Best Gaming Laptops under $700 in 2023

Having a limited budget for gaming laptops doesn’t mean you need to quit your everlasting love of AAA titles and settle for the truncated version of Minecraft.

If you live and breathe gaming, but are on a limited budget, this article is for you. We’ll cover the top laptops featuring the best possible specs in the $700 price range. 

Not only that, but we’ll also go over the system specs a $700 gaming laptop should have and discuss the most important considerations you need to keep in mind when researching and buying a new gaming laptop. Watch and learn, young padawan.

Excited? Then let’s get started.

Minimum & Recommended System Requirements

Before making a purchase, it’s a good idea to sort your preferences and find out the specs you’ll need for your next gaming laptop. You’ll see that most gaming specs are not that different from laptop specs for 3D modeling. And rightfully so, since high-end gaming is among the heavier tasks you can subject your laptop to.

To make things a bit easier, check out our specs table below, and find out what a $700 gaming laptop should pack.

Top 7 Gaming Laptops under $700

Excited? I sure am — here’s our list of top gaming laptops under $700.

1. Best Overall: Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3

Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3

• CPU: 3.3GHz AMD Ryzen 5 6600H
• RAM: 8GB DDR5
• Storage: 256GB SSD
• Display: 15.6-inch FHD (1920 x 1080)
• GPU: 4GB NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050
• Battery: Up to 5 hours

$658.00

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You’ve probably heard of the IdeaPad series, but the IdeaPad Gaming 3 is a Lenovo’s under-$700 laptop specifically designed for gaming. It’s a pretty powerful laptop, with a great display and build quality.

Lenovo runs on a newer Ryzen 5 and RTX 3050, which is a golden mean of affordability and performance among dedicated GPUs. I was able to get pretty decent fps with Lenovo, even with heavier titles like Witcher 3 or God of War.

The capable graphics translates onto a hi-res, fast, crispy 15.6” IPS display. Overall, I liked the saturation, and 120Hz was enough for my purposes, though maybe the panel could be a touch brighter.

In terms of design, IdeaPad Gaming 3 is one of my favs — it’s a sturdy laptop, with a great full-size keyboard and loads of ports. I do appreciate the ports being placed on the back of the chassis since there’s not much hassle when you want to connect the laptop to an external monitor.

IdeaPad Gaming 3 is lighter than, say, its bigger bro Legion 5. However, at 5.1 lbs and roughly 4-5 hours of battery life, it’s not the most portable laptop.

One thing going for Lenovo is the RAM. True, you get 8GB at first, but this is a significantly faster DDR5 RAM — and you can upgrade it, which I wholeheartedly recommend (it’s cheap anyway).

This laptop costs just under $700, but all said and done, it’s easily one of my top picks in this category.

2. Best Gaming Performance: Acer Nitro 5

Acer Nitro 5

• CPU: 2.5GHz Intel Core i5-10300H
• RAM: 8GB DDR4
• Storage: 256 GB SSD
• Display: 15.6-inch FHD (1920 x 1080)
• GPU: 4GB NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050
• Battery: Up to 6 Hours

$686.99

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Nitro 5 has long been one of the most popular gaming laptops around $700. While it’s only slightly above that price, it’s definitely worth it.

You may be tempted to diss the 10th Gen. i5 on Nitro, but in fact, this is the only combo of an H processor and RTX 3050 on the list, besides Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming. And it shows — in my tests, Nitro 5 consistently performed better in AAA titles over any other laptop in this price range, so we have a winner.

Nitro sports a 15.6” display with a high refresh rate. I enjoyed the fast response panel, especially in shooting games, although the color gamut is a bit bland for my taste. 

If you want an even better performance, I’d add $50 and upgrade the RAM to 16GB.

The machine also comes with strong speakers and a solid webcam, to make the gaming experience that much more immersive.

While it does have a good cooling system, the laptop can get hot every now and then, so a cooling pad is a must.

I’ve been a fan of Nitro’s signature red keyboard for a long time now — it’s comfy and tactile, with a responsive trackpad. The overall design, however, does feel a bit outdated.

Like most gaming laptops, the battery hovers around 3-5 hours, so don’t expect a whole day of work on this one.

Still, if you care about gaming performance above all else, Nitro 5 is one of the best budget gaming laptops to consider.

Watch our Acer Nitro 5 Review

This YouTube review was created by the Not Just Laptops team. The specs may slightly differ from the laptop in the article.

3. Best Design: ASUS TUF F15

ASUS TUF F15

• CPU: 2.6GHz Intel Core i5-11400H
• RAM: 8GB DDR4
• Storage: 512GB SSD
• Display: 15.6-inch FHD (1920 x 1080)
• GPU: 4GB NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2050
• Battery: Up to 5 hours

$779.80

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ASUS TUF, even though it’s a gaming laptop under $700, looks like one of its more expensive cousins. Besides the great design, the machine also comes with strong gaming performance and a color-accurate display.

I love the premium feel TUF F15 gives. It’s got a strong and sturdy chassis, two hinges at the sides, and an overall sleek exterior.

Under the lid, a yellow-lit comfy keyboard and trackpad fit nicely into the deck. 

In terms of performance, TUF sports an 11th Gen. i5 and RTX 2050. Even though this is an RTX 20-series, it’s still a dedicated GPU, and I was able to get solid fps in AAA titles like Tomb Raider, Hitman 3 and GTA V, at 1080p.

I’m quite a fan of TUF’s display, too. It’s both a fast AND color-accurate display, which is rare in gaming laptops. But the panel is also slightly elevated, so the design makes it easier to focus on the visuals alone.

Besides, the whole thing is relatively lightweight for a 15.6” laptop, and the battery life beats similar competitors like Acer Nitro 5 and MSI Pulse.

However, the machine did get hot in my tests when I subjected it to heavy tasks, so make sure to get a cooling pad.

Overall, though, this military-grade gaming laptop under $700 is definitely worth considering if you want a steady performance and good overall portability.

Don’t miss our full review of the ASUS TUF Gaming F15 FX506LH.

4. Best Budget Gaming: HP Victus 15

HP Victus 15

• CPU: 2GHz Intel Core i5-12450H
• RAM: 8GB DDR4
• Storage: 512GB SSD
• Display: 15,6-inch ‎FHD (1920 x 1080)
• GPU: 4GB NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650
• Battery: Up to 5 hours

$552.88

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If you want a classy, capable gaming laptop under $700 — with a few dozen bucks to spare — check out one of the HP’s latest budget machines, Victus 15.

I have to say this laptop looks much better than most sub-700 laptops, except maybe ASUS TUF. It’s got a thin profile and I love how compact the keyboard feels, along with the spacious trackpad and smooth surface. Sleek.

Under the hood, Victus runs on a 12th Gen. i5 and a GTX 1650. The GPU could have been a little stronger, but in my tests, I ran most of the games pretty easily. If you’re into Minecraft, LoL and browser-based games, this combo is great.

To speed up the performance, I’d switch up 8GB RAM to at least 16GB right away.

Victus is another laptop with an elevated panel — and it works for gaming. A gorgeous 15.6” display is fast, clear and crisp.

A lot of people ask about the hinge — I did find a bit of screen wobble now and then, but it didn’t occur when typing. A bump or careless handling could trigger it though.

The long battery life on Victus would be great if accompanied by a somewhat lower weight. I mean, 5-ish lbs are still ok for a laptop this big, but do take note if you’re out and about.

Overall, HP Victus is a great solution if you want a capable gaming laptop with a refined look that fits any office or classroom.

5. Gaming and Portability: MSI GF63

MSI GF63

• CPU: 2GHz Intel Core i5-12450H
• RAM: 8GB DDR4
• Storage: 512GB SSD
• Display: 15.6-inch FHD (1920 x 1080)
• GPU: 4GB ‎ARC A370M
• Battery: Up to 7 hours

$829.99

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Besides Nitro 5, MSI Thin is another gaming laptop that’s just a bit above $700, but had to be on this list because of all the goodies it brings.

MSI GF63 packs a 12th Gen. i5 and Intel Arc GPU. Based on my findings, this is among the most capable gaming laptop on this list, after Lenovo and Acer Nitro 5. I was able to get consistently good fps even with AAA titles — and the GPU works awesome with photo and video editing.

When it comes to portability, the MSI has the upper hand over Nitro 5. The laptop weighs about 4 lbs and gets around 6 hours of juice on a single charge, so it’s easy to carry around.

The display is what you’d expect from a popular budget gaming laptop — the 15.6” panel is fast, precise and works well, but I did wish for a little more saturated colors.

As a laptop reviewer, I get particular about keyboards. To me, the MSI’s keyboard feels a little flat, but I’m guessing this won’t be a deal-breaker for most people.

Overall, MSI has a lot going for it — it’s a powerful and portable gaming laptop close to $700, sure to bring great gaming for several years ahead.

6. Best Storage and Performance: Acer Aspire Vero

Acer Aspire Vero

• CPU: 1.3GHz Intel Core i5-1235U
• RAM: 16GB DDR4
• Storage: 1TB SSD
• Display: 14-inch FHD (1920 x 1080)
• GPU: Integrated Intel Iris Xe
• Battery: Up to 9 hours

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Great performance doesn’t mean much if you don’t have enough storage to install games, does it? That’s where Acer Aspire Vero comes in — with ample, fast RAM and enough storage for all your adventures.

Aspire Vero packs 16GB RAM and 1TB of SSD, which are enough for plenty of AAA titles and heavier tasks like photo/video editing, or lighter 3D modeling.

This affordable laptop runs on a 12th Gen. i5 and Intel Iris Xe GPU, which is an integrated one and somewhat limits gaming performance. I had no trouble playing lighter games — or AAA titles at lower settings. If you don’t expect an out-of-this-world level of details, Vero works just fine.

I was surprised by a crisp, color-accurate display, since it’s better than a few other high-profile budget gaming laptops on this list. While it could be a little brighter, this 14” panel is quite good for the price.

The blocky design may feel a little outdated, but at 3.3 lbs of weight and 7-8 hours of regular battery life, this machine is very portable and easy to carry in a bag.

For a price this affordable, you get a strong, portable laptop under $700 for light gaming and great productivity. Vero is a great choice for people who game occasionally, but otherwise need a laptop for medium-heavy tasks.

7. Build Quality and Display: MSI GV15

MSI GV15

• CPU: 2.2GHz Intel Core i5-11400H
• RAM: 8GB DDR4
• Storage: 256GB SSD
• Display: 15.6-inch FHD (1920 x 1080)
• GPU: 4GB NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650
• Battery: Up to 5 hours

$610.00

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If you think you’ve already seen this laptop on the list, you’re kinda right — MSI GV15 looks a lot like its bro GF63. However, this gaming laptop is under $700 and holds its ground for many great things it brings.

The chassis on MSI GV15 reminds me of a sleek Lenovo IdeaPad 3, but in black. I do like the premium feel it brings, even though it is plastic. The body is sturdy and weighs only 4.6 lbs, which is great for a gaming laptop.

MSI sports a 15.6” display with a high refresh rate, that’s also bright and crisp. During the testing, I found myself quite enjoying the movies on this laptop — although I would have liked thinner bezels.

As for gaming performance, MSI GV15 is a mid-of-the-path choice — an 11th Gen. i5 and a GTX 1650 were able to easily handle lighter games, and run AAA titles at lower-to-mid settings. In that regard, GF63 would be a better choice, though somewhat more expensive.

However, for the price difference, you could upgrade the RAM on GV15 to 16GB RAM and further boost the performance (which I’d recommend anyway).

With MSI GV15, I was able to get around 5 hours of battery life, which is ok for this type of performance.

All things considered, MSI GV15 is a great budget-conscious solution that, if you upgrade the RAM, will get you a very capable gaming laptop under $700.

Buying Guide for Gaming Laptops under $700 in 2023

Before we jump to the laptops, let’s go over a few key considerations you need to keep in mind when researching and buying a new gaming laptop for under $700: 

1. Combine a Powerful CPU With a Dedicated GPU

When it comes to overall performance, the CPU is the most important piece of the computer’s hardware. For the price range, a good laptop should at least have some of the later generations of Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5 processors. 

Moreover, a well-performing GPU is crucial for gaming. So look for a laptop with a dedicated graphics card, such as NVIDIA GeForce GTX or RTX series. 

2. Think About the RAM and Storage 

Having enough RAM is super important for multitasking and smooth gaming performance. More is always better, but up to a certain point. For mid-range gaming, even 8GB is enough, but we recommend going for 16GB as a more future-proof option. 

As for the storage, the size pretty much depends on your needs, and just like RAM, more is always better. But more importantly, make sure you get an SSD instead of the traditional HDD for faster booting and improved overall performance. 

3. Get a High-Quality Display 

You can’t expect the best visual experience from a $700 laptop, but some models have decent displays. Don’t dwell too much on the resolution because an FHD is pretty good for almost anything, and even entry-level laptops these days come with an FHD. 

For gaming, the most important thing to look for is the refresh rate. A higher refresh rate of 120Hz or more means the picture remains smooth and blur-free even with fast-paced video games. 

Lastly, look for an IPS panel for better color accuracy and wider viewing angles.   

4. Choose a Laptop With Efficient Cooling System 

Gaming can put an extensive load on the laptop’s hardware, resulting in higher temperatures. So to avoid overheating issues and performance throttling, make sure to get a laptop with an efficient cooling system. 

The best way to find out if the model you want has decent cooling is to check the user comments on heat management. 

5. Consider Portability and Battery Life 

If you are a student or someone who needs to take their laptop on the go, portability is definitely a thing to consider. Unfortunately, gaming laptops are usually larger and heavier (up to 8 lbs) than regular laptops, which means they are not the ideal travel companion. However, there are some portable and lightweight exceptions that can go as low as 3 lbs of weight. 

Another drawback of gaming laptops is subpar battery life, which is understandable considering the power-hungry hardware that they are packing. In this category, anything with up to 5 hours of battery life is considered decent. So if battery life is important to you, check the user comments and specs to ensure the laptop has decent battery life for your needs. 

FAQs about Gaming Laptops under $700

Verdict

Choosing the best gaming laptop in the $700 price range is no easy task. Obviously, you’ll have to make compromises here and there. To help you out in your pursuit, we studied various benchmark scores, tested multiple games, and after comparing all of them, picked the 7 best gaming laptops under $700.

But setting the budget is not the end of the story — you also need to think about other aspects like performance, portability, RAM, storage and overall build quality. Before choosing the laptop that is best for you, think about these things and then the choice will be obvious. 

Let’s narrow it down a bit: 

• For the best possible gaming experience for under $700 our favorite pick is the Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3. 
• If you’re looking for a more portable option with good gaming performance, check out the MSI GF63. 
• Last but not least, for those who care about aesthetics, the ASUS TUF F15 is one of the best-looking gaming devices in the price range. 

Did you find what you were looking for? Or do you have another model in mind, and you’re not sure if it’s worth your money? Let us know in the comment section below, and our team will answer shortly.