip pads you can attach if you struggle with sweaty palms and fingers.

At $160, the Razer Viper V3 Pro doesn't come cheap, but it's the top choice if you want a wireless gaming mouse that doesn't compromise. Pros are already embracing it, too — esports pro Zekken won the 2024 Valorant Champions Tour using a prototype of the Viper V3 Pro.

See our full Razer Viper V3 Pro review.

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Best vertical wireless mouse

If you often find yourself struggling with a sore wrist or cramping hands after long days working on your laptop, you might want to add a vertical mouse to your setup. The Logitech Lift is the perfect way to level up your ergonomics without adding yet another pesky wire to your desk.

The Logitech Lift takes the conventional mouse design and turns it 90 degrees so your hand sits vertically on the mouse (rather than twisting to sit parallel to your desk). It's affordable, too, priced at just $70. Plus, Logitech offers right and left-handed versions so lefties aren't left out.

The Logitech Lift only includes 6 buttons, but they're all the basic ones you need for everyday tasks. The sculpted design of the Lift isn't bulky, either. It's designed mainly for people with small and medium-sized hands so it can improve ergonomics without being awkward or cumbersome (if you are someone with larger hands, you might be better off with the HP 925).

The only real downsides to the Logitech Lift are the lack of a rechargeable battery and the learning curve. The Lift is powered by one AA battery, although according to Logitech it can last up to 2 years. Additionally, a vertical mouse can take some getting used to, so be prepared to retrain your muscle memory for the first few hours you're using the Logitech Lift.

See our full Logitech Lift review.

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Best wireless mouse for Mac

Thanks to its compact, minimalistic design and great price, the Logitech MX Anywhere 3 is a stellar companion for any Mac. It's also compatible with iPadOS and features tri-mode connectivity, so you can connect it to your Mac and iPad at the same time. The Mac-specific version of the MX Anywhere 3 is even specially optimized for the Apple ecosystem.

The MX Anywhere 3 costs $80, but delivers more features than a touchpad or even Apple's Magic Mouse. With six buttons, you have more control and the ability to customize your button layout for shortcuts and macros in apps like FinalCut Pro or Adobe Photoshop. There's also a dedicated button on the bottom of the mouse for easily jumping between up to three connected devices.

The compact, slightly contoured design of the MX Anywhere 3 is ideal for right-handed users with small hands, but the contouring is the same on each side so you can use it with either hand. You can use it anywhere, too — the Logitech Darkfield sensor works on everything from wood to glass. You can also customize performance and button assignments in the Logi Options app.

See our full Logitech MX Anywhere 3 review.

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How to choose the best wireless mouse for you

Choosing the best wireless mouse for you is all about balancing price with one or two must-have features. Most high-quality wireless mice cost $50 to $70 with more premium models priced at $80 to $100. There are mice that cost far more than that, though, particularly in the gaming niche, where a pro-tier wireless mouse can cost upwards of $150.

The average user should plan to spend around $50 to $65 on a good, all-purpose wireless mouse. The Logitech G305 LIGHTSPEED is a great option in this price range and often goes on sale for as little as $40. It's a gaming mouse, but it's great for just about anything, features good build quality, and comes in a handful of vibrant (and neutral) colors.

If you're looking for the best wireless mouse for your work setup, focus on productivity features and ergonomics. The Logitech MX Master 3S balances both superbly well, making it a top choice for any workstation. At $100, it's in the premium tier, but you get a lot of value for that price. The Logitech Lift also makes an excellent work companion thanks to its vertical form factor, which can significantly improve desk ergonomics.

As for gaming mice, it's tough to beat the Razer Viper V3 Pro. A top gaming mouse isn't going to be cheap, but shouldn't compromise on DPI, polling rate, and weight. The Razer Viper V3 Pro does just that. It's one of the lightest wireless gaming mice on the market and delivers pro-level performance. If you want to compare it to some competitors, take a look at our guide to the best gaming mice.

Beyond basic use cases, it's also important to consider what type of wireless connection you prefer. Some wireless mice use Bluetooth, others use a USB receiver or dongle, and many use a combination of both.

If your laptop doesn't have many ports (or you use a lot of USB accessories), you may want to opt for a Bluetooth wireless mouse. On the other hand, if you want to easily swap between different laptops or desktops, a wireless mouse with a USB receiver can simplify that by cutting out the Bluetooth pairing process.

How we test

Laptop Mag tests mice through multiple days of everyday use in different apps and games. We pay close attention to how every mouse performs across the board to determine what it's great at, and where it falls short. If it's a gaming mouse, we play a range of games in different genres with it to test responsiveness, connection stability, skate performance, accuracy, and more.

We also test customization features and apps in-depth (when available), such as button remapping, DPI customization, and polling rate customization.

When determining our final rating, we weigh the mouse's specs, price, and performance during our test period to give it a final score. Our goal is always to ensure you have the most information possible about a product so you know if you're spending your money on a mouse that offers great value for your needs.

The Razer Blade 14 (early 2024) is a powerful, versatile gaming laptop. It's also incredibly portable, weighing just over 4 pounds. But despite that, if you're in the market for a new gaming laptop and you want a 14-inch Razer machine, we'd still have to recommend the Blade 14 (mid-2023) model.

There are only a handful of differences between the two laptops, as they're built on the same chassis, feature the same Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 GPU, have the same spec display, and have similar memory and storage configuration options. In fact, the AMD Ryzen 9 processor is the only major change between the generations. The 2023 Blade 14 features a Ryzen 9 7940HS processor, while the 2024 Blade features a Ryzen 9 8945HS processor.

Razer is still selling the Blade 14 (mid-2023) model, and the 2022 model, for that matter. But with nearly identical specs to the 2024 model, the 2023 Blade 14 is a few hundred dollars cheaper for similarly powerful performance, a more vivid display, and better battery life.

So, with the 8th generation AMD chipset, you'd be trading off a slight increase in performance for far better battery life. So, how much of a difference is it?

Gaming performance

The gaming and general performance difference between the two Blade 14 models is almost negligible.

On the Direct X 12 4K gaming benchmark 3DMark Fire Strike Extreme, the Blade 14 (early 2024) scored an average of 7,307, while the Blade 14 (mid 2023) scored an average of 6,792. Roughly 500 points in 3DMark will hardly break your ability to game and primarily reflects the difference in memory between the two units. The Blade 14 (early 2024) unit we tested had 32GB of DDR5 RAM, while the Blade 14 (mid 2023) model featured only 16GB of memory.

That difference was even more minor when we took more real-world gaming tests into account. On the Far Cry 6 benchmark at 1080p and Ultra High settings, the Blade 14 (early 2024) maintained an average frame rate of 86 frames-per-second (FPS), while the Blade 14 (mid 2023) had an average of 87 FPS. On Far Cry 6 at a QHD+ (2,560 x 1,600) resolution, the Blade 14 (early 2024) had a slight lead with 71 FPS compared to the Blade 14 (mid 2023)'s 68 FPS.

On the Red Dead Redemption II benchmark at 1080p and Medium settings, the Blade 14 (early 2024) averaged 72.98 FPS, while the Blade 14 (mid 2023) averaged 73.43 FPS. At the native QHD+ resolution for both laptops, that gap remained small, with the Blade 14 (early 2024) averaging 45.58 FPS compared to the Blade 14 (mid 2023)'s 44.54 FPS.

A handful of points in 3DMark and a gap of 1-3 FPS in gaming benchmarks is negligible. Especially with the Blade 14 (early 2024) having twice the amount of memory compared to the Blade 14 (mid 2023) model.

General performance

Regarding general performance, both laptops can handle general web surfing, email management, and even most design tasks easily, so the comparison comes down to the benchmarks. Regarding Geekbench 6 scores, the two Blade 14 laptops were nearly identical in single-core performance. The Blade 14 (early 2024) had a single-core average of 2,684 compared to the Blade 14 (mid-2023)'s 2,671 average. The Blade 14 (early 2024) had a multicore average of 13,781, which is a solid lead over the Blade 14 (mid 2023)'s 11,881 average. That said, 2,000 points of Geekbench 6 multicore performance is far from life-changing when you're already over the 10,000-point threshold.

The Blade 14 (early 2024) continued to have a slight lead over the 2023 Blade on our Handbrake and File Transfer Test benchmarks. The Blade 14 (early 2024) took 4 minutes and 1 second to export the 4K version of Tears of Steel as a 1080p 30 FPS format video, which is 44 seconds faster than the Blade 14 (mid-2023), which took 4:45 minutes to complete the same video encoding task.

On our File Transfer Test benchmark, which times how long the laptop takes to copy a 25GB multimedia folder, the Blade 14 (early 2023) had a much quicker transfer rate of 1,952 Mbps compared to the Blade 14 (mid-2023)'s 1,230 Mbps transfer rate.

So, the Blade 14 (early 2024) has a better lead in general performance, though the two laptops are nearly identically powerful at gaming. As previously stated, these small differences in general CPU performance are noteworthy but hardly life-changing for most gamers.

Battery life

Battery life is one thing that gaming laptops are traditionally very bad at. So, the fact that the Blade 14 (mid-2023) had over 8 hours of web surfing battery life was one of its major selling points for us.

The Laptop Mag battery test sets a laptop to 150 nits and cycles through a series of multimedia, static, and video web pages until the battery is fully drained. The Blade 14 (early 2024) managed a respectable 6 hours and 26 minutes on that benchmark, but it was well below the 8:34 offered by the Blade 14 (mid-2023).

Things were a bit better on the PCMark 10 Gaming battery life test, with both laptops set at 150 nits. The Blade 14 (early 2024) managed to last 1 hour and 52 minutes on that benchmark, while the Blade 14 (mid-2023) lasted 1:46. However, 8 minutes of gaming time on the PCMark 10 battery benchmark is not outside the realm of standard deviation.

So, if the gaming battery tests are close enough, we would consider that parity between the generations, the Blade 14 (mid-2023) is clearly the superior choice for battery life. After all, that 2-hour gap in web surfing battery life is nothing to overlook. It's the difference between having a gaming laptop that can keep up with your day-to-day work for a full day and a laptop that only lasts for half the day.

Display

If the combination of similar performance between the two, longer battery life for the older model, and a much cheaper starting price weren't enough, let me tell you about the displays. 

The Razer Blade 14 (mid-2023) display blew our reviewer away as she explored Elden Ring and found herself "temporarily lost in the deep black and golden glow of magic spells being tossed at me within Laskyar Ruins." Don't worry; we've got the numbers to back that up.

The mid-2024 Razer Blade 14 beat the early 2024 model in all of our display benchmarks. Display brightness was admittedly close at 464 nits for the older model and 446 nits for the new one, both excellent scores. But the 2023 Blade 14 takes it to another level, covering 114.3% of the DCI-P3 color gamut compared to a mediocre 78.9% for the 2024 model. Delta-E color accuracy is only critical if you create content on the Blade 14, but if you are, the 2023 wins again with an astounding 0.07 compared to 0.23 for the 2024 model.

Verdict

As someone who loves to get as much performance power as I can out of a computer, it hurts to type these words regardless of how true they are. But when you have performance benchmarks as close as the Blade 14 (early 2024), and the Blade 14 (mid-2023), the 2,000 points of Geekbench 6 multicore performance isn't enough to compensate for the 2-hour disparity in battery life or the vastly better display.

So, it really does make more sense to pick the 2023 Blade 14. Especially when you consider that the older model Blade is also cheaper, starting at $1,899 compared to the 2024's $2,199 entry price. 

The Razer Blade 14 combines high-end performance with the portability of a 14-inch laptop chassis, making it a compelling choice for gamers on the go. Last year’s model had some of the best battery life we’ve seen on a gaming laptop, making it a shoo-in for our list of best gaming laptops.

With an updated Ryzen 9 CPU and an RTX 4070, the Razer Blade 14 (early 2024) model continues to offer blazing performance in a sturdy aluminum chassis. However, it doesn’t quite meet the battery life standards set by the Razer Blade 14 (mid-2023) model, which makes it a bit less compelling than the previous generation.

That battery shortcoming doesn’t mean the Razer Blade (early 2024) isn’t worth your time, but it does come with a few more caveats this time, so let’s get into it.

Razer Blade 14 (early 2024): Specs

Razer Blade 14 (early 2024): Price and configurations

The Razer Blade 14 (early 2024) starts at $2,199, offering an AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS CPU with an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 GPU, just like the new Asus Zephyrus G14. It also has 16 GB of memory and 1TB of storage space. This configuration is only available in the traditional Razer black and green colorway.

For an additional $500, you can upgrade the RAM to 32GB of memory and swap in the Nvidia RTX 4070 — a GPU that peppers our guide to the best gaming laptops. You cannot upgrade only the memory at this time. This $2,699 version of the Blade 14 comes in both the Black and Mercury colorways. While $2,199-$2,699 isn’t the most expensive price range for a gaming laptop, it is a pretty steep price for a laptop with an  Nvidia RTX 4060 or 4070 GPU. 

Razer Blade 14 (early 2024): Design

Razer has kept the Blade 14's exterior design mostly the same, utilizing a minimalist aluminum clamshell design reminiscent of the Apple MacBook Pro. 

The Razer Blade 14 (early 2024) model is no exception, and the mercury-silver colorway of our review unit will only feed more Apple comparisons. This isn’t inherently a bad thing, but the Blade 14 may feel a bit boring for a gaming laptop. I will say that the mercury option is more resistant to fingerprints and smudges than the more traditional Razerblack chassis.

As far as travel goes, the Blade 14 is easily portable at 12.23 x 8.97 x 0.7 inches and 4.1 pounds. You can find plenty of laptop bags or backpacks that will suit the Blade 14 without needing to look too hard.

In fact, those dimensions are exactly the same as the 2023 Blade 14. So you aren’t adding any extra weight or thickness in choosing the newer generation of Blade 14 laptop. The bad news for Blade 14 is that some of its competition manages to be both thinner and lighter. In particular, the HP Omen Transcend 14 has similar dimensions at 12.3 x 9.2 x 0.7 inches but is only 3.7 pounds. The Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 (2024) is the thinnest and lightest of the bunch, measuring 12.3 x 8.7 x 0.6 inches and weighing 3.3 pounds.

While you aren’t liable to wreck your back toting around any of these gaming laptops, the Blade 14 is thicker and heavier. It’s not a massive difference in weight, but that extra eight ounces can make a difference.

Razer Blade 14 (early 2024): Ports

The Razer Blade 14 is a premium gaming laptop with the ports to match. Featuring two  Thunderbolt 4 ports with 100 watts of power delivery, two USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports, one HDMI 2.1 output, and a 3.5mm combo audio jack, it should have enough ports for all of your gaming accessories.

Unless you’re running a multi-monitor configuration, it's unlikely you’ll need additional connection options. However, if you want to use the Blade 14 for content creation, it may be worth investing in one of the best USB Type-C hubs or best laptop docking stations to optimize your streaming setup. 

Razer Blade 14 (early 2024): Display

The Razer Blade 14’s QHD+ 240Hz matte anti-glare display panel is bright and vivid enough to capture color and depth across various entertainment options. I had little trouble viewing low-light environments while gaming, and the display held up well while streaming, although it did struggle a bit with dim scenes in movies and tv shows.

The Blade 14 (early 2024) captured the crisp details in the trailer for Robert Egger’s Nosferatu. However, it struggled a bit with the deep blacks, particularly during the shot of a lonely carriage trundling along a mountain path toward an ominous castle in the distance. The daytime scenes of rats on the streets of Victorian London were more vibrant and detailed in comparison. The QHD+ panel did a good job with the trailer but fell short compared to an OLED screen.

While gaming, I noticed far less of a struggle. The Blade 14 easily kept up with the Underdark cave sequences of Bladur’s Gate III and didn’t stutter much when forced to handle the player effects barrage of a Final Fantasy XIV raid. That said, I didn’t get around to testing too many horror games on the Blade 14. So while I easily got around in indie horror titles Inner Voices and Song of Horror, I did need to be careful of my Gamma settings to ensure I didn’t lose any terrifying details.

My experience is supported by our lab benchmarks, which report the panel as bright and relatively accurate but not quite as vibrant as the previous generation of Blade 14. 

According to our display testing equipment, the Razer Blade 14 (early 2024) captured 78.9% of the DCI-P3 color gamut with a Delta-E accuracy of 0.23. The Razer Blade 14 (mid-2023) captured 114.3% of the DCI-P3 color gamut with an accuracy of 0.07. That’s a pretty big gap in both color gamut coverage and accuracy.

The Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 (2024) is a bit more vibrant than the 2024 Blade 14, covering 85.2% of the DCI-P3 color space with an accuracy of 0.23. The most vibrant of the bunch is the HP Omen Transcend 14, which covers 135% of the DCI-P3 color gamut with an accuracy of 0.29.

Regarding brightness, the Blade 14 (early 2024) is on the brighter side for a gaming laptop, with a display average of 446 nits. The Blade 14 (mid-2023) was a bit brighter, offering 464 nits of average brightness, while the Zephyrus G14 (387 nits) and Omen Transcend 14 (392 nits) didn’t quite beat the 400-nit mark. So if you prefer to watch your vampire movies with the house lights on, the Blade 14 has a peak brightness and anti-glare matte panel capable of keeping up with even the most dedicated daywalker.

Razer Blade 14 (early 2024): Keyboard and touchpad

The Razer Blade 14 has a large 6 x 3.4-inch precision glass touchpad and an RGB keyboard powered by Razer Chroma. This is pretty much the standard setup for keyboards and touchpads on all Razer laptops, so these touchpoints will feel familiar to Razer owners.

The keyboard has solid click activation and is springy enough to feel comfortable under your hands. The per-key lighting is customizable in Razer Synapse, so you can sync it with your other gaming accessories. The keys are spaced nicely as well, so you don’t have much of a problem with any mistypes.

On the 10FastFingers advanced typing test, I averaged 86 words per minute (WPM), just below my 88 WPM average on my MacBook Pro 14.

The large touchpad on the Blade 14 is great for smooth cursor control, though it can take some adjusting to find the right-click zones if you’re coming from a laptop with a smaller touchpad. The palm rejection software is just as good as previous Blade models, so you don’t need to worry about accidentally moving the cursor in the middle of typing, even if your palms slide across the massive trackpad mid-word.

Razer Blade 14 (early 2024): Audio

The Razer Blade 14's built-in stereo speakers are loud enough to provide quality sound even at lower volume ranges. The speakers easily keep up with the Blade 14’s fan noise levels, so you can game without a headset if you like.

As is often the case with laptop speakers, the audio quality gets metallic at higher volumes. This is most noticeable on tracks with high distortion values. So I noticed quite a bit of tinniness when listening to French post-black metal band Alcest’s “Sapphire” at volumes above 60 percent. However, Chappell Roan’s queer pop anthem “Good Luck, Babe” sounded clean and clear even at max volume.

While gaming, this tin-quality wasn’t too problematic until I stepped back into Final Fantasy XIV: Shadowbringers’ Delubrum Reginae raid. I heard the already discordant “The Queen Awakens” with added distortion. I very quickly opted to shut the speakers down for that encounter. Granted, the song is designed to grate on your ears, so I can’t blame the Blade 14 too much for that one.

Of course, if you want immersive surround sound and high-quality audio, you’ll be better served with one of the best computer speakers, but they aren’t a must with the Blade 14. Just highly recommended. 

Razer Blade 14 (early 2024): Graphics and gaming performance

Gaming is the main reason to buy a Razer laptop, so performance testing focuses primarily on gaming performance. 

I broke out a ton of video games to check how the Blade 14 handled several titles and genres. From my MMO addiction vehicle Final Fantasy XIV and current RPG obsessions Baldur’s Gate III and Dragon’s Dogma 2 to indie titles like Rabbit and Steel, Inner Voices, and Song of Horror. I didn’t have any trouble running any of those games on the Blade 14, but with an AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS and RTX 4070, I didn’t expect much trouble.

The Blade 14 easily kept up with packed FFXIV alliance raids with full ability effects enabled, managing a steady 60 frames-per-second (FPS) on high settings at the native QHD+ resolution. Dragon’s Dogma and Baldur’s Gate III also ran easily with vivid details and smooth framerates. In fact, the only real stumbling blocks I found were on the horror side with the Blade 14’s less vivid display panel.

My gaming experience on the Blade 14 was easily backed up by our lab benchmarks. On 3DMark’s Fire Strike Ultra Direct X 11 4K benchmark, the Blade 14 averaged a score of 7,307, which is far better than its competition. 

The Blade 14 (mid-2023) with an AMD Ryzen 9 7940HS CPU and RTX 4070 GPU averaged a score of 6,792, while the Zephyrus G14 with an AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS and RTX 4060 averaged only 5,575. 

The HP Omen Transcend 14, with an Intel Core Ultra 7 155H CPU and RTX 4060 GPU, scored 4,924, trailing behind the other three laptops. 

On 3DMark’s Port Royal ray tracing benchmark, the Blade 14 (early 2024) again led the pack with an average of 7,596, with the Blade 14 (mid-2023) scoring just below at 7,005, while the Zephyrus G14 (5,264) and Omen Transcend 14 (4,498) offered little competition. 

Of course, the Zephyrus G14 and Omen Transcend 14 are powered by an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060, which leads to lower GPU benchmarks, particularly on higher-end gaming tests like Fire Strike Ultra and Port Royal.

We also ran the laptops through a few gaming benchmarks using the built-in benchmarking tools in Far Cry 6 and Red Dead Redemption 2.

On Far Cry 6 at Ultra High settings and 1080p resolution, the Razer Blade 14 (early 2024) averaged a frame rate of 86 FPS, just behind the Razer Blade 14 (mid-2023), which averaged 87 FPS. The Zephyrus G14 averaged 69 FPS on Far Cry 6, while the HP Omen Transcend averaged 62 FPS.

On Red Dead Redemption 2 at Medium settings and 1080p resolution, the Razer Blade 14 (early 2024) averaged a frame rate of 73 FPS, which was identical to the Blade 14 (mid-2023). The Zephyrus G14 averaged 53 FPS, and the Transcend 14 averaged 46 FPS, which really highlights the difference between the RTX 4070 and RTX 4060 GPUs' particular strengths.

Razer Blade 14 (early 2024): Performance

With an AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS AI CPU, 32GB of memory, and 1TB of storage space, there was not much I could do on the Razer Blade 14 that it couldn’t keep up with. Between my usual light Photoshop work, my 57 emotional support Chrome tabs, and Spotify and Discord running in the background, my work day was hardly a challenge.

Between the AI capabilities of the Ryzen 9 8945’s built-in NPU and increased processing power, the Blade 14 was perfectly optimized to easily handle our general productivity benchmarks. 

On the Geekbench 6 CPU benchmark, the Blade 14 (2024) held up a respectable single-core average of 2,648 compared to the 2023 Blade 14 (2,671), 2024 Zephyrus G14 (2,614), and Transcend 14 (2,362). 

With a multicore average of 13,781, the Blade 14 easily crushed our expectations for performance. The Razer Blade 14 (mid2023) averaged just 11,881 on Geekbench 6.2’s multicore benchmark, while the Zephyrus G14 averaged a multicore score of 12,246 and the HP Omen Transcend 14 averaged a multicore score of 13,248. 

Most laptop usage requires multiple cores, so the multicore score on Geekbench is often the most important factor in judging performance. However, some major design and engineering programs require a higher single-core performance metric, so it is worth considering the balance of single-core and multicore performance.

Regarding video editing, our Handbrake test records how long a laptop takes to convert the 4K version of Tears of Steel to a 1080p 30 FPS format. The Blade 14 (early 2024) laptop took just 4:01 minutes to complete the task, while the ROG Zephyrus G14 was a close second at 4:21. The Razer Blade 14 (mid-2023) took a bit longer to complete the video encoding task (4:45) while the HP Omen Transcend was the slowest (5:04) to convert the file.

Finally, we tested the read/write performance of the laptops on our file copy test which takes a 25GB multimedia folder and times how long the laptop takes to copy the folder. The Blade 14 (early 2024) was the quickest at this, taking just 13.8 seconds to copy the folder for a transfer rate of 1,952 MBps. The HP Omen Transcend 14 took 15.5 seconds to copy the folder for a transfer rate of 1,730 MBps. The Zephyrus G14 was a bit slower at 20.8 seconds for a transfer rate of 1,289 Mbps, while the Razer Blade 14 (mid-2023) took the longest at 21.8 seconds for a transfer rate of 1,230 Mbps.

Razer Blade 14 (early 2024): Battery life

Gaming laptops are rarely known for having great battery life, but the Blade 14 (mid-2023) shocked us with its lengthy battery time. Unfortunately, while the Blade 14 (early 2024) model has pretty decent battery life for a gaming laptop, it won’t break any records. In my hands-on testing, I rarely went far from an outlet with the Blade 14 because I’d get through just over half of my work day before needing to get the Blade 14 charged back up.

Our lab results were similarly middling. On the Laptop Mag battery test, we set a laptop to 150 nits of brightness and have it surf the web continuously through a series of static, multimedia, and video web pages. The Blade 14 (early 2024) lasted 6 hours and 26 minutes on the Laptop Mag battery test, while the Blade 14 (mid-2023) beat that mark by over 2 hours at 8:34. 

The loss of two hours and eight minutes is a large drop in battery life from generation to generation, and it’s the most compelling reason to consider the older Blade 14 instead. 

The Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 (8:15) also lasted much longer than the 2024 Blade 14, though the HP Omen Transcend 14 (4:09) made every other 14-inch gaming laptop look better by comparison.

On the PCMark 10 Gaming battery test, with the laptop still set to 150 nits of brightness, the Blade 14 (2024) lasted a respectable 1 hour and 52 minutes. This was just a bit longer than the Blade 14 (2023) model, which lasted 1:46 and is quite impressive compared to the Zephyrus G14 (1:03) and the Transcend 14 (0:58).

Razer Blade 14 (early 2024): Webcam

The Blade 14's built-in webcam is of acceptable quality and has a nice, easy camera shutter for increased privacy. Details are a bit fuzzy on the webcam feed, but the colors are rather accurate. It’s not a dim webcam feed either, so you don’t need to be in extreme light in order to get a decent picture for the occasional video call.

Of course, if you plan to use the Blade 14 for streaming or frequent video calls, I recommend getting one of the best webcams so you get a less grainy feed. 

Razer Blade 14 (early 2024): Heat

Heat can be a problem for a gaming laptop, as the format crams a lot of computing power into a clamshell chassis. Razer uses a vapor chamber cooling system and fans to try and keep the Blade 14 from overheating, but you may still find that your fingers end up getting a bit toasty on the WASD keys after a long gaming session.

On the Laptop Mag gaming heat test, we run the laptop through five loops of Metro Exodus Enhanced Edition’s Extreme benchmark and measure the heat at multiple points on the chassis with an infrared thermometer. The Blade 14 hit a peak of 133 degrees Fahrenheit on the rear underside near the riser, which is well above the Laptop Mag comfort threshold of 95 degrees. So you’ll definitely want to avoid gaming with the Blade 14 on your lap.

After five runs of Metro Exodus, the keyboard hit a max of 107 degrees Fahrenheit between the ‘G’ and ‘H’ keys, which is more than a little uncomfortable. In my own testing, I did notice the Blade 14 took about an hour to ramp up to a high heat while playing Dragon’s Dogma 2, but it still may be worth using a separate keyboard for longer gaming sessions. 

Razer Blade 14 (early 2024): Software and warranty

The Blade 14 has a one-year limited warranty which covers everything but the battery, and a two-year limited battery warranty. You can opt into RazerCare’s Essential for Blade and Elite For Blade optional coverage for a fee.

If you want to see how Razer's customer service performed in our annual ranking, check out our Tech Support Showdown list. 

Bottom line

There are plenty of reasons to recommend the Razer Blade 14 (early 2024), from its fast performance, smooth graphics, impactful speakers, and bright display. However, it does fall short of the previous generation when it comes to displaying vivid color and lasting for a full day on battery. Both the 2023 and 2024 versions of the Blade 14 could get rather hot when gaming, making it imperative to use an external keyboard or mouse for lengthy game sessions.

The Blade 14 starts at $2,199, and the configuration we tested retails for $2,699. While this is hardly expensive compared to the Razer Blade 16, which can easily be configured to cost over $4,000, it is on the pricey side for a gaming laptop with an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 GPU. The good news is that more and more 14-inch gaming laptops are being built every year, so you have plenty more options to choose from. The bad news is that it makes it harder to justify Razer’s price point.

If you love Razer products and need a new gaming laptop, the Blade 14 does offer a good balance of portability and power. And it isn’t egregiously expensive. But if you have a 2023 Blade 14, there really isn’t much reason to upgrade.

Razer makes some excellent gaming laptops and an entire catalog of excellent gaming peripherals. But how do you go about managing all of these devices at once? The Razer Thunderbolt 4 Dock Chroma, that’s how.

Docking stations are pretty well recognized for their ability to manage and maximize your setup if you’re looking to enhance your workflow, but don’t often come across one with gaming as its primary use case.

However, Razer’s offering to the docking station landscape is a welcome one, and I’ve been thoroughly impressed by its performance during my testing. So, what does Razer get right and where does this dock fall short? Let’s find out.

Razer Thunderbolt 4 Dock Chroma: Price and availability

The Razer Thunderbolt 4 Dock Chroma is available for $299 from Amazon and Razer’s official homepage.

Docking stations aren’t exactly revered for their low pricing, and Thunderbolt 4 docking stations even less so. However, the added speed and bandwidth provided by these devices typically prove their worth.

So, how does the Razer Thunderbolt 4 Dock Chroma line up with the competition? Well, compared with the $299 Dell Thunderbolt Dock (WD22TB4), Razer’s dock has a similar offering in terms of USB/Thunderbolt ports, though it offers three downstream Thunderbolt 4 ports as opposed to Dell’s dual USB Type-C and dual downstream Thunderbolt 4 selection. 

Dell’s dock also features a far wider selection of video outputs (including DisplayPort(DP), HDMI, and USB Type-C with DP Alt Mode), while Razer’s dock relies solely on Thunderbolt 4. However, Razer’s dock does include an SD card reader and a 3.5mm audio combo jack for a more media-friendly approach.

Overall, I’d say that Razer’s Thunderbolt 4 Dock might be a tad overpriced, something more video outputs could solve, but then again, Dell’s dock can’t light up like the mothership from Close Encounters of the Third Kind. So there’s that. 

Razer Thunderbolt 4 Dock Chroma: Design

Razer’s docking station is unabashedly designed with gamers in mind. Beyond the obvious brand association, we know this because it lights up like a Christmas tree the moment you plug it in.

The Razer Thunderbolt 4 Dock Chroma’s all-metal body, rounded corners, and sharp edges scream premium gamer chic. Quite frankly, it’s gorgeous — which is something not a lot of docking stations can claim to be.

While it’s designed to lay flat (taking up a 7.48 x 2.93 x 1.06-inch footprint), there’s almost something deep within you on a primal level that urges you to stand this monolithic beauty upright and begin worshiping it a la 2001: A Space Odyssey.

However, there’s a quick genre shift once that full-color RGB kicks in, suddenly you’re squaring up at the start line for a quarter-mile street race with your underglow lighting in full effect.

Before you know it, you’re sitting in front of your setup under a bald cap and donning a muscle vest while gurgling about family. Everything gets a little more The Fast and the Furious, and that’s entirely fitting given the absolute powerhouse of ports in front of you. 

Razer Thunderbolt 4 Dock Chroma: Ports and connectivity

Razer’s dock is a 10-in-1 hardware port expansion, though more accurately a 9-in-1 expansion once you connect the host cable to any compatible Thunderbolt 3/4 device.

You can connect the dock to a USB Type-C port, though you’ll be getting considerably lower speeds and bandwidth. You’ll also need to make sure your USB Type-C port features DP Alt Mode support, or you won’t be able to extend your display using external monitors.

The dock’s front I/O offering is fairly toned down and includes the following ports:

• (Host) Thunderbolt 4 Type-C port (up to 90W PD, 40Gbps)
• 1 x UHS-II SD card reader
• 1 x 3.5mm audio combo jack

The rear of the dock is the business end, housing the following ports:

• (Power) DC-IN (135W)
• 3 x Downstream Thunderbolt 4 Type-C ports (up to 15W PD, 40Gbps, 4K@60Hz)
• 3 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports (10Gbps)
• 1 x Gigabit Ethernet port (1Gbps)

The Razer Thunderbolt 4 Dock Chroma’s biggest flaw is its lack of HDMI/DisplayPort video outputs, leaving you to rely on USB Type-C/Thunderbolt to HDMI/DP cables or adapters to bridge to non-USB/Thunderbolt monitors.

This can dampen the response time of your display as it’s another step between your device and your monitor to contend with, although it’s not highly likely to cause too many noticeable issues for those who aren’t looking for ultimate visual performance.

However, a close second is the fact that gaming setups can become quite dense with accessories and peripherals, and having to rely on just six ports (or five if we assume at least one of the downstream Thunderbolt ports will be used for an external display) can be a tight squeeze.

Razer Thunderbolt 4 Dock Chroma: Software

The Razer Thunderbolt 4 Dock Chroma requires no additional software to use. However, if you want more control over the dock’s RGB lighting then you’ll need to download Razer’s proprietary Synapse software.

From this app, you can control the effect, color, and brightness of the dock’s lighting. More advanced effects can be unlocked by installing the Chroma Studio module, which gives you full control over all 12 zones of RGB, even letting you sync certain zones to regions of your primary display.

Razer Thunderbolt 4 Dock Chroma: Performance

I’ve been letting the Razer Thunderbolt 4 Dock Chroma manage my setup across both work and play, adapting my setup to suit various needs along the way. How did it fare? Overall, Razer’s dock performed incredibly well. But there are some issues you’ll face and things you need to be aware of ahead of your purchase.

Razer’s dock is marketed as a gaming device, but if you plan to connect it to a gaming laptop, take note: the dock’s 90W of Power Delivery (PD) is excellent for supplying power to most laptops but it’s not enough to fully power a dedicated gaming laptop.

Gaming laptops typically require at least 150W, and often 240W or 330W, so Razer’s dock isn’t coming close. As a result, you’ll likely need to rely on your laptop’s proprietary charger at all times, or at the very least while gaming.

This isn’t Razer’s fault, as most current Thunderbolt docks are limited to only providing up to 100W of charge. We’re just not there yet in terms of power throughput.

However, all that could change as Thunderbolt 5 gains more prominence as it offers a minimum of 140W of PD and a potential maximum of 240W. Enough for most gaming laptops.

My typical work setup requires an external keyboard, wireless mouse, and 4K external display. Razer’s dock handled all of that without issue. I was even able to augment this a little further with a USB microphone, and an external storage drive — which once again, the dock handled with ease.

However, I began to feel the pinch of available ports when I switched to a gaming-focused setup. Here I needed my keyboard, mouse, microphone, and monitor at the very least — but if I wanted to connect my Stream Deck and computer speakers I was then at full capacity.

This left me without an option for hosting a second external display, charging a gamepad, or using a wireless headset that required a USB receiver. In short, you won’t get a full suite of gaming peripherals and display options at once, but small to mid-sized setups won’t face much of an issue.

In terms of port performance, Razer’s dock will obviously vary by how many devices you have connected at any one time due to bandwidth (as everything needs to be ferried through the singular Thunderbolt 4 upstream host port).

However, individually all ports perform within the range they’re advertised to be with my tests on each USB port and the UHS-II SD card reader showing speedy file transfers and reliable data rates.

When it comes to monitors, the Razer Thunderbolt 4 Dock Chroma excels, offering support for two 4K monitors running at 60Hz. However, focusing on a single monitor setup, lower resolutions can offer dramatically higher refresh rates. See the table below for a better idea of what you can expect depending on your available display.

Having tested the dock in a dual and single monitor setup, I was impressed with how snappy everything felt, with response time barely impacted and no signs of artifacts or visual lag to be found. Better still, the dock doesn’t get too hot under high load, meaning there's very little cause for concern when it comes to thermal throttling. 

One of my main gripes with the Razer dock may seem rather petty. However, I assure you that it’s not a case of nit-picking. Front-facing host ports are the bane of my existence as somebody who reviews docking stations.

They’re clumsy, expand on a dock’s footprint by causing the host cable to be pushed forward into space that would otherwise be left free, and ultimately impact a dock’s ability to provide good cable management.

While it doesn’t impact performance in any way, Razer’s dock is designed with a certain visual flair to it and it’s meant to be seen. Some docks can get away with a front-facing host port, as they’re designed to blend into the background, but Razer’s dock is intentionally eye-catching with its RGB lighting — which only further draws attention to the host cable’s presence as it blocks out a section of those RGB zones and sullies the look of an otherwise exceptionally stylish device.

Bottom line

Overall, Razer’s Thunderbolt 4 Dock Chroma is an excellent docking station for smaller and mid-sized setups. It’s perhaps held back by the technology of the time, but a Thunderbolt 5 update to this product could see it become an undeniable must-have for gamers in the future.

While its video outputs are limited in variety, the available output of video streams isn’t — catering to a wide selection of monitor types and offering some impressively fast refresh rates. Plus, the thing lights up and, honestly, it looks cool as all hell.

While there’s room for improvement, Razer’s dock remains a top choice when it comes to purchasing a docking station, offering speedy ports and a visual flair that will compel gamers to no end.

More from Laptop Mag

• Best laptop docking stations in 2024
• 4 things you need to know before buying a docking station
• Why are docking stations so damn expensive?

I have a desktop gaming PC that I use in my off hours for everything from checking my email to progging difficult MMO encounters. I'm not alone in this, a few of my fellow Laptop Mag staffers similarly split their time between laptop and desktop. We've hashed out the gaming laptop vs gaming desktop debate here in the past, which mostly comes down to personal preference, with clear advantages and disadvantages for both sides.

However, it's always interesting to revisit this matter when new high-end laptops come in, so while reviewing the Razer Blade 16 (Early 2024) I decided to completely replace my gaming desktop with it for a week to evaluate its gaming performance compared to my deskbound behemoth of a PC.

Not only was this time well spent with the Blade 16 to conclude that I enjoyed the display and gaming quality of the laptop, but it also made me realize that I no longer need a desktop. 

Read on for how I came to that conclusion and to see if you too could ditch your desktop.

Performance compared to a desktop

I reviewed the Razer Blade 16 (Early 2024) model with an Intel Core i9-14900HX CPU, 32GB of DDR5 RAM, a 2TB SSD, and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 GPU. My desktop is a few years old and is configured with an Intel Core i7-11700K, 64GB of DDR5 RAM, a 1TB SSD with a 2TB HDD D:/ drive, and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080.

As you can likely tell from the specs, I enjoy not having to upgrade frequently. But with an i9-14900HX and RTX 4090, the Razer Blade 16 is about as future-proof as possible. It has a 240Hz QHD+ OLED display panel while my desktop is hooked to an older Samsung 60Hz UHD monitor. While I sometimes game at 4K,  I often have that monitor set at lower resolutions, so, the switch to the Blade 16's QHD+ panel was easy.

Most of the games I play in my spare time are optimized for lower-spec configurations. Baldur's Gate III is optimized for Apple's integrated M GPU, Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker is the latest expansion for an MMORPG from 2013, and Genshin Impact can run on smartphones. So the performance difference between a desktop running an i7-11700K and RTX 3080 against a laptop running an i9-14900HX and RTX 4090 was negligible. 

The biggest change this had on my gaming life was a drop in screen size, which I mostly felt with the cluttered Final Fantasy XIV user interface. I have played that game on screens as small as 13 inches, so even that wasn't enough to throw me off my gaming schedule. I could hook the Blade 16 up to a monitor, so this isn't a disadvantage for the Blade vs. a desktop, but I wanted to stick to the Blade alone for this experiment.

I also often use a gamepad, as I own all of my current top three games on PS5 and PC. It makes it easier to swap between platforms if I'm using a controller either way. So the heat on the Blade 16's keyboard didn't bother me much, nor did I mind having a trackpad instead of a mouse.

Portability can't be undersold

Right now, my gaming ecosystem is split between various consoles, a gaming desktop, and my Apple MacBook Pro 14 M1 Pro. The MacBook Pro 14 comes with me everywhere, so I've got the Mac version of Final Fantasy XIV and Baldur's Gate III because I like to game when traveling.

The Razer Blade 16 offers a far more elegant solution, as it makes my primary gaming machine the one that travels with me. So I'm not constantly abusing the FFXIV setting upload and download system to do less housekeeping when I change platforms. It won't solve the PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch additions to my gaming life, but it does mean I don't need to own FFXIV on three separate platforms. It also means I need to spend less time tweaking the controls and graphic settings on the other games I play because I'll be using the same platform at home as I do on the road.

As you may expect my job has me on the road on occasion and I also travel for vacation a few times a year, whether traveling for work or pleasure I'll bring my gaming laptop along with me. Not only that, but about one weekend a month I have LAN parties with friends that I'll tote my gaming laptop to. So portability is important for my personal life as well as my professional life. And the Blade 16 fits that bill, especially because it's only 5.3 pounds. Sure, it's not the lightest and thinnest laptop, but it easily fits in a backpack and I won't worry about slipping a disc in my spine by hauling it around an airport all day.

The Blade 16 even has an SD card reader, meaning I can upload and edit my travel photos and game capture easily.

It also allowed me to game from my couch by putting the Blade 16 on an end table, bringing some variety to my home gaming environment while a desktop traps you at a desk.

Should you ditch your desktop for a high-end gaming laptop?

Our general caveats about gaming laptops vs gaming desktops still stand. Gaming laptops are an easy purchase that will last a while with little to no tinkering. Gaming desktops are easy to upgrade and offer the best possible performance, at the expense of portability and a little more troubleshooting.

Not everyone needs or wants the ability to game on the go. But the Blade 16 reminded me why I loved my old MSI GS63VR Stealth. Sure, having the best performance is great, but as you can see from my 11th-gen Intel CPU, I don't swap components every year, so I'm not taking advantage of the desktop platform there anyway, making gaming laptops more appealing.

If you're a gamer who needs to be on the road, making a gaming laptop your primary gaming device can save you a lot of hassle. There are fewer settings changes to make and fewer updates to download when you're using the same system to game regardless of where you are.

During the COVID-19 pandemic and the years after I traveled a lot less, which tipped the scales in favor of a gaming desktop, however, considering my current personal and professional lifestyle, my gaming desktop isn't the ideal solution it once was. The Blade 16 just served to remind me that a gaming laptop is not something to settle for, but an excellent alternative if you're anything like me.

Few brands have the kind of name recognition that Razer and Alienware have held over the past few decades when it comes to high-end gaming laptops. It only makes sense to pit the Razer Blade 16 (Early 2024) against the Alienware m16 R2. Both are 16-inch gaming laptops with current-gen Intel CPUs and Nvidia GPUs from two top gaming laptop brands.

Of course, the Blade 16 has a more traditional Intel Core i9-14900HX, while the m16 R2 opted for the Intel Core Ultra 7 155H AI chipset. The Blade 16 we reviewed also came loaded with an Nvidia RTX 4090 GPU compared to the m16’s RTX 4070, which makes the m16 more budget-friendly than the Blade. But is all that extra power in the Blade 16 necessary?

We’re going to find out.

Razer Blade 16 (Early 2024) vs. Alienware m16 R2: Price and configurations

Price and configurable options for the Blade 16 and Alienware m16 R2 come in a rather wide range. As with all gaming laptops, there’s always a balance between price and performance, which is responsible for the truly massive disparity between the starting configurations and the fully loaded versions.

The Blade 16 starts at a cool $2,999.99 for an Intel Core i9-14900HX, Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070, QHD+ OLED display, 1TB of storage, and 16GB of RAM. The fully-kitted version with an RTX 4090, dual-mode UHD+ Mini-LED display, 8TB of storage, and 96GB of memory will set you back an astounding $5,499.99. 

The Alienware m16 R2 starts at $1,649 for an Intel Core Ultra 7 155H, Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050, QHD+ Comfort View Plus LCD Display, 16GB of memory, and 1TB of storage. The fully specced version of the m16 with an Intel Core Ultra 9 185H, Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070, 64GB of RAM, and 8TB of storage costs $3,749.

While my heart always likes to go for the flashiest possible hardware components, offering more budget-friendly options helps the Alienware m16 R2 edge out the Blade 16. You can get a high-end m16 if you’d like, but the starting price for the Blade 16 is nearly as expensive as the fully loaded Alienware. That high starting price makes it difficult to consider the Blade 16 as a gaming laptop for most gamers.

Winner: Alienware m16 R2

Razer Blade 16 (Early 2024) vs. Alienware m16 R2: Design

Razer’s Blade design has been incredibly consistent over the last several generations, with a large touchpad and minimalist aesthetics. The Blade is close to being the MacBook of gaming laptops, with how little Razer has tweaked the chassis design over the years.

Alienware’s m16 R2 went in the opposite direction and opted for a bold new redesign, shrinking the vent design, lifting the keyboard, expanding the trackpad, and providing a real palm rest. The m16 R2 is the least obnoxious Alienware we’ve seen in a long time.

Both laptops are easily portable, under six pounds, and less than one inch thick. The Alienware is heavier, at 5.75 pounds, compared to the Razer Blade 16’s 5.3 pounds, although the Blade 16's Mini-LED panel option will raise the weight to 5.6 pounds. So, with similar dimensions, it really comes down to aesthetics.

While the Blade 16 has that iconic Black chassis, I love it when brands change their design language. And I’ve been waiting for Alienware to offer a less unwieldy design for years.

Winner: Alienware m16 R2

Razer Blade 16 (Early 2024) vs. Alienware m16 R2: Display

The display on your gaming laptop can make or break your gaming experience. No matter how good your GPU is, if your display panel can’t keep up with the graphic demands, you’re going to have a bad time.

The Razer Blade 16 and m16 have 240Hz displays as the starting display panel, but the Blade 16 opts for an OLED panel instead of the Alienware m16’s LCD panel. However, the display was the weakest point on the Alienware when we reviewed it earlier this year. Compared to the Blade 16’s OLED display, the m16 is both dimmer and less vibrant. Compared to the UHD+ dual-mode Mini-LED option on the Blade 16, the m16 only fares worse.

Razer’s Blade 16 QHD+ OLED offers 78.1 percent coverage on the DCI-P3 color gamut and an average brightness of 378 nits. The Blade 16 UHD+ Mini-LED covers 81.8 percent of the DCI-P3 color gamut and an average brightness of 509 nits. The Alienware m16 R2 covers a mere 69.9 percent of the DCI-P3 color space and has an average brightness of just 288 nits.

Our hands-on testing impressions of both displays support the lab results, with our Alienware m16 R2 review by Momo Tabari stating: “I launched Elden Ring and explored Caelid’s crimson plaguelands, home to gigantic rotting birds and deathly beasts, but was disappointed by its subdued appearance.” Meanwhile, the Blade 16’s OLED panel, despite not being the most colorful OLED we’ve ever seen, was certainly enough to surprise me with the depth and color shown in Baldur’s Gate III, as the game was so vivid on the Blade 16 that “ almost made the Nautiloid tutorial level feel new and exciting again.”

Winner: Razer Blade 16 (Early 2024)

Razer Blade 16 (Early 2024) vs. Alienware m16 R2: Performance

One key difference between Blade 16 and m16 is the silicon powering both laptops. While both laptops use some of the latest Intel processors, the Alienware m16 R2 opted for the new AI Ultra 7 155H chipset compared to the Blade 16’s more traditional i9-14900HX. However, despite the difference in core counts, the Ultra 7’s new architecture held its own fairly well compared to the Core i9. 

The Razer Blade 16 and its i9-14900HX processor had a lead over the Alienware m16 and the Ultra 7 155H on our lab benchmarks. On cross-platform CPU benchmark Geekbench 6, the Alienware m16 had a lead on single-core performance with a score of 2,419 compared to the Blade 16’s average of 2,284, but the Blade (17,461) took the lead on multicore performance over the m16 (12,784) as expected. The Blade’s i9 does come with 24 cores compared to the Ultra 7’s 16 computing cores. The Blade 16’s lead on our Handbrake video encoding test was also rather expected as well, as the Blade 16 encoded the 4K version of “Tears of Steel” at 1080p 30FPS in just 2:48 minutes compared to the Alienware m16’s 3:46 time.

Of course, when used for productivity or content creation, the Blade 16 and m16 will crush most workloads between their high-powered CPU and GPU setups. The Blade 16 has an edge on our lab benchmarks, but most gamers won’t notice a huge difference between the processors in real-world use.

Winner: Razer Blade 16 (Early 2024)

Razer Blade 16 (Early 2024) vs. Alienware m16 R2: Gaming and graphics

With an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 on board, the Razer Blade 16 (Early 2024) model that we reviewed has far more graphics processing power than the Alienware m16 R2 and its Nvidia RTX 4070. But if you’re going to game at 1080p or even just 1440p, the 4090 doesn’t have as much of a lead as you might expect, thanks to the CPU bottleneck when scaling graphics down to lower resolutions.

On the 3DMark Fire Strike Ultra 4K Direct X 11 gaming benchmark, the Blade 16 QHD+ averaged a score of 12,906 compared to the Alienware m16’s 7,109 average. On the 3DMark Port Royal ray tracing benchmark, the Blade 16 QHD+ averaged a score of 13,369 compared to the m16’s 7,498. On the Assassin’s Creed Mirage benchmark on Ultra High settings, the Blade 16 averaged 130 FPS on 1080p, while the Alienware m16 averaged 101 FPS at the same resolution. On the Far Cry 6 benchmark at Ultra settings, the Blade 16 averaged 111 FPS at 1080p compared to the m16’s 89 FPS.

We saw the largest difference in our gaming benchmarks in Red Dead Redemption 2. On Medium settings at 1080p, the Blade 16 provided a consistent 121 FPS average compared to the Alienware m16’s 65 FPS.

While the 4090 is a mighty GPU, outside of the most notoriously demanding game we use for benchmarking, the difference between the Blade 16 and the Alienware m16 is far from game-breaking. If you run it in optimized settings, both GPUs will give you incredible, consistent frame rates, especially at screen resolutions under 4K UHD. So, while the Blade 16 performs better on our benchmarks, most gamers will see more than enough power with the m16 and the 4070 GPU. And the gaming performance of the Razer Blade 16 with a 4070 would be far more comparable to the Alienware.

Winner: Razer Blade 16 (Early 2024)

Razer Blade 16 (Early 2024) vs. Alienware m16 R2: Battery life

Battery life on any laptop is important. If you can’t use the laptop when away from an outlet, it defeats the purpose of having a laptop. Desktop replacement laptops are often an exception because they’re more of an all-in-one solution than a portable computer. But the Alienware m16 and Razer Blade 16 straddle the line between portability and desktop replacement.

Unfortunately, the Blade 16 and the m16 don’t have great battery life. On our general web surfing battery test that sees laptops set to 150 nits of brightness and then set to surf through a series of web pages, the Alienware m16 R2 (6:13) has the edge over the Blade 16 (4:41). Of course, the Blade 16 QHD+ is an OLED panel which often requires more power consumption. Although, the Mini-LED version didn’t last much longer (4:57).

Interestingly, we saw an inversion of those results on the PCMark 10 Gaming battery test, with both laptops set to 150 nits. On the gaming battery benchmark, the Razer Blade 16 QHD (1:37) lasted longer than the Alienware m16 (00:53) by a wide margin. Not that 97 minutes is much to write home about, but it is nearly double Alienware’s benchmark time.

Because most people will use a gaming laptop for more than just gaming, it doesn’t feel fair to weigh either battery test more heavily than the other. So this one will have to be a rather curious tie.

Winner: Tie

Bottom line

Based on the number of categories won, the Razer Blade 16 (Early 2024) offers better display options, more powerful gaming, and better general performance. Of course, our test models for the Blade 16 were extremely high-spec compared to the more affordable Alienware m16. But as you can kit out the Blade 16 t to absurd levels, it will generally meet most testing benchmarks more easily than the Alienware.

However, for most gamers, the real deciding factor is pricing, which means the Alienware m16 R2. Even the starting model of the Razer Blade 16 (Early 2024) with an RTX 4070 will cost more than the Alienware m16 R2 with the RTX 4070 upgrade.

If you have the budget and are prepared to buy a gaming laptop at the top end of the market, the Blade 16 is the better choice for you. But for most gamers, the Alienware makes more sense.

Winner: Alienware m16 R2

The Razer Blade 16 has been one of our favorite gaming laptops for years, and for good reason. As a powerful flagship laptop that straddles the line between being a desktop replacement and a portable gaming machine, the Blade 16 is hard to beat. 

The 16-inch display gives just a bit more screen space, has a gorgeous OLED panel, and provides powerful and reliable performance. While the battery life is a bit worse than last year’s model, the only thing holding the Blade 16 back is that hefty price tag for even the base starting configuration.

With so much going for it, it's easy to see how the Razer Blade 16 is a contender for our Best gaming laptops and Best 16-inch laptops lists. 

Razer Blade 16 (Early 2024): Specs

Razer Blade 16 (Early 2024): Price and configurations

The Razer Blade 16 is not a gaming laptop for people with light wallets, with the starting configuration costing $2,999.99. The base model contains an Intel Core i9-14900HX, Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 GPU, 1TB SSD, 16GB of memory, and a 16-inch QHD+ OLED display. 

You can customize the laptop with an Nvidia RTX 4080 or 4090 GPU, with 1TB to up to 8TB of storage and 16GB to 96GB of memory. Other options include a Mercury silver chassis for an additional $300 and a dual UHD+FHD Mini-LED display upgrade that costs an extra $2,500.

Our review unit configuration features the Nvidia RTX 4090 GPU, 2TB SSD, and 32GB memory upgrades, and it retails for $4,199.99. We also tested a version of the Blade 16 with 4TB of storage, 96GB of memory, and a dual UHD+ Mini-LED display, which is priced at $5,499.99.

Razer Blade 16 (Early 2024): Design

Razer has kept the Blade 16's exterior design mostly the same over the years, sticking to the same minimalist aluminum clamshell. This Apple-style approach to laptop design has paid off for Razer over the years, with the black and green chassis attaining something close to icon status.

You can also opt for the Mercury silver colorway for some added interest. Though, even that is far from new. Then again, as the old saying goes, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.

As for portability, the Blade 16 is the kind of laptop that could replace your desktop, so it is a little on the larger side compared to the highly portable Blade 14. But at 14 x 9.6 x 0.87 inches and 5.3 pounds, the Blade 16 can easily fit into a laptop bag or backpack. 

The UHD+ Mini-LED model has the same chassis and dimensions as the QHD+ OLED, though it weighs just a bit more at 5.6 pounds. Last year’s Blade 16 UHD+ Mini-LED model is identical to that version in size and weight. The Alienware m16 R2 is larger and thicker at 14.33 x 9.81 x 0.93 inches and 5.75 pounds. The Lenovo Legion 5 Pro has the most variation,, measuring 14.3 x 10.25 x 0.86-1.05 inches and weighing 5.5 pounds, depending on the configuration.

These gaming laptops aren’t easy to commute with, but they aren’t heavy or large enough to cause persistent back issues, so you can tote them around when needed.

Razer Blade 16 (Early 2024): Ports

The Razer Blade 16 is a desktop replacement laptop with all the ports you may need. It has one Thunderbolt 4 port with 100 watts of power delivery, one USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 port, three USB-A 3.2 Gen 2 ports, an HDMI 2.1 output, a 3.5mm combo audio jack, and a UHS-II SD card reader slot.

I don’t own enough gaming peripherals to max out the ports on the Razer Blade 16, and I use plenty of gaming accessories even on a laptop. So unless you’re running a multi-monitor configuration for your streaming setup, it's unlikely that you’ll be short on connection options.

However, if you want to use the Blade 16 for content creation, it may be worth investing in one of the best USB Type-C hubs or best laptop docking stations to optimize your streaming setup. 

Razer Blade 16 (Early 2024): Display

The Razer Blade 16's 16-inch OLED display panel is gorgeous. It provides crisp contrast and vivid color while streaming video and gaming.

The Blade 16 did a fantastic job of portraying the stunning landscape of the American West in the trailer for Kevin Costner’s Horizon: An American Saga. Truthfully, I could not tell you much about the movie’s plot as I spent the entire trailer just taking in the impressive landscape, establishing shots, and beautiful scenery instead of paying any attention to the actors.

The OLED screen handled movies well and made Baldur’s Gate III look more fabulous than ever. Of course, the discrete RTX 4090 helped provide incredible detail, but the game was so vivid on the OLED panel that it almost made the Nautiloid tutorial level feel new and exciting again.

For all that, the lived experience of using Blade 16’s OLED display impressed me, and our lab testing tells a slightly different story. Covering 78.1 percent of the DCI-P3 color gamut with a Delta-E accuracy of 0.21, the Blade 16 2024 QHD+ OLED isn’t the most color-accurate gaming laptop we’ve seen. The Blade 16 2024 UHD+ Mini-LED is slightly more accurate, with 81.8 percent DCI-P3 gamut coverage and a Delta-E of 0.23.

The Blade 16 2023 UHD+ Mini-LED was the most vivid, with 93 percent coverage and an accuracy of 0.18, while the Lenovo Legion 5 Pro came in second with 82.4 percent coverage and a Delta-E of 0.17. The Alienware m16 R2 was the least impressive, with only 69.9 percent coverage and a Delta-E of 0.3.

The Razer Blade 16 2024 QHD+ model averaged 378 nits of brightness, which should cut through most display glare. However, direct sunlight can still be an issue. The Blade 16 2024 UHD+ Mini-LED model deals with glare better thanks to its 509-nit brightness average. The 2023 Blade 16 UHD+ Mini-LED was just behind at 466 nits, while the Legion 5 Pro (318 nits) and Alienware m16 (288 nits) trailed well behind all three Razer laptops.

Razer Blade 16 (Early 2024): Keyboard and touchpad

The Razer Blade 16 has a large 6.1 x 3.7-inch precision glass touchpad and an RGB keyboard powered by Razer Chroma. This is a familiar keyboard and touchpad setup for the Blade 16, as it hasn’t changed much from previous versions.

The keyboard is comfortable and springy, with excellent click activation. The per-key lighting is fully controllable in Razer Synapse. I had a fantastic time typing on the Blade 16, averaging 89 words per minute (WPM) on the 10FastFingers advanced typing test,  just above my 88 WPM average.

The large touchpad can be great for smooth mouse control, but it takes some adjusting to find the right and left-click zones without looking. The touchpad’s palm rejection is still as nice as the previous model, allowing you to comfortably rest your hands on the keyboard and type without accidental activation. So you shouldn’t have any worries about the positively massive touchpad size.

Razer Blade 16 (Early 2024): Audio

The Razer Blade 16's four-speaker array of two tweeters and two subs is loud enough to provide decent sound throughout my two-bedroom apartment. While you aren’t likely to use the Blade 16 as a set of party speakers, the audio volume is more than enough to cover any fan noise, so you don’t need a headset while gaming.

The audio quality becomes tinny on higher volumes and tracks with high distortion values. I noticed the tinny distortion while listening to the quasi-metal band Ghost’s trashing electronic anthem, “Dance Macabre,” especially with the volume above 60 percent. At the same time, a cleaner track like Florence and the Machine’s cover of “Stand by Me” sounded crisp at all volumes.

If that’s still not enough audio power for you or if you want immersive surround sound, you’ll be better served with one of the best computer speakers, but they aren’t a must. 

Razer Blade 16 (Early 2024): Graphics and gaming performance

As the Blade 16 is a gaming laptop, the graphics and gaming performance are the most critical factors. Gaming is, after all, the purpose of the machine.

In my hands-on testing of the Blade 16, I booted up Baldur’s Gate III to see how well the Blade 16 handles some of the larger, more complicated battles and ability effects. Naturally, the Blade 16 did not disappoint. I was also pretty stunned by the amount of detail in the character models and clothing that the RTX 4090 GPU picked up.

I also booted up my gaming addictions, Genshin Impact and Final Fantasy XIV: Endwalker, to compare with my gaming desktop. My desktop PC runs an RTX 3080, so the performance gap with the 4090, even on lower-impact games, was pretty impressive. I replaced my gaming desktop with the Blade 16 for a week, and, outside of the form-factor difference, I didn’t notice much difference in my gaming life. Both games easily maintained a consistent 60 frames-per-second (FPS) average or higher while on the highest graphic settings with no problems.

In our lab tests, the Blade 16 also performed well. On the 3DMark gaming benchmarks, the Razer Blade 16 2024 QHD+ scored 12,906 on the Fire Strike Ultra Direct X 11 4K benchmark and 13,369 on the Port Royal ray tracing benchmark. The Blade 16 2024 UHD+ scored 12,692 on Fire Strike Ultra and 13,294 on Port Royal. The 2023 Blade 16 lagged a bit behind the 2024 models on Fire Strike Ultra (11,588) and Port Royal (11,948). The Alienware m16 R2 was far behind (7,109 and 7,498 respectively), as did the Lenovo Legion 5 Pro (7,198 and 7,718 respectively).

Our lab tests also include Far Cry 6 and Red Dead Redemption II’s internal benchmarks to get a more real-world feel for gaming performance. On Far Cry 6, run on the Ultra preset at 1080p resolution, the Razer Blade 16 2024 QHD+ averaged 111 FPS, while the 2024 UHD+ averaged 100 FPS. The 2023 Blade 16 averaged 102 FPS, the Legion 5 Pro averaged 97 FPS, and the Alienware averaged just 89 FPS. On Red Dead Redemption II at medium settings and 1080p, the Razer Blade 16 2024 QHD+ averaged 121 FPS, while the Blade 16 2024 UHD+ averaged 120 FPS. The 2023 Blade 16 averaged 111 FPS on that same benchmark, while the Legion 5 Pro (77 FPS) and Alienware m16 (65 FPS) trailed well behind all three Razer laptops. 

Razer Blade 16 (Early 2024): Performance

For my normal working life, there wasn’t a task the Razer Blade 16 couldn’t keep up with. From some light Photoshop work to a nearly unconscionable amount of Chrome tabs, the Blade 16 didn’t need to ramp up its thermal mode to keep up with my work day.

Our lab tests also confirm this experience, as the Blade 16 easily kept up with or outperformed the competition. On the Geekbench 6 multiplatform CPU benchmark, the Blade 16 2024 QHD+ averaged a single-core score of 2,284 and a multicore score of 17,461. As most tasks use multiple cores, the multicore performance Geekbench 6 score is the most important metric, and that is where the biggest difference lies between the Blade 16 and its competitors.

The Blade 16 2024 UHD+ had a better single-core average (2,850), though a slightly worse multicore average (17,025). The Blade 16 2023 managed a single-core average of 2,050 and a multicore average of just 14,256. The Alienware m16 R2 kept up well on single-core performance (2,419) but fell well behind the Blade 16 models on multicore performance (12,784). The Lenovo Legion 5 Pro held the bottom of this category with a single-core average of 2,031 and a multicore average of just 12,414.

On our Handbrake benchmark, which takes the 4K version of “Tears of Steel” and encodes it at 1080p 30FPS, the Razer Blade 16 took barely any time to complete the edit. Running at just 2 minutes and 48 seconds, the Blade 16 QHD+ OLED was faster than even the UHD+ Mini-LED model (2:52). The 2023 Blade 16 took the longest on this task, requiring 4:08 to complete the encoding, though the Alienware m16 (3:46) and Legion 5 Pro (4:05) also struggled to keep up.

On our file transfer test, which copies a 25GB multimedia file and times the task, the Razer Blade 16 2024 QHD+ OLED model took just 14.7 seconds to complete the file transfer for a rate of 1,833 MBps (megabits per second). The Blade 16 2024 UHD+ Mini-LED was faster at 13.3 seconds for a transfer rate of 2,016 MBps. The Blade 16 2023 was the slowest at 27.8 seconds and 972 MBps, while the Alienware m16 was nearly identical to the Blade 16 2024 UHD+ model at 13 seconds and 2,015 MBps. The Lenovo Legion 5 Pro was the quickest of the group at 12.5 seconds and 2,149 MBps.

Razer Blade 16 (Early 2024): Battery life

Gaming laptops rarely have great battery life, and the Blade 16 is no exception. Given the discrete RTX 4090 on board, it isn’t surprising to see such low battery life, but it does mean the Blade 16 needs to spend much of its life near an outlet. In my hands-on testing, I rarely left the Blade 16 unplugged because I’d get through about half of my work day before the Blade 16 hit critically low battery levels, and I’d need to hunt down the power cable.

On the Laptop Mag web surfing battery test at 150 nits, the Razer Blade 16 (Early 2024) lasted just 4 hours and 41 minutes. The Blade 16 (Early 2024) model with the UHD+ Mini-LED display lasted just a bit longer, at 4:57, while the Blade 16 2023 managed to scrape by with a battery life of 5:29. The Lenovo Legion 5 Pro brought up the rear in terms of battery life, with just 4:38, while the Alienware m16 R2 had the longest battery life with 6:13.

On the PCMark 10 Gaming battery life test, run with the laptop at 150 nits, the Blade 16 (Early 2024) models fared a bit better against the competition. The Blade 16 QHD+ OLED lasted 1 hour and 37 minutes on the gaming battery test, while the Blade 16 UHD+ Mini-LED model lasted 1:16, and the 2023 Blade 16 lasted 1:30. The Alienware m16 R2 had the weakest battery life on the gaming test with just 00:53 while the Legion 5 Pro held on just a bit longer to hit 00:59.

Razer Blade 16 (Early 2024): Webcam

The webcam on the Blade 16 is serviceable, though not great quality. As an FHD Infrared camera with a privacy shutter, it works well enough for Windows Hello secure sign-in or the occasional web call. But it is a far cry from streaming quality. My face looked grainy, and my hair displayed a very different color across multiple video call applications. At press time, my hair is dyed a bright, vibrant red. On the Razer Blade 16’s webcam, that red looked hot pink. While I have had pink hair before, the color display disparity on the webcam is not ideal.

If you plan to stream using the Blade 16, I recommend using one of our best webcams for any reaction video capture.

Razer Blade 16 (Early 2024): Heat

Heat is often a gaming laptop's weakest point. Cramming a ton of power and performance into a portable clamshell chassis has its drawbacks. For all that Razer loves to boast about its vapor chamber cooling system, the Blade 16 still puts out a decent amount of heat while gaming.

On the Laptop Mag gaming heat test, we ran the laptop through five runs of the Metro Exodus Enhanced Edition benchmark on Extreme and measured the heat at multiple points on the laptop. The Razer Blade 16 hit a peak of 118 degrees Fahrenheit on the rear underside just near the riser. This is well above the Laptop Mag comfort threshold of 95 degrees, so we recommend putting the Blade 16 on a table or desk while gaming.

I did notice the Blade 16 took some time to ramp up to high heat while playing Baldur’s Gate III, so the keyboard was a bit warm to the touch but not painful for the first hour or so. However, during longer gaming sessions, you will want to use a separate keyboard and mouse rather than the built-in keyboard and touchpad. 

Razer Blade 16 (Early 2024): Software and warranty

The Blade 16 has a one-year limited laptop and a two-year limited battery warranty. You can opt into RazerCare’s Essential for Blade and Elite For Blade optional coverage for a fee. (The default warranty covers just a year of everything except the battery.) 

If you want to see how Razer's customer service performed in our annual ranking, check out our Tech Support Showdown list. 

Bottom line

The Razer Blade 16 (Early 2024) is an absolute beast of a machine, regardless of which configuration you pick up. Of course, our two test models were high-end, but even the base model gets you an Intel Core i9-14900HX and Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 GPU, which can keep up with any modern game.

The Blade 16's major weaknesses are the same as those of any gaming laptop, including the price tag and low battery life. But even then, a low battery life is expected on a gaming machine. The only sticking point is the generation-over-generation difference in the Blade 16’s battery life. The difference between 5:29 and 4:41 in battery life is more of an annoyance than a problem.

So, as long as you have the disposable income to afford the Razer Blade 16, buying any other 16-inch gaming laptop makes no sense.

It's not difficult to identify the most powerful gaming laptops, but it proves a challenge to locate a gaming laptop that maintains its performance in a small body and even boasts a solid battery life. You're looking for a needle in a haystack. It just so happens we have two needles—the Asus Zephyrus G14 (2024) and Razer Blade 14.

These are what I like to call ultraportable gaming laptops — machines that you can carry with you anywhere and are as useful at gaming as they are handling daily tasks from work to school. If you're looking for an all-in-one package, this is the kind of gaming laptop you need to be on the lookout for.

Unfortunately, the smaller these laptops get, the more expensive they become, so price will be a massive factor in deciding whether the Zephyrus G14 or Blade 14 suits you. But does the disparity justify the price difference? Let's jump in.

Asus Zephyrus G14 vs. Razer Blade 14: Specs compared

Asus Zephyrus G14 vs. Razer Blade 14: Price

Gaming laptops prioritizing thin and light designs will be pricey (over $1,500) but not nearly as expensive as 18-inch, RTX 4090 monsters ($3K~5K). Let's run down what we're working with here.

For $1,599, the Asus Zephyrus G14 offers an AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS processor, Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 8GB GPU, 16GB of RAM, a 1TB SSD, and a 14-inch, 2880 x 1800, 120Hz OLED display.

For $2,699, the Razer Blade 14 features an AMD Ryzen 9 7940HS processor, an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 GPU with 8GB of VRAM, 16GB of RAM, 1TB of M.2 PCIe SSD storage space, and a 14-inch QHD+ 240Hz, 2560 x 1600 display.

The Razer Blade 14 offers a stronger GPU, but if you want to even the playing field, you can get the Zephyrus G14 with an RTX 4070 for $1,999. 

Regardless of how you configure these two, the Asus Zephyrus G14 will be more affordable. The Razer tax, much like the Apple tax, is quite real—a term we use to describe overpriced luxury items.

Winner: Asus Zephyrus G14

Asus Zephyrus G14 vs. Razer Blade 14: Design

Gaming laptop designs can get loud or boring, but neither the Asus Zephyrus G14 nor Razer Blade 14 check those boxes. The overall aesthetic comes down to taste, but when you add the numbers, there's only one objective winner.

A stunning platinum white skin wraps around the Zephyrus G14, contrasted by a glossy silver slash on its lid with LED slits resembling a razor. Meanwhile, a sleek black metal coats the Blade 14, but it's slightly degraded by the gaudy green Razer logo stamped on the lid. There are models of the Blade with a subtle black or white logo that I much prefer.

The Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 weighs 3.3 pounds and measures 12.3 x 8.7 x 0.6 inches, while the Razer Blade 14 weighs 4.1 pounds and measures 12.2 x 9 x 0.7 inches. 

With the super-compact Zephyrus G14, the Razer didn't stand a chance.

Winner: Asus Zephyrus G14 

Asus Zephyrus G14 vs. Razer Blade 14: Display

I love a pretty display, and there's nothing more important in a gaming laptop (apart from the GPU) than a shiny screen. The Asus Zephyrus G14 is rocking a 14-inch, 2880 x 1800, 120Hz OLED panel, while the Razer Blade 14 offers a 14-inch, 2560 x 1600, 240Hz matte display.

Before we discuss benchmarks, let's look at the specs. The Zephyrus G14 offers a sharper image, while the Razer Blade 14 provides smoother visuals. What's more important to you? 

Once that's decided, think about what you're using your screen for. Are you in well-lit spaces and like to play competitive games? Or do you play in darker spaces and enjoy immersive RPGs? If it's the former, I'd go with the Razer Blade 14 because its matte panel offers less glare and a high refresh rate. If it's the latter, I'd choose the Zephyrus G14 due to its OLED panel, which feels like looking through a window instead of a screen.

Okay, what about benchmarks? The Zephyrus G14 covered 85.2% of the DCI-P3 color gamut and averaged 387 nits of brightness. The Blade 14 covered 114.3% of the DCI-P3 color gamut and averaged 465 nits of brightness.

This is a tough choice. Usually, I'd opt for the OLED display. However, the color and brightness difference between the two is a wide gap. If the G14 pushed closer to 100% DCI-P3, I may have gone with that, but I'm going with the Blade 14.

Winner: Razer Blade 14

Asus Zephyrus G14 vs. Razer Blade 14: Audio

We normally don't dive into the Audio sections in a face-off, but the differences between the Asus Zephyrus G14 and Razer Blade 14 sound systems are stark enough to make an exception.

The Asus Zephyrus G14's top-firing and bottom-firing speakers were bombastic, like gaming on a TV in a different room instead of riding that line between reality and immersion. Conversely, the Razer Blade 14's front-firing speakers delivered punchy audio that made us feel like we were in the thick of it, whether it was a boss arena in Elden Ring or a Death Cab for Cutie concert.

If you aren't considering audio as part of the purchase, check out our best gaming headsets page. Otherwise, you can't beat Razer's speakers.

Winner: Razer Blade 14

Asus Zephyrus G14 vs. Razer Blade 14: Graphics

This is a bit of an unfair fight — the Zephyrus G14 is packed with an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 8GB GPU, while the Razer Blade 14 sports an RTX 4070 8GB GPU. Let's see how far the gap extends.

On the Far Cry 6 benchmark (Ultra, 1080p), the Zephyrus G14 hit 69 frames per second, and the Blade 14 led with 85 fps. At their native resolutions, the G14 averaged 46 fps, and the Blade 14 managed 68 fps.

The Zephyrus G14 got 67 fps on the Borderlands 3 benchmark (Badass, 1080p), which fell short against the Blade 14 (98 fps). At native resolutions, the G14 and Blade 14 scored 37 fps and 64 fps, respectively.

On the Red Dead Redemption 2 benchmark (Medium, 1080p), the G14 averaged 53 fps while the Blade 14 rode on at 73 fps. Natively, the G14 reached 27 fps — which is unplayable (under 30 fps), but the Blade 14 achieved 45 fps.

Both machines jumped on the Grand Theft Auto V benchmark (High, 1080p), and the Zephyrus G14 hit 84 fps while the Blade 14 scaled up to 100 fps. At their native resolutions, the G14 averaged 38 fps, and the Blade 14 got 55 fps.

Across the board, the Razer Blade 14 wiped the Zephyrus G14, which makes its sharper screen tough to justify unless the rest of the graphics are turned way down. However, if you want to even the playing field, we recommend spending some extra coin for the Zephyrus' RTX 4070 GPU.

Winner: Razer Blade 14

Asus Zephyrus G14 vs. Razer Blade 14: Performance

Converse to the graphics situation, the Asus Zephyrus G14 sports the new, faster AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS CPU, while the Razer Blade 14 offers last-gen's AMD Ryzen 9 7940HS processor. However, they're paired with 16GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD.

On the Geekbench 6.1 overall performance test, the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 scored 12,246, while the Razer Blade 14 fell negligibly behind at 11,881.

When the machines transcoded a 4K video to 1080p on our HandBrake benchmark, the Zephyrus G14 completed it in 4 minutes and 21 seconds, while the Blade 14 finished in 4:45.

The Zephyrus G14’s 1TB SSD clocked a transfer rate of 1,289 megabytes per second, incrementally faster than the Blade 14’s 1TB SSD (1,230 MBps).

While the Asus Zephyrus G14 won all of our benchmark testing here, it did so with thin margins. You're not sacrificing much if you go with the Razer Blade 14, but the Zephyrus G14 is faster.

Winner: Asus Zephyrus G14

Asus Zephyrus G14 vs. Razer Blade 14: Battery life

Typically, this section would be pitiful. But the Asus Zephyrus G14 and Razer Blade 14 are the exceptions regarding battery life in gaming laptops.

The Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 powered through 8 hours and 16 minutes on the Laptop Mag battery test, which is just 18 minutes shorter than the Razer Blade 14 at 8:34.

However, when gaming, the Zephyrus G14 lasted 1:03, whereas the Blade managed 1:46. That's a bigger difference if you're trying to squeeze in a little gaming here and there, but I still advise against playing games while unplugged, as it reduces performance.

Winner: Razer Blade 14

Overall winner: Razer Blade 14

One looks like a razor, and one is a Razer — only one survived the clash of blades. Naturally, it was the Razer Blade 14. You probably pieced that together when you saw that the Asus Zephyrus G14 scored 4 out of 5 stars and the Blade 14 scored 4½ plus an Editor's Choice award.

The Razer Blade 14 boasts stronger graphics performance because of its RTX 4070, but it didn't just win on a technicality. Razer pumped this machine with a killer display, quality audio, and long battery life. That pushes it well beyond the average gaming laptop.

However, the Asus Zephyrus G14 is a perfectly viable choice. Its ultraportable design and stronger CPU bundled at a cheaper price can't be beat. You can always opt for the RTX 4070 if you're looking for better performance. Don't count that gorgeous OLED display out, either.

If you can afford it, the Razer Blade 14 is the obvious winner. It's the premium choice for a reason—quality parts. If you're worried about the last-gen CPU performance, you can always wait for our review of the current model with the latest AMD Ryzen 9 8945HS CPU. But it probably won't change this result.

Winner: Razer Blade 14

Razer is no stranger to high-quality products with premium features for the pickiest of gamers, and the Razer Huntsman V3 Pro TKL is no exception. With the Razer page itself featuring quotes from a variety of pro eSports players complimenting the product, and its slogan being “For the pro,” it’s clear who the Huntsman V3 Pro TKL is made for.

And while its high price point and extensive list of additional features like rapid fire mode and adjustable actuation won’t be for everyone, its sturdy keycaps, ergonomic palmrest, and satisfying type feel make it a hit for anyone in need of a quality tenkeyless gaming keyboard. While we consider it one of the best gaming keyboards out there, keep reading to decide if it’s the right one for you. 

Razer Huntsman V3 Pro TKL price and configuration

The Razer Huntsman V3 Pro comes in three configurations. The model we tested is tenkeyless and comes in at $219 on Razer’s website with a palmrest, while the full Pro features a number pad and is $249. The cheapest model is the Mini, which is a 60% keyboard without a number pad or palmrest and doesn’t even have FN keys, available for $179. 

Razer Huntsman V3 Pro TKL design

The Huntsman V3 Pro TKL design doesn’t stray from most gaming keyboards (and many Razer products), with a black aesthetic and per-key RGB lighting. At the very least, it stands out more than true all-black styles thanks to its brushed dark gray aluminum alloy base. Its leatherette palmrest magnetically attaches to the lower base’s border with little to no effort.

As this is the tenkeyless design, you shouldn’t expect the inclusion of a number pad, but it’s a full keyboard otherwise. At the right rests a dedicated space for the arrow keys, a volume dial, two additional circular buttons (one of which opens Xbox Game Bar by default), and a collection of editing keys like Insert and Home. Keep in mind that the Huntsman V3 Pro TKL is not a wireless keyboard, with its only available port being the one used to connect its USB Type-C cable.

Holding FN highlights the keys that can be used with alternate actions, with an LED display above the arrow keys showing when caps lock is toggled. It also has an additional row of 10 circles in its lower half for certain keyboard settings from its lowest to highest. For example, holding FN and Tab while in FPS Rapid Trigger mode (which is activated through FN + Page Down) will enter a mode to edit actuation force, with it highlighting the fourth circle by default. Pressing the arrow keys right or up increases the value, while left or down decreases it.

Actuation force determines the amount of distance needed to activate a keypress, with the lowest value of 0.1 millimeters being the first circle in the LED display, while 3.6mm is the final circle through the on-board settings. The default actuation force is 2.0mm, but you can go as far as 4.0mm through the Razer Synapse application. 

Rapid Trigger mode is also available, which modifies the reset point and allows the user to quickly spam a key without worrying about their default actuation. You can even go into Synapse and separate up and down sensitivity separately, while pressing FN and Caps on the keyboard allows the user to make direct modifications to Rapid Trigger mode from the keyboard.

The LED display also features a G with a crosshair around it, which can be activated by pressing FN and F10, activating Gaming Mode. This disables the Windows key, preventing accidental interruptions. There’s also a capital M inside of a circle on the LED display, and by pressing FN and F9, it takes the keyboard into Macro mode, which allows the recording of macros.

The Razer Huntsman weighs 3.72 pounds and comes in at 16.5 x 7.2 x 2.8 inches. It’s built with Razer’s 2nd generation Analog Optical Switches, which features Rapid Trigger compatibility, a 100-million keystroke lifespan, and customizable actuation force from 0.1 millimeters to 4.0mm. And with its textured doubleshot PBT keycaps, the durable and hefty feel of every press is fitting for its premium price.

Razer Huntsman V3 Pro TKL software

While a good bit of the software options can be modified through the keyboard itself, the Huntsman V3 Pro TKL uses Razer Synapse if minute changes are needed. The keyboard comes pre-loaded with five profiles, which are Factory Default, Racing, FPS Rapid Trigger, Analog WASD, and High Sensitivity.

These presets can be modified by adding gamepad remappings, keyboard analog options, and changing Windows properties. While gaming mode normally just deactivates the Windows key, the software options can further disable the Menu key, Alt + Tab and Alt + F4. 

In the actuation section, the force can be modified for individual keys (or all keys) from anywhere between 0.1mm to 4.0mm. It even features a bar that goes up and down based on how much force you’re putting on a key. This allows me to see every bit of pressure from 0.1mm to 4.0mm as I hold a key down, and is especially useful for those who need to know what actuation is perfect. And with Rapid Trigger mode, it can be shifted anywhere from 1.0mm to 0.1mm, and can have separate upstroke or downstroke sensitivity.

While my keyboard automatically defaulted to syncing with Wallpaper Engine, you can further modify the lighting through brightness settings, idle timers, and effects in Chroma. 

Razer Huntsman V3 Pro TKL performance

Razer has explicitly stated that the Huntsman is designed for the competitive scene, and with its modifiable actuation force, resilient keycaps, and highly customizable profiles, it’s clear that it has the specs to fulfill its purpose, but does it feel as good as it sounds?

With a satisfyingly clicky type feel, a hefty sensation between every keystroke, and a comfortable palmrest, the Huntsman is an absolute winner. Typing through this review felt seamless thanks to the leatherette magnetic cushion keeping my wrists elevated. 

And while the keyboard is comfortable and satisfying to use on its default setting, things get pretty confusing beyond this. The FPS Rapid Trigger profile automatically disables caps lock, but pressing FN + Caps Lock still lets the user modify those settings. However, FPS Rapid Trigger mode doesn’t turn on even when pressing Caps Lock again in that mode.

It does showcase a green or red RGB light within the key to showcase if the keypress is registering or not, but it doesn’t register unless Rapid Trigger mode is turned on manually from within Razer Synapse. Otherwise, the on-board actuation force modifier works fine, but keep in mind, it cannot be edited while on factory default settings.

But most exciting is its gamepad remapping and keyboard analog options, both of which utilize the actuation force seen in its keys to mimic a controller joystick’s varying degrees of movement speed, alongside the pressure seen in triggers like LT or RT. I launched Elden Ring to see how the movement would work, but unfortunately, it never did. The joystick being bound to WASD did not register in the game even after rebooting Elden Ring, reconnecting the keyboard, and binding it to a different joystick setup.

I then launched Enshrouded, and while the movement did finally work, with the different increments of actuation allowing for detailed speeds, the game constantly jumping between keyboard and gamepad inputs made it freak out. The only way you could get this to work optimally is to manually rebind the keyboard keys to gamepad inputs and get used to seeing a UI made for gamepad. That’s too much hassle for me, but it might be worthwhile for others.

Bottom line

With the firm, textured feel of its PBT doubleshot keycaps, modifiable actuation force, brushed aluminum alloy base, and comfortable leatherette palmrest, the Razer Huntsman V3 Pro TKL is a premium keyboard that justifies its high price with an excellent user experience and necessary features for the competitive gamer.

While its fancier intricacies can be a bit frustrating to get working through its on-board software settings, they can easily be tweaked to perfection through Razer Synapse. We wouldn’t recommend the average gamer go so far as the spend $219 on this absolute beast, but if you’re a competitive player in need of a top-tier gaming keyboard with rapid trigger modes, customizable actuation, and settings that can even mimic a gamepad controller’s pressure, it will more than deliver what you need. Just be ready for some frustrating troubleshooting periods for many of its best features.

The Razer BlackWidow V4 75% is a complete refresh of Razer’s core line of gaming keyboards and delivers fantastic performance in a sleek package. It upgrades nearly every feature of previous BlackWidow models and adds some brand new features like dedicated media keys and hot swappable switches. 

After putting this keyboard to the test, I can confidently say that it’s one of the best gaming keyboards out there. The form factor, sound quality, typing experience and features make it a great all-around keyboard that’s definitely worth its price tag. 

See my in-depth breakdown below to find out if the Razer BlackWidow V4 75% is right for you.

Razer BlackWidow V4 75% price and configurations

The Razer BlackWidow V4 75% comes in at $199 for white or $189 for black. I tested the white model, which is a bright polar-white tone. 

The BlackWidow V4 is wired with a detachable USB-C cable. It has a max 8,000Hz polling rate and per-key addressable RGB, both of which are customizable in Razer Synapse. It ships with Razer’s third generation tactile orange switches which feature a 50-gram actuation force and 3.5-millimeter of key travel. 

The BlackWidow V4 comes in two different sizes, 75% and full-size. The main difference is that the 75% size doesn’t have the number pad, so it’s not as wide. I tested the 75% model, which measures 12.6 x 6.1 x 0.94 inches and weighs in at 1.8 pounds. I’ve found this size is the sweet spot for gaming keyboards – compact enough to angle on your desk while keeping the function row.

Razer BlackWidow V4 75% design

The BlackWidow V4 keeps the classic case shape of the BlackWidow line-up, but gives it a sleek update. It features an aluminum top case, addressable side RGB strips, and two-level height adjustment kick stands. The BlackWidow V4 feels light but sturdy, especially since the cable is braided instead of rubber. 

One feature I really love about the design of the BlackWidow V4 is the dedicated media keys in the top-right corner. You get a textured volume roller, a pause/play button and a mute button. The RGB ring around the mute button automatically changes to red when pressed. I found these dedicated keys super convenient in games, especially the volume roller. 

The BlackWidow V4 also has some cool features under the hood. It’s gasket mounted, which is rare to see on a gaming keyboard. Gasket mounted keyboards have better sound quality than stiffer plate-mounted keyboards and feature a tad of flex that makes them very comfortable for typing.

Razer also gave the BlackWidow V4 a pre-installed tape mod, which is typically found on only custom enthusiast keyboards. It improves sound quality by padding the underside of the PCB. As a result, the sound quality on this keyboard is phenomenal.

Finally, the BlackWidow V4 includes a matching plush wrist rest that’s lightly textured on top and quite comfy. I used it only in certain games, but it’s definitely nice to see it included, especially at this price point. 

Razer BlackWidow V4 75% keys

The keycaps on the BlackWidow V4 are doubleshot ABS rather than PBT (PBT plastic is typically more durable than ABS), but they don’t feel cheap or slippery. They have a bit of texture to them that is definitely more noticeable than older Razer keyboards I’ve used. So, if that was a feature you didn’t like on your BlackWidow V3 (speaking from experience), you’ll probably prefer these upgraded keycaps. 

The BlackWidow V4 comes with Razer’s gen-3 tactile orange switches. I’ve used these switches before, but I noticed they definitely sound better on the BlackWidow V4. They come factory lubricated, which is really nice to see on a gaming keyboard. They have a 50g actuation force and 3.5mm of key travel with a tactile bump about halfway down. 

If tactile switches aren’t your favorite, you can easily change them since the BlackWidow V4 is hot swappable. It’s compatible with standard Cherry-style 3 and 5-prong switches. If you are used to Razer’s clicky green or linear yellow switches from a previous gaming keyboard, Razer sells packs of those you can swap in on this keyboard. 

The stabilizers on the BlackWidow V4 sound great, especially the space bar. They’re all pre-lubricated and none of them sound scratchy, hollow or metallic. The keys are all standard sizes, too, so you can fully replace the keycaps if you want.

Razer BlackWidow V4 75% performance

I loved gaming on the BlackWidow V4. I tested it in a range of games, from “Halo Infinite” and “Warhammer 40,000: Darktide” to more casual titles like “Starfield” and “Valheim.” The BlackWidow V4 felt great across the board. 

The stock orange switches have consistent, snappy performance and never fail to register a keystroke, even in fast-paced games. All of the keys are very responsive, even more so if you increase the polling rate through Razer Synapse. 

I often prefer linear switches, but Razer’s tactile orange switches are comfortable for both gaming and typing. The 50g actuation force isn’t too heavy and the tactile bump is satisfying without being disruptive. My hands never got cramped while typing for hours at a time or during long game sessions. 

The switches sound fantastic, too, so this is a great all-around keyboard for gaming as well as work or school. It’s not too loud, either, so you don’t have to worry about disturbing neighbors in the office or at home. 

The media keys were really helpful. It’s convenient to adjust my volume without reaching up to my headphones or opening the volume scroller in my toolbar, especially in full screen games and apps. 

The pause/play and quick mute buttons were also nice to have, but more useful during everyday tasks, like pausing my music without changing tabs. If you want to use those buttons for something else, you can customize the keybindings through Razer Synapse. 

Razer BlackWidow V4 75% connectivity

The BlackWidow V4 is wired with a detachable USB-C cable. The notch for the cable header might make it incompatible with some third-party USB-C cables, but you can swap it out for a different one if you want since it’s detachable at both ends. 

The wired connection was stable and reliable and I never had an issue during my testing. It is preset at a 1,000Hz polling rate, but you can customize that to go down to 125Hz or up to 8,000Hz. To do so, select the BlackWidow V4 in Razer Synapse, go to the keyboard tab and select “customize.”

Razer BlackWidow V4 75% software

You can customize the BlackWidow V4’s performance and RGB lighting through Razer Synapse. If you’re new to Razer, it should download the first time you plug in the keyboard or you can download the latest version directly from Razer’s website. 

Razer Synapse has all the features you would want for controlling your keyboard on the software side, but it can be difficult to navigate, especially for new users. Even as someone who is familiar with Synapse and Chroma Studio, I still get frustrated sometimes while trying to assign lighting profiles to games or change between profiles. 

That said, it is fairly easy to create new RGB lighting effects in Chroma Studio. There are pre-made quick effects like spectrum cycling or ripple. You can also make your own with fully customizable colors. Overall, Razer Synapse gets the job done but it could be easier to navigate. 

Bottom line

The Razer BlackWidow V4 75% is easily one of the best gaming keyboards you can buy right now. The sound quality on it is among the best I’ve ever heard on a gaming keyboard and the typing experience is phenomenal. In gameplay, it’s responsive and reliable with snappy keystrokes and a customizable polling rate. The RGB and case design both look great, as well, especially with the dedicated media keys. 

Overall, the BlackWidow V4 is a stellar update to Razer’s core line of gaming keyboards, perfect for everything from typing to fast-paced gaming.

When I’m writing a laptop review, one of the most important, but probably overlooked parts is the Ports section. Depending on the selection included on the laptop, you can transform your system from a traditional laptop into a productivity and multimedia powerhouse. I saw this first hand with the new Razer Blade 18 at CES 2024 and I’m excited for the possibilities. 

Picture this, you’re walking a crowded CES show floor and you see a thin-and-light laptop running Assassin’s Creed Mirage to a trio of 4K monitors with high refresh rates, all with a mouse and dock connected to it. This was the sight that greeted me at the Razer Booth. As I watched the demo I knew I had to play. I made my way over and it wasn’t long before I was running through the streets, causing trouble and then hiding in plain sight as Basim. The streets of Baghdad were full of people and alive with color. And no matter how quickly I spun the camera, I could detect any motion blur, jaggies or stuttering. 

How is all of this possible? Simple, the laptop is one of the first to sport Intel’s new Thunderbolt 5 ports. Announced during CES, Thunderbolt 5 is the next generation of connectivity. According to Intel, it will deliver 80Gbps of “bi-directional bandwidth, and with Bandwidth Boost it will provide up to 120 Gbps for the best display experience.” That translates into having three times the bandwidth of its predecessor which is excellent news for gamers and creators because they can connect to high-resolution displays with minimal to no lag while working with bigger loads of data. 

Per Intel’s site, here’s a list of Thunderbolt 5’s benefits:

• Two times the total bi-directional bandwidth; Bandwidth Boost provides up to three times the throughput for video-intensive usage, up to 120 Gbps.
• Double the PCI Express data throughput for faster storage and external graphics.
• Built on industry standards including USB4 V2, DisplayPort 2.1 and PCI Express Gen 4; fully compatible with previous versions.
• Double the bandwidth of Thunderbolt Networking for high-speed PC-to-PC connections.
• Utilizes a new signaling technology, PAM-3, to deliver these significant increases in performance with today’s printed circuit boards, connectors and passive cables up to 1 meter.

But even if you’re not looking to connect to another display, the Blade 18 is no slouch, starting with the display. The 18-inch panel is the world’s first 4K panel with a 165Hz refresh rate and a 3-millisecond response rate. It’s also G-Sync compatible and is just begging for me to play Cyberpunk 2077 and some of my other favorite games on the absolute highest settings. It’s absolutely stunning in person and I can’t wait to get one in for review to benchmark the color reproduction and accuracy.

Under the hood, the Blade 18 has an Intel Core i9-14900HX processor paired with an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 GPU. So it’s plenty powerful, to the point where it can easily transition from a marathon gaming session to a heavy-duty photo or video-editing workload. All of this, and Razer has managed to maintain its trademark svelte dimensions. For laptops, 2024 is getting off to a great start and I’m looking forward to making many updates to the best gaming laptops pages and many others. 

We've been on the hunt for some of the best computer speakers for years now. Although we initially prepared this list for you years ago, we have just reviewed it and verified that these are still the top speakers in 2025.

Whether you want to pair them with one of the best laptops or connect them to your tablet, you'll find that they'll give you a superb audio experience. We know — we've tested them ourselves.

The Q Acoustics 3020i, which we were so impressed by, continues to be among the best speakers for any PC or laptop. Their sound quality is superb, and although they come with a price tag to match, you'll appreciate the audio experience once you plug them in.

If you'd rather keep the expenses at bay, the Fluance Ai61 is still a fantastic pair of speakers. While hardly cheap, they balance value with outstanding sound quality, and they'll pair nicely with your turntable, TV, or laptop via Bluetooth 5.

Are you ready to level up your audio experience? Let us walk you through some of the best computer speakers. You'll be an audiophile by the end of this article.

Check out our top picks for the best computer speakers, based on hours of testing and research. Need something for private listening? Then make sure to also look at our roundup of the best noise-cancelling headphones, which includes everything from over-ear luxury cans to truly wireless buds.

What are the best computer speakers?

The Q Acoustics 3020i currently sits at No. 1 on our best computer speakers list. Improvements in design and audio quality (e.g., extended bass response) showcase the overall detailing and effort that was put into these speakers. They’ are tiny but powerful stand-mounted monitors made to satisfy audiophiles who want strong sound in a refined package.

In second place on our best computer speakers list is the Audioengine HD3. These Bluetooth bookshelf speakers match the precise sound found on most wired computer speakers. Bass is tight and the midrange is emphasized for vocals to shine. Connectivity is spot-on too, so you won’t ever have to worry about dropout when streaming music. It’s also one of the better-looking models out there with a retro-inspired design that’s donned in a wooden veneer and mesh magnetic grille.

For bargain hunters, there is the Creative Pebble V3, which packs loud sound into a compact design that is perfect for small desks and most media formats (music, video games, movies). If money is no object, then the KEF LSX is an amazing sound system that doubles as computer speakers and delivers top-notch audio performance and tons of features. The Edifier R1280DB is another relatively affordable option with numerous connection options that balances smooth-sounding mids and highs superbly.

The best computer speakers you can buy today

Our top pick for the best computer speakers is the Q Acoustics 3020i for its impeccable sound reproduction and gorgeous design. The frequency spectrum is well represented, with bass leading the sonic brigade; kick snares, and drums sound thunderous.

You’ll enjoy amazing separation as well, pinpointing instruments, while also picking up on the subtle nuances in orchestral recordings. Build quality is another hallmark of the 3020i, from the curved unibody frame to the multiple sexy finishes (Graphite Grey, English Walnut, Carbon Black or Arctic White) the speakers come in.

These aren’t speakers you’ll want to keep tucked in deep cabinets, as they look more exquisite sitting next to an Apple Mac Pro or Microsoft Surface Studio. You can even place them on stands, should you want to get more creative with speaker placement and enjoy stereo sound at ear level.

Audioengine’s reputation for building premium speakers with accurate sound is flawless. The HD3 is proof of this, producing stellar audio that makes music and movies sound pristine.

Wired speakers are known for offering a better audio experience, but these Bluetooth-only speakers exceed expectations. Mids are articulate and highs are compelling, giving vocals plenty of clarity and detail.

Wireless range is stable as well, with little to no dropout occurring. What’s more surprising is how well sound carries over to the headphone jack, as listening with over-ear cans maintains the HD3’s rich performance. Having a built-in DAC and amp also increases the HD3’s value.

Our only complaint is that Audioengine took it easy on the low end. You’ll still get to some nice oomph out of the drivers when listening to bass-dominating tracks, but don’t expect to blow a hole through your college dorm roof.

Our favorite tiny computer speakers have been upgraded with louder sound, more input options, and a new mode that doubles the audio intensity. The latter works great for music, movies, video games, and podcasts.

Those with distinctive hearing may also notice how well the Pebble V3’s clear dialog audio processing performs when compared to what comes out of your MacBook’s built-in speakers; dialogue-heavy scenes in movies and games sound amazing. We do advise not to blast the speakers at max volume, as it can produce some crackling and minor distortion when jamming out to tunes.

Wireless playback is superb with Bluetooth 5.0 providing steady connectivity across all devices (e.g. laptops, desktops, smartphones). Then you have the super-compact design, which is perfect for small work environments or to pack with you on the road. For $40, it’s a no-brainer that you can also pass on to someone else once you’re ready to look at bigger, more powerful options.

The Fives speaker system looks like something you would find in your great-grandfather’s study, but the only thing retro about these speakers is the design. Despite no subwoofer, these monitors blast powerful, balanced sound to create an immersive listening experience when enjoying music, movies, sports, and video games.

The details in craftsmanship are remarkable as exhibited by the aluminum dials sitting atop the right channel to allow for seamless switching between the numerous connections. There is even an output to connect to turntables; we recommend checking out our best USB turntables roundup to find some worthy pairings.

All that firepower does come at the cost of size. As you can see by the dimensions, The Fives isn’t exactly a pair of computer speakers that rest steadily on any tiny desk, so you’ll definitely want to clear out some space before these arrive on your doorstep.

An award winner in multiple categories, the KEF LSX is included on our best computer speakers list for numerous reasons. For one, just look at how gorgeous and well-constructed it is, highlighted by the color-matched fabric on each side and the high-gloss finish.

Unique details like the Uni-Q driver array, which consists of a 19mm aluminum dome tweeter sitting in the center of a 10cm bass cone, are complementary to the LSX’s appearance as well.

Sound is rich with an impactful low end that favors bass-heavy genres, though you can customize this in the EQ settings via Control app. Being able to stream music wirelessly through Bluetooth and AirPlay 2, while also supporting Spotify Connect and Tidal, adds to its value.

It does seem impractical that you need two apps – the aforementioned Control and Stream – to personalize sound and play music from streaming platforms. In addition, Stream tends to experience serious lag when playing Tidal tracks.

Edifier knows all about making some of the best computer speakers, and the R1280DB is a fine addition to the brand’s long line of heritage receivers. Their penchant for build quality is certainly on display, with the speakers featuring a wood grain finish, vinyl wrap, and magnetic shields for protection from surrounding items.

They’ll feel right at home on any bookshelf, while also blending nicely on any entertainment center. More enticing than the design is the sound quality, which is ideal for multiple media formats (e.g. music, movies, and games), thanks to its superb mids and highs. Bluetooth connection is another bonus, letting you pair the speakers with multiple computing devices.

You’ll just want to be mindful of listening at high volumes since that can create distortion. The low end won’t blow you away either, so bass lovers looking to shake their game room with explosions may want to look at other models on this list.

The small-but-mighty A2+ is considered one of the best computer speakers for those who appreciate detailed audio and can afford to pay for it, if they can find it. That’s right, at nearly seven years old, the A2+ remains a hot commodity among PC owners who want top of the line sound.

You'll hear crisp treble and balanced midrange and bass — no subwoofer needed, though there's a subwoofer output if you want to add one. Best of all, the A2+ fills the room with sound, and they can get really loud. You can connect in a variety of ways, including RCA stereo, 3.5 mm minijack and USB (you can also get a version with Bluetooth for $50 more).

The solidly built units come in satin black, glossy white or glossy red to match your aesthetics. You’re going to want to find the right volume level and stick with it because Audioengine made the inconvenient decision to place the volume control on the back, which becomes annoying to access every time.

Another popular, well-received pair of Klipsch computer speakers, the R-41PM presents fantastic sound and connectivity in a sleek package. Powerful bass, clean mids, and resonant highs demonstrate the unit’s great frequency range.

An included sub-out line makes it seamless to add a subwoofer, should you want to boost low frequencies, which isn’t necessary for small settings, but is available nonetheless. The numerous inputs let you connect these babies to everything from your desktop to television, even to a turntable.

There’s also the option to go wireless and pair the speakers with your mobile device. Craftsmanship is excellent too, made up of exposed fasteners, low-profile magnetic grilles, and a scratch-resistant, textured wood grain vinyl finish for a polished appearance.

Sadly, Bluetooth isn’t executed well and doesn’t allow you to automatically re-pair the R-41PM with recently connected devices. Don’t blast these speakers too loudly either, because it can lead to harsh sound.

Bigger in size, bigger in sound, the Ai61 is basically a more advanced version of the popular Ai41. You really can’t go wrong with either model, but the Ai61 garners more attention because of its increase in driver size, wattage, and low-end frequency. It also comes with a USB Type-C input, which is ideal for computer use.

These speakers produce loud, powerful bass and impressive stereo separation to hear instruments and vocals distinctly through the left and right channels. The plethora of inputs – Bluetooth, analog, and digital – are nicely appointed for audiophiles who want to get more out of the speakers by pairing to high-end sound systems. And even with the extra specs, the Ai61 remains lightweight.

The price difference between the Ai41 and Ai61 is only $50, which seems like a bargain when factoring in the bonuses. However, $300 isn’t what most would consider relatively affordable.

Razer is a brand that has become synonymous with PC gaming, as best exhibited by their award-winning gaming laptops. It didn’t take long for them to release a line of gaming computer speakers, and if you want top-tier performance, then the Nommo Pro might be the gaming set-up for you.

These speakers boast a loud, wide soundstage that delivers an immersive listening experience perfect for gaming; you’ll be more aware of sneak attacks during Call of Duty: Warzone multiplayer matches and hear players' voices clearly over heavy gunfire.

The Razer Synapse app makes it easy to personalize the speakers, be it the EQ or RGB lightning pattern. Also, the dial control makes volume adjustment and switching between audio sources a breeze.

The subwoofer does help the speakers produce a pleasant rumble, though it can also make the bass too punchy when blasting sound at high volume. Also, the high price tag doesn’t make the Nommo Pro financially accessible to all PC gamers.

Our favorite sustainable audio brand has made their way into the computer speaker market, offering up an attractive set of sound blasters composed of solid bamboo and HoM’s trademark REWIND Fabric made from recycled materials.

You can expect crisp, detailed audio to come out of this dual-speaker system, along with 20 hours of playtime from the right speaker, which can be used wirelessly around the house or on the go. The Get Together Duo even has RCA outputs and an aux input for wired playback; we recommend pairing it with some of the market’s best noise-cancelling headphones or USB turntables.

Bass heads who want deep, boomy sound might want to look elsewhere, as this speaker system places heavy emphasis on midrange. It would have also been great if HoM added lossless Bluetooth codecs and AAC support, but neither of these omissions is a dealbreaker.

Airpulse designed these desktop speakers with versatility in mind. Multiple inputs allow you to pair them with any other compatible audio source. Bluetooth 5.0 with aptX connectivity means hi-res streaming with minimal latency.

Powerful drivers and a subwoofer output for bass expansion guarantee loud, boom-filled sound. Listeners have the option to tweak sound via the volume, bass, and treble dials. A sleek, clean design with unique touches like a horn-loaded ribbon tweeter completes the A80’s look.

A beautiful design doesn’t always translate to an appealing sound. The A80’s frequencies fail to complement one another. For instance, the highs don’t merge well with mids, and bass can be overly aggressive at times. The bundled remote control doesn’t function well either.

How to choose the best computer speakers for you

You’ll want to prioritize audio performance, connection type, extra features, and pricing when seeking out the best computer speakers.

Ask yourself what suits your setup best: wired or wireless. The former is known for guaranteeing better sound, yet requires dealing with more cables and ports, which can be overbearing for small setups. If you’re not looking to be tethered to your machine, then know that there are plenty of wireless models available that come with stereo or surround sound technology. Speaking of sound, also look for computer speakers that deliver clean vocals, deep bass, and rich treble, and with volume levels that aren’t too loud or distort sound.

Something else to keep in mind is codecs. SBC (Sub Band Codec) is the most common and is a great option for streaming music on popular services like Spotify. You can look into newer and more advanced codecs like AAC (Advanced Audio Coding), Qualcomm aptX, and Sony LDAC as well; each one processes information quickly and delivers superior audio output.

In terms of features, the most common tend to be bass and treble controls, allowing you to personalize sound to your liking. Multiple inputs are important too, especially if you’re looking to connect the speakers to other devices like smartphones or tablets. Make sure the speakers have an auxiliary input jack, USB slots, and extra ports for more versatility.

Top-tier performance usually comes at a premium, but not all of the best computer speakers carry a steep MSRP. Yes, the more expensive models will likely have more powerful sound and components underneath the hood, along with a more upscale appearance. That’s not to say you won’t get some great performance out of a less expensive pair. Look at reviews – both expert and consumer – then figure out what models offer everything you want for the most reasonable price.

How we test the best computer speakers

Similar to how we test all audio products, our reviewers evaluate several factors, including audio, battery life, design, and value. We also compare each model to similar ones in terms of features, pricing, and setup.

Computer speakers are tested over the course of a week for 2 hours at a time. During this process, we analyze Bluetooth performance, ease of use, and, most importantly, sound quality. Reviewers listen to numerous predetermined tracks across a variety of music genres: classical, EDM, hip-hop, jazz, rock, and R&B. Movies, podcasts, and video games are taken into serious consideration, too. Overall, we evaluate clarity, fullness, and volume.

With more streaming services offering high-resolution audio, we advise reading this audio codec FAQ to learn more about FLAC files, MP3s and everything in between. The streaming service you choose could enhance sound quality.

After testing is completed, we rate each model based on our five-point system (1 = worst, 5 = best). Any product that is exemplary is awarded a Laptop Magazine Editor’s Choice badge.

• Here are the best gaming laptops available right now
• Our picks for the best business laptops
• Take a look at the best tablets for the money based on our testing

Cyber Monday deals are already starting to pop up on our radar, and if you've been patiently waiting for the best gaming laptop deals of the year, that patience is about to pay off — literally.

Right now, you can pick up the Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 Ti-powered Razer Blade 14 for $1,799 at Best Buy, down from $3,499. That's an astonishing savings of $1,700, and one of the best laptop deals we've seen so far for Cyber Monday. 

In our full Razer Blade 14 review we hailed it as the "best gaming laptop you can buy," and there are a variety of configurations on sale right now from various retailers such as B&H Photo, Amazon, and Razer's own website. 

Long-story-short: anyone holding out for Cyber Monday gaming laptop deals will want to give this one a gander. 

Today's best Razer Blade 14 deal

Black Friday isn't quite here yet, but it isn't stopping the biggest corporations in the business from slashing massive discounts on their biggest products. Razer is no exception, with these highlights in particular focusing on its best gaming headsets. 

While a majority of them are things we haven't tested, our prime recommendation comes with the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro, which I personally reviewed and still use nearly three years later. Yes, the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro is $80 off at Amazon. Otherwise, there are plenty of other great Razer headset deals available for all kinds of budgets.

Best Razer Black Friday gaming headsets

Gaming laptops are exorbitant pieces of hardware and you have to be prepared to spend up to $5,000 if you’re looking for the highest quality. However, we’ve previously gone over how buying an RTX 4080 laptop or higher is setting your money on fire. I’m also quick to say don’t spend more than $3,000 on a gaming laptop, as it’s not remotely worth the value you’re getting.

Considering these two stipulations, it’s no surprise that my favorite two laptops of 2023 both feature an RTX 4070 graphics card and are each under $3,000. In fact, I loved them so much I wrote separate highlight articles for each. One highlighting that the Lenovo Legion 5 Pro is the best gaming laptop under $1,500, while the other focused on the Razer Blade 14 and how it was my favorite gaming laptop at the time.

Both of these laptops are easily my favorites of 2023, but if we were to put them in a hypothetical gladiator's arena where only one victor could emerge, who would win?

Lenovo Legion 5 Pro vs Razer Blade 14: Specs compared 

Lenovo Legion 5 Pro vs Razer Blade 14: Price 

Both the Blade 14 and Legion 5 Pro are RTX 4070 gaming laptops, yet the former costs $2,699 while the latter is $1,399. The reasons for this massive gap in price is not clear solely by looking at specifications. The Legion 5 Pro features an AMD Ryzen 7 7745HX processor, Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 graphics card, 16GB of RAM, 1TB of SSD storage and a 16-inch, 2560 x 1600, IPS display at 165Hz.

On the surface this is pretty similar to the Blade 14, which has a AMD Ryzen 9 7940HS processor, an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 GPU with 8GB of VRAM, 16GB of RAM, 1TB of M.2 PCIe SSD storage space, and a 14-inch QHD+ 240Hz, 2560 x 1600-pixel display. The ways in which the Blade 14 is more premium can be seen in its design, battery life and display, but solely on price, the winner here is clear.

Winner: Lenovo Legion 5 Pro 

Lenovo Legion 5 Pro vs Razer Blade 14: Design 

Considering the Legion 5 Pro is nearly half the price of the Blade 14, it’d be a total shock if the former featured a superior design. The Blade 14 benefits from a beautiful, minimalistic black aluminum lid and chassis. Gaming laptops can suffer from shoddy exteriors even when they’re expensive, but Razer didn’t take the cheap way out here.

This isn’t to say the Legion 5 Pro’s exterior feels poor, as it holds up firmly when placing pressure against various points on its chassis. Its hinge also held up even when placing the lid near its deck, maintaining its own weight without issue. But the Blade 14 has the benefit of a near unbendable metal exterior.

However, they’re vastly different products in size and weight. The Blade 14 is a 14-inch laptop that comes in at 12.2 x 9 x 0.7 inches and 4.1 pounds, while the Legion 5 Pro is a 16-inch laptop that measures 14.3 x 10.3 x 0.9-1.1 inches and weighs 4.1 pounds.

Winner: Razer Blade 14 

Lenovo Legion 5 Pro vs Razer Blade 14: Display 

The Legion 5 Pro features a 16-inch, 2560 x 1600-pixel IPS matte display at a 165Hz refresh rate, while the Blade 14 has a 14-inch, 2560 x 1600-pixel matte display at a 240Hz refresh rate. These specifications are pretty similar outside of the difference in refresh rate, so we can quickly jump into our test results.

The Legion 5 Pro produced 82.4% of the DCI-P3 color gamut with a brightness of 319 nits, while the Blade 14 hit 114.3% DCI-P3 with a brightness of 465 nits. This isn’t surprising considering the two laptops feature a massive difference in price, but it’s important to note that the Legion 5 Pro actually has an incredible score considering its inexpensive nature. But without a doubt, the Blade 14 snags this victory.

Winner: Razer Blade 14 

Lenovo Legion 5 Pro vs Razer Blade 14: Performance 

While the gap between these two laptops has been considerable thus far, this is where things begin to change. The Legion 5 Pro is built with an AMD Ryzen 7 7745HX processor, 16GB of RAM and a 1TB Samsung PM9A1 SSD. The Razer Blade 14 has an AMD Ryzen 9 7940HS processor, 16GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD.

You’d think the near two times difference in price would guarantee an easy victory for the Blade 14, but this is where the Legion 5 Pro turns into somewhat of a miracle. On the Geekbench 6 overall performance test, the Legion 5 Pro’s multi-core score of 13,063 absolutely crushed the Razer Blade 14 (11,425).

This only continued when converting a 4K video into 1080p resolution using the handbrake app, a task it performed in 4 minutes and 5 seconds. The Blade 14 (4:45) just could not keep up. And finally, its 1TB SSD duplicated 25GB of multimedia files in 12.5 seconds at a 2,150 megabytes per second transfer rate. This left the Blade 14 (1,230 MBps) in the dust with a performance nearly twice as good. 

Winner: Lenovo Legion 5 Pro 

Lenovo Legion 5 Pro vs Razer Blade 14: Graphics

Both the Legion 5 Pro and Blade 14 are built with an RTX 4070 mobile graphics card with 8GB of vRAM, so it’s expected that the two laptops will feature relatively close performance metrics—yet that’s not remotely what happened in our tests.

In our Borderlands 3 test, the Legion 5 Pro managed an average of 110 fps at 1080p on maximum graphics settings. The Blade 14 (98 fps) was quite a bit behind, not only in this test, but every other gaming test we put it against. Both in Far Cry 6 and Red Dead Redemption 2, the Legion 5 Pro (97 fps and 78 fps) demolished the Blade 14 (85 fps and 73 fps).

We also put it to the Metro Exodus Enhanced Edition test, and the Legion 5 Pro managed 107 fps on High, 84 fps on Ultra and 53 fps on Extreme. The Blade 14 (88 fps High, 76 fps Ultra, 48 fps Extreme) was once again bested.

Winner: Lenovo Legion 5 Pro 

Lenovo Legion 5 Pro vs Razer Blade 14: Battery life

So far, the two laptops are neck and neck, each scoring a few victories thus far, but battery life is a particularly sore subject for gaming laptops. It’s easy to find super powerful hardware, but can it last more than a few hours? At the very least, both the Legion 5 Pro and Blade 14 last a decently long time, but one does far better than the other.

The Legion 5 Pro manages admirable longevity at 4 hours and 38 minutes, but the Blade 14 nearly doubles that at 8 hours and 35 minutes. It’s rare to see a gaming laptop last this long, but it’s one of the many reasons why the price gap between these two laptops is so vast. The Blade 14 does more than just provide excellent performance; it’s a reliable beast in many avenues.

Winner: Razer Blade 14 

Overall winner

Choosing a winner in this battle is tough considering the two laptops are made for drastically different price brackets. Under most circumstances, we’d happily call this a draw and say which one is better depends entirely on your overall needs. But that’s too easy, and as mentioned previously, we’re imagining a hypothetical scenario where the two laptops are tossed into a gladiator’s arena: There must be one victor.

For those who need an inexpensive gaming laptop that can do it all with style, the Legion 5 Pro is an easy pick. Both the performance and gaming metrics, alongside the decent display and sturdy chassis, make it pretty clear why it’s one of our favorites of the year. All of that power for $1,399 is mindblowing.

But for those who are willing to pay a lot of extra money for an incredible jack-of-all-trades gaming laptop, the Blade 14 is hard to argue against. With battery life over eight hours, an excellent exterior build, beautiful display and solid performance metrics, it does everything well. 

Yet at the end of the day, a gaming laptop is a gaming laptop, and if something at half the price can still be packed with a decent display and destroy its opponent in performance metrics, it’s hard to argue with that resourcefulness. The Lenovo Legion 5 Pro is simply unstoppable, and I’d easily recommend it to anyone seeking to purchase a gaming laptop.

Winner: Lenovo Legion 5 Pro 

Far too often, laptop manufacturers focus on one element of a laptop's design, neglecting other features. It’s increasingly common, especially in gaming laptops, to stuff so much power into the processor and graphics card that the rest of it feels cheaply made, resulting in consumers spending upwards of $3,000 on a disappointingly cobbled together piece of hardware. But Razer didn’t just give its latest gaming laptop the new AMD processor and RTX 4070 performance, as nearly every facet of the Razer Blade 14 is great. 

Razer’s dedication to premium build quality is particularly impressive, with the Blade 14 possessing an almost miraculous balance between sturdiness and functionality that makes it the best feeling gaming laptop I’ve tested. Beyond just that, it has a phenomenally bright and vivid display, powerful speaker system and long-lasting battery life.

While the laptop can run a bit hot and loud, it’s easy to recommend for gamers looking to get a truly premium piece of hardware. It’s definitely one of the best gaming laptops out there, so keep reading to see if this is the one for you! 

Razer Blade 14 price and configuration 

Our model of the Razer Blade 14 is built with the new AMD Ryzen 9 7940HS processor, an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 GPU with 8GB of VRAM, 16GB of RAM, 1TB of M.2 PCIe SSD storage space, and a 14-inch QHD+ 240Hz, 2560 x 1600-pixel display. Our model costs a steep $2,699.99 and is available on Razer’s website.

The base model isn’t much different in price but replaces the GPU with a Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 graphics card instead. Pretty much everything is the same, bringing it down to $2,399.99. The most expensive model of this laptop bumps it up to 32GB of RAM with a Mercury White color coat, costing $2,799.99.

Razer Blade 14 design 

The Razer Blade 14 has a minimalist design, but its alluring simplicity is hard not to love. The jet black aluminum lid features the iconic Razer logo in its glorious green hue depicting three hissing snakes coiled together to form what looks like a quarantine symbol at the center. Lifting the lid reveals a similarly simple black metal deck, featuring an enormous trackpad and a 60% keyboard with a healthy amount of room on the left and right edge.

The Razer Blade 14’s chassis is sturdy and thick, refusing to bend when putting pressure against it. Alongside a strong hinge this laptop feels premium to touch and hold beyond the incredible specs and awesome display. 

The Razer Blade 14 measures 12.23 x 8.97 x 0.7 inches and weighs 4.1 pounds, and it’s pretty impressive how light it feels to hold. The Origin EON16-S (14.1 x 10.74 x 0.78 inches, 5.5 pounds), MSI Raider GE78 HX (6.5 pounds, 15 x 11.7 x 1.1 inches) and Acer Predator Triton 500 SE (5.3 pounds, 14.1 x 10.3 x 0.78 inches) were all larger and heavier. 

Razer Blade 14 ports 

Packed with a solid arrangement of ports, the Razer Blade 14 comes out of the woodworks with a USB 3.2 Type A port, USB 4 Type-C with Power Delivery, HDMI 2.1, and a Kensington Lock slot on the right side.

On the left is another USB 3.2 Type A, USB 4 Type-C, and an AC power port and audio jack. 

Razer Blade 14 display 

Sporting a stunning 14-inch QHD+ 240Hz, 2560 x 1600-pixel matte display with phenomenal color depth and a high peak brightness, Razer has absolutely knocked it out of the park with this latest Blade 14. Gaming laptops can often underdeliver when it comes to the display, but it’s clear that the company refused to skimp out on any aspect of this laptop’s design.

I watched the trailer for Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse and was floored by how the Razer Blade 14 presented the gorgeous comic book-style animation depicting a bustling New York. As Miles Morales swings through Brooklyn, grabbing a hot dog from a vendor mid-air, I couldn’t believe how vivid the light orange glow of the setting sun setting looked in contrast to the concrete of the city. The individual hues of each building, car, and character in the background were easy to pull apart, and it formed together to make a striking image.

I then launched Elden Ring and was taken aback by how deep each hue within the Lands Between could be, presenting me with a gorgeous view of Limgrave as a sea of yellow clouds overwhelmed a seemingly endless forest beneath a castle upon a cliff. I then moved into a dark and dim cave where the faint glow of a shimmering blue light beckoned me to safety. The vibrancy of effects especially impressed me, as I was temporarily lost in the deep black and golden glow of magic spells being tossed at me within Laskyar Ruins.

The Razer Blade 14 did phenomenal on our color tests, reproducing 114.3% of the DCI-P3 color gamut. Not only is this well beyond the premium gaming laptop average (92.2%), but it manages an effortless victory over the EON-16-S (83.5%) and Triton 500 SE (111.6%). However, the Raider GE78 (115.4%) just barely pulled ahead.

It continued to demolish expectations on our brightness test, pulling an average of 465 nits of brightness. It destroys the category average (408 nits) and is quite a bit ahead of the EON16-S (326 nits), Triton 500 SE (460 nits) and Raider GE78 (412 nits). 

Razer Blade 14 audio 

The Razer Blade 14 boasts subtle front-firing speakers that I could barely see during my initial testing. I was impressed with the quality after listening to some songs and playing games for a bit, but assumed it was one of those rare cases where bottom-firing speakers are actually good. But no, Razer simply did a great job blending them in with the deck, delivering impactful, punchy and loud audio whether you’re in the middle of your favorite games or listening to some tunes.

I played Elden Ring and easily heard the subtle splashes of water as enemies trudged through a massive swamp alongside the rings of ambient strings in the background. The sounds of slashing against enemies, rolling away from foes and hurriedly chugging health flasks were clear, but not too sharp.

I listened to “Title Track” by Death Cab for Cutie and was similarly impressed by how the speaker system maintained the contrast between instrumentals and vocals without losing the low-fi tinge of supporting guitar. And as the song shifts into its fuller sound in the latter half, the speaker sounded appropriately loud and possessed a proper punch as the melancholic ensemble of percussion and stringed instruments attacked my feelings.

Razer Blade 14 keyboard and trackpad

The Razer Blade 14’s compact keyboard features per-key Razer Chroma support with up to 16.8 million potential colors. And it’s also pretty cool that clicking the Fn key causes F1-F12 to light up and everything else to turn off, making it clear which keys can be used with the function. The function keys themselves offer the expected assortment of options, like changing brightness, volume, keyboard brightness, print screen and projecting the display.

I took the 10fastfingers typing test and was satisfied jumping between keystrokes on this clicky keyboard, easily achieving 112 words per minute at 97% accuracy. My only real nitpick with the keyboard is that the backspace is half the size that I’m used to, but that hasn’t been an issue in practice quite yet.

With an absolutely enormous 5.9 x 3.4-inch touchpad, opening files, dragging folders around and selecting multiple items at once felt sufficiently smooth and satisfying. I had no issue performing Windows multi touch gestures either, whether I was quickly swapping windows or hiding a tab to bring me back to the desktop.

Razer Blade 14 gaming performance 

Packed with a Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 GPU with 8GB of VRAM, you won’t be disappointed running some of the biggest modern games on this beast. It won’t deliver performances quite as great as those seen with the RTX 4080 or 4090 GPU, but unless you want to spend upwards of $4,000, an RTX 4070 is more than enough.

I launched Elden Ring and was impressed by how the Razer Blade 14’s RTX 4070 handled this game at 2560 x 1600-pixel resolution and maximum graphics settings, never dropping below 60 frames per second at any point during my tests. I turned ray tracing up to maximum to give it a run for its money, and as I ran throughout the submerged trees within the Lake of Liurnia, the frames would hover anywhere between 40 and 50 fps depending on how thick the foliage was. Considering how demanding Elden Ring’s ray tracing can be, this is solid performance.

During the Borderlands 3 test, the laptop managed an average of 98 fps at 1080p on maximum settings. While this is certainly impressive, the EON16-S (106 fps, Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070) and Raider GE78 (153 fps, Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080) performed quite a bit better, although the Triton 500 SE (77 fps, Nvidia RTX GeForce 3080 Ti) was far behind the pack.

Unfortunately, the Razer Blade 14 was completely in last place during Far Cry 6 at an average of 85 fps. The EON16-S (99 fps), Raider GE78 (121 fps), and Triton 500 SE (121 fps) each pulled ahead without a sweat.

It did a little better during the Red Dead Redemption 2 test, achieving an average of 73 fps. The EON16-S (75 fps) and Triton 500 SE (71 fps) were each in a pretty similar range of one another, but the Raider GE78 (115 fps) took no prisoners.

It was once again pretty close in the Shadow of the Tomb Raider test, as the Razer Blade 14 hit 114 fps alongside the EON16-S (115 fps), but the Raider GE78 (177 fps) continued to rest well beyond the rest.

Razer Blade 14 performance 

Our Razer Blade 14 model is built with the brand new AMD Ryzen 9 7940HS processor, 16GB of RAM, and a 1TB of M.2 PCIe SSD. It is an undeniably stacked machine and more than capable of handling many productivity tasks at once, running several Google Chrome tabs of YouTube, Spotify, Twitch and more without a sweat.

On the Geekbench 5.5 overall performance test, the Razer Blade 14’s multi-score of 11,121 was pretty solid, but it’s far from the best of its competitors and worse than the category average (13,774). The EON16-S (14,644, Intel Core i9-13900H processor) and Triton 500 SE (14,155, Intel Core i9-12900H) did quite a bit better than AMD’s latest chip, but the Raider GE78 (21,063, Intel Core i9-13950HX) was unstoppable with its productivity performance.

The Razer Blade 14 converted a 4K video into 1080p resolution using the HandBrake app in 4 minutes and 45 seconds, which is once again a good score, yet it cannot match up with some of its competition nor the category average (4:24). The EON16-S (3:46), Triton 500 SE (4:32), and Raider GE78 (4:08) were all quite a bit faster than it. 

It continued to do just solid in the file transfer test, duplicating 25GB of multimedia files in 22 seconds for a 1,230 megabytes per second transfer rate, putting it behind the category average (1,555MBps). This is worse performance than the EON16-S (1,819MBps, 1TB SSD), Triton 500 SE (1,280MBps, 1TB SSD) and Raider GE78 (1,488MBps, 2TB SSD).

Razer Blade 14 battery life 

The Razer Blade 14’s battery life is staggering, lasting a total of 8 hours and 35 minutes on the Laptop Mag battery test, which entails continuous web browsing over Wi-Fi at 150 nits. Rarely do we see gaming laptops last this long.

The category average sits at 5 hours and 13 minutes, and it’s no surprise that the Raider GE78 (2:33) and EON16-S (5:06) were easily defeated. At the very least, the Triton 500 SE (8:19) was close but still couldn’t quite match up to it. 

Razer Blade 14 heat 

The Razer Blade 14 is an oven and we highly recommend keeping it far away from your body, especially while gaming. Even just in our non-gaming tests, the laptop hit 102 degrees at the underside near the hinge. The touchpad was 80 degrees, while the G/H key nearly climbed over our 95-degree comfort threshold at 94.5 degrees.

But during our gaming tests, it got as high as 124 degrees at the underside. This is absolutely scalding, with the G/H key reaching 108 degrees. At the very least, the touchpad remained just warm at 86 degrees. And in my testing, I could feel the overwhelming heat of the keyboard, making it uncomfortable to use while the fans loudly went into overdrive in response to me playing Elden Ring.

Razer Blade 14 webcam 

It’s an admittedly nice trend that 1080p webcams are becoming increasingly common, and although it isn’t phenomenal, it ensures the Razer Blade 14 boasts a solid crispness to its images with the colors of my pink basement and white shirt being represented accurately. Even then, the brightest sections of my room, like my soft orange lamp reflecting against the white ceiling, turn into overexposed rays that could give heaven’s light a run for its money.

You’ll do just fine with the Razer Blade 14’s built-in webcam, but if you want something particularly high quality, we recommend checking out our best webcams page. 

Razer Blade 14 software and warranty 

The Razer Blade 14 comes pre-installed with Windows 11 alongside the expected suite of Microsoft software. It also has Razer Synapse, the company’s one-stop proprietary software. It offers settings to modify the RGB colors of the keyboard and other compatible devices, change system settings in performance, display, battery and lighting, and assign keyboard macros.

The Razer Blade 14 comes with a 1-year limited warranty, but a 2-year limited battery warranty. See how Razer did in our Tech Support Showdown special feature. 

Bottom line 

The Razer Blade 14 is the best gaming laptop you can buy right now. We already expect laptops at this price point to offer solid productivity performance alongside the staggering power of the latest and greatest graphics card, but Razer went above and beyond in every facet of this machine.

Boasting a sturdy build that reflects its premium price point, gorgeous display with high nits of brightness and alluring color depth, an absolutely banging speaker system, and great battery life, this is an all-around phenomenal package. You can find other laptops that are superior to this in certain categories, but the Razer Blade 14 is a jack-of-all-trades that does everything wonderfully. If you’re willing to spend a few hundred dollars extra for a more powerful machine with worse battery life in a heavier chassis, the MSI Raider GE78 HX is a great pick. Otherwise, Razer has knocked it out of the park with this one.

New screen size, who dis? Razer is the latest laptop OEM to switch from odds to evens when it comes to screen size. The Razer Blade 16 brings that sleek, minimalist design that we know and love from the company — along with some cool bells and whistles such as the overclockable Intel Core i9 processor and Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 GPU — making it one of the most powerful gaming laptops on the market. 

But there’s more than that. Check out the display, the 16-inch, 16:10 mini-LED is absolutely stunning, bursting with color and seriously sharp detail. Razer could have just gone with a regular 4K display, but never afraid to buck convention, the company has unveiled the world’s first dual-mode mini-LED panel with the ability to switch between 4K resolution with a 120Hz refresh rate and 1920 x 1200 with a 240Hz refresh rate. Essentially giving gamers and content creators the best of both worlds, the laptop is designed to deliver an optimal visual experience no matter what you’re doing. Throw in a bunch of ports, a comfy, colorful keyboard, some great audio, and you’ve definitely got yourself a winner worthy of sitting on our best gaming laptops page.

But at $4,299, I expect faster file-transfer speeds and a smoother transition between display modes. If you want a powerful gaming laptop that sits on the cutting edge, read on to learn the ins and outs of the Razer Blade 16. 

Razer Blade 16 Pricing and Configuration

You’re going to be spending a pretty penny for the Razer Blade 16 no matter which configuration you settle on. The base model, for instance, costs $2,699 and has a 2.2-GHz Intel Core i9-13950HX processor with 16GB of RAM, a 1TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2 SSD, Intel UHD Graphics, an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 GPU with 8GB of VRAM and a 16-inch, 2560 x 1600 display with a 16:10 aspect ratio and a 240Hz refresh rate. 

I had a blast taking the top-tier configuration for an extended spin. The notebook costs $4,299; it doubles the RAM and adds an additional 1TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2 SSD. It also bumps you up to a RTX 4090 GPU with 16GB of VRAM and upgrades you to a dual-mode mini-LED display, which switches between 3840 x 2400 with a 120Hz refresh rate and 1920 x 1200 at 240Hz.

If you want to save a few dollars, there’s the $3,299 model with 32GB of RAM, a 1TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe M.2 SSD and an RTX 4070 GPU with 8GB of VRAM and the dual-mode display.

Razer Blade 16 Design

The size might have changed, but the Razer Blade 16’s good looks remain. The notebook’s chassis is made of black, fingerprint resistant CNC aluminum. The lid is bare save the company’s three-headed snake emblem that glows that eerie neon green. The corners are gently rounded as is the front and back of the laptop’s undercarriage. 

If you’re familiar with Razer laptops, it comes as no surprise that the notebook’s interior has more of that cool-to-the-touch ebony aluminum. The per-key RGB keyboard backlighting is bright and colorful nestled between a pair of large speaker grilles. An absolutely massive touchpad rests directly below, taking up most of the palm rest. The bezels surrounding the 16-inch display are slim, but I wish the top bezel was just a little slimmer. That’s me nitpicking, but I want as much screen real estate as possible. 

The Blade 16 measures 14 x 9.6 x 0.87 inches and weighs 5.4 pounds. That’s a bit heavier than the Asus ROG Zephyrus M16 (5 pounds, 13.9 x 9.7 x 0.9 inches), but lighter than both the MSI Titan GT77 (7.3 pounds, 15.6 x 12.9 x 0.9 inches) and Alienware m17 R5 AMD Advantage (7.3 pounds, 15.6 x 12.9 x 0.9 inches). 

However, the last two are 17-inch laptops which is to be expected. (See also: 💻 Our guide to the best 17-inch laptops.)

And while it’s not a gaming laptop, I’m throwing the 4.8-pound, 14 x 9.8 x 0.7-inch Apple MacBook Pro 16 (M2 Max) into the mix as it’s just as pricy and powerful as the others in the cohort. 

Razer Blade 16 Ports

The Blade 16 is bursting at the seams with ports, starting with the right, which has a USB Type-A 3.2 Gen 2 port, a USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 2 port, HDMI 2.1, a UHS-II SD Card Reader and a Kensington lock slot. On the left, you have a pair of USB Type-A 3.2 Gen 2 ports, a USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 2 port, a headset jack and Razer’s proprietary power port. 

Razer Blade 16 Display

At first glance, the matte 16-inch display with its 16:10 aspect ratio looks like every other display you’ve seen on a gaming laptop. However, this panel is more than meets the eye. First off, it’s one of the first gaming laptops to feature a mini-LED screen, which tend to be brighter and more vivid than an OLED panel. And while that’s cool, the real story here is that this is the first gaming laptop to feature a dual-mode panel, allowing gamers to switch between Creator and Gamer modes in a best-of-both-worlds scenario. 

When it’s time to edit photos or video, there’s Creator mode, which adjusts the screen to 3840 x 2400 resolution with a 120Hz refresh rate, which, if you really wanted to, is more than acceptable for some high-quality gaming. But if you want lighting-fast rendering with minimal input lag that leads to better accuracy, you want Gaming mode, which dials down the resolution to 1920 x 1200 with a blistering 240Hz refresh rate. 

With its higher resolution, Creator mode gives you more pixels to work with as well as 100% of the DCI-P3 color gamut. However, in order to switch modes, you need to adjust the setting in Razer’s Synapse app and reboot, which is a slight hassle. 

I watched the Blue Beetle trailer in both modes. In Creator Mode, I could see the off-putting, creases and folds in the royal blue chitinous armor of the extraterrestrial Scarab in Creator Mode. The glistening inky black liquid that rapidly oozed over actor’s Xolo Maridueña’s face enveloping him in a semi-horror movie scenario was hypnotizing. 

I didn’t notice any real detail degradation when watching the same scene in Gaming mode. After watching the trailer several times in both modes, I did notice that smaller things like the sparks that occurred from Blue Beetle cutting a bus in half weren’t as defined in Gaming mode. Again, it’s a small complaint, but it does exist. 

My only concern with switching between modes is that the text scaling doesn’t automatically adjust. In the switch up from Creator to Gaming mode, I found the text and the apps were often larger than normal (150% vs 100%), forcing me to go into Settings to scale everything back down to a comfortable reading size. It’s a minor detail, but if you’re constantly changing modes, it’s an extra step that I wish was automatic.

The Blade 16 showed its true colors when we measured for the DCI-P3 color gamut, the system measured 93% of the gamut, which is better than the 87.9% premium gaming laptop average, the MacBook Pro’s 83.7% the m17 R5’s 76.2%. It was not more vivid than the Titan however, which had a score of 114.5%.

During our brightness test, the Blade 16 averaged 467 nits, surpassing the 383-nit average, the MacBook Pro’s 447 nits and the Alienware’s 436 nits, but not the Titan’s 511 nits.

Razer Blade 16 Audio

The Razer Blade 16’s four speaker setup is loud and produces relatively clean audio. However, with songs like Victoria Monét’s “Smoke,” the highs can dance on the edge of being shrill. Thanks to a pair of subwoofers, the Blade 16 offers a fair amount of bass as I learned while listening to Megan Thee Stallion’s “Her” with its thumping bassline. 

If you want a more immersive experience when gaming or watching movies, there’s the THX Spatial Audio for PCs app. It’s here that you can toggle between THX Stereo or THX Spatial Audio with the latter creating the illusion of a 3D soundscape for a more immersive experience. So when I tossed a grenade into a wave of incoming enemies in Cyberpunk 2077, the resulting boom sounded like it went off from my left instead of just a centrally-located bang. 

In Stereo or Spatial Audio mode, the Game preset gave me the best experience whether I was fighting my way through a gang of cyberthugs, listening to music or watching a movie. 

Razer Blade 16 Keyboard and Touchpad

Beauty, comfort and clickiness. That’s what’s in store when you start typing on the Razer Blade 16’s island-style keyboard. The keys have nice spacing and depress with a satisfying click and springy feedback. The per-key backlighting is lovely and highly customizable thanks to the Razer Synapse 3 software. You can either use one of the eight quick settings (Breathing, Fire, Reactive, Ripple, Spectrum Cycling, Starlight, Static and Wave) or take a more hands-on approach with Advanced Settings and build out something more unique via Chroma Studio. 

Synapse 3 is also where you can create macros for both the keyboard or a Razer mouse among other things. 

Beauty aside, I had a good time typing on the Blade 16’s keyboard. I easily reached 80 words per minute on the 10fastfingers typing test with 99% accuracy. That is significantly better than my normal 70 wpm/99% accuracy. 

At 6.8 x 3.9 inches, the Blade 16’s trackpad is an absolute unit. And despite its massive size, the smooth glass touchpad offers great palm rejection, allowing me to work normally without the cursor veering off into space. Multitouch gestures such as two-finger scroll, pinch-zoom and three-finger press were instantaneous and accurate. 

Razer Blade 16 Gaming and Graphics

The Blade 16 is the latest gaming laptop to join the 4090 club. With its Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 GPU with 16GB of VRAM, it’s one of the most powerful gaming systems on the market. But how does it hold up against systems that are equally or close to rocking comparable specs? Swimmingly. 

Now onto our synthetic benchmarks, starting with Assassin’s Creed Valhalla where the Blade 16 hit 144 fps at 1080p, destroying the 103-fps premium gaming laptop average. With its own 4090 GPU, the Titan wasn’t too far behind at 124 fps. The m17 R5 AMD Radeon RX 6850M XT) brought up the rear with a respectable 112 fps. 

When we switched over to 4K, the Blade 16’s frame rate dropped to 65 fps, which is just below the 71-fps average, but better than Alienware’s 44 fps, but short of the Titan’s 76 fps. 

On the Shadow of the Tomb Raider test, the Blade 16 scored a solid 159 fps, slipping past the 122-fps category average and the m17 R5’s 99 fps at 1080p. The Titan continued to show up the competition, producing 180 fps. At 4K, the Razer reached 56 fps, beating the Alienware’s 43 fps, but coming nowhere near either the Titan’s 70 fps or the 73-fps category average. 

The Blade 16 posted 164 fps on the Grand Theft Auto V benchmark, shattering the 125-fps average as well as the Alienware’s 104 fps. But once again, the MSI came out victorious with a score of 176 fps. Running the benchmark at 4K resolution yielded lower frame rates across the board, starting with the Blade 16’s 43 fps. It’s below the 70-fps premium gaming laptop average, but so are Titan and Alienware with 50 and 33 fps, respectively. 

We encountered a tie on the Far Cry 6 benchmark between the Blade and the Titan at 102 fps. The score is well above the 89-fps average and the m17 R5’s 81 fps. Jacking the resolution up to 4K broke the tie with the Blade 16 reaching 59 and the Titan obtaining 71 fps. The Alienware only managed 43 fps, a full 30 frames below the 73-fps category average. 

When we ran the Borderlands 3 test, the Razer hit 142 fps, which is not too shabby, especially considering the 110-fps average. The Alienware got 112 fps while the MSI’s 177 fps stole the show. At 4K resolution, the Razer, Alienware and MSI scored 54, 44 and 71 fps with only the Titan surpassing the 68-fps average. 

During the Red Dead Redemption 2 benchmark, Blade 16 reached 111 fps, besting the 82-fps category average and the m17 r5’s 76. But it couldn’t topple the Titan’s 127 fps. The Blade 16 obtained an impressive 77 fps at 4K, handing a defeat to the MSI (48 fps) and Alienware (24 fps) as well as the 52-fps category average. 

And for those times you aren’t blasting through bad guys or creating multimedia content, the laptop relies on its integrated Intel UHD Graphics GPU. 

Razer Blade 16 Performance

There wasn’t much I could throw at the Razer Blade 16 that it didn’t shrug off. The laptop’s 2.2-GHz Intel Core i9-13950HX CPU with 32GB of RAM and dual 1TB SSDs laughed off my 80-plus tabs with its random assortment of Google Docs, Sheets and Presentations as well as my YouTube videos, Twitch streams and various social media feeds.

The notebook also did well on our synthetic testing. For instance on Geekbench 5.4, an overall performance benchmark, the Blade 16 reached 13,769, scorching the 9,441 premium laptop average. The Alienware m17 R5 (AMD Ryzen 9 6900HX) also got cooked with a score of 9,851. But the Zephyrus (Intel Core i9-13900H), MacBook Pro (M2 Max CPU) and Titan (Intel Core i9-13980HX) turned the tables, producing results of 13,817, 15,044 and 20,617, respectively. 

The Blade 16 completed our video transcoding test (transcoding 4K video to 1080p) in 4 minutes and 8 seconds. It’s faster than the 4:39 category average as well as the Zephyrus (4:17) and the Alienware (5:30).  However, the Titan and the MacBook Pro proved to be the fastest laptop in town with a time of 2:38 and 3:59. 

Even though the Blade 16 has been holding its own until this point, I was disappointed to see how hard the gaming laptop stumbled on our file transfer test. The dual 1TB SSDs gave us a transfer rate of 972.2 megabytes per second. That’s well below the 1,498.3MBps average, not to mention the m17 R5 (2TB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD) and MSI (2TB M.2 NVMe PCIe Gen 4 SSD) which notched 1,766.7MBps and 2,299.3MBps.

Razer Blade 16 Battery Life

With the Razer Blade 16’s power, you’d expect an inordinately short battery life. That’s not the case, the Blade 16 actually lasted 5 hours and 29 minutes on the Laptop Mag battery test (continuous web surfing over wi-fi at 150 nits of brightness). It’s much better than the battery life of old or even now as the Titan only lasted 3:48. The Blade’s time is just short of the 5:38 premium gaming laptop average. The Alienware was the last gaming laptop running at 6:07, but the crown for longest lasting overall goes to the MacBook and it’s ridiculous 18:59. 

However, when we ran the PCMark 10 test, which runs on a continuous script to simulate a gaming experience, the Blade 16 only lasted 1:30. That’s on a par with most gaming laptops on the market. 

Razer Blade 16 Heat

For a laptop with an all-metal chassis and higher-end specs, I expected the Razer Blade 16 to be a serious crotch burner, especially when gaming. But I was pleasantly surprised that the Blade 16 managed to keep things relatively cool for a gaming laptop. 

I played Witcher 3 for 15 minutes and measured the key points on the laptop, including the touchpad and center of the keyboard. Both registered 97 and 96 degrees Fahrenheit, respectively –– just slightly above our comfort threshold. The laptop’s undercarriage was noticeably hotter at 114 degrees with the rear towards the hinge reading 124 degrees. It should be noted that I played Witcher for about an hour with the system on my bare legs with no ill effect. 

After allowing the system to cool down, we played a 15-minute fullscreen video and remeasured. The temperatures were much cooler with the touchpad measuring 85 degrees while the middle of the keyboard and laptop bottom reached 93 and 96 degrees each.

Razer Blade 16 Webcam

The Blade 16’s 1080p webcam will definitely work in a pinch for streaming, but I’d still recommend checking out our best webcams page as the detail isn’t as sharp as I would like. In the test shots I took, the shooter did a good job capturing my skin tone including my blush-enhanced cheeks. The color of my black and red frock was spot on as was the pine green faux jewel on my necklace. 

Although the slight creases and folds in my dress were plainly visible, my forehead looked like I had a filter enabled. And there was some mild blowout on the lights and the windows. Zooming in on the photos revealed plenty of visual noise, but that’s to be expected.

I really appreciate that Razer added a physical shutter to the webcam. While I mentally know that a digital kill switch works just as well as a shutter, I feel better pulling the switch into place. 

Razer Blade 16 Software and Warranty

Razer’s Synapse app got a major and sorely needed redesign that brings more functionality to the table. Aside from creating light shows and macros, Synapse 3.0 app can create custom global shortcuts of key combinations that work across any Synapse 3.0-compatible device. You also have the ability to enable/disable Gaming Mode, modify trackpad settings and Fn and Multimedia key functionality. And of course, you can change resolution and refresh rate as it pertains to the laptop and a secondary monitor. There’s even a battery health optimizer and that’s just scratching the surface of what the app can do. 

Outside of Nvidia GeForce Experience, which brings a host of gamercentric features, the Blade 16 is delightfully free of bloatware. 

The Razer Blade 16 ships with a one-year limited warranty and a two-year battery warranty. See how Razer fared during Tech Support Showdown, our annual special feature. 

Bottom Line

Big, bold, beautiful and seriously expensive, the Razer Blade 16 is bursting at the seams with power. It’s got those stunning good looks you’ve come to expect from Razer with an all-metal chassis that stays surprisingly cool when gaming (at least for a gaming system). It’s also got a plethora of ports and a super comfortable keyboard, but the showstoppers are the Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090 GPU and Intel Core i9 processor, overclockable specs that make the Blade 16 a lean, mean gaming machine. 

And lest we forget the world’s first Dual-Mode panel. I know it’s easy to write something like this off as a chintzy gimmick. But if you’re a gamer looking for a super high-res panel with a high refresh rate or a content creator or consumer on the hunt for a gorgeous 4K screen with great color accuracy, you’re in the right place. With an in-app button toggle, you’re essentially getting two high-performance panels in one beautiful mini-LED screen. Could the switch be smoother? Sure, but hopefully Razer will address this in the next iteration. 

But as cool as the Razer Blade 16 is with all its extra bells and whistles, it’s also incredibly expensive. At $4,299, I expect to get the best of everything. The laptop was consistently bested by the ($5,299) MSI Titan GT77, which granted is $1,000 more. And that file transfer speed definitely leaves something to be desired. However, switching between gaming and content creation on the fly is your thing, the Razer Blade 16 definitely deserves a deeper dive. 

The Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro arrives two years after its predessor with a number of new controls that should not only appeal to gamers, but make it a strong option for content creators as well.

The one trade-off is that the wireless connectivity introduced on the V3 Pro is gone, but given the size and intended use case for this keyboard it doesn't feel like much of a loss other than now having a bradied cable snaking across my desk.

Hardcore gamers are going to be won over by the introduction of eight macro keys (8!) on the V4 Pro, while the new Razer Command Dial working in tandem with the multi-fuction roller give content creators and productivity workers some powerful new tools to play with as well.

The $229 price point remains a hurdle, but follow along to see if it sounds like the right fit for you.

Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro price and configuration options 

There are two versions of the Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro; both are available starting today for $229. The switches below the keycaps are the only differentiating factor, which are either Razer Green or Razer Yellow.

Razer Green is the traditional option, which is most comparable to Cherry MX Blue with a 1.9mm actuation point, 4mm of key travel and 1.5mm reset point. Razer Yellow is a linear option that is similar to a Cherry MX Speed Silver with a 1.2mm actuation point, 3.5mm of key travel and 1.2mm reset point.

If you're just getting into mechanical keyboards and that sounds like gibberish, here's what it translates to in real world usage. The Razer Green is going to be much louder and overall better suited to general-purpose use with a mix of typing and gaming. Just keep in mind that if you are in a shared space or a small space this keyboard might drive your neighbor (or you if you don't wear headphones) a little nuts. 

The Razer Yellows by comparison are much quieter and geared toward gaming due to that shallower actuation point and instant reset. Some find that these traits lead to too many mistakes when typing, however, I personally prefer the Razer Yellow for both purposes so there aren't hard and fast rules about which to choose.

My review unit features the Razer Yellow switches.

Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro Gaming Keyboard design

The basic look of the V4 Pro isn't dramatically changed from the V3 Pro, it's a subtle matte black aluminum alloy top case and textured Doubleshot ABS keycaps. However, that's about where subtly goes out the window as Razer refers to this thing as a "full-blown battlestation" for a reason.

The BlackWidow V4 Pro feels a bit like a greatest hits album for the BlackWidow line, combining elements from the V2, V3, V3 Pro and then a couple of new tracks for the fans. 

Returning from the V2 are five macro keys to the left of the keyboard, something gamers and content creators alike will no doubt appreciate. The multi-function roller and media keys from the V3 are back in the upper-right corner of the keyboard. Finally, the simple volume knob from the V3 Pro gets a tactical upgrade to become the Razer Command Dial situated in the upper-left corner of the keyboard. 

So what's completely new? Did I say there are five macro keys? I meant eight, as there are three additional macro keys on the left-edge of the keyboard. Razer also added underglow lighting for the V4 Pro, which includes the plush leatherette wrist rest that now connects magnetically to the keyboard.

I’ll cover more of the lighting options in the software section, but the Razer Chroma RGB is strong with this one. If the knob, macro keys, and roller didn't give away that this was a gaming keyboard the absolute assault of cascading colors coming from it will do the trick. 

Beyond its underglow lighting upgrade the plush wrist wrest gets a new textured finish that gives it a more premium look. The black on black Razer logo at its center is  barely noticeable until its smooth surface catches the light and sets it off against the textured background. I found it exceedingly comfortable during longer typing or gaming sessions.

On the back of the keyboard are a pair of USB Type-C ports for signal and passthrough and an additional USB Type-A port for passthrough. Razer includes a pair of braided USB Type-A-to-USB Type-C cables in the box. I somewhat expected these to be Type-C-to-Type-C at this point, but gaming laptops are one of the few categories left that should still have you covered with USB Type-A and there's always a docking station if you need more.

The bottom of the keyboard is plastic with eight rubberized rectangles at the edges of the keyboard and another eight on the wrist rest to ensure it holds tight to your desk. The two-stage foldable feet at the top to give you a comfortable angle for typing at either six or nine degrees. On the inside Razer uses PCB foam and bottom case foam to help dampen the sound. While it's still a mechanical keyboard and therefore not whisper quiet, the Razer Yellow's aren't a distraction to me while typing even if I just have ambient music playing on the speakers at my desk.

One of the biggest changes for the V4 Pro from a feature standpoint is the removal of wireless support. I'm sure some will miss it, but given the size and intended use for this keyboard, I think most will be fine with Razer's decision.

The BlackWidow V4 Pro is comparable in size and weight to other robust mechanical gaming keyboards like the Corsair K100 RGB. Coming in at 2.9 pounds without the wrist rest and 3.6 pounds with it, the former matches up exactly with the Corsair. At 18.5 x 5.9 x 0.5-0.9 inches it is slightly smaller overall than the Corsair (18.5 x 6.5 x 1.5-inches), but not massively so. If you are using the wrist rest the BlackWidow bumps up to 18.5 x 8.6 x 0.5-0.9, in case you have a narrow desk..

Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro keys

The BlackWidow V4 Pro has a typical 104-key layout at its core, but that's excluding the four media keys, eight macro keys, and the Razer Command Dial is clickable as well. 

The keys are doubleshot ABS keycaps that naturally look flawless at the moment, but the doubleshot process is intended to prevent wear and keep them looking excellent for the long haul. Swapping the keycaps is easy of course if you want a new look or things do start to show wear and the switches are rated for 100 million keystrokes, up from 80 million on the V3 Pro. At this price point the fact that Razer went with ABS over PBT will earn it some complaints, but after years of use on a V3 Pro without seeing any appreciable wear I don't find this to be a serious concern.

As I mentioned earlier, the linear Razer Yellow switches on my review unit are the more gaming-centric option from Razer, but I prefer them for general use as well. To some degree this comes down to the noise factor, I reviewed the BlackWidow V3 with Razer Greens and I simply couldn't handle it given the amount of typing I do in a day. 

This is going to come down to personal preference, but I find the 3.5mm key travel and 1.5mm actuation point with 45g of force delivers a phenomenal typing and gaming experience.

Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro performance 

Alright, so what is it like to actually type on the Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro? It's very similar to the V4 Pro, I managed to very slightly outperform my typical 10fastfingers.com result of 86-wpm by cruising all the way up to 88-wpm at 98% accuracy. Across 100 tests things would probably land right around at my typical average, so I don't think it magically unlocks improved typing speed, but it was comfortable to type on for long stretches thanks to the 3.5mm of key travel.

I opted for a blend of Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War and Assassin’s Creed Valhalla to test out the battle stations gaming prowess. Not coming from a keyboard with dedicated macros I am still adjusting to all of the various options available to me, but  it's easy to see what a significant advantage it offers. I'm particularly fond of the three macros on the edge of the keyboard as I find it easy to locate them without glancing down. 

As for the keys themselves, the linear Razer Yellow switches are a match made in heaven for gamers. The shallower actuation point makes sure you get an immediate response and thanks to the instant reset even when you need to hammer a key it'll never miss a single click.

Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro software 

The BlackWidow V4 Pro uses Razer’s Synapse app for its advanced features. That includes the ability to remap keys, create macros, and control the RGB lighting.

It can be a little overwhelming when you first fire it up, but Razer is sympathetic to this so it doesn't toggle on all the of the macro and other custom options out of the box, letting you grow with the keyboard. Razer also does an excellent job of making the app intuitive with plenty of visuals to ensure you know exactly what you are changing.

Remapping of keys lets you customize every key other than the Windows key and the right function key. Hypershift takes this even further by basically giving you a second keyboard with the ability to assign different actions for any key when holding down the right function key. Macros can be created in Synapse or you can import existing macros from yourself or others.

Lighting effects are once again potentially incredibly complex or dead simple. There are 11 different quick effects options along with controls for the brightness. Chroma Studio ramps this up considerably with per-key control over lighting and effects. They can response to sound, on-screen activity, or any of the quick effects options. Synapse also can be extended to work with Alexa, Philips Hue, Nanoleaf and more, so your entire workspace can be brought into the RGB party.

If there are different users or use case for the keyboard you can rely on profiles to quickly change the options being applied to the keyboard. Four of these can be stored on the keyboard itself, but you can store far more in Synapse.

Bottom line

Razer referring to the BlackWidow V4 Pro as a battlestation could not be more appropriate. The wealth of new controls available on this keyboard gives you extensive control over your laptop or desktop whether that's for gaming, content creation, or just general productivity usage.

The new underglow lighting adds a new dimension to the already endless RGB options that Razer gives you access to through Synapse. Whether you want something subtle or you want to blast your desk with a full rainbow the BlackWidow V4 Pro has you covered.

I think Razer's updates to the BlackWidow V4 Pro deliver a number of features that gamers will love, in particular all those macros, but the combination of the Razer Command Dial and the multi-function roller as well make it a far more appealing keyboard for content creators and other types of power users. At $229 it's a high entry point, but if you make use of its full feature set it is easily worth the price and has earned a spot on our best gaming keyboards and best keyboards overall.

Whether it’s the 9-to-5’er Spotifying music at their desk all day or the e-sports competitor refining their gaming skills at home, everyone deserves satisfying audio from their workstation setups. Sure, not everyone has the funds to pair their desktop or laptop with high-end computer speakers, but there are models that can deliver terrific sound for under $100.

Options are bountiful, but quality isn’t, which is why you’re here — to see what cheap computer speakers are worth the investment. Industry staples like Creative and Klipsch have great models that accommodate any setup, while popular brands like Razer sell inexpensive hardware that can boost the sound on your PC or game console. You’ll also find solid entries from Logitech, Mackie, and other well-known audio manufacturers.

Take a closer look at our prime picks for the best computer speakers under $100, based on hours of testing and research. And if your budget allows for something extra, consider adding a pair of the best cheap noise-cancelling headphones to your Amazon cart for private listening.

What are the Best computer speakers under $100?

No. 1 on our list of the best computer speakers under $100 is the Creative Pebble V3. These tiny oval-shaped speakers are the perfect blend of quality sound and versatile functionality in a compact size. Expect full-sounding vocals, crisp mids, and some thump out of the low end. Having various port adaptors and Bluetooth support is incredibly generous for $39 computer speakers. 

Creeping into second place is the Mackie CR3-X. These entry-level studio monitors grant you loud, high-quality sound and flexible input options, including AUX, headphone, and RCA ports. Mackie also lets you assign the left and right channel to either speaker. If you want something similar, but wireless, there is a Bluetooth version available for $20 more. 

Third place goes to the PreSonus Eris E3.5. Bookshelf speakers with a clean look and cleaner sound output, you’ll enjoy great performance, thanks to special hardware that’s absent from most computers speakers priced under $100. Many reviewers find the Eris E3.5 ideal for content creation and video mixing.

Check out the full breakdowns for these top choices, along with our other rankings of the best computer speakers under $100.

The best computer speakers under $100 you can buy today

This might look like a basic set of desktop speakers, but the Pebble V3 is an awesome upgrade with louder sound and more input options than the previous version. It has a simple plug-and-play setup, as well as Bluetooth 5.0 for seamless wireless connectivity. The built-in gain switch amplifies audio, which is perfect for music and video games, though you’ll want to refrain from blasting music at high volume due to crackling sound. Creative’s Clear Dialog audio processing gives you rich and clear vocal output when watching movies and TV shows. And what’s not to love about the compact and chic design that looks cool no matter where you place the speakers?

At $40, the Pebble V3 is a bargain that appeals to all consumers seeking reliable, high-performance speakers for an incredibly low price.

Mackie has developed a solid reputation for selling affordable computer speakers with strong audio performance. The CR3-X is a super-affordable model that gets the job done, backed by noteworthy sound and studio-friendly connections. Reproduction is on point, creating immersive audio that you’ll find beneficial when watching movies. Expect to hear subtle nuances in music recordings as well. Being able to switch to the left or right channel for mono listening is also a nice option.

As sleek as the speakers look, along with striking details like the green accents and illuminating volume knob on the front, the build quality isn’t anything to rave about. In addition, sub-bass can be hit or miss, depending on the volume level and song selection, though it isn’t off-putting.

Casual consumers have likely never heard of PreSonus, but the Eris E3.5 is a great introduction for those looking to explore a new brand with reputable audio performance. These bookshelf speakers feature a 1-inch Kevlar tweeter and 3.5-inch Kevlar woofer, a combination that creates loud, wide sound not normally experienced on speakers this small. Lows sound tight, vocals are crisp, and the high-end reproduction is outstanding for hearing instruments accurately. The acoustic tuning knobs in the rear let you personalize sound, while the numerous inputs make these speakers ideal for engineers, producers, and other content creators. 

Bass levels are decent, but nothing that will blow you away. Also, the speakers are built mostly from plastic, giving them less of a premium feel.

Razer’s gaming speakers come in different versions, though we’re most fond of the entry-level Nommo based on its overall performance and price. The design is sleek as hell, falling somewhere between a Dyson hairdryer and an ultramodern podium microphone. However, the beauty is in the details, and we tip our hat to Razer for its minimalistic approach; the black and gunmetal grey colorway with subtle branding allows the speakers to blend into any stationary desktop or office setup. The cylindrical shape also factors into the sound quality, allowing air into the bass ports for a more pronounced presence, and reducing distortion. Audio is faithful to gameplay and makes sonic details more immersive, from dialogue to explosions to footsteps.

The sad part is Razer reserved some of its more upscale features for the pricier models in the series. This includes the LED indicators, USB connection, and Chroma software compatibility.

Logitech sells a wide range of computer speakers, though the Z333 could arguably be their best deal to date. Two satellites and a subwoofer work together to produce robust, clean sound that can be enjoyed at high volumes, without any distortion. Bass is deep and nicely balanced, and mids come through clearly. Unique features like the control pod allow for seamless operation. The matte black plastic also gives the Z333 a chic appearance. 

These are not ideal speakers for critical listening. In other words, don’t expect to hear striking highs or the most subtle nuances in complex recordings. Another concern is the short cables, which can be concerning for those with a wide desktop setup.

Monoprice isn’t a prestige legacy audio brand, but it is a respectable company that sells quality audio products, from headphones to speakers. The DT-3BT is essentially a wireless version of their popular computer speakers. That means you can expect some of the same performance perks as the standard model, including crisp midrange and highs, and serviceable inputs to expand your audio setup. Bluetooth inclusion now opens the door to stream music wirelessly, and the results are surprisingly good. These are also durable speakers that will last a long time and sit comfortably on most bookshelves. 

Don’t expect a premium, fancy design, nor the greatest bass response for the price. Instead, appreciate the acceptable performance these budget speakers deliver.

Soundbars aren’t the most ideal option for computer speakers since they tend to occupy a lot of counter space. However, there are some that are designed to slide right underneath your desktop screen, like the Creative Stage. It’s a compact design that leaves plenty of room to operate freely in your current setup. Even better is that it can even hook up to other devices like your TV or Xbox Series X. Small details like the onboard screen make it simple to keep track of what input you’re using. 

You’ll get some quality sound that can fill a living room, and pairing the Stage with the optional subwoofer amplifies the results. Creative gives you a remote to adjust treble and bass settings as well. Be mindful of volume because the higher you raise it, the more distortion comes out, especially on bass-heavy tracks.

Unless you’re looking to transform your PC setup into the ultimate theater or gaming experience, then owning a set of inexpensive, entry-level speakers is really all you need. The Monoprice DT-3 fills that void superbly, producing neutral sound with an emphasis on midrange to enjoy exceptional vocal clarity. These speakers aren’t massively huge in sound or design, so that makes them suitable for standard rooms like a home office or study. Bluetooth is missing, but you can still connect them to several devices, including your computer (e.g., desktop, laptop), TV or turntable via RCA inputs. There is also a headphone jack for private listening.

With less-powerful drivers than its competitors, the DT-3 does take a hit in bass and treble. It’s adequate for mixing, but those with fine-tuned hearing will find the low end limited and inaccurate when blasting boom-heavy records.

Edifier sells many low-priced computer speakers. However, the $29 R19U is an irresistible deal. Audio performance isn’t going to wow audiophiles, but this older, well-engineered 2.0 speaker system can still deliver full frequency response and crisp vocals. Build quality is much better than one would expect for the price. Its setup is simplistic, and USB support allows owners to connect the R19U with desktops, laptops, and even mobile devices. 

Bass response is controlled well, though it lacks punch. In addition, using the headphone jack hinders audio quality, muddying up the low and midrange.

Creative speakers are famous for getting the most performance out of such tiny designs. The T60 is no exception. This dual-speaker system comes with a wide, balanced soundstage that separates mids and highs well to enjoy the vocals and details in recordings. You can connect a pair of headphones to it by holding down the surround button for two seconds, which switches the audio input to your cans of choice. SmartComms software brings advanced features into the mix such as voice detection to automatically mute/unmute yourself and NoiseClean-out to remove unwanted noises from the background in real-time.

Despite the lack of a subwoofer, bass remains impactful, giving music and movies livelier soundscapes. Something else you’ll want to be mindful of is the volume level, which can get really loud at mid-volume; 60 watts of peak power in such a tiny design will do that.

How to choose the best computer speakers under $100 for you

Wired or wireless is the first question you should ask. Most of the best computer speakers under $100 come with multiple inputs, including a 3.5mm stereo mini-jack, optical, RCA, and USB, just to name a few. Obviously, the more, the merrier, but just make sure essentials like an AUX or RCA port come part of the package. Some models also have Bluetooth for wireless connectivity with desktops, laptops, and mobile devices (e.g., smartphones, tablets, MP3 players). 

Sound quality is another must. Essentially, you want speakers that sound better than what comes out of your current PC monitor. Look for options capable of producing full, detailed audio. Large drivers can ramp up the sonics as well. Furthermore, compare 2.0 and 2.1 stereo systems. The former is designed to play audio from both channels, whereas the latter adds a subwoofer to the stereo channels.

Your setup will play a vital role in how you consume sound. Look at the different designs out there and see which fits your space best. Bookshelf speakers are popular and come in different sizes, resting handsomely at each corner of a table or bookshelf. Soundbars are popular and conveniently sit underneath a screen. Then come full-on speaker systems with satellites and subwoofers, which can be spread out across a room.

Special features are often limited on sub-$100 computer speakers, but some do offer a fair amount. Keep an eye out for ones that have dials (e.g., sound adjustment, volume), built-in EQ settings, a headphone port or control pod.

How we test the best computer speakers under $100

As with all audio products, our reviewers evaluate key factors such as audio, design, connectivity, and value.  We also compare each model to similar ones in terms of features, pricing, and setup.

Computer speakers are tested over the course of a week for 2 hours at a time. During this process, we analyze input/output performance, ease of use, and, most importantly, sound quality. Reviewers listen to numerous predetermined tracks across a variety of music genres: classical, EDM, hip-hop, jazz, rock, and R&B. Movies, podcasts, and video games are taken into serious consideration too.

With more streaming services offering high-resolution audio, we advise reading this audio codec FAQ to learn more about FLAC files, MP3s, and everything in between. The streaming service you choose could enhance sound quality.

Once testing is completed, we rate each model based on our five-point system (1 = worst, 5 = best). Any product that is exemplary is awarded a Laptop Magazine Editor’s Choice badge.

• Here are the best gaming laptops available right now
• Our picks for the best business laptops
• Take a look at the best tablets for the money based on our testing

Cyber Monday 2022 is already stepping up a notch, as this powerful Razer Blade 14 with an RTX 3070 Ti is now $600 off at Amazon! And this 14-inch gaming laptop packs a wallop.

Right now, the Razer Blade 14 is down to $1,999 at Amazon, which is a huge drop from its usual $2,599 price sticker. Not only does it boast the might of an RTX 3070 Ti GPU, but it also delivers an AMD Ryzen 9 6900HX CPU, 16GB of DDR5 RAM, a 1TB PCIe SSD, and a dazzling 14-inch QHD (2560 x 1440) 165Hz display. Oh, and Razer's signature Chroma RGB for all the neat lighting effects.

It's one of the best Cyber Monday gaming laptop deals we've seen, and you can find many more like it in our Cyber Monday gaming laptop deals live blog. Looking to make the jump to Razer? If you have the cash, now is the time with this deal. 

Razer's Blade 14 gaming laptop is ideal for serious gamers, video editors, and anyone looking for a workstation. It packs powerful, blazing-fast performance and personalization into a slim, ultraportable design. 

In our Razer Blade 14 hands-on review, we praise this machine's powerful specs, ultra-thin design, and bright, vivid display. Its comfortable keyboard was a pleasure to type on. Just about the only gripe we had was about its price tag, so we're excited to see it heavily discounted!

The laptop in this deal packs a 14-inch QHD (2560 x 1440) 165Hz display with FreeSync Premium, AMD Ryzen 9 6900HX CPU, 16GB of DDR5 RAM, 1TB PCIe SSD, and Nvidia's GeForce RTX 3070 Ti GPU for graphics handling (for context, it's claimed to be 70% faster than RTX 2070 SUPER). Now that's a lot of power. You can even expect an HDMI 2.1 port, two USB-C ports, two USB-A ports, and Wi-Fi 6E connectivity.

Without a doubt, if you're shopping around for a gaming laptop powerhouse, you can't go wrong with the Razer Blade 14. After even more Cyber Monday laptop deals? We've got you covered. 

Black Friday is nearly here, and already Razer is kicking off the holiday with top sales on their highly

Razer's top-rated gaming accessories are up to 50% off today at Amazon. Now is a great time to elevate your gaming experience with a Razer gaming chair, gaming mouse, headset, or keyboard.

Such as the Razer Naga Trinity gaming mouse for $56 at Amazon.

• Shop: Amazon's entire Black Friday sale
• More: Best Black Friday gaming deals
• More: Best Black Friday 2022 deals

Razer manufactures the best gaming accessories for laptop, PC and other mobile devices. Razer's Naga is among the best of the best as far as MMO and MOBA gaming mice go.

The Naga Trinity, in particular, offers so much customization that it has 3 seperate plates you can attach to the side. Choose between a 2 button, 6 button, or 12 button layout and easily swap between all 3 thanks to the magnetic attachment style.

Not only that, thanks to Razer's Synapse software, its easy to program each plate with anything from keystrokes to macros, and the mouse's onboard memory will save the info so you don't have to worry about reprogramming when swapping between systems.

Even for non-MMO gaming, the optical sensor with up to 16,000 DPI gives you every opportunity to get that clutch headshot in your favorite shooter.

Black Friday is here and we expect to see top savings on today's most coveted gadgets. Check out our Black Friday deals hub for the best discounts happening now.

More deals on Razer accessories

RazerCon 2022 is off and running today with the keynote for the third annual “celebration of gaming culture” from Razer showing off some of the latest hardware from the gaming giant. The Razer Edge 5G handheld console will be the highlight of the event for some; however, the updated Razer Kraken Kitty V2 Pro headset with its new interchangeable ears will steal the show for others.

Those two products would have been plenty for the ongoing live stream event that also features many special guests, musical performances, and a host of gaming-related giveaways. We’ll stick to the new products, though. Here’s a closer look at what Razer revealed.

Razer Kraken Kitty V2 Pro

Let’s not kid ourselves; the Razer Kraken Kitty V2 Pro headset with its new interchangeable ears is the real star of the show. The Chroma RGB wired headset takes what fans loved about the original and gives users bear and bunny ears in the box along with the kitty ears that give the headset its name. The ears are easily swappable, and of course, RGB lighting in the ears and the earcups can be customized to respond to emotes, alerts, and more. These are poised to be another huge hit with streamers.

It’s more than just the fun look, though. The Kraken Kitty V2 Pro features a detachable Razer HyperClear cardioid mic and Razer TriForce 50mm drivers with support for 7.1 digital surround sound. The hybrid fabric band and leatherette cushioning around the ears offer solid noise isolation and should keep you comfortably ensconced while gaming for hours on end. 

The Razer Kraken Kitty V2 Pro will be available to pre-order in Q4 2022 (likely some time next month) and will start at $199.99. 

Razer Edge handheld gaming console

Handheld gaming is having a moment. Look at the continued success of the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch OLED in the console’s 5th year on the market, while the Steam Deck is garnering considerable attention and praise since its launch earlier this year. Now, we have a new wave of cloud gaming-focused handhelds arriving this fall. The Logitech G Cloud was announced last month, and while we are a bit skeptical based on its $349 price point and middling specs, it could be an interesting test of how important hardware is for a cloud-based gaming handheld. 

Today, the Razer Edge enters the increasingly crowded handheld gaming console fray. The Android-based Razer Edge falls closer to the G Cloud than the Steam Deck, but there are a few crucial differences that have me far more interested in Razer’s spin on handheld gaming than Logitech’s. 

First, you have a far more capable processor in the Snapdragon G3x Gen 1 Gaming Platform with a 3GHz octa-core CPU and Adreno GPU. That is lightyears beyond the Snapdragon 720G found in the G Cloud. If you are looking at a handheld for cloud-gaming only that shouldn’t matter much; the 720G is perfectly capable of serving as a launcher for GeForce Now, Xbox Game Streaming, etc. However, if you are going to have an Android-based handheld gaming console, it seems a waste to not be able to play any Android games on it and the G Cloud definitely slams the door on Call of Duty: Mobile or anything graphically intensive.

Second, the Razer Edge 5G naturally has a built-in 5G radio, which means you have a fast connection virtually wherever you are. Gaming on your couch or in bed with your handheld console is great, but you want to be able to toss it in a bag and game on the go, too. The Edge 5G makes that infinitely more plausible without needing to rely on flakey public Wi-Fi or creating a hotspot with your phone. It’s worth noting that this model is a Verizon exclusive, at least at launch, and there’s no word yet on what the monthly cost of a plan will be for the Razer Edge 5G. 

The Razer Edge boasts a 6.8-inch, 144Hz AMOLED display with a 2400 x 1080-pixel FHD+ resolution. There’s no dynamic refresh rate as you would see on a flagship phone, but this is a gaming handheld — you just want a gas pedal and no brakes. There are no cameras on board to interfere with the display or throw off the balance of the console in your hands. The 5000 mAh battery should get you through hours of gaming, although Razer didn’t make any specific claims, so we’ll have to see when we get it in for review.

Perhaps the most interesting thing about the Razer Edge to me is that unlike the G Cloud, the Steam Deck, or the Snapdragon G3X developer kit we saw last year, this isn’t a single solid console. The Razer Edge is the device at the core, but it is docked in a new Razer Kishi V2 Pro gaming controller that comes in the box with it. This is essentially a gaming phone that isn’t a phone from Razer — an Android-based iPod Touch. It’s an interesting notion as you could pair this with a Pixel 6a or some other budget phone and still come in well under the cost of something like an iPhone 14 Pro or Galaxy S22 Ultra. But is that preferable to just buying a flagship phone and pairing it with the Kishi V2 Pro or one of the other best phone controllers on the market?

A Wi-Fi-only version of the Razer Edge is coming in January for $399, but Verizon hasn’t yet announced the cost of the Razer Edge 5G model. The cost of that model and the data plan for it are going to be significant pieces of the puzzle for this device. As I said, I’m intrigued by this device, but I’m not certain whether cloud gaming is ready to be the primary gaming option for anyone yet, which could ultimately sink both the G Cloud and Razer Edge regardless of how good the hardware may be. Sometimes being ahead of your time is no different than being a bad product.

Razer gaming accessories

While the Razer Edge and Kraken Kitty V2 Pro were the headliners, Razer had a number of other products up its sleeves.

The Razer Blue Screen is a chroma key panel for streamers that is a height-adjustable, 94-inch wrinkle-free backdrop that can be quickly deployed and then collapsed for easy storage. If you aren’t someone that has a permanent space you can dedicate to a streaming setup, this could be an excellent alternative. It’s available starting today for $149.99.

Razer’s Kaira line of headsets is growing with a Kaira X wired headset along with wireless Kaira HyperSpeed and Kaira Pro HyperSpeed models. The latter two boast 2.4GHz wireless connections and up to 30 hours of battery life. The Pro HyperSpeed breaks new ground with haptics powered by Razer HyperSense to let you not just hear what’s going on in the game, but feel it as well. All three models feature Razer TriForce Titanium 50mm drivers and detachable Razer HyperClear Supercardiod ENC microphones. They are all available today with the Kaira X starting at $59.99. The Kaira HyperSpeed and HyperSpeed Pro start at $129.99 and $199.99, respectively.

Finally, Razer showed off the Hammerhead HyperSpeed “gaming grade earbuds” with active noise cancellation. They feature Chroma RGB (because of course they do) with up to 30 hours of battery life with the charging case, 2.4GHz wireless when using the included USB Type-C dongle or Bluetooth 5.2 when low latency audio isn’t a must. There are PlayStation and Xbox branded versions of the earbuds so you can rep your preferred console. The earbuds will arrive in November starting at $149.99.