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Buying a gaming laptop under 500 dollars is tricky because of the budget constraint. Not everyone can afford to spend on expensive gaming laptops, and not every affordable laptop is going to be a good performer in gaming. So, one has to look around for the right combination of CPU, GPU, RAM, and display to get your gaming passion going. We have carefully selected a list of laptops for you after hours of testing, for they are excellent performers in video gaming despite being sub-500$.
Top 07 Best Gaming Laptops Under 500 $ -List
| 1 | Lenovo IdeaPad 3 14″ Laptop |
| 2 | ASUS VivoBook 15 F512DA |
| 3 | Acer Aspire 5 Slim Laptop |
| 4 | Motile M142 |
| 5 | Dell Inspiron 15 3583 |
| 6 | HP Pavilion 14 |
| 7 | HP Laptop 14 |
The best gaming laptop under 500 $ is the one that can fulfill all your basic gaming needs. You can not expect the latest graphic-intensive games on a budget laptop, no matter how good it is. It’s a fact that you have to bear in mind. But with rightly powered components, your best gaming laptop can play basic games like Minecraft, League of Legends, etc., with quite ease.
Best Gaming Laptop Under 500 -Reviews
1. Lenovo IdeaPad 3 14″ Laptop
| CPU | AMD Ryzen 5 3500U |
| GPU | AMD Radeon Vega 8 Graphics |
| RAM | 8 GB DDR4 |
| Storage | 256GB SSD |
| Screen | 14-inch, FHD 1920 x 1080 |
| Battery | 12:20 |
| Size | 12.87 x 9.49 x 0.79 inches |
| Weight | 3.5 pounds (1.6 Kg) |
| Operating system | Windows 10 Home |
The IdeaPad 3 offers a 14-inch high-resolution display, a responsive keyboard, and a solid and durable chassis for a reasonable price. It will give you a performance that is seen by expensive laptops only. Having AMD Ryzen 5 3500U, 8 GB RAM, and AMD Radeon Vega 8 Graphics, it is going to be your best gaming laptop under 500. Ryzen 5 3500U gives pretty good results when it comes to gaming, and it can play most of the games. Combining it with Vega 8 allows you to enjoy games like GTA V, even in a standard setting.
The keyboard plate and lid are made of plastic with a slight metallic polish, giving a metallic effect to the surface. The lid feels smooth, whereas the underside is rough-textured plastic. It is thin and lightweight, making it comfortable to carry. This best gaming PC under 500 has a 14-inch anti-glare WLED-backlit display with Full HD resolution. This resolution allows speedy performance; you can play League of Legends at 1080p resolution. However, the color saturation is weak, and the contrast is low. The maximum brightness is 250 nits, comparatively brighter than many other laptops.
On the other, Lenovo IdeaPad 3 has a pretty comfortable keyboard. The keys are well-curved and quite clicky. Though there is no backlighting, still the keyboard is much better than many other devices of the same range.
Moreover, the power consumption of this cheap Lenovo gaming laptop is lower than average. The Dolby Audio produces great sound. Outer connections are possible with the availability of ports. It is the best gaming laptop with good battery life. Normally, on half brightness, it can work for 12 hours maximum.
2. ASUS VivoBook 15 F512DA
| CPU | AMD Ryzen 3 3200U |
| GPU | AMD Radeon RX Vega 3 |
| RAM | 4 GB DDR4 SDRAM |
| Storage | 256GB NVMe SSD |
| Screen | 15.6-inch 4K 1920 x 1080 (Full HD) |
| Battery | 8:24 |
| Size | 9 x 14 x 0.8 inches |
| Weight | 3.86 pounds (1.75 Kg) |
| Operating system | Windows 10 Home |
The Asus Vivobook series has budget to mid-range laptops equipped with entry-level processors that can play a few games. Likewise, ASUS VivoBook F512DA is a 15.6-inch display having Ryzen 3 3200U processor AMD with 4 GB RAM, making it an option if you are looking for the best cheap gaming laptop under $500. However, 4GB RAM is not recommendable for gaming purposes. For a few dollars, you can upgrade the RAM to 8 GB, which will be helpful for even entry-level gaming. The machine is affordable and complements expensive gaming laptops by allowing you to enjoy a few of the games. It is impossible to play with other laptops.
This best gaming laptop under 500 $ has a slick design with sensational color schemes. The aluminum lid shines with the Asus Logo in the center. With its premium design, it has a high-resolution display. The 1080p display is the fastest display, and it is highly preferred in gaming laptops. The screen is comparatively sharp and bright; however, it lags behind in delivering perfect colors. The highest brightness of the display is 257 nits so that it can be used outdoors.
The keyboard is another significant element when looking for the best laptop for gaming. Stiff and mushy keyboards are uncomfortable for playing games. Therefore, this Asus laptop for gaming has introduced a comfortable keyboard with tactile keys that are responsive. You will enjoy playing games with it.
Likewise, the AMD Ryzen 3 3200U plays the daily tasks and some of the games productively. The speed performance is quite good. At the same time, graphics by AMD Radeon RX Vega 3 perform efficiently without delaying much. This best gaming laptop under 500 $ is a strong pick if you prefer to play Web-based games. It can handle such activities hassle-free. The battery life will not interrupt your gaming as the company claims to offer a battery life of approximately 8 hours. It is the rare thing about gaming computers under 500.
3. Acer Aspire 5 Slim Laptop
| CPU | 8th Gen Intel Core i5-8265U |
| GPU | Intel UHD Graphics 620 |
| RAM | 8 GB DDR4 |
| Storage | 256GB SSD |
| Screen | 15-inch, FHD 1920 x 1080 |
| Battery | 8:00 |
| Size | 14.31 x 9.88 x 0.71 inches |
| Weight | 3.97 pounds |
| Operating system | Windows 10 Home |
The Acer Aspire 5 is equipped with an updated 8th-generation Intel processor. Core i5-8265U, when integrated with Intel graphics, can support the basic games really well. Thus, it can be listed among the best gaming laptops under 500. This budget laptop has proven that some of the midrange laptops are way better than some of the expensive laptops. Similarly, this best Acer laptop is a big-screen laptop; still, it’s not very heavy.
The design is quite nice-looking, having a reflective Acer Logo on the textured surface lid. Though the Chassis is made up of plastic mostly, but feels sturdy. Likewise, the 15-inch screen gives a full HD IPS display with excellent viewing angles. The colors and brightness are perfect, looks great even off-angle. The matte finish avoids reflections. It will give you a solid visual experience. It has an average brightness of 258 nits, which is brighter than many of its competing models. You can play a pretty good number of games, either medium or low sentence. It will allow you to enjoy Civilization 6, a slow-paced game, and other graphically intensive games.
Intel UHD 620 is a decent graphics card gaming, which will run many games at pretty decent frame rates. It has decent integrated graphics, which can play many games combined with Intel 8th Gen Processor. Besides, the keyboard is soft and comes with backlighting. Keys give a satisfying experience. There is a fingerprint reader to protect your personal data. On the other side, the battery will give you approximately 8 hrs. of performance, approximately. Thus, good battery life, an excellent keyboard, a powerful processor, and a big screen make Acer Aspire 5 the best gaming laptop under 500 dollars.
4. Motile M142
| CPU | AMD Ryzen 3 3200U |
| GPU | Radeon Vega 3 |
| RAM | 8 GB DDR4 |
| Storage | 256GB SSD |
| Screen | 14-inch, FHD 1920 x 1080 |
| Battery | 6:30 |
| Size | 14.1 x 12 x 7.4 inches |
| Weight | 2.55 pounds |
| Operating system | Windows 10 Home |
Finding the best gaming laptop under $500 can be really hard sometimes because you want a device with a good battery, a lightweight, comfortable keyboard, a good processor, and a great design at a cheaper price. In case you have not come across such a machine, M142 is available in the market. It is an amazingly light laptop with a sturdy chassis and a solid hinge. It is equipped entry-level processor and graphics from AMD, which will give you great performance. It is quite good at color accuracy and design for its price category.
The 14-inch 1080 resolution display has vibrant colors. The screen has a maximum brightness of 210 nits, which is a little dim. Under brighter light, it might disappoint you, but viewing angles won’t distort. Moreover, typing on Motile M142 is quite satisfying with its clicky keyboard, which is usually hard to find in portable laptops. The large keys provide a decent amount of travel. The backlighting will help you to use the keyboard in a darker light. Audio is pretty good for watching movies and playing games.
Likewise, the Vega 3, being the best-integrated graphics along with the Ryzen 3 3200U, will allow you to play some demanding games such as Cuphead, Mine Craft, and Dirt Rally. The 8 GB RAM is adequately fast for running games. It has a decent battery life of about 6 to 7 hours. It is the best gaming laptop for Minecraft and other games.
5. Dell Inspiron 15 3583
| CPU | 8th Gen Intel Core i3-8145U |
| GPU | Intel UHD 620 |
| RAM | 8 GB DDR4 |
| Storage | 256GB SSD |
| Screen | 15.6 inches, 1366 x 768 pixels |
| Battery | 6:00 |
| Size | 15 x 10.2 x 0.8 inches |
| Weight | 4.48 pounds (2.03 kg) |
| Operating system | Windows 10 Home |
Dell claims that it has launched the Inspiron 3583 for gamers, which is one of the latest models of the company. It may not perform like a high-end gaming laptop, but this best gaming laptop under 500 $ is capable of playing most PC games. This laptop is equipped with Intel UHD 620 graphics and Intel 8th Gen Core i3-8145U with a frequency of up to 3.9 GHz. It has 8 GB RAM, which allows you to play games without crashing.
The design is quite stylish with a sleek exterior; you can carry it everywhere. The 4.48 lbs. weight makes it convenient to play games and perform tasks anywhere. The 15.6-inch full HD screen is anti-glare, giving protection to your eyes. Its resolution is 1366 x 768p, giving a bright and vibrant view. You will enjoy watching videos and playing your favorite games. It may not handle some games, but it is great for games with low settings. Color viewing is great and provides clear and bright pictures. The backlit keyboard is appreciable.
Among the best gaming laptops under 500 $, this big-screen laptop uses a processor combined with Intel Turbo Boost Technology, which makes it powerful enough to handle everyday tasks and many PC games. If you are looking for the best gaming laptop under 500 $, I would recommend you purchase the newest Dell Inspiron 15 3583. As it is portable and it can play PC games. In addition, it can also be a feasible system for students to complete their educational tasks. It can perform various functions without slowing down.
The dual fans prevent the laptop from heating up while playing games, whereas Intel UHD 620 graphics also contribute to playing smoothly for 6 hrs. on average. Though 6hrs battery life is not bad for gaming laptops. Thus, this gaming laptop, Dell Inspiron 15 3583, is your budget gaming laptop under 500 with unique functionalities and a worth considering machine if you are looking for the best cheap gaming laptop under 500 $.
6. HP Pavilion 14
| CPU | AMD Athlon Silver 3050U |
| GPU | AMD Radeon |
| RAM | 8 GB |
| Storage | 256GB NVMe SSD |
| Screen | 14-inch, 1366 x 768 |
| Battery | 4:00 |
| Size | 12.8 x 8.9 x 0.8 inches |
| Weight | 3.24 pounds |
| Operating system | Windows 10 Home |
If you are interested in entry-level gaming and want to own the best gaming computer for under 500 $, the HP Pavilion 14″ with its HD Display is an excellent choice. This best gaming laptop under 500 $ is a portable laptop with many upgraded features. It is quite fast with its AMD Athlon Silver 3050U processor and AMD Radeon graphics. The desktop always remains supreme for gamers; however, to have a portable gaming laptop is hard to ignore. The HP Pavilion 14 is going to be your ideal machine for daily task productivity and some entry-level games. The display and built-in keyboard are amazing for playing games.
The well-built aluminum shell has improved the quality, and this compact machine is easy to carry. It is 3.4 pounds but feels lighter. It secures your personal information with the fingerprint scanner feature. The Pavilion 14 has a lovely display, providing you with vibrant colors and solid brightness. You will enjoy watching videos of your favorite games on YouTube. The average brightness of the display is 362 nits, which is much better than Aspire (258 nits). Thus, it can be placed under the best gaming laptops under 500 $ category due to its adequate 8 GB RAM and decent graphics.
The keyboard comes with large keycaps, making it very responsive and comfortable. The performance is powerful enough for gamers on a budget. It will help you to play games like Minecraft and World War Z. Other than that, its integrated AMD Radeon Graphics, along with video memory, also gives amazing image quality for photo editing and internet use. In terms of gaming laptops, 4 hours of battery life is considered good, and for under 500 dollars, this best HP laptop for gaming has quite decent battery life.
7. HP Laptop 14
| CPU | AMD Ryzen 3 |
| GPU | AMD Radeon Vega 3 Graphics |
| RAM | 8 GB DDR4 |
| Storage | 256GB SSD |
| Screen | 14-inch, 1366 x 768p |
| Battery | 7:00 |
| Size | 12.76 x 8.9 x 0.78 inches |
| Weight | 3.33 lbs |
| Operating system | Windows 10 Home |
For the title of the best gaming laptop under 500, you will find this HP 14 HD Laptop as a worthy contender. It is available with an AMD Ryzen 3 processor and Vega 3 graphics. With its 8 GB RAM, it is going to compete with other models in multitasking.
It is designed to be quite charming. Its plastic lid is painted silver, with a dominant glossy HP logo in the center. You will absolutely like its shining slim body. It is also light in weight, and you can easily carry it in your bag pack. The 14-inch glossy Touchscreen gives you the 1366 x 768 HD resolution. With this screen, you will get Pictures and videos in vivid colors. With TouchscreenPinch, you can easily zoom in and out and swipe directly on the screen. However, the highest brightness of 220 is insufficient for working outdoors.
Windows 10 Home on this laptop will be a user-friendly platform to complete your daily tasks and games in everyday settings. Besides, the processor provides optional performance. There is a significant number of ports for external connections. The Bluetooth functionality will provide you wireless connection.
Other Notable Mentions
Dell Inspiron 15 5000
| CPU | Intel Core i3-8130U |
| GPU | Intel UHD 620 |
| RAM | 12GB DDR4 |
| Storage | 1TB HDD 5,400RPM |
| Screen | 15.6 inches, FHD 1920 x 1080 |
| Battery | 5:00 |
| Size | 19.5 x 13.6 x 3 inches |
| Weight | 4.9 lbs |
| Operating system | Windows 10 Home |
The Dell Inspiron 5000 is another excellent Dell laptop that can claim to be the best cheap gaming laptop under 500 $. Moreover, this laptop is going to be your touchscreen gaming laptop with a 15.6-inch touchscreen that has a 1080p resolution. Both of the features make it an ideal display for gamers. This best gaming laptop under 500 $ has a very nice build quality; the matte black plastic gives a metallic covering on its visible parts. However, the keyboard, screen bezels, and wrist-rest are all made up of plastic.
The large display of 15.6-inch has thick bezels, which may seem outdated nowadays. All the trending models are coming with thin bezels. The screen is a little hazy and dim. However, Intel UHD Graphics 620 manages to deliver clear and sharp pictures. It is among a few laptops with dedicated graphics. The UHD graphics are gaming benchmarks in comparison to the average HD graphics 620. It can play causal games smoothly, whether Rocket League or Team Fortress 2.
Despite its cheap price, having a fingerprint reader on a budget laptop is great. The keyboard comes with black keys, which provide quite a decent typing experience. There is a fair collection of ports such as HDMI output, Ethernet jack, headphone jack, USB 3.0 ports, and an SD card slot. Likewise, watching movies and playing games with its integrated stereo speakers with Waves MaxxAudio Pro will be more fun because of the high-quality sound. Besides, it has a SuperMulti DVD Burner and a built-in Webcam for video calls through various applications. Somehow, its low battery life and its dim screen may feel lagging behind other gaming computers under 500, but overall at this price range, it’s an excellent cheap laptop for gaming. And if you can add up a few more bucks and want to look for one of the best gaming laptops under 600, you can check Dell Inspiron 15 5570.
Lenovo IdeaPad 3 15″ Laptop
| CPU | AMD Ryzen 3 3250U |
| GPU | AMD Radeon Vega 3 Graphics |
| RAM | 4 GB DDR4 |
| Storage | 128GB SSD |
| Screen | 15.6 -inch, 1366 x 768p |
| Battery | 04:20 |
| Size | 14.26 x 9.98 x 0.78 inches |
| Weight | 4.84 pounds |
| Operating system | Windows 10 Home |
It is an entry-level laptop with enough power to complete all your tasks, including games with low settings. It is going to be the best gaming laptop under 400 $ by Lenovo. A 15-inch screen with an AMD processor and integrated Vega 3 graphics has quite a stylish exterior. It is made up of plastic, but the smooth finish of both the base and lid feels amazing. The outer metal-like finish will give you the feeling of a high-end laptop. The chassis feels sturdy in your hands and bends comfortably with its flexible hinges. You are going to enjoy a bigger display with narrow side bezels.
It is a TN display of 15.6 inches with a resolution of 1366 x 768p. The screen is dim with 200-nits brightness, and viewing angles are not great either. It is not a big compromise for gaming laptops under 400, as you can use it indoors without any trouble. The matte finish of the screen will reduce reflections on the display. The island-style keyboard of IdeaPad 15 has good travel. Large keycaps are comfortable; even long typing sessions are not annoying. There are multiple ports, including an SD card slot, HDMI, and USB ports. Speakers are also nice; you don’t need to max out the volume while watching videos.
In terms of performance, the Ryzen 3 processor and Radeon Vega 3 are able to run less demanding Web-based games at 720p resolution. In that case, you may face problems with games in medium and higher settings. Further, you need to spend some dollars to update the 4 GB RAM in order to perform multitasking. Unlike other Inexpensive laptops, this best laptop under 400$ is less noisy. However, the battery life is considerably low.
Dell Inspiron 14 3000
| CPU | Intel Pentium Gold 5405U |
| GPU | Intel UHD Graphics 610 |
| RAM | 8GB DDR4 |
| Storage | 128GB |
| Screen | 14 inches, 1366 x 768p |
| Battery | 9:00 |
| Size | 14.96 x 10.06 x 0.89 inches |
| Weight | 7.09 lbs |
| Operating system | Windows 10 |
The final best gaming laptop under 500 $ that we have selected for you is the new Dell Inspiron 14 3000. This best Dell laptop is available for reasonable prices in the market and can be your cheap gaming laptop under $500. It has an entry-level Intel processor and graphics along with 8GB RAM, which can provide very basic gaming performance along with other graphics-related tasks.
It is mindfully designed to give you a reliable performance. The body is made of plastic with a great finish, giving it a charming look. Further, the 14-inch HD is an Anti-Glare non-touch display that delivers clear and bright images. However, the brightness may cause issues in direct sunlight. The keyboard is decent, and it will provide you with an average typing experience.
The Intel Pentium Gold Processor 5405U (2MB Cache, 2.3 GHz) is powerful enough to play some casual games along with its integrated Intel Iris Plus Graphics. HD Graphics 610 is capable of providing everyday image quality, and it will also allow you to do some basic photo editing. At the same time, 8 GB RAM will provide comparatively fast processing and smooth multitasking. On the other side, 128 GB SSD gives useful storage. The Waves MaxxAudio Pro gives an amazing sound experience while watching movies or listening to music. The longer battery life of the latest Dell Inspiron 14 3000 is appreciable.
Buyers Guide: Things to Consider before buying the Best Gaming Laptop under 500 $
Now, gaming laptops do come expensive, and any professional gamer knows it. But that doesn’t mean there is no hope for those who don’t want to spend more than 500 $. All you have to do is buy smart and find the balance between the components in a way that you get more of the components important for gaming by compromising those that aren’t important.
Now, you may wonder what are those components. Let’s talk about them in detail.
CPU
CPU is like the heart of any computer, And it is usually not upgradable. So, it is a one-time decision. It is always recommended to go for the highest CPUs. But since we are contained below 500 dollars, it should please us that the majority of the games benefit from GPU rather than CPU. So we can easily get away with Core i5 or even Core i3 and equivalent.
GPU
The majority of the games are GPU-dependent. The two best options that you can get in cheap laptops that can yield you the best possible results are AMD Radeon RX Vega 3 and Intel UHD 260 graphics.
AMD Radeon RX Vega 3: This GPU is based on Vega architecture (5th generation GCN) and works really well with entry-level Ryzen 3 CPUs. It can allow you to play low to medium-level games, such as Minecraft, Shovel Knight, Undertale, Cuphead, and Roblox, with quite ease.
Intel’s UHD 620 Graphics: This GPU benefits from a quad-core processor and, at a 1080p setup, would give you 60 to 80 fps, which can easily run League of Legends and some casual games like Farming Simulator 17, Team Fortress 2 and Rocket League, etc.
Screen
The screen is a one-time decision and something you can not replace. So, it should be selected carefully. There are two aspects of the screen you should look into before buying.
Screen size: Gaming laptops generally come with 14-inch to 17-inch display screens. But the bigger the display screen, the more expensive it is. The majority of gamers will be content with a good system of 14 to 15 inches screens at a budget price.
Screen resolution: Generally, for gaming, 1920 x 1080 screen resolution is recommended, but for cheap gaming laptops under $500, 1366 x 768 pixels wouldn’t be a surprise.
RAM
Since gaming can be RAM intensive, it is always recommended to go for a higher RAM. But at the constraint of 500 dollars, you can not expect it to be too high. But the good thing is that, if not all, the majority of the laptops will allow you to upgrade your RAM. For basic gaming, even 4 GB RAM will do for you, which you can later upgrade. But to stay on the safe side, we would recommend you go with 8 GB RAM.
Storage
It’s not uncommon to see a 1 TB HDD or 128 GB SSD in cheap gaming laptops. Because getting more than that will definitely cost you more. The good thing is, like RAM, you can also increase your storage capacity later on. But the more you can afford initially, the better it is.
Battery life
The higher the battery life, the better it is for any laptop. But generally, the more powerful gaming laptops come with shorter battery life. For a cheap gaming laptop, battery life of over 4 hours can be considered best.
People Also Ask
Are there any affordable gaming laptop brands known for their quality?
Some affordable gaming laptop brands known for their quality in the budget range include Lenovo, ASUS, Acer, Dell, and HP. It’s important to research and also read this list of the best gaming laptops under 500 $.
Can gaming laptops under $500 connect to external displays and accessories?
Yes, most of the best gaming laptops under 500 $ come with various ports and connectivity options. You can connect external displays, gaming peripherals, and other accessories like gaming controllers or VR headsets, depending on the available ports.
Can I upgrade components in a $500 laptop for gaming?
Upgrading components in the best gaming laptop under 500 $ may be limited compared to more expensive laptops. However, some laptops may allow you to upgrade RAM or storage to enhance performance.
Can a gaming laptop less than 500$ handle the latest graphic-intensive games?
Generally, gaming laptops under $500 may not be able to handle the latest graphic-intensive games at high settings. However, they can still run many popular games and older titles smoothly.
Are gaming laptops under $500 suitable for casual gamers?
Yes, the best gaming laptops under 500 $ are perfect for casual gamers who like playing less demanding games. These laptops can play games like Minecraft, League of Legends, and similar games.
Are the best gaming laptops under 500 $ portable?
Yes, there are many of the best laptops under 500 $ that are designed to be portable. The lightweight and compact design makes them easy to carry around.
How long can I expect the battery to last on a gaming laptop under 500 $?
Battery life depends on the usage and laptop specifications. Gaming laptops consume more power; therefore, good gaming laptops under 500 $ offer decent battery life. On average, you can get 4 to 8 hours of battery life on gaming laptops.
Can a 500-dollar gaming laptop be used for purposes other than gaming?
Yes, you can use your best laptop under 500 $ for various purposes apart from gaming. You can perform various tasks such as web browsing, video streaming, productivity applications, and content creation. Whether it’s work or entertainment, your gaming laptop under 500 $ performs efficiently.
Final Thoughts
If you’re a gamer, we hope you found your best laptop. These laptops can easily play basic games and even some more advanced entry-level ones. We have taken care of all the major hardware requirements so that you can focus on what really matters: the gameplay! These laptops are also good for other tasks like work and entertainment, apart from just playing games. We have listed the best laptops for gaming under 500 dollars in 2024, but if you think we have missed any, let us know in the comments below.
