The best laptops for gaming under 500 are a nice purchase for a gaming enthusiast on a budget. Although the price points of these laptops are fairly low, this does not seem to have any effects on their general performance.
If anything, these laptops are packed with lots of excellent features that enable them to deliver unbelievable results. They have high resolution for superb video and image quality. They also have incredible processors that make them perfect for intense multitasking.
In these reviews, we have compiled a list of the 5 best models and talked about them comprehensively so you can make an informed decision in case you decide to own one of these cheap gaming laptops.
Contents
1. HP 14-CF0014DX 2019 14” Laptop
The operating system of HP 14-CF0014DX is Windows 10. This OS is intuitive and, therefore, makes using this 14-inch laptop a breeze. Windows 10 is also packed with plenty of nice features. One of these is the edge web browser that allows you to mark up web pages on the screen. As the name of this product suggests, there is a 14-inch screen. This is amazing, given that the laptop is one of the cheapest in its class.
The 14-inch display glossy screen is bright and produces vivid videos and photos. The resolution of HP 14-CF0014DX is 1366 * 768. It is HD resolution that combines with a WLED backlight to provide you with crisp pictures. But clarity is not the sole reason why HP 14-CF0014DX is considered one of the best. The 7th Gen Intel Core i3-7100U dual-core processor plays a role as well. With it, you will enjoy 4-way processing performance.
Plus, there is an 8GB Memory System that allows you to carry out advanced multitasking without a problem. This laptop also has a stunning look. It features an ash silver keyboard frame that looks unique. Additionally, the laptop weighs just 4.30 pounds, and its dimensions are 32.4 by 22.6 by 2 inches. The lightweight construction makes it a versatile model suitable both for business and personal use. Another incredible thing we must point out is that the hard disk size of this laptop is 1TB.
Pros
- The price is affordable
- Fast enough to handle most tasks
- Light in weight for optimum portability
- Boots up extremely quickly and runs smoothly
- Beautifully plays games that do not need high processors or graphic cards
Con
- Runs on Windows 10 S Mode, but if you are uncomfortable with this, you can download MS Windows 10 Pro
2. Asus 15.6-inch TUF FX505DT FHD Gaming Laptop
Like HP 14-CF0014DX, Asus TUF FX505DT is super lightweight. It weighs just 4.85 pounds. But that’s not all; this gaming laptop is also compactly sized. Its dimensions are 14.17 inches wide by 10.31 inches deep by 1.02 inches high. The compact size and lightweight construction allow you to carry this laptop with ease and use it wherever you want to. An 8GB DDR4 SDRAM memory is another feature that improves the value of this laptop for gaming.
The laptop’s storage, on the other hand, is 256GB Solid State Drive, which is just fine. Moreover, Asus TUF FX505DT has a 15.6” screen that boasts a resolution of 1920 by 1080. Having said that, expect the pictures this gaming laptop produces to be crisp and ultra-clear. The operating system of this Asus Gaming Laptop is Microsoft Windows 10 Home 64 Bit while the graphics are Nvidia Geforce GTX 1650 4GB. Another reason why you may want to invest in this laptop is that it has a powerful processor.
The AMD Quad Core Ryzen 5 3550H Processor makes the laptop excellent for gaming and other advanced tasks. Slots and ports are numerous on this unit. There are two USB 3.1 Type-A; 1 USB 2.0 Type-A, and a headphone port. The headphone port can also be used as a microphone port. Asus TUF FX505DT boasts wireless performance. It is equipped with Bluetooth 5.0 for fast connectivity. You can also take advantage of Wi-Fi 802.11ac to enjoy the laptop’s wireless technology.
Pros
- Feels amazing to type on
- The backlight is a wonderful addition
- The SSD is extremely fast and runs beautifully
- The laptop appears to be durable
- Versatile; great for work, school, and gaming
Con
- It is hard to customize the color of the keyboard
3. ASUS Eclipse Grey ROG Zephyrus 15.6” QHD Gaming Laptop
This is another model by ASUS; therefore, expect it to work great for what it is designed for, which is gaming. Its operating system is Windows 10, which has Edge Web browser that allows you to mark up Web pages on the screen. Besides, this gaming laptop has a decent screen size of 15.6 inches. The QHD display is not just large but also boasts a 165Hz refresh rate, which makes the laptop excellent for gaming. The resolution is decent too. It is 2560 by 1440 and has DCI-P3.
The resolution boasts fantastic color and clarity; making sure every scene in the game is one to remember. The LED backlight is another superb feature we must talk about. It helps create an amazing atmosphere for gaming, plus it is energy-efficient. This will give you peace of mind when your laptop is not plugged in knowing that you can use it for a long time even with the LED backlight on. The 16GB system memory allows you to use the ASUS ROG Zephyrus Gaming Laptop for intense multitasking as well as gaming.
Additionally, this laptop for gaming boasts reams of high-bandwidth DDR4 RAM that will smoothly run your graphics-heavy PC games not to mention video-editing applications. The high-bandwidth DDR4 RAM can also run several browser tabs and programs simultaneously. 1TB SSD not only saves files fast but also stores more data for ultimate convenience. Talking of convenience, the connectivity technology of this gaming laptop is Bluetooth.
Pros
- Plays lots of games without a problem
- The design and quality is wonderful
- It is delivered fast
- The display and graphics are superb
- The keyboard is comfortable
- Battery life is long-lasting
Con
- Fans are relatively loud
4. Acer Aspire 3 15.6” LED HD Laptop
Acer Aspire 3 is a cheap gaming laptop that you can invest in when on a budget. Despite the low price point, this unit is packed with plenty of nice features. First, there is a 15.6-inch high-definition screen. The screen delivers clear pictures to make sure every gaming session is unforgettable. Second, the laptop boasts the latest Wi-Fi technology. This helps offer solid performance when gaming.
Acer Aspire 3 also boasts an attractive design that will immediately put you in the mood for gaming. Plus, it is compact and measures just 15.02 inches wide by 10.35 inches deep by 0.98 inches high. Throw in its weight of 5.07 pounds, and you have a laptop, which you can easily fit into your backpack for on-the-go use. You can take it to work or class, depending on what you plan to do it with. Everything you need to perform important tasks, do some schoolwork, and browse the web is on this laptop.
It is versatile, and that is because of the advanced features it is equipped with. One of these is the AMD Ryzen 3 2200U Dual-Core Processor and another is the LED-backlit display. The laptop also boasts AMD Radeon Vega 3 Mobile Graphics, 1TB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive, and 8GB DDR4 Dual Channel Memory. Two built-in stereo speakers are here as well to provide you with great sound quality when gaming. Plus, the battery life of this laptop can last up to 6 hours when used non-stop without the laptop being plugged in.
Pros
- The processor is fast and meets lots of requirements
- Seems to have a sturdy build quality
- The large screen is wonderful
- Great value for the money
- The keyboard is nice and perfect for typing
Con
- The quality of the adapter is not very convincing
5. Lenovo 82K20015US IdeaPad Gaming Laptop
Lenovo 82K20015US is packed with the revolutionary AMD Ryzen 5000 H-Series processor that enables it to deliver outstanding results every time. It also has 6 super responsive cores, which is amazing, considering that some gaming laptops that cost much higher have only 4 cores. These 6 cores work with a high-performance processor to ensure you are not disappointed even for a sec when gaming on Lenovo 82K20015US. Like other modern laptops for gaming, Lenovo 82K20015US is thin and light.
This means you will have no problem carrying and using it anywhere. The screen size of Lenovo 82K20015US is worth talking about too. It is 15.6 inches FHD display with a resolution of 1920 by 1080. What’s more, it is equipped with NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 GPU so it can help you play your favorite games without any issues. There is also a 120Hz refresh rate, which does a wonderful job despite not being as high as the refresh rates of some models. The 120Hz refresh rate will slingshot your gaming visuals and ensure tear-free gaming.
The 256GB M.2 PCle SSD storage and 8GB 3200 MHz DDR4 RAM makes gaming on this laptop a cakewalk and very convenient. Moreover, the laptop boasts many different types of connectivity. These include Bluetooth 5.0, 2×2 WiFi 802.11 ax, and RJ45 Ethernet. Also, there is a 720p high-definition webcam for more convenience. Two 2-watt speakers will provide you with crisp sound quality when gaming. Plus, there is a spacious keyboard featuring a white backlight to create a stunning gaming atmosphere.
Pros
- The keyboard is well built
- Heat dissipation is excellent
- The keyboard’s white backlight can be dimmed or brightened
- The anti-glare screen is fabulous
- No distortion in sound
Con
- RAM and storage are not very high, but also you can upgrade them
Things To Consider When Buying The Best Laptop For Gaming
Choosing the cheapest and best gaming laptop can be a daunting task if you do not know what to look for. That being said, here are some of the factors that will guide and help you settle on a perfect brand.
- RAM & Storage
Most gaming laptops under $500 have an 8GB memory system and 256GB storage. While this may not be a problem if you plan to use your laptop for normal or light-duty tasks, you may want to go for a model with higher memory and storage if you always play graphics-heavy PC games. Nonetheless, most of these models tend to be super expensive. So, what do you do? Well, simply pick the affordable laptop and then try to improve these specs. This will get your gaming laptop working faster while providing you with more space to store data.
- Resolution & Screen Size
The perfect screen size for gaming is somewhere between 14 inches and 15.6 inches. This helps provide you with plenty of details without compromising the portability of the laptop. But it is not just the screen size you should pay attention to. Also, be sure to check the resolution. That being said, most cheap gaming laptops are surprising in this area. Some have a high screen resolution of up to 1920 * 1080. Laptops with high resolution produce crisp images and videos for a great gaming experience.
- Overall Build Quality
A good laptop for gaming should be well made so it can hold up well to the rigors of everyday use. The external body should be made of sturdy metallic material that gives it a sleek appearance while making sure it is super solid. The keyboard frame should be nicely done too. Plus, the keyboard itself should be comfortable enough to let you type without a problem.
Conclusion
With such quality laptops in the market, sometimes, it is needless to splash money on expensive models. Although expensive models have lots of advanced features, the above laptops serve their purpose. Furthermore, they are versatile in the sense that you can use them for office work, schoolwork, and, of course, gaming. These laptops are also from popular manufacturers in Lenovo, HP, Acer, and ASUS. Having said that, go ahead and buy one with confidence knowing that it will live up to expectations.
