Are you looking for a budget gaming laptop that can handle games with high graphics without sacrificing refresh rates, bright displays, and great sound? If so, then our list of the best gaming laptops under $1000 is one you’ll want to carefully go through. You certainly don’t have to splurge your life savings on a rig that allows you to frag on the go.
For less than a thousand dollars, you can find gaming laptops with great RAM, screen sizes, displays, and graphics cards. Our top ten list below is a good place to start. And to ensure that you get nothing but the best laptop for gaming, we’ve added a useful guide below to help you understand the most important specs. Read on to learn more
- The 10 Best Gaming Laptops under $1000
- Acer Predator Helios 300 Gaming Laptop
- Dell G5 5590 15.6-Inch FHD Gaming
- Acer Nitro 5 15.6″ FHD Gaming Laptop
- ASUS TUF A15 15.6” Gaming Laptop
- Lenovo Ideapad L340 Gaming Laptop
- HP OMEN 15.6″ FHD IPS Gaming Laptop
- ASUS ROG G531GT-BI7N6 15.6-inch FHD Gaming Laptop
- MSI GF63 Thin 15.6″ Gaming Laptop
- Lenovo Legion Y530-15 Gaming Laptop
- HP Pavilion 15-dk0041nr Gaming 15-Inch Laptop
- Gaming Laptop Under $1000 Buyer’s Guide
- What’s the Best Gaming Laptop for Under $1000?
- Which Budget Laptops Are Good for Gaming?
- GPU (Graphics Processing Unit)
- CPU (Central Processing Unit)
- RAM
- Storage
The 10 Best Gaming Laptops under $1000
| Award | Design | Gaming | Retailer |
|---|---|---|---|
| A Capable Trooper for High-Graphic Gamers |  | Check Price | |
| Some Strong Performance with a Few Bonuses |  | Check Price | |
| Premium Performance in a Rugged Body |  | Check Price | |
| Bring Your Gaming Experience to Life |  | Check Price | |
| An Ideal Companion for Casual Gamers |  | Check Price | |
| An All-Around Powerhouse for All User Types |  | Check Price | |
| Guaranteed Top-End Specs with an Amiable Price Tag |  | Check Price | |
| Packed to the Teeth with Special Features |  | Check Price | |
| A Solid Workhorse for Casual Gamers |  | Check Price | |
| Smooth Gaming Experience Without Breaking the Bank |  | Check Price |
Acer Predator Helios 300 Gaming Laptop
A Capable Trooper for High-Graphic Gamers
The Acer Predator Helios 300 is a 15.6-inch gaming laptop that is capable of meeting all of your gaming needs. Featuring a 6-hour battery life, this device is a tad short of a thousand bucks. It’s packing a 10th Generation Intel Core i7 processor, 16GB RAM, and 512GB NVMe SSD as storage.
Since it’s designed to meet the needs of high-graphic gamers, this computer comes with NVIDIA’s Geforce RTX 2060 with a dedicated 6GB GDDR6 VRAM. A 144-hertz refresh rate ensures that you get little to no lag, and a 15.6-inch IPS display brings out the colors of your games. There’s no doubt you’ll enjoy gaming on this laptop.
| Battery Life | 6 hours |
| GPU | NVIDIA Geforce RTX 2060 |
| RAM | 16GB |
| CPU | Intel Core i7 |
| Storage | 512GB SSD |
Pros
- Aeroblade 3D fan cooling system
- Great refresh rate
- 256GB SSD storage with a slot for an extra SSD
- Great battery life
Cons
- No 4K display
Dell G5 5590 15.6-Inch FHD Gaming
Some Strong Performance with a Few Bonuses
The Dell G5 5590 is another 15.6-inch laptop that’s ideal for gaming. While it doesn’t have a 4K display like the Acer Predator Helios above, it still packs some premium specs that make it worthy of consideration. Unlike the Acer above, the G5 5590 comes with a Core i5 processor and a 60-hertz FHD display that displays your games in vibrant Full HD colors.
You also get 8GB RAM, a 128GB SSD, and a 1TB hard drive. With this massive storage, you can download as many games as you want on your laptop. While the refresh rate isn’t as good as you’d get on the Acer, this 15.6-inch computer makes up for its shortcomings via an NVIDIA GTX 1050Ti graphics card, more storage, and some cool accessories.
| Battery Life | 4 hours |
| GPU | NVIDIA Geforce GTX 1050Ti |
| RAM | 8GB |
| CPU | Intel Core i5 |
| Storage | 128GB SSD and 1TB HDD |
Pros
- Comes with a wireless mouse
- Features the NVIDIA Geforce GTX 1050Ti
- Great storage capacity
- Strong gaming performance
Cons
- Battery life isn’t the best
Acer Nitro 5 15.6″ FHD Gaming Laptop
Premium Performance in a Rugged Body
The list of the best gaming laptops under $1000 wouldn’t be complete without the Acer Nitro 5. With a price in the $700 range, this laptop is a solid piece of gear that any gamer would appreciate. However, this is one of the best and most rugged cheap gaming laptops on the market.
Backlit keyboards, a 256GB SSD, great battery life, and user-controllable fans are just some of the premium features you get on this device. And to make things even better, this laptop is often featured in deals on shopping websites like Amazon, so you may even get it lower than the original $700 price tag.
| Battery Life | 8 hours |
| GPU | NVIDIA Geforce GTX 1650 |
| RAM | 8GB |
| CPU | Intel Core i5 |
| Storage | 256GB SSD |
Pros
- Great gaming performance
- Comes with user-controllable fans
- 9th Generation Intel Core i5-9300H Processor
- Provides good value for the price
- Good battery life
Cons
- Features thick bezel display
ASUS TUF A15 15.6” Gaming Laptop
Bring Your Gaming Experience to Life
The ASUS TUF is a laptop you’re bound to love. Featuring a large 15.6-inch screen and a Full HD display, your games come alive with impressive color and accuracy. Just like the Dell G55 above, it uses an NVIDIA Geforce GTX 1650 to provide gamers with impressive graphics, and 4GB of dedicated RAM ensures that you don’t experience lag.
You get up to 512GB SSD as storage and an RGB backlit keyboard to spice up your gaming even in the dark. The sound quality here isn’t the best, but it comes with Bluetooth 4.2 just in case you’d love to add a headset to your setup
| Battery Life | 4 hours |
| GPU | NVIDIA Geforce GTX 1650 |
| RAM | 8GB |
| CPU | AMD Ryzen 5 |
| Storage | 512GB SSD |
Pros
- Comes with AMD’s Ryzen 5 processor
- 144-hertz display
- RGB backlit keyboard
- Wide and well-lit screen
Cons
- Weak speakers
Lenovo Ideapad L340 Gaming Laptop
An Ideal Companion for Casual Gamers
It comes as no surprise that Lenovo has gained the trust of many gamers, as their gaming laptops usually feature high-end specs. The 15.5-inch L340 is no exception. Thanks to its 16GB of RAM, you get to execute your games and apps at incredibly high speeds. As for the processor, you get an Intel Core i5, which means you can run your games and video editing apps with no issues.
And with a 512GB SSD, you’ll have plenty of space to save all of your games. Other features you get include an FHD display, backlit keyboard, headphone jack, HDMI, as well as USB Type A and Type C ports.
| Battery Life | 4 hours |
| GPU | NVIDIA Geforce GTX 1650 |
| RAM | 16GB |
| CPU | Intel Core i5 |
| Storage | 512GB SSD |
Pros
- Great 1080p performance
- The keyboard is quite comfortable
- Good battery life
- Great for casual gamers
Cons
- Its click pad buttons are quite noisy
HP OMEN 15.6″ FHD IPS Gaming Laptop
An All-Around Powerhouse for All User Types
HP is a brand that’s trusted by both gamers and everyday users alike. Besides the fact that their laptops come with great specs, they also feature functional designs tailored to meet the needs of each user type. The HP OMEN 15.6-inch laptop is a 1080p gaming laptop that’s bound to provide you with a great gaming experience. Just like the Lenovo L340 above, this laptop also comes with an Intel Core i5 CPU and an NVIDIA Geforce 1650 GPU.
Combine these features with its 4GB dedicated graphics memory and 12GB DDR4 system memory and you get a speedy and high-performance 15.6-inch laptop. Its 1TB HDD and 128GB SSD provide you with enough storage capacity to hold all of your games and apps capably. This HP laptop is one of the best laptops for gaming, graphic design, multitasking, and more.
| Battery Life | 3 hours |
| GPU | NVIDIA Geforce GTX 1650 |
| RAM | 12GB |
| CPU | Intel Core i7 |
| Storage | 128GB SSD and 1TB HDD |
Pros
- Fast SSD
- Great overall performance
- Crystal clear display
- Affordable
Cons
- Battery and webcam are not up to par
ASUS ROG G531GT-BI7N6 15.6-inch FHD Gaming Laptop
Guaranteed Top-End Specs with an Amiable Price Tag
ASUS is a brand that’s dedicated to producing some of the best gaming laptops, and the ROG lineup is one that many users have come to love. Designed with a ninth-generation Intel Core i7 CPU and an NVIDIA Geforce GTX 1650, this laptop is one that’s bound to meet all your gaming needs. Coming in at the $900 price range, the 15.6-inch G531GT will meet your budget while providing you with top-of-the-line specs.
To make things even better, you’ll be getting a 120-hertz FHD display on this laptop, which means a better refresh rate and response time. It is powered by 8GB of RAM and 4GB of dedicated graphics memory. While you’re getting a plastic build and a battery life that isn’t the best, it makes up for that with its 512GB SSD, backlit keyboard, webcam, and Bluetooth 5.0. Even gaming at high settings, you are bound to enjoy the output and performance of this cheap gaming laptop.
| Battery Life | 4 hours |
| GPU | NVIDIA Geforce GTX 1650 |
| RAM | 8GB |
| CPU | Intel Core i7 |
| Storage | 512GB SSD |
Pros
- 120-hertz FHD display
- Great viewing angles and contrast ratio
- Upgradeable memory, up to 32GB
- The screen is gentle on the eyes and doesn’t emit blue light
Cons
- Narrow color coverage
MSI GF63 Thin 15.6″ Gaming Laptop
Packed to the Teeth with Special Features
Looking for a thin gaming laptop? The MSI GF63 is one of the best options to consider. Not only is it thin and lightweight, but it’s also packed with features that are bound to make your gaming experience more fun. The GF63 comes with an almost bezel-less display and sits in the $950 price range. It features a 6-core Intel Core i7 processor, a 60-hertz IPS 1080p display, as well as 256GB SSD storage and 1TB HDD storage.
Using NVIDIA’s GTX 1050, this gaming laptop is capable of handling esports games as well as FPS games without any hiccups. You can play all day long as you get up to 7 hours of battery life on this device. And with its 8GB RAM, you won’t be experiencing in-game lag anytime soon.
| Battery Life | Up to 7 hours |
| GPU | NVIDIA GTX 1050 |
| RAM | 8GB |
| CPU | Intel Core i7 |
| Storage | 256GB SSD and 1TB HDD |
Pros
- Colorful, sharp, and offers really thin bezels
- Offers decent performance for gamers
- Incredibly low price point
- Comes with a free wireless mouse
Cons
- RAM cannot be upgraded
Lenovo Legion Y530-15 Gaming Laptop
A Solid Workhorse for Casual Gamers
If you’re a casual gamer who loves gaming on a laptop and want the best cheap gaming laptop, check out the Lenovo Legion Y530. Sleek, slim, and gorgeous, this laptop comes with a great port selection and solid innards. While the display may not be the brightest and the keyboard travel isn’t the best, there’s no denying the fact that you’re getting a powerful laptop for less than a thousand dollars.
The speakers produce decent sound and its separated dual fans ensure that your laptop doesn’t overheat. Its webcam isn’t great, but that doesn’t take away from the overall performance of the laptop. With its 8GB RAM, 1TB HDD, 128GB SSD, and Intel Core i5-8300H, your gaming experience won’t remain the same. You’ll surely get the best out of this device if you play games at low or normal resolutions. That said, don’t expect this machine to run VR games or handle newer games at their highest resolutions.
| Battery Life | 5 hours |
| GPU | NVIDIA Geforce GTX 1050 |
| RAM | 8GB |
| CPU | Intel Core i5 |
| Storage | 128GB SSD and 1TB HDD |
Pros
- Great overall performance
- Good port selection
- Thin bezels
- Great value for money
Cons
- Dull display
HP Pavilion 15-dk0041nr Gaming 15-Inch Laptop
Smooth Gaming Experience Without Breaking the Bank
The HP Pavilion 15 comes in many different variants, but the one we’ll be talking about is the Intel Core i5 variant. This gaming laptop is moderately priced, coming in at a price point a little above $850. Its 8GB RAM, Intel Core i5 processor, and NVIDIA GTX 1650 ensure that you’re able to play games like PUBG, Fortnight, and Overwatch with no issues.
While it doesn’t come with a 144-hertz display like the ASUS TUF above, its 60-hertz 1920 x 1080 display still ensures that you get a decent gaming experience. Its 8GB memory and 256GB SSD storage are both upgradeable. You also get to enjoy BIOS recovery and protection as this laptop automatically protects itself against unauthorized access and checks for health and performance issues. All in all, this is really great value for money.
| Battery Life | 7 hours |
| GPU | NVIDIA Geforce 1650 |
| RAM | 8GB |
| CPU | Intel Core i5 |
| Storage | 256GB SSD |
Pros
- Allows you to play games in 1080p even at high settings.
- Features WiFi 6
- Decent battery life
- High-quality build
Cons
- Doesn’t feature Thunderbolt 3
Gaming Laptop Under $1000 Buyer’s Guide
You don’t have to empty your bank account simply because you want to get the best gaming laptop. There are many powerful laptops under $1000, and we have gathered up ten of the best above. These laptops come with great processors and GPUs, and some of them can even handle the latest games admirably. Some of them often also feature in deals which means you can get them at even lower prices than they currently are.
In this guide, we’ll be taking a look at some of the questions some customers may have about gaming laptops under $1000. We’ll also be letting you know the right factors to consider when choosing the best laptop under 1000 bucks.
What’s the Best Gaming Laptop for Under $1000?
Truthfully, there’s no single right answer to this question. However, our list of the ten best gaming laptops is a good place to start your budget laptop search. They feature great designs, decent components, some of the topmost CPUs, and are also quite portable. Some of them even have laptop deals on them from time to time, which means you can even get them cheaper. We would, however, like to recommend some of our other laptop guides we believe may meet your gaming requirements:
Which Budget Laptops Are Good for Gaming?
There are many different laptops on the market that are both affordable and great for gaming. However, as we noted earlier, our top ten list is a great place to start. But there’s a chance that you may not like the computers on our list. So what should you do in this case? How do you identify the best gaming laptops without emptying your bank account? We are here to answer that question by providing you with the necessary factors to look out for in the modern world of gaming laptops.
Below, you’ll find the necessary elements you need to check when buying a laptop for gaming, software development, video editing, graphic design, and more. We don’t want you reading tons of reviews or stressing yourself out before making a buying decision, which may end up not being the right one. So without further ado, let’s get into it.
GPU (Graphics Processing Unit)
Simply known as the graphics card, your GPU is one of the most important factors to look at when choosing a gaming laptop. While some games make use of the CPU, many of them rely on the GPU for better performance and functionality. There are many different types of GPUs, but most gaming laptops today utilize Nvidia’s GTX and RTX GPUs. You can also find some gaming laptops using AMD’s Ryzen graphic cards, which are beginning to become faster and provide better performance than previous models. But they aren’t as popular or widely used as gaming laptops with Nvidia’s GPUs.
For entry-level gaming, you can start working with gaming laptops running on a GTX 1060. While you won’t be able to play at the highest settings, the middle settings will turn out great. However, if you want to go with the highest settings without investing much, you can opt instead for the GTX 1660 Ti.
For mainstream gaming, we recommend that you start from the Geforce RTX 2060. While this means that you’ll have to fork out about over 1000 bucks, but you’ll be able to play most games on high settings while enjoying some VR functionality, too. And for those who love playing at the highest settings or just want to enjoy a smoother VR experience, start with the RTX 2070 and work your way up to the RTX 2080 Ti. Keep in mind that gaming laptops with these cards cost anywhere between 1000 to 3000 bucks.
CPU (Central Processing Unit)
The CPU of your gaming laptop is another important component you need to consider before making your purchasing decision. Most gaming laptops now feature great CPUs that can be used to flawlessly run casual games. There are some laptops that even come with desktop CPUs. However, most games rely on the laptop’s GPU instead of its CPU, so you should be good to go with an Intel Core i5 CPU. It’s important to note that CPUs are mostly not upgradeable, so you might want to ensure that the one you choose is decent enough to run your games for a good while.
RAM
Gaming is an intensive task, which means your computer will use a huge part of its memory. We recommend that you go for a gaming laptop with at least 8GB of RAM, and if you can afford one with 16GB, you’d be in for a treat. Most gaming laptops with a GTX 1650 or higher come with at least 8GB of RAM. And to make things better, many of these RAMs can be expanded.
Storage
Which should you go with – HDD or SSD? While some budget gaming laptops come with only HDD (usually up to 1TB), many gaming laptops offer both types of storage. For those with HDD and SSD, they usually offer SSD as a boot drive, so as to make the device faster. This is why you see laptops like the Lenovo Legion Y530 having up to 1TB HDD and 128GB SSD. Laptops with only SSD storage are better as they have faster loading times, however they do cost more. If you’ll be going with an HDD laptop, ensure that the drive is a faster 7,200-rpm model and not the slower 5200-rpm drive. And as for purely SSD computers, go with those with at least 256GB SSD.
Conclusion
Now, you should see that you don’t have to empty your wallet in order to be able to get the ideal hardware for gaming. All you need to do is make sure the components embedded in the computer, such as graphics card, CPU, and storage, match your games’ required specs.
We have covered ten of the best gaming laptops for 1000 bucks above. They each come with different performance levels, power levels, price ranges, and storage types. If you’re looking for an entry-level laptop with great versatility and performance, the products in our review are certainly worth considering.
If you liked our article on gaming laptops under $1000, please share and comment below what your favorite product is.
