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Buying a new gaming laptop is always exciting, but shopping can easily get overwhelming with so many options available. If you’re looking for a well-performing machine with a limited budget of up to $1000, look no further than the recommendations from this article.
After going over the specs and the buying guide, we’ll check out some of the best gaming laptops for under $1000 and explain why each of those made our list.
And who knows, maybe you’ll find your ideal match right here.
So, let’s dive in.
Table of Contents
Minimum & Recommended System Requirements
To pick the best value-for-money option, it’s always a good idea to examine the specs. For example, a $1000 gaming laptop should have better specs compared to a $700 laptop.
To ensure a smooth gaming experience, here are the minimum and recommended system requirements we think a laptop in the $1000 price range should have:
| Minimum | Recommended | |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | 12th Gen. Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5 | 12th Gen Intel Core i7 |
| RAM | 8GB | 16GB |
| Storage | 512GB SSD | 1TB SSD |
| Display | 15.6-inch FHD (1920 x 1080) with 60Hz | 15.6-inch FHD (1920 x 1080) with 120Hz |
| GPU | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050Ti or higher |
Top 7 Gaming Laptops Under $1000
Now that you have the basic idea about gaming laptops and specifications, shall we explore the best gaming laptops under $1000?
1. Best Overall: MSI GF63
- CPU: 2.3GHz Intel Core i7-12650H
- RAM: 16GB DDR4
- Storage: 512GB SSD
- Display: 15.6-inch FHD (1920 x 1080)
- GPU: 6GB NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050
- Battery: Up to 5 hours
If you want the proper gaming beast under $1000, MSI GF63 should be your weapon of choice. Amazing graphics, large display, and light weight are just some of the reasons why I like it — a lot.
Under the hood, GF63 packs a 12th Gen. i7 and an RTX 4050, which should be enough for any gamer. It’s actually kinda crazy MSI packed all this into a $1K laptop, and definitely a sweet deal right there.
As expected, the AAA titles ran pretty well in my tests. I was able to get consistently good fps at high settings, with no lags or stutter.
Although 16GB RAM is enough in and of itself, I’d think about upgrading it to 32GB, just to boost the gameplay even further, especially if you happen to stream it.
The display is quite good for gaming — it’s a large panel, crisp, and, like most gaming laptops, comes with a high refresh rate, so you can maneuver fast and shoot down your enemies before they spot you.
Add to that mere 4 lbs of weight, and you get a laptop that is super easy to carry around. Plus, 5 hours of juice is pretty solid because most gaming beasts with these specs don’t last longer than 3 or 4.
However, the design definitely isn’t your typical present-day cyborg-inspired RGB firework, and it does feel a little outdated.
For me, however, that’s a small price to pay for all the amazing stuff you get.
- What We Like
- Amazing performance
- RTX 40-series GPU
- High refresh rate
- Lightweight
- Strong battery life
- Upgradable RAM
- What We Don’t Like
- Somewhat outdated design
- Flat keyboard
2. Best for Students: Acer Nitro 5
- CPU: 2.5 GHz Intel Core i5-12500H
- RAM: 16GB DDR4
- Storage: 512GB SSD
- Display: 15.6-inch FHD (1920 x 1080)
- GPU: 4GB NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050TI
- Battery: Up to 6 Hours
Nitro 5 is one of those sub-$1000 gaming laptops that’s popular because of all the things it offers. If you want a future-proof, reasonably-priced, tried-and-tested machine, this is it.
First off, Nitro is sturdy. The chassis feels very solid and can withstand the everyday tumble on and off campus.
The body houses a 12th Gen. i5 and a capable RTX 3050 Ti. Granted, this combo isn’t as powerful as MSI GF63, but I saw only minimal differences in gameplay. Based on my findings, Nitro 5 still pulls excellent fps and pretty high settings with AAA titles.
And of course, if you want to further optimize performance, I’d go for RAM and storage upgrades.
Nitro’s 15.6” display is fast, precise and great for gameplay. When it comes to games, I have no complaints. However, if you’re a 3D modeling or photo-editing student, I feel like the panel could use a punchier color gamut.
The color accuracy is often a problem with gaming laptops, and so is the battery life. However, in Nitro’s case, I got pretty solid 6 hours of juice, so it’ll easily last all day at classroom.
Yet, 5.5 lbs does feel a little heavy in the backpack. It’s not the end of the world, but if you’re looking for something lighter, check MSI above.
Overall, I believe students will enjoy Nitro’s capabilities, build and signature-red, super-comfy keyboard. The machine just might last them all college years and well into their first job.
- What We Like
- Sturdy and sleek
- Great performance
- Upgradable RAM and storage
- Fast display
- Good battery
- Comfy keyboard
- What We Don’t Like
- On the heavier side
- Washed-out colors
3. Smooth Gaming with Lenovo: Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3
- CPU: 3.3GHz AMD Ryzen 5 5600H
- RAM: 16GB DDR5
- Storage: 1TB SSD
- Display: 15.6-inch FHD (1920 x 1080)
- GPU: 4GB NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050TI
- Battery: Up to 5 hours
Maybe you want a gaming laptop under $1000 that’s not flashy, but still gives great performance. The Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming is probably one of the top picks for this, besides the evergreen Nitro 5.
In terms of performance, Lenovo is pretty similar to Nitro. With a newer Ryzen 5 and an RTX 3050 Ti, IdeaPad Gaming 3 is an amazing choice for AAA titles. Like Nitro, IdeaPad proved a worthy and remarkable player in my tests. This little beast gets you those coveted high fps and high settings easily.
Though the display is only a little slower, at 120Hz, Lenovo’s panel is much more pleasant to look at. I thought the blacks were much better than some other panels, and frankly, I didn’t notice that much of a difference in terms of response rate. Overall, the gameplay details really came to life.
And I love the design. IdeaPads are classy, elegant laptops, and Gaming 3 is no different. It’s a sturdy and refined machine, with the super-comfortable Lenovo keyboard.
The fans do get loud every now and then, but they do so in short bursts. This didn’t bother me that much, although I do wish the battery life was a little longer. I consistently got around 3-5 hours, which isn’t the worst, but you’ll need a charger.
If you want a classy gaming laptop under $1000 that you can easily take to the office, too — check out IdeaPad Gaming 3. At this price, it’s basically a steal.
Watch our Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 Review
This YouTube review was created by the Not Just Laptops team. The specs may slightly differ from the laptop in the article.
- What We Like
- Strong performance
- Ample RAM and storage
- Great value for money
- Reasonable weight
- Refined design
- What We Don’t Like
- Loud fans
- Middling battery life
4. Solid Build: Asus TUF Gaming F15
- CPU: 2.5GHz Intel Core i5-12500H
- RAM: 16GB DDR4
- Storage: 512GB SSD
- Display: 15.6-inch FHD (1920 x 1080)
- GPU: 4GB NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050
- Battery: Up to 7 Hours
If build quality, portability, and performance are your main priorities, ASUS TUF Gaming F15 is one gaming laptop under $1000 you need to check out.
TUF’s sleek gamer exterior is sturdy, strong — and surprisingly lightweight. I was actually surprised to measure it at 4.85 lbs because of how durable it feels.
I thought the display was crisp, vivid, and fast in both gaming and entertainment tests. The panel is elevated and supported by strong hinges, and I admit, I love the look.
But TUF’s not only about looks — the performance is driven by a 12th Gen. i5 and an RTX 3050. These are very good mid-range options for gaming, and they can run most of the AAA games at mid-to-high settings, with good fps.
Of course, in my tests, TUF was a bit below the MSI and the laptops with 3050 Ti, but I enjoyed the gaming a lot.
In fact, I was able to enjoy gaming longer than with most laptops on the list. TUF pulls around 7 hours of battery life when unplugged, which, we’ll agree, is a great score for any gaming laptop.
The machine does get hot every now and then, but it wasn’t as alarming as with, say, ASUS ZenBook. Those things can get hot; with TUF, just make sure to get a good cooling pad.
Overall, if you opt for TUF F15, you’ll get a gaming laptop significantly under $1000, with an amazing design, portability, and strong performance.
- What We Like
- Great build quality
- Large, elevated display
- Strong performance
- Lightweight and portable
- Long battery life
- Very reasonable price
- What We Don’t Like
- Can get hot
- Average trackpad and webcam
5. Best Option from HP: HP Victus
- CPU: 2.5GHz Intel Core i5-12450H
- RAM: 16GB DDR4
- Storage: 1TB SDD
- Display: 15.6-inch FHD (1920 x 1080)
- GPU: 4GB NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650
- Battery: Up to 5 hours
Victus is one of the most popular HP’s budget gaming laptops under $1000. It’s the most affordable machine on this list, and also one of the classiest.
HP Victus comes in a thin, sturdy chassis, that feels very nice to the touch. This is a laptop that would serve equally well in an office as it would in a dorm room — it just feels like it fits anywhere.
I love what HP did with the keyboard: it’s compact, great to type and game on, and works amazing with a spacious trackpad below.
The machine is run by a 12th Gen. i5 and a GTX 1650, which is one of the entry-level dedicated GPUs. I was able to run AAA titles at decent settings, with good fps, but it was nowhere near the RTX 30- and 40-series. If you’re not a professional gamer, this won’t matter (that) much, but otherwise, check out MSI and other laptops on this list.
As for the display, that’s a whole other story. Victus comes with a bright, gorgeous 15.6” panel, that’s fast and responsive. Plus, similarly to ASUS TUF, it’s elevated, which looks great.
It’s also one of the more portable machines. At 5 lbs and 5 hours of battery, I’d say Victus is relatively easy to carry around and work on.
If you’re a casual gamer who appreciates refined design but also wants to spare a few bucks, Victus is easily one of the best gaming options under $1000.
- What We Like
- Affordable
- Compact and sleek
- Ample RAM and storage
- Good overall performance
- Solid battery life
- Relatively lightweight
- What We Don’t Like
- Low-tier GPU
- Some screen wobble
6. Best Option from Lenovo: Lenovo Legion 5
- CPU: 3.3GHz AMD Ryzen 5 5600H
- RAM: 16GB DDR4
- Storage: 512GB SSD
- Display: 15.6-inch FHD (1920 x 1080)
- GPU: 4GB NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050TI
- Battery: Up to 5 hours
Is there a gamer that doesn’t appreciate Lenovo Legion? This gaming laptop can be snatched for under $1000, with all the goodies it brings.
Let’s start with performance: Legion 5 sports a newer and powerful Ryzen 5 H-processor, paired with an RTX 3050 Ti. An amazing combo that flew through Tomb Raider and God of War in my tests, not to mention some of the older AAA titles.
The internal power translates really well onto the screen. With a 15.6” IPS panel, I quite enjoyed the visuals: bright and vivid colors, fast response times, and good color gamut.
And the keyboard makes the gaming all the better. Similarly to IdeaPad Gaming, Legion 5’s keycaps are wonderfully tactile and at just the right height. The trackpad is positioned a bit to the left, which at first did seem strange, but I got used to it quickly.
I know we mentioned a lot of classy laptops on this list, but Legion 5 is my fav. With Legion, you just know you’re gonna get a professional, sleek chassis — and this model doesn’t dissapoint.
Like its previous iterations, Legion 5 still gets hot now and then, but it’s nothing serious. However, if you plan on taking it to the campus or the office, you should know it’s a bulky laptop, at 5.3 lbs of weight.
Still, Legion 5 is a gaming machine that’s been around forever, and a laptop under $1000 that will surely provide hours upon hours of high-quality gaming.
- What We Like
- Awesome performance
- Sturdy and sleek
- Great IPS display
- Upgradable RAM
- Super-comfy keyboard
- Good I/O selection
- What We Don’t Like
- On the heavier side
- Can get hot
7. Both for Work and Gaming: Acer Aspire 5
- CPU: 2.1GHz Intel Core i7-1260P
- RAM: 16GB DDR5
- Storage: 512GB SSD
- Display: 15.6-inch FHD (1920 x 1080)
- GPU: 4GB NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2050
- Battery: Up to 7 hours
If you want amazing productivity, but would also love a great gaming laptop under $1000, Acer Aspire 5 fits the bill.
Aspire 5 is equipped with a 12th Gen. i7 and an RTX 2050. This beats the HP Victus’ combo, but I wouldn’ recommend it for professional gaming. In terms of productivity and casual AAA gaming, the laptop can do a lot, at high speeds and with no lags, except maybe demanding tasks like video editing and complex 3D modeling.
If you’re commuting, Aspire is the most portable laptop on the list. Just a little shy of 4 lbs and with a battery of 7 hours, it’s super easy to carry around and work on almost all day.
Plus, unlike most gaming laptops, Aspire 5 does come with a large color-accurate display. It’s not ROG-Zephyrus-level accuracy, but I had no problem with light Photoshop work.
Both gamers and professionals need good ports, and Acer delivers: HDMI, Thunderbolt 4 USB-C (with display and charging support!), USB ports, audio jack, and Ethernet.
While it is light and professional-looking, Aspire’s build does feel a little cheap. More importantly, I thought that the display could have been a little brighter — in my tests, any work outdoors or in direct sunlight was out of the question.
Still, good and well-balanced gamer-productivity combos are rare, and Acer Aspire 5 is one gaming laptop at $1000 that can do both really well.
Read our complete review of the Acer Aspire 5.
- What We Like
- Good overall performance
- Very portable
- Long battery life
- Color-accurate IPS display
- Good ports selection
- Professional design
- What We Don’t Like
- Build quality could be better
- Shallow keyboard
Buying Guide for Gaming Laptops Under $1000
Before we jump to the laptop reviews, let’s discuss a few important things to keep in mind when researching and buying a new gaming laptop for under $1000:
1. Performance Should Be Your Top Priority
Realistically, you can’t expect a $1000 gaming laptop to pack the highest-end components. But it is a decent budget for purchasing a machine that can handle most tasks, including running video games at medium to high settings.
Look for something featuring at least a 12th Gen. Intel Core i5 or an AMD Ryzen 5 equivalent combined with a dedicated NVIDIA GeForce RTX 30-series GPU.
In our list, some models come with an even higher-end CPU, like the Intel Core i7, which is great. However, for this price range you may have to compromise in other areas, like a lower-end GPU.
2. Get Enough RAM and Storage
Simply getting a good CPU/GPU combo is not the end of the story. For a smooth gaming and multitasking experience, you’ll need to consider the RAM. By today’s standards, you shouldn’t even look at a laptop with less than 8GB RAM. But for future-proofing and better overall performance, a gaming laptop in the $1000 price range should at least come with 16GB RAM.
As for the storage, 512GB SSD or higher should be enough for storing plenty of games and files. If that’s not enough, you can always upgrade or get an external storage device. Just make sure you get an SSD drive rather than the traditional HDD for faster loading times and improved overall performance.
3. Pick a High-Quality Display
Having a high-quality display is the best when it comes to gaming. This price range mostly covers an FHD (1920 x 1080) display, and it’s more than enough for almost anything you do, including gaming. The size is always more of a personal preference, but we find a 15.6-inch to be the sweet spot for most users.
For gaming, the most important thing to consider is the refresh rate. A higher refresh rate means the picture can refresh more times per second, resulting in a smooth and blur-free visual experience. Gaming laptops within this price range should have at least a 120Hz, or better yet, a 144Hz refresh rate.
4. Get a Properly Cooled Laptop
Gaming and other intensive applications tend to generate a lot of heat. To avoid overheating issues during a mission in GTA V or in the middle of a battle royale in Fortnite, make sure you get a laptop with proper cooling.
5. Find a Keyboard That Suits You
We are not here to recommend a specific keyboard because it’s more of a personal touch. What I like may not be the best-suited option for you. So before picking up your next gaming companion, think about RGB backlighting features, key travel, key size, and anti-ghosting, among other things.
If you can’t decide what kind of keyboard is ideal for you, check the comments and see what the users have to say.
FAQs about Gaming Laptops Under $1000
Does a higher refresh rate matter in a gaming laptop?
Generally speaking, yes. A higher refresh rate of 120Hz or 144Hz will result in smoother and blur-free picture, especially with fast-paced games.
But a higher refresh rate may not always be necessary. For example, if you’re looking for a laptop to play League of Legends, a higher refresh will definitely be beneficial. On the other hand, a higher refresh rate would be insignificant in a laptop for Minecraft.
Should I go for a portable gaming laptop?
The answer to this question pretty much depends on the type of user you are. For example, if you’re a student who also needs a laptop for school or someone who is constantly out and about, you should definitely think about a more portable solution.
In essence, gaming laptops are portable devices but some more than others. The ones packed with powerful components are usually less portable than regular laptops. Though, there are some rare exceptions with a good balance between performance and portability.
How much RAM is ideal for gaming?
Judging by the minimum and recommended system requirements of popular titles, 8GB of RAM is sufficient in most laptops. That having said, getting a laptop with more RAM can be beneficial especially for more demanding AAA titles and other RAM-hungry apps.
To future-proof your laptop, we would still recommend going for 16GB RAM.
Are under $1000 gaming laptops good?
While $1000 gaming laptops may not pack the highest-end components, they can still provide an exquisite gaming experience for the majority of users. If you’re on a limited budget and don’t mind lowering the game settings, we guarantee a $1000 machine is enough for running even the AAA titles at satisfactory FPS.
What is a must-have accessory for gaming laptops?
Depending on the types of games you’re going to play, here are a few accessories that will improve your gaming experience:
• First-Person Shooter Games, MOBA, Real-Time Strategies: A responsive gaming-grade mouse is essential for these;
• Sports games, Action-Adventure, and Fighting games: Gaming controllers have advanced features and mechanics to support smooth and joyous gameplay.
Additionally, getting a high-quality headset with a built-in microphone will improve the overall gaming experience, especially with competitive multiplayer games.
Verdict
Choosing the best gaming laptop under $1000 is not as simple as one might think. Obviously, you’ll have to make a careful consideration of all the specs and features before making the final decision.
Setting the budget is merely the first piece of the puzzle. After this, you must think about performance, portability, visuals, and overall build quality.
Our list of carefully selected gaming laptops in the $1000 price range includes some of the best options considering all the relevant aspects.
If you still haven’t made up your mind, let’s narrow it down a bit:
- Best Performance: MSI GF63
- Best Build Quality: Asus TUF Gaming F15
- Best Laptop for Gaming and School: Acer Nitro 5
Did we help you find what you were looking for, or do you have questions about another specific model? Let us know in the comment section, and we’ll answer shortly.
Finally, if you feel like these laptops won’t satisfy your gaming appetite, perhaps you’d like to check out our favorite laptops for under $1500.
