Ben grew up on a healthy diet of Nintendo, Xbox, and PC Games. He founded High Ground Gaming in 2014.
Reviewed by Benjamin Barr
Thanks for joining us on our quest to find the best gaming laptop under $1500!
At the $1500 price point, you start to see some truly powerful machines. For hardcore techies, you’ll only have to compromise on one or two things max, while general gaming enthusiasts will be absolutely thrilled.
Powerful processors, attractive displays, 4GB graphics cards, high resolutions, and USB 3.0 capabilities are just a handful of the trimmings you can expect from this tier. As for performance? Expect to play your favorite titles on max settings with ease.
Ready to game at the top tier? Let’s get started.
Zoom Out: Comparison Table of the 15 Best Gaming Laptops Under $1500
We’ve assembled this comparison table in price ascending order to showcase the top gaming laptops under $1500. For a closer look at each laptop head to our Zoom in section below.
| Image | Laptop | CPU | GPU | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | MSI GF65 Thin | i7 | GTX 1660 Ti |  |
 | ASUS TUF 505DU | Ryzen 7 | GTX 1660 Ti | |
 | Dell Gaming G3579 | i7 | GTX 1050 Ti | |
 | Dell Alienware R4 | i7 | GTX 1060 | |
 | Acer Predator Helios 300 | i7 | GTX 1660 Ti | |
 | Lenovo IdeaPad L340 | i7 | GTX 1050 | |
 | Asus ROG Strix GL531GT | i7 | GTX 1650 | |
| CUK MSI GF65 Thin | i7 | RTX 2060 | |
 | Omen by HP CB0070NR | i7 | RTX 2060 | |
 | Razer Blade 15 | i7 | GTX 1660 Ti | |
 | Sager NP8957 Gaming | i7 | GTX 2070 | |
 | Lenovo Legion Y7000 | i7 | GTX 1060 | |
 | Alienware AW15R3 | i7 | GTX 1070 | |
 | ASUS ROG Zephyrus | i7 | GTX 1070 | |
 | CUK ASUS ZenBook 15 UX534FTC | i7 | GTX 1650 | |
What to Look for in a Gaming Laptop Under $1,500
As we mentioned, $1,500 is a magical number when it comes to gaming laptops. At this price point, today’s most popular titles are easily playable, even on the highest settings.
That said, this list of comprised of the best laptops under $1,500. Which means the starter least expensive options are closer to the $1,000 mark. Moreover, there are often slight variants between models that are close in price. So how do you choose the best one for your setup? We’ve broken the answer down into the three sections below.
1. CPU & GPU
Perhaps the most important place to start is the CPU, or central processor, and GPU, or graphics card. Choosing a newer Intel i7 model is a great place to start (though older variants are often just as good), but Ryzen will definitely give you a run for your money. In terms of the GPU, any laptop with a dedicated NVIDIA GeForce card oughta do you just fine.
2. Memory & Storage
Crucial to your overall performance is memory (aka RAM) and storage (aka HDD or SSD). You’ll generally want to pick a model that offers over 8 gigs of RAM for best results. DDR4 is pretty much the standard here these days and DDR5 is on the way. In terms of storage, an SSD is best. And if you can swing it, an NVMe SSD is even better. Hybrid options that include SSDs for loading and HDDs for storage are also a worthwhile option.
3. Brand
Your last major decision lies with the brand. If you’re attached to any particular model or series, you can skip this part and move down the list. But it’s worth noting that choosing a relevant brand is typically a smart move. Companies like ASUS and MSI are big enough to offer great warranties against defects and handle your complaints. You may find better value in lesser-known brands like Sager (see #13), but quality control may be more of an issue.
Now, let’s move down the list for a close-up look at the 15 best gaming laptops under $1,500.
Zoom In: A Closer Look at the 15 Best Gaming Laptops Under $1500
Whether you’re an amateur looking to take their game to the next level, or a pro looking for a deal, a new gaming laptop doesn’t have to break the bank. So let’s dive right in with a look at the best gaming laptops under $1500.
Looking for the best budget gaming laptop under $1,500? Well, you’ve found it!
Carrying a price tag of under $1,000, here’s what this excellent budget laptop gets you: an Intel i7 processor, a 512GB NVMe SSD, NVIDIA Geforce GTX 1660 Ti graphics, aluminum casing, anti-ghost backlit keys, and 6GB of video memory. It’s an excellent pick that doesn’t break the bank.
High Ground Overview:
- Processor: Intel Core i7
- Graphics: NVIDIA Geforce GTX 1660 Ti
- Display: 15.6″ HD IPS (1920 x 1080)
- Memory: 16GB DDR4 RAM
- Storage: 512GB NVMe SSD
- OS: Windows 10 Home
Part of the ASUS gaming empire, the TUF lineup deserves a place in any discussion on the best laptops for under $1500. This particular model boasts a simple yet elegant black and red aesthetic, making it appear like it costs twice as much.
But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. ASUS promises the TUF is built to last, and who can argue that point? 16 GB RAM, AMD Ryzen 7, and GTX 1660 Ti from Nvidia make this laptop a reliable companion.
If you’re looking for something that looks sleek, features a good price to power ratio, and will last you a couple years, this may be the one for you. Using the same Ryzen processor and NVIDIA GeForce graphics card as much more expensive models, it packs quite the punch given its lightweight price tag.
High Ground Overview:
- Processor: AMD Ryzen 7
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti
- Display: 15.6″ HD IPS (1920 x 1080)
- Memory: 16GB DDR4 RAM
- Storage: 256GB NVMe SSD + 1TB HDD
- OS: Windows 10 Home
Dell typically produces gaming machines under its Alienware brand. But at the very top of their standard series is some overlap. And coming in right around $1,000, the G3579 offers some serious laptop for the money.
First, you get a stunning HD screen with an insane 1920 x 1080 pixel display. This ensures that your games will be more vivid than ever before.
You also get a powerful engine with the standard i7 processor, 16 gigs of RAM, 256GB of SSD storage and a 1 TB hard drive. Top that off with an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti graphics card and excellent consumer ratings, and you’ve got a performance powerhouse at a great value.
High Ground Overview:
- Processor: Intel Core i7
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti
- Display: 15.6″ HD IPS (1920 x 1080)
- Memory: 16GB DDR4 RAM
- Storage: 256 GB SSD + 1TB HDD
- OS: Windows 10 Home
The Alienware R4 is another excellent device from Dell. It offers an Intel i7 8750H CPU, NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 graphics with 6GB of video memory, 16GB of RAM, and a 1TB hard drive with another 8GB SSD storage. Throw on the sleek form factor and Alienware name recognition, and you’re looking at a top-of-the-line contender for best gaming laptop under $1500.
High Ground Overview:
- Processor: Intel Core i7
- Graphics: NVIDIA GTX 1060
- Display: 15.6″ HD IPS (1920 x 1080)
- Memory: 16GB DDR4 RAM
- Storage: 8GB SSD + 1TB HDD
- OS: Windows 10 Home
If you’re looking for the absolute best, we’ll point you in this direction first. Acer’s newest flagship premium laptop is a force to be reckoned with. It sneaks right under the $1500 mark, while offering a GDDR6 6GB Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660 Ti GPU and Intel Core i7-9750H Six-Core Processor.
If you’re hunting for a higher max resolution such as 4K, you may be disappointed, as this display is a 1080p IPS. But performance junkies know that if you don’t want to sacrifice a single frame, you need to stick with 1080p to play the latest games at max settings. And the Helios 300 offers just that.
The build quality of this laptop is state of the art. You’ve got the textured metal chassis, backlit keyboard, ultrathin 0.1mm AeroBlade 3D fan cooling system, and tastefully designed geometric angles tapering into hard-edge accents. Acer put together an appealing package with the Helios 300, and it competes near the top of our best gaming laptops list.
High Ground Overview:
- Processor: Intel Core i7
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti
- Display: 15.6″ HD IPS (1920 x 1080)
- Memory: 16GB DDR4 RAM
- Storage: 512GB NVMe SSD
- OS: Windows 10 Home
The Thinkpad L340 is a crack at the low end of the top tier gaming market. Regularly going for $1,000 or less, the Ideapad L340 offers a lot for the money.
What can you expect? A 9th gen Intel i7 processor, 16GB of DDR4 RAM, a 256GB SSD and 1TB hard drive, NVIDIA GTX 1050 graphics card, and more. From a hardware perspective, it’s a great machine for the price. And while reviews are a bit mixed, they generally say the same thing – not the highest tier laptop, but great for the money spent.
High Ground Overview:
- Processor: Intel Core i7
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050
- Display: 17.3″ HD IPS (1920×1080)
- Memory: 16GB DDR4 RAM
- Storage: 256GB NVMe SSD + 1TB HDD
- OS: Windows 10 Home
The ASUS ROG Strix is a near-flawless machine. Powered by an i7-9750H Six-Core processor, 16GB of DDR4 RAM, a 1TB NVMe SSD, Nvidia Geforce GTX 1650 graphics card, and a superb 1920 x 1080 resolution display, it’s got the components of a top-end gaming machine.
It’s also got all sorts of extras integrated into the system. 3ms response times, 144hz refresh rates, ASUS AURA Sync, custom hotkeys, and dedicated cooling mean that the ROG 17.3″ is a solid pick for any gamer. Plus, it’s loaded with WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity for your must-have gaming peripherals.
High Ground Overview:
- Processor: Intel Core i7
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650
- Display: 15.6″ HD IPS (1920 x 1080)
- Memory: 16GB DDR4 RAM
- Storage: 1TB NVMe SSD
- OS: Windows 10 Home
The MSI GE62 is among the best gaming laptops for under $1500. Why?
Because it’s FAR under $1,500. Over $100 bones, in fact. Not only that, but the CUK-customized MSI GF65 boasts top-of-the-line everything (more than good enough for most games) without being too expensive.
Standard configuration is a 9th gen Intel i7 core at 2.60 GHz, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 graphics card, and 32GB of RAM. No, that’s not a typo. It’s also got a 1TB NVMe SSD and 6GB video memory for even more power!
Like we said – enough to run most games on high settings without breaking the bank.
High Ground Overview:
- Processor: Intel Core i7
- Graphics: NVIDIA Geforce RTX 2060
- Display: 15.6″ HD IPS (1920 x 1080)
- Memory: 32GB DDR4 RAM
- Storage: 1TB NVMe SSD
- OS: Windows 10 Home
The Omen series is HP’s foray into the gaming laptop space. And boy do they deliver.
This model is loaded with a six-core 9th generation Intel Processor, an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 GPU, and plenty of RAM and storage. It’s also outfitted with a stunning 17″ anti-glare IPS display that renders your graphics in full HD. Top that off with its zoned backlit keyboard complete with 26-key rollover and anti-ghosting, and you’re looking at one of the best gaming laptops under $1,500 ever to enter the market.
High Ground Overview:
- Processor: Intel Core i7
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060
- Display: 17.3″ HD IPS WLED (1920 x 1080)
- Memory: 16GB DDR4 RAM
- Storage: 512GB NVMe SSD
- OS: Windows 10 Home
10. Razer Blade 15
The new Razer Blade 15 is the smallest and most portable gaming laptop released to date. The incredibly thin chassis is 0.78 inches (4.5 pounds) and constructed from aircraft-grade aluminum with a sleek black finish.
And that’s just the exterior! Peek inside and you’ll find the latest and greatest cutting-edge tech. This includes an Intel Core i7 Processor, NVIDIA Geforce GTX 1660 Ti graphics, 16 gigs of dual-xhannel RAM, and so much more. Razer is a company built by gamers for gamers. And you can be sure that this bad boy can handle everything you throw at it.
High Ground Overview:
- Processor: Intel Core i7
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti
- Display: 15.6″ Bezel-Less HD IPS (1920 x 1080)
- Memory: 16GB DDR4
- Storage: 128GB SSD + 1TB HDD
- OS: Windows 10 Home
If you’re seeking the best possible components in a gaming laptop, the Sager NP8957 is the pick for you. This notebook is packed full of the best tech in the industry – all for under $1,500.
What do you get? For starters, try the 9th gen Intel Core i7. Add the GeForce RTX 2070 with an unreal 8 gigs of GDDR6 RAM. Top it off with 16 gigs of memory and a 500GB PCIe NVMe SSD, and you’ve got it all. Performance, speed, and an unrivaled competitive edge in all your favorite indie and eSports games.
High Ground Overview:
- Processor: Intel Core i7
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2070
- Display: 15.6” HD (1920x 1080) Matte
- Memory: 16GB DDR4 RAM
- Storage: 500GB NVMe SSD
- OS: Windows 10 Home
There’s no doubt about it. Lenovo manufactures excellent gaming laptops. Want proof? Just take a look at the specs (and customer reviews, for that matter) on the Y3000 Gaming Laptop.
The thing is an absolute beast. It features a solid six-core Intel i7 with a 9MB cache. It’s also packing thanks to the GTX 1060 GPU that comes equipped with 6 gigs of DDR4 of video memory. As for memory and storage? This baby rocks 16GB of RAM and a duo 256GB SSD + 1TB HDD. Just perfect for storing and playing all your favorite games at max settings.
High Ground Overview:
- Processor: Intel Core i7
- Graphics: NVIDIA GTX 1060
- Display: 15.6″ HD IPS (1920 x 1080)
- Memory: 16GB DDR4 RAM
- Storage: 256GB SSD + 1TB HDD
- OS: Windows 10 Home
The Alienware 15.6″ Gaming Laptop is a killer device for a tasty $1500 price tag.
You get an i7 processor, NVIDIA GTX 1060 6GB graphics card, and 16GB of DDR4 RAM. But what sets this beauty apart is the detailing. Namely, that which makes it an excellent gaming laptop. Things like Windows 10 Home, a Truelife HD IPS panel, and an out of this world design.
I mean, come on. The carbon fiber and aluminum materials, matched with the thin style and Alienware branding, are pretty badass. Plus, the 1TB hard drive is sizeable, while the 128GB SSD delivers the holy grail for speed and load times. An exceptional offering from Dell.
High Ground Overview:
- Processor: Intel Core i7
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070
- Display: 15.6″ HD IPS (1920 x 1080) w/ G-Sync
- Memory: 16GB DDR4 RAM
- Storage: 128GB SSD + 1TB HDD
- OS: Windows 10 Home
The ASUS ROG Gaming Laptop product line is one of the most popular in the gaming portable PC category. And for good reason.
After all, ASUS knows how to put together some pretty mean gaming machines. This particular model rocks an i7-8750H processor with a GTX 1070 graphics card from NVIDIA. The exterior wins big in the style points category, as the copper-silver coloring style is stunning. As for the screen? The 1.56″ bezel HD IPS display is a thing of beauty, and it boasts a whopping 144hz refresh rate for fast-paced action.
The keyboard built into this laptop is also gaming-grade, with anti-ghosting features and 2.5mm of key travel for blazing-fast actions per minute. Of course, you get all the latest performance ports such as Thunderbolt III and 3 USB 3.0 ports, to boot.
High Ground Overview:
- Processor: Intel Core i7
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1070
- Display: 15.6″ HD IPS (1920 x 1080)
- Memory: 16GB DDR4 RAM
- Storage: 512GB NVMe SSD
- OS: Windows 10 Home
Maybe you’re looking for a work/personal/gaming laptop and want something that straddles those lines? A great way to find your zen, the ASUS ZenBook 15 is a clean, professional-looking laptop that delivers a gorgeous HD experience with stunning corner-to-corner coverage.
This laptop is wonderful for both productivity, watching movies, and thanks to the one-two punch of the Intel Core i7-8565u Quad-Core Processor and Nvidia GTX1650M GPU, not bad for gaming either. A big win for the ZenBook 15 is the fact that ASUS loaded it with a 1TB SSD and Thunderbolt III (via USB Type C) connectivity.
The ASUS ZenBook also comes with Windows 10 Pro, ensuring a seamless user experience. As for the exterior? The premium aluminum uni-body craftsmanship and quality components with touchscreen display propelled this to the top of our list of the best gaming laptops under 1500.
High Ground Overview:
- Processor: Intel Core i7
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Max-Q
- Display: 15.6″ (1920 x 1080) w/ Innovative ScreenPad 2.0
- Memory: 16GB DDR4 RAM
- Storage: 1TB NVMe SSD
- OS: Windows 10 Pro
So, What is the Absolute Best Gaming Laptop Under 1500 Bucks?
Well if we have to pick just ONE, we’d have to go with the Acer Predator Helios 300 Gaming Laptop. A trustworthy brand, good price, and some top-tier tech put this one right to at the top of our holiday wish list.
Is $1,500 too rich for your blood? Check out our other guides on laptops:
Awesome post…..design is very good and content is informative. Thanks again.
Good information about laptops. Lucky me I ran across your site by chance.
I’ve book-marked it for later!
First of all, I just want to say you have done such great research for compiling this great list. From this list which I like the most is Razer Blade 15 because it has got a powerful configuration with aluminum chassis which really look and feel premium.
-William Stanaland
Very nice article. Help all gamers who have a limited budget in their pocket. Thanks a lot for sharing.