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Title: The best budget gaming laptops for 2025

Date: Thu, 19 Jun 2025 09:00:37 +0000
Link: https://www.engadget.com/computing/laptops/be...

Gaming laptops have come a long way, and you no longer need to spend a
fortune to enjoy smooth gameplay. While most gaming laptops can be pricey,
there are now affordable options that deliver impressive performance without
compromising too much on features. Whether you're diving into esports titles
or exploring expansive open-world games, the best cheap gaming laptops offer
a balance of power and value.

These budget-friendly machines often come equipped with high-refresh-rate
displays, ensuring fluid visuals during intense gaming sessions. Some even
boast OLED screens, providing vibrant colors and deep blacks that enhance the
gaming experience. While they might not match the premium build of high-end
models, many of these laptops can still run modern games at high settings.
And if you're transitioning from a cheaper laptop or a Chromebook, you'll
appreciate the added versatility and performance these gaming laptops bring
to the table.

Table of contents

Best budget gaming laptops for 2025

What is a budget gaming laptop?

Are cheap gaming laptops worth it?

Best budget gaming laptops for 2025

What is a budget gaming laptop?

To get a high-end gaming experience, you can easily spend $5,000 on a fully
tricked-out notebook like the Razer Blade 18. But when it comes to the best
budget gaming laptops, we're focusing on the other end of the pricing
spectrum: laptops under $1,000. It used to be tough to find a gaming option
with decent performance at that price point but, as PC prices have fallen,
they no longer seem like unicorns.

Stepping up a bit to systems between $1,000 and $2,000 puts you firmly in mid-
range territory, which is beyond the scope of this guide. Still, it's worth
keeping an eye out for sales that can push those higher-end models below
$1,000. Be sure to check out our guide to the best gaming laptops for a
general overview of what to look out for in these more expensive systems.

Are cheap gaming laptops worth it?

Cheap gaming laptops are definitely worth it if youΓÇÖre trying to save money
and are being realistic about what you can get at this price range. You can
expect to find Intel and AMD's latest (but not greatest) CPUs, as well as
entry-level GPUs like NVIDIA's RTX 3050. Budget models are also typically
paired with FHD screens running at a respectably high refresh rate of 120Hz
or beyond ΓÇö ensuring smooth frame rates in your favorite games. There are
some exceptions though: Dell's G16 (currently discounted to $900) is notable
for its 16-inch quad HD+ screen.

Many cheap gaming laptops also skimp on specs like RAM and hard drive space.
We'd recommend getting at least 16GB of RAM and SSD storage of at least
512GB. Modern games need a decent chunk of memory to run, and they also tend
to be large, so you wouldn't be able to fit much alongside Windows 11 on a
256B SSD. You might be tempted to jump on one of those dirt-cheap gaming
laptop deals from Walmart or Best Buy, but it's just not worth it if you're
stuck with 8GB of RAM or a tiny SSD.

As for build quality, expect to find more plastic than metal on budget gaming
machines. Still, the best budget gaming laptops we're recommending should be
sturdy enough to last a few years. Affordable systems will also be heavier
and thicker than mid-range and higher-end models, and often donΓÇÖt have the
best Wi-Fi or connectivity options. Battery life is another trade-off, though
even the most expensive gaming laptops can struggle with longevity.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at
https://www.engadget.com/computing/laptops/be...
130004199.html?src=rss

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