If you’re on a tight budget and looking for best gaming laptops under 500, this article is for you. I’ll explain how you can pick a better gaming laptop yourself and what are the best gaming laptops under 500 dollars.
Honestly, under $500, you can get a gaming laptop from reputable brands like HP, Acer, Dell, and Lenovo. However, if you expect to play heavy games like Cyberpunk 2077, Red Dead Redemption 2, and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (Warzone) on these laptops, you might need to increase your budget. But if you’re looking for a gaming laptop to play games like Fallout 4 and Stardew Valley, you can definitely find a decent one.
What to look in gaming laptops
Buying a laptop is a big decision, as the laptop you purchase will be used for at least 3-5 years. So, it’s better to take your time and pick the right one. Here are a few things you definitely need to consider in your gaming laptop:
Mandatory things to look in a gaming laptop:
Proccesor of the Laptop
The processor is one of the mandatory things to consider when purchasing a smartphone, PC, or gaming laptop. The processor is the brain that controls all the tasks you’ll perform on your laptop. For normal tasks like studying, office work, and watching movies, processors such as Intel Core i3, Intel Core i5, AMD Ryzen 3, and AMD Ryzen 5 are sufficient.
But for gaming laptops, you need to ensure it offers a smooth gaming experience without lagging. For that reason, you should look for a processor with:
- Cores: The processor should have at least 6 cores. For a basic gaming experience, 6 cores are sufficient. For enhanced performance, consider processors with 8 to 10 cores.
- Processor: Opt for Intel Core i5 and above or AMD Ryzen 5 and above for gaming laptops.
- Threads: A processor with at least 12 threads will offer better speed and smoothness.
- Clock Speed: A clock speed of 3 GHz or more is recommended for better gaming performance.
Some good processors with these requirements are:
- AMD Ryzen 5 4600H:
- Cores/Threads: 6 cores, 12 threads
- Clock: 3.0 GHz
- Laptops having this processors: Acer Aspire 7, Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3
- Suitable for games: Good for light gaming, older AAA games, and esports titles.
- Intel Core i5-10300H:
- Cores/Threads: 4 cores, 8 threads
- Clock: 2.5 GHz (Clock Speed is less)
- Laptops having this processor: HP Pavilion Gaming, Acer Nitro 5
- Suitable for games: Suitable for light gaming and esports games like Fortnite, CS, or Rocket League.
GPU of Laptop
GPU, or Graphics Card, adds life to games by providing high-quality graphics. Without a good GPU, you can’t enjoy premium graphics on your laptop. If you’re buying a laptop for gaming, it’s always advisable to choose one with a dedicated GPU rather than an integrated GPU. A dedicated GPU with at least 4GB of VRAM (Video RAM) is a basic requirement for a gaming laptop.
- Type of GPU: Dedicated GPU (Highly recommended)
- VRAM: At least 4GB for playing games at 1080p. Still less than 12GB is only for playing games with 1080p.
- Refresh rate support: 120Hz or high
Some good GPUs with these requirements fulfilled are:
- NVIDIA GTX 1650:
- VRAM: 4GB GDDR6
- Performance: Great for 1080p gaming on low to medium settings.
- Laptops with this GPU: Acer Aspire 5, Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3
- Games: Handles games like Fortnite, CS, and Valorant.
- AMD RX 560X:
- VRAM: 4GB GDDR5
- Performance: Suitable for 1080p gaming at medium settings.
- Laptops with this GPU: Dell G5 15, Acer Nitro 5
- Games: Plays older AAA titles like GTA V, Witcher 3, and esports titles.
RAM/ Storage
A laptop with high storage is required for gaming for a smooth experience. If your laptop has more space, then you’ll suffer less heating and lagging problems. For gaming purposes, one of the mandatory things is to get an SSD over an HDD. And secondly, a minimum storage of 512GB should be there in the laptop.
- Type of Storage: SSD (Solid State Drive)
- Minimum Storage: 512GB and above.
Some good storage configurations with these requirements fulfilled are:
- 512GB SSD:
- Games: Enough space for games like Call of Duty: Warzone, Cyberpunk 2077, and Fortnite.
- Laptops with this storage: Acer Nitro 5, Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3
- 256GB SSD + 1TB HDD:
- Laptops with this storage: HP Pavilion Gaming, Dell G3
- Games: Great for managing both large AAA games and other media files.
Cooling System
The cooling system is one of the most important things to check, especially for a gaming laptop. Gaming laptops have to deal with games that require a lot of resources, which generates a lot of pressure on the processor and therefore a lot of heat. A laptop with a dual fan is required for gaming purposes. The Acer Nitro 5 and Lenovo Legion 5 offer such advanced cooling systems under a budget of $500.
Battery Life
It doesn’t matter how much money you spend on a gaming laptop; on average, you’ll get a battery life of 2-6 hours. However, having a battery life of less than 2-3 hours is a compromise you should avoid when buying a gaming laptop.
Some good laptops with decent battery life are:
- Acer Aspire 7:
- Battery Life: Around 5-7 hours for general use, 2-3 hours for gaming.
- Dell G5 15:
- Battery Life: Up to 6 hours for regular use, 2 hours for gaming.
Upgradation Options
In most gaming laptops, you can only upgrade the storage. Very few laptops offer GPU upgrades. Still, you should look for a laptop that allows you to upgrade its components. To learn more about the upgradable and non-upgradable parts of a gaming laptop, check out our article on how long gaming laptops last.
- Acer Nitro 5:
- Upgradable Components: RAM Upgradation (up to 32GB), additional M.2 or SATA slot for SSD/HDD upgrades.
- Lenovo Legion 5:
- Upgradable Components: RAM Upgradation (up to 32GB) and additional SSD/HDD slots.
Warranty & Support
Most gaming laptops come with a 1-year warranty, but it’s wise to choose a brand with easily accessible service centers and 24/7 customer support.
Optional things to consider:
Weight & Portability:
- If you’re on a tight budget, you might need to overlook the portability and weight of the laptop. However, keep in mind that most gaming laptops tend to be bulky and heavier.
- Recommendation:
- Focus on a laptop with solid build quality and good performance. For gaming purposes, consider bulky laptops, as they generally offer better cooling and durability.
Display Type:
- With a less budget, display can be overlooked but still you won’t enjoy your game if you don’t have a laptop with good display.
- Recommendation:
- Look for displays with at least Full HD resolution (1920×1080) and a refresh rate of 120Hz or higher for smoother gameplay.
- An IPS panel is preferable for better color accuracy and viewing angles.
Ports:
- Although ports are crucial for connecting peripherals, external displays, and other devices, this is one area where you can compromise with a lower budget.
- Recommendation:
- A Gaming laptop must have multiple USB ports (including USB-C), HDMI for external displays, and an Ethernet port for stable internet connectivity.
- SD card reader is optional.
VR Support:
- It is hard to experience Virtual Reality (VR) gaming under a budget of $500, as it requires a powerful GPU and specific hardware compatibility.
- Recommendation:
- A high-end GPU (like NVIDIA RTX 3060 or above) is required for VR Gaming.
Audio Quality:
- Recommendation:
- Consider models that offer DTS or Dolby Audio enhancements.
3 Best Gaming Laptops under 500 USD
As mentioned at the start, you will definitely find gaming laptops under $500 easily on Amazon, Walmart, and official stores of laptop brands. However, with this budget, there is a limitation: these gaming laptops will support only low-end games.
We have picked three best gaming laptops under 500 USD that offer a variety of features within this price range. These laptops are:
Acer Aspire 5
Mandatory Specifications:
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Processor | AMD Ryzen 5 5500U |
| GPU | Integrated AMD Radeon |
| RAM/Storage | 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD |
| Cooling System | Standard dual fan design |
| Battery Life | Up to 8 hours (normal use) Can last up to 2 hours on gaming mode. |
| Upgradation Options | RAM and SSD upgradable |
| Warranty & Support | 1-year |
Optional Specifications:
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Weight & Portability | 1.63 kg |
| Display Type | 15.6 inches( Full HD IPS) |
| Ports | 1x USB-C, 2x USB 3.2, 1x USB 2.0, HDMI, Ethernet |
| VR Support | Not supported |
Pros and Cons:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Excellent battery life | Integrated graphics will not support high-end gaming |
| Upgradable RAM & SSD | Basic cooling system, not ideal for intensive gaming |
HP 14
Mandatory Specifications:
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Core i5-1135G7 |
| GPU | Integrated Intel Iris Xe |
| RAM/Storage | 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD |
| Cooling System | Basic cooling system |
| Battery Life | Up to 8 hours |
| Upgradation Options | RAM and SSD upgradable |
| Warranty & Support | 1-year |
Optional Specifications:
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Weight & Portability | 1.47 kg |
| Display Type | 14 inches Full HD |
| Ports | 1x USB-C, 2x USB 3.1, 1x USB 2.0, HDMI, SD card reader |
| VR Support | Not suitable for VR |
Pros and Cons:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Good battery life | Integrated graphics may struggle with gaming |
| Upgradable RAM & SSD |
MSI GF63 Thin
Mandatory Specifications:
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Processor | Intel Core i5-9300H |
| GPU | NVIDIA GTX 1050 |
| RAM/Storage | 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD |
| Cooling System | Single fan with heat pipes |
| Battery Life | Up to 7 hours |
| Upgradation Options | RAM and SSD upgradable |
| Warranty & Support | 1-year |
Optional Specifications:
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Weight & Portability | 1.86 kg |
| Display Type | 15.6″ Full HD IPS |
| Ports | 1x USB-C, 2x USB 3.1, 1x USB 2.0, HDMI, Ethernet |
| VR Support | Basic, not ideal for VR |
| Audio Quality | Average |
Pros and Cons:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Dedicated GPU | Audio quaility is average. |
| Budget-friendly | Cooling system is basic. |
| Good for light gaming |
Best Gaming Laptops you can find on deals
If you can increase your budget by $100 to $200, you can find some better gaming laptops that will allow you to play high-end games like Fortnite, Apex Legends, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, Shadow of the Tomb Raider, and Overwatch.
The laptop suggested below is a bit higher than $500 but is likely to cost around $500-$600 during deals. Many brands offer deals, especially during festive seasons. Keep an eye on these deals, and you might find a much better gaming laptop within your budget. This laptop is:
Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3
Mandatory Specifications:
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Processor | AMD Ryzen 5 5600H |
| GPU | NVIDIA RTX 3050 |
| RAM/Storage | 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD |
| Cooling System | Dual fan cooling system |
| Battery Life | Up to 6 hours |
| Upgradation Options | RAM and SSD upgradable |
| Warranty & Support | 1-year limited warranty |
Optional Specifications:
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Weight & Portability | 5.1 lbs (2.3 kg) |
| Display Type | 15.6″ Full HD IPS |
| Ports | 1x USB-C, 2x USB 3.2, 1x USB 2.0, HDMI, Ethernet |
| VR Support | Capable of some VR applications |
| Audio Quality | Good for gaming |
Pros and Cons:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Powerful GPU | Shorter battery life during intensive gaming |
| Good cooling system | |
| Upgradable RAM & SSD |
Conclusion
Finding best gaming laptops under 500 is challenging, but it’s not impossible. While you might not be able to play the latest high-end games on these laptops, there are still many demanding games which can be played without facing any issue.
Here’s what to keep in mind while picking your gaming laptop:
- Processor: Look for laptops with at least a 6-core processor like the AMD Ryzen 5 or Intel Core i5 to ensure smooth gaming.
- Graphics: Choose dedicated GPU over iGPU (integrated GPU). GPUs like the NVIDIA GTX 1650 or AMD RX 560X is a better option.
- Storage: Always opt for an SSD with at least 512GB of space to avoid lag.
- Cooling: A laptop with a good cooling system is crucial.
- Battery Life: Expect battery life around 2-6 hours, depending on usage.
If you can slightly increase your budget, you’ll find even better options that can handle a wider range of games and you’ll get better performance. Keep an eye out for deals and discounts, especially during festive seasons, to get the best gaming laptops under your budget.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What are the best cheap gaming laptops
Acer Aspire 5, HP Pavilion Gaming Laptop, and Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 are some of the best cheap gaming laptops.
Which gaming laptops have the best cooling
Gaming laptops with best cooling are ASUS ROG Strix Scar 16, MSI GE76 Raider, Acer Predator Helios 300, Razer Blade 15 Advanced, and Dell Alienware x17.
What are the best gaming laptops for under $1000
ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14, Acer Nitro 5, and MSI GF65 Thin offer excellent gaming performance and value under $1000.