9 Best laptops for Rocket League in 2023

As a Rocket League enthusiast, I understand that finding the best laptop for Rocket League is essential for an optimal gaming experience. Whether you're an aspiring RLCS pro player, an active member of the Rocket League subreddit, or simply enjoy watching your favorite Twitch streamers, the right laptop can make all the difference in your gameplay. In this guide, I'll be sharing my insights based on an extensive review of recent laptop releases, to help you find the perfect machine to suit your needs.

Rocket League's unique blend of fast-paced, physics-based gameplay demands not only a powerful system but also a laptop that caters to the specific requirements of the game. That's where I come in. By comparing specs and reviews (both professional and user-generated) from an extensive laptop spreadsheet, I've managed to narrow down the top laptops for Rocket League within various price ranges.

One of the key factors to consider when choosing the best laptop for Rocket League is the display. A high refresh rate is crucial for smooth gameplay and allows you to react faster to in-game events. Other factors, such as keyboard quality and thermal performance, also play a role in ensuring a seamless gaming experience. In the following sections, we'll dive deeper into these aspects and more, helping you to make an informed decision and elevate your Rocket League experience to new heights.

Processor Power

As Rocket League has made its way to both Windows and macOS, it's important to consider the processing power of your gaming laptop. It's not as important as it used to be for Rocket League, but it's still helpful if you're trying to play at higher framerates. To get the best performance, you'll need to look at single-core performance instead of multi-core performance since Rocket League is mainly limited by one core.

Apple has released their own ARM-based M1, M1 Pro, M1 Max and M2 system-on-chip modules which offer exceptional single-core performance and battery life. Meanwhile, AMD has managed to take 20% of the CPU market and have released their 6th generation Ryzen processors, while Intel's 13th-gen processors are still making their way to laptops (Intel's latest being the 12th-gen). Both Intel's and Apple's silicon chips adopted hybrid performance/efficiency core design (based on big.LITTLE). The battery life on the Ryzen models is particularly good, so if you need a good battery life in a PC laptop, you should definitely check them out.

So, how much should you expect to spend on a processor?

If you're looking for a gaming laptop for under $500, don't expect to find anything too special. You might find a few decent options with a mid-range H-series processor (like an AMD Ryzen 5 or Intel Core i5). But you'll have to be willing to compromise on other aspects of the laptop, such as the graphics card and display quality.

For those willing to spend a bit more, say $1000, then you can find some great processors. Intel Core i7 processors are a great choice here, with their 9th or 10th generation models offering some very good performance. AMD also offers some great options in their Ryzen 7 series.

For those who have more money to spend, you should be looking at the 11th-gen Intel Core i7 or AMD Ryzen 9 series processors. Both offer excellent performance, but if you want the absolute best, then you should go for the Intel Core i9 processors or the AMD Ryzen 9 series.

But is a high-performance processor necessary for gaming?

No. It's not essential, especially if you're playing Rocket League on lower settings or resolutions. In fact, you can get away with using an Intel Core i3 or Ryzen 3 processor if you're on a tight budget. But if you want the best possible gaming experience then you should go for at least an Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5 processor.

To help you decide on a processor, here's a table of recommended processors for gaming laptops by budget:

Price Range	Processor Model
Under $500	AMD Ryzen 3 3200U
$500 – $1000	Intel Core i3-10110U
Over $1000	Intel Core i5-10210U

Graphic Boost

The laptop GPU market is largely dominated by Nvidia's GPUs, although there are some budget options from AMD's Radeon line. Nvidia recently released a few RTX 40 series cards for desktops, but unfortunately, these are not yet available on laptops (expected in 2023). The latest laptop graphics cards are in Nvidia's RTX 30 series, such as RTX 3070 Ti. Desktop GPUs have become increasingly power-hungry over the years and this has widened the gap between power-limited notebook graphics and desktop graphics cards. Additionally, Nvidia has discontinued the Max-Q label for its RTX graphics cards, meaning that the exact GPU wattage is now determined by a laptop manufacturer (OEM). As a result, there is a wide variance in graphics performance even among laptops with the same GPU chipset.

A dedicated GPU is not necessary for Rocket League, but it will make a difference. The game is not overly demanding, so a mid-range graphics card should suffice. If you're looking for a gaming laptop with a dedicated GPU, then you'll want to get one with Nvidia's Optimus technology, which allows the laptop to switch between an integrated and discrete GPU depending on the game's requirements. When it comes to assessing a GPU's performance, I recommend using 3DMark and Unigine Heaven/Valley benchmarks to compare different GPUs. If you're looking for a high-end gaming laptop that can handle other demanding titles well, then you'll want to look for one with an Nvidia GeForce RTX series graphics chip (or AMD Radeon 7nm if you're not into Nvidia).

To summarize, here are some recommendations based on what you're looking for:

Price range	GPU
Low	GeForce GTX 1650
Mid	GeForce RTX 3050
High	GeForce RTX 2060

Maxing RAM

Gaming is one of the most popular activities among laptop users, and Rocket League is no exception. Although this game is fairly light and doesn't require a lot of resources to run, you'll need to have the right laptop RAM if you want to get the most out of it.

Most mid-range laptops come with 16 GB of RAM and high-end laptops come with 32 GB or more. Latest-gen Intel and AMD CPUs support both DDR4 and DDR5, although DDR5 is still quite expensive and needs time to mature as a technology.

For Rocket League, 8 GB of RAM is enough. However, if you're planning on playing other games on your laptop as well, then you'll want to consider bumping up to 16 GB since many other games are more demanding than Rocket League.

For those looking for a high-end gaming laptop, DDR5 is the way to go since it can provide improved performance. If you're not in the market for a top-of-the-line gaming laptop, then DDR4 will do just fine. Additionally, you'll want to look out for latency and frequency specifications as they can also make a difference.

Here is a table summarizing the median RAM amounts by price range:

Price range	Median RAM amount
Low	8 GB
Mid	16 GB
High	32 GB

In conclusion, if you're on a budget, then 8 GB of RAM should be enough for running Rocket League. However, if you're planning on playing more demanding games as well, then you might want to consider 16 GB. Lastly, if you're in the market for a high-end gaming laptop, then DDR5 is the way to go.

RL Laptop FAQ

Q: What are the minimum laptop specs for Rocket League?

The minimum laptop specs for playing Rocket League include a GeForce GTX 1650 graphics card, an AMD Ryzen 3 3200U or an i3-10110U processor, and 8 GB of memory. These specs should allow you to run the game at a decent level, although you may need to lower some settings for optimal performance.

Can you play Rocket League on a laptop?

Absolutely! Rocket League is a highly popular game that can be played on a laptop. However, it's essential to ensure that your laptop meets the minimum system requirements to run the game smoothly.

What laptop is best for Rocket League?

The best laptop for playing Rocket League depends on your budget and preferences. However, for a medium-range option, we recommend considering the HP Victus or the Lenovo Legion 5 Pro. Both laptops offer powerful processors and graphics cards that can handle Rocket League with ease.

What graphics card do I need to play Rocket League on a laptop?

To play Rocket League on a laptop, you'll need at least a GeForce GTX 1650 graphics card. For a better gaming experience, consider upgrading to a GeForce RTX 3050 or even a GeForce RTX 2060 if your budget allows. These graphics cards will ensure smooth gameplay and better visuals.

How much RAM is required for Rocket League on a laptop?

Rocket League requires a minimum of 8 GB of RAM to run smoothly on a laptop. While this is the minimum requirement, having 16 GB of RAM will provide a more seamless experience, allowing you to run other applications in the background without impacting gameplay performance.

Can you play Rocket League on an integrated graphics laptop?

While Rocket League can be played on an integrated graphics laptop, it is not the optimal choice. Integrated graphics typically do not have the power and capabilities to handle graphically demanding games like Rocket League. For the best experience, we recommend using a laptop with a dedicated graphics card.

Is a gaming laptop necessary for Rocket League?

While a gaming laptop is not necessary to play Rocket League, it does provide a better gaming experience. Gaming laptops are specifically designed with powerful processors and graphics cards to handle demanding games. If you want to enjoy Rocket League at higher settings and frame rates, a gaming laptop would be a worthwhile investment.

What is the recommended laptop specs for Rocket League?

The recommended laptop specs for Rocket League include a GeForce RTX 3050 or higher graphics card, an i5-10210U processor or better, and 8 GB of RAM. For the best experience, consider going for a GeForce RTX 2060 graphics card and 16 GB of RAM.

Can you play Rocket League on a budget laptop?

Yes, you can play Rocket League on a budget laptop as long as it meets the minimum system requirements. Look for laptops with a GeForce GTX 1650 graphics card, an AMD Ryzen 3 3200U or an i3-10110U processor, and 8 GB of RAM. These laptops should provide a satisfactory gaming experience while being friendly on your wallet.

How to choose a laptop for playing Rocket League?

When choosing a laptop for playing Rocket League, consider the following factors:

Graphics Card: Aim for at least a GeForce GTX 1650, but if your budget allows, go for a GeForce RTX 3050 or higher for better performance and visual quality.
Processor: Look for an i5-10210U or better if you want smooth gameplay and multitasking capabilities.
RAM: While 8 GB is the minimum requirement, consider going for 16 GB if you want to run other applications in the background.
Display: A laptop with a high refresh rate display, preferably 120Hz or higher, will enhance your gaming experience.
Storage: Consider a laptop with SSD storage for faster game load times and overall system responsiveness.

By considering these factors and consulting the provided tables for minimum, medium, and maximum requirements, you'll be able to find a laptop that suits your budget and gaming needs for Rocket League.