There are plenty of gaming laptops out there, but many of them are just too expensive for anyone on a budget to actually buy.. Budget gaming laptops, however, are a great option for a first gaming PC, as they let you play the best PC games on the go without breaking the bank.
TL; DR – These are the Best Budget Gaming Laptops:
- Gigabyte Aorus 15 – Best Budget Gaming Laptop Overall
- Asus TUF A15 – Best Budget Gaming Laptop Under $1,500
- MSI Thin GF63 – Best Budget Gaming Laptop Under $1,000
- Acer Nitro 17 – Best Everyday Budget Gaming Laptop
- Lenovo Legion 5 – Best 1080p Budget Gaming Laptop
- MSI Bravo 15 – Best Lightweight Budget Gaming Laptop
- Acer Chromebook 516 GE – Best Budget Gaming Chromebook
- Steam Deck – Best Budget Gaming Laptop Under $500
When you’re buying a high-end gaming laptop that costs thousands of dollars, it’s pretty much guaranteed that it’s going to run all of your games. When you’re shopping for a gaming laptop under $1,000, however, there are a ton of budget devices that are either using ancient graphics tech, or just don’t have enough memory or storage space to provide a good gaming experience in 2024. That’s why you need to pay close attention to the graphics card, CPU and other specs of any budget gaming laptop you have your eyes on.
But choosing a gaming laptop on a budget isn’t always an easy task, and can often be overwhelming. That’s why we’ve done the hard work for you and picked out some of the best budget gaming laptops in 2024 – and click here to see them in the UK.
1. Gigabyte Aorus 15
Best Budget Gaming Laptop
The Gigabyte Aorus 15 is a solid choice if you’re looking for a high-performance gaming laptop on a budget. While it may be at the top end of the best budget gaming laptops, you do get a lot for your money here, including a 13th-Gen Intel processor, NVIDIA RTX 4060 GPU, and a stunning QHD display.
But, even with all the gear, this budget gaming laptop doesn’t compromise on important features. It boasts a 165Hz refresh rate; a must-have for gaming, comes equipped with Windows 11 Home pre-installed, and 2x 2W speakers. While audio is far from the main focus, the built-in microphone is a useful addition, especially if you aren’t ready to part with more money on a gaming headset.
Playing online games is a breeze thanks to Wi-Fi 6E, and support for Bluetooth 5.2 means you can connect most of the latest wireless peripherals. You also have a wealth of connectivity options including a Thunderbolt 4 port, HDMI 2.1, Mini DP 1.4, and a series of USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports. Everything you need for gaming on a budget is packaged nicely into this lightweight laptop.
2. ASUS TUF Gaming A15
Best Budget Gaming Laptop Under $1,500
With similar specs to the Gigabyte Aorus 15, the Asus TUF Gaming A15 comes in closer to $1,000 without sacrificing too much in the way of performance. TUF by name and tough by nature, this gaming laptop has undergone rigorous MIL-STD-810H tests to ensure its durability, so it’s a better choice for portability.
Featuring an MUX switch, it’s simple to boost the laptop’s gaming performance between 5 to 10% by reducing latency between the GPU and display. However, the screen does lack brightness which can be an issue depending on the environment you’re using it in. You’ll also need to sacrifice a Thunderbolt port, but these kind of compromises are often made if you’re searching for a budget gaming laptop.
Instead, the Asus TUF Gaming A15 can be seen as a great option if you’re looking for speed, decent battery life, and a solid 1080p display. It’s a more affordable alternative to many high-end gaming laptops, yet you’ll still be able to play some demanding PC games without putting a strain on your device.
3. MSI Thin GF63
Best Budget Gaming Laptop Under $1,000
Priced under $1,000, the MSI Thin GF63 is a budget gaming laptop with a lot to give. While you will need to give up the 13th-Gen CPU on this model, you still have a very decent GPU, plenty of RAM (albeit a little slower), and NVMe storage. The laptop is also relatively lightweight, so you can use it for your studies, work, and gaming.
For a gaming laptop, the screen is a little dull, and the storage isn’t as generous as you’ll probably require for installing a lot of games, but most of the laptop’s other features do lend themselves well to gaming on medium to high settings. Though depending on your preference, you might find the keyboard is a little too flat when it comes to typing.
In-game, you’ll experience a smooth display, fast refresh rate, and MSI’s Cooler Boost 5 which uses two fans and six heat pipes to keep things cool while you’re gaming. Windows 11 Home is pre-installed, so you can charge up the laptop with the 120W adapter and game happily all day.
4. Acer Nitro 17
Best Budget Everyday Gaming Laptop
Need an affordable laptop that you can use for everyday use and gaming? Enter the Acer Nitro 17; featuring a large 17.3-inch display, 165Hz refresh rate, a Ryzen 7 CPU, and NVIDIA RTX 4060 GPU. This beast is of course more hefty than most laptops, so it’s less portable, but it is great for a range of uses.
The 1440p display is truly excellent, and at well under $1,500, this laptop is well within the budget category, despite its high performance. The RGB keyboard is a really nice touch, it’s just a shame it doesn’t feel great to type on. Still, you can customize its four lighting zones to really stand out. And despite the extra lighting, you can still expect a whole work day worth of battery to keep you going.
Slimline is not the deal here. The Acer Nitro 17 is a chunky piece of kit, but it does boast a sharp and bright display with sizeable real estate, Wi-Fi 6E, dual-fan cooling, and a plethora of ports for all of your peripherals. There’s even a USB4 port which supports up to 40Gbps data transfers.
5. Lenovo Legion 5
Best Budget 1080p Gaming Laptop
This mid-range budget gaming laptop might be slightly chunkier than you’re used to, and that added bulk makes it a little less appealing if you travel frequently. However, if you’re happy to game at home on your laptop, you’ll be pleased with the stylish design, comfortable keyboard, and solid performance.
Unfortunately this model doesn’t boast DDR5 RAM, nor does it have ample storage space, but you can upgrade these separately should you wish. Unlike the Acer Nitro 17, the keyboard is actually a joy to use, with tactile feedback that makes typing a breeze. It’s also backlit with 4-zone lighting, adding to its eye-catching design.
For daily use, the Legion 5’s screen keeps things simple with 1080p and 300+ nits of brightness. But the 100% sRGB color coverage coupled with the 165Hz refresh rate and 3ms response time results in a balanced panel. This is a budget gaming laptop that’s going to serve you well for everyday use and gaming.
6. MSI Bravo 15
Best Lightweight Budget Gaming Laptop
The MSI Bravo 15 might not be one of the most powerful gaming laptops around, but this no-frills budget gaming laptop manages to offer solid performance for a fair price. The 15.6-inch, 1080p display rocks an impressive 144Hz refresh rate, which coupled with the AMD Ryzen 5 7535HS and NvidiaGeForce RTX 4050 offers buttery smooth 1080p performance in most games. However, some games, like Dragon’s Dogma 2, can run into problems if you’re maxing it out at that resolution, so you may have to fiddle with graphics settings in some high-end AAA games.
It also comes with plenty of ports, including HDMI 2.1, USB-C, and USB-A, making it easy to connect plenty of gaming accessories. With ultra-thin bezels, the stylish logo on the lid, not to mention the RGB-lit red keyboard, it’s certainly not the worst looking budget gaming laptop out there.
7. Acer Chromebook 516 GE
Best Budget Gaming Chromebook
Sure, one of the best Chromebooks may not be your top choice when it comes to gaming, but the Acer Chromebook 516 GE makes a case for Google OS devices. This laptop especially shines in the cloud gaming arena, using services like Nvidia GeForce Now, and keeps svelte dimensions, making it significantly lighter and easier to tote around than other budget gaming laptops.
Under the hood, you’ll find a 12th Gen Intel Core i5 CPU, 8GB of memory, and 256GB of SSD storage but only integrated graphics. Still, that’s some mighty powerful hardware for a Chromebook, ensuring it has no problem cruising through your favorite titles at high frame rates when cloud gaming.
The Acer Chromebook 516 GE’s display keeps up with the best of them, offering 16-inches of prime screen real estate and a 120Hz refresh rate for some fluid action. A 1,600p resolution paired with 100% sRGB coverage keeps everything looking crisp and vibrant, while multi-zone RGB lighting and anti-ghosting on the keyboard are features any gamer can appreciate.
8. Steam Deck
Best Budget Gaming Laptop Under $500
Let's start by addressing the elephant in the room, the Steam Deck is technically not a gaming laptop. But you’re not going to find a decent gaming laptop under $500 in the traditional ‘laptop’ form factor, and well, this is a portable device that will play most of your PC games
While the Steam Deck’s 7.4-inch screen is smaller than other gaming laptops, it looks incredible, even with its 800p resolution The small display also allows for a much more portable chassis, able to fit into pretty much any bag. Carrying around the Steam Deck in our backpack means that we’re never without our Steam games, even when a bulkier laptop would be untenable.
But even when you’re at home, you can use one of the best Steam Deck docks to hook the handheld gaming PC up to your TV or monitor. It won’t be powerful enough to run most games at 4K, but if you just want to put an indie game like Hades 2 on the big screen, the Steam Deck does a great job with it.
Where to Get the Best Cheap Gaming Laptops in the UK
It is definitely possible to game on a budget, and these magnificent laptops will certainly help you get there. Thankfully the vast majority of laptops on this list are also available to purchase in the UK, with just the one exception. Otherwise, take your pick, as there are plenty of great options to choose from.
Budget Gaming Laptop FAQ
What makes a great budget gaming laptop?
A great budget gaming laptop has to offer the right components at the right price. If you’re searching for an affordable gaming laptop, chances are you’re not going to be getting a machine that serves up the latest CPUs and graphics cards. However, you might find something close enough that means you can play the latest games without breaking the bank.
Many people tend to opt for gaming laptops over gaming PCs because laptops generally take up less space, are more portable, and can be more affordable. For this reason, it’s important to take into account the weight and size of the laptop you’re prepared to lug around.
Ultimately, however, it’s about finding the balance. Spend a little more and you could quite easily move from playing games on medium settings to max settings by stretching your budget just a small amount. If you’re not interested in the latest AAA titles, then you can save you well-earned dollars and choose a laptop with DDR4 RAM instead of DDR5 RAM, for example.
Are entry level gaming laptops worth it?
It depends on what you want to use your budget gaming laptop for. If you want to play games on the go and use a laptop for productivity, then you can easily pick up an entry-level gaming laptop that will play some casual games.
For more demanding titles, you’ll need to spend a bit more. The difference between an entry-level gaming laptop and a great gaming laptop could be a generation jump in CPU, faster and better RAM, and of course, a dedicated GPU that can handle what you throw at it.
Should you buy a PC handheld instead?
Now, that’s really a personal preference, but when comparing the Steam Deck to a gaming laptop, quality gaming laptops still edge out the best PC handhelds in overall performance.
If you’re looking for ultimate portability and convenience, a PC handheld, like the Steam Deck OLED or the Asus ROG Ally Z1 Extreme, is much lighter, compact, and easier to use than a laptop. PC handhelds can also be cheaper, but gaming laptops offer better value thanks to their versatility—you can do a whole lot more than just game. Plus, they support a wider gaming library, have more included features, and are just more powerful overall.
Gaming laptops come in different configurations to best suit your needs, be it better graphics, a larger display, or more memory, while PC handhelds are much more limiting. You can also often upgrade components of a laptop down the road to improve performance. That’s not to say PC handhelds are at all bad, just very different from a gaming laptop, so what you choose boils down to your needs.
When is the best time to buy a gaming laptop?
Even some of the cheaper gaming laptops are an expensive purchase, but there are a few times throughout the year where you can find some really good discounts on these devices. The most obvious times are Black Friday and Cyber Monday when major gaming laptop brands have the majority of their sales, but the summer is also a great time to find back-to-school sales. Check out our guide to the best times to buy a laptop for more information.
What to Look for in a Cheap Laptop for Gaming
Below we've sketched out which graphics card and what other specs you need in a cheap gaming laptop. We also go over the main features to consider when shopping for a cheap gaming notebook.
For screen resolution, a 1080p and some 1440p displays hit the sweet spot between price and required GPU beefiness. It is really the only option for a value-oriented gaming laptop. Even if you could score a cheap laptop with a high-resolution 4K panel, the GPU inside won't be able to run games at that resolution, so prepare yourself for 1080p and some 1440p gaming.
When it comes to storage, try to steer clear of laptops with a lone solid-state drive. Heck, even a model with a 256GB SSD offers barely enough space to keep multiple games installed and at the ready, so you might be stuck getting a system with a slower, yet much more spacious, spinning hard drive.
One more thing: just because it's a laptop doesn't mean you need to take its name literally. The best experience with a laptop usually isn't on your lap but at a desk. Do yourself a favor and check out our guide to the best gaming desks to find one to suit your needs – and perhaps a laptop cooling pad to boost your performance—and don't forget to check out our favorite gaming chairs to sit in with your new laptop.
- If laptops aren't your speed, check out the best gaming PC deals to save on a tower.
MacBooks vs Gaming Laptops
MacBooks are exceptional laptops that excel in many areas with their powerful Pro models focused on professional and creative use, but when it comes to gaming, Apple isn’t there yet. With that being said, the latest Apple-developed silicon in MacBooks is mighty powerful and graphically capable. Gaming laptops on the other hand are meant for gaming first in foremost, so these rigs are equipped with beefy GPUs, CPUs, and RAM ready to tackle all the action. There’s also much more choice in hardware and features when it comes to laptops.
While you can play some games on a Mac, one of the biggest drawbacks to MacBook gaming is MacOS’ lack of support for many of the most popular gaming titles, which often run on the Windows platform. Apple has introduced a porting toolkit to bring more PC games to Mac, and a new “Game Mode” on MacOS Sonoma should be released later this year. It’s clear Apple is making strides in the gaming world but at the present moment, gaming laptops reign supreme. See our guide to gaming PC vs. Mac for more info.
Gaming Laptops vs Gaming PCs
Of course, gaming laptops are a whole lot more portable than a gaming PC, but there are plenty of more features that differentiate the two. To start, a gaming PC is much easier to upgrade and repair, while you’re often stuck with the internals of your laptop. That means a desktop delivers more bang for your buck and has a longer lifespan before going obsolete. Though laptops and PCs may appear to offer the same CPU and GPU, the hardware is slightly different with PCs coming out ahead in terms of performance. Check out our gaming PCs vs. gaming laptops guide for more info.
Jackie Thomas is the Hardware and Buying Guides Editor at IGN and the PC components queen. You can follow her @Jackiecobra
