For a long time, “best budget gaming laptops” meant giving up important features like fast frame rates, bright screens, or weak plastic bodies. But things are very different now, in 2025.
NVIDIA’s RTX 4050 and 4060 GPUs now go below $800, and AMD’s Radeon RX 7700S is a strong competitor. This means you can game at 1080p/60+ fps on Ultra settings without spending a fortune.
I’ve tested a lot of models and looked at how the industry is changing, so I can say with certainty that this is the best time for cheap gaming laptops.
After testing dozens of models and analyzing industry trends, I can confidently say, This is the golden age of affordable gaming laptops.
Why $800 is the new sweet spot for best budget gaming laptops
It wasn’t that long ago that “serious” best budget gaming laptops cost $1,000. Today, machines with high-performance hardware are shockingly cheap thanks to smarter component allocation, fierce competition, and smarter manufacturing.
During holiday sales in 2024, the HP Victus with an RTX 4050 dropped to $500, while the Lenovo LOQ with an RTX 4060 usually goes for $665. For example, the RTX 4060 gets 90–110 frames per second in Cyberpunk 2077 at 1080p/High settings, which in 2023 would have required a $1,200 laptop.
Important facts about 2025 for budget gaming laptops
Not every cheap laptop is the same. Avoid feeling buyer’s remorse by prioritizing these features:
- GPU Dominance: The graphics card is your gaming lifeline. In 2025, target these tiers:
- RTX 4060/Radeon RX 7700S: Maxes out 1080p gaming. DLSS 3.5 support future-proofs demanding titles.
- RTX 4050: 60+ fps on high settings in most games. Avoid RTX 3050 or GTX 1650 models—they’re already struggling with 2025’s AAA titles.
- CPU Pairings: Don’t bottleneck your GPU. Look for:
- AMD Ryzen 5 7640HS/Intel Core i5-13450HX or newer.
- Avoid anything below 12th-gen Intel or Ryzen 5000-series.
- RAM & Storage: 16GB DDR5 RAM is non-negotiable for modern games. 512GB SSD is the minimum—Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 alone consumes 200GB.
- Display: Target 1080p with 144 Hz+ refresh rates. Beware of dim screens (under 300 nits) or slow response times (over 5 ms).
Top 5 Best Budget Gaming Laptops under $800
Based on real-world tests and a collection of standards, these models offer excellent value:
1. HP Victus 15 (2025 Edition)—Best Overall
- Specs: AMD Ryzen 7 8845HS, RTX 4050, 16GB DDR5, 512GB SSD, 15.6″ 144Hz FHD
- Price: $749
- Why It Wins: Amazingly good cooling for a cheap frame, USB-C with DisplayPort 1.4, and HP’s modest gamer style. The Ryzen 7’s 8-core CPU can handle streaming and games at the same time.
- Downsides: All-plastic build; speakers lack bass.
2. Lenovo LOQ 15—Best Performance Per Dollar
- Specs: AMD Ryzen 5 7235HS, RTX 4060, 16GB DDR5, 512GB SSD, 15.6″ 144Hz FHD
- Price: $665
- Why It Wins: The RTX 4060 is an exceptional value at this price point. Lenovo’s cooling keeps noise below 45 dB, and the MUX switch makes the frame rate 15% faster. It works excellently with Elder Ring: Shadow of the Elder Tree on high levels.
- Downsides: Display peaks at 300 nits; no per-key RGB.
3. ASUS TUF A16—Best AMD Alternative
- Specs: AMD Ryzen 7 7735HS, Radeon RX 7700S, 16GB DDR5, 1TB SSD, 16″ 165Hz FHD
- Price: $679
- Why It Wins: Both the RTX 4060 and AMD’s RX 7700S are powerful, but the RX 7700S costs less. Unlike most gaming computers, the 90Wh battery lasts for 7 hours without being charged. It is robust enough to meet the demands of the military.
- Downsides: Heavier (5.3 lbs.); AMD’s ray tracing lags behind NVIDIA.
4. Acer Nitro 5 (2024 Model)—Best Upgradeability
- Specs: Intel Core i5-13420H, RTX 3050 Ti, 16GB DDR4, 512GB SSD, 17.3″ 144Hz FHD
- Price: $739
- Why It Wins: The laptop features a huge screen, four storage slots capable of holding a total of 4TB, and user-replaceable RAM. It is an ideal device for those who enjoy tinkering.
- Downsides: Older RTX 3050 Ti; DDR4 RAM bottlenecks newer CPUs.
5. Dell G15 (Base Model)—Best Entry Point
- Specs: Intel Core i5-13450HX, RTX 3050, 8GB DDR5, 256GB SSD, 15.6″ 120Hz FHD
- Price: $799
- Why It Wins: Strong construction (magnesium metal lid), G-SYNC support that stops tearing, and a thermal design inspired by Alienware.
- Downsides: Upgrade essential: Add $40 for another 8GB RAM stick and a 512GB SSD.
How to Set Up Your GPU for Cheap Gaming (1080p Performance):
| GPU | Avg. FPS (Cyberpunk 2077) | Settings | Price Tier |
|---|---|---|---|
| RTX 4060 | 94 | Ultra | $650-$800 |
| RX 7700S | 89 | Ultra | $650-$750 |
| RTX 4050 | 68 | High | $500-$700 |
| RTX 3050 | 51 | Medium | <$600 |
Important advice for Buying in 2025
- Sales Are Your Best Friend: During Black Friday or back-to-school deals, the RTX 4060 laptops drop close to $600, and the HP Victus drops to $499 all the time.
- Prioritize GPU > CPU: In 90% of games, an RTX 4060 with a Ryzen 5 beats an RTX 4050 with an i7.
- Upgrade Smartly: A lot of computers that cost less than $800 come with 8GB of RAM or 256GB SSDs. Set aside $60 for changes.
- Important 8GB DDR5 SODIMM: $25
- WD SN770 512GB NVMe SSD: $35
- Avoid These Traps:
- GTX 1650/3050 GPUs: Star Wars Outlaws and GTA 6 are too much for them.
- 60 Hz Displays: 144 Hz is the standard for smooth gaming.
- Single-Channel RAM: Always verify dual-channel support (2x8GB vs. 1x16GB).
Final words
When you play games on a budget, it doesn’t mean “low-end.” For real power under $700, the Lenovo LOQ with RTX 4060 is my top pick. The HP Victus is a fantastic bargain when it’s on sale. The Dell G15 is a stealth contender if you’re ready to add more RAM or storage after you buy it.
