Gaming laptops can be expensive because of the components required to run the latest games. Even cheap gaming laptops typically cost between $ 700 and $ 1,000, but you can actually get decent gaming performance at those prices, and they're thinner and lighter than gaming laptops just a few years ago. Play Fourteen days, CS: GO, PUBG, Minecraft and Apex Legends won't be a problem for this one. You can save even more money looking for reconditioned or open box gaming laptops from sources like Best Buy, Amazon, Micro Center, and Woot.
We're updating this list of the best cheap laptops for gaming as we evaluate new products. Below are our recommendations to help you find your ideal gaming experience based on our ratings and tests. And if you want to enhance your gaming and work-from-home experience, there are a few you should check out inexpensive game equipment to help you with this.
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The Acer Nitro 5 is available in sizes 17.3 and 15.6 inches. A 17-inch laptop is a rarity in entry-level gaming laptops. Most gaming laptops under $ 1,000 have 15.6-inch displays. You can get lost in any world you play in on the larger screen of the Acer.
On the other hand, you can get the Nitro 5 with a 15.6-inch display for just $ 670, including an AMD Ryzen 5 4600H processor and Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 graphics. At this level, you can play current games at FHD resolution and medium to high graphics settings depending on the game you are playing. That said, Acer is an affordable gaming laptop that offers some nice extras like direct controls for power and cooling, as well as improved access to memory and storage. Read the CNET review of the 17.3-inch Acer Nitro 5 ..
The Legion 5 is an updated version of last year's Y540, which was one of our most popular gaming laptops because of its design and value. There have been a few changes to the design of this slot machine, but mainly the interior changes including a choice between AMD (Legion 5) and Intel (Legion 5i) processors. Prices still start at just under $ 1,000. If you need to keep costs down, the company's IdeaPad Gaming 3 laptop costs around $ 700.
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While the G5 is still our top pick, the G3 is available with many of the same components, including CPUs and graphics chips, but for less money. The other features and build quality aren't as good as the G5, but the G3 is thinner and lighter. It's a great choice if you're looking for a school or home office laptop that can also play the latest games. Read our Dell G3 15 Gaming Laptop Review.
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It's the bright green keyboard that really gives away that the 15.6-inch Pavilion gaming laptop from HP isn't just a regular midsize notebook. Sure, there are some pretty big rear fan vents, but otherwise the chassis is pretty tame and completely black, save for a slight shade of green from the HP logo on the lid. Inside there is an excellent mix of components that are great for both playing and working. Read our HP Pavilion Gaming 15 review.
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The Aspire 7 isn't a "gaming" laptop, but it's a great option if you're looking for a home office laptop that is good for gaming too. Combined with an Nvidia GTX 1650 graphics card and a 10th generation Intel Core i5 processor, you get a good 15.6-inch Full HD display and a variety of ports for $ 800.
The Aspire 7 is a bit bulky, however. For those who prefer something slimmer and lighter, the Aspire 5 is just the ticket and comes with an MX250 graphics card for under $ 1,000. Read our Acer Aspire 7 review.
Buying tips for a cheap gaming laptop
Older laptops with Nvidia's GeForce GTX 10 series GPUs are still around, but the laptop options aren't as good as they used to be. Laptops with an entry-level GTX 1050 Ti card typically cost around $ 700 if you can find them. This chip gives you enough graphics power to play the latest demanding games on low to medium settings. If you spend between $ 800 and $ 1,000 (or a little more), you can get a laptop with a newer GTX 1650, 1650 Ti, or 1660 Ti, or an older Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060 in the upper midfield for a great gaming experience. You can also do this with the 6GB version of the GTX 1060 Experience the ray tracing effects a little Available with the more expensive RTX cards.
Top tips from the editors
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For the best gaming experience with a budget gaming laptop, make sure you are getting the greatest graphics performance possible from the start, as unlike memory or storage, it cannot be upgraded later. If you're on a tight budget, opt for an older Nvidia Geforce GTX 1050 Ti or a newer 1650 graphics card that will give you good gaming performance on newer games at medium or high settings. Prices start at around $ 600. If you can afford to spend more than $ 1,000, in the long run it will be better to get a laptop with an older Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060 with 6GB of storage or a newer 1660 Ti.
Look beyond the graphics chip for:
- A ninth or tenth generation Intel Core i5 or i7 processor, or an AMD Ryzen 4000 series processor
- At least 8GB of memory (aka RAM) and the ability to add more after purchase
- At least one 256 GB solid-state drive, a combination of 128 GB SSD storage and hard drive, or a large solid-state hybrid drive
Most, if not all, gaming laptops allow you to easily add or upgrade your storage and storage. Hence, it is best to put your money into the GPU and processor. Sure, you get more bang for your buck with a gaming desktop, but if you don't have room for one or you need to be mobile, these budget-friendly laptops are well worth the investment.
