OLED gaming laptops prices are falling fast, but these two machines offer the best value right now

OLED gaming laptops were once reserved for those with exponential budgets in their back pockets, but something changed last year. Machines available for as little as $1,299 started proudly sporting these high-contrast displays, running affordable mid-range or even entry level components while still offering panels only the best gaming laptops could have dreamed of a few years ago. These days, it's easy to find an OLED gaming laptop for well under $1,500, but two options stand taller than the rest right now.

The Lenovo Legion 5 Gen 10 and Acer Predator Helios Neo 16S AI are both available for between $1,100 and $1,500 with an RTX 5060 graphics card, offering some of the best bang-for-buck value on the market, especially if you can't part with that premium display.

The OLED gaming laptops to watch in 2026

Lenovo Legion 5 Gen 10

I can't tell you how many times I've spotted the Lenovo Legion 5 Gen 10 slimming down its price point and rushed to get a story out. Even at full price, this machine represents exceptional value for anyone after a high-contrast display. Where does it fall short? Well, its panel throws up considerably more glare than the two more expensive options on this list. If you're used to playing in a daylit room, you may well struggle with darker scenes. It certainly comes to life when the sun goes down, though.

Configurable up to an RTX 5070, I tested an RTX 5060 version and came away impressed with its FHD performance in both lighter and more demanding games. Yes, you'll need to employ a few DLSS tricks or dial some sliders back for full 60fps in heavier titles, but that's the norm for a GPU of this class.

This is the best value gaming laptop I've tested so far for a reason, and it's currently the cheapest machine I recommend with an OLED display.

Acer Predator Helios Neo 16S AI

In the middle we have the Acer Predator Helios Neo. This is a slightly more expensive model, but it compliments that higher price tag with an RTX 5070 Ti configuration option, a far less glossy display, and a slick design. I tested that top-end version, so my benchmarks will run a little high compared to the RTX 5060 configuration we're talking about today. Still, there are some translatable findings.

The Helios I tested managed to keep pace with far more expensive rigs, giving the admittedly slimmer Asus ROG Zephyrus G16 and its RTX 5080 GPU something to think about, while beating the chunkier Asus ROG Strix G16.

The crown jewel is that OLED panel, though. These machines start at around $1,600 at full price, $400-odd more than the Lenovo Legion 5 above. Both rigs offer excellent contrast and colors, but the Predator fares better in higher lighting conditions as well.

Do you need an OLED gaming laptop?

These two OLED gaming laptops are certainly cheaper than the rest of the market, but it's still only worth grabbing a high-contrast display if you know you'll make use of it. That's why you don't typically see too many 18-inch devices running these kinds of displays.

If you're buying a gaming laptop only to hook it up to an external display, there's no reason to invest so much in the panel. In that case I'd prioritize port speed, Thunderbolt 5, and a chunkier chassis for better performance. Dropping back down to an IPS display could well leave space in your budget to climb up a GPU class, offering far better returns when connected to one of the best gaming monitors.

Having spent the last year getting my hands on all the latest OLED gaming laptops, though, I'd generally recommend most players shoot for a high-contrast display. The difference in color handling and overall clarity is undeniable - just one look at the best Alienware laptops (a brand that hasn't quite jumped on the OLED bandwagon just yet) shows how much you can spend on an inferior screen.

I upgraded to an OLED Razer Blade 14 last year and haven't looked back.

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