Top Budget Gaming Laptops of 2023

It's easy to feel intimidated by the price tags on the best gaming laptops, especially when you see features like a 4K display pushing costs to upwards of $4,000. However, you don't need to break the bank to enjoy a robust portable PC gaming experience. You just need to know what to prioritize. While the market is flooded with sub-$1,000 "gaming" laptops, many are riddled with outdated specs, poor manufacturing, and even second-hand options that can be risky.

TL;DR – These Are the Best Budget Gaming Laptops:

Our Top Pick### MSI Crosshair 16 HX

3See it at Best BuyGreat performance on a limited budget### XPG Xenia 15G

0See it at Newegg### Acer Nitro V ANV16

0See it at Newegg### Valve Steam Deck OLED

1See it at AmazonSee it at Valve### Gigabyte Gigabyte G6X

0See it at AmazonI've carefully selected gaming laptops that truly deliver on gaming performance, starting at $2,000 and scaling down to more budget-friendly options that still offer a premium PC gaming experience. Keep in mind, there are certain features you might need to compromise on in a budget gaming laptop.

High-end display technologies like OLED and Mini-LED are often the first to be sacrificed when aiming for a lower price. When purchasing a gaming laptop directly from a manufacturer's website, opting for a 1080p display is a smart way to cut costs without sacrificing much in terms of gaming detail. And honestly, a 4K display isn't necessary for gaming laptops, even with the latest GPUs from Nvidia or AMD. Choosing a 1440p display can save you money while still providing a high-quality visual experience.

It's also important to remember that the performance of a laptop's GPU, even if it shares a name with its desktop counterpart, won't match up. Mobile GPUs are designed to consume less power for battery efficiency, resulting in lower performance. So, while an RTX 4070 Super might deliver excellent 1440p gaming on a PC, you'll want to stick to 1080p gaming with the laptop version.

Additional contributions by Georgie Peru, Danielle Abraham, and Jacqueline Thomas

1. MSI Crosshair 16 (2025)

Best Budget Gaming Laptop

Our Top Pick### MSI Crosshair 16 HX

0Price meets performance with this fantastic gaming laptop from MSI. See it at Best BuyProduct SpecificationsDisplay16" (1920 x 1200) 165Hz CPUIntel Core i7-14650HXGPUNvidia GeForce RTX 4070RAM16GB DDR5 5,600MHzStorage1TB NVMe PCIe 4.0 SSDWeight5.51 poundsDimensions14.13″ x 10.49″ x 1.1″PROSRTX 4070 GPU14th Gen Intel processorPlenty of memory and storageExcellent valueCONSA bit bulkyAt $1,400, the MSI Crosshair 16 HX might push the boundaries of what's considered "budget," but it's an incredible value for the features it offers. This laptop is designed to deliver top-notch performance, impressive battery life, and strong overall specs, making it a worthwhile investment.

I was pleasantly surprised by how affordably MSI priced this machine given its capabilities. It's powered by a 14th Gen Intel processor with 16 cores and 24 threads, perfect for multitasking. Its top clock speed of 5.2GHz ensures smooth gameplay with higher frames per second.

The RTX 4070 GPU complements this, delivering strong performance on its FHD screen. This combination ensures your frame rate stays in the triple digits for many games. The RTX 4070 excels in mid-range gaming and is typically found in laptops with higher resolution screens, but the 1200p display here allows it to perform even better.

With an RTX 40-series GPU, you can also utilize DLSS and frame generation to boost performance further. While multi-frame generation is exclusive to the RTX 50-series, you won't miss it with the well-matched hardware of the Crosshair 16 HX.

The laptop also features 16GB of fast DDR5 memory and a 1TB NVMe SSD, offering swift performance even during multitasking and streaming. It's equipped with a 90Wh battery for all-day use, though for optimal gaming, you'll want to keep it plugged in like any other gaming laptop.

The trade-off is its weight. At 5.51 pounds and 1.1 inches thick, it's more akin to traditional gaming laptops than the sleek designs popular today. However, in nearly every other aspect, it outperforms the competition and justifies its $1,400 price.

2. XPG Xenia 15G

Best Gaming Laptop Under $1,500

Great performance on a limited budget### XPG Xenia 15G

0This laptop offers a powerful CPU and GPU combination for high-performance gaming. See it at NeweggProduct SpecificationsDisplay15.6” FHD (1920 x 1080) 144Hz CPUIntel Core i7-14700HXGPUNvidia GeForce RTX 4070RAM16GB DDR5 5,600MHzStorage1TB NVMe PCIe 4.0 SSDWeight4.96 poundsDimensions14.21″ x 9.77″ x 0.98″PROSHigh performance CPU and graphicsCan swap to integrated graphics for improved battery lifeExpandable storage and memoryCONSLimited battery lifeFor under $1,500, the XPG Xenia 15G is a standout choice. It offers a robust combination of processor, RTX graphics, and fast memory to ensure smooth gameplay, even at high settings. With occasional price drops to as low as $1,000, it represents excellent value.

Despite its affordability, the Xenia 15G doesn't compromise on performance. Its 14th Gen Core i7 processor handles modern games with ease, while the GeForce RTX 4070 Mobile GPU effortlessly powers 1440p displays, making the 1080p screen a non-issue. You'll enjoy high frame rates, further enhanced by DLSS and Frame Generation.

The laptop's upgradability is a major plus. It includes three SSD slots and easily accessible memory slots that can be upgraded to 64GB, making it a future-proof investment.

However, its weight and battery life are drawbacks. At 4.96 pounds, it's not the heaviest but far from the lightest. The 53.35Wh battery won't last all day without dimming the screen significantly.

3. Acer Nitro V ANV16 (2025)

Best Gaming Laptop Under $1,000

### Acer Nitro V ANV16

0This laptop packs a potent CPU and GPU combo that matches perfectly with its FHD, 165Hz screen. See it at NeweggProduct SpecificationsDisplay16" (1,920 x 1,200), 165HzCPUAMD Ryzen 7 8845HSGPUNvidia GeForce RTX 4060RAM16GB DDR5 3,200MHz Storage1TB NVMeSSDWeight5.51 poundsPROSWell-pricedVery capable for gaming and use as a daily driverFull-size RGB keyboardCONSLimited port selectionDisappointing battery lifeThe Acer Nitro V ANV16-41-R5K2 is a top contender under $1,000. It features a stellar CPU and GPU combo, delivering impressive gaming performance on its high-refresh-rate 1200p display. While it makes some sacrifices, its gaming prowess more than compensates.

If performance is your priority and budget is tight, this laptop is for you. Its 8-core Ryzen 8845HS processor and RTX 4060 GPU work seamlessly to run the latest games at high settings on its FHD screen.

It's equipped with 16GB of fast DDR5 memory, ensuring multitasking without performance bottlenecks, and a generous 1TB NVMe SSD for ample game storage and quick load times.

To achieve this performance at this price, Acer limited the port selection to two USB-A ports and one USB Type-C. The USB 4 protocol allows for power delivery and video output, so you can use a smaller GaN charger.

The 59Wh battery offers around 7 hours of use, though gaming will drain it much faster. You'll need to carry the charger, but the trade-off is better frame rates and graphics on its 165Hz screen.

Steam Deck Images

29 Images4. Steam Deck OLED

Best Gaming Laptop Around $500

### Valve Steam Deck OLED

0Thanks to its stunning OLED screen, this is the Steam Deck to buy. See it at AmazonSee it at ValveProduct SpecificationsDisplay7.4" (1280 x 800), 90Hz, OLEDCPUAMD Zen 2 4c/8t, 2.4-3.5GHzGPUAMD 8 RDNA 2 CUs, 1.6GHzRAM16 GB LPDDR5Storage512GB NVMe SSD, 1TB NVMe SSDWeight1.41 poundsDimensions11.7″ x 4.6″ x 1.9″PROSExtremely portableEasy to set up and useBeautiful OLED screen makes games look better than everCONSNot all games are compatible by defaultWhile not a traditional laptop, the Steam Deck OLED, which earned a 9/10 in our review, is an exceptional choice for portable PC gaming just above $500. Its OLED screen significantly enhances game visuals without needing ultra settings.

The Steam Deck OLED isn't about raw power but offers great value. Its popularity ensures a wide range of compatible games, some with dedicated Steam Deck modes, like Cyberpunk 2077. Valve's compatibility ratings on game pages help you assess how well games will run.

SteamOS provides a streamlined user experience tailored for the Steam Deck, more intuitive than competing handhelds running Windows. However, not all games are compatible, so it's important to check game compatibility before buying. While it won't run the latest games at high settings, it's a fantastic option for its price.

If you're willing to spend more, the ROG Ally X and Lenovo Legion Go offer newer hardware, but they lack the Steam Deck's OLED screen.

Gigabyte G6X 9KG – Photos

15 Images5. Gigabyte G6X

Best Gaming Laptop with 32GB of RAM

### Gigabyte Gigabyte G6X

0It's a bit heavy, but its memory and storage can't be beat. See it at AmazonProduct SpecificationsDisplay16” FHD (1,920 x 1,080) 165HzCPUIntel Core i7-13650HXGPUNvidia GeForce RTX 4060RAM32GB DDR5Storage2TB NVMe PCIe 4.0 SSDWeight5.64 poundsDimensions14.21″ x 10.19″ x 0.98 ~1.13″PROSLots of memory and storageLarge, fast screenCONSHeavy to carryLow brightnessIf you need ample memory and storage on a budget, the Gigabyte G6X is your go-to. My review highlighted its weight and thickness, but praised its generous RAM and storage, along with solid gaming performance at a reasonable price. If you can handle the extra weight, common in budget gaming laptops, this is a great portable gaming PC that won't require immediate upgrades.

With 32GB of RAM, it outperforms most laptops in this price range, allowing for smooth gaming and multitasking. Its 2TB SSD means you can store twice as many games as most competitors. The 16-inch screen runs at 165Hz for smooth, blur-free gameplay.

However, it weighs 5.64 pounds and is 1.13 inches thick at the hinge. Its screen brightness tops out at 250 nits, which isn't ideal for outdoor use. For indoor gaming, its specs are hard to beat without spending much more.

Where to Get the Best Cheap Gaming Laptops in the UK

Gaming on a budget is definitely achievable with these laptops. Most of them are also available in the UK:

### HP Omen 16

8Best Budget Gaming Laptop£1,029.00 at Currys PC World### HP Victus

13Best Cheap Gaming Laptop£899.99 at Amazon### Dell G15

9Best Cheap AMD-Powered Gaming Laptop£749.00 at Amazon### Lenovo Legion 5i

23Best Budget 17-inch Gaming Laptop£799.00 at Lenovo### Asus TUF Dash 15

2Best Cheap Everyday Gaming Laptop£799.00 at Currys PC World### Acer Predator Triton 300

10Best Budget 144Hz Gaming Laptop£949.99 at Currys PC WorldBudget Gaming Laptop FAQ

What makes a great budget gaming laptop?

A great budget gaming laptop strikes the right balance between performance and price. While you might not get the latest CPU and graphics card, you can find options that allow you to play current games without breaking the bank.

Gaming laptops are often chosen over PCs for their portability and sometimes lower cost. Consider the size and weight, as these factors impact how easily you can carry the laptop.

Finding the right balance is key. Spending a bit more can upgrade your gaming experience from medium to max settings. If you're not focused on AAA titles, you can save by opting for DDR4 RAM instead of DDR5.

Are budget gaming laptops worth it?

It depends on your needs. For casual gaming and productivity, an entry-level gaming laptop is sufficient. For more demanding games, you'll need to invest a bit more. The difference often lies in the CPU generation, RAM speed, and having a dedicated GPU.

Should you buy a PC handheld instead?

It's a matter of personal preference. While PC handhelds like the Steam Deck OLED and Asus ROG Ally Z1 Extreme are lighter and more compact, gaming laptops offer better overall performance and versatility. They support a wider game library and often include more features, making them a better value for those who need more than just gaming.

When is the best time to buy a gaming laptop?

The best times to find deals on gaming laptops are during Prime Day, Black Friday, and summer back-to-school sales. For more information, check our guide on the best times to buy a laptop.

How much should you spend on a budget gaming laptop?

In 2025, a decent gaming laptop with a recent GPU starts around $1,000. Below that, you'll find non-traditional gaming devices like the Steam Deck OLED. When spending under $2,000, you'll need to make some compromises, especially on screen resolution and GPU performance.

For a budget-friendly option, focus on 1080p or 1440p displays, as 4K gaming at this price point isn't feasible. Also, avoid laptops with only a small SSD; aim for at least 256GB or consider models with larger storage options.

One final tip: Using a gaming laptop at a desk rather than on your lap can enhance your experience. Consider our guide to the best gaming desks and laptop cooling pads to boost performance, and don't forget to check out our favorite gaming chairs for comfort.

If laptops aren't your thing, check out the best gaming PC deals to save on a tower.### MacBooks vs. Gaming laptops

MacBooks are excellent for many uses, especially with their powerful Pro models designed for professional and creative tasks. However, they fall short in gaming due to limited game support on MacOS. While Apple's latest silicon is powerful, gaming laptops are built specifically for gaming, offering better GPUs, CPUs, and RAM. They also provide more customization options.

Although you can play some games on a Mac, the lack of support for many popular titles and MacOS' focus on other applications mean gaming laptops are still the best choice. Apple is working on improving this with tools like the porting toolkit and "Game Mode" in MacOS Sonoma, but gaming laptops remain superior. For more details, see our gaming PC vs. Mac guide.

Gaming laptops vs. Gaming PCs

Gaming laptops are much more portable than gaming PCs, but there are significant differences. Gaming PCs are easier to upgrade and repair, offering better value and longevity. While laptops may have similar CPUs and GPUs, desktops generally provide superior performance. For more information, check out our gaming PCs vs. gaming laptops guide.