Level-up your game with the best budget gaming laptops

Gaming tech can be quite expensive because you’re paying for top performance — and wnat to avoid lag or poor-quality graphics. Because gaming laptops have a slimmer design but have similar specs to their desktop counterparts, they’re often more expensive.

That said, a portable gaming laptop allows you to keep up with gaming — even when you’re on the go. So, despite the often larger investment, many gamers will opt for these more convenient devices.

The good news? There are some gaming laptops that come at a more affordable price. You just have to know which devices to buy — and from where.

To help you find the best budget gaming laptop for you, our editors have researched the market to bring you a roundup of the top devices. We considered the price point, specifications and reviews to choose the top models you can count on.

Shop the top gaming laptops on a budget

Top-rated option

Acer Aspire 3 Laptop

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$599 at Best Buy

Best beginner gaming laptop

Acer Chromebook 315 15.6-Inch Laptop

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$189.68 at Walmart

Best budget gaming laptop under $500

ASUS Vivobook 14-Inch Laptop

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$429.99 at Best Buy

Most powerful budget gaming laptop under $1,000

Dell G15 15.6-Inch FHD 120Hz Gaming Laptop

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$949.99 at Best Buy

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Top-rated option

Acer Aspire 3 Laptop

$599

$599 at Best Buy

Specifications

• RAM: 8GB

• Graphics card: AMD Radeon

• Total storage: 512GB

Pros & Cons

• Touchscreen enabled

• High performing processor

• Large storage capacity

• No media card reader 

• No backlit keyboard

If you haven’t been introduced to the world of Acer laptops, you’re in for a treat. Voted the best affordable laptop gaming pick by our editors, the Acer Aspire 3 is classic and reliable.

While it may not have a rocket booster, it handles everyday tasks with incredible ease. We’re not the only ones who think so. With a 4.5-star average rating, users are impressed with its speed and battery life.

There’s also no need to be concerned about storage. The Acer laptop features 8GB of system memory, so there’s plenty of space for all of your apps, gifs and files. And since it’s designed for gaming, it’s important we mention the visuals. The 15.6-inch screen offers a solid graphic display that brings your game to life right before your eyes.

Best beginner gaming laptop

Acer Chromebook 315 15.6-Inch Laptop

$189.68

$189.68 at Walmart

Specifications

• RAM: 4GB

• Graphics card: Intel UHD Graphics 600 

• Total storage: 64GB

Pros & Cons

• Extensive battery life 

• Touchscreen 

• Google assistant integration

• Minimal system memory 

• Not lightweight

If you’re an entry-level gamer on a tight budget, the Acer Chromebook is a great option for you. Let’s start with the display. Picture a 15.6-inch Full HD screen that allows you to type, swipe and scroll your way through your digital play. With its touchscreen capability, you can navigate and interact with your game in a whole new, convenient way.

Now let’s talk about performance. This laptop may not have the power of a supercomputer, but it’s no slouch either. This laptop has 4GB of system memory and 64BB of total storage, so you’ll have enough speed and space to handle your game.

The best part? It runs on Chrome OS. This means you get the simplicity and security of Chrome combined with the versatility of apps from the Google Play Store.

Best budget gaming laptop under $500

ASUS Vivobook 14-Inch Laptop

$429.99

$429.99 at Best Buy

Specifications

• RAM: 8GB

• Graphics card: Intel UHD Graphics 770 

• Total storage: 128GB

Pros & Cons

• Sleek and slim design

• Highly responsive interface 

• Great for multitasking

• No backlit keyboard 

• Not touchscreen capabilities

When it comes to performance, this laptop means business. Powered by a robust Intel 11th Generation Core, the Asus Vivobook is perfect for experienced gamers and is a powerful multitasker.

As a stress-free and affordable gaming PC laptop, you can expect an efficient and easy computer experience. Plus, the 8GB system memory and 1366 x 768 resolution is made for high-quality intense gaming.

Most powerful budget gaming laptop under $1,000

Dell G15 15.6-Inch FHD 120Hz Gaming Laptop

$949.99

$949.99 at Best Buy

Specifications

• RAM: 8GB

• Graphics card: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050

• Total storage: 512GB

Pros & Cons

• High graphics performance 

• Supports Bluetooth

• Cooling system

• No touchscreen

• Not lightweight

This laptop is for serious gamers who are looking to get the most out of each play. Specifically designed to address all of your gaming needs, this laptop is perhaps the most powerful laptop on our list.

The graphics card alone is a good enough reason to add this to your list of favorites. With an NVIDIA GeForce graphics card, your games run faster and come alive with breathtaking clarity. There’s no longer a need to fret over lag and motion blur - this device is built for speed and snappy responsiveness.

This laptop packs a serious punch in the performance department. It delivers the horsepower needed to multitask and game without breaking a sweat. Have we mentioned that it also features a cooling system? Yep, that’s right. Your gaming sessions can continue without disruption.

Best budget gaming laptop for battery life

Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 15IRU8 15.6-Inch Laptop

You save $180 (33.96%)

$349.99$529.99

$349.99 at Staples

Specifications

• RAM: 8GB

• Graphics card: Intel UHD Graphics 

• Total storage: 256GB

Pros & Cons

• Backlit keyboard

• Rapid Charge boost extends battery life 

• Incredibly lightweight and portable

• Limited graphics performance

• Limited RAM

This laptop is an ideal, portable option for gamers. Its featherweight feature makes it super easy to take along on your adventures. And, with portability comes a need for an extensive battery life. The great thing is, you can use it to your heart’s content with its Rapid Charge feature and battery runtime of up to 12 hours.

The backlit keyboard is another knockout feature that we love. And yes, it does make a difference. No matter how lit your environment is, you’ll find it easy to play and see what you’re doing with this feature.

Best 14-inch model

HP Pavilion Plus 14-Inch Laptop

You save $150 (19.23%)

$629.99$779.99

$629.99 at Staples

Specifications

• RAM: 8GB

• Graphics card: Intel Iris Xe 

• Total storage: 256 GB 

Pros & Cons

• Large storage capacity 

• Backlit keyboard 

• Performance Mode for maximized graphic

• Limited RAM upgradeability 

• One user reports laptop overheats

This HP Pavilion laptop is packed with possibilities. If you’re a multitasking gamer, you’ll love this computer. Not only does it have a backlit keyboard, but it also features 256GB of total storage capability so you can enjoy the breadth of play and work.

Connectivity is convenient and easy with a range of ports and wireless options. From USB to HDMI, this laptop offers the flexibility to connect your devices and expand your workstation. And with advanced Wi-Fi capabilities, you can stay connected to the internet wherever there’s a network.

Best 17-inch gaming laptop for less

Acer Nitro 5 17.3-Inch Laptop

You save $199 (20.95%)

$750.99$949.99

$750.99 at Best Buy

Specifications

• RAM: 8GB

• Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050

• Total storage: 512GB

Pros & Cons

• High-end graphic performance

• High screen resolution 

• Designed for serious gamers

• Few users experienced laptop not powering on 

• Higher end of gaming laptop budget

Customization is key and the Acer Nitro 5 understands that. This is a great option for serious gamers who want to create the perfect gaming ambiance regardless of where you are. We love that you can personalize your gaming experience and choose from a range of colors and lighting effects on the backlit keyboard.

The Acer Nitro 5 packs quite a punch. Powered by a high-performance processor and a dedicated graphics card, this laptop delivers exceptional power to handle even the most demanding games. But it isn’t just for gaming, it’s also a versatile machine that does wonders for multimedia production, content creation and more.

What features should you look for?

If you’re on the hunt for a cheap gaming laptop, it’s important to go in knowing which features really matter. We’ve got you covered so you can shop with confidence and know what you're in for when picking out your gaming machine. Here are the top five essentials.

The latest generation CPU

You’ll want a laptop with a new generation CPU or core processing unity. The older the CPU, the more it can struggle with running the latest software and games. It’s best that you aim for the newest models, as they are ideal for gaming.

A dedicated graphics card

This is one of the most essential features. Whether it’s a cheaper gaming laptop or a higher-end one, you’ll want the graphic card to do your game justice. Opt for a model with a GPU (graphics processing unit) sufficient enough for your needs. Note that the more powerful your GPU, the pricier the laptop.

Speedy monitor refresh rate

When it comes to gaming, a speedy monitor refresh rate is a game-changer. It’s all about how many times your display refreshes per second. Most standard monitors offer 60HZ, but if you want smoother visuals and less lag, aim for refresh rates around 120Hz to 240HZ.

RAM and Storage

RAM and storage space are crucial for gaming performance. More RAM means faster loading times and smoother gameplay. Look for a laptop with at least 4 or 8GB of RAM, though 16GB is ideal. And don’t forget about storage! The total storage capacity can make a real difference in speed.

A solid number of inputs

Gaming accessories like headsets, mice and external drives need their fair share of ports. It is vital to make sure that your laptop has enough input to handle your gaming demands. You don’t want to be left with a shortage of connections for all your gaming gadgets.

Which affordable gaming laptops get our vote? 

We’re sure we’ve given you plenty to think about when deciding on the best budget gaming laptop. But we can’t just leave you hanging. While we’re impressed with all of the laptops on our list, here are the ones that stand out to us:

• Dell G15 15.6-Inch FHD 120Hz Gaming Laptop: Without a doubt, the Dell D5 is a powerful and impressive machine for serious gamers. Not only are you spoiled with a high-performing graphics card, but the laptop also features a cooling system to ensure it doesn’t run hot. 

• Acer Chromebook 315 15.6-Inch Laptop: We’re touting this laptop as the best for beginner gamers. It offers reliable functionality and comes at a fraction of the price of higher-end computers.

Remember to research and compare different models to make an informed decision that aligns with your gaming needs and budget. Happy gaming!

Prices updated on 07/25/2023. We are not responsible for any changes to the prices mentioned above.