Gaming laptops have come a long way in recent years, offering impressive performance and graphics at a more affordable price. If you’re in the market for a gaming laptop that won’t break the bank. Here, I have rounded up the best gaming laptops for under 800 dollars.
This comprehensive list of cheap gaming laptops is perfect for gamers playing less demanding games like The Sims 4, World of Warcraft or FIFA 23. While also being affordable options for playing high-fidelity games like Call of Duty Warzone on low settings.
| BEST OVERALL | EDITOR’S PICK | BEST BUDGET | |
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| Model | ACER NITR 5 | ASUS TUF 15 | LENOVO IDEAPAD |
| Price | $814 | $649 | $837 |
| Score | |||
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9.4Price/Quality Score |
9.0Price/Quality Score |
9.2Price/Quality Score |
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| Design Score | 8.6Design | 8.9Design | 8.5Design |
| Performance Score | 9.0Performance | 8.4Performance | 8.7Performance |
| Build Quality | 8.6Build | 8.8Build | 8.6Build |
| Battery Score | 6.5Battery | 7.2Battery | 7.0Battery |
| Expert Reviews | |||
| Screen | 15.6 FHD 144Hz | 15.6 FHD 144Hz | 15.6 FHD 120Hz |
| Weight | 2.18kg (4.8lbs) | 2.30kg (5.07lbs) | 2.25kg (4.96lbs) |
| Hardware | |||
| Procesor | Intel Core i7-11800H | Intel Core i5 10300H | AMD Ryzen 5 6600H |
| Cores/ Procesor | 8 Cores – 4.6Ghz | 4 Cores – 3.5Ghz | 6 Cores – 4.5Ghz |
| Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti | NVidia GeForce GTX 1650 Ti | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti |
| RAM | 8GB DDR4 | 8GB DDR4 | 16GB DDR4 |
| Storage | 512GB PCIe SSD | 512GB PCIe SSD | 1TB PCIe SSD |
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| VISIT ACER.COM | SEE AT BEST BUY | VISIT LENOVO.COM |
What Are The Best Gaming Laptops Under 800 Dollars?
The best gaming laptops for under $800. Include the Acer Nitro 5, the Lenovo Ideapad 3 gaming laptop, the ASUS TUF 15 and the 15-inch HP Pavilion. All feature NVIDIA GeForce graphics, Intel Core i7 and AMD 5 processors, at least 8 GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD.
Each of these budget laptops has good specs and will provide decent performance for running modern video games at medium graphics settings without stutter.
Acer Nitro 5 Gaming Laptop
This Acer Nitro 5 budget laptop is considered one of the best cheap gaming laptops. Equipped with a good level of speedy hardware. Including an Intel Core i5-11800H processor and NVIDIA RTX 3050 Ti laptop graphics card. 8GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD.
The Acer gaming laptop has a 15.6-inch FHD 144 Hz display, and an RGB backlit keyboard with highlighted WASD keys. The Nitro 5 also has the latest Bluetooth and Intel Wi-Fi 6. So it will provide fast and reliable wireless connectivity to stay connected online.
The Acer Nitro 5 is a top-end Budget Gaming laptop, with powerful specs and a speedy display
- Powerful Hardware
- Speedy 144Hz Display
- M.2 SSD Storage Slots
- 2.5″ Hard Drive Bay
On top of the two M.2 SSD slots, you can install a hard drive in the available 2.5″ bay. The supplied 8GB of DDR4 memory can be upgraded to 32 GB RAM. This amount of memory is much needed for demanding tasks such as video editing, and streaming.
Overall, the Acer Nitro 5 is a solid budget laptop with lots of upgrade options. This laptop will offer good gaming performance in games such as GTA 5, Apex legends, and Fortnite on medium settings. More demanding games on low graphics settings.
User benchmark Scores for the Intel Core i7-11800H | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti LP GPU
| Acer Nitro 5 Gaming Laptop | Scores | Gaming | |||
| Processor | Intel Core i7-11800H 8 Cores – Max Speed 4.6Ghz | CPU Benchmark @ 21022 | Apex Legends Medium Settings Average FPS 110 – GTA 5 140 FPS – Fortnite High Settings 127 FPS | ||
| Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti 4GB GDDR6 | GPU Benchmark @ 10020 | |||
| Display | 15.6″ FHD (1080p) 144Hz Refresh Rate 250nits | ||||
| Storage | 512GB PCIe NVMe SSD + Hard Drive Bay | ||||
| RAM | 8GB DDR4 3200MHz SDRAM – Max 32GB RAM | ||||
| Battery | 57Wh Lithium Polymer | 4 – 6 Hours Everyday Use | |||
| Keyboard | RGB Backlit 4-Zone Keyboard | Highlighted WASD keys | |||
| Build Quality | Polycarbonate, ABS plastic | Budget Gaming Laptops Feature Plastic Builds | |||
| Audio | Speakers | Decent Audio with Two Stereo Speakers | ||||
| Ports | USB Type-C Port, USB 3.2 Gen 2, DisplayPort over USB Type-C, HDMI 2.0 | ||||
| Additional Software | Norton Security Ultra – Express VPN Trial – Acer Product Registration – Acer Collection S – DTS:X Ultra – Power Director – Nitro Sense System Monitoring. | ||||
| Cooling | Traditional Cooling Fan System with Two Fans and Cool boost System Monitoring Software | ||||
What We Like
- Ease of Upgradeability
- Good Cooling and Fan System
- Cool RGB Backlit Keyboard
- 144Hz Refresh Rate Display
- Good Budget Graphics
- Good Port Selection
What We Don’t Like
- Plastic Chassis – Most laptops at this price point have this build
- Mediocre Trackpad
Helpful Content: You may also like to check out the best gaming laptops under $1000
ASUS TUF 15 Gaming Laptop
The ASUS TUF 15 budget gaming Laptop is an incredible machine that can handle any game you throw at it. This powerful laptop is designed to meet the most demanding needs of gamers. (I recently purchased the ASUS TUF 17 and it is a beauty).
The ASUS TUF is outfitted with a blazing-fast Intel Core i5 processor, 8GB OF DDR4 RAM, and 512GB of SSD storage. With the NVidia GeForce GTX 1650 Ti graphics card, this budget notebook will ensure spectacular visuals to make the most power-hungry games run smoothly.
The ASUS TUF is a good-looking affordable laptop that offers good performance with a bright display
- Good Graphics Card
- Colourful 144Hz Display
- M.2 SSD Storage Slots
- Nice Tactile Keyboard
This ASUS TUF 15 has a sleek black design made with military-grade materials that make it one of the more durable gaming laptops at this price point. What’s more, you will enjoy fast internet speeds, with the latest Wi-Fi technology and games will look great on the colourful display.
| ASUS TUF 15 Gaming Laptop | Scores | ||||
| Processor | Intel Core i5 10300H 4 Cores – Max Speed 4.5Ghz | CPU Benchmark @ 8595 | Run Video Games On Low Settings | ||
| Graphics | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 4GB GDDR5 | GPU Benchmark @ 7838 | |||
| Display | 15.6″ FHD (1080p) 144Hz Refresh Rate 250nits | ||||
| Storage | 512GB PCIe SSD (Two M.2 Slots) | ||||
| RAM | 8GB DDR4 3200MHz SDRAM – Max 16GB RAM | ||||
| Battery | 48Wh Lithium Polymer | 4 – 8 Hours Everyday Use | |||
| Keyboard | Backlit Chiclet Keyboard 1-Zone RGB | Highlighted WASD keys | |||
| Build Quality | Strong Plastic | Nice Eye-catching Design | |||
| Audio | Speakers | DTS:X Ultra technology 7.1 Surround Sound Two Stereo Speakers | ||||
| Ports | USB Type-C Port, USB 3.2 Gen 2, DisplayPort 1.4 over USB Type-C, HDMI 2.0B | ||||
| Additional Software | Microsoft 365 – ASUS Product Registration – DTS:X Ultra – System Monitoring. | ||||
| Cooling System | Dual Fan, Heat Pipe Cooling System with three Heatsinks. Self Cleaning Design | ||||
What We Like
- Made With Military Grade Materials
- Nice RGB Tactile Keyboard
- Bright 144Hz Display
- Windows 11 Features
- Good Gaming CPU
What We Don’t Like
- Mediocre Battery Life
- Noisy Cooling System
- Older GTX Graphics Card
HP Victus 16-inch Gaming Laptop
The 16-inch HP Victus gaming Laptops are popular options for budget-conscious gamers. Allowing you to easily power your way through the latest games and enjoy intense graphics. Powered by an NVidia GeForce RTX 3050 Ti graphics card, a speedy AMD Ryzen 7 5800H gaming processor. 16GB of DDR4 RAM, sat next to a sizable 512GB solid-state drive.
The HP Victus is a solid gaming laptop that offers good performance with its gaming CPU and RTX GPU
- Fast Ryzen 7 Processor
- Bang & Olufsen Speakers
- M.2 SSD Storage Slots
- 1TB PCIe NVMe SSD
What’s more, this budget gaming laptop from HP also comes with the latest Windows 11 that offers users loads of extra gaming features. So you can swiftly navigate around this laptop computer.
These affordable gaming laptops also feature the impressive HP OMEN gaming hub software, allowing you to take control of the fan system, keyboard lights, and bandwidth usage. Plus, you can easily install and update the latest games with its easy-to-use interface.
If you are looking for a cheap laptop that’s ready to tackle all your adventurous needs. The HP Victus is one of the best laptops in this price range. They offer plenty of options from budget-friendly choices to full-fledged beasts designed for power gamers no matter your gaming needs.
What We Like
- Good OMEN Gaming Software
- Dual Fan Cooling System
- Speedy 512 GB NVMe SSD
- RGB Backlit Keyboard
- 144Hz FHD IPS Display
What We Don’t Like
- Loads of Bloatware To Remove
- Plastic Chassis – Most gaming laptops at this price point have build
- Older GTX Graphics Card
Lenovo Ideapad 3 Gaming Laptop
This Lenovo Ideapad is a decent gaming laptop for beginners that will deliver great performance with its powerful processor (AMD Ryzen 5) and budget-friendly discrete GPU, the Nvidia RTX 3050. What’s more, the processors are accompanied by 8 GB of DDR 4 RAM and a 512GB SSD.
As far as upgrades, there isn’t much room to manoeuvre and the battery power is not the best. But this is a gaming laptop. Therefore, it should be connected to an AC outlet. That being said, it’s not all doom and gloom as Lenovo has added a hard drive bay for extra storage.
The Lenovo Ideapad L would make the ideal RTX-based gaming laptop for beginners
- Superb NVIDIA RTX 3060 GPU
- 165Hz Full HD IPS display
- M.2 SSD Storage Slots
- 4-Zone RGB Keyboard
Still, this budget Lenovo laptop is not the best choice for high-fidelity gaming, as it will struggle to deliver the frame rates needed. For that, it would be best to raise your budget and go for the more expensive option, the Lenovo Legion 5, which offers superior gaming performance.
Helpful Content: The Lenovo Ideapad would make one of the best laptops that you can play Minecraft on. Perfect for users shopping on a tighter budget.
What We Like
- Good NVidia Graphics Card
- Speedy AMD Ryzen Processor
- Good Fan Cooling System
- Additional HDD Storage Bay
- RGB Backlit 1.5 mm Key Travel
- 144Hz FHD IPS Display
What We Don’t Like
- Not the fastest Display (120Hz)
- Plastic Chassis – Most gaming laptops at this price point have build
- Mediocre Battery Power
HP Pavilion 15 Budget Laptop
The HP Pavilion 15 is an affordable option that offers good performance for gamers who do not want to spend big. With the power of an AMD Ryzen 5 processor and an NVidia GeForce GTX 1650 graphics card. Together with 8GB of RAM, this HP Pavilion laptop is designed for playing video games but with toned-down settings.
The HP Pavilion 15 offers budget gaming for a reasonable price tag. Lacks a fast gaming display
- Budget NVIDIA GTX GPU
- SuperSpeed USB Type-C Port
- 512 GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD
- Full-size Backlit Keyboard
As for the display, this HP Pavilion has a 15.6″ Full HD screen with a low 60Hz refresh rate, so not the fastest gaming display. But it does have a lively backlit keyboard and features an Intel Wi-Fi 6 wireless card, so it will offer great wireless performance.
The HP Pavilion also comes with a 512GB SSD which should be enough storage space for most casual gamers. But you can upgrade with more storage and memory in the future. The downside is HP laptops do come with a lot of bloatware, which would need to be removed.
Having said that, I can vouch for the quality of the components as I have testest the HP Omen 15. So, if you want one of the best gaming laptops for under 800 dollars. One that can handle most games, you should seriously consider this budget option from HP.
What We Like
- Dedicated NVidia GTX Graphics Card
- Budget AMD Ryzen 5 Processor
- Controllable Cooling System
- NVMe M.2 SSD Storage
- Backlit Keyboard
- Lightweight
What We Don’t Like
- Not the Fastest Gaming Display
- Plastic Chassis – Most gaming laptops at this price point have build
- Lots of Bloatware
MSI GF 63 Budget Gaming Laptop
The MSI GF63 is a popular budget gaming laptop that has been doing the rounds over the last couple of years. This model features an NVidia GeForce GTX 1650 graphics card paired with a fast single-core 11th Gen i5-11400H 6-Core processor that clocks to 4.50 GHz.
On top of its processing power, the MSI GF63 comes with 32GB RAM and a 1TB SSD. With room to increase the storage with the available hard drive bay. Making this the perfect choice for users who want to take their gaming experience to the next level without breaking the bank.
The MSI GF63 is an excellent choice for gamers looking for a quality, yet cheap gaming laptop.
- Budget NVIDIA GTX GPU
- Fast Single-Core Intel CPU
- Large 1TB PCIe NVMe SSD
- Plenty of Physical Ports
Other cool features include a 15.6-inch Full HD (1080p) display, a Wi-Fi 6 wireless card, Windows 11 installed and a plethora of ports including an HDMI, and a USB Type-C fast charging port. The only downside with this budget laptop is the refresh rate is 120Hz. Apart from that the MSI GF63 is an otherwise excellent cheap gaming laptop for gaming beginners.
What We Like
- Dedicated NVidia GTX Graphics Card
- Fast Intel Core i5 Processor
- Great Entry-Level PC
- Storage: SSD and HDD Bay
- Nice Red Backlit Keyboard
- Good Battery Life
What We Don’t Like
- Not the Fastest Gaming Display
- Poor 720p HD Camera
- Basic Gaming Laptop
Dell G15 Gaming Laptop
The Dell G15 gaming laptops are some of the most popular laptops for budget-conscious gamers. They look good and are powerful and versatile machines that can easily handle less demanding tasks, from gaming to watching your favourite movies on Netflix.
The gaming power comes from a speedy AMD Ryzen 7 processor and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti graphics card which means advanced AI Features in your computer games. Such as NVidia’s Ray-Tracing, and DLSS are possible and also enjoyable.
The Dell G15 is a solid and durable laptop with good battery life. But wIth an underwhelming display
- Best Budget NVIDIA RTX GPU
- Fast Multi-Core AMD CPU
- Superbly Quick Keyboard
- Very-Good Battery Power
As for the display, the Dell G15 budget laptop has a 15-inch Full HD display featuring a 120Hz refresh rate ensuring smoother visuals and responsive gameplay. But not the best or highest refresh rate display but an acceptable one at this cheaper price point.
Moreover, the Dell G 15 has 8 GB DDR 4 RAM and 256 GB SSD storage and you can add more utilizing the two M.2 slots (add a 2nd SSD). The cooling is also impressive. It features a dual-fan cooling system with an advanced thermal design to help keep things cool while under load.
Lastly, this budget laptop is equipped with Killer Gigabit Ethernet and Wi-Fi 6. So you will not experience much in terms of issues with latency when playing your favorite modern games. Overall, the Dell G15 is an excellent budget laptop under 800 and should be on your radar.
What We Like
- Best Budget RTX Graphics Card
- Superb AMD Ryzen 7 Processor
- Relatively Long Battery Life
- Killer Gigabit Ethernet
- Robust, Speedy Keyboard
- Solid & Durable Design
What We Don’t Like
- Not the Fastest Gaming Display
- A Small Amount of SSD Storage
- Slightly Heavier: 5.66 lb (2.57kg)
- Unique Colour: Silver
Choosing the Best Gaming Laptops Under 800?
With gaming laptops becoming more affordable and powerful, it is possible to get great performance for under $800. However, some laptops will offer better performance than others, so its imperative you choose right. Here are five tips for choosing the best budget laptops for gaming.
Helpful Content: Concerned about cooling? Check out these best cooling gaming laptops
Choose a Laptop With Good RAM and Storage Capacity
RAM is critical to any gaming laptop as it allows games and other applications to run smoothly. So it is imperative to choose a budget laptop with at least 8GB of RAM. If possible, upgradeable to either 16GB or 32GB of RAM. This will ensure that your games run properly even when multitasking.
Anything less than 8GB of RAM installed, the computer will struggle with modern games. You may experience lag if the laptop has more than one of two programmes running simultaneously.
For storage, an HDD (Hard Drive Disk) with 512GB+ capacity should provide enough space for game installations and saves. But an SSD (Solid State Drive) will provide you with much faster loading times and better performance compared to a laptop just relying solely on a HDD.
Most budget laptops have at least 256GB SSD installed which is more than enough for most casual gamers. Also, look out for gaming laptops that feature M.2 drives. This means you can add a 2nd solid-state drive if you need more storage space down the line.
Ensure The Laptop Has Ample GPU and CPU power
The Graphic Processing Unit (GPU) is responsible for rendering graphics in-game, so ensure that your chosen gaming laptop has a mid-tier dedicated GPU from either NVIDIA or AMD. Graphics cards such as the GTX 1050 or 1060 or AMD RX 580 should provide enough power for most modern titles under full HD resolution settings.
However, these GPUs do not offer advanced features such as ray tracing. So consider an NVidia GeForce RTX 3050 if you want to run AAA games with these advanced features. For even more graphics power, look at cheap laptops with the NVidia RTX 3050 TI graphics card.
Choosing a good processor is as important as the GPU. For processor requirements, opt for at least a 10th Gen Intel Core i5 or higher and ensure it has at least 4 Cores. If you prefer to game with an AMD CPU, an AMD Ryzen 5 processor or higher would fit into your budget. These CPUs offer optimal speeds while still keeping thermals under control.
For more gaming power, consider an Intel Core i7 processor is a great choice but expect to pay a little more for your computer. For AMD based budget laptops, do not consider anything less than an AMD Ryzen 5 4000 CPU that offers decent gaming performance and good battery life.
Check Out Display Options
A high-quality display will ensure a smooth gameplay experience, especially in modern game titles. A Full HD 1080p screen resolution (1920×1080) display would be the minimum that should be considered. Anything less could be a hindrance to your gaming experience.
Despite all the advancements, like 1440p and 4K resolutions, a Full HD (1080p) screen is still the most popular computer screen resolution and offers a playable gaming experience.
The refresh rate of the display is also critical as this determines how often the image on the screen is refreshed. The higher the refresh rate, the better your games will look. At this price point (budget laptops under $800), a 120Hz refresh rate is the most common. However, you may also come across 60Hz screens, this is something I do not recommend for gaming today.
Budget Gaming laptop Minimum Spec
| Component | Minimum Specification |
|---|---|
| Processor (CPU) | 9th Gen Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5 4000 |
| Graphics (GPU) | Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 or AMD RX 5500M |
| RAM (Memory) | 8 GB RAM (DDR4 or higher) |
| Storage | 256GB SSD |
| Display Size | Full HD (1080P) |
| Refresh Rate | 120Hz |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Companies Have The Best Gaming Laptops Under 800?
Acer and MSI are two top companies that produce superb budget gaming laptops under 800 dollars. Other high-quality laptop brands include HP, Lenovo, Dell and ASUS. These brands offer good laptops featuring budget-friendly NVidia GTX GPUs and Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5 processors, 8GB of RAM and SSD storage.
What Is The Best Gaming Laptop Under 800?
The best gaming laptop under 800 dollars is the Acer Nitro 5, a great gaming laptop for budget-conscious gamers. Equipped with an Intel Core i5 processor and an NVidia GeForce RTX 3050 TI graphics card. This gaming laptop also has an RGB backlit keyboard and a far superior cooling system compared to other brands.
What Laptop Can I Get For $800?
The laptop you can get for $800 will allow you to play most modern games with medium graphics settings. Featuring an Intel Core i5 processor, an NVidia RTX 3050 graphics card and 8 GB of RAM. In addition to its 15.6-inch display with a 144Hz refresh rate display, it will have a backlit keyboard and a 256GB SSD.
Which Brand Is Best For Budget Laptops?
For budget gaming laptops, the best brand is Acer for their gaming-focused Acer Nitro 5 range. Which offers solid gaming performance at 1080p resolution settings in most games. And for budget laptops for everyday use, ASUS is the brand to consider, and their laptops definitely stand out from their peers. They feature powerful processors, a solid build and efficient battery life. Making them suitable for office use and moderate computing tasks without breaking the bank.
More Content: also check out the best cheap laptops for Sims 4 gamers on a budget. Or more powerful laptops for Sims 4 that are perfect for video gaming.
Conclusion..
After reading this guide, you should have your heart set on one of the best gaming laptops under 800 listed above. If not, I have provided a comprehensive list of laptop brands to check out.
All said and done, there aren’t many laptops at this price point that will offer better gaming performance than the five budget gaming laptops listed above. If there is, please let me know.
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Thanks for Reading, Cya Next Time!
Helpful Content: Not made a decision? Than you might want to consider reading through my gaming laptop buying guide. I am confident that you will find some ideas there.
Sources:
- CPU Data: CPU Benchmark.net
- CPU & GPU Data: User benchmark
- GPU Data: Video Benchmark.net
