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Gaming laptops have come a long way, and you no longer need to spend a fortune to enjoy smooth gameplay. While most gaming laptops can be pricey, there are now affordable options that deliver impressive performance without compromising too much on features. Whether you're diving into esports titles or exploring expansive open-world games, the best cheap gaming laptops offer a balance of power and value.
These budget-friendly machines often come equipped with high-refresh-rate displays, ensuring fluid visuals during intense gaming sessions. Some even boast OLED screens, providing vibrant colors and deep blacks that enhance the gaming experience. While they might not match the premium build of high-end models, many of these laptops can still run modern games at high settings. And if you're transitioning from a cheaper laptop or a Chromebook, you'll appreciate the added versatility and performance these gaming laptops bring to the table.
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Best budget gaming laptops for 2025
Will Lipman Photography for Engadget Best budget gaming laptop overall Dell G15 Screen size: 15-inch | Touchscreen: No | Processor: 13th-gen Intel Core i5/i7 | RAM: Up to 16GB | Storage: Up to 512GB | Weight: 2.81 pounds | Battery life: Up to 6.5 hours | Screen refresh rate: 120Hz Dell was one of the first PC makers to combine a decent amount of graphics power in a sub-$1,000 system. The latest G15 builds on that experience. It starts at $800 with Intel's 13th-gen i5-13450HX, an RTX 3050 laptop GPU and 8GB of RAM, making it one of the best budget gaming laptop choices around. We'd recommend bumping up to the $1,000 model with 16GB of RAM, a 512GB SSD and a 165Hz 1080p screen with NVIDIA's G-SYNC technology, ensuring high fps and smooth gaming performance. While it's no Alienware, the G15 carries over some of that premium brand's design cues with a sharp, angular case and LED-backlit keys. It’s also surprisingly sturdy for the price, with a durable chassis that should hold up to years of use. And while it doesn’t go all-in on RGB, it still delivers an attractive gaming aesthetic without over-the-top lighting effects. $1,289 at Amazon
acer Best budget gaming laptop runner-up Acer Nitro V Screen size: 15-inch | Touchscreen: No | Processor: 12th-gen Intel Core i5 | RAM: Up to 16GB | Storage: Up to 512GB | Weight: 4.8 pounds | Battery life: Up to 8 hours | Screen refresh rate: 144Hz The Acer Nitro 5 is another great affordable gaming laptop option, though we've yet to see it get Intel's 13th-gen chips. Still, the 12th-gen model is no slouch: It's equipped with 16GB of RAM, NVIDIA's RTX 3050 and 512GB of storage. Just like Dell, Acer has plenty of experience building PC gaming machines, so this will likely survive years of extreme play. The Nitro 5's multi-colored RGB backlit keyboard and rear red accents also give off a stronger gamer vibe than the G15. Side note: Acer's Nitro 16 may also be worth considering if it dips below $1,000, since it features newer CPUs and GPUs and improved Wi-Fi capabilities for better online gaming. $878 at Amazon
HP A more understated option HP Victus 15.6" Gaming Laptop Screen size: 15-inch | Touchscreen: No | Processor: AMD Ryzen 7 5800H | RAM: Up to 64GB | Storage: Up to 4TB | Weight: 5 pounds | Screen refresh rate: 144Hz The HP Victus 15 is the ideal affordable gaming laptop for someone who doesn't want to be seen with a gaming laptop. Its all-black chassis is sleek and understated, making it a great option for those who need a laptop for both gaming and web browsing. The laptop display is impressive for the price, offering a 144Hz FHD screen that helps maintain smooth frame rates in fast-paced games. Under the hood, it still packs enough graphics power to handle modern titles, featuring an AMD Ryzen 7 CPU, NVIDIA’s RTX 3050 Ti, 16GB of RAM and SSD storage of up to 4TB. It also includes a solid selection of connectivity options, including USB-C and HDMI 2.1, so you can easily hook it up to an external monitor. While it may not have flashy RGB lighting, its solid performance and subtle design make it a great choice for gamers who want a balance between work and play. $739 at Amazon
What is a budget gaming laptop?
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