Are you a PC gaming enthusiast and want to revamp your experience playing popular titles? Are you tired of playing on your old laptop that does not offer an optimal gaming experience? If your answer is affirmative, then this article could be a great read.
The global gaming market has huge potential, with over $200 billion in revenue for the year 2022. With the increasing popularity of gaming, the demand for cheap gaming laptops is on an upward trend. In this article, we have gathered a list of the best budget gaming laptops worth buying in 2023.
Want to optimize your gaming potential by discovering a suitable budget gaming laptop according to your needs? Then keep reading to find the right product for you!
10 Best Cheap Gaming Laptops In 2023
ASUS TUF Gaming F15- Overall Top Pick For Budget Gaming Laptop
The ASUS TUF Gaming F15 is the first choice for our list of the best budget laptops suitable for gaming purposes. It consists of a premium build quality and an Intel Core i5 processor complemented with an Nvidia GeForce RTX 2050 to ensure smooth gameplay. It offers amazing visual clarity with a 144Hz Full HD display equipped with IPS technology.
Moreover, this budget laptop is equipped with DDR4 8 GB RAM and 512 SSD to ensure enough memory for mainstream gaming. It is tested for durability and reliability to offer solid gaming performance with good battery life. It is available for $650, making it an excellent value-for-money machine for smooth gaming.
Pros
- Silky smooth graphics
- Premium built quality
- Impressive visual clarity
- Available with two graphics card options
Cons
- Lower RAM as compared to other options on our list
Acer Nitro 5- Best Cheap Gaming Laptop For Beginners
The Acer Nitro 5 is an ideal choice for an affordable gaming laptop designed for beginners. It is equipped with Intel Core i5 and Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 Ti to ensure smooth mainstream gaming. It is a 15.6-inch gaming laptop with a backlit keyboard and WIFI 6 technology to ensure optimal connectivity.
Moreover, this machine offers a 144Hz refresh rate and an 80% screen-to-body ratio to ensure amazing visual intensity. The Acer Nitro 5 uses its CoolBoost technology to increase gaming comfort and optimize thermal performance when under pressure. If you are planning to enter the world of gaming, Acer Nitro 5 could be a perfect choice to kickstart your journey.
Pros
- Incredible processing power for your favorite games
- StayCool technology for maintaining an optimal temperature
- Award-winning architecture
- Excellent visual intensity
Cons
- The display lacks vibrant colors
ASUS TUF Dash 15- Best Budget Gaming Laptop With Super-Charged Graphics
The Asus TUF Dash 15 is our recommendation for an affordable gaming laptop with excellent graphics and built quality. It is equipped with Intel Core i7 with a DDR5 16 GB RAM and 512 GB SSD available in the base variant. It has a screen size of 15.6 inches and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 that offers a dynamic boost.
In addition, it offers a significant level of durability against extreme temperatures, humidity, drops, and vibration. The Full HD display is equipped with IPS technology and offers swift visuals for a tremendous experience. This machine is recommended for gamers who wish to have a full-fledged gaming experience by spending around $1000.
Pros
- Silky smooth graphics for an optimal experience
- Dual self-cleaning with an anti-dust technology
- Military-grade toughness
- Excellent multi-tasking capabilities
Cons
- Expensive compared to other choices on our list
HP Pavilion Gaming 15- Top Cheap Gaming Laptop With Tremendous Processing Power
The HP Pavilion Gaming 15 is a great gaming laptop with tremendous processing power to ensure a fantastic gaming experience. It consists of the Intel Core i5 processor and the Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 graphics card to run trending games. Its 15-inch display with micro-edge technology offers a Full HD screen resolution and ensures clear visuals.
In addition, it offers a decent battery life and efficient multi-tasking balancing work and gaming experiences. Other specifications include DDR4 8 GB RAM and 256 GB SSD to ensure good performance. If you are searching for a gaming notebook with all-rounded features and a reasonable price, this machine could be a potential choice to fit your needs.
Pros
- Amazing graphics and visuals
- Equipped with micro-edge display features
- It balances work and gaming experiences
- WLED backlighting technology
Cons
- Lower storage capacity
Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3- Best Cheap Gaming Laptop For Casual Gaming
The Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 is our top pick for an affordable gaming machine designed for casual gamers. If you want to play video games casually and want to have an impressive experience, this laptop is an amazing choice according to your needs. It consists of an Intel Core i5 10th generation processor complemented with an Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 graphics coprocessor to revamp your gaming experience.
Moreover, it is a 15.6-inch gaming laptop with Full HD technology to offer an immersive experience. Other specifications include DDR4 8 GB RAM and 256 GB SSD to ensure efficient multi-tasking and decent gaming performance. The Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 could be a great choice for users looking for a casual gaming laptop under $700.
Pros
- It ensures efficient multitasking
- Impressive visual clarity
- It offers an immersive experience with decent processing power
- Value-for-money pricing
Cons
- Lower storage capacity
HP Victus 15- Best Budget Gaming Laptop With An Enlarged Touchpad
The HP Victus 15 is our top pick for a budget-friendly gaming laptop that consists of an enlarged touchpad and improved thermal technology to ensure smooth gaming. It consists of an Intel Core i5 12th-generation processor complemented with an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 graphics chip to ensure optimal gameplay. It has amazing multi-tasking capabilities due to its dynamic processing power.
In addition, it consists of 8 GB RAM and 512 GB SSD to ensure greater storage availability for exploring mainstream games. It is a lightweight machine with enhanced thermal technology to maintain gaming comfort. It consists of a vibrant Full HD resolution display with great viewing angles to ensure visual clarity. If you are searching for a budget-friendly gaming machine to start your PC gaming journey, this laptop could be a great option due to its dynamic processor and affordable price.
Pros
- Enhanced thermal technology
- Dynamic processor
- Superior multi-tasking performance
- A lightweight gaming machine
Cons
- It does not have a great battery life
MSI GF63 Thin- Top Cheap Gaming Laptop With Cooler Boost Technology
The MSI GF63 Thin is our top pick for a cheap gaming laptop with amazing features to optimize PC gaming for a large segment of gamers. It consists of an Intel Core i7 12th-generation processor and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 graphics chip to offer immense graphics and gaming power. It consists of DDR4 16 GB RAM and 512 SSD to ensure ample storage for trying different games without any lags.
Moreover, it consists of a Full HD display with a 144Hz refresh rate to ensure smooth transitions and visual clarity. This gaming machine is also available in a 17-inch display size at an additional price. It ensures high-speed data transfers due to SSD 4×4 and DDR4 technology. One of the most distinguishing features of this gaming laptop is the Cooler Boost 5 technology that consists of 6 pipes and 2 fans to optimize thermal dissipation. This technology improves gaming comfort and enables users to run high-end titles without any hassle.
Pros
- A high-end graphics processor
- It offers high-performance gameplay
- It consists of a cooler boost technology to optimize gaming comfort
- It offers high-speed data transfers
Cons
- Expensive compared to other choices on our list
ASUS TUF 17- Best Cheap Gaming Laptop For A Premium Experience
The ASUS TUF 17 is our recommendation to gamers who wish to have a premium experience playing their favorite games without spending a significant amount of money. It consists of an Intel Core i5 processor complemented with an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 graphics processor to ensure smooth gameplay. It also consists of premium-quality built with military-grade manufacturing.
In addition, this gaming machine is equipped with a 17.3-inch Full HD display to ensure visual clarity and amazing gameplay. It is equipped with self-cleaning fans consisting of anti-dust technology to ensure system longevity. It has an RGB backlit keyboard to help gamers enjoy their favorite titles with precision and style. If you are looking for a cheap gaming laptop with a large display, this machine is a great option.
Pros
- Durable construction
- It consists of self-cleaning dual fans
- Easy upgrade design capabilities
- It has an RGB backlit keyboard
Cons
- Lower RAM as compared to other options on our list
Lenovo Legion 5- Best Budget Gaming Laptop With A High-End Graphics Card
The Lenovo Legion 5 is our top pick for an affordable gaming laptop with a high-end graphics card. It consists of an AMD Ryzen 5 processor complemented by the Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 Ti graphics chip, which is one of the top options available in the gaming industry. Plus, it consists of 6 cores to deliver optimal performance and fast frame rates.
In addition, this machine consists of a 15.6-inch Full HD display to offer amazing visual clarity. It consists of DDR4 8 GB RAM and 512 SSD, enabling a large number of users to enjoy their favorite games without any inconvenience. It has a 120Hz refresh rate to offer a swift response and revamp gameplay experiences.
The Lenovo Legion laptops offer AI solutions by shifting power between CPU and GPU to optimize gaming. These machines are equipped with 4-zone RGB backlit keyboards enabling gamers to play with precision.
Pros
- It offers a huge leap in graphical performance
- True Strike RGB backlit keyboard
- 3rd- generation AI tensor cores for optimized performance
- A system of AI solutions
Cons
- A great battery life
MSI GV15- Best Cheap Gaming Laptop With Audio Immersion Technology
The MSI GV15 is an affordable gaming laptop equipped with audio immersion technology. It consists of an Intel Core i5 processor complemented with an RTX 3050 Ti graphics card to ensure fantastic gaming experiences. It is available in Intel Core i7 as well but at a higher price with multiple graphics cards and two screen size options.
In addition, the screen consists of an anti-glare coating to ensure the protection of the user’s eyes. Other specifications include 8 GB RAM and 256 GB SSD to ensure that users can play games easily. The Full HD 144Hz display offers immense visual clarity and a smooth experience. If you are searching for a budget laptop with good performance, this machine could be a potential choice.
Pros
- Optimal processing power
- Impressive display and graphics
- Available in two screen sizes
- Multiple graphics card options are available
Cons
- Lower storage capacity
What You Should Look For In A Budget Gaming Laptop?
You should consider numerous aspects of a budget gaming laptop before finalizing your purchase decision. These aspects are closely related to gaming and contribute to the enhancement of your gaming experience.
Processor
The first aspect you need to look for in an affordable gaming laptop is the processor to ensure decent gaming performance. It is one of the most powerful components of a gaming laptop that performs many functions while you run a game on your machine. Although a cheap laptop might not have an Intel Core i7 or i9 processor, this level of computing power is required for heavy tasks such as video editing and is not necessary for gaming.
Most laptops under the budget segment consist of Intel Core i5 that offers adequate computing power to run your favorite titles smoothly. Some laptops might also have Intel Core i7 as you reach closer to the $1,000 price tag. A modern core i5 chip is enough to serve the purpose of users looking for a budget-friendly gaming machine. AMD also offers multiple options in the budget segment to ensure a decent performance for gamers.
GPU
A dedicated graphics card acts as the backbone of any gaming machine and helps in enhancing your gaming experience. Most manufacturers offer GPUs in a variety of wattages to fit the thermal and design needs of various gamers. Nvidia and AMD are the major manufacturers of GPUs, but the GPUs designed by Nvidia are popular in the budget segment gaming laptops.
Some manufacturers offer the same machines with different GPUs to cater to the demands of a wider gaming audience. One of the top graphics chips available in the market is the Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050, which comes with some of the laptops on our list.
RAM
The minimum amount of RAM you should have in a gaming laptop is 8 GB to ensure decent performance for most games. Our list contains options including 16 GB and 32 GB RAM in gaming laptops available in the price range of $1000 to make them accessible for a wider consumer segment.
In addition, the RAM is upgradable, so you can choose a machine according to your preference at a reasonable price. Some machines might also consist of dual-channel RAM to optimize the computing power.
Moreover, the greater amount of RAM, the better it is for the gamers. Some laptops even consist of AI technology to split power between the CPU and GPU to optimize gameplay by ensuring smooth transitions and graphics.
Storage Space
You should consider a budget-friendly laptop with a Solid State Drive (SSD), which is faster than a Hard Disk Drive (HDD) and reduces latency. An SSD offers excellent gaming performance, and you should go for a minimum of 512 GB to ensure it would not fill up quickly. The storage capacity is upgradeable as well, according to user preferences.
Moreover, some machines consist of dual storage, where one storage consists of HDD and another one consists of SDD to ensure more storage capacity for gamers. These machines are a great buy as the storage is upgradable and can help gamers experiment with how much memory they require to play their favorite titles.
Display
Being a gamer on a tight budget, you might not get a laptop with a high-end display such as 4K or QHD, but most laptops might have a Full HD display which is decent for many games. Most of the laptops on our list consist of a Full HD display with a 144Hz refresh rate to provide a high refresh rate screen for demanding games.
Battery Life
Gaming laptops require immense battery power to ensure they can run heavy games and demanding titles easily. Not every gaming laptop might have an excellent battery life, especially within the budget segment. The longer battery life you can get, the better, as it will require fewer charges between gameplays.
Therefore, gamers should look for cheap laptops that offer decent battery life while maintaining the graphics power and not compromising on the gameplay experience. Most gaming laptops are able to offer a good battery life by running demanding games on medium settings.
Lighting & Layout
Once you have ensured that your preferred titles will run optimally, it might be an excellent idea to focus on the aesthetics, such as lighting and layout of your shortlisted machines. One of the distinguishing features of affordable gaming laptops offered by reputable brands is the backlit keyboa consisting of a single light color. You can upgrade this to RGB backlit keyboard by paying an additional sum later on.
FAQs
Do Budget Gaming Laptops Have Good Displays?
A budget gaming laptop consists of a decent display that ensures a good gaming experience. Unfortunately, a budget-friendly gaming laptop would not have a 4K or QHD display available in expensive laptops. However, most cheap gaming laptops have a Full HD display with a good resolution to ensure a fast frame rate that enhances your gaming experience.
Is A Cheap Gaming Laptop Worth It?
A cheap gaming laptop offers an optimal gaming experience compared to high-end machines that are specifically designed for gaming purposes. A cheap gaming laptop consists of a decent display, ample amount of CPU and GPU power, adequate storage capacity, and top-notch quality built to ensure amazing value for money. If you are on a strict budget, a cheap gaming laptop is definitely worth it.
What Graphics Do I Need In A Gaming Laptop?
A graphics card is a critical component of a gaming laptop as it functions primarily while playing any game. Nvidia and AMD are major manufacturers that offer high-end GPUs, such as Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050, to optimize gaming performance.
It is advised that if you plan to play demanding games, gaming laptops with integrated graphics might not be a suitable choice as they are designed for everyday tasks and light gaming.
How To Identify A Suitable Budget Gaming Laptop?
A viable strategy to identify a suitable budget-friendly gaming laptop is to start with the CPU and GPU specifications. The fastest graphics processor available is Nvidia GeForce RTX 4090, so you might want to look for a machine that consists of a graphics processor with similar processing power.
In addition, you can consider the games you wish to play to shortlist laptops according to your preferences. Dig deeper into the specifications, such as display, RAM, and storage capacity, to identify a good machine according to your needs.
Final Thoughts
Here we have the 10 best cheap gaming laptops one could get a hold of in 2023. These machines consist of top-quality built, high-end processing and GPU power, optimal storage space, and premium-quality displays. If you are planning to revamp your gaming experience without breaking the bank, the laptops on our list can be an excellent alternative to high-end laptops designed for gaming purposes.
Whether you are looking for a machine for casual gaming or want to delve into the world of Esports, our list has a suitable option according to your requirements.
We hope this information will help readers in evaluating the best budget gaming laptop according to their needs.
