Top Budget Gaming Laptops of 2023

If you're eyeing the best gaming laptops, you might assume they're out of reach financially. After all, a top-tier gaming laptop with features like a 4K display can easily cost over $4,000 today. However, it's entirely possible to snag a reliable portable gaming system without breaking the bank—just know what to look for. While there are countless sub-$1,000 laptops labeled as "gaming" laptops, many are fraught with poor manufacturing, outdated specs, or refurbished models.

TL;DR – These Are the Best Budget Gaming Laptops:

MSI Crosshair 16 HX

Our Top Pick

See it at Best Buy

XPG Xenia 15G

Great Performance on a Limited Budget

See it at Newegg

Acer Nitro V ANV16

See it at Newegg

Valve Steam Deck OLED

See it at AmazonSee it at Valve

Gigabyte G6X

See it at Amazon

I've handpicked gaming laptops that deliver premium PC gaming experiences without the exorbitant price tags, starting at $2,000 and working my way down. Keep in mind that some premium features, like OLED or Mini-LED displays, are often sacrificed in budget models. Lower-priced laptops typically downgrade to 1080p displays to reduce costs, which is more than sufficient for gaming—even with cutting-edge GPUs from Nvidia or AMD.

Additionally, don’t expect mobile GPUs to match the performance of their desktop counterparts. Mobile GPUs consume less power due to battery constraints, resulting in reduced performance. While an RTX 4070 Super performs exceptionally well in 1440p gaming on desktops, laptops with the same GPU are better suited for 1080p gaming. Still, advanced features like DLSS and Frame Generation can help optimize performance.

Additional contributions by Georgie Peru, Danielle Abraham, and Jacqueline Thomas.

1. MSI Crosshair 16 (2025)

Best Budget Gaming Laptop

Our Top Pick

• RTX 4070 GPU
• 14th Gen Intel processor
• Plenty of memory and storage
• Excellent value
• Bit bulky

At $1,400, the MSI Crosshair 16 HX might stretch the definition of "budget," but it’s an incredible value for its performance. It combines a 14th Gen Intel processor with 16 cores and 24 threads for blistering multitasking and a top clock speed of 5.2GHz. Paired with its RTX 4070 GPU, it ensures triple-digit frame rates in most games at 1080p. The RTX 4070’s support for DLSS and Frame Generation further enhances performance.

Its 16GB of DDR5 memory and 1TB NVMe SSD ensure snappy multitasking and quick load times. With a 90Wh battery, it provides solid battery life, though you’ll want to plug in during intense gaming sessions. Weighing 5.51 pounds and measuring 1.1 inches thick, it leans toward traditional gaming laptops rather than slim designs. Despite its bulk, it delivers excellent value for $1,400.

2. XPG Xenia 15G

Best Gaming Laptop Under $1,500

Great Performance on a Limited Budget