9 Best Gaming Laptops Under $500 in December 2024 [Expert Recommended]

So, you’re looking for the best gaming laptops that fit within the $500 budget. This budget is rather reasonable, and you may find plenty of solid solutions within it.

But now comes the point where I have the money, but which gaming laptop is the best fit for me out of the large selection available on the market? It’s quite usual and understandable to become perplexed while deciding which thing best fits a pile of similar objects.

However, you do not need to be concerned about this. You’ve arrived at the correct location, where you’ll discover some of the best gaming laptops under $500 in our selection. Several of them are even available for less than $400.

I’ve done the legwork for you and compiled a list of the best gaming laptops under $500 that you can buy right now. All of the laptops on this list are the best in the sub-$500 sector and offer the best value for money.

Each laptop is distinctive in its own way, so there is something for everyone. This is because individual requirements differ, and there is no such thing as a single laptop that meets all requirements. You’re certain to discover the best gaming laptop that matches your budget and satisfies your specifications. Therefore, let us have a look at the list of the best gaming laptops under $500.

Top 9 Best Gaming Laptops Under $500 in 2024 [Recommended]

Immersive gaming on laptops is no longer fiction, as numerous devices now sport desktop-class performance. With a price of $500, you cannot expect a laptop with a high-end Intel Core i7 CPU, but you will receive a laptop with an Intel Core i5 and high-end GPUs.

Our specialists have narrowed the field to nine of the finest solutions within the specified price range, based on your specific gaming preferences. Rather than making random picks, we’ve identified the finest laptop in each category, taking into account factors like refresh rate, VR compatibility, value for money, and a variety of other factors.

01. Best Versatile Gaming Laptop under $500: HP 15

Another HP laptop that we believe deserves to be included on this list. A compact laptop with a 14-inch high-definition display with a resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels. An Intel Core i5, an 11th-generation processor, ensures that performance is not compromised in any way.

It includes a powerful processor and an Intel UHD Graphics G1 graphics card. If you’re going to be video chatting, this laptop has you covered with an HD camera of reasonable quality.

As with any other laptop in this price range, it features 8GB DDR4 RAM and 256GB SSD storage. The design immediately draws your attention, particularly the silver color choice. Apart from its ability to do several tasks seamlessly, the body is extremely resilient over time. All of the essential connectors are there, as are Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 5.0 for more traditional communication.

Additionally, it supports quick charging, which allows for a charge of up to 50% in 45 minutes. Due to the fact that this is a Windows computer, it comes pre-installed with Windows 10 Home. The battery backup is good but not exceptional.

This is a little computer that only weighs 3.24 points. In general, this is a reasonably priced powerful gaming laptop.

02. Best Powerful Gaming Laptop: Lenovo Ideapad 3

Lenovo Ideapad 3 is possibly the only laptop under $500 with an Integrated graphics card that can handle high-end gaming smoothly. The laptop is equipped with an AMD Radeon Vega 8 GPU, which is more than sufficient to run any AAA title at low to medium settings. It is equipped with an AMD Ryzen 5 3500U quad-core CPU running at 2.1GHz.

Intel’s Turbo Boost technology enables it to boost the processor’s clock speed up to 4.1GHz. The mix presented is appealing for intense gameplay. This laptop is a strong performer in the budget class, and you should absolutely consider it if you have an extra $500 to spend.

Additionally, it includes 8GB of DDR4 RAM and 256GB of SSD storage. While storage space may be an issue, cost-cutting is important to keep the price low.

In terms of style, it features a plastic body, like a conventional gaming laptop. The use of a lighted keyboard enhances the gaming experience. There is a 14-inch display with a resolution of 1920 x 1080 Full HD. It does, however, provide a typical 60Hz refresh rate, although expecting a greater refresh rate at this price range would be unreasonable.

In general, if you can slightly increase your budget, this is a decent gaming laptop. I want to ensure that every money invested in this gadget is justified if you are a die-hard gamer.

03. Best Functional Gaming Laptop: Acer Swift 3

Our second pick for a gaming laptop under $500 is the Acer Swift 3. While it is not as powerful as the Lenovo Ideapad, it does provide settings appropriate for casual gaming. On the front, the laptop includes a 14-inch Full HD IPS display screen with a resolution of 1920 x 1080p.

It features excellent viewing angles and crisp graphics. In conjunction with an AMD Radeon RX Vega 6 graphics card, the newest AMD Ryzen 7 4500U processor ensures performance. This is a new AMD processor from the 4000 family.

It is based on TSMC’s 7nm architecture and features an extremely low power consumption and a maximum clock speed of 4GHz. At first impression, the laptop’s sturdy metal structure is rather remarkable. Without a doubt, this is an attractive item with an exquisite design. In terms of storage, it features a 256GB SSD and 8GB DDR4 RAM. Certainly, this is not a large place, but it is an appropriate decision from the standpoint of the normal customer.

Additionally, the laptop is equipped with a backlit keyboard and all of the necessary connectors. The advantage of this computer is that it supports WiFi 6, which enhances connectivity. A fingerprint reader is included for traditional unlocking with a single tap. The laptop’s battery life is outstanding, lasting more than 5-6 hours. In all, this is a decent gaming laptop for under $500.

04. Best Convenient Gaming Laptop: HP 15

HP 15 is the best budget-friendly gaming laptop. It comes equipped with some solid hardware and the HP brand’s unmatched brand value. It sports a 15.6-inch Full HD display with a resolution of 1920 x 1080, which is standard for laptops in this price category.

This laptop’s main selling point is its CPU, which elevates it to a respectable budget gaming laptop status. It is equipped with the newest 11th generation Intel Core i5-1135G7 CPU chipset, which supports clock speeds of up to 4.2GHz, making it a decent processor for basic gaming.

Additionally, the gaming experience is enhanced by an integrated Intel Iris Xe graphics card. The offered GPU benefits from various enhancements over standard UHD graphics, making it a viable option for light gaming. It does not, however, include a dedicated GPU, although the processor is quite powerful.

As a result, this gadget is capable of some good gaming. Additionally, the tablet features 8GB DDR4 RAM and 256GB SSD storage. This is the equivalent memory capacity offered by the majority of other laptops in this price range.

The laptop is powered by Windows 10 Home, which enables it to make use of additional capabilities included with Windows. Additionally, the device supports WiFi 6, has a sturdy body design, a respectable battery life, and a built-in camera. After weighing the advantages and disadvantages, this is an excellent gaming laptop for around $500, although it is only suitable for casual gaming.

05. Best Fastest Gaming Laptop: Dell Inspiron 15

This is another item that should be included on this list. This is for you if you prefer to purchase Dell laptops. The Dell Inspiron 15 comes with an excellent interior configuration. That is why we chose this gadget.

In terms of specifications, it features a 15.6-inch Full HD display on the front. This edge-to-edge panel appears to be excellent for creating pleasing pictures, however, color fidelity is lacking. The majority of inexpensive laptops lack color collaboration, and this is no exception.

The laptop is powered by an Intel Core i3-1005G1 processor from the 12th generation, a quad-core CPU based on a 10nm architecture. This is a very energy-efficient chip having a base clock speed of 1.2GHz and a maximum clock speed of 3.4GHz. This is the chip’s primary objective: to give a balanced performance without wasting excessive power. Additionally, it includes Intel UHD Graphics to handle graphics-intensive activities.

It is capable of successfully managing simple games with low to high graphical settings. However, you should not anticipate near-impossible-to-play AAA titles. Additionally, the laptop features 8GB of DDR4 RAM and 256GB of SSD storage. Without a doubt, there is a space problem when it comes to storing massive data.

To meet the additional storage need, you can purchase an external drive, which is a less expensive option. Additionally, there is a lighted keyboard, a strong yet plastic design, Windows 10 OS, and an anti-glare display.

06. Best Acer Gaming Laptop: Acer Aspire 5

This is another Acer laptop worth considering. With the newest AMD Quad-Core Ryzen 3 3350U CPU, gaming is a natural fit. If you’re on a budget, the Acer Aspire 5 is a viable option.

The laptop features a standard 15.6-inch Full HD display with a resolution of 1920 x 1080p. As previously said, it is powered by an AMD Quad-Core Ryzen 3 chipset, which is an excellent pick for decent gaming.

Additionally, it includes 8GB of faster DDR4 RAM. Memory should be adequate for an enjoyable multitasking experience. Additionally, it includes 256GB PCIe NVMe SSD storage. It supports Wi-Fi 6 to enhance connectivity.

A backlit keyboard improves the entire experience while using this system in low-light conditions. Additionally, a fingerprint scanner is included for one-touch unlocking.

In general, the new hardware does not degrade performance. In terms of gaming, you may anticipate stable performance; nonetheless, it lacks a dedicated GPU.

07. Best All-Rounder Gaming Laptop: Asus Vivobook F512

Under $500, the Asus Vivobook F512 is a solid gaming bundle. While it does employ a Ryzen 5 CPU from the previous generation, we cannot ignore the fact that it is a formidable performer. While this is not the most recent model, it serves the objective of economic gaming.

At the front, this laptop features a conventional 15.6-inch display with a resolution of 1920 x 1080p. A Full HD panel is required for crystal-clear pictures. As a result, you need not be concerned about display quality.

The CPU is the most critical component of any laptop since it assists in data processing while running high-end apps. It performs admirably with the AMD Ryzen 5-3500U CPU. With a basic clock speed of 2.2GHz, which can be overclocked to 3.6GHz, the performance is adequate. It features an inbuilt Radeon RX Vega 8 graphics card.

Of course, a pre-supplied GPU cannot compete with a specialized one in terms of performance, but we must accept this given the limited budget. The memory configuration is 8GB DDR4 RAM, and the storage configuration is similar to that of other laptops in this price range.

There is 256GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD storage available, which is not ideal but enough. The quality of the construction is superb. It appears attractive at first glance. Taken together, this qualifies as low-priced gaming.

08. Best Lenovo Laptop: Lenovo Ideapad 3

Lenovo Ideapad 3 is an option if you’re seeking a touchscreen gaming laptop. While touchscreen laptops are not often used for gaming, this is an all-in-one solution if you’re looking to free up some time for other duties.

Although the display resolution is not as high as an HD panel, it is sensitive to touch. It features a 15.6-inch display, which is ideal for portability.

According to the specifications, the laptop is powered by an Intel Core i5 CPU from the 12th generation, which is a good choice for gaming at this price point. Additionally, it includes integrated UHD Graphics G1 for graphics performance management.

It is not inaccurate to suggest that this is a work laptop rather than a gaming laptop. However, the majority of other laptops share this trend. A 12GB RAM configuration is ideal because the majority of comparable laptops in this price range only provide 8GB.

Additionally, it has a 256GB SSD for storing your critical information. The construction material is robust, and it appears to be a long-lasting computer device. Every necessary mode of connectivity is included. It is pre-configured to operate on Windows 10 Home.

Individuals in the market for a touchscreen laptop should strongly consider this alternative if their budget is really limited. Alternatively, there are superior alternatives.

09. Best Performative Gaming Laptop: Acer Nitro 5

Acer is a well-known name for creating inexpensive gaming laptops, and the company’s Nitro 5 tops our list. This is an excellent value-for-money laptop with adequate gaming capabilities at a reasonable price.

The laptop is powered by an Intel Core i5-9300H CPU from the 9th generation, which is definitely not the newest. However, it can ensure a positive game experience. The chipset features a quad-core CPU with a base clock speed of 2.4GHz and burst speeds of up to 4.1GHz.

It also has an NVIDIA GTX 1650 graphics card with 4GB GDDR5 video memory. This GPU is an excellent value with dedicated graphics RAM. Additionally, it includes 8GB DDR4 RAM and 256GB SSD storage.

The RAM configuration is adequate for the pricing range. If you continue to experience a storage deficit, an extra vacant slot is made available for storage expansion. Additionally, it includes WiFi 6 compatibility to improve connection, as well as basic ports.

Additionally, a backlit RGB keyboard elevates the gaming experience to new heights. Additionally, it includes built-in Alexa functionality. The display is a 15.6-inch Full HD panel with a resolution of 1920 x 1920p.

Although it ships with a 60Hz panel, it provides excellent pictures with wide viewing angles. However, a greater refresh rate typically results in a more fluid gaming experience, something this gadget utterly lacks.

In general, this is a highly recommended gaming laptop for around $500.

Buying Guide – How do I select the best gaming laptop for less than $500?

Processor

The Control Processing Unit, more frequently referred to as the Processor, has the authority to affect the operation of any laptop. The majority of games need to be increased CPU processing power.

As a result, a gaming laptop’s CPU must be extremely powerful. With the $500 budget allotted, you may purchase a reasonably priced chipset.

A 12th-generation Intel Core i5 CPU may be the best option. However, if your laptop lacks a dedicated GPU, we recommend a minimum of a 12th-generation i5. When it comes to AMD, you should choose at least Ryzen 5, however, the newer 4000 series is preferable.

However, there is nothing wrong with any laptop that comes equipped with a Ryzen 3000 series CPU at a reasonable price.

Graphics Card

The Graphics Card, abbreviated as GPU, is just as critical as the CPU in a gaming laptop. The majority of laptops within this price range use integrated graphics. However, if your primary objective is gaming, we recommend investing in a laptop with a discrete graphics card.

Regrettably, this is an insufficient gaming budget. As a result, graphics performance must be sacrificed. Notably, the majority of recent integrated graphics cards are more than capable of handling casual gaming.

As a result, you should consider purchasing a pre-supplied GPU for casual gaming.

RAM & Disk Storage

Another critical component that aids with data processing is Random Access Memory. A gaming laptop’s performance and memory capacity are critical. The majority of laptops under $500 include up to 8GB DDR4 RAM, which is the recommended minimum for any gaming laptop. However, additional memory is always preferable.

In terms of data storage, it aids in the process. As a result, increased storage capacity enables you to keep larger files on your computer. A minimum of 256GB of storage is required, and that storage should be SSD.

There are just a few possibilities with additional capacity; otherwise, the majority of laptops under $500 provide 256GB of storage; SSDs have become the new standard. As a result, the vast majority of laptops adhere to this specification.

Period of Use

Battery life is a key problem when it comes to gaming laptops, as the majority of laptops heat up when the game is accelerated. That is why they are more energy-intense. However, one advantage of inexpensive laptops is their low power consumption.

From a battery viewpoint, this is a good thing. Battery life for laptops under $500 is typically about 5-6 hours. You may easily get by on casual multitasking during the day. However, it might dramatically decrease when gaming.

FAQs on Best gaming laptops under $500

Best Gaming Laptops Under $500 Review – 2024

Conclusion on Best Gaming Laptops under $500

Hopefully, after reading this post, you’ve decided on a gaming laptop that’s under $500 that’s right for you. Due to the limited budget, actual gaming laptops in this price range are few and far between.

Indeed, I discovered just one deserving candidate: the Lenovo Ideapad L340, which features a dedicated GPU unit for a genuine gaming experience. Meanwhile, the majority of other gadgets are designed for light gaming only.

Acer Swift 3 is another excellent option since it has strong Ryzen 7 CPUs from the 4000 series. However, you might consider the HP with upgraded hardware as an additional option. Additionally, selecting a gaming laptop offers a number of advantages and disadvantages, but there is no actual gaming laptop in this price range.

Apart from these selections, the majority of other laptops are available in standard configurations. If you’re searching for the best performance, the Intel Core i5 processors from the 12th generation are capable of handling basic gaming, while the 13th generation is much better.

If you believe we overlooked an important gadget, you are always welcome to inform us in the comment area.