Best Budget Gaming Laptops Under $1000 - Top Picks 2025
Gaming laptops can be expensive, but you don’t have to spend a fortune to enjoy smooth gameplay. There are affordable gaming laptops under $1000 that offer great performance, fast refresh rates, and dedicated GPUs for gaming on a budget.
In this guide, we’ll break down the best cheap gaming laptops in 2025, focusing on price-to-performance ratio, build quality, and gaming capabilities.
1. Acer Nitro 5 – Best Overall Cheap Gaming Laptop
✅ Pros:
✔ Intel Core i5-12500H / Ryzen 5 6600H
✔ NVIDIA RTX 3050 (4GB)
✔ 144Hz Full HD Display
✔ Good cooling system
❌ Cons:
✘ 256GB SSD is small (upgrade recommended)
The Acer Nitro 5 is one of the best budget gaming laptops available. With a 144Hz display, RTX 3050 GPU, and a solid Intel Core i5 / Ryzen 5 processor, it delivers great gaming performance for its price.
It’s perfect for playing eSports titles like Fortnite, Valorant, and Call of Duty: Warzone on medium to high settings.
✅ Check Price on Amazon* (Affiliate-Link).
2. Lenovo Legion 5 – Best Performance
✅ Pros:
✔ AMD Ryzen 7 7735HS
✔ NVIDIA RTX 4060 (8GB)
✔ 165Hz Full HD Display
✔ Solid build quality
❌ Cons:
✘ Slightly high price, but worth it
The Lenovo Legion 5 offers high-end performance. With an RTX 4060 GPU and a 165Hz display, this laptop is excellent for AAA gaming and competitive eSports.
If you’re looking for the best performance at the lowest possible price, this is the one to get.
✅ Check Price on Amazon* (Affiliate-Link).
3. HP Victus 15 – Best Budget Pick
✅ Pros:
✔ Intel Core i5-12450H / Ryzen 5 5600H
✔ NVIDIA GTX 1650 (4GB)
✔ 144Hz Display
✔ Affordable price
❌ Cons:
✘ GTX 1650 is an older GPU
✘ Plastic build quality
The HP Victus 15 is the cheapest gaming laptop that still delivers decent gaming performance. While the GTX 1650 is outdated, it’s still capable of playing games like Minecraft, GTA V, and League of Legends smoothly.
✅ Check Price on Amazon* (Affiliate-Link).
4. ASUS TUF Gaming A15 – Best Durability & Battery Life
✅ Pros:
✔ AMD Ryzen 7 6800H
✔ NVIDIA RTX 4050 (6GB)
✔ 144Hz Display
✔ Military-grade durability
❌ Cons:
✘ Slightly heavier than other laptops
The ASUS TUF Gaming A15 is a rugged and durable gaming laptop with an RTX 4050 GPU. It offers solid battery life, a high refresh rate display, and great cooling performance.
If you want a gaming laptop that lasts, this is a great pick!
✅ Check Price on Amazon* (Affiliate-Link).
Which Cheap Gaming Laptop Should You Buy?
Here’s a quick summary:
| Laptop | Best For | CPU | GPU | Display | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acer Nitro 5 | Best Overall | Intel i5-12500H | RTX 3050 | 144Hz FHD | Check Price on Amazon* (Affiliate-Link) |
| Lenovo Legion 5 | Best Performance | Ryzen 7 7735HS | RTX 4060 | 165Hz FHD | Check Price on Amazon* (Affiliate-Link) |
| HP Victus 15 | Best Budget Pick | Intel i5-12450H | GTX 1650 | 144Hz FHD | Check Price on Amazon* (Affiliate-Link) |
| ASUS TUF A15 | Best Durability | Ryzen 7 6800H | RTX 4050 | 144Hz FHD | Check Price on Amazon* (Affiliate-Link) |
Acer Nitro 5
Best For: Best Overall
CPU: Intel i5-12500H
GPU: RTX 3050
Display: 144Hz FHD
Check Price on Amazon* (Affiliate-Link)Lenovo Legion 5
Best For: Best Performance
CPU: Ryzen 7 7735HS
GPU: RTX 4060
Display: 165Hz FHD
Check Price on Amazon* (Affiliate-Link)HP Victus 15
Best For: Best Budget Pick
CPU: Intel i5-12450H
GPU: GTX 1650
Display: 144Hz FHD
Check Price on Amazon* (Affiliate-Link)ASUS TUF A15
Best For: Best Durability
CPU: Ryzen 7 6800H
GPU: RTX 4050
Display: 144Hz FHD
Check Price on Amazon* (Affiliate-Link)Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for the best cheap gaming laptop, the Acer Nitro 5 is a great overall choice. If you want more power, go for the Lenovo Legion 5 with an RTX 4060. For a super affordable option, the HP Victus 15 is your best bet.
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