The Acer Predator Helios 18 is an exceptional gaming laptop, boasting a stunning display, outstanding performance, and a robust yet aesthetically pleasing design. The Acer Predator Helios 18 exudes an imposing presence.

Size may not matter to everyone, but every time I see the Helios 18 on my desk, I am struck by its massive size. 18-inch laptops are ideal for stationary gaming setups because they are cumbersome to transport, and this one is no different. The Helios 18 isn’t a good choice if you’re looking for a portable gaming laptop, especially given its average battery life.

If you’re looking for a robust 18-inch beast to meet your high-end gaming demands, this hardware is an excellent choice. It features a powerful RTX 4080 graphics card and a 14th Gen i9 processor. Its display is vibrant and vivid, complemented by a high-quality keyboard, attractive design, and durable aluminum chassis. Continue reading to determine if the Acer Predator Helios 18 suits your needs.

Acer Predator Helios 18: Specs

Acer Predator Helios 18: Design

The Helios 18 is equipped with a durable aluminum chassis finished in black. Acer has designed its distinctive thermal shelf with a thin layer of glass, separating a broad, reflective silver band that bears the inscription “Helios.”

When the RGB lights are on, the Predator logo on the lid and the glass thermal shelf come alive with a beautiful display of vibrant colors. Thanks to the shiny material on the thermal shelf, it creates the illusion that the lights are shimmering into an endless, neon-colored pool.

Pressing along the deck shows a durable construction that resists deformation under pressure. However, the hinges might need reinforcement, as the lid tends to collapse when set at a 10-degree angle. 

The display also wobbles whenever you move the lid back and forth.

Acer Predator Helios 18: Ports

Acer recognizes the importance of specific ports for gaming purposes, and the inclusion of two Thunderbolt 4 ports on the Helios 18 is commendable, particularly for users requiring a docking station. Given that this is an 18-inch laptop, it is unlikely to be transported frequently; therefore, having extensive connectivity options is highly advantageous.

On the left side, it has a USB Type-A port, Ethernet, a microSD slot, and an audio jack. The right side contains two more USB Type-A ports and a Kensington Lock. At the back, you’ll find Thunderbolt 4 ports, an HDMI 2.1 port, and a power input.

Acer Predator Helios 18: Display

Equipped with an 18-inch, 2,560 x 1,600 display at 240Hz, the Helios 18 boasts a bright and vibrant panel. For gamers dedicated to optimal conditions, a screen that accurately and vividly displays colors is essential — and the Helios 18 excels in this area. The sole drawback is its sizable bezels, which contribute to the laptop’s overall larger appearance.

I viewed the trailer for Disney’s animated feature, ‘Inside Out 2,’ and was thoroughly impressed by its vibrancy and color palette. While Riley’s personified emotions contend with their individual challenges, the variation in hues among their designs — ranging from the vivid redness of Anger to the luminous pink of Embarrassment — was truly exquisite.

I played Helldivers 2 and landed on the planet Estanu. While exploring its rocky terrain, which is dotted with patches of ice and snow along with sparse red and orange foliage, I was amazed by the vividness and beauty of its colors. The sun, nearly blinding, seemed to shine directly on me at its full intensity.

The Helios 18 demonstrated exceptional performance in our color assessments, reproducing 116 percent of the DCI-P3 color gamut. This achievement significantly exceeds the average of 90 percent for premium gaming laptops. Additionally, it surpasses its competitors, including the Vector 16 (108 percent), Alienware x16 (79 percent), and Omen 16 (78 percent).

It also secured first place in our brightness tests, reaching a peak of 520 nits, which is slightly higher than the average of 443 nits for gaming laptops. The Vector 16, with 495 nits, is close, but the Alienware x16 (334 nits) and Omen 16 (305 nits) fall significantly short.

Acer Predator Helios 18: Keyboard and Touchpad

When I opened the Helios 18, its per-key RGB keyboard immediately lit up with a spectrum of colors, showcasing its large keys, number pad, and roomy layout. I love how the keys are raised above the level of a standard keyboard, providing a more tactile typing experience. Additionally, the WASD keys utilize Acer’s MagKey 3.0 technology, making them interchangeable and equipped with a unique mechanical switch and short travel distance for fast responses.

I completed the 10fastfingers typing test with a speed of 119 words per minute and 99% accuracy, reflecting my confidence in my typing skills. The 18-inch laptop screen greatly benefits the keyboard, making each key, including the number pad, full-sized. Additionally, every keystroke offers a satisfying depth and click, enhancing the typing experience.

The 5.9 by 3.5-inch trackpad is sizable; however, it may be advisable to enhance its sensitivity for more efficient navigation of the extensive display. The trackpad operates sluggishly and requires considerable force for activation; however, this should not pose significant difficulties if a mouse or controller is used during gaming sessions.

Acer Predator Helios 18: Graphics

Equipped with an RTX 4080 graphics card featuring 12GB of vRAM, the Helios 18 is expected to be a high-performance machine that outperforms its competitors in gaming tests. Nonetheless, when compared to other RTX 4080 cards, it lagged slightly behind, though it still delivered strong performance.

I initiated the launch of Helldivers 2 and observed a consistent frame rate of approximately 80 frames per second while navigating the central hub area. Upon landing on the planet Estanu, the frame rate decreased to approximately 60 to 65 frames per second (fps) during the exploration of the mountainous terrain. During an encounter where I assaulted an enemy nest as they commenced to swarm, the frame rate fluctuated between 50 and 55 fps.

It managed an average of 115 frames per second when playing Far Cry 6 at 1080p on maximum graphics settings, which is better than the category average of 105 fps. While the Vector 16 (111 fps) is in the same ballpark, the Alienware x16 (88 fps) and Omen 16 (98 fps) couldn’t quite compete.

The performance on our Borderlands 3 test at 1080p with maximum graphics settings was somewhat below expectations, with an average of 124 frames per second, which is inferior to the category average of 136 fps. The Vector 16 (136 fps) and Alienware x16 (139 fps) demonstrate superior performance, whereas the Omen 16 (110 fps) is the only model it exceeds.

During the Cyberpunk 2077 test at 1080p on max settings, the Helios 18 delivered an average of 45 frames per second, which is a bit behind the pack. The category average is 54 fps, with the Vector 16 at 54 fps and the Alienware x16 at 52 fps performing notably better. It only just outperformed the Omen 16, which scored 41 fps.

During the Red Dead Redemption 2 test at 1080p on medium graphics, the Helios 18 averaged 94 fps, just below the category average of 97 fps. The only model outperforming it was the Vector 16 with 104 fps, while the Alienware x16 (90 fps) and Omen 16 (85 fps) scored lower. 

Acer Predator Helios 18: Performance

Acer equipped the Helios 18 with an Intel Core i9-14900HX, 1TB SSD, and 32GB RAM. If you’re concerned about productivity, there’s no need to worry given this powerful processor; it also features a notably fast SSD.

On Geekbench 6.3, the Helios 18’s multi-core score of 17,631 is impressive, far surpassing the category average of 10,978. The Vector 16 (Intel i9-14900HX, 18,055) scored slightly higher, but it outperformed Alienware x16 (Intel Core Ultra 9 185H, 13,874) and Omen 16 (Intel Core i7-13700HX, 14,515).

The Helios 18 copied 25GB of multimedia files in 14 seconds at 1,950MBps, near the 1,976MBps average. It outperformed the Vector 16 (1,353MBps) and Alienware x16 (1,776MBps), with the Omen 16 (1,990MBps) slightly faster.

Acer Predator Helios 18: Battery Life

If you’re looking for an 18-inch gaming laptop, longevity probably isn’t a major concern. This laptop weighs over 7 pounds, so fitting it in your bag and carrying it around might not be practical. However, for those with large backpacks and who don’t mind the weight, it could be relevant—though simply lifting the Helios 18 can be tiring.

While the Helios 18 isn’t the worst when it comes to battery life, it’s not exactly a standout either. During the Laptop Mag battery test, where we browse continuously over Wi-Fi at a comfortable 150 nits, it lasted just under 5 hours—specifically, 4 hours and 53 minutes. Although this is slightly above the average of 4 hours and 39 minutes, it might not be quite enough to impress most users.

Typically, a minimum of six hours of battery life is regarded as indicative of durability in a gaming laptop, a standard achieved by competitors such as The Vector 16 (6:13) and Alienware x16 (6:32). The Omen 16 (4:08), however, is the only model with inferior battery longevity.

Acer Predator Helios 18: Verdict

Some gamers seek the most powerful and biggest machines—and the Acer Predator Helios 18 delivers that. While its RTX 4080 performance was somewhat inconsistent, it remains a dependable high-end GPU paired with the impressive speeds of a 14th-generation Intel i9. Its vibrant, bright display, responsive keyboard, and robust chassis further affirm its excellence.

You might find its battery life and audio quality underwhelming, but using it as a stationary device and getting headphones could prevent issues. For a smaller laptop with better gaming performance and longer battery life, the MSI Vector 16 HX A14VHG is an excellent choice. Alternatively, the Helios 18 remains a superb option.