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Budget Gaming Laptops

10 Best Budget Gaming Laptops 2025 in the United States

#1

Winner

9.8 score

ASUS ROG Strix G16 (2025) Gaming Laptop, 16” FHD+ 16:10 165Hz/3ms Display, NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 5060 Laptop GPU, Intel® Core™ i7 Processor 14650HX, 16GB DDR5, 1TB Gen 4 SSD, Wi-Fi 7, Windows 11 Home

ASUS ROG Strix G16 (2025) Gaming Laptop, 16” FHD+ 16:10 165Hz/3ms Display, NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 5060 Laptop GPU, Intel® Core™ i7 Processor 14650HX, 16GB DDR5, 1TB Gen 4 SSD, Wi-Fi 7, Windows 11 Home

ASUS

9.8 score

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The ASUS ROG Strix G16 is a strong choice for gamers looking for good performance without breaking the bank. It sports a powerful Intel Core i7 14650HX processor and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 laptop GPU, which means it can handle modern games smoothly and support graphics-heavy tasks thanks to newer technologies like DLSS 4. With 16GB of fast DDR5 RAM and a spacious 1TB PCIe Gen 4 SSD, you get quick loading times and plenty of space for games and apps.

Rating
9.8
Chosen by1,268
Processor (CPU)
Build Quality and Cooling
Graphics Card (GPU)

Most important from
88 reviews

Processor (CPU)
The laptop delivers a night-and-day improvement in performance compared to older models, excelling even in everyday tasks like browsing and loading.
Build Quality and Cooling
Exceptional build quality combined with a tool-less design makes upgrading RAM, storage, and battery straightforward and hassle-free.
Graphics Card (GPU)
Runs modern games smoothly with impressive graphics performance, making titles like Warzone a real treat on this machine.
RAM
While 16GB RAM suffices for most gaming needs, upgrading to 32GB is recommended for future-proofing and more demanding tasks.
#2
9.6 score

MSI Katana 15 HX 15.6” 165Hz QHD+ Gaming Laptop: Intel Core i9-14900HX, NVIDIA Geforce RTX 5070, 32GB DDR5, 1TB NVMe SSD, RGB Keyboard, Win 11 Home: Black B14WGK-016US

11%OFF

MSI Katana 15 HX 15.6” 165Hz QHD+ Gaming Laptop: Intel Core i9-14900HX, NVIDIA Geforce RTX 5070, 32GB DDR5, 1TB NVMe SSD, RGB Keyboard, Win 11 Home: Black B14WGK-016US

msi

9.6 score

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The MSI Katana 15 HX is a powerful gaming laptop that stands out with its Intel Core i9 14th gen processor and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 graphics card, making it well-suited for demanding games at high settings. Its 32GB of fast DDR5 RAM and 1TB SSD ensure smooth multitasking and ample storage for games and files. The 15.6-inch QHD+ display with a 165Hz refresh rate offers sharp visuals and smooth motion, enhancing your gaming experience.

Rating
9.6
Graphics Card (GPU)
Processor (CPU)
Storage (HDD/SSD)

Most important from
43 reviews

Graphics Card (GPU)
Delivers exceptional gaming performance with high frame rates on demanding AAA titles without any overclocking.
Processor (CPU)
Offers one of the best price-to-performance ratios in its category, making it a standout value for serious gamers.
Storage (HDD/SSD)
Storage of 1TB SSD is decent but may fall short for gamers with large libraries, requiring additional external storage solutions.
Display (Resolution & Refresh Rate)
The 165Hz QHD+ display provides sharp visuals and smooth motion, greatly enhancing competitive and immersive gaming experiences.
Cooling and Build Quality
MSI's Cooler Boost 5 system effectively manages thermals, keeping the laptop cool enough to avoid performance throttling during long gaming sessions.
Battery Life
Battery life is limited, lasting around 2 to 4 hours depending on usage, which is typical for powerful gaming laptops but restricts unplugged use.
#3
9.4 score

Acer Nitro V Gaming Laptop | Intel Core i7-13620H Processor | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 Laptop GPU | 15.6" FHD IPS 165Hz Display | 16GB DDR5 | 1TB Gen 4 SSD | Wi-Fi 6 | Backlit KB | ANV15-52-76NK

Acer Nitro V Gaming Laptop | Intel Core i7-13620H Processor | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 Laptop GPU | 15.6" FHD IPS 165Hz Display | 16GB DDR5 | 1TB Gen 4 SSD | Wi-Fi 6 | Backlit KB | ANV15-52-76NK

acer

9.4 score

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The Acer Nitro V is a solid choice for budget gamers wanting strong performance without breaking the bank. Its Intel Core i7-13620H processor combined with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 graphics card delivers smooth gaming and can handle modern titles at good frame rates while also supporting multitasking like streaming or editing. The 16GB DDR5 RAM and a fast 1TB PCIe Gen 4 SSD provide ample memory and storage, helping games and apps load quickly.

Rating
9.4
Graphics Card (GPU)
RAM (Memory)
Storage (HDD/SSD)

Most important from
12 reviews

Graphics Card (GPU)
While the RTX 4050 GPU isn’t the latest high-end option, it runs most games at high frame rates without lag, offering solid intermediate gaming performance.
RAM (Memory)
Multitasking is effortless with 16GB DDR5 RAM and a fast 1TB Gen 4 SSD, enabling smooth switching between demanding apps like video editors and browsers without lag or crashes.
Storage (HDD/SSD)
Multitasking is effortless with 16GB DDR5 RAM and a fast 1TB Gen 4 SSD, enabling smooth switching between demanding apps like video editors and browsers without lag or crashes.
Display (Resolution & Refresh Rate)
The laptop delivers seamless gaming performance, smoothly handling fast-paced shooters and graphically intensive RPGs with vibrant colors and crisp details on the 165Hz Full HD display.
Cooling and Build Quality
The cooling system keeps the laptop cool and quiet during extended gaming marathons, maintaining performance without excessive fan noise.
Battery Life
Battery life is decent for a gaming laptop, supporting a few hours of unplugged use suitable for on-the-go productivity or casual gaming.

Top 10 Best Budget Gaming Laptops 2025 in the United States

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AOC

AOC Gaming Laptop, 16.1” FHD Display, AMD Ryzen 7 Octa-Core CPU, 16GB RAM 512GB SSD, Windows 11 Laptop Computer, Wi-Fi 6, Backlit Keyboard, HDMI, USB3.2, Type-C, 53Wh Battery, Metal Shell

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#1

Winner

9.8  score
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ASUS

ASUS ROG Strix G16 (2025) Gaming Laptop, 16” FHD+ 16:10 165Hz/3ms Display, NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 5060 Laptop GPU, Intel® Core™ i7 Processor 14650HX, 16GB DDR5, 1TB Gen 4 SSD, Wi-Fi 7, Windows 11 Home

Graphics Card (GPU): NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 laptop GPU
Processor (CPU): Intel Core i7 14650HX, 5.2 GHz
RAM: 16GB DDR5
Storage: 1TB PCIe Gen 4 SSD
Display: 16-inch FHD+, 165Hz, anti-glare
Build Quality and Cooling: Solid build; vapor chamber, tri-fan

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Chosen by 1268 this week

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Slide 1

AOC

AOC Gaming Laptop, 16.1” FHD Display, AMD Ryzen 7 Octa-Core CPU, 16GB RAM 512GB SSD, Windows 11 Laptop Computer, Wi-Fi 6, Backlit Keyboard, HDMI, USB3.2, Type-C, 53Wh Battery, Metal Shell

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#2
9.6  score
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msi

MSI Katana 15 HX 15.6” 165Hz QHD+ Gaming Laptop: Intel Core i9-14900HX, NVIDIA Geforce RTX 5070, 32GB DDR5, 1TB NVMe SSD, RGB Keyboard, Win 11 Home: Black B14WGK-016US

Graphics Card (GPU): NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070
Processor (CPU): Intel Core i9 1.6 GHz 14th gen
RAM (Memory): 32 GB DDR5
Storage (HDD/SSD): 1 TB SSD
Display (Resolution & Refresh Rate): 2560x1600 pixels, 165Hz
Cooling and Build Quality: MSI Cooler Boost 5, RGB keyboard
Battery Life: 2 Hours

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11% OFF
#3
9.4  score
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acer

Acer Nitro V Gaming Laptop | Intel Core i7-13620H Processor | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 Laptop GPU | 15.6" FHD IPS 165Hz Display | 16GB DDR5 | 1TB Gen 4 SSD | Wi-Fi 6 | Backlit KB | ANV15-52-76NK

Graphics Card (GPU): NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050
Processor (CPU): Intel Core i7-13620H
RAM (Memory): 16GB DDR5
Storage (HDD/SSD): 1TB PCIe Gen 4 SSD
Display (Resolution & Refresh Rate): 15.6-inch 1920x1080 165Hz
Cooling and Build Quality: Dual fans, smart exhaust, backlit keyboard

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#4
9.2  score
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msi

MSI Thin 15 15.6” 144Hz FHD Gaming Laptop: Intel Core i7-13620H, NVIDIA Geforce RTX 4050, 16GB DDR4, 512GB NVMe SSD, WiFi 6E, Win 11: Black B13VE-2678US

Graphics Card (GPU): NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050
Processor (CPU): Intel Core i7
RAM: 16 GB
Storage: 512 GB NVMe SSD
Display: 15.6-inch FHD, 144Hz
Build Quality and Cooling: Decent build, MSI's cooling tech

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16% OFF
#5
8.9  score
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Alienware

Alienware 16 Aurora Laptop AC16250-16-inch 16:10 WQXGA Display, Intel Core 7-240H Series 2, 16GB DDR5 RAM, 1TB SSD, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060 8GB GDDR7, Windows 11 Home, Onsite Service - Blue

Graphics Card (GPU): NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5060, 8 GB
Processor (CPU): Intel Core i7, 2.5 GHz, 10 cores
RAM (Memory): 16 GB DDR5, 5600 MHz
Storage (HDD/SSD): 1 TB SSD
Display (Resolution & Refresh Rate): 2560x1600 pixels, 16 inch
Cooling and Build Quality: Cryo-Chamber cooling, solid build

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6% OFF
#6
8.7  score
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ASUS

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

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#7
8.4  score
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acer

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

Graphics Card (GPU): NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050
Processor (CPU): Intel Core i5-13420H
RAM: 8 GB DDR5
Storage: 512 GB SSD
Display: 15.6-inch Full HD IPS, 144Hz
Build Quality and Cooling: Robust build, dual-fan system

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5% OFF
#8
8.1  score
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HP

HP Victus 15.6 i5 Gaming Laptop, 15.6" FHD 1920*1080 144Hz, Intel Core i5-12450H, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD, Backlit KB, Touchpad, SD Card Reader, Webcam, HDMI, Wi-Fi 6, W11 H, Blue

Graphics Card (GPU): NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050
Processor (CPU): Intel Core i5-12450H
RAM: 32 GB
Storage: 1 TB SSD
Display: 15.6” FHD, 144Hz, anti-glare, 1920x1080

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#9
7.8  score
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Lenovo

Lenovo LOQ 15 15ARP9 RTX 4060 Gaming Laptop, 15.6" FHD 144Hz, AMD Ryzen 7 7435HS, NVIDIA RTX 4060, 32GB DDR5 RAM, 1TB SSD, Backlit KB, RJ-45, Bundle with PCO Laptop Cooler

Graphics Card (GPU): NVIDIA RTX 4060, 8 GB
Processor (CPU): AMD Ryzen 7 7435HS, 4.5 GHz
RAM: 32 GB DDR5, 4800 MHz
Storage: 1 TB PCIe SSD
Display: 15.6", 1920x1080, 144Hz, 300 nits
Build Quality and Cooling: Backlit Keyboard, Numeric Keypad, Cooler

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5% OFF
#10
7.5  score
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ASUS

ASUS TUF Gaming F16 Gaming Laptop, 16” FHD+ 144Hz IPS-Level 16:10 Display, Intel® Core™ 5 210H, NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 4050, 16GB DDR5, 512GB PCIe Gen4 SSD, Wi-Fi 6, Win11 Home, FX607VU-SS53

Graphics Card (GPU): NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050
Processor (CPU): Intel Core i5 210H, 4.8 GHz
RAM: 16GB DDR5
Storage: 512GB PCIe Gen4 SSD
Display: 16-inch, 144Hz, 100% sRGB
Build Quality and Cooling: Military-grade, heat pipes, exhaust vents

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Buying Guide for the Best Budget Gaming Laptops

When looking to buy a budget gaming laptop, it's essential to strike a balance between performance and affordability. Gaming laptops are unique because they need to handle intensive tasks like running modern games smoothly, which puts extra demand on hardware compared to regular laptops. As you compare different models, you'll need to review certain specs closely as they directly influence your gaming experience—think of these as the pillars that hold up your overall satisfaction. Understanding what each spec means, why it matters, and how it matches your personal gaming style or needs is key to making a smart purchase.
Graphics Card (GPU)The graphics card, or GPU, is the heart of any gaming laptop as it's mainly responsible for displaying game visuals and running graphics-intensive processes. Entry-level GPUs allow you to play older or less demanding games on lower settings, whereas mid-range models handle most newer games at decent settings, and high-end ones provide ultra-smooth details and effects. For budget gaming, focus on laptops with at least a dedicated entry-level GPU—integrated graphics in budget categories may struggle with modern gaming. Think about the types of games you want to play: casual and indie games are less demanding, while AAA titles require more GPU power. Match the GPU to your gaming expectations.
Processor (CPU)The processor, or CPU, acts as the brain of your laptop, handling tasks and influencing the speed and smoothness of your games and multitasking. Budget gaming laptops generally come with mid-range CPUs, which are sufficient for gaming, streaming, and basic multitasking. Entry-level CPUs may be adequate for light gaming or older titles, while more demanding games benefit from a faster, multi-core processor. Think about whether you'll use the laptop for other intensive tasks (like video editing) alongside gaming—if so, lean toward a more capable CPU.
RAM (Memory)RAM helps your laptop run more smoothly by temporarily storing data for active applications and games. With too little RAM, your gaming experience can become laggy or unresponsive. For budget gaming laptops, 8GB is considered a practical minimum for most modern games, but upgrading to 16GB can help future-proof your system and improve multitasking, especially if you like to run several applications at once. If you mostly play older or less demanding games, 8GB may suffice, but consider your usage patterns now and in the future.
Storage (HDD/SSD)The storage in your laptop determines how much data, including games and files, you can keep on your device. Gaming laptops with solid-state drives (SSDs) give much faster load times compared to traditional hard drives (HDDs), leading to a more responsive feel. Budget options may offer smaller SSDs or a combination of an SSD with a larger HDD for extra space. If you value quick startup and loading, prioritize an SSD—even if it means less storage, you can always use external drives later. Consider how many games you'll install at once to gauge your needed storage capacity.
Display (Resolution & Refresh Rate)The laptop display affects how crisp and smooth your games look. Resolution (like 1080p, sometimes called Full HD) means image clarity, while refresh rate (measured in Hz) influences how many frames per second the screen can show, making motion look smoother. Budget laptops usually offer a 60Hz refresh rate at 1080p, which is acceptable for most users. Higher refresh rates (like 120Hz or 144Hz) are smoother but might only be necessary for e-sports or fast-action games. Choose based on what feels important to you: visuals for adventure games, or smooth motion for shooters and racers.
Cooling and Build QualityGaming puts a lot of stress on laptop components, causing them to heat up. Effective cooling systems are vital to prevent overheating, which can slow down performance or even damage hardware over time. While budget laptops may cut some corners here, look for smart vent placement and solid build quality to ensure your laptop can keep cool during long gaming sessions. If you plan to game for hours or in warm environments, prioritize better cooling and sturdier builds.
Battery LifeBattery life is generally shorter in gaming laptops due to their high-performance parts, and even more so on budget models. While gaming unplugged drains the battery fast, consider how often you'll use the laptop away from a power outlet. If you mostly play while plugged in at a desk, battery life may be less critical. However, if you attend gaming events or like to play on-the-go, look for reviews or manufacturer claims of longer battery performance during regular use (not just gaming).

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