Best Gaming Laptops under 1000

If you need a gaming laptop but don’t have a lot of money, we’ve ranked and reviewed the best gaming laptops for under 1000 dollars to help you find the right one for your needs.

Good entry-level graphics chips can give you a lot of performance for a lot less money.

Gaming has become an essential part of our lives, and we all need a powerful device that can provide us with an excellent gaming experience. However, not everyone can afford high-end gaming laptops, and that’s where budget-friendly gaming laptops come in. In this review, we will be discussing the best gaming laptop under 1000 that you can buy in 2023. We have researched and tested various laptops and shortlisted the top 14 affordable laptops that provide an excellent gaming experience without breaking the bank.

Top Best Gaming Laptops Under $1000 – In-depth Review

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1. Acer Nitro 5
2. HP Pavilion Gaming Laptop
3. Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3

1. Acer Nitro 5

Best Gaming Laptop Under $1,000

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Acer Nitro 5 is a remarkable example of a gaming laptop that won’t cost you a fortune. Our test unit boasts an Intel Core i5-10300H, an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 Ti, 512GB SSD, and 8GB of RAM, making it capable of running most games. We bought it for $819.99, but the cost dropped to as low as $749 during sales.

The Nitro 5 provides more RAM than what you usually get in its price bracket, and the 512GB SSD can store a few games. Although the display appeared washed out during our test, it has a 144 Hz refresh rate, which is faster than most competitors in its category. Thus, you need to weigh quality against speed when considering this feature.

Like most budget gaming notebooks, Acer has loaded the Nitro 5 with bloatware. Consequently, you need to uninstall some of them to make more space for games and enjoy a cleaner user experience.

Additionally, Acer has smartly included room for future storage expansion in the Nitro 5. The laptop features an empty 2.5-inch drive bay, and Acer even includes a SATA cable in the package, making it easy to add a hard drive or SSD for more game storage. Not many laptops in this price range come with affordable storage expansion options.

Read our full Acer Nitro 5 review

2. HP Pavilion 15.6”

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The HP 15.6-inch Pavilion Gaming laptop can be easily recognized by its vibrant and vivid screamin’-green backlit keyboard, which sets it apart from your typical midsize notebook. The chassis of the laptop is relatively unassuming, save for the sizable fan vents located at the back, and is predominantly black in color, with the exception of the HP logo on the lid, which features a subtle green hue. Upon opening the gaming laptop, one will be impressed with the outstanding combination of components that make it an ideal choice for both gaming and professional work.

Read our full HP Pavilion review

3. Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3

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The Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 is a gaming laptop that falls under the $1,000 budget range and, as such, does not initially offer top-of-the-line specifications. We tested it at a price of $657 with an AMD Ryzen 5 5600H processor, an Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 Ti graphics card, 8GB of single-channel RAM, and a 256GB SSD that may prove to be too small for some users. However, this price point does provide an opportunity for budget-conscious buyers to upgrade the laptop’s storage and RAM to their preferred specifications.

Despite its low cost, the IdeaPad Gaming 3 boasts a sleek and modern design, a welcome change from the outdated look of many similarly priced laptops. The speakers also offer decent sound quality, and the 1080p display has a refresh rate of up to 120 Hz, which is optimal for esports gaming.

In essence, the IdeaPad Gaming 3 has a solid foundation, provided that one is in the market for a low-cost gaming laptop and is willing to make compromises on certain features. However, for those with a slightly higher budget, it may be possible to acquire a version of this laptop with more RAM or storage without breaking the bank.

Read our full Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 review

What to Look for in a Gaming Laptop under 1000?

When buying a budget-friendly gaming laptop, you need to consider certain factors to get the best value for your money. Here are some essential factors to consider:

GPU

If you want to buy a gaming laptop for less than $1,000, this is a must-have.

A GPU-bound gamer knows that if you have less than a GeForce RTX 30XX, you’re going to miss out on some games.

GeForce RTX 30XX Series: There are new consumer GPUs made by Nvidia that have more memory and ray tracing technology, which makes lighting and shadows more realistic. They also have AI features like DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling), as well as other improvements like Tensor Cores and Ray Tracing Acceleration.

CPU

People who buy more powerful dual-core CPUs or quad-core CPUs with turbo boost can do more work at the same time. In this case, the Intel 10th Gen Core CPU has a model number that starts with 10. It has the features you need to play games while you’re on the go. Is your money tight? Save a little money by getting something older than that, like a 9th gen or older, because they’re cheaper and don’t use so much power. However, some games benefit more from having a good GPU than more cores, so make sure you know what you need!

RAM and Storage

When it comes to RAM and storage space, the more you have, the more you can do at once.

With more than 8GB of RAM and a hard drive with more than 1TB of space, you’ll be able to do more at once and load games faster.

If you want your operating system and most-used programs to start up, load, and be ready to go as soon as you turn on your laptop, choose an SSD* or hybrid drive instead of a hard drive.

Memory

There are a lot of laptops that have up to 12GB of RAM, which most people don’t need. DDR4/DDR3L (Double Data Rate Fourth Generation) is the best type of RAM. If you are a hard-core gamer who wants to play the most recent games on full settings, having more memory is better.

Memory Speed

Faster storage and memory speed are important for the best gaming laptops. This means that the games load faster and run more smoothly without any glitches or lag. DDR3L has a voltage of 1.35V, while DDR4 has a voltage of 1.2V, which is more advanced and has a memory bandwidth of up to 2133MHz (overclockable to 2800+MHz).

Hardware and storage: Solid-state drives are faster than hard drives. This is because a solid-state drive can start up your laptop and load programs and games 30% faster than a hard drive.

Display

Almost all of the best gaming laptops have a very clear screen that you can see very well. There are many different resolutions, and they can go from 640×480 to 1920×1080.

High-resolution displays capture more details, which is important when you play games; high-definition screens also let you see clear images even when the sun is shining right at you. This can be useful if you use your laptop outside.

Laptops with high-resolution displays also have a higher pixel density, which makes images look more clear. 4K or Ultra-HD displays are good for work and games, but which one is best for you depends on what kind of laptop you have and what you want to do with it. These days, most laptops that have a screen that is 15.6″ or 17″ have Full HD screens.

It would be best for you to have a screen that refreshes more quickly and responds more quickly if you play games professionally. Casual gamers who play games that need them to move quickly on the screen should have a good resolution and a refresh rate of 60Hz or more.

Panel type: In the case of gaming laptops under $1000, don’t settle for anything less than the very best. IPS or In-Plane Switching is the most popular type of screen now because it has high contrast ratios and wide viewing angles that make colours look the same no matter where you are standing. It’s also known as TFT (Thin Film Transistor), which is a little better than the older version, CCFL (Cold Cathode Fluorescent Lamp).

Keyboards And Touchpads

There are three main types of keyboards: chiclet, island-style, and mechanical, which are all different types of keyboards.

This is a list of the pros and cons of some of the most common ones:

Chiclet Keyboards: In the same way you would type on a typewriter, you can type on computer screens. There will be a little space between the keys, but not too much. They will feel about the same as a laptop keyboard.

Touchpads: There is a touchpad next to the keyboard that does the same thing as a mouse but in a much smaller package. Some models have a separate numeric pad for people who like having one, while others use a lot of keys on the keyboard to make it look like it.

Mechanical Keyboards: If you’re looking for keyboards that can play games, this is the best option. Mechanical keyboards are known for giving you tactile feedback when you press a key. This means they will be more responsive. The keys on this keyboard are also bigger and easier to type on.

Island Style Keyboards: Users can rest their hands on these keyboards, which some gamers like for their own comfort. Almost like chiclet keyboards, but they have bigger keys and are more spread out.

Using touchpads with mouse buttons makes them easier to use and more versatile, especially when you’re playing games, so they’re the best.

FPS gamers usually prefer mechanical keyboards to touchpads, but this isn’t the only thing to keep in mind.

Battery Life

If you’re going to be away from the power outlet for a long time, you need a laptop that can play games. On a single charge, the best ones last at least five hours. Some last even longer.

The batteries in most gaming laptops are inside the laptop itself, but some have extra batteries that can be attached or removed.

Other things to think about when you buy a new laptop, like the warranty and technical specs like the processor and RAM. The storage options, battery life, and screen resolution are also things to think about when you’re looking for a gaming laptop under $1000 that you can play on.

The most important thing about these models is that they let you play your favourite games for a cheap price. Some models can even be found for that price, so there’s no need to spend too much money.

Conclusion

Gaming laptops have become more affordable over the years, and it’s now possible to find a powerful gaming laptop for under $1000. In this article, we’ve highlighted 15 of the best gaming laptops under $1000 that are worth considering.

Whether you’re a casual gamer or a professional esports player, these laptops offer a great combination of performance, features, and value for money. It’s important to note that while these laptops are capable of running most modern games, they may not be able to handle the most demanding titles at the highest settings.

Before making a purchase, consider your specific gaming needs and preferences to find the best laptop for you. We hope this article has helped you in your search for a budget-friendly gaming laptop.

Frequently Ask Questions (FAQs)

Are budget gaming laptops worth it?

You can get a good cheap gaming laptop, but they have a lot less power than more expensive laptops. The parts needed for a good PC gaming experience are pricey, so even cheap gaming laptops usually cost between $700 and $1,000. Also, because these models have lower-end parts, the gaming performance they’ll have on today’s most demanding AAA games might not hold up for the next time you play them.

If you play a lot of older games that don’t require a lot of graphics power, or if you’re willing to play at a lower resolution in order to keep the frame rate high, cheap gaming laptops might be right for you. They’re also a good choice if you’re looking for a laptop for work or school, but with enough graphics power for some light gaming when you’re not at work or school.

Where should I look for a cheap gaming laptop?

Most of the time, the best places to buy a computer are Best Buy and Amazon, but Dell and HP often have great sales on holidays like Black Friday. You might get lucky on eBay or another auction site, but we think it’s best to buy your cheap gaming laptop from one of the big official retailers because you’re sure to get a good warranty and the most up-to-date parts.

Newegg, B&H Photo, and Adorama are also worth mentioning, and it’s worth taking a look at them to compare prices. There are a few things that they don’t price match as well as Amazon and Best Buy, like when they’re having a closeout sale.

What other components should I look for in a cheap gaming laptop?

If you’re looking for a cheap gaming laptop, you can choose from a lot more options when it comes to CPU, memory, and storage. Because many games, like first-person shooters, depend more on the graphics chip than the CPU, you don’t need the fastest computer you can get. Going with a CPU like an Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5 is a good idea.

Also, cheap gaming laptops let you easily add or change your memory and storage. In this case, if you’re going to cut back, this is the best place to do it. You can put your money into the GPU and CPU instead.

Beyond the graphics chip, look for:

• A 10th- or 11th-generation Intel Core i5 or i7 processor, or an AMD Ryzen 4000 or 5000 processor.
• At least 8GB of memory (also known as RAM), and the ability to add more after you buy the phone.
• At least 512 GB of solid-state storage, or 256 GB of SSD storage and a bigger hard drive, or 256 GB of both.

Do budget gaming laptops have good displays?

Most of your money is going to the parts, so the other parts, like the screen, keyboard, and trackpad, aren’t going to be great. Those who prefer models like Dell’s G15 have their power and other ports on the back, which makes them look better when they’re connected to other things. As a bonus, it also has a good battery life, which is something that usually doesn’t happen on cheap laptops for games.

There has been a lot of progress in the quality of the displays on entry-level gaming laptops over the last few years, especially when it comes to refreshing rates. A lot of people now have 120Hz or 144Hz displays, which make games that move quickly look smoother and give you a better experience. It’s not worth paying extra for, though, unless the GPU can also run your games at faster frame rates.

What should I look for in a cheap gaming laptop?

In this case, it’s up to you. What kind of games you want to play and how good you want to be at them are both important factors. This is how you can figure out what level of specs you need: Check out your favourite or upcoming games’ recommended and minimum system requirements to see what you need. This can help you figure out what you need and stop you from buying a new gaming laptop that won’t be able to play new games.

If you’re on a tight budget, we’d say that you should at least have the following:

• Minimum – Intel Core i5 (9th gen) / AMD Ryzen 5 (3rd gen) processor or later
• Minimum – Nvidia GTX 1050 / AMD RX 560x graphics card or later
• Optional – 512GB solid-state drive
• Minimum – 8GB of RAM
• Optional – 120Hz refresh rate display monitor

When you play modern games at 1080p, you’ll have a hard time if your computer doesn’t have enough power for them. If you’re only going to play older games, you can get away with lower-level or older components. But if you want to play new games, you should definitely think about the above as a minimum.

How much should I spend on a cheap gaming laptop?

It’s true that you can go lower than that, but you’ll often run into machines that aren’t built for gaming or aren’t up to the task at all. Make sure you don’t buy a cheap ultrabook that has a Core i7 or Ryzen 7 processor and a lot of memory if you want to play games properly.

Is 8GB RAM enough for gaming?

8GB of RAM is the minimum amount needed to run any game, but you might not be able to play some games at their best. The more memory your computer has, the less space there is for other programs and processes. This is why it’s a good idea to buy this much memory when you build a gaming PC, but also when you build a computer for other things.

How much is a good gaming laptop?

In the market for a low-cost computer to play games, you can choose from laptops that cost about $750 to more than $1,100. You should get a computer with an SSD and HD resolution support for this price range so that games look good on high settings or with at least medium graphics FPS counters (graphics-dependent).

Does RAM speed affect gaming?

In the world of computer games, faster RAM is a must-have. You can’t go very far without it.

When’s the best time to pick up a gaming laptop deal?

Gamers on a budget will be happy to know that gaming laptop deals happen on a weekly basis at most of the big stores, so there are always a lot of options to choose from. But there are high points in the year, like big sales events like Black Friday and Cyber Monday that can be great for people who are willing to wait. As some of our picks from this week show, Labor Day sales have also led to some great deals.

Make sure you do your research. Shop at your favourite stores every week to make sure you’re getting the model and specs you want. If you don’t want to do all the work yourself, you can just keep coming back to this page or our dedicated deals feed.

Need Solid Gaming Laptops Under $1,000?

We always say that gamers should build their own gaming computers so that they can get the most performance for their money. We also know that some people will need the mobility that a laptop can provide. Make sure to check out our guide on the Best Cheap Gaming PC Builds Under $1,000 to see how much better hardware you can get for your money. And if not, and you really need a gaming laptop instead, one of the cheap gaming laptops above should work for you.