Top 8 Best Gaming Laptops Under $1000 | Ease Your Decision
Computer gaming is very budgeting and quite expensive. After all, it would help if you had both a gaming console and money for each game. But you can start gaming without spending thousands of dollars on a new gaming laptop. There are plenty of best gaming laptops under $1000 that will give you the basics like a 1080p display, a solid CPU, and a discrete GPU, ready to take on gaming sports and competitive video games, as well as work when you’re done gaming.
You may have to lower some settings, especially in active games. This price range has its nuances. Some systems won’t have the latest generation processors, the GPUs won’t be top-of-the-line, the storage space may not be enough to hold more than a few games at once, and the RAM will likely not exceed 8GB. (Try to avoid single-channel RAM if you can!) You’ll have to choose what you need. But you should find something that will allow you to play some games, especially if you like sports and indie games that use less graphics power.
As power users, we highly recommend that if you have the means to spend a little more, consider this; we also maintain lists of the best gaming laptops under $1,500 and the best gaming laptops overall. A better GPU, SSD, or screen will take a long way, and the build quality will likely be better too. But if your bank account is suffering, as many are right now, you still have options, and if you have more money later, you can usually add more memory or upgrade the laptop’s RAM yourself.
Best Gaming Laptops Under $1000
New gaming laptops under $1000 are mostly powered by the new Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050, although we may eventually see an RTX 4060 if prices come down. Some may use older processors, such as Intel’s 12th-generation processors or Ryzen 6000 series chips.
We benchmark a wide range of gaming laptops at different prices from different brands, so we know what to look for in a PC. The best gaming laptops under $1000 will allow you to run most games, although not always at the highest settings or highest resolution.
1. Acer Nitro 5 (2022) – Best Gaming Laptops Under $1,000
SPECIFICATIONS
- CPU: Intel Core i5-12500
- GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 Ti
- Display: 15.6-inch, 1920 x 1080, 144 Hz
- Weight: 5.51 lbs / 2.5 kg
PROS
- Affordable
- The design has been improved
- Decent gaming performance for the price
We’ve often cited the Acer Nitro 5 as an example of a gaming laptop that can be purchased on a budget. The model we tested, with an Intel Core i5-12500H, Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 Ti, 512GB SSD and 16GB of RAM, allows you to play most games. It cost $899.99 when tested, but we’ve seen it on sale for up to $799.99.
16GB of RAM is more than is often found in this price range, which is good for performance, and the 512GB SSD will let you hold multiple games. While we found the display to be a little blurry in our testing, it does hit 144Hz, which is faster than others in its class. You will have to make a comparison between quality and speed.
Like many budget gaming laptops, Acer has really wrapped the Nitro 5 in bloatware. You’ll want to remove some of them to make room for more games (and generally enjoy a cleaner experience).
We also liked that Acer left room for memory expansion. There’s an empty 2.5-inch drive bay, and Acer included a SATA cable in the box so you can add a hard drive or SSD to make room for more games. Not many laptops in this price range have room for additional storage available.
Also, check our curated list of budget laptops under $500
2. Asus Vivobook Pro 15 – The Best Gaming Laptop
SPECIFICATIONS
- CPU: 12th Gen Intel ® Core ™ H-series processor
- GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050
- Display: 15.6-inch (2880 x 1620)
- Weight: 3.63 lbs (1.65 kg)
The Asus Vivobook Pro 15 offers great value for money, with a Ryzen 7 processor, RTX 3050 GPU, 16GB of RAM, and a 512GB M.2 NVMe hard drive at a more affordable price than pricier alternatives. Its standout feature is its stunning 15.6-inch OLED display, a rarity for laptops under $1,000, that delivers crisp images and a near-perfect contrast ratio.
While the overall design of the Vivobook Pro 15 may seem underwhelming, the focus is on power and performance rather than aesthetics and build quality. Asus has successfully packed this laptop with impressive features that rival more expensive mid-range options, all at the price of a budget gaming laptop.
3. HP Victus 15 – No Frills And Inexpensive
SPECIFICATIONS
- CPU: Intel Core i5-12450H
- GPU: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650
- Display: 15.6-inch, 1920 x 1080, 144 Hz
- Weight: 5.04 lbs / 2.29 kg
PROS
- Strong entry-level gaming
- Steady performance
- Inexpensive for a gaming laptop
If you’re looking for something cheap, then the HP Victus 15 is a good place to start. HP offers it in its base configuration with an Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650. We tested it for $799.99 with a 512GB SSD, but as of this writing, there appears to be a $699.99 option with a smaller 256GB drive.
In some ways, Victus succeeds in its appearance. It’s cheap, but it doesn’t look like it. It looks more like a business machine than a gaming laptop. If you want to work and play together, you can – in our testing, the Victus 15 and its Intel Core i5-12450H performed respectably in performance tests.
The GTX 1650 GPU means you’ll have to lower your settings in some games. While it performed respectably in many benchmarks, you’ll likely have to lower the resolution or some settings for the most stable frame rates.
HP’s website states that the GPU can be upgraded to an RTX 3050 Ti. If you have the means, it’s a worthwhile upgrade, as is increasing the memory to store more games. (Our unit had a slot for an additional SSD if you want to do that later).
4. Dell G15 (5520) – Best Gaming Choice For Budget Gamers
SPECIFICATIONS
- CPU: Intel Core i5-12500H
- GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 Ti
- Display: 15.6-inch, 1920 x 1080, 120 Hz
- Weight: 5.89 lbs (2.6 kg)
PROS
- Affordable
- The design has been improved
- Decent gaming performance for the price
Priced at $899.99 to start (as we tested), the Dell G15 offers solid 1080p gaming performance for the money. Except for some sports, for intense games with high frame rates, you will have to lower the settings.
Like the other laptops on this list, there’s plenty of room for upgrading. When we took our laptop apart for review, we found 8GB of single-channel RAM, making it easy to upgrade. The 512GB SSD can hold several games, but it can also be expanded (some budget gaming laptops have even less storage).
In our testing, we found the Dell G5 to run fairly cool and its screen to be bright (at least compared to other budget gaming laptops). However, the keyboard is a bit flimsy and the touchpad can be a bit sticky. At the very least, you’ll likely want to invest in gaming peripherals.
5. Acer Aspire 3 – The Best Budget Laptop Under $1000
SPECIFICATIONS
- CPU: Quad-core 2.4GHz AMD Ryzen 7320U
- GPU: Intel HD Graphics 520
- Display: 15.6-inches (Full HD IPS Touch Display)
- Weight: 3.96 lbs (1.8 kg)
Perhaps you’re on a budget and looking for a laptop that meets your basic needs. The Acer Aspire 3 is a great option under $500, offering decent performance and a solid build. The spacious, full-size keyboard and trackpad enhance the user experience. While battery life isn’t stellar, it can last up to eight hours on a single charge, which is plenty for most workdays. The laptop’s performance is adequate for everyday tasks such as email and web browsing but lacks performance for more demanding applications. If you’re looking for a reliable, affordable laptop for everyday work, the Acer Aspire 3 is worth considering.
6. Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 – Starting At $700
SPECIFICATIONS
- CPU: Intel Core i5-12500H
- GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 Ti
- Display: 15.6-inch, 1920 x 1080, 120 Hz
- Weight: 5.1 lbs / 2.31 kg
PROS
- Relatively low price
- Sleek, modern design
- Excellent speakers
Like many gaming laptops under $1,000, the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 doesn’t have the best specs. We tested it at $709.99 with a Core i5-12500H, Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 Ti, 8GB of RAM, and a 256GB SSD.
The RAM was single channel and the SSD was small. But at around $700, that may leave some budget buyers with the option to upgrade it by adding more storage and RAM.
Despite the low price, you get a sleek, modern design, which is nice since many cheap laptops look like they were designed years ago. And for the price, the speakers are pretty good, and you get a 1080p display that runs at up to 120Hz for competitive gaming.
So the IdeaPad Gaming 3 has good specs if you’re looking for something inexpensive and are willing to lower the settings. And if your budget is a little higher, you can find a model with more RAM or storage without breaking four figures.
7. Acer Swift 3 (Student Laptop) – Ultimate Gaming Choice
SPECIFICATIONS
- CPU: Intel Core i7 1165G7
- GPU: Nvidia GeForce MX350
- Display: 13.5-inch, 2256 x 1504
- Weight: 2.64 lbs (1.20 kg)
The Acer Swift 3 laptop is a great choice for gamers and students on a budget. It boasts solid build quality, a large and attractive 16-inch 1080p screen, and a comfortable keyboard and touchpad. However, the webcam, microphone, and speakers leave a lot to be desired, and the Intel processor lags behind AMD alternatives. Battery life is disappointing, so you may want to keep a charger handy at all times. However, the slim body makes it a suitable travel companion. If you can live with a modest battery life, the Acer Swift 3 is a great laptop for activities like watching movies and writing academic papers.
8. HP Chromebook x2 11 da0023dx – The Best Folio-style Chromebook
SPECIFICATIONS
CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon 7c
GPU: Qualcomm® Adreno™ 618 GPU Integrated
Display: 11-inches (2160 x 1440)
Weight: 2.55 lbs (1.16 kg)
The HP Chromebook x2 11 da0023dx stands out among the best 2-in-1 laptops thanks to its folio-style design. The tablet’s aluminum body feels sturdy and durable, promising longevity. The removable keyboard, although it requires some adjustment, provides comfortable typing during long periods of work. The back panel doubles as a stand and securely attaches to your tablet using magnets for a stable, hands-free setup.
Chromebook performance is on par with regular Chromebooks and makes it easy to handle everyday tasks like web browsing. Its 2K resolution touch display looks great for a better user experience. In addition, the device impresses with excellent battery life, ensuring productivity throughout the day.
Despite some shortcomings, such as trackpad sensitivity and a limited number of ports, the HP Chromebook x2 11 da0023dx remains the best choice for those looking for a versatile and reliable folio-style Chromebook.
Check for the best processing choice AMD Ryzen 7 7800X3D
Why You Should Choose These Laptops?
The list of best gaming laptops under $1000 offers a range of options for those on a budget. Each of these laptops features powerful graphics cards, efficient cooling systems, and stunning displays, making them excellent choices for gamers looking for an affordable option.
Summarizing HP Chromebook And Acer Swift 3
When comparing these laptops, it is important to consider the specific features that matter most to you. For example, the HP Chromebook x2 11 da0023dx has a detachable keyboard, making it a great choice for users who want a laptop that can function both as a tablet and a traditional laptop. The Acer Swift 3, on the other hand, features a sleek design and great battery life, making it a perfect option for users who are constantly on the go.
Summarizing Lenovo Ideapad And Acer Aspire 3
The Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 offers impressive performance at an affordable price, making it an excellent choice for those who want to game on a budget. It boasts a powerful processor and a dedicated graphics card, ensuring smooth gameplay even on intensive titles. The Acer Aspire 3, on the other hand, features a comfortable keyboard that makes it a great choice for users who spend a lot of time typing.
Summarizing Dell G15
The Dell G15 (5520) offers impressive graphics performance and a large display, making it a great choice for gamers looking for an affordable option that can still handle demanding games. The HP Victus 15 features a sleek design, making it a great choice for users who want a laptop that looks good on the outside and performs well on the inside. The Asus Vivobook Pro 15 features an impressive display, large storage capacity, and a great-sounding audio system, making it a great choice for users who want a laptop that can handle gaming as well as creating and consuming media.
Summarizing Acer Nitro 5
Finally, the Acer Nitro 5 (2022) offers impressive performance and a comfortable gaming experience, making it a great choice for gamers on a budget who want a laptop that can handle both gaming and everyday tasks. The laptop features a dedicated graphics card, providing powerful graphics performance and ensuring smooth gameplay even on the most demanding titles. Additionally, it features a comfortable keyboard, ensuring a great experience even during long gaming sessions.
In conclusion, the best gaming laptops under $1000 depend on the specific features that matter most to you as a user. All of these laptops offer powerful performance and high-quality features to meet your gaming needs, providing excellent value for the price.
