There are many pre-built computer models in the market that are specifically geared towards gaming, but what if you’re looking for something that has a combination of power and portability? Laptops have become increasingly capable of handling high-end games in recent years, and computer manufacturers have taken advantage of the portable technology by creating their own gaming laptops.
Unfortunately, not everyone has the cash to drop on a $3,000 Alienware laptop, so to help those who are looking to not only game on the go but also game on a budget, here is our hand-picked list of the five best gaming laptops you can get for under $1000:
Top 5 Best Gaming Laptops under $1000
- ASUS TUF Dash F15 Ultra Slim Gaming Laptop
- HP Pavilion Gaming Laptop dk1000
- Acer Nitro 5 AN515-55-53E5 Gaming Laptop
- MSI GF75 Thin Gaming Laptop
- Lenovo Legion 5 17.3” Gaming Laptop
ASUS TUF Dash F15 Ultra Slim Gaming Laptop
Asus has been one of the leading brands in gaming computer hardware. In addition to their Republic of Gamers desktop and laptop computers, Asus also provides laptops under their TUF Gaming series. The ASUS TUF Dash F15 is a leading model for those on a budget. It sports some of the most recent laptop advancements, such as Thunderbolt 4 and a sleek 144 Hz display.
Unfortunately, this drains the battery a lot faster than other laptops in this price range, but with great performance and the ability to upgrade the hardware, the TUF Dash F15 is perfect for those who prefer power and customization on a budget.
Key Specifications
| Price (Amazon): | $899.00 |
| Screen Display Size: | 15.6 Inches |
| Max Screen Resolution: | 1920 x 1080 Pixels |
| Processor: | 3.3 GHz Intel Core i7 (up to 4.8 GHz) |
| RAM: | 8 GB DDR4 (Max 32GB) |
| Memory Speed: | 3200 MHz |
| GPU: | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 3050 Ti |
| GPU RAM Size: | 4 GB |
| Flash Memory Size: | 512 GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD |
| Wireless Type: | Wi-Fi (892.11ax), Bluetooth 5.1 |
| Ports: | 3x USB 3.2 Gen 1 (Type-A), 1x HDMI 2.0b, 1x Thunderbolt 4, RJ45 |
| Average Battery Life: | 16.6 Hours |
| Operating System: | Windows 10 Home |
| Weight: | 4.41 Pounds |
| Dimensions: | 14.17 x 9.92 x 0.78 Inches |
Pros
- Expandable RAM
- Graphic card can be swapped out
- Has USB-C battery charging via Thunderbolt 4
- Delivers good gaming performance even on middling game settings
- Can upgrade storage space with two additional SSD slots
- 144Hz display
Cons
- No internal webcam included
- Limited angle of adjustment – cannot open at very obtuse angles
- Battery life is generally much shorter than advertised in manufacturer specs (16.6 hours)
- Keyboard LED lights are not configurable
- Comes pre-installed with some bloatware programs
2. HP Pavilion Gaming Laptop dk1000
HP’s flagship Pavilion gaming laptop offers a sleek design and a great initial offering of RAM with 16GB installed and the ability to upgrade further. It lacks the ability to upgrade flash memory internally, so the user would need to add additional memory through external means, such as a USB SSD. Regardless, the HP Pavilion Gaming Laptop is well-rounded with a standard Intel Core i5, NVIDIA GTX 1650, and the aforementioned additional RAM.
Key Specifications
| Price (Amazon) | $927.88 |
| Screen Display Size | 16.1 Inches |
| Max Screen Resolution | 1920 x 1080 Pixels |
| Processor | (Up To) 4.5 GHz Intel Core i5 |
| RAM | 16 GB DDR4 |
| Memory Speed | 2400 MHz |
| GPU | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 |
| GPU RAM Size | 4 GB GDDR5 |
| Flash Memory Size | 256 GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD |
| Wireless Type | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 4.2 |
| Ports | 1x HDMI, 2x USB 3.1, 1x USB-C, 1x RJ45, 1 Headphone/Microphone Combo |
| Average Battery Life | 8.0 Hours |
| Operating System | Windows 10 Home |
| Weight | 4.92 Pounds |
| Dimensions | 21.5 x 12 x 3 Inches |
Pros
- Backlit keyboard
- HD Webcam and digital microphone included
- Expandable RAM
Cons
- Maximum 60Hz display
- No SATA Hard Drive expansion
- No USB-C charging
- No additional NVMe flash memory slots
3. Acer Nitro 5 AN515-55-53E5 Gaming Laptop
The Acer Nitro 5 is the cheapest gaming laptop on the list, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it is the worst. On the contrary, this laptop has a lot to offer for those looking for a laptop that keeps cool and quiet while outputting higher frame rates. The 144Hz display utilizes a wide range of performance options with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050. However, the color brightness on the display can be a bit lacking in comparison to similar gaming laptops.
Key Specifications
| Price (Amazon) | $670.00 |
| Screen Display Size | 15.6 Inches |
| Max Screen Resolution | 1920 x 1080 Pixels |
| Processor | (Up To) 4.5 GHz Intel Core i5 |
| RAM | 8 GB DDR4 |
| Memory Speed | 2933 MHz |
| GPU | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 |
| GPU RAM Size | 4 GB GDDR6 |
| Flash Memory Size | 256 GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD |
| Wireless Type | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 4.2 |
| Ports | 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C, 2x USB 3.2 Gen 1, 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2, 1x HDMI 2.0, Headphone/Microphone Combo, RJ45 |
| Average Battery Life | 11 Hours |
| Operating System | Windows 10 Home |
| Weight | 5.07 Pounds |
| Dimensions | 14.31 x 10.04 x 0.94 Inches |
Pros
- Good frame rates at mid-to-high range game settings
- Fans are quiet
- Stays relatively cool
- 144 Hz Display
Cons
- Cannot change the color of keyboard’s backlight
- Color brightness for display could be improved
- Limited battery life under high performance
4. MSI GF75 Thin Gaming Laptop
Much like the Asus TUF Dash F15, the MSI GF75 includes additional slots for expanding flash memory and RAM, giving users the option to upgrade in the future. On the outside, MSI boasts is having a much thinner shell than the competition, making the laptop easier to transport. While the MSI GF75 does allow upgradeable hardware, there have been reports of users having difficulty with the upgrade process. Additionally, the MSI GF75 can get a lot hotter when running applications and games that take up a lot of resources.
Key Specifications
| Price (Amazon) | $1045.00 |
| Screen Display Size | 17.3 Inches |
| Max Screen Resolution | 1920 x 1080 Pixels |
| Processor | (Up To) 4.5 GHz Intel Core i5 |
| RAM | 8 GB DDR4 |
| Memory Speed | 2666 MHz |
| GPU | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 |
| GPU RAM Size | 4 GB GDDR6 |
| Flash Memory Size | 512 GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD |
| Wireless Type | Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX201, Bluetooth 5.1 |
| Ports | 1x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C, 3x USB 3.2 Gen 1, 1x HDMI (4K 30Hz), Headphone/Microphone Combo, RJ45 |
| Average Battery Life | 8 Hours (Full Performance) |
| Operating System | Windows 10 Home |
| Weight | 4.85 Pounds |
| Dimensions | 15.63 x 10.24 x 0.9 Inches |
Pros
- 120Hz Display
- 720p built-in webcam
- Backlit keyboard
- Expandable RAM (up to 32GB)
- Expandable Storage
- Good FPS with mid-to-high game settings
Cons
- Color brightness for display could be improved
- Slightly difficult hardware upgrade process
- Battery can drain quickly
- Laptop can get hot at full performance
5. Lenovo Legion 5 17.3” Gaming Laptop
The Lenovo Legion 5 is the perfect laptop for the budget gamer who prefers the AMD Ryzen infrastructure over Intel. This model of gaming laptop is designed for comfort with the equipped keyboard and touchpad. This model also comes with an SD card reader for those who wish to use the Lenovo Legion 5 for transferring and editing videos, photos, etc. The only major downside is that the display maxes out at a 60Hz refresh rate.
Key Specifications
| Price (Amazon) | $999.00 |
| Screen Display Size | 17.3 Inches |
| Max Screen Resolution | 1920 x 1080 Pixels |
| Processor | 3.3 GHz AMD Ryzen 5 5600H (up to 4.2GHz) |
| RAM | 8 GB DDR4 |
| Memory Speed | 3200 MHz |
| GPU | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 (Dedicated) |
| GPU RAM Size | 4 GB GDDR6 |
| Flash Memory Size | 512 GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD |
| Wireless Type | Wi-Fi 802.11 AX (2×2), Bluetooth 5.1 |
| Ports | 1x USB 3.2 Type-C, 3x USB 3.2, 1x HDMI 2.1, Headphone/Microphone Combo, RJ45, SD Card Reader |
| Average Battery Life | 8 Hours |
| Operating System | Windows 11 Home |
| Weight | 6.57 Pounds |
| Dimensions | 11.41 x 15.7 x 1.03 Inches |
Pros
- Expandable RAM (up to 32GB)
- Comfortable keyboard
- Backlit keyboard
- Integrated SD card reader
Cons
- Maximum 60Hz refresh rate
Product Comparison Table
| Product Name | ASUS TUF Dash F15 Ultra Slim Gaming Laptop | HP Pavilion Gaming Laptop dk1000 | Acer Nitro 5 AN515-55-53E5 Gaming Laptop | MSI GF75 Thin Gaming Laptop | Lenovo Legion 5 17.3” Gaming Laptop |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Price (Amazon) | $929.00 | $928.88 | $705.99 | $1045.00 | $999.00 |
| Screen Display Size | 15.6 Inches | 16.1 Inches | 15.6 Inches | 17.3 Inches | 17.3 Inches |
| Max Screen Resolution | 1920 x 1080 Pixels | 1920 x 1080 Pixels | 1920 x 1080 Pixels | 1920 x 1080 Pixels | 1920 x 1080 Pixels |
| Processor | 3.3 GHz Intel Core i7 (up to 4.8 GHz) | (Up To) 4.5 GHz Intel Core i5 | (Up To) 4.5 GHz Intel Core i5 | (Up To) 4.5 GHz Intel Core i5 | 3.3 GHz AMD Ryzen 5 5600H (up to 4.2GHz) |
| RAM | 8 GB DDR4 (Max 32GB) | 16 GB DDR4 | 8 GB DDR4 | 8 GB DDR4 | 8 GB DDR4 |
| Memory Speed | 3200 MHz | 2400 MHz | 2933 MHz | 2666 MHz | 3200 MHz |
| GPU | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 3050 Ti | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 (Dedicated) |
| GPU RAM Size | 4 GB | 4 GB GDDR5 | 4 GB GDDR6 | 4 GB GDDR6 | 4 GB GDDR6 |
| Flash Memory Size | 512 GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD | 256 GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD | 256 GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD | 512 GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD | 512 GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD |
| Wireless Type | Wi-Fi (892.11ax), Bluetooth 5.1 | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 4.2 | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 4.2 | Intel Wi-Fi 6 AX201, Bluetooth 5.1 | Wi-Fi 802.11 AX (2×2), Bluetooth 5.1 |
| Ports | 3x USB 3.2 Gen 1 (Type-A), 1x HDMI 2.0b, 1x Thunderbolt 4, RJ45 | 1x HDMI, 2x USB 3.1, 1x USB-C, 1x RJ45, 1 Headphone/Microphone Combo | 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C, 2x USB 3.2 Gen 1, 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2, 1x HDMI 2.0, Headphone/Microphone Combo, RJ45 | 1x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-C, 3x USB 3.2 Gen 1, 1x HDMI (4K 30Hz), Headphone/Microphone Combo, RJ45 | 1x USB 3.2 Type-C, 3x USB 3.2, 1x HDMI 2.1, Headphone/Microphone Combo, RJ45, SD Card Reader |
| Average Battery Life | 16.6 Hours | 8.0 Hours | 11.0 Hours | 8.0 Hours | 8.0 Hours |
| Operating System | Windows 10 Home | Windows 10 Home | Windows 10 Home | Windows 10 Home | Windows 11 Home |
| Weight | 4.41 Pounds | 4.92 Pounds | 5.07 Pounds | 4.85 Pounds | 6.57 Pounds |
| Dimensions | 14.17 x 9.92 x 0.78 Inches | 21.5 x 12 x 3 Inches | 14.31 x 10.04 x 0.94 Inches | 15.63 x 10.24 x 0.9 Inches | 11.41 x 15.7 x 1.03 Inches |
Ratings
Conclusion
While each budget gaming laptop provides its unique approach to finding a balance of hardware for under $1000, it will all depend on what the user considers to be most important when purchasing one of these laptops. If you’re looking for the latest tech with the option to upgrade, the Asus TUF Dash F15 might be your best choice.
If you’re looking for something with a sleek design, the HP Pavilion Gaming Laptop might be your choice. The Acer Nitro 5 offers a similar gaming experience on the cheaper end of sub-$1000 laptops, while the MSI GF75 is designed to be thinner for easier portability. Finally, the Lenovo Legion 5 is the perfect option for those who prefer AMD over Intel. No matter what you’re looking for, there is an option for every gamer on a budget.
