The 6 Best Gaming Laptops Under $800 Reviewed
Let’s be honest here, when it comes to finding a gaming laptop, the prices can become ridiculous faster than you can say “NVIDIA.” And with the latest games running you at least $60 a pop, investing in a good gaming laptop can feel like a distant dream. That’s why we’ve pulled together a list of the best gaming laptops under $800, so you can get the computer of your dreams, without paying a price out of nightmares. Of course, when shopping at a lower price point, there are a few things to keep in mind.
First, you want to make sure you’re investing in a gaming laptop that’s built to last. With the latest and greatest advances in gaming technology coming out every six months, it can be hard to keep ahead of the curve. But even though you’re not shopping at the top of the price point, you can still get some top-of-the-line stuff if you do a little digging. The main things to consider are the graphics card, processing power, and memory, not to mentions screen size. Graphics cards can add a pretty penny to a laptop’s price, and for good reason. Graphics cards can make or break a gaming laptop, and take you from ultra-graphics mode to barely-there rendering that makes a PS2 look high-tech. Now, it is worth noting that with a gaming laptop, you can’t exactly swap out your graphics cards for the newest thing on the market, so you don’t want to skimp here, but there is a fair amount of wiggle room as far as graphics quality goes. Because graphics cards are changing all the time, it’s best to do a little bit of your research, to ensure you’re investing in a laptop that will work for your needs, but you can shop with confidence knowing the laptops on this list are built to run the latest games.
Once you have a nice handle on your graphics card, you want to keep an eye out for processing power and memory size. While you may be tempted to shop for the smallest memory available to help cut on costs, newer games can take up over 100 GB of space once fully downloaded. That’s the equivalent of downloading the original Doom game almost 50,000 times. A good gaming laptop has a nice balance of memory and processing power, to allow you to play your favorite games without lag or worse, the eternal loading screen. Thankfully, the computers on this list are made to take on modern games, meaning you can rest easy knowing your favorites will run with flying colors and incredible graphics.
Now that you have a better understanding of what to look for in a gaming laptop, let’s get to the meat of this article: the best laptops for under $800. We’ve researched for you, so you can shop with confidence knowing you’re investing in a laptop that will last you for years to come. But don’t just take our word for it, we’ve polled customer reviews to make sure you’ll be satisfied with your purchase and done the product comparisons to ensure you’re getting the laptop of your dreams. Without further ado, let’s take a look at the best laptops for under $800 available on the market today.
Best Gaming Laptops Under $800
1. MSI GF63 Thin 9SCX-005
We know, we know, this laptop is technically $19.00 over the $800 limit. But if you’re looking for quality, the added $19.00 is well worth cracking your wallet for. This gaming laptop features 8 GB of RAM, a 256 GB SSD plus 1 TB SSHD, and a 15.6-inch total size. Not only does this feature a full HD screen so that you can see your favorite games like you never seen them before, but the overall construction of this laptop also blends the thinness of traditional laptops with the computing power of a gaming laptop for a laptop that can easily travel with you wherever you need to take it. This laptop is quite no-frills and appearance, making it perfect for those looking for a powerful laptop that can easily make the transition between work and play.
But don’t just take our word for it. As one satisfied customer noted, “Have to say this is a great purchase for the money. If you want to spend under $1,000 for something that can do pretty much whatever you want it to, you can’t go wrong. Have to give credit for MSI for an awesome bundle for the price.” If you’re looking for a budget-friendly gaming laptop, you can’t go wrong with this computer.
- Display: 15.6" Full HD (1920 x 1080) IPS-Level 60Hz 45%NTSC Thin Bezel Display | Graphics Card: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 4GB GDDR5 (Max Q)
- Processor: 9th Gen Intel Coffee Lake Core i5-9300H Quad Core (2.4GHz-4.1GHz, 8MB Intel Smart Cache, 45W)
- RAM: 8GB DDR4 2666MHz | Hard Drive: 256GB PCIe NVMe SSD + 1TB Seagate FireCuda SSHD (Flash-enhanced HDD)
- OS: Microsoft Windows 10 (64-bit) Multi-language | Warranty: 1-Year MSI USA Warranty Parts & Labor (include 1 Year Global Warranty) + Lifetime Tech Support from EXCaliberPC
- PROMOTION: Exclusive Gaming Bundle ($110 value). See description for more details.
2. Lenovo Ideapad L340
This laptop features a 15.6-inch full HD display, 8 GB RAM, 512 GB SSD, and of course, is thinner than almost any other gaming laptop on the market. While this might make you worried that this laptop is prone to overheat, over 1000 positive customer reviews beg to differ. This laptop offers you the processing power of some of the more heavy-duty gaming laptops in the market, without making you lug around 6 pounds of battery. It’s lightweight, easy to use, and has a fully extendable screen so that you can lay your device down flat. This laptop is made to blend gaming and work together with modes that can easily switch in and out so that you can tailor your viewing experience depending on what you’re working on.
We could go on and on about how amazing this laptop is, but we think that this satisfied reviewer put it best when they said, “First off, performance on this laptop is great. The i5-9300h will pretty much be able to do anything except for the heaviest tasks, while the GTX 1650 can handle a large variety of games, though the most graphics intense games will need medium to low settings. While there are only 8 GB of RAM, in my usage (internet browsing, college work, occasional gaming) that has never been a problem.” The Lenovo Ideapad L340 Gaming Laptop is a worthwhile investment that’s sure to last you for years to come.
- A new dimension of gaming performance awaits - with 9th-generation Intel Core i5 processors, the IdeaPad L340 gaming has the power you need to outshoot, outrun, and outsmart anyone. Includes 8GB DDR4 RAM and 512GB NVMe SSD
- Take it to the next level - With the latest NVIDIA GeForce Graphics behind you, you can tame the hottest titles with faster, smoother, and more power-efficient gameplay. Plus, the 15.6-Inch screen delivers a stunning full HD IPS Display with 1920 x 1080 resolution
- A portal to a new sound dimension - hardwired into every Idea Pad L340 gaming is advanced Dopoundsy audio technology. Take your mobile gaming experience to another dimension and have a real blast along the way
- Control your own fate - Game in 'quick' Mode or work in 'quiet' Mode. It's your call with a simple function setting that lets you shift gears between modes, instantly.
- Final product may vary slightly from image
3. Acer Nitro 5
As someone who has used Acer laptops for years, it’s hard to pass up on their gaming laptops. Not only does this laptop feature an incredible backlit keyboard that’s made to give you more control over which keys you’re hitting when, the 8 GB DDR4, 256 GB SSD, and Full HD display make this a great competitor. It’s hard to believe that you can get all of this from a single laptop at an incredible price point. This laptop is a bit on the thicker side, but that allows for more powerful fans, which in turn allows you to gain for longer without overheating or breaking down.
With over 2,000 positive customer reviews, it’s easy to see why this is one of the top laptops on the market today, especially for those looking to start their gaming adventure with something that can run their favorite games without committing fully to a desktop. Several reviewers noted this laptop featured upgradable storage, with one noting, “It’s a great laptop for gamers who are just starting, and it definitely will do the job. Has quite a nice bright screen. It is bulky overall but not as much as you’d think. I could probably still easily put it in my backpack to take to class. The keyboard is naturally red which could be a negative for some people, but you can change the brightness of the backlit keyboard which I did love. One of the coolest things is that for a laptop the RAM and SSD are pretty easily upgradable so with another stick of RAM and more storage.” If you’re looking for a high-quality gaming laptop, the Acer Nitro 5 Gaming Laptop is for you.
- 9th Generation Intel Core i5-9300H Processor (Up to 4.1 GHz)
- 15.6 inches Full HD Widescreen IPS LED-backlit display; NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Graphics with 4 GB of dedicated GDDR5 VRAM
- 8GB DDR4 2666MHz Memory; 256GB PCIe NVMe SSD (2 x PCIe M.2 slots - 1 slot open for easy upgrades) and 1 - Available hard drive bay
- LAN: 10, 100, 1000 Gigabit Ethernet LAN (RJ-45 port); Wireless: Intel Wireless Wi-Fi 6 AX200 802.11ax
- Backlit keyboard; Acer Cool Boost technology with twin fans and dual exhaust ports
4. HP Pavilion Gaming 15-Inch Laptop
When you compare the specs with many gaming laptops at the same price point, you may find yourself pleasantly surprised. This laptop features 12 GB RAM, more than enough to play your favorite games with ease, as well as a 256 GB SSD. This laptop is sleek, while still providing the internal cooling system you need for a more powerful computer. While the graphics card may not be as the top of the line as some of the other options on our list, the HD screen allows you to view your games in pristine quality, making a well worth the price. This laptop is a bit at the higher end of our price limit, which is why it’s #4 on our list, but it can still outperform many of the other laptops within its price range.
With hundreds of positive customer reviews, it’s hard to pick a favorite. Countless customers laud the extended battery life, the performance of the laptop, and the backlit keyboard with one noting, “Being an electronics technician and having built many computers over the years, I have got to say that the Pavilion line of gaming computers is the best bang for your buck that I have seen in years…I am not a bigtime FPS gamer like I used to be but I can play World of Warcraft on full graphics without any video lag whatsoever.” If you’re looking for a great, all-around laptop, the HP Pavilion Gaming 15-Inch Laptop is right up your alley.
5. Acer Aspire 5
Once again another Acer makes it onto our list, though this one isn’t specifically a gaming laptop. Still, don’t let that turn you off from this incredible laptop, which combines the thin aesthetics of a notebook, with the processing power of a good mid-range gaming computer. 8 GB DDR4, 512 GB SSD, and a backlit keyboard make this incredible gaming option for anyone looking to combine work and play. One of the best features of lower price gaming laptops is that they don’t always have the flashy aesthetics of some of the other gaming options on the market, allowing you to easily bring your laptop to meetings or school without feeling like you’re about to enter an esports tournament.
With over 100 positive reviews, this laptop is an easy contender for one of the best gaming laptops under $800 in the market, and at this price point, you still have a little bit of money left over to invest in a good mouse and headset. While a few customers did note that the keyboard was a little flat for their liking, the overall value of this computer was far above what they had expected when first making their purchase, and several gamers, from Fortnite players to League of Legend gamers noted that this laptop got the job done with flying colors.
- 10th Generation Intel Core i5-1035G1 Processor (Up to 3.6GHz)| 8GB DDR4 Memory | 512GB NVMe SSD
- 15.6" Full HD (1920 x 1080) widescreen LED backlit IPS Display | NVIDIA GeForce MX350 with 2 GB of dedicated GDDR5 VRAM
- Intel Wireless Wi-Fi 6 AX201 802.11ax | Backlit Keyboard | HD Webcam | Up to 8 Hours Battery Life
- 1 - USB 3.1 (Type-C) Gen 1 port (up to 5 Gbps), 2 - USB 3.1 Gen 1 Port (one with Power-off Charging), 1 - USB 2.0 Port & 1 - HDMI Port with HDCP Support
- Windows 10 Home
6. Dell G3
What can we say? We’re always a sucker for a Dell. This gaming laptop is functional, with one TB HDD, an 8-GB memory, and a backlit keyboard, this is everything you could ask for in a gaming laptop. This laptop is perched on that perfect balance between a thin laptop and feeling like you’re buying a computer with some heft. This laptop is 15.6 inches with a full HD screen, the bare minimum you would hope for in a gaming laptop, and its unassuming design allows it to easily transition from work to play. This laptop is great if you are looking for something that can also run editing software or be used for artwork. While it might not be the most powerful laptop on this list, the added storage space is a bonus, as well as the standout WASD keys.
Customers noted this was a good entry-level gaming laptop, with some pointing out that they would have preferred it to have a bit more processing power behind it. Still, for the price point, this is a great investment that will carry you through several years of gaming and will allow you to play some of the latest games, though maybe not at as high of a graphic setting as you would hope for. Overall, the Dell G3 2019 15.6″ Full HD IPS Display Gaming Laptop is a decent laptop that’s worth investing in, especially at the price point.
Conclusion
What are you looking to invest in a top tier gaming laptop, or are looking for a laptop that can easily make the transition between work and play, we have countless articles to help you learn the ins and outs of technology shopping, with helpful tips and tricks to ensure that you’re getting the best bang for your buck every time you shop.