Finding a gaming laptop that’s both budget-friendly and powerful hasn’t always been easy. Historically, cheaper models came with noticeable drawbacks, slow processors, weak GPUs, and thermal issues that ruined the experience. It can get exhausting trying to balance price and performance. The good news? Affordable gaming laptops have stepped up, and you can finally find systems that run modern games without feeling like you’re settling. In this video, we’re covering seven budget gaming laptops that deliver more than you’d expect at their price point.
Starting off strong, the HP OMEN 16 comes in at 928 dollars. It runs on an AMD Ryzen 7 6800H and an RTX 3060, a combination that handles modern games with ease. The 16-inch display with a 165 Hz refresh rate gives you a clean, smooth visual experience, and the understated design works in both gaming and work setups. Paired with 16 GB of RAM and a 512 GB SSD, it offers a solid mix of storage and speed. Its main drawback is battery life, which drains quickly under load. Still, the OMEN 16 stands out as a well-rounded choice for gamers who want strong performance without going premium.
Next, the Lenovo Legion 5, priced at 899 dollars, has built a reputation for dependable performance. It runs a Ryzen 5 6600H paired with an RTX 3050 Ti, which can push most AAA titles comfortably at high settings. The keyboard is responsive and pleasant to use, making long gaming sessions less tiring. Lenovo’s Vantage software makes it easy to adjust performance profiles and monitor temps. It may not turn heads in terms of design, but the performance speaks for itself. With 16 GB of RAM and a 512 GB SSD, you get generous memory and quick load times. The system does get warm during heavy use, so a cooling pad may help. Overall, it’s a straightforward, capable machine that gets the job done.
The ASUS TUF Gaming A16, priced at 895 dollars, is built to handle rough use while delivering smooth gameplay. With a Ryzen 7 7735HS and a Radeon RX 7600S inside, it’s a strong pick for those who prefer an all-AMD setup. The 16-inch 144 Hz display helps maintain fluid motion in fast-paced titles. Surprisingly, the speakers perform better than expected for a budget system, enhancing overall immersion. It includes 16 GB of RAM and a 512 GB SSD as well, offering ample power and storage. The downside is its plastic-built chassis, which feels less premium than some competitors, and battery life that’s average. Still, if you want a durable, performance-focused laptop without stretching your budget, the A16 fits the bill.
Fourth on the list is the Dell G5 at 879 dollars. Dell has long delivered reliable laptops, and the G5 continues that trend. With an Intel Core i7-12700H and an RTX 3050, it offers enough muscle for more demanding titles. The clean design blends well in work environments, which is great if you want one laptop for both productivity and gaming. Thermal performance is solid, keeping the system cool during longer sessions. It ships with 8 GB of RAM and a 512 GB SSD—decent for everyday gaming needs. The display, however, doesn’t stand out compared to others in this price bracket, and the keyboard layout may take adjusting. Even so, the G5 brings reliable performance at a reasonable price.
Dropping under the 850-dollar point, the Acer Nitro V at 849 dollars is a familiar name in the budget space. Powered by an Intel Core i5-13500H and GTX 1650, it handles most games well, though heavier titles may require tweaking the graphics settings. The 15.6-inch 144 Hz Full HD display keeps gameplay smooth. Its cooling system generally maintains reasonable temperatures, though fans get loud under pressure. Acer’s NitroSense app makes it easy to manage performance modes and fan speeds. The plastic build won’t impress everyone, but that’s expected at this tier. The Nitro V focuses on essentials and succeeds in delivering consistent gaming performance for the price.
Near the bottom end of the price list sits the HP Victus at 580 dollars. Despite being cheaper, it still packs reasonable hardware: a Ryzen 5 5600H and GTX 1650, capable of handling most titles at medium settings. The 15.6-inch Full HD display with a 60 Hz refresh rate is basic but serviceable. Build quality is modest, yet durable enough for everyday use. The keyboard is comfortable for both work and play. With 8 GB of RAM and a 512 GB SSD, storage and performance are decent for casual gaming. Battery life is weak, and the speakers are underwhelming. Even so, the Victus offers strong value for entry-level gamers wanting decent performance without spending big.
Ending the list is the MSI GF63, the most affordable option at 578 dollars. It’s a great entry point for newcomers to PC gaming. While it won’t run the newest AAA games at high settings, it handles esports and lighter games easily. The slim, lightweight design makes it easy to carry, ideal for students or travelers. Equipped with a Core i5-11400H and GTX 1650, it performs adequately in older and less demanding titles. The 15.6-inch 60 Hz Full HD display is basic but usable. With 8 GB of RAM and just a 256 GB SSD, storage is tight, so you’ll need to manage your library carefully. Build quality feels thin, and battery life isn’t great, but at this price point, compromises are expected. For beginners on a strict budget, the GF63 delivers a surprisingly accessible path into gaming.
And that wraps it up. These seven gaming laptops show how far budget machines have come, offering solid performance across different price ranges. From the capable HP OMEN 16 to the highly affordable MSI GF63, there’s something here for every type of gamer.
