10 Best Gaming Laptops Under $1000 – 2021
TOP PICK 
BLW's Score
94
93
92
91
91
MSRP
Price not available
$1,139.99
Price not available
$970.00
$999.00
More Information
Processor
Intel Core i7-7700HQ 2.8 GHz
Intel Core i5-8750H (up to 4.1 GHz)
Intel Core i5-6300HQ 2.3 GHz
Intel Core i5-8300H 2.3GHz
Intel Core i7-7700HQ 2.8 GHz
RAM
16GB DDR4
8GB DDR4
16GB DDR4
16GB DDR4
8GB DDR4
Hard Disk
256GB SSD
128GB SSD + 1 TB HDD
1TB HDD
256GB SSD
128GB SSD + 1TB HDD
Display
15.6" FHD (1920 x 1080)
15.6" FHD (1920x1080)
15.6" FHD (1920 x 1080)
15.6" FHD (1920 x 1080)
15.6" FHD (1920x1080)
Graphics
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050Ti
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti
OS
Windows 10
Windows 10
Windows 10
Windows 10
Windows 10
Weight
5.51 pounds
4.8 lbs
4.9 lbs
5.2 pounds
5.29 lbs
Battery Life
4 hours
4.5 hours
5 hours
5 hours
4 hours
TOP PICK
Model
BLW's Score
94
MSRP
Price not available
More Information
Processor
Intel Core i7-7700HQ 2.8 GHz
RAM
16GB DDR4
Hard Disk
256GB SSD
Display
15.6" FHD (1920 x 1080)
Graphics
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti
OS
Windows 10
Weight
5.51 pounds
Battery Life
4 hours
Model
BLW's Score
93
MSRP
$1,139.99
More Information
Processor
Intel Core i5-8750H (up to 4.1 GHz)
RAM
8GB DDR4
Hard Disk
128GB SSD + 1 TB HDD
Display
15.6" FHD (1920x1080)
Graphics
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti
OS
Windows 10
Weight
4.8 lbs
Battery Life
4.5 hours
Model
BLW's Score
92
MSRP
Price not available
More Information
Processor
Intel Core i5-6300HQ 2.3 GHz
RAM
16GB DDR4
Hard Disk
1TB HDD
Display
15.6" FHD (1920 x 1080)
Graphics
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060
OS
Windows 10
Weight
4.9 lbs
Battery Life
5 hours
Model
BLW's Score
91
MSRP
$970.00
More Information
Processor
Intel Core i5-8300H 2.3GHz
RAM
16GB DDR4
Hard Disk
256GB SSD
Display
15.6" FHD (1920 x 1080)
Graphics
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050Ti
OS
Windows 10
Weight
5.2 pounds
Battery Life
5 hours
Model
BLW's Score
91
MSRP
$999.00
More Information
Processor
Intel Core i7-7700HQ 2.8 GHz
RAM
8GB DDR4
Hard Disk
128GB SSD + 1TB HDD
Display
15.6" FHD (1920x1080)
Graphics
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti
OS
Windows 10
Weight
5.29 lbs
Battery Life
4 hours
Our comparison table only shows our top 5 picks. You can find the other recommendations within this article.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
When it comes to gaming laptops, they can be extremely expensive and most of us probably can’t afford something that costs more than $1000. Anyways, who says you have to spend over two to three grand to own a decent gaming laptop?
There are countless best gaming laptops under $1000 available and of course, they can run almost all games under the sun. The latest brands that we recommend for gaming include ASUS ROG, Alienware, MSI, Razer, Eluktronics, Gigabyte, and Lenovo.
Most of the professional gaming laptops have a sporty design along with high-end Intel’s processor and NVIDIA’s GPU. These kinds of notebooks are not only useful while gaming but also for other intense tasks such as graphics designing and video editing.
Also if you’re looking for a VR experience while playing your games then have a look at our guide of 10 best VR-ready gaming laptops of the year.
In this post, we have included the most reliable, durable, fast, and sturdy gaming laptops that come with high-end specifications without putting a dent in your wallet. We have personally tested each of these gaming laptops for heating issues as well as performance.
Also note, if you’re looking to play high graphical games on around 60 fps then we recommend checking our guide of best gaming laptops under $2000.
We chose these gaming notebooks for some reasons that include positive reviews, battery life, and value for the money. Anyways, let’s get to the things that you need to consider while buying a gaming machine.
First of all, the GPU along with the processor should be powerful enough to handle your games smoothly. After that, you can have a look at its RAM and storage space. Design shouldn’t really matter to you if all you want is performance. Also in most gaming laptops under $1000, brands prefer using powerful specifications over a funky design.
What to look for in the Best Gaming Laptop under $1000?
As stated above, there are only a few things that you need to take care of which include a processor, GPU, backlit keyboard, design, battery life, RAM, storage space, and brand.
If you’re satisfied with these things and your games’ official requirements meet the specifications of your notebook then you are probably done with finding the best gaming laptop for yourself.
In case you’re confused about what processor or GPU you need then let us help you here. Most of the 6th or 7th generation Intel’s processors along with a powerful GPU should be able to run your games.
However, when it comes to graphics cards you need to be very careful and what we recommend is NVIDIA GTX 1060 or above. When it comes to screen size, it is totally up to you and how you will be using it.
If you’ll be traveling along with your gaming device to gaming cafes or a friend’s place for LAN parties then we recommend going with 15-inch notebooks as they can be carried easily compared to 17-inch machines.
Our Top Picks for Best Gaming Laptops under $1000
1. Acer Aspire VX 15
Specs:
- Intel Core i5-8300H Processor
- NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti
- 16GB Optane + 1TB HDD
- 8GB DDR4 RAM
The Acer Aspire VX 15 is one of the best gaming laptops under $1000 that is manufactured by Acer. The price of this laptop is slightly high as compared to others, but it is worth your investment.
This laptop comes with a modern design that has hard edges along with sleek lines and angles. It is powered with a 7th Gen Intel Core i7 processor which has a wonderful speed of 2.8 GHz.
It is also incorporated with turbo boost technology which enhances the overall speed up to 3.8GHz. This enables your device to handle the intensive apps in a hassle-free manner. As far as the graphics card is concerned, it has NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti graphics.
It will enable you to play games on high resolution, making it the best laptop for gaming. It has a wide display of 15.6 inches along with a full HD screen of resolution 1920 by 1080. It is powered by 16 GB DDR4 RAM and with the help of the processor, it can handle multiple applications at a time.
It comes with a 256 GB SSD which is a high-speed hard disk. The storage space may be a bit small for modern games which can accommodate in over 40 GB of storage space but the hard disk can be upgraded.
The advanced cooling system keeps your device cool due to the presence of dual fans. It can help your device in combating the heat produced during long and intense gaming sessions. You will experience special effects in audio with increased clarity of the Dolby Audio system. The battery lasts up to 6 hours and has three USB 3.0 ports for connectivity.
2. MSI GV62 8RD-034
Specs:
- Intel Core i7-8750HQ Processor
- NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050
- 128GB SSD + 1TB HDD
- 8GB DDR4 RAM
This new version for GV62 from MSI aims to address the compromises you often make when choosing a sub-$1000 gaming laptop. An upgraded 8th gen Core i7 processor and NVIDIA GTX 1050 Ti, while not offering 4K gaming, they pack more power into a thinner design.
A hybrid drive with an SSD replaces the older Optane-based models. This offers faster performance than traditional mechanical drives. The newer 8th gen processor with 8GB RAM stacks up to provide a system capable of handling any productivity tasks and more demanding tasks like video editing.
It also features a crisp full HD IPS display that you expect from MSI and uses their infamous SteelSeries keyboard with customizable backlighting and anti-ghosting. For a gaming laptop under $1000, the MSI is an above-average performer on triple-A releases but performance may struggle if you crank up the settings too much.
This laptop is more aimed at casual gamers and won’t support 4K gaming or VR headsets. However, if you need a solid performer from a great brand, this laptop offers a great multi-purpose gaming experience for under $1000.
3. ASUS FX502VM
Specs:
- Intel i5-6300HQ Processor
- Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060
- 1TB HDD
- 16GB DDR4 RAM
The ASUS FX502, exclusively a gaming laptop, is among the best gaming laptops under $1000 currently being sold. Believe it or not, it is the lightest gaming laptop that delivers stunning performance and comes with the GTX 1060 Graphics Card along with Intel’s i5 processor.
The FX502 helps you to create a perfect balance between gaming and everyday usage. The laptop has a 15.6 Inches wide HD Display along with a huge storage space of 1 TB.
This laptop comes with a 6th generation Intel Core i5 processor and also NVIDIA’s GPU with Pascal architecture. FX502 has an extremely portable design that fits easily in a messenger bag or backpack without any struggle or risk.
To keep the CPU and GPU cool, this laptop has a Hyper Cool Duo-Copper cooling system which is further embedded with heat pipes and a dual-fan system. The design of this laptop provides efficient cooling during extreme gaming sessions.
The laptop body includes 1 headphone jack along with an audio-in combo jack, 1 HDMI, 1 Mini Display Port, and 3x USB 3.0. This lets you easily connect all your gaming peripherals and an external monitor.
ASUS FX502 has 16 GB DDR4 RAM, the latest of all when it comes to memory. It will make your experience enthralling because of improved speed and low power consumption.
4. Lenovo Legion Y7000
Specs:
- Intel Core i5-8300H Processor
- NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050Ti
- 256GB SSD
- 16GB DDR4 RAM
With the Lenovo Legion Y7000, you’ll have a wonderful gaming experience thanks to the Intel Core i5 quad-core processor.
This powerful processor delivers speed up to 4 GHz and also has discrete graphics with NVIDIA GeForce 1050Ti Graphics. It is embedded with a complete high definition display with a wide 15.6 Inches screen, along with impressive sound and subwoofer.
As far as the cooling system is concerned, the Y7000 has thermal cooling for the extreme gaming session. Thanks to JBL speakers along with Dolby Home Theater, it delivers world-class sound and boosts your gaming experience.
You get to experience clearer and more realistic sounds, so you can lose yourself in the moment. It is obvious that these days games take up a huge part of your hard disk and can leave no space for other kinds of stuff.
This laptop comes with a large 256 GB storage space which is upgradable. It also has 16 GB DDR4 RAM which speeds up your system and you can enjoy an empowered digital system. Along with an FHD anti-glare display and NVIDIA graphics, you will experience a new arena of graphics.
Multiple ports are provided for connecting all sorts of gaming accessories. You can also enjoy late-night gaming with a backlit keyboard that allows you to choose from two levels of brightness.
5. MSI GL62M 7REX
Specs:
- Intel Core i7-7700HQ Processor
- NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 Ti
- 128GB SSD + 1TB HDD
- 8GB DDR4 RAM
The MSI GL62M employs a thinner design than other models. This makes it, not only more portable but more stylish too. It uses the same matte black plastic casing of the MSI range and features the solid red backlit SteelSeries keyboard design.
Inside, the GL62M has the 7th gen Intel i7 processor, combined with 8GB RAM, and is more than capable of efficient multitasking.
The NVIDIA GTX 1050 Ti graphics card is one of the more recent chipsets that will play almost every newer title on medium to high settings in full HD but unfortunately won’t support 4K gaming.
On a top-spec laptop like this for under $1000, there must be some downside–and there is the older mechanical HDD. Surprisingly for a modern gaming laptop, they have chosen to install an older 5400RPM drive which can make loading files or games feel sluggish. A 128GB SSD ensures a faster boot-up time but will quickly fill up.
The MSI GL62M 7REX has a crisp display, a fast CPU, a blisteringly fast SSD, and enough RAM to ensure an overall speedy laptop. Unfortunately, it is let down slightly by the slower HDD and a fairly average GPU for gaming. Despite being designed for portability, the poor battery life of under four hours means you will always have to be near a power outlet.
6. Lenovo Legion Y7000
Specs:
- Intel Core i5-8750H Processor
- NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060
- 128GB SSD + 1TB HDD
- 16GB DDR4 RAM
The Lenovo Legion Y7000 is a traditional laptop with a widescreen of 15.6 inches and an 8th generation Intel Core i5 processor. Also, it has an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 GPU which allows you to play games smoothly.
This laptop has hybrid storage for a stunning game session experience at a fast pace. This laptop is 1.02 inches thin and only 5 pounds in weight.
You can easily customize your settings, such as audio, active keys, cooling, and network priority, and concentrate on your game. The Legion Y7000 has a backlit keyboard, which is suitable for late-night gaming freaks.
The Y7000 is accurately constructed to combat the heat with appropriately constructed fans and vents. Located nearby to the graphics card and processor, the cooling system keeps hot air in motion and thermal vents eliminate that heat. On average, the battery lasts up to 4 hours, and all in all, you get everything that you expect from a gaming laptop.
7. HP Omen 15-ax250wm
Specs:
- Intel Core i7-7700HQ Processor
- NVIDIA Geforce GTX 1050 Ti
- 1TB HDD
- 12GB DDR4 RAM
The Razer Blade Stealth gaming ultrabook has created a new benchmark for performance. This is an incredibly thin gaming laptop at 0.52-inch chassis and is embedded with an Intel Core i5 processor, and has a stunning 12.5-inch wide QHD display.
Its Intel Core i5 processor gives it all the power required to run most of the latest games without causing any heating issues. Also, it is packed with 8 GB of RAM and 128 GB SSD along with a strong battery which is viable for up to 8 hours on mixed-use.
It allows you to experience 16.8 million colors thanks to its exclusive feature known as Razer Chroma. The anti-ghosting system in the keyboard identifies simultaneous key presses with precision and provides a quick and comfortable typing experience.
8. ASUS TUF Gaming Laptop
Specs:
- AMD Ryzen 5 3550H Processor
- Radeon Rx 560X Graphics
- 256GB SSD
- 8GB DDR4 RAM
The ASUS TUF comes for an affordable price and portable design. It has the latest AMD Ryzen 5 3550H and Radeon Rx 560X graphics which enables you to stream HD videos smoothly.
It is equipped with 8 GB DDR4 RAM, runs MS Office programs, and can do some casual gaming in a hassle-free manner. The body of this laptop is classic grey in color with a hairline textured finish.
ASUS provides exclusive cooling techniques which ensure that your laptop always stays cool and delivers a high-quality computing experience. With Radeon Rx 560X graphics and Direct X 11, the laptop allows you to create some amazing graphic work and enjoy high-definition movies and games with your friends and family.
This ASUS laptop has a panel that has 4 preset modes which allow you to experience vibrant colors with the help of ASUS technology. For storage, it has a large 256 GB SSD which allows you to access files at a lightning-fast speed. However, you may want to upgrade to a larger SSD.
This laptop is built to MIL-STD-810 military standard construction standards. This means you can be confident that it will withstand your mobile gaming demands.
A smart dual-fan cooling system with independent copper fans is dedicated to cooling the CPU and GPU independently. An elegant gesture multi-touch pad gives you an extraordinary level of exact and sensitive fingertip input.
9. Acer Predator Helios 300
Specs:
- Intel Core i7-8750H
- NVIDIA GTX 1060
- 256GB SSD
- 16GB DDR4 RAM
The Acer Predator Helios 300 is loved by gamers around the world. The Helios 300 stands out from others in the market because it has a combination of unique design, high-quality performance, and mind-blowing visuals. With the 8th generation Intel Core i7 processor, this laptop has the power to take your computing to a whole new level.
The 15.6″ FHD (1920 x 1080) display has a refresh rate of 144Hz. This results in smoother animations and reduced screen tearing when the gaming action becomes intense. This laptop has the latest NVIDIA GTX 1060 graphics which provides the ultimate gaming graphics.
You can watch movies and experience exceptionally seamless video chats with friends and family. You get amazing battery life which can last up to 7 hours that keeps you productive.
For storage space, this laptop is equipped with a 256SSD which provides fast boot times and gaming loading. It is packed with 8 GB RAM to level up the performance of your device.
Intense gaming can generate heat. The Helios has advanced cooling technology to keep it (and you) cool during the toughest gaming matches.
10. Dell Inspiron i7559-3763BLK
Specs:
- Intel Core i7-6700HQ Processor
- NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960M
- 1TB HDD
- 4GB DDR3L RAM
The Dell Inspiron i7 559-3763BLK comes with a 6th generation Intel Core i7 quad-core processor which provides a wonderful speed of up to 3.5 GHz. You get a powerful 16 GB DDR3L RAM to experience intense gaming sessions.
NVIDIA GeForce GTX 960M Graphics redefines your gaming experience. Also, it is packed with 1 TB HDD to make it easy to install all sorts of modern games and as well as have enough space for other kinds of stuff such as movies and music.
The lithium-ion battery lasts up to 7 hours and empowers your favorite gaming and video chatting experience without causing any interruption. The dual cooling fans, three exhausts, and large vents with 240 thermal fins work together to keep your system and palm rest amazingly cool.
This laptop comes with a UHD display along with true life and touches feature to enjoy your media with intricately colored graphics. With this laptop, you will get immersed in superior sound with Waves Maxx Audio Pro which is the studio-quality sound processing software.
This laptop also has a built-in subwoofer and speakers from DELL through which you get to hear the detailed sounds. It is quite heavy because of 2.7 kgs weight.
It has ports for connection which include a media card reader (SD, MMC), USB 3.0, power adapter port, HDMI, Ethernet Jack port, headphone, and security lock.
Conclusion
In the light of aforesaid facts about all the latest laptops compatible for gaming, we can conclude that these are the right choices for any gaming freak.
One can select from these best gaming laptops under $1000 and invest their hard-earned money in these perfectly finished and equipped products.
Resources
About the Author Marcus
Marcus has a graduate degree in computer engineering and has many years of experience in cutting-edge technology research and development in both startups and Fortune 500 corporations. In his free time, he enjoys RTS gaming.
