A solid gaming laptop, whether you're upgrading or buying your first model, doesn't have to cost a fortune. Whether you're an Intel loyalist or AMD user, there are plenty of options for budget-minded gamers. 

Also:The best laptops of 2023: Expert tested and reviewed 

To help you find the best budget gaming laptop for your needs, I looked through price-friendly but powerful options from top brands like MSI, Asus, Acer, and HP while keeping in mind the latest CPU offerings from Intel and AMD along with graphics card offerings from Nvidia and AMD. 

As an avid gamer myself, my pick for the best budget gaming laptop is the Asus TUF A15 , packing a 144Hz refresh rate, 12-hour battery life, andDolby Atmos audio. Read on for the rest of our picks for the best cheap gaming laptops available now.

The best budget gaming laptops

Asus TUF A15

Best cheap gaming laptop overall

Asus/ Pros & Cons Pros

• Nvidia GeForce 3050 Ti
• 144Hz refresh rate
• Excellent battery
• Dolby Atmos

Cons

• No Thunderbolt support
• No VRR support

More Details

Asus TUF A15specs: CPU:AMD Ryzen 7 6000 seriesRAM:8GBStorage:512GB SSDGPU:Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 TiDisplay:15.6-inch FHDRefresh Rate:144HzBattery life:Up to 12 hours

The Asus TUF A15is an excellent choice if you're in the market for a budget-friendly gaming laptop that doesn't compromise quality.  It's priced comfortably under$1,000 while still offering premium features like a 144Hz refresh rate, support for Dolby Atmos, and an RGB backlit keyboard. The laptop is tested against MIL-STD-810H durability standards for drop, temperature, and humidity resistance; this means that you won't have to worry about occasional spills or bumps ruining sensitive components or important data.

It's built with a 6000 series AMD Ryzen 7 CPU, 8GB of RAM, a 512GB SSD, and Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 Ti graphics card for all the power and storage you need for the latest indie and triple-A titles. Asus also outfitted the TUF A15 with a MUX switch, which allows you to choose either integrated or discrete graphics processing to boost battery life as well as power efficiency. The battery is also impressive, offering up to 12 hours of use on a full charge. 

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Dell G15 Ryzen Edition

Best value budget gaming laptop

Dell/ Pros & Cons Pros

• Great battery life
• Wi-Fi 6
• User upgradeable
• Alienware Command Center

Cons

• No USB-C charging or display output
• Heavy
• Only supports up to 32GB RAM

More Details

Dell G15 Ryzen Editionspecs: CPU:AMD Ryzen 5 5600HRAM:8GB DDR4 3200MHzStorage:512GB M.2 NVMe SSDGPU:Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 4GB GDDR6Display:15.6-inch FHDRefresh Rate:120HzBattery Life:10 hours

Even though the retail price for this gaming laptop sits comfortably under$1,000, it's still packed to the brim with premium hardware. It's built around an AMD Ryzen 5 5600H CPU and Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 graphics card, giving you more than enough power to play the latest AAA titles. The base configuration comes with just 8GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD, but you can upgrade these yourself later on if you need more memory and storage. 

Meanwhile, the native 120Hz refresh rate gives you buttery smooth action, and the anti-glare coating on the 1080p screen improves viewing angles by cutting down on reflections from overhead lights. Wi-Fi 6compatibility gives you ultra-fast wireless internet speeds to give you the edge you need to win fast-paced online matches. And the 10-hour battery life lets you either game all night or use the G15 as a workstation during the day.

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Acer Nitro 5

Best budget gaming laptop for beginners

Acer/ Pros & Cons Pros

• Decent battery life
• DTS:X audio
• Wi-Fi 6
• 144 Hz display
• User upgradeable

Cons

• Heavy
• Only supports up to 32GB RAM
• Only supports Crucial brand components

More Details

Acer Nitro 5specs: CPU:Intel Core i7-12500HRAM:16GB DDR4Storage:512GB SSDGPU:Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 Display:15.6-inch FHDRefresh Rate:144Hz Battery life:8 hours

This model from Acer has some welcome upgrades and improvements over previous Nitro 5 iterations, which had Intel Core i5 processors. With a 12th-gen Intel Core i7 and Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 graphics card, you'll be able to handle all but the most graphically demanding titles. Wi-Fi 6 connectivity gives you faster wireless internet speeds than before, while DTS:X audio creates richer, more immersive audio without the need for a headset. And if you're worried about the Nitro 5 being able to keep up with your games library, its specs fall well within the most popular components noted in the Steam hardware and software survey.

It also features improved heat dissipation compared to previous models. While other gaming laptops might need a cooling pad to maintain optimal performance, the Acer Nitro 5has twin cooling fans and four vents to draw waste heat away from delicate components and allow your laptop to run at optimal temperatures for longer. And with an 8-hour battery life, you can marathon your favorite games well into the night before you need to worry about plugging in.

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MSI Bravo 15

Best budget AMD gaming laptop

MSI/ Pros & Cons Pros

• 144Hz refresh rate
• Supports up to 64GB of RAM
• User upgradeable
• Decent battery

Cons

• On the heavy side at almost 5 pounds
• Can't customize keyboard backlight color

More Details

MSI Bravo 15specs: Display size:15.6-inch FHD Display type:IPS Refresh rate:144HzResolution:1920 x 1080Touchscreen:No RAM:Up to 64GB DDR4 GPU:AMD Radeon RX 6500M CPU:AMD Ryzen 7 5800HStorage:512GB SSD  Battery life:6 hours

The MSI Bravo 15is one of those precious few gaming laptops that is built with both an AMD CPU and AMD Radeon graphics card, which means you'll be able to squeeze out a bit more performance for your money. It uses the AMD Ryzen 7 5800H processor and Radeon RX 6500M graphics card to provide all of the power you need to play the latest or graphically demanding indie and triple-A titles. 

The 15.6-inch display uses an IPS panel with a native refresh rate of 144Hz to give you plenty of viewing area as well as smoother motion in action-heavy games. And with 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD, you'll have plenty of power and storage space for your games; the Bravo 15 also supports up to 64GB of RAM, allowing you to upgrade your laptop as your needs change. The MSI Bravo 15 also has a decent battery life for a gaming laptop, coming in at about 6 hours, though you may want to keep your power cable handy for longer play sessions or productivity work.

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HP Victus 15

Best budget Intel gaming laptop

Amazon/ Pros & Cons Pros

• Bang & Olufsen audio
• Up to 13th gen Intel Core i5 CPU
• Up to Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 graphics card
• SSD boot drive

Cons

• 4 hour battery life
• No customizable RGB lighting
• On the heavy side at just over 5 pounds

More Details

Display size:15.6-inch FHDDisplay type:LEDRefresh rate:144HzResolution:1920 x 1080Touchscreen: NoRAM: Up to 32GB GPU:Up to Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 CPU:Up to 13th gen Intel Core i5 Storage:512GB SSD   Battery life:4 hours

If you're an Intel loyalist, or looking to make the switch from AMD, the HP Victus is a great option for a budget-friendly, Intel-based gaming laptop. You can configure it at the HP website with up to a 13th gen Intel Core i5 CPU, up to 32GB of RAM, and up to an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 graphics card. The base model is built with a 512GB SSD for faster boot times compared to a traditional HDD and faster launch and loading times for games.

The 15.6-inch display provides 1080p resolution and a native refresh rate of 144Hz so old favorites as well as the latest releases look their best and have smoother on-screen action. The HP Victus 15is also built with Bang & Olufsen speakers for enhanced audio quality; which is great news for anyone who prefers to not wear a headset while gaming. You'll want to keep your power cable nearby though, since the HP Victus 15has a battery life topping out at just 4 hours. And while it's not the worst I've seen in a gaming laptop, it does fall short of the 5-6 hour average we've begun to see.

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What is the best budget gaming laptop?

My pick for the best budget gaming laptop is the Asus TUF A15. Not only is it priced more than comfortably, but it also still offers great components like a 6000 series AMD Ryzen 7 CPU and Nvidia GeForce 3050 Ti graphics card. It also has one of the most impressive batteries in a gaming laptop, offering up to 12 hours of use on a full charge.

Best budget gaming laptop	Price	CPU/GPU	Battery life
Asus TUF A15	$798	AMD Ryzen 7 6000, Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 Ti	Up to 12 hours
Dell G15 Ryzen Edition	$959	AMD Ryzen 5 5600H, Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050	10 hours
Acer Nitro 5	$796	Intel Core i7-12500H, Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050	8 hours
MSI Bravo 15	$769	AMD Ryzen 7 5800H, AMD Radeon RX 6500M	6 hours
HP Victus 15	$640	Up to 13th gen Intel Core i5, Up to Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050	4 hours

Which budget gaming laptop is right for you?

Tech specs are usually overrated when it comes to picking a PC, but not when it comes to gaming systems. Purchasing a cheap gaming laptop is definitely a case where you have to get the most bang for the fewest bucks without sacrificing your gaming experience. It's a careful balance, though, as doubling your RAM or getting a better graphics card will impact your budget. 

The closer you get to the$1,000 price point, the more likely you'll be able to get more than just the basic gaming laptop specs: maybe a newer processor, 16GB of RAM, or a 512GB solid-state drive. However, if you're watching every dollar, you'll have to make do with those bare minimum specs.

Two other important considerations are weight and battery life, neither of which is a gaming laptop's specialty. The notebooks on this list fall on either side of the 5-pound mark, but if you're planning to take the laptop on-the-go often, a lighter system might be of greater importance to you. You also shouldn't expect miracles when it comes to battery life, as more powerful components being pushed to the max by PC games will chew through a charge. However, if staying unplugged as long as possible is crucial, serious consideration should be given to the Asus TUF A15's impressive 12-hour battery.

Buy this budget gaming laptop...	If you need...
Asus TUF A15	A well-rounded and budget-friendly gaming laptop. The Asus TUF A15 has an impressive 12-hour battery life as well as an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 Ti graphics card.
Dell G15 Ryzen Edition	A budget gaming laptop that is still high-value. With a 10-hour battery life, RTX 3050 graphics card, and a price tag under$1000, the Dell G15 Ryzen Edition is a lot of bang for your buck.
Acer Nitro 5	A budget and beginner-friendly gaming laptop. With a price tag just under$800, the Acer Nitro 5 is a great choice for PC gaming newcomers who don't want to spend a fortune on a decent rig.
MSI Bravo 15	A budget-friendly and AMD-based gaming laptop. The MSI Bravo 15 is built with both an AMD Ryzen 7 5800H CPU and AMD Radeon RX 6500M graphics card.
HP Victus 15	A budget-friendly and Intel-based gaming laptop. The HP Victus 15 can be configured with up to a 13th gen Intel Core i5 CPU as well as an RTX 3050 graphics card.

How did we choose these budget gaming laptops?

Obviously, price is key when it comes to budget gaming laptops, so we kept the list to models as close to or below$1,000 as we could. These notebooks are from well-known brands available through major retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart, as well as their own online stores. 

Other factors critical to making the list were:

• CPU: Your gaming laptop's processor is its most important component. It's the brain of your laptop and does most of the heavy lifting while you're playing games. No matter if you're an Intel or AMD user, you'll want to opt for a laptop that has a CPU that was released within the last 5 years. Not only does this ensure that it will be compatible with other components like your motherboard, it also guarantees that your build will be supported by updates for most of the life of your laptop.
• Battery life: Gaming laptops tend to have shorter battery lives compared to their office-bound counterparts, but you should be able to squeeze at least 6 hours of use out of a full charge while browsing the web or streaming video. Your gaming battery life mileage will vary, but for under$1,500, aim to get at least 3 hours of play time on a full charge.
• Display size: I did my best to include the most popular screen sizes for gaming laptops, which are typically between 15 and 17 inches. Larger screens give you more in-game viewing area, but often come with higher costs. Smaller screens are more affordable, but may not have QHD or 4K options or may have middling refresh rates
• Graphics card:Contrary to popular belief, you don't have to have the latest, most powerful GPU to get the most out of your favorite games or new releases. And if you're working on a smaller budget, opting for an older graphics card can make a big difference in budget. 
• Storage: A 500GB capacity should be more than enough to handle everything; though you can always upgrade the laptop yourself later on with a larger capacity drive. And keep in mind that storage space determines game download capacity. While you can set up external drives to accommodate, it's important to choose a base storage drive that has plenty of room for your operating system, game library, and essential programs like web browsers and office suites. 

Are budget gaming laptops worth it?

The word "budget" is sort of subjective when it comes to gaming laptops. But for this list, I tried to keep my picks close to or under$1,000. While they probably won't blow you away when it comes to things like storage, you can still get a worthwhile machine if you're willing to compromise on some components like high frame rates or a high refresh rate. 

If you're alright with your laptop having an older GPU or are comfortable upgrading things yourself later on, you can find even better prices than what I've managed to scrape up. You can even find certified pre-owned units, but they often aren't covered by any sort of warranty, so if a component fails, you're going to have to pay out of pocket to fix or replace it.

Is there such a thing as "too much RAM"?

Yes, actually. For most games, you won't need more than 16GB of RAM. And while some models support up to 32, 64, or even 128GB, chances are that unless you're going to also use your laptop for things like video editing or 3D modeling and rendering, you're just spending money to show off at that point. How much RAM you need will depend on what you want to get out of your gaming experience, but most people won't need more than 16GB.

What's the difference between an SSD and an HDD?

SSD stands for "solid state drive," and HDD stands for "hard disk drive." Given it's based on older technology (using a physical disk), an HDD, or hard drive, is typically more affordable. They're also much more prone to damage since they have physical parts that can break down and wear out over time, and they are more susceptible to shocks and drops. 

Conversely, a solid state drive uses flash memory and a specialized chipset to store programs and files. This not only helps prevent damage from normal wear and tear, but it also makes accessing said programs and files much faster. And if you have an SSD as your boot drive, you can get your computer up and running in seconds. However, they do tend to be on the pricier side. 

Are there other budget gaming laptops to consider?

We chose a variety of gaming laptops based on budgetary needs, purposes, and performance. Below is a list of some alternatives you might prefer. 

Best alternative for beginners

Lenovo Ideapad Gaming 3

The Lenovo Ideapad Gaming 3 retails for under$1000 but still features great components like an AMD Ryzen 5 5600H processor, 8GB of RAM, a 256GB SSD, and GeForce RTX 3050 Ti graphics card. It also features an HDMI input so you can set up a second display or connect to a TV or projector for showing movies and videos with friends.

View at Best Buy

Best budget RTX 40 series alternative

MSI Cyborg

The MSI Cyborg is built with an Nvidia RTX 4050 graphics card, making it one of the most affordable gaming laptops to feature the new RTX 40 series GPUs. 

View at Best Buy

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