Ben grew up on a healthy diet of Nintendo, Xbox, and PC Games. He founded High Ground Gaming in 2014.
Reviewed by Benjamin Barr
Gaming on a budget? We’ve got you covered. Our top fifteen list runs through the best gaming laptops under $1000. Take your pick — they’re all budget-friendly.
Some folks think that gaming on a budget isn’t possible and that good gaming laptops under $1000 are few and far between. While it’s wise to invest in a computer or gaming system that offers the very best performance, it just isn’t realistic to expect us all to drop over $2,000 on a laptop. Besides, you can still have an excellent gaming experience from one of the best budget gaming laptops under $1000.
If you’ve got a budget of up to $1000, then you’ve got enough cash to get something with a powerful processor and discrete graphics card — right where you want to be for playing your favorite games at max settings.
Ready to start gaming without breaking the bank? Let’s dive into the top 15 gaming laptops on the market.
Zoom Out: A Comparison Table of the Best Gaming Laptops Under $1,000
We’ll start with a quick comparison chart of the top 15 gaming laptops under $1,000. For more detailed specs, check out the Zoom Out section below.
| Image | Laptop | CPU | GPU | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | MSI GF65 Thin i7 GTX 1660 Ti | i7 9750H | GTX 1660 Ti |  |
 | Acer Nitro 5 Gaming Laptop AN515-54-70KK | i7 9750H | RTX 2060 | |
 | Acer Nitro 5 17.3″ Gaming Laptop | i5 10300H | GTX 1650 Ti | |
 | HP Pavilion Gaming Micro-Edge | i5 9300H | GTX 1650 | |
 | Lenovo IdeaPad 3 14″ | Ryzen 5 3500U | Radeon Vega 8 | |
 | ASUS TUF Gaming A15 | Ryzen 7 4800H | GTX 1660 Ti | |
 | ASUS TUF Premium Gaming | i5 10300H | GTX 1650 Ti | |
 | ASUS ROG G531GT | i7 9750H | GTX 1650 | |
 | HP ENVY 4k Touchscreen | i7 1065G7 | Intel Iris | |
 | OMEN 15 Gaming Laptop | i7 10750H | GTX 1660 TI | |
 | Dell G5 15 SE | Ryzen 5 4600H | Radeon RX 5600M | |
 | Legion 5i 15″ Premium | i5 10300H | GTX 1660 Ti | |
 | Evoo Gaming 15.6” Laptop | i7 9750H | GTX 1650 | |
 | MacBook Air with M1 Chip | M.1 | M.1 | |
 | GPD Micro PC | Intel Celeron N4100 | Intel UHD | |
What to Look for in a Gaming Laptop Under $1,000
While the most powerful gaming laptops will run you a bit more than $1,000, there are plenty of ways to maximize your budget and get the most from your gaming experience. Before we look in-depth at the best gaming laptops under $1,000, let’s peek at the critical factors you should take into account on your search.
1. Choose a powerful CPU & dedicated GPU
For around $1,000, you should be able to afford a new Intel i5 or i7 (or AMD equivalent) processor and dedicated graphics cards such as a GeForce GTX 1050 or 1050 Ti. With the exception of one or two less expensive models, all the laptops on our list have at least an i5 processor and dedicated GPU.
2. Make sure you’ve got enough RAM & storage.
RAM is essential for maximizing your gaming performance. That’s why we recommend at least 8 gigs for a solid experience. In terms of storage, an SSD ensures the fastest load times, but it’ll likely cost you in terms of space. Want the best of both worlds? We recommend an SSD + HDD combo, which provides quick boot times and plenty of room for your game library.
3. Go with a reputable brand.
There are tons of electronics makers out there, and they all like to think they’re the best. But this simply isn’t the case. Choosing a laptop from top brands like ASUS and Lenovo ensures quality control, and these models typically come with excellent warranties against defects. Still unsure? Check the rating section on popular sites like Amazon to see how each laptop measures up.
Zoom In: A Closer Look at the Best Gaming Laptops Under $1,000
We like to make things easy for you here at High Ground Gaming. That’s why we’ve laid out the detailed specs of the top 15 ultimate gaming laptops for under a grand. Ready to find a top tier budget laptop for gaming? Check out our roundup below!
1. MSI GF65 Thin i7 GTX 1660 Ti
The best gaming laptop under $1000 overall
Manufacturer: MSI | CPU: i7 9750H | GPU: GTX 1660 Ti | Memory: 8GB DDR4 2666MHz | Storage: 512GB NVMe SSD | Display: 15.6” IPS (1920×1080) | Refresh Rate: 120Hz | Price: 💰💰💰💰
The MSI GF65 Thin is our top pick out of all the best laptops under $1000 for gaming. It has everything you could want in a gaming laptop at an incredible value. The GTX 1660 Ti is a great graphics card for a laptop at this price point, offering a 12% boost in speed over the basic 1660. Even CPU intensive titles like Rainbow Six Siege and Shadow of the Tomb Raider won’t have any trouble with the brand new 10th gen Intel i7 10750H behind the wheel.
The GF65 Thin is exceptionally lightweight despite its 15.6″ screen, making it ideal for travel. It has a clean, brushed black shell with a red LED backlit keyboard, giving it a classic gamer look that’s sure to please.
It’s all-over a well-balanced laptop, both in price and components.
- USERS LIKE
- Excellent GTX 1660 Ti GPU
- Late-generation Intel i7 CPU
- Good amount of fast storage
- USERS DISLIKE
- No 144Hz support
- Mediocre speakers
- Single color keyboard
2. Acer Nitro 5 Gaming Laptop AN515-54-70KK
The best premium gaming laptop under $1000
Manufacturer: Acer | CPU: i7 9750H | GPU: RTX 2060 | Memory: 16GB DDR4 | Storage: 512GB SSD | Display: 15.6” LCD (1920×1080) | Refresh Rate: 144Hz | Price: 💰💰💰💰
The Acer Nitro 5 Gaming Laptop AN515-54-70KK is about as close as you can get to maxing our budget without exceeding it. That said, if you’re looking to get as much out of your $1000 as possible, this is the laptop for you. The Nitro 5 is the only laptop series on our list to feature an RTX 2060, giving it an edge over the legions of 1660 and 1660 Tis. This is important, as the GPU is the component your PC depends on the most for gaming.
It also has 16 GB of RAM, a 9th gen Intel i7 9750H, and a 15.6″ LCD with a 144HZ refresh rate that will keep motion in your games buttery smooth. It starts with a 512GB SSD, but storage is upgradable.
It has a simple, black-metal casing with red accents and red backlighting for the keyboard. Get this one if you have the money — full stop.
- USERS LIKE
- Upgradable
- 144Hz refresh rate
- Powerful RTX 2060 GPU
- USERS DISLIKE
- Runs warm
- Single color keyboard
- Screen lacks color accuracy
3. Acer Nitro 5 17.3″ Gaming Laptop
The best gaming laptop under $750
Manufacturer: Acer | CPU: i5 10300H | GPU: GTX 1650 Ti | Memory: 8GB DDR4 | Storage: 512GB SSD | Display: 17.3” IPS (1920×1080) | Refresh Rate: 60Hz | Price: 💰💰💰💰
While the main aim of this article is to answer the question, “What are the best laptops for gaming under $1000,” we realize that not everyone has a budget that stretches that far. With this in mind, the Acer Nitro 5 17.3″ is our choice for the best gaming laptop under $750. Not only does it have a 1660 Ti, but this variant of the Nitro 5 also comes with a perfectly respectable 10th gen Intel i5 processor.
The 17″ IPS monitor is advantageous for those who favor a larger screen, and it still carries the same 512GB SSD.
- USERS LIKE
- Large 17.3″ display
- Fantastic GTX 1650 Ti GPU
- Affordable pricing under $750
- USERS DISLIKE
- Runs warm
- Single color keyboard
- Screen lacks color accuracy
4. HP Pavilion Gaming Micro-Edge
The best gaming laptop under $600
Manufacturer: HP | CPU: i5 9300H | GPU: GTX 1650 | Memory: 8GB DDR4 | Storage: 256GB SSD | Display: 15.6” IPS (1920×1080) | Price: 💰💰💰
What if your budget is lower still? We’ll be honest — it’s not easy to find a good gaming laptop under $600. You’re usually much better off saving a bit longer till you can get something in the $700+ range. If you’re eager to get started and $600 is all you have to spend, though, you could do a lot worse than the HP Pavilion Gaming Micro-Edge.
This laptop has a GTX 1650 graphics card, which is admittedly a solid 59% slower than the 1660. Still, any dedicated GPU will be a far sight better than the integrated graphics that populate most of the graphics cards at this price point. The i5 CPU is perfectly adequate for any and all basic computing, and it looks pretty nice too.
- USERS LIKE
- Vivid IPS display
- Affordable pricing
- Dedicated GTX 1650 GPU
- USERS DISLIKE
- Short battery life
- Mediocre keyboard
- Cheap-feeling plastic shell
5. Lenovo IdeaPad 3 14″
The best gaming laptop under $500
Manufacturer: Lenovo | CPU: Ryzen 5 3500U | GPU: Radeon Vega 8 | Memory: 8GB DDR4 | Storage: 256GB SSD | Display: 14” TN (1920×1080) | Price: 💰💰
Try as you might, you won’t find a new laptop for under $500 with dedicated graphics. Still, integrated graphics have come a long way in recent years, and some light 1080p gaming is possible given the right chip. The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 features AMD’s Radeon Vega 8 graphics, which are about as good as integrated graphics get.
This laptop also comes equipped with a 3rd gen Ryzen 5 processor and 8GB of DDR4 RAM. This is a great option for fans of games like Minecraft looking to get their foot in the PC gaming door without spending beaucoup bucks.
- USERS LIKE
- Reliable keyboard
- Insanely affordable
- Fantastic AMD Ryzen 5 processor
- USERS DISLIKE
- Poor trackpad
- Weak speakers
- Small amount of storage
6. ASUS TUF Gaming A15
The best gaming laptop under $1000 with an AMD CPU
Manufacturer: ASUS | CPU: Ryzen 7 4800H | GPU: GTX 1660 Ti | Memory: 16GB DDR4 | Storage: 512GB PCIe SSD | Display: 15.6” FHD (1920×1080) | Refresh Rate: 144Hz | Price: 💰💰💰💰
Intel still rules single-core, but an AMD CPU is a better fit for those who need more multi-core performance. The ASUS TUF Gaming A15 has that in spades.
A GTX 1660 Ti, 16GB of RAM, and a 512GB SSD are all top-performing components, but the real reason you buy this laptop is for the CPU. The Ryzen 7 features eight cores with 16 threads and a 2.9GHz base clock. It has plenty of power for gaming and creative workflows.
The TUF features a brushed, black case with a gunmetal backplate, giving it an industrial look that stands out from other gaming laptops. The 144Hz refresh rate on the display certainly doesn’t hurt anything either.
- USERS LIKE
- Ryzen 7 CPU
- Industrial design
- Standalone GTX 1660 Ti graphics card
- USERS DISLIKE
- Weak speakers
- Firmware issues
- Housing shows fingerprints
7. ASUS TUF Premium Gaming
The best gaming laptop under $1000 with 1TB SSD
Manufacturer: ASUS | CPU: i5 10300H | GPU: GTX 1650 Ti | Memory: 16GB DDR4 | Storage: 1TB SSD | Display: 15.6” FHD (1920×1080) | Refresh Rate: 60Hz | Price: 💰💰💰💰
Next up on our list of the best laptops for gaming under $1000, we have another ASUS TUF.
SSDs are much faster than HDD drives, but they’re also a lot more expensive. That means you’re going to have to make some concessions in other areas if you want more storage and still want to keep your budget low.
The ASUS TUF Premium Gaming still rocks a respectable GTX 1650 TI and an Intel i5 CPU. Its 1TB solid-state hard drive is excellent for gamers who want multiple games downloaded at a given time, enabling them to freely switch through them without long download times.
- USERS LIKE
- Stylish design
- Generous 1TB SSD
- 10th-generation i5 10300H processor
- USERS DISLIKE
- Weak speakers
- Lower-end GPU
- Firmware issues
8. ASUS ROG G531GT
The best-designed gaming laptop under $1000
Manufacturer: ASUS | CPU: i7 9750H | GPU: GTX 1650 | Memory: 8GB DDR4 2666MHz | Storage: 512GB SSD | Display: 15.6” FHD (1920 x 1080) | Refresh Rate: 60Hz | Price: 💰💰💰💰
What’s the good of a gaming computer you can take anywhere if you don’t look good while you’re gaming on it?
Seriously though, while we always recommend performance over aesthetics, there’s something to be said for a device that looks and feels premium. ASUS has enjoyed a deservedly good reputation for their ROG line of gaming products. The G531GT comes with a 9th gen i7 and a standard 1650. It’s a decent lineup, if not the absolute best.
You can get better components for the price, but not with this much style. It has a black, brushed metal shell with an asymmetrical cutout, ROG branding, and RGB.
- USERS LIKE
- Stylish design
- RGB Keyboard
- Powerful i7 CPU
- USERS DISLIKE
- Expensive
- Mediocre GPU
- Short battery life
9. HP ENVY 4k Touchscreen
The best gaming laptop under $1000 with 4k display
Manufacturer: HP | CPU: i7 1065G7 | GPU: Intel Iris | Memory: 8GB DDR4 RAM | Storage: 1TB SSD | Display: 13.3″ | Price: 💰💰💰💰
Gaming at 4k is still something of a pipedream for all but the very best graphics cards. Still, gaming might not be your only concern when choosing a laptop. If you want a laptop with a brilliant 4k display for movies, TV, and creative workflows that can also do some light gaming on the side, then the HP ENVY 4k Touchscreen might be what you’re looking for.
It has a powerful 10th gen Intel i7 processor. Unfortunately, this is paired with integrated Intel Iris graphics. Iris is a big step up from Intel UHD, but it’s still a long way below any of Nvidia’s dedicated GTX or RTX cards. It’s important to note that you probably won’t be doing any actual 4k gaming on here — that simply isn’t available in this price bracket. On the plus side, the ENVY has a 1TB SSD for storage and comes with a bonus 32GB USB drive.
- USERS LIKE
- Stunning 4k display
- Large storage capacity
- Touch screen capabilities
- USERS DISLIKE
- Expensive
- Small 13.3″ screen
- Integrated graphics
10. OMEN 15 Gaming Laptop
The best HP gaming laptop under $1000
Manufacturer: HP | CPU: i7 10750H | GPU: GTX 1660 TI | Memory: 8 GB DDR4 | Storage: 512 GB PCIe SSD | Display: 15.6” FHD (1920×1080) | Refresh Rate: 144Hz | Price: 💰💰💰💰
If you’re an HP fan, then you’ll particularly like their OMEN lineup of computers. This Laptop has a 10th gen Intel i7 10750H and a 1660 Ti.
The specs are decent, but this PC is really for someone who wants a good display. Not much compares to the OMEN’s monitor with its 144Hz refresh rate. It also features a keyboard with full RGB backlighting options.
- USERS LIKE
- 144Hz refresh rate
- Beautiful FHD screen
- Built-in RGB keyboard
- USERS DISLIKE
- Heavy
- Expensive
- Better GPU available for price
11. Dell G5 15 SE
The best Dell gaming laptop under $1000
Manufacturer: Dell | CPU: Ryzen 5 4600H | GPU: Radeon RX 5600M | Memory: 8GB DDR4 3200MHz | Storage: 256GB M.2 PCIe SSD | Display: 15.6” FHD (1920×1080) | Refresh Rate: 120Hz | Price: 💰💰💰💰
You’re unlikely to find new Alienware tech under $1000, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still get a Dell. The G5 15 SE is a beautiful combination of AMD’s Radeon RX 5700M graphics and the Ryzen 5 processor with Dell’s famous design quality.
This laptop has a much more professional design than other options on this list, but don’t let that fool you. It’s all gamer under the hood. With an RX 5700 and a 120Hz refresh rate, this thing will be pushing frames in no time. It’s the perfect PC for gaming on the sly.
Unfortunately, the 256GB SSD leaves something to be desired.
- USERS LIKE
- Reasonable Price
- Professional design
- Includes the latest AMD CPU and GPU
- USERS DISLIKE
- Heavy
- Runs warm
- Poor battery
12. Legion 5i 15″ Premium
The best Lenovo gaming laptop under $1000
Manufacturer: Lenovo | CPU: i5 10300H | GPU: GTX 1660 Ti | Memory: 8 GB DDR4 2933MHz | Storage: 128 GB PCIe SSD | Display: 15.6 IPS (1920×1080) | Refresh Rate: 60 Hz | Price: 💰💰💰💰
The Legion 5i comes in several variants, the best one under $1000 being the Premium option. This version comes with a 10th gen Intel i5 processor and a GTX 1660 Ti for graphics.
Lenovo’s offerings aren’t all that enticing in the gaming department, as they tend to be more competitive with cheaper computers featuring integrated graphics rather than dedicated GPUs. The Legion is outperformed by other laptops in its price bracket in processing, graphics, memory, storage, and refresh rate.
To be honest, the only reason to buy the Legion is if you’re a dedicated fan of the Lenovo brand.
- USERS LIKE
- 1660 Ti GPU
- Great build quality
- Professional design
- USERS DISLIKE
- Heavy
- Poor battery life
- Limited storage means you’ll almost certainly need an external drive
13. Evoo Gaming 15.6” Laptop
The best Evoo gaming laptop under $1000
Manufacturer: Evoo | CPU: i7 9750H | GPU: GTX 1650 | Memory: 16GB DDR4 | Storage: 256GB SSD | Display: 15.6” FHD (1920×1080) | Refresh Rate: 144Hz | Price: 💰💰💰
Evoo is a gaming tech brand owned by Walmart, and the price to performance ratio is actually pretty reasonable. For $800, you get a last-gen Intel i7, a GTX 1650, and 16GB of DDR4 RAM. That’s enough power to give any gamer a decent experience (especially with that beautiful 144Hz refresh rate!). The SSD could certainly be bigger, though.
It has a sleek, minimalist design with an all-black shell and RGB keyboard. There are certainly laptops that will out-spec the Evoo, but its easy availability and clean appearance have a definite appeal.
There’s also a lot to be said for devices that are available in brick-and-mortar stores. If you want to walk into a shop, play with a device for a while, and walk out item-in-hand, this might be the laptop for you.
- USERS LIKE
- Affordable
- Clean design
- Available online and in-store
- USERS DISLIKE
- Limited storage
- Camera positioned below screen
- Better graphics available at price point
14. MacBook Air with M1 Chip
TThe best Apple gaming laptop under $1000
Manufacturer: Apple | CPU: M.1 | GPU: M.1 | Memory: 8GB | Storage: 256GB SSD | Display: 13” IPS (2560×1600) | Price: 💰💰💰💰
Including a Mac on a list of gaming laptops might seem like sacrilege to some of you, but the truth is that gaming is only one part of the reason most people buy a computer, and there are a lot of Apple fans in the world. Their laptops have good cameras, long battery life, quality displays, and macOS.
Their newest MacBooks are particularly interesting. Apple is moving away from both Intel and AMD in favor of creating their own components from top to bottom. The new MacBook Air features Apple’s M1 chip, which has its own integrated graphics. Apple claims this chip is more than twice as powerful as other leading integrated graphics, making it more than capable of some quality gaming performance, though not much independent testing has been done on this yet.
Of course, you can get much higher specs for the price in a PC, but gaming on a Mac isn’t the pipe dream it once was.
- USERS LIKE
- Long battery life
- 2560×1600 display
- macOS is incredibly versatile
- USERS DISLIKE
- Expensive
- Limited RAM
- Small storage space
15. GPD Micro PC
The best tiny gaming laptop under $1000
Manufacturer: LANRUO | CPU: Intel Celeron N4100 | GPU: Intel UHD | Memory: 8GB DDR3 | Storage: 128GB SSD | Display: 6” IPS (1280×720) | Price: 💰💰
Who needs a 17″ display? I want a laptop I can fit in my pocket!
Admittedly, this one is kind of silly, but the GPD Micro PC is a surprisingly powerful little thing. It has an Intel Celeron Processor utilizing UHD graphics, 8GB of DDR3 RAM, and boots off a 128GB SSD.
It weighs 440g and is only 6″ long! Take that, Nintendo!
- USERS LIKE
- Compact 6″ size
- Surprisingly sturdy design
- Long battery life due to smaller form factor
- USERS DISLIKE
- No webcam
- Tight keyboard
- Outdated hardware
Further Reading
Do you want to check out all your options? Explore our other laptop guides:
Wow, thanks for the information. Bro your website is so clean, I love it.
Why now check out the beast: Asus TUF gaming FX504
I’m looking for the best gaming laptop that can run Rust on max settings with the lowest input lag possible. My budget is around $1000 (a little lower or higher on the price). I’m really big into pvp and cant find any info for input lag on any laptop and its really frustrating. What would you guys recommend I buy?
Thanks. C.
The recommended settings on Rust’s Steam page are the following:
Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system
OS: Windows 10 64bit
Processor: Intel Core i7-4790K / AMD Ryzen 5 1600
Memory: 16 GB RAM
Graphics: GTX 980 / AMD R9 Fury
DirectX: Version 12
Network: Broadband Internet connection
Storage: 20 GB available space
Additional Notes: SSD is highly recommended.
If you can go a bit over $1000, I’d recommend picking up Acer’s Predator Helios 300 (Model PH315-53-72XD). With an i7-10750H processor and RTX 2060, you’ll be coming in well above those recommended settings. Also worth noting the screen on this laptop has a 144hz refresh rate / 3ms response time. With that, you shouldn’t be experiencing any noticeable input lag unless you have it connected to a crappy external monitor or TV. Just make sure V sync is off. If you’d like to discuss more, shoot us a msg through our contact form.