The Razer Blade 18 is not known for its modest or practical approach as a gaming laptop; instead, it boasts an impressive and powerful build, promising desktop-like performance in a robust frame. Over the past few years, I’ve had the opportunity to test various versions of this device, and my experience shows that it excels at passing high-end benchmarks with ease and leaves little doubt about its capabilities.
Once more, it’s that moment – the new Razer Blade 18 (2025) has received an upgrade! Now it boasts NVIDIA’s RTX 50 Series graphics and Intel’s formidable Core Ultra 9 275HX (Arrow Lake) mobile processor. You can also choose between a large amount or, as some might say, excessive amounts of RAM. This laptop is simply a joy to test due to its staggeringly powerful performance, but it’s crucial to demonstrate what you really get for your investment.
This review was facilitated by receiving a review unit from Razer. Prior to publication, they had no input on the content of this review.
Razer Blade 18 (2025): Price and availability
Razer offers the Blade 18 (2025) model, which allows customization for its graphics card, storage, and memory. Typically priced at $3,499.99 on Razer’s official website, it comes equipped with an RTX 5070 Ti. At the time of this review, a temporary discount of 14% lowers the price to $2,999.99 on the same site.
Improving the Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) offers the most significant impact on system performance, and it will set you back around $500 to upgrade to the RTX 5080 L (laptop version). The Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price is $4,099.99, but it’s currently on sale for $3,499.99.
When selecting the high-end RTX 5090 L GPU that suits your specifications, it necessitates a 2TB SSD for additional storage. However, the RAM can be flexibly chosen between 32GB and 64GB. The original price is $4,899.99 at the Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP), but with the current discount, it costs $4,199.99.
If you’re a tech enthusiast like me, you might find yourself eyeing the top-tier Blade 18 in 2025. On a regular day, it’ll set you back by about $5,199.99, but if you catch it on sale, you can grab it for $4,599.99! This powerhouse comes equipped with a whopping 64GB of RAM and boasts an impressive 4TB of storage, spread across two 2TB SSDs. It’s a dream come true for anyone seeking top-notch performance!
The “entry-level” Blade 18 gaming laptop, although it might be considered a moderate choice in some cases, is incredibly powerful. Going beyond the RTX 5070 Ti may not offer significant benefits unless you specifically intend to use local AI or have a specific requirement for the highest-end RTX 50 Series GPUs.
My recommended configuration:
Razer Blade 18 (2025): Design and features
As an analyst, I’d rephrase that as follows:
While the Razer Blade 18 shares a similar exterior design to its predecessors, a notable alteration can be spotted underneath – a translucent panel illuminated with RGB lighting, subtly casting a glow on select surfaces. You might need to search carefully for this change. Remaining constants include the three-headed serpent logo that continues to pulse with vivid hues on the lid, and the green USB-A 3.2 Gen 2 ports still aligned along the sides.
As a tech enthusiast, I’ve been thrilled to notice that each key on my new Blade 18 (2025) boasts a 1.5mm travel distance, significantly deepening the tactile feedback compared to its previous iterations, offering a more satisfying typing experience.
Although there are enhancements in the per-key RGB keyboard of this 2025 model Blade 18 that I can sense while typing or gaming, they may not be immediately apparent at first glance. For instance, each key now has a 1.5 mm travel distance, which is deeper than its predecessors, yet I find myself yearning for even more depth. Interestingly, the number pad also profits from this upgrade, though its presence seems to serve as a justification for incorporating macro keys rather than catering to fans of numerical pads.
I really appreciate features such as pressing the Function (Fn) key to display specific shortcuts for each key, and how the colors adjust based on the game theme, especially in games like Cyberpunk 2077. The WASD keys and common game actions are also highlighted. These settings can be customized using Razer Synapse and Chroma apps. While I find the default setup quite satisfactory, I prefer gaming laptops without numpads and instead prefer uniform arrow keys for a more consistent layout.
For a more thrilling experience, the Blade 18 remains one of the rare laptops featuring a functional Thunderbolt 5 USB-C port – the latest innovation delivering blazing speeds and extensive compatibility with top-tier docking stations, as well as certified monitors. Although Razer’s Thunderbolt 5 Dock Chroma is highly acclaimed, this technology is still relatively less mature in terms of available options within the laptop market.
Additionally, it offers a Thunderbolt 4 USB-C port and an HDMI 2.1 output for connecting larger gaming monitors, providing an alternative option to the included 18-inch panel.
Instead, you might find the greatest pleasure using the dual-mode screen on the Blade 18, which ranges from 240-440Hz and is an IPS type, although it no longer features the mini-LED setup. However, for a laptop functioning as a desktop substitute, connecting external monitors would be more appropriate.
Razer’s Blade 18 comes equipped with integrated Wi-Fi 7 technology, ensuring a state-of-the-art experience that minimizes potential lag issues for smooth performance.
As a gaming enthusiast, I can’t help but appreciate the addition of 2.5Gb Ethernet to my laptop – it’s a feature that any gaming machine should boast, ensuring wired networking for minimal Wi-Fi latency. However, Razer has thought ahead and integrated Wi-Fi 7 into the Blade 18, making it a true powerhouse of connectivity. Although it might seem counterintuitive, even this top-tier Wi-Fi can experience lag in extreme circumstances, like a house filled with microwaves or other wireless signal-interfering annoyances. But for the most part, you’ll be good to go!
If not, in 2025, an audio jack will persist for wired headphones and gaming headsets, along with a special port for the powerful 400W GaN power adapter. Additionally, there’s an SD card reader available – yay (are gamers making use of these?).
Thankfully, the large touchpad is neatly positioned in the center and functions adequately. Serious gamers might not rely on it for extensive gameplay, instead preferring an external mouse or controller, but it’s still a striking demonstration of quality. There are no hidden boundaries or clumsy holograms; it simply maintains its role as an excellent glass touchpad for precision input.
This year, Razer has nearly perfected the design of their Blade 18 laptop’s chassis. Crucial improvements to the internal vapor cooling system with three fans are essential due to the high-performance mobile NVIDIA GPUs like the 175W RTX 5090 L and Intel’s 105W Core Ultra 9 275HX CPU, which although run hot, are key features that make this luxury laptop a standout.
Let me make it clear that the THX-certified six-speaker setup is impressive, particularly when it gets loud enough to drown out the fans during periods of high stress. Additionally, features like a physical shutter for the 5MP IR webcam with Windows Hello support are appreciated. However, I don’t believe this is what you’re here to discuss, so let’s shift our focus towards performance aspects instead.
Razer Blade 18 (2025): Performance and benchmarks
Compared to the Intel Core i9-13950HX from the Blade 18 (2023), the new Intel Core i9-14900HX from the Blade 18 (2024) demonstrates approximately a 2.39% improvement in multi-threaded CPU performance based on Geekbench 6 tests. However, the upcoming Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX in the Blade 18 (2025) is anticipated to be around 20% faster than its predecessor, indicating a notable jump in raw processing power.
This year’s premium Blade 18 model demonstrates approximately a 20% enhancement in CPU performance and a 13% boost in GPU performance.
On the graphics card front, the Blade 18 (2025) performed approximately 13.37% better using NVIDIA’s GeForce RTX 5090 L compared to last year’s Blade 18 (2024) with an RTX 4090 L. Interestingly, it was surpassed by its own 2023 predecessor by roughly 2.56%. This isn’t quite the significant jump I had anticipated following rumors suggesting potentially lackluster performance for the RTX 5090 L in laptops; however, it still retains the title of the world’s leading consumer mobile graphics card.
The new Blade 18 for this year offers approximately a 20% boost in CPU power and 13% improvement in GPU. This version offers the highest graphical setting, but the RTX 5090 L may still be out of reach for some. Will you miss out if you opt for an RTX 5080 or 5070 Ti model instead? Definitely not – this is top-tier graphics that hovers on the edge of being more about perception than actual benefits.
It’s unusual not to discuss the games when evaluating a gaming laptop, but I don’t wish to underestimate your understanding. The Blade 18 is equipped with the world’s most advanced mobile hardware, so it’s not a matter of whether it can run popular games-it absolutely can. Instead, the intriguing query revolves around maximizing the benefits of its UHD+ (3840 x 2400) screen in contemporary titles at resolutions higher than 4K.
Deep Learning Super Sampling (DLSS) and Multi-Frame Generation (MFG). These techniques enhance images and boost frame rates. The GeForce RTX 5090 L in this Blade 18 (2025) model is the most potent card in its class, capable of running games at maximum settings around 1080p smoothly. However, for 4K+ resolution, a little extra assistance might be required.
I ran Cyberpunk 2077’s internal benchmark at an average of 227 frames per second, with ray tracing activated, using a resolution of 2400p and the DLSS 4 ‘Transformer’ model on ‘Ultra Performance’, while also applying MFG at 4x. It’s worth noting that I employed synthetic frames to approximate Blade 18’s native resolution during this test. The benchmark without DLSS or MFG reported an unassisted average of around 22 frames per second (with a maximum of 26 frames per second).
440Hz really does feel excessive, but it’s a rising refresh rate trend that won’t stop.
Instead of using FHD+ (1920 x 1200) at 440Hz, you can opt for a switch to achieve higher frame rates in Cyberpunk 2077. However, I was able to get an average of just 70 FPS without any upscaling or frame generation assists. On the other hand, using DLSS 4 (Quality) and MFG 4x provided an impressive 319 FPS average at Ray Tracing Ultra when tested at 1200p. While this is commendable, I found the results of the initial test to be more satisfactory. It’s worth noting that a refresh rate of 440Hz might seem excessive, but it’s becoming increasingly popular and shows no signs of slowing down.
The RTX 5090 L housed within the Blade 18 (2022) is essentially a high-performance GPU built for laptop use. It may not match the exceptional performance of the desktop RTX 5090, delivering roughly 68% of the performance offered by a desktop RTX 4090 from the previous GeForce generation. Keep in mind that even though this is the most powerful consumer GPU available in a laptop, there will still be a noticeable difference compared to desktop GPUs – a distinction well understood by many PC gamers.
In comparison, the 175W 5090 L is just a tiny fraction of the 450W desktop RTX 4090 and 575W RTX 5090. However, this model stands as the top choice for gaming laptops today, though it requires an AC power source with a 440W adapter. When running on battery power, the Blade 18 (2025) can manage about 1 hour and 25 minutes of gaming time. It’s advisable to use a steady power source for gaming sessions as playing away from one may not be recommended.
Prepare to wear headphones when engaging in demanding tasks, as the three fans within the vapor chamber can get quite noisy – something that’s not unexpected with the Blade 18. However, its performance is commensurate with its high-performance specifications, delivering color-accurate display profiles and added perks like upgradable SODIMM RAM hidden inside a hefty (3.10 kg / 7.06 lbs) body.
Razer Blade 18 (2025): Should you buy it?
You should buy this if …
✅ You want the best gaming laptop available.
✅ You’re planning to do your gaming at home, near AC power.
✅ You want the biggest portable screen with high refresh rates.
You shouldn’t buy this if …
❌ You want a lightweight gaming laptop.
❌ You’ll play demanding games without headphones.
❌ You want to do all of your gaming on battery power.
As a researcher examining the Razer Blade 18 in 2025, I can affirm that, for the most part, it remains much the same as it has always been – a formidable machine equipped with the world’s top-tier mobile graphics card. Yet, this powerhouse continues to bear some familiar drawbacks, such as its ‘fingerprint-resistant’ coating still struggling to live up to its name in real-world use.
Regardless, not many products can match up to it, and Razer has fine-tuned their associated software, making Synapse and Chroma functional even when they run in the background.
Despite a lack of competition, Razer’s devices are hard to beat, and their software, Synapse and Chroma, remain useful even if they operate in the background thanks to Razer’s continued refinement.
Indeed, it remains my top pick for a gaming laptop, given its exceptionally powerful hardware. It’s hard to imagine any other device outshining it in this category. In essence, its superior specifications made such a high ranking almost unavoidable.
In a similar fashion, while the high-end RTX 5090 model may be an extravagant choice that borders on excessive, more affordable versions featuring reasonable NVIDIA GPUs are solid recommendations for those seeking full-sized gaming laptops to replace a desktop PC. If you’re leaning towards this option, consider the RTX 5070 Ti or aim for the RTX 5080 if you prefer the top-tier model.
Switching away from the Mini-LED display was regrettable, however, the dual-mode IPS screen this year doesn’t lack brightness. While I maintain that 2400p at 2400Hz delivers a superior experience compared to 1200p at 440Hz, it’s still gratifying to cater to the esports community with that high framerate option. In 2025, the Blade 18 continues to reign supreme, much like a king enthroned on a throne adorned with top-tier graphics cards.
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2025-08-23 19:42