Isn’t modern technology amazing? It’s like having a powerful gaming console in a compact form compared to the bulky desktops of old. Technology, in general, has been improving every year and – importantly – becoming much cheaper, too. You no longer need to empty your wallet for a high-quality gaming experience. Look beyond the usual gaming laptop flagships, and you’ll find yourself a fantastic deal, as there are some excellent budget gaming laptops available.
Sure, head-turning flagships such as the Alienware Area 51m R2, Asus ROG Zephyrus G14, and the Razer Blade Pro 17 are impressive, but you no longer have to spend a fortune for an excellent gaming laptop experience. Want to know more? Well, that’s where we come in. These are the very best budget gaming laptops you can buy.
Every year, Expert Reviews tests hundreds of laptops so you don’t have to, with the best coverage in the UK. That means we can definitively tell you which budget gaming laptop is perfect for you. Take a look below, and you will spot our regularly curated list of the best budget gaming laptops you can buy, as well as a helpful budget gaming laptop buying guide.
How to choose the best budget gaming laptop for you
Choosing the perfect budget gaming laptop isn’t easy, and there are all sorts of factors to consider when making your purchase. Before you head to the checkout, you will want to make sure you have all the bases covered. To make your decision a bit easier, we’ve highlighted the main criteria you need to look out for.
Should I buy a laptop on contract or outright?
Budget gaming laptops are, as you would expect, cheaper to buy outright than other laptops, with prices starting as low as £500 or so. As a result, if you have the cash, we recommend you buy one outright. You can then find the right gaming accessories from any brand and upgrade your laptop when you want to. If you don’t have the cash, you will need to go for a contract deal, but these don’t tend to be great value for budget laptops as you end up spending much more by the time your contract ends.
Which laptop operating system do I need?
With budget laptops, there isn’t much choice when it comes to operating systems. Almost every budget gaming laptop runs Microsoft’s OS, Windows. Rest assured, though: Windows is easy to use, whether you’re a first-time user or a seasoned gamer. Just check which Windows version the laptop is running as older versions may no longer be supported with regular security updates and lack essential features.
What should I look for in a laptop display?
While flagship laptops are fitted with the best, biggest and highest-resolution screens, you can still find budget gaming laptops with high-quality displays. Cheap laptops usually have a minimum screen resolution of 720p, but some slightly more expensive alternatives offer Full HD (1,080p) resolution displays for sharper gaming.
The majority of budget gaming laptops we recommend use LCD panel technology, which is more than good enough for the price you’re paying. However, we’re starting to see AMOLED displays crop up at the lower end of the scale as well, which produce even better colours and a deeper black level. Read our full reviews if you want to know how good a laptop’s screen is.
Battery life and performance
Budget laptops aren’t equipped with top-end internals. But that’s not to say their performance is bad – far from it, with reasonably speedy chips often making an appearance in affordable laptops. To get an idea of what to expect from a laptop’s performance, look at the clock speed of the chip (measured in GHz) and how much RAM is inside (anything more than 8GB will do the job nicely).
Battery life is crucial, and each laptop’s stamina is different. When considering your next budget laptop, keep an eye out for the laptop’s battery capacity (listed in mAh) – the higher the number, the longer you can expect the battery to last on a single charge. If you’re stuck, we’ve rounded up the longest-lasting laptops in one place.
How much storage do I need?
It’s amazing how much storage you can eat through on a laptop with games, apps, and files. You will want at least 256GB of onboard storage and look out for laptops with an SSD, as you can quickly add more space when your internal storage eventually fills up.
How we test budget gaming laptops
Budget gaming laptops are tested using a variety of in-house and publicly available benchmark methods. We test CPU and gaming performance using the Geekbench and GFXBench applications, available from the Microsoft Store. Both of these apps provide us with performance scores, which can be used to directly compare against other laptops.
Display testing is performed using a colorimeter and the DisplayCal software for Windows. This test provides us with figures for overall colour accuracy, as well as maximum brightness and contrast.
For battery life, we set the laptop’s screen to a standardised brightness, switch off all data connections, and play a 20-hour looped video. When the laptop switches off, we charge it up and record the timestamp.
When testing a laptop’s graphics, we always use a competitor laptop for direct comparison while running a variety of different gaming scenarios, including low-light and high-resolution gaming. Depending on the graphics card available, we may also capture ultrawide or zoomed images, as well as testing any available resolution and frame rate settings in video recording.
Best gaming laptops Under $1000 you can buy in 2023
1. Acer Nitro 5: Best budget laptop overall
Acer has hit a rich vein of form with the first few of its budget laptops to launch in the UK, and its newest laptop is no different. The Acer Nitro 5 is far, far better than it has any right to be for a laptop that costs this little and with upgrades across the board, it’s an even more tantalising option than ever before.
Yes, the laptop we would recommend above all other wallet-friendly options on the market is the Acer Nitro 5. This budget laptop is powered by a surprisingly speedy Intel Core i5 processor, which in our tests produced speeds that easily matched laptops costing twice the price. Its graphics card, which includes a massive 4GB VRAM, is also remarkable for the price and the large 15.6in FHD screen with a 144Hz refresh rate is a delight, too.
You might expect to see these sorts of high-level specs in a flagship laptop, so it’s a proper treat to see these features in a laptop that costs a fraction of the price. The Acer Nitro 5 is the very definition of a budget gaming laptop, setting the benchmark for affordable laptops to come. At this price, you can’t do much better.
Key specs – Processor: Quad-core 2.5GHz Intel Core i5; Display: 15.6in 1,920 x 1,080; Storage: 256GB SSD; Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 4GB; Operating system: Windows 10; Weight: 2.3kg
2. Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3: The most affordable budget gaming laptop
A £500 gaming laptop used to bring about negative connotations, but the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 is far better than its bargain price suggests. Running a specially tweaked version of Windows that caters to gaming, the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 exceeds all expectations for a laptop so cheap. Despite the comparatively weak hardware (it only has 8GB of RAM and 256GB of SSD storage), it runs surprisingly well and has a bright FHD display with a graphics card that isn’t half bad for the price.
Its sturdy build materials and compact design should help it last the test of time and the battery life lasted long enough in our tests as well. It may be lacking when it comes to raw processing speeds, and there are far better alternatives if your buying budget can stretch beyond £500, but when it comes down to sheer affordability, the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 is the undisputed champion.
Key specs – Processor: Quad-core 2.5GHz AMD Ryzen 5; Display: 15.6in 1,920 x 1,080; Storage: 256GB SSD; Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 4GB; Operating system: Windows 10; Weight: 2.2kg
3. Dell G3 15 (renewed): The cheapest Dell gaming laptop
It isn’t Dell’s most up-to-date gaming laptop, but the G3 15 is still a reliable purchase. If your budget can’t quite stretch to a brand-new Dell gaming laptop, then the G3 15, despite launching in 2020, will still serve you well so long as you don’t mind buying a renewed model.
The G3 15’s build quality still holds up, as does its lovely-looking 15.6in FHD display. Likewise, the Intel Core i7 processor, while not quite a match for the latest Intel chipsets, is still more than capable against a variety of intensive games. The G3 15 also supports the newest version of Windows, Windows 11, if you were worried that you might be outdated on the software side of things.
If you want a Dell gaming laptop on a budget and aren’t fussed about it being slightly outdated, then the G3 15 is your best bet.
Key specs – Processor: Hexa-core 2.6GHz Intel Core i7; Display: 15.6in 1,920 x 1,080; Storage: 512GB SSD; Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti 6GB; Operating system: Windows 11; Weight: 2.5kg
4. HP Pavilion Gaming 15: Best budget laptop for repairability
At first glance, the HP Pavilion Gaming 15 is a fairly standard budget gaming laptop, with the kind of specifications you’d expect for this price. The 15.6in display uses an IPS panel with a 1,920 x 1,080 resolution and 60Hz refresh rate, and while it’s not the brightest or crispest screen out there, it’s perfectly usable. Equally, the processor and graphics card are far from perfect, but are competent enough to get by.
What sets the Pavilion Gaming 15 apart from the sea of similarly specced laptops is that it has been designed to allow users to quickly and easily replace various parts – including batteries, screens and SSDs – without having to go to a repair shop. The iFixit website has affordable replacement parts and tools for sale, as well as free step-by-step guides that can lead even first-time repairers through the process.
Repair times vary – a battery replacement can be done in around ten minutes, with more complex procedures taking a little longer – but all are made easier by the accessible design of the HP Pavilion Gaming 15. Best of all, performing the repairs yourself won’t void the laptop’s warranty.
Read our full HP Pavilion Gaming 15 review
Key specs – Processor: Quad-core 2.5GHz AMD Ryzen 5; Display: 15.6in 1,920 x 1,080; Storage: 512GB SSD; Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 4GB; Operating system: Windows 10; Weight: 2.3kg
5. Asus TUF Gaming FX505: Best-value (new) Asus gaming laptop
The Asus TUF Gaming FX505 might be stretching the definition of a budget gaming laptop, but Asus’s idea of what constitutes cheap isn’t exactly the same as everyone else’s. If you want a newer Asus gaming laptop, then your best-value option is the TUF Gaming FX505.
Despite having the look and feel of a laptop from days gone by, the TUF Gaming FX505 is a formidable mid-sized handset that benefits from AMD’s powerful Ryzen 7 processor. That’s the same processor found inside some of the more expensive Asus laptops. The cheapest Asus gaming laptop by quite a distance, the TUF Gaming FX505’s graphics card is also absolutely exceptional. The only downside is the average battery life, but if you’re able to spend a bit more compared to other laptops on this list, then the TUF Gaming FX505 is well worth considering.
Key specs – Processor: Hexa-core 3.2GHz AMD Ryzen 7; Display: 15.6in 1,920 x 1,080; Storage: 1TB HDD + 256GB SSD; Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti 6GB; Operating system: Windows 10; Weight: 2.2kg
6. MSI GF63 Thin: Best budget laptop for battery life
The MSI GF63 Thin isn’t just the best budget laptop for battery life, it has enough stamina to outlast laptops that cost two, three, even four times as much. In our standardised test, the GF63 Thin lasted for an outstanding 10 hours, making it one of the best in terms of battery life.
The MSI GF63 Thin isn’t just a one-trick pony, either. Alongside that incredible stamina, the laptop has a large and vibrant 15.6in IPS display with a crisp 1,920 x 1,080 resolution. Contrast levels are excellent, and the peak brightness is impressive for this price as well.
There are a couple areas of compromise – performance, while decent, isn’t class-leading by any stretch, and the graphics card is fairly average – but if you want the best battery life you can get for less than £800, no laptop can beat the MSI GF63 Thin.
Read our full MSI GF63 Thin review
Key specs – Processor: Quad-core 2.4GHz Intel Core i5; Display: 15.6in 1,920 x 1,080; Storage: 512GB SSD; Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 4GB; Operating system: Windows 10; Weight: 1.9kg
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7. Acer Predator Helios 300: Best budget gaming laptop for performance
Acer keeps upping its game with budget gaming laptops. Taking everything that made the previous Predator Helios 200 such a hit and building even further upon the formula, the Acer Predator Helios 300 is the brand’s best-value gaming laptop to date.
Two of our biggest concerns with the Predator Helios 200 were that the display was lacking and the cooling system was not efficient, both of which are addressed in the Helios 300. The 15.6in IPS display is now brighter and more vibrant, with a 144Hz refresh rate, and the cooling system has been overhauled to keep temperatures down even during the most intense gaming sessions.
The Predator Helios 300 is also a performance beast, with an Intel Core i7 processor and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti graphics card. It’s not the cheapest laptop on this list, but it’s certainly one of the most powerful.
Key specs – Processor: Hexa-core 2.6GHz Intel Core i7; Display: 15.6in 1,920 x 1,080; Storage: 512GB SSD; Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti 6GB; Operating system: Windows 10; Weight: 2.4kg
8. Dell Inspiron 15 7000: Best budget laptop for portability
The Dell Inspiron 15 7000 is a budget gaming laptop that doesn’t feel like one. It’s slim, lightweight, and has a premium metal finish that makes it look and feel more expensive than it actually is. Despite its slim profile, it packs in a decent amount of power, with an Intel Core i5 processor and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 graphics card.
The 15.6in IPS display is sharp and vibrant, with good viewing angles and decent brightness. The keyboard is comfortable to type on, and the trackpad is responsive. The battery life is also impressive, lasting around 8 hours in our tests.
The Dell Inspiron 15 7000 is a great choice for those who want a budget gaming laptop that they can easily carry around with them.
Key specs – Processor: Quad-core 2.4GHz Intel Core i5; Display: 15.6in 1,920 x 1,080; Storage: 512GB SSD; Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 4GB; Operating system: Windows 10; Weight: 2.0kg
9. HP Omen 15: Best budget laptop for upgradability
The HP Omen 15 is a budget gaming laptop that offers a lot of bang for your buck. It comes with a powerful Intel Core i7 processor and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti graphics card, making it capable of running most modern games at high settings.
One of the standout features of the HP Omen 15 is its upgradability. The laptop has an easily accessible bottom panel, allowing users to upgrade the RAM, storage, and even the graphics card. This means that as newer and more demanding games come out, you can upgrade your laptop to keep up with the latest titles.
The 15.6in IPS display is sharp and vibrant, with good viewing angles and decent brightness. The keyboard is comfortable to type on, and the trackpad is responsive. The battery life is also impressive, lasting around 8 hours in our tests.
The HP Omen 15 is a great choice for those who want a budget gaming laptop that they can easily upgrade in the future.
Key specs – Processor: Hexa-core 2.6GHz Intel Core i7; Display: 15.6in 1,920 x 1,080; Storage: 512GB SSD; Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti 6GB; Operating system: Windows 10; Weight: 2.3kg
10. Asus ROG Strix G15: Best budget laptop for RGB lighting
For those who love to customize their gaming setup with RGB lighting, the Asus ROG Strix G15 is the perfect budget gaming laptop. It comes with a fully customizable RGB keyboard, as well as RGB lighting on the bottom of the laptop that can be synced with other Asus ROG products.
The laptop is not just about looks, though. It comes with a powerful Intel Core i7 processor and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti graphics card, making it capable of running most modern games at high settings. The 15.6in IPS display is sharp and vibrant, with good viewing angles and decent brightness.
The Asus ROG Strix G15 is a great choice for those who want a budget gaming laptop that looks as good as it performs.
Key specs – Processor: Hexa-core 2.6GHz Intel Core i7; Display: 15.6in 1,920 x 1,080; Storage: 512GB SSD; Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti 6GB; Operating system: Windows 10; Weight: 2.4kg
Conclusion: Are laptops under $1,000 worth it?
The landscape of gaming laptops has evolved significantly over the years. While high-end gaming laptops can offer unparalleled performance and features, the advancements in technology have made it possible for budget laptops to deliver a commendable gaming experience. Laptops under $1,000, as showcased in our list, are not only capable of handling modern games at decent settings but also offer a balance between performance, build quality, and portability.
One standout example is the Asus ROG Strix G15. With its powerful Intel Core i7 processor, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti graphics card, and customizable RGB lighting, it demonstrates that you don’t need to break the bank for a solid gaming experience. This laptop, among others in its price range, proves that with the right research and expectations, gaming laptops under $1,000 are not only worth it but can also provide exceptional value for the price.
In conclusion, while a higher budget can get you more premium features and performance, laptops under $1,000, when chosen wisely, can offer a gaming experience that most players would find more than satisfactory.
