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The Best Cheap Gaming Laptops for 2023

Top affordable gaming laptops with good performance for budget gamers. Great value and gaming experience without breaking the bank.

CR Staff
By Updated: 2024, Feb 28

Introduction to Cheap Gaming Laptops

Gaming has become an increasingly popular form of entertainment, and to fully immerse yourself in the gaming experience, you need a powerful gaming laptop. Gone are the days when gaming laptops were bulky and expensive. With advancements in technology, it is now possible to find affordable gaming laptops that offer excellent performance without breaking the bank.

The Best Cheap Gaming Laptops for 2023
cheap gaming laptop

Benefits of Owning a Gaming Laptop

Investing in a gaming laptop can greatly enhance your gaming experience. One of the biggest advantages is portability. Gaming laptops allow you to enjoy your favorite games wherever you go. Whether you are traveling or visiting friends, you can bring your gaming laptop along and continue playing.

Another benefit of owning a gaming laptop is the power it provides. Unlike regular laptops, gaming laptops are equipped with high-performance processors, dedicated graphics cards, and ample RAM. This means you can play the latest games with stunning visuals and smooth gameplay.

Furthermore, gaming laptops often come with advanced cooling systems to prevent overheating during intense gaming sessions. They also offer customizable features, such as programmable RGB lighting and macro keys, allowing you to personalize your gaming experience.

Now, let’s dive into some of the best cheap gaming laptops of 2023.

Quick Summary

Image Product Description Price
1

MSI Cyborg 15 (2023) laptop

MSI Cyborg 15 (2023) Powerful gaming laptop with Intel Core i7-13620H processor, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 GPU, 15.6″ FHD 144Hz IPS display, 64GB DDR5 RAM, and 1TB SSD.
2

Acer Nitro 5 (2022, 15.6-Inch, 12th Gen Core) laptop

Acer Nitro 5 (2022, 15.6-Inch, 12th Gen Core) Affordable gaming laptop with Intel Core i5-12500H processor, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 GPU, 15.6″ FHD 144Hz IPS display, 8GB DDR5 RAM, and 512GB NVMe SSD.
3

MSI Katana 15 (2023) laptop

MSI Katana 15 (2023) Stylish gaming laptop with Intel Core i7-13620H processor, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 GPU, 15.6″ FHD 144Hz IPS display, 16GB DDR5 RAM, and 512GB NVMe SSD.
4

Acer Nitro 5 (2022, 17-Inch) laptop

Acer Nitro 5 (2022, 17-Inch) Large-screen gaming laptop with Intel Core i5-12500H processor, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 GPU, 17.3″ FHD 144Hz IPS display, 8GB DDR5 RAM, and 512GB NVMe SSD.
5

Asus TUF Gaming F17 (2022) laptop

Asus TUF Gaming F17 (2022) Powerful gaming laptop with Intel Core i7-12700H processor, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 GPU, 17.3″ FHD 144Hz IPS display, 16GB DDR5 RAM, and 512GB NVMe SSD.
6

Acer Chromebook 516 GE laptop

Acer Chromebook 516 GE Affordable Chromebook with Intel Core i3-1115G4 processor, Intel UHD Graphics, 15.6″ FHD 60Hz IPS display, 8GB LPDDR4 RAM, and 128GB eMMC storage.
7

EVOO LP-7 laptop

EVOO LP-7 Powerful gaming laptop with AMD Ryzen 7 5800H processor, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 GPU, 17.3″ FHD 144Hz IPS display, 16GB DDR4 RAM, and 1TB NVMe SSD.
8

HP Victus 16 laptop

HP Victus 16 Powerful gaming laptop with AMD Ryzen 7 5800H processor, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 GPU, 16.1″ QHD 165Hz IPS display, 16GB DDR4 RAM, and 512GB NVMe SSD.

Best Cheap Gaming Laptops

MSI Cyborg 15 (2023)

MSI Cyborg 15

  • What We Like?

    MSI Cyborg 15 is its affordability without compromising on performance. It also boasts a decent battery life, allowing you to game for extended periods without worrying about running out of power. However, the laptop does lack a Thunderbolt 4 port, which might be a downside for some users.

  • What We Don’t Like?

    While the MSI Cyborg 15 offers impressive performance, its battery life leaves something to be desired. This limitation can be particularly noticeable during extended periods of use without access to a power source. This aspect might inconvenience users who rely on their laptop for on-the-go tasks and work sessions.

Product Specification

Processor Intel Core i5
Graphics NVIDIA GeForce GTX
Display 15.6-inch Full HD
Battery Life Up to 8 hours

Pros

  • Affordable price
  • Good performance
  • Decent battery life

Cons

  • Lack of Thunderbolt 4 port

9.5
Our Score

Our Verdict

The MSI Cyborg 15 is an excellent choice for budget-conscious gamers who prioritize performance and affordability.

Acer Nitro 5 (2022, 15.6-Inch, 12th Gen Core)

Acer Nitro 5

  • What We Like?

    What we like about the Acer Nitro 5 is its excellent cooling system, which prevents the laptop from overheating during intense gaming sessions. It also has a backlit keyboard with dedicated macro keys, allowing for a more immersive gaming experience. However, the laptop’s battery life could be better, especially when compared to some of its competitors.

  • What We Don’t Like?

    The Acer Nitro 5 boasts strong hardware that can handle demanding tasks, but its thermal management can become an issue. The laptop tends to heat up noticeably during intense gaming or resource-intensive activities. This heat build-up not only affects user comfort but could potentially lead to performance throttling, impacting the laptop’s ability to maintain optimal performance over extended periods.

Product Specification

Processor 12th Gen Intel Core
Graphics NVIDIA GeForce RTX
Display 15.6-inch Full HD
Battery Life Up to 6 hours

Pros

  • Powerful performance
  • Effective cooling system
  • Backlit keyboard with macro keys

Cons

  • Average battery life

9.0
Our Score

Our Verdict

The Acer Nitro 5 is a great choice for gamers who value performance and cooling capabilities, even though the battery life could be improved.

MSI Katana 15 (2023)

MSI Katana 15

  • What We Like?

    What we like about the MSI Katana 15 is its slim design, making it highly portable without sacrificing performance. It also has a responsive keyboard with per-key RGB lighting, allowing you to customize the look and feel of your gaming experience. However, the laptop’s battery life is average, and it lacks a Thunderbolt 4 port.

  • What We Don’t Like?

    While the MSI Katana 15 offers a powerful gaming experience, some users have reported that its cooling system generates considerable fan noise. This noise can be distracting and disruptive, especially when using the laptop in quieter environments such as libraries or shared workspaces. This aspect might deter users who prioritize a quieter computing environment.

Product Specification

Processor Intel Core i7
Graphics NVIDIA GeForce RTX
Display 15.6-inch Full HD
Battery Life Up to 6 hours

Pros

  • Slim and portable design
  • Responsive keyboard with per-key RGB lighting

Cons

  • Average battery life
  • Lack of Thunderbolt 4 port

9.3
Our Score

Our Verdict

The MSI Katana 15 is a stylish and powerful gaming laptop that offers great value for its price, making it an attractive option for gamers on a budget.

Acer Nitro 5 (2022, 17-Inch)

Acer Nitro 5 (2022, 17-Inch)

  • What We Like?

    What we like about the Acer Nitro 5 (17-inch) is its spacious keyboard with a dedicated number pad, making it more convenient for gamers who use hotkeys or play games that require numerical input. However, the larger size does make it less portable compared to its 15-inch counterpart. Additionally, the laptop’s battery life could be better.

  • What We Don’t Like?

    The Acer Nitro 5’s larger form factor, while accommodating for a larger display, can be a drawback in terms of portability. The increased size makes it bulkier and heavier, which might make it less appealing to users who seek a laptop that’s easy to carry around. The added weight could also impact user comfort during extended periods of use.

Product Specification

Processor Intel Core i5
Graphics NVIDIA GeForce GTX
Display 17-inch Full HD
Battery Life Up to 5 hours

Pros

  • Large display for immersive gaming
  • Spacious keyboard with number pad

Cons

  • Less portable due to size
  • Average battery life

8.8
Our Score

Our Verdict

The Acer Nitro 5 (17-inch) offers a larger display and a convenient keyboard layout, making it an excellent choice for gamers who prioritize screen real estate and numerical input.

Asus TUF Gaming F17 (2022)

Asus TUF Gaming F17 (2022)

  • What We Like?

    What we like about the Asus TUF Gaming F17 is its durable build quality, making it suitable for gamers who are always on the go. It also has a backlit keyboard with a highlighted WASD key group, allowing for better visibility during intense gaming sessions. However, the laptop’s battery life could be improved, and it lacks a Thunderbolt 4 port.

  • What We Don’t Like?

    While the Asus TUF Gaming F17 offers solid gaming capabilities, its display quality might not live up to expectations. Users who prioritize vibrant colors, high contrast, and sharp visuals might find the display lacking in comparison to other gaming laptops. This could impact the overall gaming and multimedia experience.

Product Specification

Processor Intel Core i7
Graphics NVIDIA GeForce GTX
Display 15.6-inch Full HD
Battery Life Up to 6 hours

Pros

  • Durable build quality
  • Backlit keyboard with highlighted WASD keys

Cons

  • Average battery life
  • Lack of Thunderbolt 4 port

8.6
Our Score

Our Verdict

The Asus TUF Gaming F17 offers durability and solid performance at an affordable price, making it a reliable choice for gamers who need a rugged gaming laptop.

Acer Chromebook 516 GE

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  • What We Like?

    What we like about the Acer Chromebook 516 GE is its affordable price and lightweight design, making it highly portable and suitable for students or frequent travelers. It also offers long battery life, allowing for extended usage without the need for frequent charging. However, its gaming capabilities are limited due to the lack of a dedicated graphics card.

  • What We Don’t Like?

    While Chromebooks are known for their efficiency, the Acer Chromebook 516 GE might lack the performance required for more demanding tasks. Users engaging in resource-intensive activities like video editing or gaming could find the laptop struggling to keep up, potentially limiting its versatility.

Product Specification

Processor Intel Celeron
Graphics Integrated Intel Graphics
Display 15.6-inch Full HD
Battery Life Up to 10 hours

Pros

  • Affordable price
  • Lightweight and portable design
  • Long battery life

Cons

  • Limited gaming capabilities

7.8
Our Score

Our Verdict

The Acer Chromebook 516 GE is an excellent option for budget-conscious gamers who primarily use their laptops for everyday tasks and casual gaming.

EVOO LP-7

EVOO LP-7

  • What We Like?

    What we like about the EVOO LP-7 is its affordability and the inclusion of a solid-state drive (SSD), which ensures fast boot times and quick game loading. It also has a backlit keyboard, allowing for better visibility in low-light environments. However, the laptop’s battery life is average, and the build quality could be improved.

  • What We Don’t Like?

    While the EVOO LP-7 aims to provide budget-friendly performance, some users have expressed concerns about its build quality. Reports of flimsy construction or potential durability issues could deter users who prioritize a robust and long-lasting laptop.

Product Specification

Processor Intel Core i5
Graphics NVIDIA GeForce GTX
Display 15.6-inch Full HD
Battery Life Up to 5 hours

Pros

  • Affordable price
  • Solid-state drive for fast performance
  • Backlit keyboard

Cons

  • Average battery life
  • Build quality could be improved

8.0
Our Score

Our Verdict

The EVOO LP-7 offers decent performance and affordability, making it a suitable choice for budget-conscious gamers who want a reliable gaming laptop.

HP Victus 16

HP Victus 16

  • What We Like?

    What we like about the HP Victus 16 is its large display, allowing for an immersive gaming experience. It also has a responsive and comfortable keyboard, making it enjoyable to play games for extended periods. However, the laptop’s battery life is average, and it lacks a Thunderbolt 4 port.

  • What We Don’t Like?

    Despite its strong hardware, the HP Victus 16″ may experience thermal throttling under heavy loads. This can result in reduced performance during extended gaming sessions or resource-intensive tasks. Gamers or content creators seeking consistent high performance might find this aspect limiting.

Product Specification

Processor Intel Core i7
Graphics NVIDIA GeForce RTX
Display 16.1-inch Full HD
Battery Life Up to 6 hours

Pros

  • Large display for immersive gaming
  • Responsive and comfortable keyboard

Cons

  • Average battery life
  • Lack of Thunderbolt 4 port

8.2
Our Score

Our Verdict

The HP Victus 16 offers a large display and comfortable keyboard, making it a great choice for gamers who prioritize immersive gameplay and comfortable typing.

Comparison Table

Product Image Processor GPU Display RAM Storage
MSI Cyborg 15 MSI Cyborg Intel Core i7-13620H NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 15.6″ FHD 144Hz IPS 64GB DDR5 1TB SSD
Acer Nitro 5 (2022, 15.6-Inch, 12th Gen Core) Acer Nitro 5 (2022, 15.6-Inch, 12th Gen Core) Intel Core i5-12500H NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 15.6″ FHD 144Hz IPS 8GB DDR5 512GB NVMe SSD
MSI Katana 15 (2023) MSI Katana 15 (2023) Intel Core i7-13620H NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 15.6″ FHD 144Hz IPS 16GB DDR5 512GB NVMe SSD
Acer Nitro 5 (2022, 17-Inch) Acer Nitro 5 Intel Core i5-12500H NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 17.3″ FHD 144Hz IPS 8GB DDR5 512GB NVMe SSD
Asus TUF Gaming F17 (2022) Asus TUF Gaming F17 (2022) Intel Core i7-12700H NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 17.3″ FHD 144Hz IPS 16GB DDR5 512GB NVMe SSD
Acer Chromebook 516 GE Acer Chromebook 516 GE Intel Core i3-1115G4 Intel UHD Graphics 15.6″ FHD 60Hz IPS 8GB LPDDR4 128GB eMMC
EVOO LP-7 EVOO LP-7 AMD Ryzen 7 5800H NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 17.3″ FHD 144Hz IPS 16GB DDR4 1TB NVMe SSD
HP Victus 16 HP Victus 16 AMD Ryzen 7 5800H NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 16.1″ QHD 165Hz IPS 16GB DDR4 512GB NVMe SSD

Buying Guide: Best Cheap Laptop

How much should I spend on a gaming laptop?

The price of gaming laptops can vary depending on the specifications and brand. It is recommended to set a budget based on your gaming needs and prioritize performance over aesthetics.

What are the minimum requirements for a gaming laptop?

The minimum requirements for a gaming laptop include a dedicated graphics card, at least 8GB of RAM, and a capable processor. However, for a better gaming experience, it is advisable to opt for a laptop with higher specifications.

Are cheap gaming laptops reliable?

Cheap gaming laptops can offer reliable performance, but it is important to research and read reviews before making a purchase. Look for reputable brands that offer good customer support and warranty options.

Conclusion

In conclusion, there are several affordable gaming laptops available in the market that can unleash your gaming potential without burning a hole in your wallet. Whether you prioritize performance, portability, or specific features, there is a gaming laptop out there for you.
Consider your gaming needs, budget, and preferred specifications when making a decision. The MSI Cyborg 15, Acer Nitro 5, MSI Katana 15, Asus TUF Gaming F17, Acer Chromebook 516 GE, EVOO LP-7, and HP Victus 16 are all excellent options to consider.
Remember to read customer reviews, compare prices, and take advantage of any ongoing promotions to get the best deal. So, go ahead and choose the best cheap gaming laptop that suits your needs and embark on an exciting gaming journey.
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