Gaming laptops have come a long way in recent years, offering powerful hardware at increasingly affordable prices. While high-end gaming machines can cost thousands, there are excellent budget-friendly options that deliver solid performance without breaking the bank. If you’re a gamer looking to stay under an $800 budget, we’ve rounded up the best laptops that balance performance, display quality, and portability to enhance your gaming experience. Here are our top picks for 2024:
• Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 5600H / Intel Core i5-11400H
• GPU: NVIDIA GTX 1650
• RAM: 8GB DDR4 (Upgradeable)
• Storage: 256GB SSD
• Display: 15.6” FHD (1920x1080) 144Hz
• Price: $750
The Nitro 5 has remained a crowd favorite among budget gamers for a long time. An AMD Ryzen 5 or Intel Core i5 processor paired with an NVIDIA GTX 1650 graphics card makes this an excellent entry-level system for gaming. Its 15.6-inch 144Hz display will provide high-speed smoothness for games. The Nitro 5 is also RAM and storage upgradable, providing enough room to build performance as required.
Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 5600H
GPU: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650
RAM: 8GB DDR4
Storage: 512GB SSD
Display: 15.6” FHD (1920x1080) 120Hz
Price: $780
Lenovo has also added the IdeaPad Gaming 3 to the under-$800 lineup of gaming laptops. Powered by AMD Ryzen 5 5600H and NVIDIA GTX 1650, this can run almost any popular title at medium to high graphics settings. With a 512GB SSD, there’s ample storage for games and quick load times, while the 120Hz FHD display ensures smooth gaming. It also has a solid chassis and a lightweight cooling system, which makes it bearable even during long usage sessions.
Processor: Intel Core i5-12450H
GPU: NVIDIA GTX 1650
RAM: 8GB DDR4
Storage: 512GB SSD
Display: 15.6” FHD (1920x1080) 144Hz
Price: $799
The HP Victus 15 is a modern gaming laptop that looks stylish yet packs powerful hardware, all under $800. It has 12th-gen core i5 and NVIDIA GTX 1650 GPUs, allowing it to run AAA games at nice frame rates. It has a 15.6-inch FHD display with a 144Hz refresh rate, which means a very crisp, clear, and colorful picture. Victus is a pretty good gaming series, as it looks stylish, yet it has pretty good keyboard ergonomics for office use. The 512GB SSD provides room for your favorite games and files.
Processor: Intel Core i5-10300H
GPU: NVIDIA GTX 1650
RAM: 8GB DDR4
Storage: 512GB SSD
Display: 15.6” FHD (1920x1080) 144Hz
Price: $799
The ASUS TUF Gaming F15 is a rugged laptop designed for durability and gaming performance. Its Intel Core i5-10300H processor and GTX 1650 graphics card make it a strong performer for casual and competitive gamers. The 144Hz FHD display ensures smooth gameplay, reducing motion blur in fast-paced action games. The laptop’s military-grade build ensures longevity, and the efficient cooling system helps keep performance steady even during long gaming marathons.
Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 5600H
GPU: NVIDIA GTX 1650
RAM: 8GB DDR4
Storage: 256GB SSD
Display: 15.6” FHD (1920x1080) 120Hz
Price: ~$799
Dell G15 Ryzen Edition is a powerful gaming device with AMD Ryzen 5 processing and NVIDIA GTX 1650 graphics, and it is suitable for gamers, with 15.6 inches of 120Hz FHD display for optimum gameplay. It's true 256 GB base storage can seem a little limiting, but there are upgradeable slots on the G15, which allow you to put in more space as and when required. It boasts a robust build with a gamer-friendly design and, therefore, suits everybody in the world of portable powerhouses.
Finding a quality gaming laptop under $800 doesn’t mean sacrificing performance or visuals. Models like the Acer Nitro 5, Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3, and HP Victus 15 provide strong hardware, smooth displays, and upgradeable options catering to casual and competitive gamers. These are excellent, affordable entries for budget gamers, as they give the best value for their bucks.
Consider your preference before buying: refresh rates would be at the top of your list if you play competitive games, while storage is the priority for anyone with a large game library. Regardless of which model you select, your gaming action will be immersive and light on the pocket because all are very affordable.