TL;DR Popular budget gaming laptops include Lenovo Loq, Asus TUF, Acer Nitro, and MSI models. These offer good performance for gaming at a reasonable price.
Recommended Models
Several laptop models have been consistently recommended across discussions for their balance of performance and affordability:
Lenovo Loq: This series is frequently mentioned as offering solid gaming performance within a budget [3:1]
[5:1]. The Lenovo Loq features configurations with AMD Ryzen processors and NVIDIA RTX graphics, making them suitable for current games
[3:3].
Asus TUF: Known for durability and performance, the Asus TUF series is another popular choice among budget gamers [3:1]
[5:2]. It offers robust build quality and efficient cooling systems, which are crucial for gaming laptops.
Acer Nitro 5: Frequently highlighted for its value, the Acer Nitro 5 provides good specs for gaming, including options for AMD Ryzen or Intel Core processors paired with NVIDIA GeForce GTX graphics [4].
MSI: MSI laptops are also noted for delivering strong gaming performance at competitive prices [3:1].
Additional Recommendations
Other models worth considering include:
HP Pavilion and Victus: Both models have received positive feedback for their design and performance [4:2]
[5:2]. The HP OMEN series is praised for reliability and cooling efficiency, making it a viable option for long gaming sessions
[5:4].
Lenovo Legion Y540: Although slightly older, it remains a favorite for budget-conscious gamers due to its reliable performance [4].
Considerations
When selecting a budget gaming laptop, consider factors such as processor type (AMD vs. Intel), graphics card capabilities, display quality, and cooling systems. It's essential to ensure that the laptop meets your specific gaming needs and fits within your budget constraints. Additionally, checking for deals on platforms like Amazon can provide further savings [4].
ngl, >!I know she's won the first two rounds already, but I'm still nervous for this team. The offense hasn't come as easy as Marine's lineup. !<
Hey All, To help this community and all the other laptop hunters I've compiled a carefully curated selection of top-notch laptops spanning various categories (Top Performance RTX 40/50 series, Mid Range & Budget Gaming Laptops + Video Editing, Professional & Student Laptops). While reviewing this list in search of a new laptop, Please don't hesitate to inquire or propose any laptops you believe deserve a spot in these categories. You can leave a comment in the comment section to the bottom of the page for assistance.
<<<<< List is being updated currently, Check every hour for new deal listings >>>>>
NAME & LINK | SPECS | PRICE | CATEGORY |
---|---|---|---|
Acer Aspire 3 Laptop (Cert. Refurbished) | 15.6" (1920x1080) FHD Multi-Touch, 60Hz, IPS Display, Ryzen 7520U, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD | $303.99 | General Use/School/Work Productivity. |
Acer Aspire 3 A315-24P-R2SC Slim Laptop | 15.6" Full HD IPS Display, AMD Ryzen 5 7520U Quad-Core Processor, AMD Radeon Graphics, 8GB LPDDR5 256GB NVMe SSD | $379 | General Use/School/Work Productivity. |
Acer Aspire 3 Premium Laptop | 15.6" FHD Display Backlit Keyboard AMD Ryzen 5 7430U 32GB RAM 1TB SSD Fast Wi-Fi 6 Webcam Copilot AI Chat Windows 11 Pro | $499.99 | General Use/School/Work Productivity. |
HP Victus Gaming Laptop | 15.6" 144Hz FHD Display, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD, Ryzen 5 7535HS, Radeon RX 6550M Graphics Card | $599 | Budget Gaming & Video Editing |
Acer Aspire 14 AI Copilot+ PC | 14" WUXGA Display Intel Core Ultra 5 Processor 226V NPU: Up to 40 Tops - GPU: Up to 53 Tops Intel ARC 130V 16GB RAM 512GB SSD | $629 | General Use/School/Work Productivity |
HP OmniBook 5 Laptop Next Gen AI PC | 16" 2K (1920 x 1200), IPS, 300 nits, Ryzen AI 7 350, AMD Radeon 860M Graphics, 16GB LPDDR5, 512GB SSD | $629 | General Use/School/Work Productivity + Light Gaming/Video Editing |
SAMSUNG Galaxy Book4 Edge Business Laptop | 15.6" FHD, Snapdragon X Plus (8-core), Qualcomm Adreno GPU, 16GB LPDDR5X, 512GB SSD, Win11 Home | $649.99 | General Use/School/Work Productivity |
ASUS Vivobook 14 Laptop | 14” WUXGA 60Hz Display, Qualcomm Snapdragon X, Qualcomm Adreno GPU, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD, Windows 11 | $718.50 | General Use/School/Work Productivity |
Apple 2025 MacBook Air 13-inch Laptop with M4 chip | Built for Apple Intelligence, 13.6-inch Liquid Retina Display, 16GB Unified Memory, 256GB SSD Storage, 12MP Center Stage Camera, Touch ID | $799 | General Use/School/Work Productivity. |
🔥MSI Thin Gaming Laptop🔥 | 15.6 inch FHD 144Hz Display, Intel Core i5-13420H, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD | $808 | Budget Gaming & Video Editing |
Acer Swift Go 14 Laptop | 14" (1920 x 1200) Touch Display Unlock AI Experiences AMD Ryzen 7 8845HS Octa-Core Ryzen AI Capable Processor 16GB RAM 1TB SSD | $813 | General Use/School/Work Productivity |
ASUS Vivobook 14 Flip Laptop Copilot+ PC | 14” OLED WUXGA 60Hz Touch Display, Intel® Core™ Ultra 5 226V, Intel® Arc™ Graphics, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD | $824.99 | General Use/School/Work Productivity |
Dell 14 Plus Laptop | 14-inch 16:10 2.5K (2560x1600) Display, Intel Core Ultra 7-258V, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD, Intel Arc Graphics | $899.99 | General Use/School/Work Productivity |
SAMSUNG Galaxy Book5 360 AI Laptop | 15.6” FHD AMOLED Touchscreen, Intel Core Ultra 7 256V, Intel Arc 140V GPU, 16GB LPDDR5X, 512GB SSD, Win11 Home | $986.60 | General Use/School/Work Productivity + Light Gaming/Video Editing |
Apple 2025 MacBook Air 13-inch Laptop with M4 chip | Built for Apple Intelligence, 13.6-inch Liquid Retina Display, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD, 12MP Center Stage Camera, Touch ID | $999 | General Use/School/Work Productivity + Light Gaming/Video Editing |
2025 Apple MacBook Air | M4 chip, Built for Apple Intelligence, 15.3-inch Liquid Retina 500 nits Display, 16GB Unified Memory, 256GB SSD Storage, 12MP Center Stage Camera, Touch ID | $999 | General Use/School/Work Productivity + Light Gaming/Video Editing |
MSI Prestige A16 AI+ Business Laptop | 16" QHD+ (2560 x 1600) 165Hz Display, AMD Ryzen AI 9-365, Radeon 880M Graphics, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD | $1,150.01 | General Use/School/Work Productivity + Light Gaming/Video Editing |
Lenovo Legion 5 (2025) | 15.1" WQXGA (2560x1600) 16:10, 165Hz, 500-nits, 100% DCI-P3, OLED Display, AMD Ryzen 7 260, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060, 16GB DDR5 RAM, 512GB SSD | $1,189.99 | Competitive Gaming/Video Editing/Content Creation |
Apple 2025 MacBook Air 13-inch Laptop | with M4 chip: Built for Apple Intelligence, 13.6-inch Liquid Retina Display, 24GB Unified Memory, 512GB SSD Storage | $1,199 | General Use/School/Work Productivity + Light Gaming/Video Editing |
GIGABYTE AERO X16 Copilot+ Gaming Laptop | 16" WQGXA (2560 x 1600) IPS 165Hz Display, AMD Ryzen AI 7 350, NVIDIA RTX 5060, 16GB DDR5 RAM, 1TB SSD | $1,199.99 | Competitive Gaming/Video Editing/Content Creation |
Apple 2024 MacBook Pro Laptop with M4 chip | with 10‑core CPU and 10‑core GPU: Built for Apple Intelligence, 14.2-inch Liquid Retina XDR Display, 16GB Unified Memory, 512GB SSD Storage | $1,299 | General Use/School/Work Productivity + Light Gaming/Video Editing |
ASUS ROG Strix G16 (2025) Gaming Laptop | 16” WUXDA 165Hz Display, AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD | $1,399 | Competitive Gaming/Video Editing/Content Creation |
GIGABYTE AERO X16 Copilot+ Gaming Laptop | 16" WQGXA (2560 x 1600) IPS 165Hz Display, AMD Ryzen AI 7 350, RTX 5070, 32GB DDR5 RAM, 1TB SSD | $1,449.99 | Competitive Gaming/Video Editing/Content Creation |
Apple MacBook Pro; M4 Pro | 12‑core CPU, 16‑core GPU, 14.2" 3024-by-1964 1000 nits 120Hz Liquid Retina XDR Display, 24GB RAM, 512GB SSD | $1,699 | General Use/School/Work Productivity + Light Gaming/Video Editing |
ASUS ROG Strix G18 Gaming Laptop | 18” WQXDA 240Hz Display, AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX, NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 5070, 32GB DDR5 RAM, 1TB SSD | $1,799 | Competitive Gaming/Video Editing/Content Creation |
Lenovo Legion Pro 7i Gaming Notebook | 16" WQXGA OLED 240Hz Display, Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX, RTX 5070Ti, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD | $2,329.99 | Competitive Gaming/Video Editing/Content Creation |
<<<<< List is being updated currently, Check every hour for new deal listings >>>>>
NB: Gaming Laptops are also great choices for editing, rendering, and heavy productivity tasks due to the power of the GPU, speed of the CPU and the quality display of the screen they posess.
The main differences between a general use laptop and a gaming laptop are:
The main differences between a gaming laptop and a video editing laptop are:
A gaming laptop and a video editing laptop are both high-performance laptops, but they are optimized for different tasks and have distinct differences in terms of hardware and features.
Gaming Laptop:
Video Editing Laptop:
Key differences:
In summary, while both gaming and video editing laptops are high-performance laptops, they are optimized for different tasks and have distinct differences in terms of hardware and features.
Hey, is there an Amazon link for the Lenovo Pro 7i laptop?
Hello boys and girls, I got simple question that every student asked at one point in a need of good laptop that will help you do your university tasks and let you play your favourite games. What is the best budget laptop to buy in 2024. I have 800-900€ to spend, if there is better offers under 900€ (I doubt) write thos too
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Lenovo Loq Asus Tuf Acer nitro MSI all these are offering good machine to run current games with more FPS and are within ur budget.
As of 2024, there are several budget-friendly laptops that offer decent gaming performance. Here are some of the best cheap laptops for gaming in 2024:
Note: Here's the Amazon List of the entire Gaming Laptop List as Recommended by other Redditors.
Acer Nitro 5: The Acer Nitro 5 is a popular budget gaming laptop that offers good performance for its price. It features an AMD Ryzen or Intel Core processor, NVIDIA GeForce GTX graphics, and a Full HD display.
Lenovo Legion Y540: The Lenovo Legion Y540 is another affordable gaming laptop that offers solid performance. It features up to an Intel Core i7 processor, NVIDIA GeForce GTX graphics, and a 15.6-inch Full HD display.
ASUS TUF Gaming A15: The ASUS TUF Gaming A15 is a budget-friendly gaming laptop that offers a good balance of performance and durability. It features AMD Ryzen processors, NVIDIA GeForce GTX graphics, and a high refresh rate display.
HP Pavilion Gaming Laptop: The HP Pavilion Gaming Laptop is a budget-friendly option that offers decent gaming performance. It features AMD Ryzen or Intel Core processors, NVIDIA GeForce GTX graphics, and a Full HD display.
Dell G3 Gaming Laptop: The Dell G3 Gaming Laptop is another affordable option for budget-conscious gamers. It features up to an Intel Core i7 processor, NVIDIA GeForce GTX graphics, and a 15.6-inch Full HD display.
Pavillion is a beast guys, I can vouch for it.
Sweet. Just put ones under 1000USD for people and then we can sticky it for when people ask.
I would add predator to that list too :D
How about lenovo LOQ?
LOQ and Asus are great, but shoutout to the victus too. My friend got one of those and it's a pretty sweet machine. I prefer its clean design compared to the asus tuf, but the tuf is still a better laptop overall.
I have had the best experience with Lenovo and Asus laptops.
HP OMEN. ive been using one for 3 Years. Been amazing. No issues and No overheating. Runs almost everything i throw at it .
That 3070ti nitro 5 was killer value
LOQ series were the best overall budget laptops of 2023 as per Jarrods Tech.
Microsoft Surface
Did the word "budget" just not register in your head?
An open box 16GB ram Surface Laptop Studio is like $1200 ish and is amazing for games and productivity, is that not "budget" compared to like $4000+ gaming laptops that are heavier than the average dog?
For the most part, [1] you should never buy a gaming laptop that's not on sale and [2] the general rule of gaming laptops is "grab the most GPU you can".
The first one you'll want to add another 8gb of RAM on, but has a better CPU than the 2nd. ...and yes, I'm saying a RTX 4050 should be the minimum GPU to aim for in most current situations.:
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1749193-REG/acer_an515_58_56ch_15_6_nitro_5_laptop.html
4050 is soo expensive for me as I'm a student rn. I'm considering 3050 rtx. Do you think hp victus might do fine for my budget??
Avoid anything HP. I’m a VAR and Managed Service Provider. HP everything is a data collection and advertising machine, especially their consumer products. If you buy a new HP printer, it won’t print until you connect it to the Internet and register it.
They’re desperately trying to be more despicable than Broadcom, which is a very tall order.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k6sWAi176nc
I'm of the belief that spending a little more can be cheaper in the long run if it keeps you from needing to buy a whole new laptop for a couple extra years.
...now if you're OK with the chance of finding some games won't run sooner rather than later, go with the 3050.
Now, if that's the route, try to go with the 3050 6gb. Take the core count of the 3050ti and 2gb more Vram in exchange for lower Vram bandwidth.
depends on what game you want to play. Odds are you are going to pay a lot for something that can run new games. But if you are into old games you can spend $200 on a laptop that will play everything 20 years or older
Nah i wanna play recent stuffs, a laptop which should be able to play rdr2 on 1440p
Well it's recommended to get an i7 with 12GB ram with a 1060 Nvidia and 6GB VRam and a 150GB SSD to play that.
Xbox Series X
Hi all,
I'm looking to convert to a gaming laptop for flexibility reasons and I would like to ask for your opinion on what to get based on your experiences.
With my tight budget, I'm looking at Nitro V, IdeaPad gaming 3, HP Victus or MSI Bravo.
All these have 12th gen i5, rtx 3050 with 8gb ram variant but I'd like your recommendations on which is the least problematic of these brands.
I'd normally prefer sturdy and reliable rather than high performance since I don't really play high res games.
Thanks in advance.
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Never get a budget MSI gaming laptop, so forget the Bravo.
The IdeaPad has an 85W RTX 3050.
The Victus has a 75W RTX 3050.
The Acer Nitro 5 has a 95W RTX 3050 and a MUX switch, if I remember correctly. Since it's got a 12th Gen CPU, it's got much better cooling than old Nitro 5s. I'd get that overall, or a Lenovo LOQ if you've got the budget for it.
This is very helpful, these 2 are actually what weighs more to me, although I'm leaning towards more on the LOQ but price tag is a little high for the budget
The LOQ is overall just a better product than the Acer Nitro 5. It depends if you've got the extra money for it or not. One feature that I'm pretty sure the LOQ has is G-Sync. The Nitro 5 doesn't have that.
I a'm looking to gather some data on what different user groups recommend for their best "budget" gaming laptop.
My Budget would preferably be under $1000, be able to run most newer games and some AAA games on higher graphic settings. I typically play Palworld, World of Warcraft, and the occasional AAA/indie game on sale on Steam (Civilization, RDR2, Elden Ring, etc.).
Any help would be appreciated!
Thank you!
The Lenovo Legion 5 slim or 5 Pro if find a good price.
Getting an Asus Tuf A16 with Ryzen 7 HS is good too. Lenovo LoQ with a Ryzen 7 or Acer Nitro 5 with i5h gen 12 or 13 would be good too.
$1k with RTX 4070 [$400 off]
Average Gaming NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Laptop GPU → 100% Average Gaming 30-70 fps → 100%
Average Gaming NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 Laptop GPU → 120% Average Gaming 30-70 fps → 132%
Since you are going to game, I would recommend this GIGABYTE G6 because it comes with i7-13620H CPU which is one of the best in your budget and great for your usage, 16GB of RAM for smooth multitasking, Good SSD storage of 512GB for faster boot up and loading, 16" FHD 165Hz screen which is a must have for this price range, it comes with GeForce RTX 4060 GPU, high build quality, and it's within your budget.
Please note I'm using affiliate links which means I'll receive a small percent of the purchase if you use this link at no extra cost to you
Also did you regret buying a laptop instead of a PC?
Isn't that just the ideapad gaming 3, renamed?
Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 15.6" Laptop Ryzen 7 7735HS GeForce 4050 16GB 512GB SSD W11H
That's what I got for $650. I'm loving it(: my first ever laptop lol.
I think the Ideapad is the lowest tier model, than the LOQ, than the Legion. I do not think therefore the LOQ is a renamed rebranded Ideapad. Great price you payed! It is probably a solid device.
It’s close. The IdeaPad Gaming 3 cuts some cosmetic flourishes and ports from the LOQ, and (iirc) all current models of the LOQ use 13th generation Intel processors and AMD’s Zen 4 processors. Most variants of the IdeaPad Gaming 3 use either 12th gen Intel processors or AMD’s Zen 3+ processors.
Still, for $650 you got a gaming laptop that hauls some serious ass. 8 cores and an RTX 4050 is very solid no matter what way you twist it, especially with 16GB of RAM. As an owner of a LOQ 15 with the 7840HS and RTX 4050, it’s such a good laptop barring the (frankly terrible) screen. I can imagine the IdeaPad is a nice laptop too.
Depends on what your needs and requirements for a laptop are but Lenovo's LOQ 15/16 (FHD 144 Hz screen is poor though) are probably my pick here.
Totally agreed, the screen on the LOQ 15 is terrible. I’m not even particularly picky with screens, but it’s such a downgrade in every regard from a cheap Gateway gaming laptop I bought a couple of years ago.
I have had a horrible track record with Lenovo, but I havent tried any of their modern stuff.
Lenovo LOQ is the best lineup, and the answer is not because of legion fans here. It has better value for money for its specs
Best is very subjective. The best laptop for me is the one that fits my budget with the best specs. If there are more than one around the same price, then I check the reviews to see what fits me better.
Regarding Laptop vs PC. If you need mobility, then no, the laptop is great (which is my case). But if you are ALWAYS at your desk and does not need mobility, a PC will be best. Even a pre-built one.
I snagged a legion 5 pro with the 3070ti and the ryzen 6800h, 32gb ddr 5 for a grand on some random Walmart sale. Runs like a fucking champ. I second this guy
Yeah I agree. The only reason someone would regret a laptop is if they don't need it to be portable and they realise that they could have had a more powerful desktop instead.
Also an upgradable desktop is superior.
I already have a desktop but I needed a less powerful laptop that can run some CAD software and also game.
Managed to get a legion slim 5 with a 4070 for 1250 euros. I am very happy with it as it does both gaming and modeling very well. Not as good as my desktop but it's good enough for the CAD software and the games run well by choosing high instead of ultra.
Build around the 5800x3d, a laptop will never reach the performance capabilities that that chip and a proper gpu will reach. Will you actually game in your vehicle, I doubt you will as it would most likely be extremely uncomfortable, and you could just stream RDR2 to your phone with something like the razer kishi
Laptops have come a long way in the past 2-3 years as I’ve learnt from being solely desktop for 8-9 years switching to a gaming laptop.
Obviously expect to splurge a bit more for a very decent laptop that is able to perform in the games you want as opposed to a desktop counterpart.
I’d recommend looking into the Lenovon Legion series. Highly recommended on here and by myself as a user.
I'm looking for the best bang for my buck gaming laptop to play on when travelling. It won't need the best specs, I just want to be able to run WoW retail and similar games at 60fps 1080p comfortably. I have a desktop rig for newer games.. if I could get something for less than 600 I'd he very happy. Was thinking the lenova IdeaPad maybe? Thanks in advance
https://www.newegg.com/black-msi-gf-series-thin-gf63-12uc-851us-gaming/p/N82E16834156563?Item=N82E16834156563&SoldByNewegg=1 this will work. $600
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Lenovo-Ideapad-Gaming-3-15-6-FHD-120Hz-Gaming-Laptop-AMD-Ryzen-5-7535HS-8GB-RAM-512GB-SSD-NVIDIA-GeForce-RTX-2050-4GB/5021430193?athbdg=L1700 isnt as good but will work
Woah. Great find. Thanks dude!
best budget gaming laptops 2025
Key Considerations for Budget Gaming Laptops:
Performance Specs:
RAM and Storage:
Display Quality:
Build Quality and Cooling:
Battery Life:
Recommendations for Budget Gaming Laptops (2025):
Acer Nitro 5:
HP Pavilion Gaming Laptop:
Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3:
ASUS TUF Gaming FX505:
Takeaway: When selecting a budget
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