Best Gaming Laptops Under $500 In 2023 [For All Type Of Players]

Most of you will agree with me that choosing the best gaming laptops under $500 is a difficult task nowadays.

There are hundreds of websites with guides for gaming laptops, but none of them will give you the best guide. 

In a word, gaming laptops are laptops built with high-performance components that combine mobility and performance.

It’s impossible to tell the difference between a gaming laptop and an ordinary laptop just by looking at them.

These machines may equal the performance of a desktop and include top-of-the-line graphics cards, high-performance processors, top-of-the-line RAM, and storage, as well as a backlit keyboard and a variety of other amenities.

You may utilize these laptops for a variety of high-performance tasks in addition to gaming.

The gaming craze is growing by the day since the gaming business has advanced significantly in recent years, and freshly produced games are considerably more engaging and have superior visuals.

Because high-end gaming laptops are too expensive and not everyone can afford $2000, I compiled this list of the best laptops for gaming under $500.

You can choose from any laptops on our list, and these gaming laptops will still perform admirably.

So, Before reviews here are 9 important things to look for in the best gaming laptop under 500 dollars.

In A Hurry? Here’s Are Our Top Picks

Image Product
Acer Aspire 5 Laptop Acer Aspire 5
(BEST OVERALL)
Dell Inspiron 15.6†HD laptop Dell Inspiron 15.6″
(EDITOR’S PICK)
Lenovo Ideapad 15.6 Lenovo Ideapad 15.6″
(BEST RUNNER-UP)
https://youtu.be/Pp_XuAkWqW0

Things to Consider Before Buying Best Gaming Laptop Under 500

1. Graphics Card:

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It is one of the most crucial components of a gaming laptop and is not part of making any sacrifice.

Modern-day games consist of the most complicated and high-end graphics; therefore, a strong GPU with dedicated graphics RAM helps a lot.

Without a strong graphics card, a gaming laptop will not bring you the delight of playing games, no matter the processing power of the CPU and gigabytes of RAM you have.

In this budget, you can have NVidia’s GeForce GTX 940MX, which is twenty percent stronger than the GTX 940 M, or you can purchase Radeon R6 Kaveri.

These graphics cards are quite good in this class and can run the newest games at decent frame rates.

2. Processor:

Everyone knows it is the computer’s heart, and without it, no operation can be performed, let alone gaming.

So you’ve chosen a good graphics card that meets your needs, and now you need a processor that can fully exploit the GPU’s performance.

If your processor isn’t up to snuff, high-resolution games can damage it. That means a 6th/7th gen Intel Core i5 or AMD’s A10-8700p. Other useful processors are available.

3. Display:

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The screen quality boosts the gaming experience, although choices are restricted to under $500.

We discovered a 15-inch laptop with FHD 1920 x 1080 resolution.

FHD screens are great for movies and photos. This line also includes a couple of 17-inch choices. A 4K display is expensive but gives the best experience ever.

4. RAM:

A gaming laptop has to deal with high game graphics processes and other demanding programs simultaneously, and physical memory becomes critical.

A minimum of 8 GB of RAM is required to play high-end games and multitask and system performance. This budget allows for up to 12 GB of RAM. Ram helps in fast processing and loading.

5. Storage:

If you want a gaming laptop, it must have enough storage to store all your games and movies.

You can now purchase a 256GB SSD for this price, which speeds up Windows startup and game loading.

Laptops have tiny capacity SSD since these flash drives are pricey.

6. Operating system

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Pick a laptop with Windows already installed. Because most games and software are created for Windows.

It is recommended to have Windows. Besides, buying windows later may cost you more.

7. Better connectivity

USB 3.0, USB-C, HDMI slot, and Bluetooth 4.0. Don’t prioritize these solutions; instead, consider them a backup option.

8. Battery life

These laptops typically feature a low-voltage processor, which means they have longer battery life and require you to plug them in after a longer amount of time.

A few laptops in this price range provide enough backup and can last up to 8 hours when used lightly.

9. Keyboard

Because you will not be carrying an additional keyboard with you all of the time, choose a laptop with a spacious and strong keyboard.

Look for keyboards that will last through your gaming session. It’s a plus if you receive an illuminated keyboard.

Image Product Details   Price
Acer Aspire 5 Laptop Acer Aspire 5 Laptop Processor: Intel Core i5
RAM: 8 GB DDR4
Display: 15.6 Inches FHD 
Graphics: Integrated graphics
Check Price
Dell Inspiron 15.6†HD laptop Dell Inspiron 15.6″ Laptop Processor: Intel Core i3
RAM: 8 GB DDR4 RAM 
Display: 15.6″ FHD Display with 144Hz refresh rate
Graphics: Intel HD 620
Check Price
Lenovo Ideapad 15.6 Lenovo Ideapad 15.6″ Laptop Processor: AMD Ryzen 3
RAM: 8GB RAM
Display: 15.6†FHD
Graphics: AMD Radeon Vega 3
Check Price
ASUS VivoBook 15 Thin Laptop ASUS VivoBook 15 Thin Laptop Processor: AMD Quad-Core Ryzen 5 3500U 
RAM: 8GB DDR4
Display: 15.6†FHD
Graphics: AMD Radeon Vega 8 discrete 
Check Price
Lenovo 100E Chromebook 2ND Gen Laptop Lenovo 100E Chromebook 2nd Gen Laptop Processor: MediaTek MT8173C
RAM: 4GB LPDDR3, 1866 MHz
Display: 11.6†display
Graphics: Intel HD graphics 620
Check Price
HP 2019 14″ Laptop HP 14″ Laptop Processor: Core i3-7100U
RAM: 8GB RAM
Display: 14†FHD
Graphics: Integrated graphics
Check Price

6 Best Budget Gaming Laptops Under $500 (Reviews)

1. Acer Aspire 5 Laptop – Best Overall

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Specifications

  • Processor: Intel Core i5-8265UProcessor
  • RAM: 8 GB DDR4
  • Storage: 256 GB SSD
  • Display: 15.6 Inches FHD 
  • Graphics: Integrated graphics
  • Connectivity: WIFI, Bluetooth
  • Extra features: 1 – USB 3.1 C Gen 1 port

Review

If you don’t want to spend the rest of your life looking for a cheap gaming laptop, the Acer Aspire 5 Laptop is a good option.

To be honest, this nifty little gadget has a lot going for it.

As a result, you’ll find numerous reviews in which previous consumers laud it for what it is.

The majority of them have mentioned that they have never had any problems with this laptop.

As claimed, the Acer Aspire 5 Laptop is ideal for office work and casual home use.

Of course, it’s capable of light/medium gaming as well. Unlike the competitors, it can easily withstand eight hours of continuous use.

A fingerprint reader, a 15.6″ FHD beautiful display, a backlit keyboard, and an FPR reader are other notable features.

It also includes built-in microphones that effectively filter out typing sounds.

It operates well, connects easily, delivers amazing speed, and doesn’t malfunction at all, thanks to the 10th Generation Intel Core i5-1035G1 Processor, 8 GB memory, and 256 GB SSD.

Keep in mind that the laptop boots up swiftly as well. It also features expansion slots, which may boost speed and performance.

Even better, you’ll have access to a wide selection of ports for maximum connectivity.

Not to add that this model’s tiny and light design makes it convenient to transport.

In short, this product has nothing seriously wrong with it, making it an excellent pick for a go-to lifestyle.

So don’t be apprehensive about purchasing this item.

Pros

  • Beautiful design
  • Compact build
  • Good Wi-Fi
  • Good battery life

Cons

  • Noisy fan
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2. Dell Inspiron 15.6″ HD Laptop – Editor’s Choice

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Specification 

  • Processor: Intel Core i3-7130U 2.7GHz
  • RAM: 8 GB DDR4 RAM 
  • Storage:128GB SSD
  • Display: 15.6″ FHD Display with 144Hz refresh rate
  • Graphics: Intel HD 620 Graphics
  • Connectivity: WIFI, Bluetooth
  • Extra features: Stereo speakers + MaxxAudio, Built-in SD media Reader, HD webcam

Review 

The Dell Inspiron 15-6″ HD laptop outperforms other low-cost gaming laptops, which explains why it’s on this list of the best gaming laptops under 500 dollars.

Seriously, this laptop has a lot of strong selling features.

Dell Inspiron has jumped into the race of making the best gaming laptops out there, and some of its laptops don’t compromise either.

The company has released many gaming laptops under a specific budget and gives real performance for the money. 

On any given day, this device may cruelly put other budget laptops to shame in terms of appearance, usefulness, and product characteristics.

It’s suitable for a wide range of recreational activities, including gaming.

The performance is often comparable to that of more expensive versions.

I use it; it functions flawlessly even when pushed to its limitations, according to acquaintances who have used the device long enough to be able to appraise it accurately.

The laptop is quick, dependable, and appealing. It has a battery that can last for several hours at a time.

It also launches rapidly, thanks to its better-than-decent hardware specifications. It also doesn’t lag when in use.

It has an Intel Celeron Processor 4205U processor, which is a bomb. It provides dependable performance at all times.

The laptop operates well and has enough storage space thanks to its 8 GB RAM and 1 TB hard drive.

It has a minimum thickness in terms of structure. In other words, the laptop is both sleek and stylish while also being quite robust.

The screen is also appealing. You’ll also like how simple it is to set up. It types quickly and accurately.

An antivirus solution is included in the bundle at no additional cost to protect your data.

According to previous consumers, keep in mind that this Dell laptop also delivers sooner than the expected delivery date, which is great to know.

You’re getting a lot of bang for your dollar with this inexpensive laptop.

Pros

  • Good processor and design
  • Good Graphics card
  • Solid build quality

Cons

  • Battery timing
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3. Lenovo Idea Pad 15.6″ – Best Performance Gaming Laptop

Laptop Wiki - best gaming laptop under 600

Specification:

  • Processor: AMD Ryzen 3
  • RAM: 8GB RAM
  • Storage: 256GB SSD
  • Display: 15.6†FHD
  • Graphics: AMD Radeon Vega 3
  • Connectivity: WIFI, Bluetooth

Review 

The Lenovo Idea Pad Laptop is a ‘satisfaction bomb’ regarding value for money.

Seriously, this tablet has all the bells and whistles you’d expect from a Smartphone costing nearly twice as much.

It also appears to be as good in person as it does in the product photographs.

This means the product visuals aren’t made up to generate a false sense of optimism.

It has a really pleasant and appealing appearance.

Of course, it’s what’s on the inside that counts.

Let me tell you more about this best gaming laptop under 500 USD without getting too technical.

The Lenovo IdeaPad Laptop is suitable for light gaming, web browsing, schoolwork, workplace presentations, and other similar tasks, which is not terrible for a machine at this price.

According to the product specifications, it contains 4GB RAM fused into the motherboard.

It also includes an open RAM expansion slot. The AMD Ryzen 3 3250U processor and integrated graphics make multitasking a breeze while maintaining reasonable frame rates.

The battery life is also acceptable. On any given day, you may expect 5-6 hours of performance, even with a brightness of 80 percent or higher.

It’s also made to stay cool even when doing heavy work.

Because of the unexpectedly decent keyboard, typing is also enjoyable.

The touchpad works just as stated. A sliding camera cover is also included for increased user privacy.

Without your permission, no one will be able to record anything.

It’s also simple to set up. It takes less than 10 minutes to get started.

Even better, the tablet includes a one-month trial of Office 365. Despite its tiny design, the laptop has a decent number of USB ports. A headphone jack is also available.

As you can see, this Lenovo laptop is quite powerful.

It not only looks beautiful, but it also functions as intended.

For the price, it’s a good computer. Overall, it provides excellent value for money on any given day.

Pros

  • Good storage
  • Easy to use
  • Good design

Cons

  • No fingerprint reader
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4. ASUS VivoBook 15 – Thin & Light Gaming Laptop

Laptop Wiki -razer laptop under 500

Specification

  • Processor: AMD Quad Core Ryzen 5 3500U 
  • RAM: 8GB DDR4RAM
  • Storage: 256 GB SSD
  • Graphics: AMD Radeon Vega 8 discrete 
  • Connectivity: WIFI 5, Bluetooth, USB 3.2 Type-C, USB 3.2, USB 2.0
  • Display: 15.6†FHD
  • Extra feature: HDMI, Fingerprint reader

Review

This laptop features impressive specs, including an AMD Quad-Core R5-3500U CPU, 8 GB RAM, 256 GB SSD, AMD Radeon Vega 8 integrated graphics, and more.

Of course, you may also upgrade the RAM and SSD if necessary.

Nothing prohibits you from improving the laptop’s performance if you feel the need.

It essentially has open spaces for product expansion. The best aspect is that you’ll hardly notice a decrease in performance.

This laptop gets full grades from someone who uses it to play games or work from home.

Even though it isn’t built for gaming, you can play light and medium games on it without any problems.

You may expect 4-5 hours of nonstop performance from the battery on a full charge.

The battery life would, of course, be dependent on the activities.

Expect one hour more or less, depending on the programs you use on your laptop.

Another good feature of this laptop is the 4-way NanoEdge display, which helps to keep the laptop’s overall dimensions and footprint to a minimum.

There is a screen-to-body resolution ratio of about 90%.

The ErgoLift hinge design of this laptop is especially noteworthy.

It automatically tilts the keyboard to provide a better typing experience than usual.

Believe it or not, typing on this device requires very little effort.

The laptop appears to be quite modern and attractive. The operational speed is, of course, excellent.

Most programs will run quickly because of the 8 GB RAM. This laptop also switches on and off swiftly. It’s also light enough to carry about with you.

Pros

  • backlit keyboard
  • Fast System response
  • Good speakers
  • Good storage

Cons

  • Heat option
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5. Lenovo 100E Chromebook – 2nd Gen Gaming Laptop

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Specification

  • Processor: MediaTek MT8173C
  • RAM: 4GB LPDDR3, 1866 MHz
  • Storage: 16 GB eMMC SSD
  • Display: 11.6†display
  • Graphics: Intel HD graphics 620
  • Connectivity: WIFI, Bluetooth
  • Extra feature: Chrome OS operating system

Review

This laptop accomplishes everything you’d expect from a low-cost laptop in its class.

So, if you’re buying it for gaming, web browsing, online shopping, office work, and other similar activities, you won’t be dissatisfied.

It has a good appearance, charges quickly are durable enough, and enables multitasking.

This indicates that it has more than modest product specifications, which is true. As a result, the product description isn’t full of nonsense.

The laptop boasts 4 gigabytes of RAM, plenty of ports, and a battery life of 9-10 hours.

It also has a front-facing 720P HD camera, an anti-glare 11.6-inch HD screen, and a drop/water-resistant build.

It also boasts a decent keyboard and trackpad, indicating that Lenovo has paid close attention to the minutiae.

Another advantage of this lap gadget is its lightweight of approximately 2.7 pounds. It’s one of the lightest on the market.

Not to mention that the Media Tek MT8173C Processor in it is designed for daily use.

This gadget also has rubberized sides to protect it from accidental drops.

Everything is also simple to set up. As soon as it’s ready to use, you’ll note that the screen resolution and brightness are both excellent.

As you might have guessed, this laptop is near-perfect in every way.

In other words, it outperforms expectations. Plus, it keeps working like new for a longer period.

You will have no complaints about the price you spent, and you may even suggest it to others.

Everything is also simple to set up. As soon as it’s ready to use, you’ll note that the screen resolution and brightness are both excellent.

As you might have guessed, this laptop is near-perfect in every way.

Pros

  • Has SSD storage
  • Easy to set up

Cons

  • Cannot run heavy games
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6. HP 2019 – Budget Gaming Laptop

Laptop Wiki - best gaming laptops under 500

Specification:

  • Processor: Core i3-7100U
  • RAM: 8GB RAM
  • Storage: 128 GB SSD
  • Display: 14†FHD
  • Graphics: Integrated graphics
  • Connectivity: WIFI, Bluetooth

Review:

If you’re looking for a light, quick, and affordable gaming laptop, the HP 2019 14-inch laptop is a great option.

Of course, it isn’t as powerful as some more expensive ones.

So don’t be an idiot and expect a workhorse at this price. However, it performs better than ‘acceptable’ outcomes.

It performs better than comparable models in its category.

Everything works as it should. It can handle everything from business jobs to simple gaming with ease.

In short, it’s a superb all-around laptop that won’t break the bank.

This laptop provides a pleasurable gaming and computing experience in terms of performance.

The SSD is 128 GB in capacity and comes with 8 GB of RAM for those who don’t know. It also has an Intel Core i3-7100U processor from the 7th generation.

All of this facilitates multitasking without latencies or sluggishness.

Remember that this device has few moving parts, which means it will start up quickly. It starts up in 6-7 seconds, believes it or not.

It also features an SD card port that may expand the storage capacity.

When traveling to a location with a slow Internet connection, the inbuilt HMDI and Ethernet ports might be extremely useful. As a result, this product has no weak points.

In terms of structure, the quality of this laptop’s build appears to be sufficient to prevent it from breaking easily.

Your laptop may survive a fall if it is dropped by mistake. This should give you a good understanding of the device’s construction quality.

The laptop setup is also simple. The device takes you to step by step through the setup process.

If the device’s size (14-inch) is appropriate for you, you should not pass up this laptop because of its low price and excellent evaluations.

Pros

  • Good keyboard
  • Enough RAM
  • Fast multitask

Cons

  • No video editing
  • Bloatware
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Conclusion

The best gaming laptop works well smartly designed for non-tech savvy users, and both storage and speed are up to the mark.

This guide takes you through some of the best available laptops to run games and produce good enough results.

Gaming laptops are laptops made with high-performance parts to deliver better performance with mobility.

These laptops are capable of matching the performance of a desktop and feature top-quality graphics cards, high-performance processors, high-class RAM, and storage along with a backlit keyboard and many other features.

 

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