Best Gaming Laptops under $1500 2023

The finest gaming laptops under $1,500 don’t have to be lacking in graphic fidelity or computing capability. Realistically, a gaming laptop at this price point is more than capable of running the newest AAA titles at medium to high settings in 1080p without any noticeable hiccups. Naturally, if you want to favor a quicker and more consistent frame rate, you will have to make some sacrifices somewhere in terms of visual quality. The Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 Ti, an entry-level GPU, has the ability to strike a good balance between the two, though.

Not a fan of giving in? Check out our list of the best gaming laptops if you’re willing to spend more money to see which of our recommendations will provide you the finest gaming experience. On the other hand, if $1,500 is simply out of your price range, take a look at our list of the best inexpensive gaming laptops for something a little more cost-effective.

Purchasing a new laptop is never as simple as it first appears, especially with so many brands, models, and configurations available. We’ve combed through the highest-rated and most reasonably priced gaming laptops available to bring you our pick of the top gaming laptops under $1,500 to help you get started.

The Asus ROG Strix G15 Advantage Edition is without a doubt the finest gaming laptop under $1,500, but there are plenty of other options to consider as well, including the HP Omen 17 and Acer Nitro 5.

As CES 2023 gets underway, we may expect to witness a new lineup of laptops with cutting-edge designs and next-generation processors. In fact, the finest gaming laptops for CES 2023 are already on display. There are many exciting developments coming from Dell, Lenovo, Asus, and other manufacturers, so 2023 could see some competitors for the best laptop award.

Best laptops under $1,500 you can buy today

Review

Asus ROG Strix G15 Advantage Edition (G513QY)

The best gaming laptop under $1,500

SPECIFICATIONS

• CPU: AMD Ryzen 9 5900HX
• GPU: AMD Radeon RX 6800M
• RAM: 8GB
• Storage: 1TB M.2 NVMe SSD
• Display: 15.6-inch, 1440p @ 164Hz
• Dimensions: 14.1 x 10.8 x 1 inches
• Weight: 5.4 pounds

REASONS TO BUY

• Amazing overall and gaming performance
• RGB-laden gamer-centric design
• Excellent battery life 

REASONS TO AVOID

• Needs a RAM upgrade 
• Sluggish SSD 

AMD processors and Nvidia GPUs are frequently combined in mid-range gaming laptops to produce a decent combination of power, efficiency, and cost. All-AMD laptops are more difficult to get, but given what the Asus ROG Strix G15 Advantage Edition has accomplished for this price, it’s difficult to see why.

One of the fastest CPUs available, the Ryzen 9 5900HX, is what powers Asus’ gaming laptop. Even better, it’s the first mobile AMD processor that allows for actual performance maximization through overclocking. Second, AMD’s Radeon RX 6800 GPU provides stunning visuals and in-game performance that is comparable to Nvidia’s GeForce RTX 3070, if not slightly superior in some cases.

The G15 Advantage Edition’s 12GB of VRAM enabled it to display an excellent frame rate across a variety of demanding PC games at full settings throughout our benchmark testing. The model we’ve selected only has one drawback: it only has 8GB of RAM. However, like most ROG laptops, this is easily upgradeable, allowing for up to 32GB.

HP Victus 15

The best gaming laptop under $1,500 for casual gamers

SPECIFICATIONS

• CPU: Intel Core i5-12450H
• GPU: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650
• RAM: 8GB
• Storage: 512GB
• Display: 15.6-inch, 1080p, 144Hz
• Dimensions: 14.1 x 10 x 0.9 inches
• Weight: 5.06 pounds

REASONS TO BUY

• Great for casual gamers
• Sophisticated, all-black design
• 144Hz refresh rate display
• Excellent thermal performance

REASONS TO AVOID

• Dimmer-than-expected display
• Three-year-old GPU
• Middling gaming performance

Leave your snobbery at the door for the HP Victus 15. No, it doesn’t have a lightning-quick response time, a fancy-schmancy Nvidia RTX 30-series GPU, or a flashy, animated RGB keyboard. But c’mon, you only paid $800 for this laptop.

The HP Victus 15 is not for you if you have already turned your nose up like a petulant child snubbing their vegetables at this point. But if you’re still interested, that’s great! This indicates that you are prepared to lower your standards. The Victus 15 has enough glitz to win over casual players, but it won’t appeal to professional gamers who demand the newest and finest. The HP gaming setup features a 12th Generation Intel Core i5 processor, a 144Hz refresh rate display, improved thermals, and a stylish, office-friendly onyx chassis that can be used as a laptop for work. For casual gamers on a tight budget, the HP Victus 15 is a dream come true for just $800.

Asus TUF Dash F15 (RTX 3070)

The best all-round gaming laptop under $1,500

SPECIFICATIONS

• CPU: Intel Core i7-11375H
• GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070
• RAM: 16GB
• Storage: 1TB
• Display: 15.6-inch, 1080p @ 240Hz
• Dimensions: 14.2 x 10 x 0.8 inches
• Weight: 4.4 pounds

REASONS TO BUY

• Competition-beating battery life 
• Military-tested chassis 
• Super-speedy 240Hz refresh rate 
• Strong overall and gaming performance 

REASONS TO AVOID

• Dim display 

The performance and graphics of the Asus TUF Dash F15 are just as reliable as its construction. This is notable since it was built with MIL-STD-810H certification, which means it can survive vibrations, drops, and high temperatures. The military-tested chassis isn’t just “TUF”; with its FHD 1080p display and all-white color scheme, it’s also extremely bright.While there is room for improvement in terms of brightness, the panel’s outstanding color reproduction, 3-millisecond reaction time, and 240Hz refresh rate provide fluid images for competitive gaming and esports.

Without the ability to maximize it, none of that really matters. Fortunately, the Asus TUF Dash F15 is equipped with a powerful 11th Gen Intel Core i7 CPU, 16GB of RAM, and an amazing Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070 GPU, allowing hoverboards to function on water.

The Dash F15 outperformed popular gaming laptop average frame rates in our benchmark testing across a variety of demanding games, all of which were set to their highest settings. The Asus TUF Dash F15 earns a spot on anyone’s shortlist as a superb low-cost purchase due to presentation, protection, performance, and affordability.

HP Omen 17 (2021 Intel)

The best 17-inch gaming laptop under $1,500

SPECIFICATIONS

• CPU: Intel Core i7-11800H
• GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060
• RAM: 16GB
• Storage: 512GB NVMe TLC M.2 SSD
• Display: 17.3-inch, 1080p @ 144Hz, 7ms
• Dimensions: 15.64 x 10.32 x 1.06 inches
• Weight: 6.15 pounds

REASONS TO BUY

• Strong overall and gaming performance 
• Omen Tempest cooling 
• Good price-to-performance ratio 
• Bang and Olufsen speakers 

REASONS TO AVOID

• Poor battery 

One of three product lines that HP has devoted to creating gaming computers is the Omen line of laptops. The Victus is more geared toward entry-to-mid-level gaming, the Omen is where HP delivers the sorts of performance and visuals that the majority of serious or hardcore gamers are searching for, and the Pavillion is best suited for low-end, casual gaming. With a price of $1,499, the HP Omen 17 barely fits on this list, but it’s a fantastic laptop for anyone searching for larger-screen gaming, thanks to its snappy performance, high refresh rates, and outstanding Bang & Olufsen speakers.

The 11th Gen Intel Core i7 CPU, the Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 GPU, and 16GB of RAM work together to produce the powerful performance of the Omen 17. With the 17.3-inch panel’s quick 144Hz refresh rate, there aren’t many obstacles in the way of attaining excellent images and respectable FPS counts when playing games.

Unquestionably capable, the Omen 17 makes a fantastic desktop substitute. The Omen 16 (2021 Intel) delivers even more graphics capability with an RTX 3070 GPU if you’re prepared to forego the larger screen in exchange for it. It costs $50 extra.

Acer Predator Triton 300 SE

The best 14-inch gaming laptop under $1,500

SPECIFICATIONS

• CPU: Intel Core i7-11375H
• GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060
• RAM: 16GB
• Storage: 512GB
• Display: 14-inch, 1080p @ 144Hz
• Dimensions: 12.7 x 9.0 x 0.7 inches

Weight: 3.8 pounds

REASONS TO BUY

• Strong performance and graphics 
• Good battery life 
• Bright and colorful display 
• Sleek, 14-inch chassis 

REASONS TO AVOID

• Quiet audio 

Acer has made a name for itself by offering high-quality products at competitive prices, and the Acer Predator Triton 300 SE, which costs just $1,399., is another example of this. The Triton 300 SE has all the essentials for a gaming laptop without breaking the bank: excellent 11th Gen Intel Core i7 performance, stunning Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060-powered visuals, a clear, bright, and colorful 1080p display, and silky smooth refresh rates of 144Hz. Even better, it’s all contained within a sleek, fashionable silver chassis.

Other cool features of the Triton 300 SE include a cozy keyboard with three-zone RGB lighting and a reliable battery life that lasted more than six and a half hours during our testing. Performance, though, is what makes or breaks a gaming laptop, and the Triton displayed some excellent frame rates — even at maximum settings — across a selection of demanding AAA games. The price-to-performance ratio of the Acer Predator Triton 300 SE is unmatched, which is crucial if you’re shopping on a tight budget.

6. Alienware m15 Ryzen Edition

The best 15-inch gaming laptop under $1,500

SPECIFICATIONS

• CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 5800H
• GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 Ti
• RAM: 16GB
• Storage: 256GB M.2 PCIe SSD
• Display: 15.6-inch, 1080p @ 165Hz
• Dimensions: 14 x 10.7 x 0.5~0.9 inches
• Weight: 5.4 pounds

REASONS TO BUY

• Sleek, attractive design 
• Comfortable keyboard 
• Good overall and gaming performance 
• High refresh rate display 

REASONS TO AVOID

• Below-average battery life 

The Alienware m15 Ryzen Edition gaming laptop maintains the super-sleek appearance, cozy keyboard, and potent AMD-based performance found in some of the more costly machines on the market even at lower specifications. Many of the differences may be observed in the entry-level Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 Ti graphics. The 3050 Ti can nevertheless perform brilliantly, offering 60 frames per second gameplay in contemporary games at higher settings, despite being at the bottom end of the RTX 30-series of GPUs. Furthermore, the RTX GPU may utilize DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling) in some games to significantly enhance performance, often raising frame rates by as much as 70%.

A stunning, 15.6-inch, 1080p display with a swift refresh rate of 165Hz and a snappy 3 millisecond response time is also carried over from some of the more expensive versions.

One of the greatest Alienware laptops now on the market and one of the most well-balanced gaming laptops in this price range is the m15, a frugal dynamo that makes the most of Alienware’s design and build quality, AMD’s superb performance, and Nvidia’s fantastic RTX GPUs.

Lenovo Legion 5 Pro

The best 16-inch gaming laptop under $1,500

SPECIFICATIONS

• CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 5800H
• GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070
• RAM: 16GB
• Storage: 1TB
• Display: 16-inch, 2560 x 1600 @ 165Hz
• Dimensions: 14 x 10.4 x 1.1 inches
• Weight: 5.4 pounds

REASONS TO BUY

• Bright, QHD 165Hz display 
• Fantastic keyboard with Numpad 
• Excellent overall and gaming performance
• Solid battery life  

REASONS TO AVOID

• Bland and heavy chassis

It’s unlikely that when you think “Lenovo,” you immediately think of gaming laptops, much less one of the most powerful gaming laptops you can get online for less than $1,500. However, Lenovo’s Legion line of laptops features some excellent models that deliver fantastic all-around performance. One such device is the superb gaming laptop Legion 5 Pro, which brilliantly blends the best of AMD and Nvidia. Lenovo’s gaming laptop is a performance powerhouse that flawlessly displays the amazing potential of the AMD 5000-series processors thanks to its Ryzen 7 5800H CPU and 16GB of RAM.

However, because this computer also has Nvidia’s GeForce RTX 3070 GPU, it isn’t even its most amazing feature. To test the GPU during our evaluation, we threw a number of taxing AAA games at the Legion 5 Pro.

The gaming laptop from Lenovo not only let us turn the graphics up all the way for each game, but it also produced more than 60 frames per second continuously. The Legion 5 Pro is sure to impress you if your gaming sessions could use a little additional power.

Acer Nitro 5

The best budget gaming laptop under $1,500

SPECIFICATIONS

• CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 5800H
• GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060
• RAM: 16GB
• Storage: 512GB
• Display: 15.6-inch, 1080p @ 165Hz
• Dimensions: 14.3 x 10.04 x 0.94 inches
• Weight: 4.85 pounds

REASONS TO BUY

• Good color accuracy 
• Speedy 165Hz refresh rate
• Solid overall and gaming performance  
• Atypical keyboard layout 

REASONS TO AVOID

• Dim display 

Making every dollar count when looking for a fantastic laptop on a tight budget is key, and the Acer Nitro 5’s power and performance provide some very amazing value. The Acer Nitro 5 is the best option for individuals looking for smooth 1080p gaming because it combines AMD and Nvidia into one nimble computer.

The gaming laptop from Acer is equipped with an amazing GeForce RTX 3060 GPU and an AMD Ryzen 7 5800H processor. The newest AAA games may be played on a PC that has 16GB of RAM and achieves some impressive results. Utilizing DLSS from Nvidia will allow you to extract even more performance out of the Nitro 5, making it an unbeatable deal at just over $1,100.

A few factors diminish the impact of Nitro’s great performance. If you prefer a more luxury appearance, its bulky plastic chassis can appeal to you. However, its unusual keyboard layout requires some getting used to. Although the Nitro 5’s display is a tad on the dull side and has a slow 165Hz refresh rate, it makes up for it with amazing color fidelity.

Asus ROG Zephyrus G14 (2021)

Another brilliant 14-inch gaming laptop under $1,500

SPECIFICATIONS

• CPU: AMD Ryzen 9 5900HS
• GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060
• RAM: 16GB
• Storage: 1TB
• Display: 14-inch, 1080p @ 144Hz
• Dimensions: 13 x 8.66 x 0.7 inches
• Weight: 3.64 pounds

REASONS TO BUY

• Solid overall and gaming performance
• Dolby Atmos speakers
• Great battery life
• Good port selection 

REASONS TO AVOID

• No thunderbolt support 

The Zephyrus G14 was for a very long time the best 14-inch laptop money could buy (when it comes to gaming). The Razer Blade 14 and Dell’s Alienware x14 present significant competition for the Zephyrus G14 in today’s market, but there are still plenty of options for Asus’ gaming laptop in the sub-$1,500 price range that can help it rank towards the top of anyone’s shortlist.

With a powerful Ryzen 9 5900HS CPU and a reliable Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060, the Zephyrus G14 is a fantastic combination of AMD and Nvidia parts. The Zephyrus G14, which costs just under $1,500, offers outstanding 1080p gaming performance and incredibly smooth images because of its fast 144Hz display. With a decent battery life, Dolby Atmos speakers, and a nice port variety included, you have a fantastic gaming laptop that won’t break the bank.

Acer Swift X

The best ultra-portable gaming laptop under $1,500

SPECIFICATIONS

• CPU: AMD Ryzen 7 5800U
• GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 Ti
• RAM: 16GB
• Storage: 512GB
• Display: 14-inch, 1080p @ 60Hz
• Dimensions: 12.7 x 8.4 x 0.7 inches
• Weight: 3.1 pounds

REASONS TO BUY

• Strong performance and graphics 
• Competitively priced 
• Great battery life
• Sleek, 14-inch chassis 

REASONS TO AVOID

• Loud fans 
• Rife with bloatware 

The Acer Swift X is an ultraportable that demonstrates that a product doesn’t need to be the most expensive or feature-rich to be among the finest. The Swift X from Acer has evolved into one of the greatest ultra-portable laptops on the market, and for one of the most reasonable costs, thanks to some wise decisions to prioritize function over form and integrate discrete graphics. An outstanding 14-inch notebook with a stunning one-two punch of overall performance and graphical capability can be had for just over $1,000.

The Swift X’s success can be traced back to a powerful combination of AMD Ryzen 7 processing power and Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 Ti graphics found inside the aluminum shell of the device. If you don’t mind the performance hit, you can experience real-time ray-tracing while playing the most recent games with stable frame rates. Additionally, you’ll be able to use DLSS in approved games and enjoy appreciable improvements in visual fidelity and performance.

Last update on 2023-05-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API