There is a lot to consider when looking for a gaming laptop. Because gaming is such an expensive hobby, laptop price is a top consideration for most buyers. However, gaming laptops do not have to cost a fortune, and it is possible to find one that is cheap but still with the power you need.
To find the best cheap gaming laptop, you must know what you want out of your device. Many different types offer different pros and cons, like processing power and screen size. Once you decide on the features you need, there are plenty of good cheap gaming laptops that will meet your budget. We found affordable gaming laptops from as low as $650 to less than $1,100.
Shop this article: Gigabyte Aorus 15, Acer Nitro 5 and Acer Chromebook 516 GE Cloud Gaming Laptop
Gaming laptops are much different than traditional laptops because they offer faster processing speeds, more memory and better graphics. While your budget may be your main consideration, it’s important to think about other aspects, such as graphics cards, screen size and cooling systems.
Graphics cards, or GPUs, are the lifeblood of any gaming computer, and they determine whether your system will have a smooth look and feel while gaming. If you are a serious gamer looking for an inexpensive laptop that doesn’t skimp on power, you’ll need to look for higher-grade graphics cards, like the ones from Nvidia. Nvidia GeForce graphics cards have consistently outperformed competitors like AMD.
If you’re looking for a gaming laptop and you’re a gamer-on-the-go, screen size is especially important. Most gaming laptops have a 15-inch or 17-inch screen size, so you might consider a more travel-friendly laptop with a smaller 14-inch screen size for portability. Displays are measured in hertz, which indicates how many frames per second (FPS) a screen can handle. The higher the hertz, the higher the frames and the better image quality your game will have.
Unlike traditional gaming PCs, gaming laptops don’t have the open space to provide the ideal airflow needed to cool the system. Therefore, cooling systems are very important. A good cooling system will prevent critical components like the CPU and graphics cards from overheating and becoming damaged.
What you need to know: This is the best budget gaming laptop for most users. It has a 15.6-inch screen, 1080p-resolution display and offers 60 frames per second for most games.
What you’ll love: With a 360-hertz display, this laptop has a high refresh rate for a cheaper model. The 512-gigabyte SSD can support around five to 10 games. The laptop runs quietly, stays cool to the touch and contains many ports. The NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 graphics card performs well for an affordable gaming unit.
What you should consider: The Core i5 processor isn't as powerful as other offerings and the touchpad can be finicky.
What you need to know: With one of the cheapest starting prices on the list, the Acer Nitro 5 gaming laptop still offers surprisingly strong computing power. It has a 1080p resolution display and 15.6-inch screen. Complete with a Ryzen 5 4600H processor, you’ll easily reach 60 frames per second in certain popular titles.
What you’ll love: The Nitro 5 makes for a good budget gaming laptop and comes with built-in Alexa, making it a solid choice for multitasking gamers. The NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 graphics card is decent for a budget model.
What you should consider: Even with a 144-hertz display, you won’t be able to generate that high of a refresh rate on top-tier games. This can make for less-than-desirable gameplay. With only a 256GB SSD, storage is limited, as well. Furthermore, there is no SD slot, so uploading content on this device will be difficult.
What you need to know: This is MSI’s answer to the MacBook Air, but for gamers. As the name suggests, the GF65 is less than an inch thick and weighs about 4 pounds, making it an ideal choice for travel. This MSI gaming laptop has a 15.6-inch screen and an efficient Core i7 processor.
What you’ll love: The powerful Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 graphics card on this MSI laptop can deliver stunning graphics on the 1080p display. The 512GB SSD is good for a cheaper gaming unit.
What you should consider: The design is rather plain with chunky bevels and a red-backlit keyboard that isn’t RGB friendly. The 120-hertz refresh rate is low compared to other models.
What you need to know: While the Helios 300 comes in at a slightly higher price than its competitors, in this case, you get what you pay for. This Acer gaming laptop contains a 15.6-inch screen with 1080p resolution, capable of reaching over 60 frames per second.
What you’ll love: With the higher price comes incredible specs like a 10th Generation Intel Core i7 processor and Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060 graphics card. The 512GB SSD is decent, too.
What you should consider: The price of this Acer laptop comes in at a higher cost than others on the market. The 144-hertz display is less impressive when stacked against comparative units.
Acer Chromebook 516 GE Cloud Gaming Laptop
What you need to know: If you're looking for an inexpensive Chromebook gaming laptop, this is the one to buy. It's the most affordable laptop on the list.
What you’ll love: Rather than downloading and installing games onto the laptop, cloud technology lets you run and stream games via the internet. This amounts to a cheaper unit, access to a plethora of games and no risks of hacking. This cloud gaming laptop has a larger 16-inch screen and images are clearer and sharper with 1440p resolution.
What you should consider: The Core i5 processor, Intel Iris Xe graphics card and 120-hertz refresh rate are less impressive than other units.
What you need to know: This is one of the best budget gaming laptops from Lenovo, offering solid features at a low price. It's equipped with the standard 15.6-inch screen and 1080p resolution.
What you’ll love: The AMD Ryzen 7 7000 Series processor and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 graphics card are powerful options for the price. This Lenovo laptop has great storage at 512GB SSD, as well.
What you should consider: The plastic build is less durable than other options. It's heavy considering the size and less ideal for travel. The 144-hertz display is just OK. With a simple white backlighting keyboard, this Lenovo gaming laptop is not for RGB fans.
Prices listed reflect time and date of publication and are subject to change.
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