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10 Best Budget Gaming Laptops 2025 in the United States

#1

Winner

9.8 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) is designed for budget-conscious gamers who don't want to compromise on performance. With its powerful Intel Core i7-13650HX processor and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 GPU, it’s well-equipped to handle modern games at decent settings. The 16GB of DDR5 RAM ensures smooth multitasking, while the 1TB PCIe Gen4 SSD provides ample storage and fast load times.

Rating
9.8
Chosen by1,364
Graphics Card (GPU)
Processor (CPU)
Display

Most important from
1844 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.
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
The battery life is much better than expected for a gaming laptop.
Build Quality and Cooling
The cooling system is excellent, keeping the machine cool even during intense gaming sessions.
#2
9.6 score

Acer Nitro V Gaming Laptop | Intel Core i7-13620H Processor | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 Laptop GPU | 15.6" FHD IPS 144Hz Display | 16GB DDR5 | 512GB Gen 4 SSD | WiFi 6 | Backlit KB | ANV15-51-73B9

The Acer Nitro V Gaming Laptop is a solid choice for budget-conscious gamers looking for a good balance of performance and features. It comes equipped with a powerful 13th Gen Intel Core i7-13620H processor and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 GPU, which together provide a robust gaming experience capable of handling most modern games with ease. The 16GB DDR5 RAM and 512GB Gen 4 SSD further enhance its performance, offering fast load times and smooth multitasking.

Rating
9.6
Graphics Card (GPU)
Processor (CPU)
RAM

Most important from
754 reviews

Graphics Card (GPU)
The Intel Core i9-13900H processor and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 GPU combo deliver lightning-fast performance, handling the latest AAA games and demanding applications with ease.
Processor (CPU)
The Intel Core i9-13900H processor and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 GPU combo deliver lightning-fast performance, handling the latest AAA games and demanding applications with ease.
RAM
With 16GB of DDR5 RAM and a 512GB Gen 4 SSD, this laptop offers plenty of memory and storage, ensuring quick boot times and rapid loading of games and applications.
Storage
With 16GB of DDR5 RAM and a 512GB Gen 4 SSD, this laptop offers plenty of memory and storage, ensuring quick boot times and rapid loading of games and applications.
Display
The 15.6" FHD IPS display with a 144Hz refresh rate provides crisp visuals and smooth gameplay, making a noticeable difference in fast-paced games.
Battery Life
Even though the battery life could be better, the overall performance and features make it a trade-off worth accepting.
Build Quality and Cooling
The laptop feels sturdy and well-built, with a sleek and modern design that's surprisingly lightweight for a gaming laptop.
#3
9.3 score

Acer Nitro V Gaming Laptop | Intel Core i5-13420H Processor | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 Laptop GPU | 15.6" FHD IPS 144Hz Display | 8GB DDR5 | 512GB Gen 4 SSD | WiFi 6 | Backlit KB | ANV15-51-51H9

The Acer Nitro V Gaming Laptop is a solid choice for budget gamers, offering a range of features that cater to gaming needs without breaking the bank. It is equipped with a 13th Gen Intel Core i5-13420H processor and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 Laptop GPU, which together provide good performance for gaming and creative tasks. The 15.6-inch Full HD IPS display with a 144Hz refresh rate ensures smooth and vibrant visuals, enhancing the gaming experience.

Rating
9.3
Graphics Card (GPU)
RAM
Storage

Most important from
1449 reviews

Graphics Card (GPU)
The graphics are impressive, and games run smoothly even on higher settings.
RAM
Two physical RAM slots and two M.2 storage slots make it perfect for upgrades.
Storage
Two physical RAM slots and two M.2 storage slots make it perfect for upgrades.
Display
The display is bright and clear, with a 144Hz refresh rate making gameplay super smooth.
Battery Life
Battery life isn’t the longest, but that’s expected for a gaming laptop.
Build Quality and Cooling
The hardware specs are outstanding for the price, with great screen quality, comfortable keyboard and trackpad, and efficient cooling.

Top 10 Best Budget Gaming Laptops 2025 in the United States

#1

Winner

9.8 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-inch FHD, 165Hz, 100% sRGB
Build Quality and Cooling: ROG Intelligent Cooling with liquid metal

Chosen by 1364 this week

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Buying Guide for the Best Budget Gaming Laptops

When it comes to picking a budget gaming laptop, it's important to balance performance, build quality, and features to get the best value for your money. Gaming laptops in this category are designed to provide a good gaming experience without breaking the bank. To make an informed decision, you need to understand the key specifications that impact gaming performance and overall usability. Here are the key specs you should consider and how to navigate them to find the best fit for your needs.
Graphics Card (GPU)The graphics card, or GPU, is crucial for gaming performance as it handles rendering images, videos, and animations. In budget gaming laptops, you'll typically find entry-level to mid-range GPUs. Entry-level GPUs are suitable for less demanding games and lower settings, while mid-range GPUs can handle more demanding games at medium to high settings. If you plan to play modern AAA games, aim for a mid-range GPU to ensure smoother gameplay.
Processor (CPU)The processor, or CPU, is the brain of your laptop and affects overall performance, including gaming. Budget gaming laptops usually come with mid-range CPUs, which are sufficient for most gaming needs. Look for at least a quad-core processor, as it can handle multitasking and gaming more efficiently. If you plan to use your laptop for other tasks like video editing or streaming, a more powerful CPU will be beneficial.
RAMRAM, or Random Access Memory, is important for multitasking and running games smoothly. For budget gaming laptops, 8GB of RAM is the minimum you should consider, as it allows for decent performance in most games. However, 16GB of RAM is preferable if you want to future-proof your laptop and ensure better performance in more demanding games and applications.
StorageStorage affects how much space you have for games, applications, and files. Budget gaming laptops often come with either HDDs (Hard Disk Drives) or SSDs (Solid State Drives). SSDs are faster and improve loading times, which can enhance your gaming experience. A combination of a smaller SSD (for the operating system and frequently played games) and a larger HDD (for additional storage) is a good balance. Aim for at least 256GB of SSD storage if possible.
DisplayThe display quality impacts your gaming experience significantly. Look for a Full HD (1920x1080) resolution, which is standard for budget gaming laptops and provides clear and sharp visuals. Additionally, consider the refresh rate; a higher refresh rate (like 120Hz or 144Hz) can make gameplay smoother and more responsive. If you play fast-paced games, a higher refresh rate is beneficial.
Battery LifeBattery life is important if you plan to use your laptop on the go. Gaming laptops generally have shorter battery life due to their powerful components. In budget gaming laptops, expect around 4-6 hours of battery life during regular use, but significantly less during gaming. If portability is a priority, look for models with better battery efficiency or consider carrying a charger with you.
Build Quality and CoolingBuild quality affects the durability and longevity of your laptop. Budget gaming laptops may use more plastic, but look for models with good build quality and sturdy construction. Cooling is also crucial, as gaming generates a lot of heat. Effective cooling solutions, like multiple fans and good ventilation, help maintain performance and prevent overheating. Check reviews for feedback on build quality and cooling performance.

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