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10 Best Affordable Gaming Laptops 2025 in the United States

#1

Winner

9.7 score

ASUS ROG Strix G16 Gaming Laptop, 165Hz Display, NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 4060, Intel Core i7-13650HX, 16GB DDR5, 1TB PCIe Gen4 SSD, Wi-Fi 6E, Windows 11, G614JV-AS74

The ASUS ROG Strix G16 (2024) gaming laptop is a solid option for gamers seeking affordable performance. It features a powerful 13th Gen Intel Core i7-13650HX processor and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 graphics card, which together provide excellent performance for modern games. The dedicated graphics card is particularly beneficial for anyone looking to enjoy high-quality visuals and smooth gameplay.

Rating
9.7
Chosen by1,472
Graphics Card (GPU)
Processor (CPU)
RAM

Most important from
1929 reviews

Graphics Card (GPU)
The Intel Core i7-13650HX and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 combo is a beast! Every game runs smoothly at high settings.
Processor (CPU)
The Intel Core i7-13650HX and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 combo is a beast! Every game runs smoothly at high settings.
RAM
Gaming is buttery smooth even with maxed-out settings, and multitasking is seamless thanks to the powerful processor and ample RAM.
Display
The 16-inch, 16:10 FHD display with a 165Hz refresh rate is a game-changer. The visuals are buttery smooth, vibrant, and crisp.
Battery Life
While gaming laptops are known for short battery lives, the G16 pleasantly surprised me with its efficiency during non-gaming tasks.
Build Quality and Cooling
The laptop feels premium and sturdy, with an excellent cooling system that keeps it cool even during intense gaming sessions.
#2
9.4 score

Alienware M18 R2 Gaming Laptop - 18 QHD+ 165Hz 3ms Display, Intel Core i9-14900HX, 32GB DDR5 RAM, 1TB SSD, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 12 GB GDDR6, Windows 11 Home, Onsite Service - Dark Metallic Moon

The Alienware M18 R2 Gaming Laptop stands out in the realm of affordable gaming laptops, primarily due to its impressive specifications. It features a powerful Intel Core i9-14900HX processor coupled with NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4080 graphics, making it capable of handling the latest games with ease and ensuring a smooth gaming experience. The 32GB of DDR5 RAM and 1TB SSD storage enhance multitasking capabilities and provide quick load times, which gamers will appreciate.

Rating
9.4
Graphics Card (GPU)
RAM
Display

Most important from
154 reviews

Graphics Card (GPU)
The 165Hz display feels slow for a system with an RTX 4080, and the sound quality is lacking.
RAM
This machine runs amazing with 32GB of DDR5 RAM at 6400 MT/s, even with hyperthreading and DLSS turned on.
Display
The 165Hz display feels slow for a system with an RTX 4080, and the sound quality is lacking.
Build Quality and Cooling
Alienware has a great aesthetic and unparalleled build quality.
#3
9.2 score

Lenovo Legion 5i Gaming Laptop - NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 8G - 16” WQXGA Display - Intel Core i7-14650HX - 32GB RAM - 512GB SSD - Windows 11 Home - Luna Grey

The Lenovo Legion 5i is a strong contender in the affordable gaming laptop category, especially for gamers who want high performance without breaking the bank. It features an Intel Core i7-14650HX processor combined with a powerful NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4070 GPU, which means it can handle most modern games smoothly and even support streaming or multitasking comfortably. The 32GB DDR5 RAM is more than enough for gaming and running multiple apps at once, making lag a rare issue. Storage-wise, the 512GB SSD offers fast load times, but some users might find the space limited if they have many large games or files.

Rating
9.2
Processor (CPU)
Storage
Display

Most important from
113 reviews

Processor (CPU)
The laptop delivers a significant performance boost with its Intel Core i7-14650HX and RTX 4070, running modern games smoothly and supporting overclocking through Lenovo's software.
Storage
Dual SSD slots make storage expansion easy, allowing users to quickly add large drives without hassle.
Display
The 165Hz display refresh rate offers a noticeably smoother visual experience, surpassing the common 120Hz standard for this price range.
Battery Life
Battery issues can occur with some units, such as power-on problems and charging failures, though these appear to be isolated cases requiring customer service intervention.
Build Quality and Cooling
The cooling system effectively keeps the laptop cool during intense gaming sessions, with fan noise remaining within comfortable limits even at full blast.

Top 10 Best Affordable Gaming Laptops 2025 in the United States

#1

Winner

9.7 score

ASUS ROG Strix G16 Gaming Laptop, 165Hz Display, NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 4060, Intel Core i7-13650HX, 16GB DDR5, 1TB PCIe Gen4 SSD, Wi-Fi 6E, Windows 11, G614JV-AS74

Graphics Card (GPU): NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060
Processor (CPU): Intel Core i7-13650HX
RAM: 16 GB DDR5
Storage: 1 TB PCIe Gen4 SSD
Display: 16” FHD, 165Hz
Build Quality and Cooling: ROG Intelligent Cooling with liquid metal

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Buying Guide for the Best Affordable Gaming Laptops

When it comes to picking an affordable gaming laptop, it's important to balance performance, build quality, and features to get the best value for your money. Gaming laptops need to handle demanding games, so you'll want to focus on key specifications that impact gaming performance. Here's a breakdown of the most important specs to consider and how to choose the right ones for your needs.
Graphics Card (GPU)The graphics card, or GPU, is crucial for gaming performance as it handles rendering images, videos, and animations. For gaming, a dedicated GPU is essential. Entry-level GPUs can handle less demanding games at lower settings, while mid-range GPUs offer better performance for most modern games at medium to high settings. High-end GPUs are for those who want to play the latest games at the highest settings. Choose a GPU based on the types of games you play and the level of detail you want.
Processor (CPU)The CPU is the brain of your laptop and affects overall performance, including gaming. For gaming, a quad-core processor is generally the minimum, with six-core or higher being ideal for better performance and future-proofing. Entry-level CPUs can handle basic tasks and older games, mid-range CPUs are suitable for most modern games, and high-end CPUs are for those who want the best performance. Consider the types of games you play and whether you multitask while gaming.
RAMRAM (Random Access Memory) is important for multitasking and running games smoothly. For gaming, 8GB of RAM is the minimum, but 16GB is recommended for better performance and future-proofing. More RAM allows for smoother gameplay and the ability to run other applications simultaneously. If you play modern, resource-intensive games or use your laptop for other demanding tasks, opt for 16GB or more.
StorageStorage affects how much space you have for games and how quickly your laptop can load them. Solid State Drives (SSDs) are faster and more reliable than Hard Disk Drives (HDDs). A combination of SSD and HDD is ideal, with the SSD for the operating system and frequently played games, and the HDD for additional storage. For gaming, a 256GB SSD is a good starting point, but 512GB or more is better if you have a large game library. Choose based on your storage needs and how many games you plan to install.
DisplayThe display affects your gaming experience through resolution, refresh rate, and size. A Full HD (1920x1080) resolution is standard and sufficient for most gamers. Higher resolutions like 1440p or 4K offer better visuals but require more powerful hardware. A higher refresh rate (120Hz or 144Hz) provides smoother gameplay, especially in fast-paced games. Screen size is a personal preference, with 15.6 inches being a common balance between portability and screen real estate. Choose based on your visual preferences and the types of games you play.
Battery LifeBattery life is important if you plan to game on the go, though gaming laptops typically have shorter battery life due to their powerful components. Look for a laptop with at least 4-6 hours of battery life for general use, but expect less during gaming sessions. If you often game away from a power source, prioritize battery life, but remember that gaming performance is best when plugged in.
Build Quality and CoolingBuild quality affects the durability and longevity of your laptop. A well-built laptop with good cooling solutions will last longer and perform better under heavy gaming loads. Look for laptops with robust construction and efficient cooling systems to prevent overheating. If you game for extended periods, prioritize laptops with good cooling to maintain performance and comfort.

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