Top 7 Affordable Gaming Laptops in 2019

While gaming systems are a great way to play online games at home, laptops are the go-to answer when you want to be able to play while you are on the road or not hooked up to a TV.Finding a gaming laptop that has everything you need while not emptying your bank account takes a little bit of research but is certainly manageable.  There are some great systems available in 2019 that will offer you a high-end gaming experiencewithout breaking the bank. You can keep an eye open for sales, last years models, refurbished or off-brand, allowing you to take hundreds of dollars off the price of a good gaming laptop.However, you can also find brand names at a reasonable price, letting you save money without sacrificing quality, speed, or software. Buying current 2019 models means that your software and hardware will be up-to-date rather than having old versions that will already be outdated.

There is no need to pay $1000’s of dollars for high-end products. Affordable, good-quality gaming laptops are available and getting more powerful with each version released.

 

1MSI G63 Thin

 

This MSI gaming laptop has a low price while maintaining high-quality performance. This particular product is one in a line up of gaming laptops that begin at a more affordable price point and then incrementally increase as the power of the computer does.

The G63 has an Intel Core i5 with 8GB of memory with a quality display that will allow you to do some gaming when you are away from home. Its thin style, black exterior, and neat edges look high end, and its red highlights and keyboard give it a stylized look.

This MSI is a thin computer that is fairly light at only 4.1 pounds. MSI is renowned in gaming circles as an affordable alternative to the high-end systems that are out of reach price-wise for so many.

What the Reviews Say?

Reviews of the G63 laptop are fairly consistent, stating that what you get for under $800US is quite remarkable. Reviewers praised this laptops gaming ability, functionality, and cost. The weight, or lack of, was also a plus for users.

The main complaint is that of battery life. Gamers found that this particular product struggled to maintain its battery when unplugged. There is also no Thunderbolt port and access to adding RAM is doable but not a simple add on.

Also, some reviewers were concerned about the CPU. But, most were pleased with the cost versus content ratio when the pros and cons collide.

 

2Asus TUF Gaming Laptop

 

This Asus gaming laptop is a solid product for a low price. It not only is sturdy and looks great but can be used for modern online gaming without a hitch. Its stylish design, backlit keyboard, and anti-dust cooling fans are highlights that make the low cost even more of a win.

Asus offers other gaming computers at a higher price with more bells and whistles, but this low-cost option is great when you are looking for affordable gaming on the road. It is portable, well constructed and certainly allows you to play the games you would on a more expensive product. Its thin bezel offers a wider screen experience offering extended visuals while playing without adding the extra weight of a larger screen.

You can use this laptop for school, work, music, movies, or gaming. It is a cost-effective all-in-one product that allows you to multitask and game while you are out of the house or office.

What the Reviews Say?

Reviewers have good things to say about this laptop when it comes to what you get for the low cost. They report playing online games such as Fortnite and Overwatch while also using the TUF capabilities for music production and everyday computing.

Speed doesn’t seem to be a major issue, and many were complimentary of customer service when there were issues or questions. This Asus product is said to be easy to upgrade and quiet when running.

The negative comments center on the trackpad, which can be glitch. Few people also mention the lack of ports.

There is also some concern about the small print. Strange language makes it difficult to know exactly what the product comes with. This is especially when looking for backlighting and general laptop details. It’s a fair warning to read the specs rather than just going by the picture.

 

3HP Omen Gaming Laptop

 

HP has done an excellent job in providing a quality gaming product for a good price. While the cost of this machine is on the higher end of the affordable laptop grouping, it reflects that the slightly higher cost is worth the final product.

The Omen has the speed for programs such as flight simulators, and games like Fortnite and Overwatch while being efficient with regular daily computer use. Its battery life is good, and the laptop comes with the 64-bit version of Windows 10 to meet your computing needs.

It is stylish, fairly light for easy portability, and HP offers great customer service should you need it. With 1 TB of hard disk space, it is ready to go for most gaming, work, and school events. The Omen lineup from HP is one where even the lowest costing laptop offers solid gaming.

What the Reviews Say?

Reviewers generally appreciated this HP offering when considering its affordability and its specifications. While reviewers had some concerns over the primary drive, this drive is easily accessible and can be upgraded for faster processing.

People acknowledged that the Omen is a low-end and low-cost laptop. You will not get the same response as an advanced machine. But, it is a computer that is great to take on the road when you are looking to continue gaming when you are away from home. It has good graphics and allows quality gaming without any glitches.

It can take care of both business and school needs as well. There were some less favorable reviews concerning its battery life and the inability to run higher-end games such as GTA 5. But, overall people were happy with the ability to use the gaming product with its more than affordable price.

 

4ASUS Rog Zephyrus G GA502

 

This Asus is at the top of the affordable gaming laptops but is well worth the money you pay for it. It can not only game like the high-end models but can carry out both school and everyday tasks without an issue.

Its speakers and display are solid for the price range, and it can certainly meet the demands of gaming on the road. It is not an overly heavy computer, weighing in at just under 5lbs, so makes portability easy when you are traveling.

The 16GB of RAM and upgraded video card make gaming easy with little lag and carry enough memory to make sure boot up is quick and unhindered.

What the Reviews Say?

Reviewers have very little negative to say about this ASUS product other than it is on the high end of affordable gaming. They complement its speed and display along with its lighter weight and style.

Battery life is good and allows for 5-7 hours of general work before needing a recharge. This time will be reduced if you are gaming as the drain is heavier. There is some talk about the keyboard not being 100%, but the trackpad is good, and the overall product is seen as solid.

Any issues that reviewers discovered with lagging were fixable with the installation of updated drivers. If you have some extra money to put towards a faster gaming laptop, this one should be at the top of the list.

While not excessive in cost, it is at the higher end of affordable but offers a great return for the extra cost.

 

5HP Pavilion Gaming Laptop

 

This particular HP Pavilion product is at the lower end of the cost spectrum when it comes to gaming affordability. It is a good product that can cover the basics of gaming and day-to-day work and school. It has 8 GB of RAM which is upgradable to 16 if you choose thus speeding up boot up and run time.

It comes with a Thunderbolt 3.0, so you can hook up an extra monitor and it can certainly run most games at their lower to midrange settings.  It has an average battery life depending on what you are using it for but is adaptable if you adjust its settings to obtain optimal battery use.

The sound and graphics are good for the cost but obviously will not have the quality of a high-end system. That being said, HP is offering a really good product for a truly affordable gaming laptop.

What the Reviews Say?

The reviewers of this product laud the cost and workings of this affordable gaming system. They point out the realities of the low-cost product but highlight the many good things about this system that make it a deal. You get more in quality than what the price you paid reflects.

Its quick booting ability and good frame rates surprised the gamers who bought it. While they acknowledge the sound is a bit flimsy and the RAM should be upgraded, the cost is great.

This laptop is not only a good transportable gaming platform but is usable for both school and work as well.

 

6Dell G3 Gaming Laptop

 

This Dell laptop is affordably priced while letting you game on the go. It supports not only away from home gaming, but work and school needs as well. Its slim design makes it one of Dell’s thinnest laptops in their gaming series.

The G3 has a good graphics card and dual fans to make sure games load, and the computer stays cooler for longer gaming sessions.

This laptop comes with Windows 10 so is ready to go whether you are working, learning, or playing. You can upgrade the RAM and also go to 1 TB if you choose. Check for other options that may be available such as a Thunderbolt port instead of the regular USB-C 3.1.

You can often add on items before you place your order, even if that isn’t shown in the picture or specs.

What the Reviews Say?

Reviews for this product are good and generally support the claims found by those who have used the laptop.

It is not a high-cost Dell and is certainly in the affordability range for budget gaming laptops. It has a quick boot up and is able to handle a wide range of games as well as day-to-day computing activities.

The main criticisms seem to be that the lack of storage is a problem, as is the battery. There is a concern with the short life span of power once if you aren’t plugged in. This laptop also is heavier than most affordable gaming consoles, and reviewers point this out since its often used while traveling and can add the extra burden of weight to limited carrying ability.

 

7Acer Predator Helios 300

 

 

This Acer offers you a really good product for your cash. The Helios 300 is an affordable gaming laptop that outworks many others. Its top-of-the-line display makes gaming a great visual experience.

It has a responsive keyboard and an intuitive trackpad. Its 16 GB of RAM and  8th Generation Intel Core i7-8750H Processor make sure your games are easy to boot up and then don’t lag once you are playing.

Using the Windows 10 operating system, you are able to multitask beyond gaming and can include extensive work and school needs as well. Multiple ports on this Predator allow add-ons and extra peripherals that aren’t available on other similar laptops.

What the Reviews Say?

Reviewers are impressed with the cost of this laptop and its higher-end gaming capabilities. They state that the graphics and CPU are great for the cost and certainly more than able to cope in the world of online play.

Screen, keyboard, and general laptop reviews are all positive as well.  The cons of this laptop seem to be the issue of overheating, which is surprising as it has dual fans. However, this issue, combined with its heavier size is both problems that buyers should consider.

 

 

Features to Look For in an Affordable Gaming Laptops

Features that you need to look for in an affordable gaming laptop are different than what you would look for in something less portable such as a desktop or actual gaming system.

Choosing a laptop that is easy to carry is important, but beyond that, you need to look at its internal components to make sure it can support the games with both speed and visuals when you want to play.

You will need to look at CPUs that are over the i5 level, RAM that is over 8GB (preferably 16), and larger SSD storage. It is preferable if the storage is at least 128GB SSD and combined with a 1 TB HDD.

A good display is important to gaming and should never have a resolution below 1920×1080. Good refresh rates at 144hrz are helpful. Quality keyboards and backlighting are good too when assessing what gaming laptop suits both your needs and budget.

Differences in Affordable Gaming Laptops

The first obvious difference in gaming laptops is price. Affordable can mean $600 and move into the mid-1000s. The laptops considered here are not the ones that cost thousands. Differences also are found in the laptops ’CPUs, RAM, and storage. Each of them needs to be assessed based on your particular needs.

Product lines from Asus (Zephyrus), Acer (Predator), HP (Omen), Lenovo (Legion), Dell (Alienware) and MSI are just a few who have entered the gaming laptop market and are providing affordable options.

Asus and HP offer “command” type centers showing your usage details, Acer stylizes their display and keyboard, and Lenovo and MSI focus on cooling systems and optimization. You will need to prioritize what your gaming requirements are and do your research, so you have the appropriate internal specs and peripherals to make an informed purchase.

FAQS When Buying an Affordable Gaming Laptop

Can you play current games on these affordable laptops?

The answer to this will depend on the type of game you want to play and the compatibility of the laptop you’ve purchased. To do this, you need to make sure the laptop specifications will meet your demand both with software and visuals. If they don’t, then chances are the laptop will lag and overheat.

What does RAM do and how much do I require?

RAM stands for Random Access Memory and is a critical part of your gaming laptop. Each time you do something on your laptop, whether it is watching a movie or gaming, the RAM stores whatever data is necessary before it goes to the processor. You want higher RAM for better storage of data.

Lower RAM is ok for everyday work but if you can find a gaming laptop with over 8GB of RAM that will make the games less laggy and operation more towards the optimal side.

Does screen size matter?

Screen size tends to fall into the 15.6″ range for most gaming laptops. The point of having a laptop to game on is that it is portable. If the screen is smaller, then you lose the desired visual effects of a game.

Although there are gaming screens up to 17.3″, this means your laptop gets heavier and more problematic to carry. It is helpful to find displays that have thin bezels as that will help expand the gaming area visually without adding inches to your laptop.