Gaming is an expensive affair—there’s no denying it. A pro-game computer can be ridiculously pricey, especially when you factor in the cost of peripherals, external displays and gaming controllers.
While desktops and top-of-the-class game laptops can be atrociously expensive, many brands have now come up with budget offerings.
Getting a gaming device in less than $1000 can be tricky. You must be prepared to sacrifice a few potentially important things like that fancy 4K monitor or a top-of-the-rung RTX graphics card with artificially enhanced imagery and real-time ray tracing.
Many cheap gaming laptops also tend to cut corners in build quality, resulting in poorly constructed hinges, faulty keyboards and boring displays.
That said, it is possible to find a budget-friendly gaming laptop that offers a good mix of reliability and performance. Leading tech giants have come up with affordable gaming solutions that don’t need you to burn a hole in your wallet.
The primary thing is to have your priorities set and pick a trustworthy product that doesn’t end up feeling like a cheap but useless purchase.
Table of Contents
- Our Picks: 10 Best Cheap Gaming Laptop 2023
- 1. Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 Cheap Gaming Laptop
- 2. ASUS TUF Dash 15 (2021) Cheap Gaming Laptop
- 3. Lenovo IdeaPad 3 14 Cheap Gaming Laptop
- 4. Lenovo Legion 5 15 Cheap Gaming Laptop
- 5. MSI GL65 Cheap Gaming Laptop
- 6. Dell G3 15 Cheap Gaming Laptop
- 7. Acer Nitro 5 Cheap Gaming Laptop
- 8. ASUS TUF Gaming F17 17-inch Gaming Laptop
- 9. MSI GF75 Thin 17-inch Gaming Laptop
- 10. Lenovo Ideapad 5i Pro Gaming Laptop
- Minimum Requirements in a Good Cheap Gaming Laptop
- Closing Note
Our Picks: 10 Best Cheap Gaming Laptop 2023
We have consolidated some of the cheapest gaming laptops for 2023 that don’t need you to rob a bank.
1. Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 Cheap Gaming Laptop
And, that’s fine. However, if you are on the hunt for a high-performance gaming laptop within a budget, we had to recommend the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 in the list.
Not only does the device look stunning with the vibrant display and curved edges, the gaming laptop is further fuelled by the latest AMD Ryzen 5000 H-Series mobile processor with the NVIDIA GTX 1650 GPU for the ultimate graphics experience like you have never experienced before.
You can slingshot your gaming experience with the sleek and responsive 15.6” FHD IPS display with 1080p screen resolution and 120Hz refresh rate.
Not just that, the IdeaPad Gaming 3 is further integrated with 256GB SSD of storage with 8GB RAM for faster boot-up, and superior multitasking while you are streaming some of your favorite games.
The device runs on the Windows 10 Home operating system.
2. ASUS TUF Dash 15 (2021) Cheap Gaming Laptop
Looking for a reliable and high-quality gaming laptop under $1000? Well, the ASUS TUF Dash 15 (2021) is the right choice for you.
Not only do you get the superior gaming performance, you get to experience all of that in a super sleek and modern chassis with a lightweight design for heightened portability.
The combination of the latest 11th Gen. Intel Core i7-11370H processor with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti GPU keeps you ready in action all throughout.
The device darts you between smoother streaming, gaming and creation experience without any kinds of lags and delays in the process.
The dynamic 15.6” FHD IPS-type display panel features 144Hz refresh rate with Adaptive Sync that synchronizes the refresh rate with the GPU’s frame rate to allow you to live every frame of the game without any compromise.
Pair the visual tearing with the 512GB SSD of storage and 8GB RAM and you have a winner signed up for yourself.
3. Lenovo IdeaPad 3 14 Cheap Gaming Laptop
Compared to the standard 15.6” version, the 14” variant is a lot more compact and ideal for the consumers who are always on the go and need a device to support that kind of a lifestyle.
The gaming laptop is powered by the AMD Ryzen 5 5500U mobile processor with AMD Radeon 7 graphics for the ultimate graphical experience while you tackle the enemies in your favorite games.
Besides that, the device also features the compact and sleek 14” FHD narrow-sided display with 1080p screen resolution and 120Hz refresh rate.
The intelligent thermal solution with superior connectivity and battery life further make this a worthy purchase.
It is integrated with 256GB SSD of storage and 8GB RAM for superior responsiveness and AI-enabled gaming performance.
4. Lenovo Legion 5 15 Cheap Gaming Laptop
So, when talking about a budget-friendly option for a gaming laptop, we had to include the Legion 5 15 in the list.
This is an immaculate gaming device integrated with a stunning and lightweight design with a durable body, smooth finish and curved edges for a sleeker appearance.
Coming to the display, the Legion 5 is equipped with a 15.6” FHD IPS display with 1080p screen resolution and heightened color delivery and vibrancy for full-fidelity gaming experience.
Beyond that, you get the combination of AMD Ryzen 7 5800H processor with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti graphics that provides with enhanced depth and better visual fidelity while you are tackling some of your favorite games.
As for storage and memory, the users get 512GB SSD of storage with 16GB RAM for that ultimate gameplay without interruptions. On top of that, the device runs on Windows 10 Home operating system.
5. MSI GL65 Cheap Gaming Laptop
They have been around for years and the MSI GL65 is a best-selling option that deserves a place in the list.
The device is designed for on the go gaming, thanks to the sleek body and the lightweight design.
Thanks to the combination of 10th Gen. Intel Core i5 processor with NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 GPU, you get to experience the ultimate performance with clear and vibrant graphics reproduction without further complications.
Moreover, the device is integrated with the Cooler Boost technology for optimal thermal dissipation, contributing to superior performance further.
As for the display, the MSI GL65 is equipped with the standard 15.6” FHD display with 1080p screen resolution and narrow bezels on the sides.
It is also integrated with 512GB SSD of storage with 16GB RAM for seamless performance and multitasking.
6. Dell G3 15 Cheap Gaming Laptop
It comes with an Intel Core i5-10300H processor, 8GB RAM, a 512GB SSD, and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650Ti graphics.
The extra storage is great for stocking additional gaming (or non-gaming) paraphernalia.
Display-wise, the anti-glare monitor with its narrow border is quite pleasant and immersive. It helps that the chassis weighs just 0.85” as you can easily lug it along in a backpack.
This Dell laptop offers the Audio SmartByte technology to prioritize visual content when you are streaming. Huge advantage for online gaming fans! Another feature to enhance your overall multimedia experience is Nahimic 3D audio.
The keyboard deserves special mention for its spill-resistance and numeric keypad, along with 4-zone RGB backlighting. The WASD keys come in handy on the arena.
7. Acer Nitro 5 Cheap Gaming Laptop
But, it comes with a very affordable price point, which is quite unlikely when you come across an Acer device.
This gaming laptop is equipped with a 15.6” FHD IPS display with thin bezels on the side. It also packs in a screen resolution of 1080p and 144Hz refresh rate for smoother frame display while playing.
The powerful AMD Ryzen 5 5600H processor along with NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 GPU provides with true to life colours and cinematic experience beyond your expectations.
The device also ups the game with the 256GB SSD and 8GB RAM for storage and memory options, which is a lot more than what you get in some of the standard gaming laptops in the same price range.
8. ASUS TUF Gaming F17 17-inch Gaming Laptop
It is powered by an Intel Core i5-10300H processor, 8GB RAM, a 512GB SSD, and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Ti graphics.
Since the memory is easy to upgrade, you can personalize the system to your requirements without much of a hassle.
On one charge, this 5.73 lbs computer runs unplugged for up to 7 hours—a good deal for anyone who wishes to play on the go.
Build-wise too, it is a reliable computer, adhering to military-standard construction (MIL-STD-810H) and supporting torture-testing for the keyboard up to 20-million keystrokes.
Keeping the inner components cool and functioning at their optimum is anti-dust technology and self-cleaning fans.
Gamers demand an engaging audio-visual experience, and this device delivers well. You get DTS:X Ultra audio with high-fidelity sound and an FHD monitor that has a refresh rate of 144Hz.
9. MSI GF75 Thin 17-inch Gaming Laptop
It is fueled by an Intel Core i5-10300H processor, 8GB RAM, and a 512GB SSD. Since this laptop is equipped with an NVIDIA GTX 1650, the A/V delivery is spot-on.
On the display front, though, you will have to make do with a refresh rate of 144Hz and a color gamut of 45% NTSC. This MSI gaming machine weighs 5.5 lbs—an excellent feat for a 17” laptop.
10. Lenovo Ideapad 5i Pro Gaming Laptop
For one, the specs are terrific for the price: an Intel Core i5-11300H CPU, 16GB RAM, a 512GB SSD, and NVIDIA GeForce MX450 graphics.
This Ideapad uses advanced Dolby Audio technology for tremendous sound, which is a blessing for those who like playing games with multiple sound effects.
It also comes with a unique provision to shift gears between modes (quick vs. quiet)—a straightforward mechanism to adapt your system to the need of the hour.
This computer offers a bright QHD display with support for IPS. You can play from various positions without risking image distortion.
At 4.4lbs, this device is quite light for the road and travels well. Thanks to features like the backlit keyboard (stormy-gray) and the physical shutter for the webcam, you can enjoy a secure working or gaming experience from anywhere.
Related Posts:
- Top 10 Best Gaming Laptops Under $1000
- 10 Best ASUS Gaming Laptops
- 10 Best MSI Gaming Laptops
- Top 10 Best Laptops Under $700
Minimum Requirements in a Good Cheap Gaming Laptop
Cheap or not, there are some compromises you should never make in a laptop dedicated to gaming. Here is a basic layout of the bare minimum to look for to avoid regretting your purchase decision in record time:
- Capable processor: You want at least an Intel Core i5 CPU to handle demanding titles. If you want to save some money, you can also get an AMD equivalent. It is important to choose well since you cannot upgrade your CPU as easily as the memory or storage.
- Competent graphics card: Get an NVIDIA GTX 1650 graphics card or above, depending on your budget. You will need this to ensure your content gets rendered satisfactorily.
- Ample memory and storage: At least 8GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD is essential. If you get little storage space, you will be in serious trouble stocking gaming paraphernalia that can easily take up 50GB or more. One option is to get secondary storage, such as an HDD or a cloud-based drive.
- Bright display: What good would a gaming laptop with a dull display be? You need at least an FHD monitor, ideally with IPS support. In-Plane Switching will allow you to play from different positions without compromising on the image quality.
Okay, is there anything you can skimp on when you want to keep your purse strings as tight as possible? Many users find they can do without a long battery life; most gaming laptops don’t offer much unplugged juice even when they are expensive.
You might also want to skip on features like per-key backlighting for the keyboard, as a single backlight with WASD keys can serve you well.
Closing Note
The demand for cheap gaming computers is constantly on the upswing. Leading computing brands and tech giants like Asus, MSI and Dell have invested in building pocket-friendly gaming machines that come in at less than $1000.
In fact, some makers have managed to come up with devices that cost less than $700 but support some modern gaming titles. While it is natural to expect that some corners will be cut, the end experience is quite competent in many of these offerings.
While selecting a cheap gaming laptop, remember to prioritize what matters the most to you. Needs vary across audiences, and you don’t want to end up with a computer that doesn’t suit your lifestyle.
For instance, if you want to purchase a gaming laptop that lets you travel and play on the move, then the Acer Aspire 5 can be a brilliant choice. But those who value durability and sustainability might delight in the ASUS TUF. Likewise, your topmost concern might be audio output and sound quality or build and construction.
With prices falling and new models catering to specific audience demands, the gaming world just became more tempting than ever. See you in the arena.
