Best gaming laptops under $1000 in 2023 – top cheap picks

It’s no secret that gaming is an expensive hobby, and so, to help minimise your spending, we’ve collected the best gaming laptops under $1000.

Gaming laptops are high-tech bits of kit. The best ones often include the latest mobile CPUs, either Intel 12th or 13th Gen, or Ryzen 5000 or 7000 series processors, the latest Nvidia or Radeon mobile GPUs, and ultrafast displays with full HD resolution.

As if that wasn’t enough, you then also want 16GB of RAM and an SSD. These high end components can all too quickly rack up and that’s before you even start looking for the best gaming mice and the best keyboards. This means that, with this list, you should be able to save both time and money.

We’ve covered a variety of gaming laptops here. Different games have different computing requirements. For example, the best laptop for Sims 4, might look very different to the best laptop for Fortnite. We’ve covered a variety here, though all are high-spec enough to handle most games.

We’ve put together a showcase of the most affordable gaming laptops under $1000, featuring all the brands you’d expect like HP, GIGABYTE, Acer and MSI. So, whether you’re looking for a powerful all rounder like the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3i, something with an RTX 3000 series GPU like the Acer Nitro 5, or anything in between we’ve got you covered.

Let’s get this list rolling.

Best gaming laptops under $1000

• Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3i
• GIGABYTE G5 MD
• HP Victus 15.6″
• HP Omen 16.1 FHD Gaming Laptop
• Acer Nitro 5
• MSI GF63

Best overall laptop under $1000 – the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3i

The Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3i is our overall pick for the best gaming laptop under $1000.

This is thanks to its combination of physical build quality and processing power. It comes with an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti GPU, more powerful than the GTX 1650 found in many of the laptops on this list.

Meanwhile, the build quality is sturdy and durable, despite being all plastic. The keyboard is another stand out feature, it feels responsive and satisfying, which comes as a bit of a surprise for a laptop in this price range with these specs.

It is, of course, not perfect, and just 8GB of RAM is slightly on the small side. However, with it’s combination of 12th Gen Intel Core i7 and a GPU from the RTX 30 series, it will handle most games you throw at it on decent settings.

Battery is another strong suit for the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3i, it both diminishes slowly and replenishes quickly, thanks to Lenovo’s Rapid Charge technology. Of course, if you are playing a power intensive game with the laptop unplugged, it won’t last more than a few hours, however, for general computing needs it will easily see you through the day.

Its full HD display does not shake the earth but allows for beautiful visuals that the laptop can reliably generate at over 60fps.

Best RTX 3050 Ti gaming laptop under $1000 – GIGABYTE G5 MD

What really sets the Gigabyte G5 MD apart from the other budget laptops on this list, is its RTX 3050 Ti GPU. This is a generation ahead of most of the other laptops and allows for ray-tracing.

Though the display is not especially high quality at 1080p, it manages to get the most out of it. It has satisfying contrast, very accurate colour reproduction and surprisingly high brightness. This makes it, for me, a better display than a washed-out dim but higher-resolution counterpart.

It has an understated mature look with an all-black plastic but sturdy chassis and just a single colour of backlighting for the keyboard. Three of the cables, including the power cable, are around the back which is a nice touch, allowing for easier cable management

The most glaring downside is the short battery life, around 2 hours when playing a taxing game. Another small one is its volume, with the fans sounding at over 40 decibels when measured from an average distance.

However, it is still a very tempting offer. It is pretty remarkable to be able to buy a computer with an RTX 30 series GPU, capable of ray-tracing for just $669.

Best budget laptop under $1000 is the HP Victus 15.6-inch

Gaming laptops don’t get much more budget than sub $1000, but if you’re really looking to tighten your purse strings there are a few, still, very capable, laptops to cater to your needs. In our opinion, the chief among them is the HP Victus 15.

This laptop has an excellent price to performance ratio. Do not let your expectations get away from you though, this gaming laptop is for casual gaming and will not be able to play the latest and greatest AAA games at the top settings.

That’s not to say it does not provide bang for the buck. The specs speak for themselves, with an adequate GTX 1650 GPU, and a 12 Gen Intel i5, rather than the quicker i7 seen on this list. Meanwhile, its grown-up, sleek display means you can bring it to work inconspicuously. The all black chassis is made from plastic and doesn’t feel too flimsy either.

The display is crisp and well-defined, and you can really feel the 144Hz refresh smoothening up gaming play, the only real catch is a brightness lower than many would desire.

If you’re a casual but budget-conscious gamer the only thing that should give you real pause for thought are the other laptops on this list, some are pretty close in price and do offer a step up in graphic capabilities

Best gaming laptop for students is the HP Omen 16.1″ Full HD Gaming Laptop PC

The large screen on this laptop is part of it being an excellent gaming device that focuses on being able to be used in other computing contexts.

The toned-down look makes it more reasonable to bring to work, while its excellent Bang & Olufsen speakers and 16.1″ and 1920 x 1080p display make it well suited to watching films or TV. This is what makes it our pick as the best gaming laptop for students.

All of this is provided without sacrificing too much gaming prowess. It’s capable of playing most AAA at high settings though you may have to lower it for some. You’ll get a smooth and consistent 165Hz, the highest on this list, and a 1440p display. The 512GB hard drive gives you a decent amount of space for installing games.

The GTX 1650, and 8GB of RAM is a bit underwhelming, though can be excused for this price range, especially when you consider its screen size and refresh rate. It also comes with an SSD rather than HDD.

The battery life is not as good as some of the others on this list, but for the price range and screen size this is a reliable device, capable of both high end gaming and other computing needs.

Best Acer gaming laptop is the Acer Nitro 5

Now, we’ve been a little bit sneaky here, as it’s technically only a deal that is pulling this gaming laptop below the $1000 mark. However, it doesn’t make sense to write an article on the best budget friendly gaming laptops and to not include the Acer Nitro 5.

For this slight increase in price, you get a slight level-up on most of the specs. The battery is genuinely good which is very uncommon for budget laptops, as you’ll have seen from our list. The GPU is more advanced than the GTX 1650 featured on most laptops on this list.

The one currently on sale from Best Buy also comes with a 17.3″ display, the largest on this list. It’s got a fair bit of heft weighing in at 5.5 pounds, heavier than the average laptop but not too out of place for a gaming one.

The Nitro has won the hearts of many gamers and is often placed amongst the top of budget-friendly gaming lists so it’s definitely worth considering.

Best value laptop under $1000 is the MSI GF63

The MSI GF63 is our pick for those wanting a decent enough gaming laptop with a sturdy and reliable body. Avoiding the usual spiel that it won’t be getting consistent frame rates on top settings on top games, let’s focus on the positives.

In the act of balancing physical quality with digital ability, the MSI GF63 has leant slightly to the former. The sturdy body is complimented with a quieter than average fan and a weight of 4.1 lbs making it one of the lighter laptops on this list, despite its sturdiness.

As you can see from the list, its specs are good but not amazing, coming with a GTX 1650 GPU, and 10th Gen i5 processor, it does boast 16GB of RAM which is rare in this budget category.

That said other laptops will perform better on more demanding games. The MSI GF63 will be able to handle them but just at less desirable settings. Overall for its price, it does offer a good return on investment.

How to choose the best gaming laptop under $1000

The main things you need to factor in when considering the best gaming laptop under $1000 is CPU, GPU and RAM. It’s also worth understanding your specific needs including display ports and storage space if you’ve got an idea of the specific games you’re after.

CPU

If you’re unsure, we’ve broken down the differences between CPU vs GPU so we’re absolutely clear on what each bit of hardware does. A CPU is an important component that determines the frame rates and software you can run on your laptop. If you’re looking to spend less on your gaming laptop, it’s likely you’ll be looking at either Intel Core i5 or Ryzen 5000 series CPUs.

To be clear, you’ll likely be choosing between Intel and AMD who make consumer laptop processors. The Core i3 is the least powerful, while the Core i9 is the most. Generally speaking, you’ll be looking at i3, i5, i7 and i9 processors.

Sadly, it’s unlikely you’ll find a gaming laptop under $1000 with Intel’s 13th Gen CPUs, though we have rounded up the best laptops for the job if you’re interested.

Should I buy a cheap gaming laptop?

While $1000 is still a lot of money it is more affordable for many and, considering you can use your gaming laptop for your studies, job or casual computing they can be a very sensible investment compared to traditional gaming consoles like the PS5 or Xbox Series X.

These are devices for casual to semi-intense gaming, they are capable of playing the AAA games, such as MW2, God of War Ragnarok and Madden 23, though not always at the highest settings. If you consider yourself a serious gamer or want to future proof yourself for the next few years of gaming releases, it is worth considering a laptop in the mid to high price range.

What gaming performance can you expect from a laptop under $1000?

Generally speaking, you can expect a solid performance from a gaming laptop under $1000, though don’t expect to play in the highest game settings. Most gaming laptops of this price range will feature a Nvidia RTX 30-series graphics card and a Ryzen 5 CPU or equivalent, giving a solid 1080p performance that could potentially reach 1440p.

You’ll also need to consider the brand of laptop you’re going for since some brands excel in specific areas. We’ve considered Dell vs. HP laptops which are great for gaming as well as more general uses. Then there are brands like ASUS and Acer which have a heavy gaming focus.

Frequently asked questions

There are so many things to consider when looking for the best gaming laptop under $1000. Often it’s the same sort of stuff coming up again and again, so, to save time, we’ve tried to answer a few of them here.

How much RAM do I need for gaming?

You can get away with 8GB of RAM if you are happy to play on lower settings, though 16GB is really desirable.

Can gaming laptops be used for work?

Yes – gaming laptops’ processing power means they are very capable of computing all sorts of computing tasks. While sometimes the aesthetic of a gaming laptop can be loud and unprofessional, lately there have been plenty of subtler, more understated gaming laptop options.

Is a gaming laptop worth it?

A gaming laptop is your only option if you want portable, PC gaming. A normal laptop will imply not be able to handle any but the simplest of games. If you are a serious gamer it can be well worth going for a more expensive, and capable model.

Can you use a regular laptop for gaming?

A regular laptop will be able to play some games, such as SIMS 4. However, as they will lack a GPU, they will struggle with frames rates for more complex or demanding games. If you want to use your laptop for playing triple A games, or ones with detailed graphics, getting a gaming laptop is a good idea.