Reviews
The 5 Best Gaming Laptops Under $800
Which are the best gaming laptops under $800?
If you put a lot of thought into spending on a computer, a desktop rig can provide better gaming quality and performance from a dollar-for-dollar standpoint.
However, many entry-level gamers require the mobility that only a laptop can provide.
Fortunately, gaming laptops under $800 can have suitable quality components that can run almost any game, just not with heavy loads and high-end graphics.
The Best Gaming Laptops Under $800 Reviewed
We have pre-selected five of the best gaming laptops under $800 to help you narrow down your search for your next portable budget gaming rig.
1. Lenovo Ideapad L340
The Lenovo Ideapad L340 is a black budget gaming laptop that runs on a Windows 10 Standard Edition operating system.
It measures 0.9 by 10.0 by 14.3 inches with a 15.6-inch display and weighs 4.59 pounds, the lightest among the options.
With the weight of the keyboard base, you can lift the display lid with one hand and open it up to 180 degrees.
Lenovo Ideapad L340 Review
The Lenovo Ideapad L340 proves that even the best gaming laptop under $800 can offer decent gaming performance.
Many PC games are smoothly playable with this laptop, but you will have to compromise high graphics settings with the most current high-end games.
The minor trade-offs a purchaser has to accept with this product include a slightly weak ClickPad and a blurry camera.
- Display
The display screen on the Lenovo Ideapad L340 is a matte in-plane switching monitor.
It is a bright display with good contrast to make gaming more immersive.
- Onboard Audio
We recommend external speakers or headphones, as the Lenovo Ideapad L340 only offers low volume and no bass.
However, in very quiet environments, the built-in speakers provide a reasonably balanced sound output.
- Componentry and Connectivity
The Lenovo Ideapad L340 comes with an Intel Core i5-9300H processor and an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 GPU.
You will also like that it has 8GB of system RAM and a 512GB SSD storage device.
This laptop only carries the most necessary ports, including power supply, Ethernet, HDMI, two USB 3.1 Gen1, combo audio jack, a USB 3.0 Type-C, and a Kensington lock.
It also comes with built-in Wi-Fi for maximum portability.
Pros:
- Full-sized backlit keyboard
- Stellar performance at an affordable price
- Best value for money
- Lightest laptop among the choices
- Has more storage than other options
- Exceptional display output
Cons:
- No memory card reader
- Weak audio
2. Acer Nitro 5
Next up on our list of the best gaming laptops under $800, is the Acer Nitro 5. Another economy-class laptop with a game-inspired shape, obsidian black finish, and red highlights.
Its keyboard has red backlighting, and the trackpad and WASD movement keys have a red outline for easy navigation.
It carries the Windows 10 Standard Edition operating system.
With a 15.6-inch display, this version of the Acer Nitro 5 measures 1.02 by 10.0 by 14.3 inches and weighs 5.07 pounds.
Acer Nitro 5 Review
The Acer Nitro 5 is a solid budget laptop for casual gamers. It offers middle-tier performance at an entry-level price point.
Acer has been able to keep its laptops cool under pressure, and the Acer Nitro 5 is no exception.
It can stay cooler than similarly equipped laptops from other brands while performing heavy tasks.
On another note, while Acer claims that the Nitro 5 can hold up to seven hours of operation on battery power, you can knock off about two to three hours from that claim.
- Display
The 15.6-inch LCD on the Nitro 5 uses backlit IPS technology to make gaming quite immersive.
While Acer has shrunk the bezels from previous versions, other alternatives on this list provide slimmer bezels that maximize the display size.
- Onboard Audio
Like in the Ideapad L340, the Nitro 5 has onboard speakers that are pretty underwhelming.
If you want to avoid the slight distortion and low max volume, you should add a pair of quality headphones to your gear.
- Componentry and Connectivity
The Nitro 5 holds an AMD Ryzen 5 3550H processor with an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 graphics card and 8GB of system memory.
This combination makes most mid-tier games run smoothly.
However, the included 256GB SSD storage may need a revamp if you plan to install more games.
The left side of the laptop base includes a Kensington lock, an Ethernet port, a USB-C, an HDMI, two USB 3.0, and a USB 2.0.
Lastly, the Nitro 5 has the same Wi-Fi 802.11ac module present on the Ideapad L340.
Pros:
- Full-sized keyboard with backlighting
- Solid specs for an economy-class laptop
- Customizable fan controls
- Exceptional heat dissipation
- Quality performance
- Plenty of ports
Cons:
- Bulkiest among the options
- Audio needs improvement
- Fussy trackpad
- Crappy webcam
3. HP Pavilion Gaming Laptop
The HP Pavilion Gaming laptop has a modern, edgy look with a shadow black finish.
It features a full-size keyboard with switchable LED lighting in acid green and ghost-white colors.
It measures 1.0 by 10.1 by 14.4 inches and weighs 4.92 pounds.
This laptop includes a Windows 10 Standard Edition operating system.
HP Pavilion Gaming Laptop Review
The HP Pavilion Gaming also belongs to the category of economy-class gaming laptops.
While it sits at a budget-friendly price point, it can run games smoothly onto the IPS screen.
However, like most other alternatives, you should not expect to operate at the highest possible graphics settings.
More than anything, the best thing about the HP Pavilion Gaming is its reliable battery life.
- Display
The 15.6-inch display lets you play the latest games in 1080 pixels and up to 144 Hertz.
With its barely visible bezel, you can maximize your viewing experience.
- Onboard Audio
B&O supplies the dual front-firing speakers built into the machine.
With HP Audio Boost, you can improve the audio volume and quality using a discreet amplifier.
- Componentry and Connectivity
Among the options here, the HP Pavilion Gaming Laptop has the most advanced CPU, making it an absolute contender for the best gaming laptop for 800.
It carries the AMD Ryzen 5 4600H, which has better benchmarks at working with the included NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650.
However, with only 8GB RAM and 256GB SSD storage, you might not get the most out of the CPU.
The laptop’s right side holds the power connector, two USB 3.1, and a combo audio jack.
You will find an HDMI, a USB 3.1, an Ethernet port, a USB Type-C, and a card reader on the left side.
Pros:
- Full-sized backlit keyboard design
- Quality performance 4000 Series Ryzen
- One of the more affordable options
- With a free SATA slot for storage upgrades
- Exceptional battery life
Cons:
- The display is a bit dim
- Requires larger storage to complement the CPU and GPU
4. Asus TUF Gaming FX505DT
Fourth on our list of the best gaming laptops under $800 is the Asus TUF Gaming FX505DT.
The Asus TUF Gaming brand also takes the budget marketplace by storm.
Its FX505DT gaming laptop has a black gaming-themed finish with an RGB-backlit full-size keyboard.
It measures 1.02 by 10.31 by 14.17 inches and weighs 4.85 pounds, making it one of the lighter products on this list.
The FX505DT comes with the Windows 10 Home Edition operating system.
Asus TUF Gaming FX505DT Review
Similar to most of our alternatives, gaming performance at lower graphical settings or resolutions is much better.
The FX505DT can run almost any game, as long as you do not max out all the graphics.
One thing we don’t like about the FX505DT is its annoyingly noisy pulsating fans whenever we get to throttling the CPU and GPU for gaming performance.
Asus should also improve on the battery life and the somewhat flimsy lid that holds the display.
- Display
The FX505DT comes with a high 120Hz native refresh rate on the display.
Plus, the panel is 33 percent brighter than the one on the older FX505DY.
- Onboard Audio
As for onboard audio, it is quite difficult to find premium audio components on a budget laptop, and the FX505DT is no different.
The bass reproduction is below average, and pink noise always occurs at higher volume levels.
- Componentry and Connectivity
The FX505DT carries the same GPU, RAM, and storage capacity as the HP Pavilion Gaming.
However, the FX505DT carries the lesser AMD Ryzen 5 3550H.
All the connectors line the machine’s left side, including the power connector, Ethernet port, HDMI, USBs, and a combo jack.
Pros:
- RGB backlit keyboard
- Multiple storage bays
- Compact for a budget gaming laptop
- Comparable performance to Core i5 devices
- High-speed display refresh rate
Cons:
- Most expensive among the options
- Loud cooling fans
5. Dell G3 15
This version of the Dell G3 has a 15-inch display and a black all-around finish.
It measures 0.89 by 10.16 by 14.96 inches and weighs a hefty 5.95 pounds.
The device carries a Windows 10 Home Edition OS.
Dell G3 15 Review
The Dell G3 is a great budget gaming laptop, but other newer models can have better performance at ultimately the same price.
Unlike the Acer Nitro 5, the Dell G3 can benefit more from improved cooling devices and heat dissipation.
- Display
While the G3 15 is Dell’s cheapest gaming laptop, it falls short on display quality.
The Dell G3 has good gaming utilities, but its disadvantage is its super dull display.
- Onboard Audio
Unlike the other machines here, the Dell G3 boasts enough bass to accompany its sound output.
However, the audio acquisition is still much better with an external speaker or a high-quality headset.
- Componentry and Connectivity
The Dell G3 15 comes with an Intel Core i5-8300H CPU and an NVIDIA GTX 1050 GPU.
Notice that the bundled graphics card is the lowest spec chip among the options we have here.
The included RAM maxes out at 8GB, and the included storage device has a 256GB capacity.
Side ports include the power connector, HDMI, USBs, Ethernet, a combo jack, and a card reader.
Pros:
- Cheapest among the options
- Good graphics and overall performance
- Good battery life
- Includes great gaming software
Cons:
- Heaviest among the offerings
- Has the lowest spec graphics card
- Add a few more bucks, and you’ll get better options
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can you get a good gaming laptop for $800?
Yes. Some gaming laptops sitting at and below the $800 price point already carry an NVIDIA 1600 Series graphics card and one of the latest generation CPUs.
If you are looking to buy one of the best gaming laptops under $800 be sure you squeeze out all of the features that you need.
Conversely, you can watch out for deals and promos that lie around important product launch events and scheduled discount offerings.
Who knows? You might end up getting a high-end laptop for the price of a budget device.
2. How important is RAM in budget gaming notebooks?
The importance of RAM in budget gaming notebooks is similar to expensive laptops.
Remember, random access memory (RAM) is responsible for the amount of quick-access information computer programs can store without transferring data to the hard drive.
Therefore, the RAM that you need depends on the number of applications you plan to run at a time.
Unlike having a faster CPU or GPU, additional RAM will not always speed up the processes your computer runs.
It will only allow more programs to run simultaneously without interrupting the processes running in the background for each of the programs.
If your gaming laptop has sufficient RAM for all of the software you typically run side-by-side, adding more RAM will not make any difference.
RAM becomes quite essential in budget gaming laptops and you plan to run a specific game or several games that need a high amount of RAM.
3. What is the difference between cheap and expensive gaming laptops?
Aside from overall design and durability, expensive gaming laptops will have an edge towards having higher-tier processors and graphics cards.
On top of that, the more expensive ones should also have higher RAM and storage capacities.
If you are veering towards a higher spending limit, other features to look for are good audio, high-speed connectivity, extended durability, and other extra features.
Even the best gaming laptops under $800 would have no beef with a gaming laptop that costs $1500 or more.
4. When’s the best time to pick up a gaming laptop deal?
Like any other gadget or home appliance, a laptop typically goes on sale around the holiday season of every year.
During these times, you can expect a surge in consumer purchases, which prompts retail outlets to provide highly competitive discounts.
While most deals come out around November and December, many promotions and offerings remain available up to the third week of January.
If you are patient with such deals, you might end up having the best gaming laptop under $800, even if its suggested retail price is way over a thousand bucks.
5. Do gaming laptops last longer than normal laptops?
It depends. If you try to simultaneously use a gaming laptop and an average laptop for the same gaming applications, the gaming laptop will probably last longer.
However, if you only use the regular laptop for light workloads in day-to-day office operations and document processing, both will probably last the same duration.
Many will say that a gaming laptop has far better components than an average laptop and will last much longer.
In the end, it trickles down to how you use your computer. It is also vital to consider how well you maintain it.
A standard notebook computer can last much longer than a gaming laptop if the gaming laptop is often overused.
Conclusion
Among the choices of the best gaming laptops under $800, the best option is the Lenovo Ideapad L340.
It offers the best balance of components that can set you up for many games, and it doesn’t hold back on storage capacity.
The Lenovo Ideapad L340 comes with a 9th Generation processor and an accompanying NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 graphics card.
Both are mainstream components for budget gaming laptops, and you can make the most out of it with the bundled 8GB RAM and 512GB SSD.
If you want a stronger CPU, the HP Pavilion Gaming has a 4000 Series Ryzen.
However, you might want to upgrade its storage if you plan to set up multiple games.
Which of these best gaming laptops under $800 would you buy? Leave a comment below.
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