Best Budget Gaming Laptops 2023

While premium gaming laptops may seem out of reach financially with models featuring 4K displays reaching $4,000+, excellent portable gaming options exist below $2,000 if you know what to prioritize. Beware of "gaming" laptops under $1,000 that often cut corners with outdated components.

Top Budget Gaming Laptop Choices

Our Top Pick

MSI Crosshair 16 HX

Available at Best Buy

Best Performance Under $1,500

XPG Xenia 15G

Available at Newegg

Acer Nitro V ANV16

Available at Newegg

Valve Steam Deck OLED

Available at Amazon & Valve

Gigabyte G6X

Available at Amazon

Our curated selections balance performance and affordability, though premium features like OLED displays are typically sacrificed. While mobile GPUs share names with desktop graphics cards, their performance differs due to power constraints.

1. MSI Crosshair 16 (2025)

Best Overall Budget Gaming Laptop

Our Top Pick

MSI Crosshair 16 HX

See it at Best Buy

Product Specifications

• Display: 16" (1920 x 1200) 165Hz
• CPU: Intel Core i7-14650HX
• GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070
• RAM: 16GB DDR5 5,600MHz
• Storage: 1TB NVMe PCIe 4.0 SSD
• Weight: 5.51 pounds

Pros

• RTX 4070 GPU
• 14th Gen Intel processor
• Ample memory and storage
• Excellent value proposition

Cons

• Slightly bulky design

At $1,400, the MSI Crosshair 16 HX delivers exceptional components for the price. The 24-thread Intel processor and RTX 4070 combination ensures high frame rates at 1200p resolution. While weightier than ultraportables, its 90Wh battery and full-sized SSD provide excellent usability.

2. XPG Xenia 15G

Best Under $1,500 Pick

The XPG Xenia 15G offers upgrade-friendly features rarely found in budget laptops, including three SSD slots and memory expandable to 64GB. The RTX 4070 handles modern games effortlessly on its 1080p display.

3. Acer Nitro V ANV16

Best Under $1,000 Option

The Ryzen 7 8845HS and RTX 4060 combination in this $1,000 laptop delivers strong 1080p gaming performance. Limited ports and battery life are the tradeoffs for its price-to-performance ratio.

4. Steam Deck OLED

Best Around $500

Valve's Steam Deck OLED proves you don't need a traditional laptop for portable PC gaming. While performance isn't cutting-edge, its optimized software experience and vivid OLED panel make it an excellent entry point.

5. Gigabyte G6X

Best With 32GB RAM

The G6X stands out with 32GB RAM and a 2TB SSD at its price point. While heavy, it's ideal for multitasking gamers who need ample memory for streaming or content creation.

Budget Gaming Laptop FAQ

What defines a good budget gaming laptop?

Prioritize GPU performance and cooling solutions within your price range. While you'll sacrifice premium features, aim for current-generation components that can handle your target games.

Are budget gaming laptops worth considering?

Absolutely - $1,000-$1,500 models can run most modern games at medium-high settings. For esports titles, even $800 options perform well.

Gaming laptop vs. desktop?

Desktops offer better long-term value and upgradability, but laptops provide portability. Consider your mobility needs before deciding.

When's the best time to buy?

Prime Day, Black Friday, and back-to-school periods typically offer the steepest discounts on gaming laptops.