With the chip shortage driving CPU, GPU and laptop prices through the roof, a budget gaming laptop is often the most affordable way to get into PC gaming.
They may not be able to reach the same resolutions and levels of fidelity as laptops over $3000 or more, but there are plenty of budget gaming laptops with enough power for great experiences at 1080p. Here are our picks from the best budget gaming laptops available in the market.
MSI Computer GF63 Thin 10SCXR-222
The MSI GF63 Thin 10SCXR-222 proves that a gaming laptop should not necessarily be too thick. The design is simple but appropriate for a budget gaming laptop. Also, with two fans and four exhausts, you shouldn’t be worried about overheating.
This MSI GF63 uses a 15.6-inch FHD screen with 1920×1080 resolution and a 60Hz refresh rate. The device promises a smooth performance with an Intel Core i5-10300H CPU, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650, 8GB RAM, and 256GB NVMe SSD.
Why we recommend:
- Display quality
- Competitive price
- Light and compact design
HP Pavilion Gaming 15-Inch Budget Gaming Laptop
The Pavilion laptops series from HP are mostly affordable, and they also have a gaming version. This 15-inch budget gaming option from the Pavilion series comes with an AMD Ryzen 5 4600H processor and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 with 8GB RAM. Of course, four other configurations are available that customers can purchase at a higher price.
The HP Pavilion Gaming 15-Inch has a good range of ports, including HDMI, one USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-C port, and three USB 3.1 Gen 1 Type-A. The display is a so-called micro-edge with 1920 x 1080 resolution.
Why we recommend:
- Various configurations
- Plenty of ports
- Battery life
Acer Nitro 5 – 15.6″ Budget Gaming Laptop
Acer Nitro 5 is one of the most portable gaming laptops you can find on the market. The device isn’t bulky as regular gaming and offers a great hardware combination for the price. It features a 15.6 inch Full HD display. Moreover, an Intel Core i5-11400H and 8GB RAM can ensure the device’s performance. For graphic processing, an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 is included. The device also has Windows 11 installed by default.
Why we recommend:
- Hardware performance
- Battery life
- Sharp display
Dell Flagship G15 Ryzen Edition Gaming Laptop
As the name implies, this is a flagship but budget-friendly gaming laptop from Dell that could be one of the best choices for gamers. It features a 15.6-inch Full HD display and a 120Hz refresh rate. With AMD 6-Core Ryzen 5 5600H, 8GB RAM, 512 SSD, and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050, you can enjoy every game to the fullest. Of course, customers can choose other configurations at a higher price.
Why we recommend:
- Stunning hardware performance
- Affordable price
- Configurations options
GIGABYTE G5 MD – 15.6″ Budget Gaming Laptop
For just a little over $1,000, you can own a gaming laptop that delivers incredible performance. The GIGABYTE G5 MD comes with a 15.6-inch IPS display and thin bezels to amplify the gaming experience. Under the hood, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti GPU and 11th Gen Intel Core i5-11400H processor are available. Moreover, 16GB RAM and 512GB SSD are also included.
Why we recommend:
- Affordable way to get 30-series GPU and an 11th-gen Intel CPU
- Plenty of RAM, storage at this price point
- Lots of ports
ASUS TUF Dash 15 (2021) Ultra Slim Gaming Laptop
The ASUS TUF Gaming Laptop 2021 model is one of the slimmest gaming laptops in the market and has a minimal and eye-catching design. It features a 15.6-inch 144Hz FHD display. Also, an Intel Core i7-11370H, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060, and 16GB RAM can raise the bars for a budget gaming laptop.
Why we recommend:
- Great performance for a gaming laptop under $1000
- Undergone durability tests in case of accidental drops
- Lots of ports to allow you to plug in all your accessories
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