When many think gaming laptopsthey have the latest graphics card, processor, etc. imagine high-end gaming machines. And of course, gaming laptops of this caliber will come with a hefty price tag. However, it is possible to get a budget gaming laptop that lets you play the latest AAA titles without spending thousands of unnecessary dollars. If you’re looking for the best budget gaming laptop, you’ve come to the right place. All of our recommendations come in at $1,250 or less, meaning you can still enjoy an immersive gaming experience at a more affordable price. They all boast fast SSDs, dedicated graphics cards and generous screen sizes, which are must-haves when investing in a budget gaming laptop.
What is a budget gaming laptop?
For a high-end gaming experience, you can easily spend $5,000 on a fully tricked-out laptop like the Razer Blade 18. But when it comes to the best budget gaming laptops, we focus on the other end of the price spectrum. : Laptops under $1000. It used to be hard to find a decent selection of games at this price point, but as PC prices drop, they no longer seem like unicorns.
Stepping up a bit to systems between $1000 and $2000 puts you firmly in mid-range territory, which is beyond the scope of this guide. Still, it’s worth keeping an eye out for sales that can bring these computers under $1,000. Make sure Check out our guide to the best gaming laptops for an overview of what to look for in these more expensive systems.
Are cheap gaming laptops worth it?
If you’re trying to save money and are realistic about what you can get in this price range, cheap gaming laptops are definitely worth it. You can expect to find the latest (but not the greatest) CPUs from Intel and AMD, as well as entry-level GPUs like NVIDIA’s RTX 3050. Budget models are also typically paired with 1080p displays that run at a higher refresh rate of 120Hz or higher. There are some exceptions: Dell’s G16 (currently discounted to $900) boasts a 16-inch quad HD+ display.
Many cheap gaming laptops also don’t skimp on features like RAM and hard drive space. We recommend getting at least 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD. Modern games need a decent amount of memory to run, and they tend to be large, so you won’t be able to fit much next to Windows 11 on a 256B SSD. You might want to splurge on one of the cheap gaming laptop deals from Walmart or Best Buy, but if you’re stuck with 8GB of RAM or a small SSD, it’s not worth it.
When it comes to build quality, expect to find more plastic than metal on budget gaming machines. Still, the best cheap gaming laptops we recommend should be sturdy enough to last for several years. Affordable systems will also be heavier and thicker than mid-range and premium models, and they typically don’t have great battery life. These are worthwhile compromises if you’re looking to save money, and even the most expensive gaming laptops struggle with battery life.
Best budget gaming laptops
Will Lipman Photography for Engadget
Screen size: 15-inch | Touch screen: No | Processor: 13th Gen Intel Core i5/i7 | RAM: Up to 16 GB | Memory: Up to 512 GB | Weight: £2.81 | Battery life: Up to 6.5 hours
Dell was one of the first PC manufacturers to pack a decent amount of gaming power into a sub-$1,000 system. The the latest G15 based on this experience. Intel’s 13th generation i5-13450HX starts at $800 with an RTX 3050 GPU and 8GB of RAM, making it one of the cheapest gaming laptop options around. We offer the $1,000 model with 16GB of RAM, a 512GB SSD, and a 165Hz 1080p display with NVIDIA’s G-SYNC technology.
Although not AlienwareThe G15 carries some of the premium brand’s design cues with its sharp, angular body and LED-illuminated buttons. Gamer bling, which may be a plus for some, has a distinct drawback. If you’re looking for something bigger, think about it 16 inch screen version mentioned above (funnily enough, it’s also slightly lighter than the G15).
Acer
Screen size: 15-inch | Touch screen: No | Processor: 12th generation Intel Core i5 | RAM: Up to 16 GB | Memory: Up to 512 GB | Weight: 4.8 pounds | Battery life: up to 8 hours
The Acer Nitro 5 is another great option, although we haven’t seen it get Intel’s 13th generation chips yet. Still, the 12th generation model is no slouch: it’s equipped with 16GB of RAM, NVIDIA’s RTX 3050 and 512GB of storage. Like Dell, Acer has plenty of experience building gaming laptops, so this one will likely survive years of extreme gaming. The Nitro 5’s multi-color backlit keyboard and rear red accents also give it a stronger gamer vibe than the G15. Side note: Acer Nitro 16 it’s also worth considering that it drops below $1,000 because it has newer CPUs and GPUs.
HP
Screen size: 15-inch | Touch screen: No | Processor: AMD Ryzen 7 5800H | RAM: Up to 64 GB | Memory: Up to 4TB | Weight: 5 pounds
The HP Victus 15 it’s the ideal gaming laptop for those who don’t want to be seen with a gaming laptop. Its all-black design is strikingly streamlined, and its edge-to-edge display is impressive for such an affordable system. It also has enough power to handle today’s games, including an AMD Ryzen 7 CPU, NVIDIA’s RTX 3050 Ti graphics, 16GB of RAM, and a 144Hz 1080p display. You get a decent number of ports, including USB-C and HDMI 2.1. And best of all, it’s almost always on sale somewhere.
