For this list, I tried to keep my picks for budget gaming laptops under $1,000, but with the chip shortage and stock issues, don’t be surprised if retailers start to bump up price tags a bit. Fortunately, there are some models, like the HP Victus that let you configure your laptop while still coming in under $1,100. I chose both Intel and AMD-based models to help you find the best gaming laptop that suits not only your budget but your playstyle as well. With these things in mind, if you’re looking to treat yourself or someone else this holiday season, these laptops are perfect for gaming and they won’t take a Pac-Man-sized bite out of your budget. Also: The best laptops: Does Apple take the crown? Also: Best gaming laptop: Top rigs We chose the Asus ROG Strix G15 as the best budget gaming laptop since Asus is one of the biggest names in gaming laptops, and the ROG Strix G15 proves that you can get a quality machine without having to skip this month’s rent. It runs on an AMD Ryzen 7 5800H CPU and Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 GPU for tons of graphics processing power. It also supports up to 32GB of RAM, so you can expand memory later if you need to. The 15.6-inch display has a 3ms response time for near real-time reactions to your inputs as well as a native refresh rate of 144Hz for silky smooth action even during intense action sequences. And with Adaptive-Sync technology, the display automatically adjusts its refresh rate to match optimal settings for your favorite modern games to reduce screen tearing and stuttering, giving you great gaming performance. You can use the USB-C port to set up a second display for when you want to multitask or use your laptop for streaming so you can game and monitor the chat or your streaming software without constantly alt-tabbing out. The 8-hour battery gives you plenty of time to rack up Apex Legends wins before needing to recharge. Moreover, some retailers, like Best Buy, offer exceptional deals on them.
Even though the retail price for this gaming laptop sits comfortably under $1000, 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 6 compatibility 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.
This AMD-based gaming laptop is a picture-perfect example of “budget-friendly,” and if you don’t mind having an older GPU, it’s a worthy investment. The Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 graphics card may not be the latest and greatest tech or surpass benchmarks set by more powerful video cards, but it still runs just about any triple-A title with ease. The 9-hour battery life is one of the most impressive you’ll find in a gaming laptop, letting you play all day before you need to worry about where the nearest wall outlet is.
The only drawback is that if you want to upgrade the laptop later on down the line, it only supports up to 16GB of RAM; which is perfectly fine for most games, but if you want to also use the laptop for things like 3D modeling and rendering, you’ll definitely need more RAM.
This model from Acer has some welcome upgrades and improvements over previous Nitro 5 iterations which had Intel Core i5 processors. With an 11th gen Intel Core i7 and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 Ti 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.
It also features improved heat dissipation than previous models, with 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 8-hour battery life, you can marathon your favorite games well into the night before you need to worry about plugging in.
The HP Omen base model is one of the most budget-friendly gaming laptops you can buy right now, and it’s a solid machine if you’re ok with working with an older GTX 1650 GPU. However, you can bump up to an RTX 3050 Ti and still stay under $1050. There are plenty of other affordable upgrades you can choose from like 16GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD, or you can upgrade the laptop yourself at a later date so you can catch components on sale.
Also, this laptop features both Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity for faster internet speeds and more stable wireless connections to peripherals like headsets and mice so you don’t have to worry about dropping out of team chat in the middle of a match or your mouse disconnecting at an important moment. On a full charge, the battery gives you up to 9 hours of use so you can game well into the evening.
However, any of the options on this list would make a good gaming laptop, it just depends which features are most important to you.
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 with you 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 Acer Nitro 5’s superior battery numbers.
Also critical to making the list was the inclusion of a capable discrete graphics card, as integrated graphics really cannot handle graphically demanding games. Manufacturers clearly market these laptops for gamers, so they often include touches like neon-backlit keyboards and gaming hotkeys.
If you’re ok 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.
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, it 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. They tend to be more expensive though, especially at higher capacities, so make sure your budget can handle it.
