The Best Gaming Laptop Under $1000 is a topic of mass debate.
Navigating the many different specifications and price gaps between models when shopping on a budget becomes tricky. Those unable to afford the cheapest gaming PCs may look to cheap gaming laptops instead.
Today, we are here to check out the ten best gaming laptops under $1000 that you can feel comfortable investing in!
10. Acer Swift X
Acer Swift X Specifications:
- Colors: Silver
- Manufacturer: Acer
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 5800U
- GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050Ti
- Memory: 16GB
- Hard Drive: 512GB
- Case: 1.39kg
- Display: 14 inch
- Battery: 59 Whr
With an all-around excellent gaming laptop, the Acer Swift X, let’s start things off! This laptop provides decent gaming performance for a reasonably low price. The AMD Ryzen 7 5800U processor and Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 Ti GPU more than justify its higher price than other budget laptops.
However, the display feels cramped on the Acer Swift X as it comes with a much smaller screen than we’ve become accustomed to in recent years.
Pros:
- Stylish design
- Matte display
Cons:
- Comes with bloatware installed
- Low-quality webcam
- Small screen
9. Gigabyte G5
Gigabyte G5 Specifications:
- Colors: Black
- Manufacturer: Gigabyte
- CPU: Intel Core i7-10870H
- GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060
- Memory: 16GB
- Hard Drive: 512GB
- Case: 2.2kg
- Display: 15.6 inch
- Battery: 49 Whr
The Gigabyte G5 is the best gaming laptop under $1000 for those in need of an everyday use laptop as well.
The Gigabyte G5 uses its powerful 10th Gen Intel® Core™ i5 processor to perform multiple tasks simultaneously without issue. Investing in a gaming laptop can be expensive. However, this becomes even more of a problem when buying dedicated work, gaming, and leisure laptops. Luckily, the Gigabyte G5 can do it all!
Pros:
- Multi-functional gaming laptop
Cons:
- Gaming performance suffers from non-dedication.
8. HP Victus
HP Victus Specifications:
- Colors: Black
- Manufacturer: HP
- CPU: Intel Core i7-11800H
- GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060
- Memory: 16GB
- Hard Drive: 512GB
- Case: 2.4kg
- Display: 16.1 inch
- Battery: 70 Whr
The HP Victus is the best gaming laptop under $1000 you will find with a screen to meet your expectations when it comes to gorgeous displays. The large 16-inch display of this gaming laptop boasts a 1080p display and a refresh rate of 144 Hz. Almost any PC game played on the HP Victus looks breathtaking, even at lower graphics settings.
However, the build itself feels flimsy and fragile. The plasticky casing is prone to chips and other damage, so we recommend keeping this laptop in one location and not moving it around too much.
Pros:
- Fast gameplay
- 1080p display
- Nice keyboard
Cons:
- Weak plasticky build
- Bulky
7. MSI GF63 Thin
MSI GF63 Thin Specifications:
- Colors: Black
- Manufacturer: MSI
- CPU: Intel® Core™ i5
- GPU: NVIDIA® GeForce® GTX 1650 Max-Q
- Memory: 8 GB
- Hard Drive: 256 GB
- Case: 1.86 kg
- Display: 15.6 inches
- Battery: 51 Whr
When it comes to sleek, stylish, and refined products, the MSI GF63 is the best gaming laptop under $1000 you will find that satisfies these criteria. The tiny bezels are unnoticeable, and the thin design makes the laptop easily transportable.
Furthermore, the specs of this model are nothing to scoff at either. The excellent starter CPU and GPU are more than enough to play most PC games, and while the screen caps out at approximately 60 Hz, the laptop can be upgraded easily.
Pros:
- Tiny bezels
- Good display
Cons:
- Limited configurations
6. Acer Nitro 5
Acer Nitro 5 Specifications:
- Colors: Black
- Manufacturer: Acer
- CPU: 2.3GHz Intel Core i5-8300H (quad-core, 8MB cache, up to 4.0GHz)
- GPU: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 ( 4GB VRAM); Intel UHD Graphics 630
- Memory: 8GB
- Hard Drive: 1TB
- Case: 2.75kg
- Display: 15.6-inch
- Battery: 57.5 Whr
The Acer Nitro 5 offers high-quality gaming performance with a great display and excellent battery life. While it cannot handle Ultra-high graphics when playing a team-based shooter or something graphically intensive like Elden Ring, it can play almost anything at medium to low setting levels.
The design of this model is somewhat plasticky, and the thick display bezels are less than desirable. However, if you can look past this and the lack of high-quality graphics accessibility, the Acer Nitro 5 is the best gaming laptop under $1000 for people on a budget!
Pros:
- Powerful CPU
- Good display
- Good battery life
Cons:
- Plastic build
- Low-quality speakers
- Thick display bezel
5. MSI Katana GF66
MSI Katana GF66 Specifications:
- Colors: Black
- Manufacturer: MSI
- CPU: Intel® Core™ i7 Processor
- GPU: NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 3050
- Memory: 16GB
- Hard Drive: 1TB
- Case: 2.25 kg
- Display: 15.6 inch
- Battery: 53.5Whr
Let’s get the very few negatives of the MSI Katana out of the way first. Its battery life could be better, and its screen is a little dim. That’s about it when it comes to downsides for this purchase, as the MSI Katana GF66 is one of the best laptops for under $1000 you will come across.
With a large screen that can display a 1080p resolution with ease, a comfortable 1TB of storage space, and a sleek design, the MSI Katana GF66 earns its namesake for being both cutting edge and slashing price expectations!
Pros:
- 1080p performance with no issues
- Large SSD
- 144 Hz display
Cons:
- Short battery life
- CPU performance could be better
4. Lenovo Legion 5
Lenovo Legion 5 Specifications:
- Colors: Black
- Manufacturer: Lenovo
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 5800H, 8C/16T
- GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti
- Memory: 16 GB
- Hard Drive: 512 GB
- Case: 2.4 kg
- Display: 15.6 inch
- Battery: 60Whr
Much like the Lenovo Legion 5 Pro, the Lenovo Legion offers stable gaming performance at an affordable price. Despite being nearly half the price of the Legion 5 Pro, the Legion 5 is a great budget option with a bulky and durable case that can handle most games without issue.
We say “most games” here as the Lenovo Legion 5 does struggle to play more demanding games at higher graphics settings (games that the Legion 5 Pro could tackle with ease). Still, for more than a 50% price cut, what more can you ask for?!
Pros:
- Good keyboard
- Easy to upgrade
- Long battery life
Cons:
- Rubbery coating easily damaged
- Limited gaming ability
3. Dell G3 15
Dell G3 15 Specifications:
- Colors: Black
- Manufacturer: Dell
- CPU: Intel Core i5-8300H processor
- GPU: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 Ti
- Memory: 8GB
- Hard Drive: 126GB
- Case: 2.3kg
- Display: 15.6-inch
- Battery: 60/90 Whr
The Dell G3 15 is a great budget option for gamers looking for solid performance without breaking the bank. The smaller storage of this model is made up for in reliability and durability thanks to its bulkier design.
However, the display of the G3 15 leaves a lot to be desired as it often appears dim even in well-lit areas. Despite this, the low price is enough to consider it an alternative to more expensive gaming laptops.
Pros:
- Decent battery life
- Good audio
Cons:
- Dull display
2. Asus TUF F15
Asus TUF F15 Specifications:
- Colors: Black
- Manufacturer: Asus
- CPU: i5-11300H | i7-11370H | i7-11375H
- GPU: RTX 3050 | RTX 3050 Ti | RTX 3060 | RTX 3070
- Memory: 16GB | 32GB
- Hard Drive: 512GB | 1TB
- Case: 2KG
- Display: Up to 15.6-inch WQHD anti-glare 165Hz IPS-level display with Adaptive Sync
- Battery: 76WHr
The Asus TUF F15 can also be considered the best gaming laptop under $1000 on the market today and can run for extended periods with no dropoff in quality or overheating. Thanks to the Intel Tiger Lake processors, the Nvidia GeForce RTX 3000 mobile GPUs, and the 240Hz 1080p display, users will experience smooth gaming for an affordable price.
While the Asus TUF 15 struggles to play more demanding games due to its weaker 4-core-i7-11270H processor, it is still easy to surpass 60FPS on most games while playing at lower graphics settings. For under $1000, this is a must-buy for the hardcore gamer!
Pros:
- Can play more demanding games
- Can be used for extended periods
Cons:
- Weaker processor
1. Razer Blade Stealth
Razer Blade Stealth Specifications:
- Color: Black
- Manufacturer: Razer
- CPU: Intel Core i7-1065G7
- GPU: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 Ti Max-Q/Intel Iris Plus
- Memory: 16GB
- Hard Drive: 512GB
- Case: 1.4kg
- Display: 13.3-inch, 1080p
- Battery: 7:03
Squeezing its way into this list, we have the Razer Blade Stealth. While it may take some searching, this gaming laptop can be found for under $1000 but only by a few cents. Like all Razer products, the Stealth comes with some of the highest performing specifications of the best gaming laptops under $1000 and all gaming laptops currently on the market!
Considering the size of the Razer Blade Stealth, it is surprising how powerful it is. While it cannot compete with more expensive gaming laptops, it is still worth considering due to its massive price cut!
The Razer Blade Stealth retails typically for double the price you can find it here, so we recommend snapping it up before the deal expires! This is by far the best gaming laptop under $1000 you will find!
Pros:
- Great performance
- Sleek and lightweight design
- Clear resolution
Cons:
- Expensive
FAQs
The best gaming laptop under $1000 is the Razer Blade Stealth because of its high-quality specifications, durable build, and affordable pricing.
The Acer Aspire 3 is the best gaming laptop under $500, retailing from $499. It boasts excellent performance with few compromises made when adjusting to a smaller build. You can purchase the product here.
The best gaming laptop under $1500 is the Acer Predator Triton 300 SE ($1499) because of its impressive package of design and performance with little compromise. You can purchase the product here.
The Gigabyte G5 is the best and cheapest RTX 3060 laptop that boasts excellent gaming performance but can also function well for everyday surfing.
The best and most affordable gaming laptop in 2021 was likely the Acer Nitro 5 due to its excellent performance and low pricing. The Lenovo Legion 5 was also a great alternative to this model for similar reasons.
A higher price usually means higher specifications, so, in general, $1000 gaming laptops are better than $500 ones. However, this all depends on your budget.
If you are strapped for cash, several $500 gaming laptops (such as the Acer Nitro 3) perform well. On the other hand, investing in a gaming PC could be better if you have expendable income.
The best gaming laptop between 1-1.5K (USD) is the Acer Predator Triton 300 SE ($1499) because of its impressive design and performance with little compromise. You can purchase the product here.
Several cheap gaming laptops in 2021 include:
Asus TUF
Dell G5 15
Acer Nitro 5
Which Is the Best Laptop With GTX 1650 for Gaming?
The best laptop with GTX 1650 for gaming is the ASUS TUF 17 due to its powerful performance that rivals some lower-spec PCs. You can purchase it here.
A gaming lover from a very young age, Justin has always had a keen eye for building his own computers or racing sims so that he can race his identical twin (and usually lose at the actual race).
Justin in the founder of BeStreamer and sees it as a free resource to help all gamers around the world
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