When you’re hunting for the perfect gaming laptop without breaking the bank, finding one under $1000 that balances performance, design, and durability can be challenging. But you’re in the right place. Whether you're into fast-paced shooters or immersive RPGs, there's a gaming laptop out there for you. Let’s dive into the best gaming laptops under $1000 that can give you a solid gaming experience without making your wallet cry.
Best Gaming Laptops Under 1000
If you’re in a hurry, check out our top 10 picks for the best best gaming laptops under 1000 for 2024.
| Image | Product | Price |
|---|---|---|
 | Acer Nitro V Gaming Laptop | Intel Core i7-13620H Processor | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050 Laptop GPU | 15.6" FHD IPS 144Hz Display | 16GB DDR5 | 512GB Gen 4 SSD | WiFi 6 | Backlit KB | ANV15-51-73B9 | SEE IT |
 | MSI Thin 15 15.6” 144Hz FHD Gaming Laptop: Intel Core i7-12650H, NVIDIA Geforce RTX 4050, 16GB DDR5, 512GB NVMe SSD, Cooler Boost 5, Win 11: Black B12VE-2023US | SEE IT |
 | Acer Nitro 5 AN515-58-57Y8 Gaming Laptop | Intel Core i5-12500H | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 Ti Laptop GPU | 15.6" FHD 144Hz IPS Display | 16GB DDR4 | 512GB Gen 4 SSD | Killer Wi-Fi 6 | Backlit Keyboard | SEE IT |
 | ASUS ROG Strix G16 (2024) Gaming Laptop, 16” 16:10 FHD 165Hz Display, NVIDIA® GeForce RTX™ 4060, Intel Core i7-13650HX, 16GB DDR5, 1TB PCIe Gen4 SSD, Wi-Fi 6E, Windows 11, G614JV-AS74 | SEE IT |
 | MSI Katana A17 AI 17.3” 240Hz QHD Gaming Laptop: Ryzen 9-8945HS, NVIDIA Geforce RTX 4070, 64GB DDR5, 2TB NVMe SSD, Cooler Boost 5, Win 11: Black B8VG-879US | SEE IT |
 | ASUS ROG Strix G15 (2022) Gaming Laptop, 15” 16:10 FHD 144Hz, GeForce RTX 3050, AMD Ryzen™ 7 6800H/HS, 16GB DDR5, 512GB PCIe SSD, Wi-Fi 6E, Windows 11, G513RC-ES73, Eclipse Gray | SEE IT |
 | ASUS TUF Gaming F15 Gaming Laptop, 15.6” 144Hz FHD Display, Intel Core i5-11400H Processor, GeForce RTX 2050, 8GB DDR4 RAM, 512GB PCIe SSD Gen 3, Wi-Fi 6, Windows 11, FX506HF-ES51,Graphite Black | SEE IT |
 | HP Victus 15 Gaming Laptop, 15.6" FHD 144Hz Display, AMD Ryzen 5 7535HS, 16GB DDR5 RAM, 512GB PCIe M.2 SSD, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2050, HDMI, Webcam, Backlit Keyboard, Wi-Fi 6, Windows 11 Home, Silver | SEE IT |
 | HP Victus Gaming Laptop | 15.6" FHD 144Hz | 13th Gen Intel 8 Cores i5-13420H Up to 4.60 GHz | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 6GB | 32GB RAM | 1TB PCIe SSD | Backlit | Wi-Fi 6 |Webcam |Type-C |Windows 11 Home | SEE IT |
 | FUNYET 16 Inch Laptop Computer, Gaming Laptop, 16GB RAM 512GB SSD, Intel 12th Gen N95 Processor(up to 3.4GHz), FHD 1920 * 1200, 180 Angle Opening, Fingerprint Unlock, Backlit Keyboard, Windows 11 Pro | SEE IT |
What to Look for in a Gaming Laptop Under $1000
Before jumping into the list of laptops, it’s essential to know what features matter most when gaming on a budget:
- Processor (CPU): Look for Intel Core i5 or i7, or AMD Ryzen 5/7 processors.
- Graphics Card (GPU): The GPU handles the visual tasks in your games. Look for NVIDIA GTX/RTX or AMD Radeon options.
- RAM & Storage: You’ll want at least 16GB of RAM for smooth gaming, and 512GB SSD to store your games.
- Refresh Rate: A higher refresh rate means smoother visuals. Aim for 144Hz or higher for fast-paced gaming.
- Cooling System: Gaming heats up the machine, so cooling technology is critical for keeping performance consistent.
Now, let’s look at the top picks!
1. Acer Nitro V Gaming Laptop
The Well-Rounded Performer
- Processor: Intel Core i7-13620H
- Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050
- Display: 15.6” FHD, 144Hz
- RAM & Storage: 16GB DDR5, 512GB Gen 4 SSD
- Weight: 4.66 lbs
- Price: Around $950
The Acer Nitro V is a versatile machine that blends power and price. With a 13th Gen Intel Core i7 and RTX 4050, it’s ready to handle AAA games with ease. The 144Hz refresh rate ensures fluid gameplay, and the dual-fan cooling system keeps the machine cool during those heated sessions. It’s a great option for gamers who want both performance and portability.
Why It’s Great:
- Backlit keyboard for late-night sessions.
- Thunderbolt 4 port for fast data transfer.
- Lightweight for a gaming laptop, making it travel-friendly.
2. MSI Thin 15 Gaming Laptop
The Slim and Stylish Choice
- Processor: Intel Core i7-12650H
- Graphics: NVIDIA RTX 4050
- Display: 15.6” FHD, 144Hz
- RAM & Storage: 16GB DDR5, 512GB SSD
- Weight: 4.1 lbs
- Price: $920
The MSI Thin 15 is all about portability without sacrificing too much power. It’s perfect if you want a thin laptop with decent gaming capabilities. Its NVIDIA RTX 4050 GPU ensures smooth frame rates, and the 144Hz refresh rate makes your games look great on its Full HD screen.
Why It’s Great:
- Sleek design for those who care about aesthetics.
- Lightweight and portable.
- Cooler Boost 5 keeps the heat down during intense gaming.
3. Acer Nitro 5 AN515-58-57Y8
The Budget Beast
- Processor: Intel Core i5-12500H
- Graphics: NVIDIA RTX 3050 Ti
- Display: 15.6” FHD, 144Hz
- RAM & Storage: 16GB DDR4, 512GB SSD
- Weight: 5.51 lbs
- Price: $890
For those who want solid gaming performance at a lower price, the Acer Nitro 5 delivers. Its Intel Core i5 processor and RTX 3050 Ti make it perfect for 1080p gaming, and its display refresh rate is great for smooth action in fast-paced games. While it's slightly bulkier, the cooling system works overtime to keep things running smoothly.
Why It’s Great:
- Affordable without compromising too much on power.
- Killer Wi-Fi 6 for fast internet speeds.
- Dual fan cooling system for extended gaming sessions.
4. ASUS ROG Strix G16
The Pro Gamer’s Dream
- Processor: Intel Core i7-13650HX
- Graphics: NVIDIA RTX 4060
- Display: 16” FHD, 165Hz
- RAM & Storage: 16GB DDR5, 1TB SSD
- Weight: 5.7 lbs
- Price: $999
The ASUS ROG Strix G16 is a beast packed into a slim design, featuring one of the most powerful GPUs you can find in this price range. With its NVIDIA RTX 4060 GPU, 165Hz refresh rate, and massive 1TB SSD, this machine is ready for anything you throw at it. It's perfect for gamers who crave speed and high-quality visuals.
Why It’s Great:
- Stunning 165Hz display for seamless gaming.
- Liquid metal cooling for better thermal performance.
- 90-day Xbox Game Pass included!
5. MSI Katana A17 AI
The Big-Screen Experience
- Processor: Ryzen 9-8945HS
- Graphics: NVIDIA RTX 4070
- Display: 17.3” QHD, 240Hz
- RAM & Storage: 64GB DDR5, 2TB SSD
- Weight: 6.1 lbs
- Price: $999
If you want the biggest screen on a budget, the MSI Katana A17 AI is your go-to. The Ryzen 9 processor and RTX 4070 make it a powerhouse capable of handling even the most demanding titles. Plus, the 240Hz refresh rate on a QHD display ensures ultra-smooth visuals. It's slightly on the heavier side, but for gamers who like playing on a big screen, it's worth it.
Why It’s Great:
- Massive 64GB RAM for multitasking.
- Ultra-smooth QHD display with 240Hz refresh rate.
- Perfect for gamers who like big screens and detailed visuals.
6. ASUS ROG Strix G15 (2022)
The Cooling King
- Processor: AMD Ryzen 7 6800H
- Graphics: NVIDIA RTX 3050
- Display: 15.6” FHD, 144Hz
- RAM & Storage: 16GB DDR5, 512GB SSD
- Weight: 4.85 lbs
- Price: $870
The ROG Strix G15 is a strong competitor in the under $1000 category, offering great cooling solutions for long gaming marathons. The combination of an AMD Ryzen 7 processor and an RTX 3050 ensures that you’ll be able to handle most modern games with ease, while the MUX switch optimizes your performance by routing frames directly to the display.
Why It’s Great:
- Liquid metal cooling for better performance.
- MUX switch for increased FPS.
- Great for gamers who need extra cooling during long sessions.
7. ASUS TUF Gaming F15
The Tough-as-Nails Option
- Processor: Intel Core i5-11400H
- Graphics: NVIDIA RTX 2050
- Display: 15.6” FHD, 144Hz
- RAM & Storage: 8GB DDR4, 512GB SSD
- Weight: 5.07 lbs
- Price: $850
Built to last, the ASUS TUF Gaming F15 is a durable laptop that's military-grade tested. If you're looking for something that can handle rough handling while still providing a smooth gaming experience, this is the one. It has a solid Intel i5 processor and RTX 2050 GPU, which is more than enough for 1080p gaming.
Why It’s Great:
- Military-grade toughness.
- 144Hz display for smooth visuals.
- Great price for those on a tight budget.
8. HP Victus 15 Gaming Laptop
The Casual Gamer’s Choice
- Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 7535HS
- Graphics: NVIDIA RTX 2050
- Display: 15.6” FHD, 144Hz
- RAM & Storage: 16GB DDR5, 512GB SSD
- Weight: 4.9 lbs
- Price: $880
The HP Victus 15 is perfect for those who want a bit of gaming without making it their main focus. It’s equipped with a Ryzen 5 processor and RTX 2050, offering decent performance for casual gamers. The 144Hz display ensures smoother gameplay, and the overall build quality is solid for the price.
Why It’s Great:
- Solid build for the price.
- Great for casual gamers who still want a good experience.
- Plenty of RAM for multitasking.
FAQs About Gaming Laptops Under $1000
1. Can a gaming laptop under $1000 run AAA games?
Yes! Many laptops on this list feature NVIDIA RTX GPUs and fast processors that can handle most AAA games at medium to high settings.
2. How important is cooling in a gaming laptop?
Very! Gaming laptops tend to heat up quickly, and a good cooling system ensures stable performance during long gaming sessions.
3. Is a 144Hz display necessary?
While not mandatory, a 144Hz display offers smoother visuals, which can make a significant difference in fast-paced games like shooters.
4. How much storage do I need for a gaming laptop?
512GB is typically enough for casual gamers, but if you have a large game library, you may want to look for laptops with at least 1TB of storage.
5. What is a MUX switch?
A MUX switch allows the laptop to bypass the integrated GPU, improving performance by routing frames directly to the display.
Final Thoughts
Finding the best gaming laptop under $1000 is all about knowing your priorities. Whether it’s raw power, cooling performance, or portability, the laptops on this list offer a range of options for every type of gamer. Happy gaming!