15 Best Gaming Laptops Under $500 in 2024

To start this review, let us just say that finding the best gaming laptops under 500 dollars is no easy feat because laptops in this price range are usually not meant for gaming at all. On the contrary, they are built for live streaming or watching movies. However, since not everyone has the budget to invest in a laptop that expensive, we are here with a detailed review of the best gaming laptops under $500.

In a hurry?

If you don’t have the time at the moment to go over this review at the moment of our 15 picks, we recommend that you take a look at the Lenovo Ideapad 330 which comes fitted with 7th Gen AMD processing and also offers the most superb Intel AMD graphics.

For more information and details, be sure to also check out our buying guide at the end.

Best Gaming Laptops Under 500

If this has not been enough to convince you, we recommend you keep reading to make the best decision and before you start reading, take a look at our handy comparison chart as this will inform you of the main features of each product.

Image	Product	Feature	Price
Top Pick	Acer Aspire 5 Slim Laptop	Acer Color Intelligence	Check Price
	Dell Inspiron 15 3000	Core i3 processor	Check Price
	Lenovo Ideapad 330	Protective finish	Check Price
	ASUS VivoBook L203MA Laptop	Good battery	Check Price
	Lenovo IdeaPad 3 14 Laptop	Radeon Graphics	Check Price
	Newest HP 14 Laptop	4GB-DDR4 RAM	Check Price
	HP 14 HD	Anti-glare micro-edge	Check Price
	Acer Aspire Laptop	Acer TrueHarmony	Check Price
	2020_HP 14 14.0″ WLED-Backlit Display Laptop	Anti-glare micro-edge	Check Price
	HP 14 Anti-Glare	AMD Radeon Graphic	Check Price
	HP 14 Laptop	Bluetooth connectivity	Check Price
	Dell i5575 PUS Inspiron 15	Radeon Vega8 Graphics	Check Price
	Dell Inspiron i5555 Laptop PC	Backlit keyboard	Check Price
	Lenovo IdeaPad 320-15IKB 15.6″ Laptop	Protective finish	Check Price
	Lenovo IdeaPad 3 15 inch	Battery saving mode	Check Price

1. Acer Aspire 5 Slim Laptop – Top Pick

For the best $500 gaming laptop, the Acer Aspire 5 Slim Laptop comes with a narrow-bezel design which ensures that users get the widest viewing experience and this is only accentuated by the fact that it has a 15.6 inch Full HD IPS display which ensures gaming enthusiasts will get the best gameplay. This device also comes with Acer Color Intelligence for the best display.

Since most gamers will have sessions that may last for hours, the Acer BlueLightshield is a great addition so that your eyes are safe from any potential strain. In terms of processing power, the AMD Ryzen 3 3200U Mobile Processor which is hooked with the Radeon Vega 3 Graphics ensures that your gaming experience is enhanced.

For the best audio experience, all you have to do is turn on the volume, and thanks to the Acer TrueHarmony, this will ensure an innovative speaker design. Thanks to the backlit keyboard, users can make sure they can work in dimly lit areas with ease.

In terms of connectivity options, you get a wide range of ports which include USB 2.0, HDMI, and USB 3.1.

Specifications

2. Dell Inspiron 15 3000

As a cheap gaming laptop under $500, the Dell Inspiron 15 3000 is a very sought-after laptop thanks to the integrated Intel UHD Graphics 600. However since it runs on Intel Celeron N4020, it won’t be able to work with any tasks and games which are graphics-intensive.

The Dell Inspiron 15 3000 comes with a 15.6-inch display and has a resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels. Not only do you get 128 SSD, but you also get a powerful performance as it is run by a Core i3 processor.

In terms of the connectivity options, users will get a Bluetooth, Ethernet, and Wi-Fi 802.11 ac, connection. It also has a microphone, 3 USB ports, and RJ45 (LAN) ports.

Specifications

Read Also: How to convert a Normal Laptop into a Gaming Laptop?

3. Lenovo Ideapad 330

Here is another best gaming laptop under 500 Dollars is the Lenovo Ideapad 330 and it is a very powerful device as it comes with a 7th Gen AMD processor, it also comes with amazing IntelAMD graphics for an impressive visual display.

Thanks to the protective finish your laptop will be safe from any potential damage. You will also be glad for the rubber detailing on the bottom which will maximize ventilation and keep your laptop cooler.

This device also features a wide 15.6-inch display which works with a High Definition [HD] resolution.

Specifications

4. ASUS VivoBook L203MA Laptop

The ASUS VivoBook L203MA Laptop is our next $500 gaming laptop and this is a device that comes with 1 year of Microsoft Office 365 as a free perk for the user.

This laptop is both compact and lightweight and is powered by the latest Intel processor. This not only ensures a powerful performance but also calls for long-lasting battery life.

It offers eMMC storage and comes with a pre-loaded Windows 10 in S mode and can be connected via USB 3.0, 3.1, and Type-C ports.

Specifications

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5. Lenovo IdeaPad 3 Laptop

Next, we have the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 Laptop which is the best laptop for gaming under 500 as it comes fitted with narrow bezels on both sides which eradicates any clutter.

This also helps ensure users get a more immersive visual experience.

For the best performance, you get both AMD Ryzen 5 3500U Processors and Radeon Graphics.

Specifications

6. HP 14″ Chromebook, FHD Laptop

The HP 14 Laptop is on the top in the list of best gaming laptops under 500 dollars with an upgraded RAM of 4GB-DDR4 memory.

This is adequate bandwidth RAM for a seamless performance with multiple applications and browser tabs being used simultaneously.

Finally, you also get to work with both AMD Athlon Silver 3050U and Radeon Graphics which means it can handle tear-free gameplay and offer kickass visuals as well.

Specifications

Read Also: Gaming Laptop Vs Regular Laptop – Which is the best?

7. HP 14″ HD WLED Backlit High-Performance Business Laptop

Next for a HP gaming laptop under 500, the HP 14-inch HD has an SVA anti-glare screen for bright areas and a WLED-backlit display for dimly lit ones.

The device also has AMD Radeon Graphics for the best gameplay and graphics.

In terms of connectivity, you get an HDMI port, an SD card reader, an RJ-45, and an AC smart pin.

Specifications

8. Acer Aspire Laptop

The Acer Aspire Laptop is a decent gaming laptop under 500 with a ton of ports including HDMI, USB Type-C, and 2 USB 3.1s.

You also get the ability to work with power-off charging via one of the USB ports.

Thanks to the Acer TrueHarmony, you get a very innovative speaker design that ensures that you can easily get the best audio experience.

Specifications

Read Also: How To Clean Laptop Speakers?

9. 2020_HP 14 14.0″ WLED-Backlit Display Laptop

Next, we have the 2020_HP 14 14.0 inch and this device is a gaming laptop for under 500 dollars with a 14-inch HD screen that comes with both a WLED-backlit display for dimly lit areas but also has and an anti-glare micro-edge for bright areas.

It offers 4GB of RAM and has an AMD Athlon processor which allows for excellent multitasking.

It also comes with Bluetooth functionality that makes it compatible with wireless devices.

Specifications

10. HP 14 Laptop – Best for Students

The HP 14 comes with a 4-inch Bright View screen to maintain the brightest and most vibrant colors while gaming or watching a movie.

This device comes fitted with powerful AMD Radeon Graphics and has an integrated graphics chipset which is what allows for a seamless experience.

To ensure that you can work in direct sunlight and dimly lit areas, the device has both an anti-Glare Micro-Edge and a WLED-backlit Laptop cover.

Specifications

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11. HP 14 HD SVA Laptop

The HP 14 HD SVA Laptop comes with both DDR4 RAM and AMD Athlon processor for the easiest multitasking, and you also get the option for Bluetooth functionality syncs.

To ensure a super vivid and bright display, this device has a BrightView glossy screen.

You also get an integrated graphics chipset that allows for solid image quality for the most seamless gaming and streaming usage.

Specifications

12. Dell i5575-A217SLV-PUS Inspiron 15

Next, we have the Dell i5575-A217SLV-PUS Inspiron 15 which is our pick for the best Dell gaming laptop under 500 powered by an AMD Ryzen 5 2500U Processor which is excellent for gaming and thanks to the addition of Radeon Vega8 Graphics, provides an excellent visual experience.

While it comes with both an 8GB 2400MHz DDR4 and the option to add on, even more, any additional memory has to be bought separately. For an amazing display experience, this device comes with a 15.6-inch FHD screen.

To ensure that it can be used in both direct sunlight and dimly lit areas, you can rely on the Anti-Glare feature and the LED-Backlit Display. You will also get a maximum memory option of 16 GBs and it is completely compatible with Windows 10.

Specifications

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13. Dell Inspiron i5555 Laptop PC

Next, we are looking at the Dell Inspiron i5555 Laptop PC is a device that might not be able to run the latest games but it still offers good performance and has a decent budget graphic card.

It connects via high-speed wireless LAN, Ethernet, and Bluetooth 4.0 plus it also has HDMI, an SD card reader, 1 USB 3.0, and 2 USB 2.0.

You will also get both an HD Webcam and a Backlit keyboard for dimly lit areas. Windows 10 Home comes Pre-installed in this and it has a 4-cell Lithium-ion Battery.

Specifications

14. Lenovo IdeaPad 320 – 15

Next, we have the Lenovo IdeaPad 320 – 15 which is one of the sleekest devices. It has an i5 processor and Intel UHD 620 graphics cards, both of which ensure the best gameplay thanks to amazing display and smooth processing.

This is a gaming laptop as you get a 1TB hard drive of storage space which means you can install as many games as you want.

As a drawback, however, you will get a non-HD display so it doesn’t have that color brightness or vividness.

Specifications

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15. Lenovo IdeaPad 3 15 inches Laptop

The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 15 inch comes with an amazing narrow bezel design with them on both sides of the screen and this ensures that users get more of a viewing area and fewer amounts of clutter. Other than this, this device also has dual speakers which are enhanced with Dolby Audio sound so your audio experience will be as nice as your visual one.

Another excellent feature of this device is the multi-core processing power that it brings, allowing you to work with multiple applications and tasks at once. It also has a battery-saving mode and a Max mode which allows for a quick switch between the two modes with the aid of the simple Q-Control.

Specifications

After this extensive list of the best gaming laptops under $500, you might feel like you are better prepared to make your purchase. However, you might still want to take a look at our detailed buying guide before you go make a decision. While there are many excellent options on that list that you can choose from, taking a look at this buying guide might clear out any further confusion as well.

This is because, for our more inexperienced users, the technical elements and jargon might still be a little confusing and to make things clearer in your head we are going to list down some of the main factors you should consider while making your purchase. Further, we are looking at some of the most frequently asked questions that users ask.

Important Factors to consider before you buy

If you are going to select the best gaming laptops under 500 dollars, I suggest you consider the below points.

Processor

The processor is a very important factor because this is what ensures you get a lower refresh rate and faster gameplay. The memory or RAM that you have is likewise a major factor. Under 4 GB isn’t sufficient to play a game so that’s why you need 4 GB and the ideal is 6 GB or more.

Alternatively, low-end processors won’t be enough to deliver games, however, these days many laptops with lower price ranges do come up to the mark.

Graphics Card

For all those laptops that might not be able to deliver in the performance category, they redeem themselves with the addition of a good graphics card. This is the first thing you should look at because what is more important for an excellent gaming experience than amazing visuals?

Battery life

Since you will most likely play your game seated in one place, this might not be that big of an issue. However, there is no denying that to cut costs, the best gaming laptops under 500 dollars will undoubtedly cut back on battery life as it may not be more than 6 hours max.

Now that you have all the information regarding the best gaming laptops under 500 USD, it’s time to make the decision according to your preferences. The best laptop in this budget we recommend is the Lenovo Ideapad 330 which comes with all the bells and whistles that you expect from a good gaming laptop. Other than that, you have several other options to make a better decision. If your budget is lower than $500, then I recommend you check our list of gaming laptops under $300.