In this post, we are looking at the best budget gaming laptops under 500 dollars in the market this year. Gaming is a way of life for many. Consoles and desktops are probably the go-to choices for gaming. You can’t move both of them around, so the gaming laptops are the next best thing.
The top of the range gaming laptops could cost you a few thousand Bucks, which are out of the range many people can afford.
If you’re just a casual gamer which is the category most people fall into, you have no use for these high-tech laptops. You can always purchase something affordable that will execute your gaming task flawlessly. Therefore we came up with a list of the best budget gaming laptops under 500 dollars for you.
Before we go any further, you should know that most of the systems aren’t designated gaming laptops, but they will serve the purpose well. We rated them based on the design, display and performance, and other additional features.
Top 10 Best Budget Gaming Laptops under 500 dollars to buy in August 2021
10. HP Flagship 15.6-inch
The 10th best budget gaming laptop under 500 dollars on our list is HP Flagship 15.6. The HP flagship does complete justice to the flagship in its name.
Performance
Thanks to the 7th Generation Intel Core i3 7100U processor. Not only does it allow the laptop to support heavy games, but it also runs them smoothly. The graphics card is something that you might need to consider upgrading.
It comes with an integrated Intel HD graphics 620, which might support low to medium and games at a fair frame rate but anything extra. You’re looking forward to a couple of $100 more for a sound graphics card.
Connectivity
Surprisingly the HP flagship still comes with the super multi DVD burner, which is quite rare these days. In addition to this, you get a dual USB 2.0 port, a USB 3.0 port, and a multi-format SD card slot. Moreover, the one-year exclusive warranty is a plus too.
Conclusion
Ultimately the specs are good enough to run games. It does have a DVD burner, also which is quite uncommon. The lack of an SSD and a decent graphics card is a significant drawback for a gaming laptop under $500.
Specification Table
9. Samsung Chromebook 3
The 9th best budget gaming laptop under 500 dollars on our list is Samsung Chromebook 3. It is the best Chromebook for under $500 for gaming. If you’re looking for one of the cheapest options for gaming on the go, then the Samsung Chromebook 3 may be one of your best affordable options.
Design
Samsung’s Chromebook 3 is one of the best budget Chromebooks available with solid performance, a brilliant 11.6-inch screen in a sleek, compact design, making it perfect for taking with you for gaming any time.
You’ll be impressed with the Chromebooks build quality.
Samsung Chromebook 3 is surprisingly better than most cheaper laptops in its price bracket. It’s very thin, compact, and weighs just 2.5 pounds making it perfect for carrying under your arm or slipping your backpack. When you’re hopping from class to class or between meetings to get some gameplay in.
Operating System
You’ll find the Chromebook 3 handles daily computing tasks just as well as Windows or Mac OS laptops. You’ll be able to surf, shop, check with what’s viral, and work on office documents and spreadsheets with ease.
It runs on Chrome OS, so you’ll have access to all the games on the play store, from casual puzzle games the first-person shooters, including the call of duty mobile version.
Performance
The Key features are Intel Celeron N3060, Intel Integrated graphics, 4 gigabytes DDR3 RAM, and a 64-gigabyte flash storage SSD with 11.6-inches 1366 x 768 HD display and up to 11 hours of battery life.
It’s designed to work in a cloud environment, so you only get 16 gigabytes of storage, but at least it’s SSD. So you get high-speed performance, including booting up in seconds versus minutes.
Display
You’ll love the exceptionally bright 1366 x 768 screen. It’s the most brilliant 11.6-inch display in its class, with very realistic colors making your games look great.
Keyboard
It is very affordable and a great alternative to traditional laptops keyboard. The keyboard is spill-resistant, plus there’s no flexing around, which is a common problem for budget laptops. It is portable with 0.7-inches thick and only 2.54 pounds.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for a cheap laptop for gaming on the go, then the Samsung Chromebook 3 maybe one of your best affordable options with solid performance. It is a brilliant 11.6-inch screen in a sleek, compact design, plus access to games on the play store.
The only disadvantage is that it has an awkward key placement that takes time to get used to.
Specification Table
8. Asus Vivobook L203 MA Ultra-Thin
The 8th best budget gaming laptop under 500 dollars on our list is Asus Vivobook L203 MA Ultra-thin laptop 11.6-inch HD. It is the best thin gaming laptop for under $500. If you are a gamer looking for a very thin and lightweight notebook at an affordable price, then the Asus Vivobook L203 MA Ultra-thin laptop is one of the best options for you.
Design
The sleek Vivobook is only 0.7-inches thick and weighs a mere 2.2 pounds making it extremely portable, so you’ll be able to game just about anywhere. For the entry-level price, you don’t really sacrifice too much on display.
You’ll find the build is solid, and with the durable 180-degree hinge, you open the Vivobook flat. you also get a full-size keyboard which is impressive considering the ultraportable design.
Display
You’ll get an impressive 11.6-inch HD display that offers solid cinematic colors with some rich contrasting blacks.
Features
When it comes to gaming, you’ll be able to enjoy casual games, including browser games such as Roadblocks and RuneScape that play great, plus low-intensity titles like Undertale and Super Hexagon will work well too, all in HD.
You’ll have to shift down to lower resolutions and frame rates for more processor-heavy games to get smoother gameplay.
Performance
You’ll find the Intel Celeron processor provides decent processing power for everyday tasks, an excellent performance for multi-tasking, and the 64 gigabytes of eMMC flash storage gives you incredible read and write speeds. Hence, apps and games boot up instantly.
The key features are the Intel Celeron N4000 processor, Intel UHD Graphics 600, 4-gigabyte LPDDR4 RAM, and a 64-gigabyte flash storage SSD, 11.6-inches 1366 x 768 HD display, and up to 10 hours of battery life on a single charge.
Connectivity
It is very lightweight and ultra-thin for easy and convenient portability. USB C port for ultrafast connectivity with the latest accessories.
The processor and SSD run quickly for efficient browsing and navigation, plus you will get USB C, USB 3.1, HDMI, and a micro SD slot. The only disadvantage is webcam has only VGA resolution.
Conclusion
Suppose you’re looking for an inexpensive laptop for gaming in an ultraportable design. In that case, the Asus Vivobook L203 MA Ultra-thin laptop is only 0.7-inches thick and weighs a mere 2.2 pounds, making it one of the best options for you.
Specification Table
7. Lenovo Flex 14 2-in-1
The 7th best budget gaming laptop under 500 dollars on our list is Lenovo Flex 14 2-in-1. It is the best 2-in-1 gaming laptop for under $500. If you’re looking for a gaming laptop to play PC and mobile touch screen games, then the Lenovo Flex 14 2-in-1 may be one of the best choices for you.
Design
The Flex 14 offers stellar performance across the mobile range of games also comes in with some solid gaming performance for PC titles on a portable, convenient 2-in-1 laptop. You’ll love how the sleek 2-in-1 design allows you to flip the laptop into a tablet in an instant with sturdy 270-degree hinges that let the keyboard act as a stand.
Display
The gorgeous 14-inch HD display is responsive when touched and provides rich colors across the spectrum.
Features
So you’ll enjoy playing games like angry birds or candy crush in beautiful HD without any performance drops. When the time comes for more severe PC gaming, you’ll be able to handle titles like Skyrim in HD and Fortnite on lower settings for smooth, consistent frame rates.
Although the newer version with the 1080P display is available for under $500, the 720 P display is a great gaming option.
Performance
The Intel processor speeds past traditional tablet processors providing fast, simple transitions between PC work and tablet programs with very little load time between presses. You’ll find the Intel UHD Graphics 620 can handle any mobile game with a responsive touch screen with ease.
The key features are Intel Core i3 8145U processor, Intel UHD graphics 620, 4 gigabytes DDR4 RAM and 128-gigabyte NVMe SSD, 14-inches 1366 x 768 HD 10 point touchscreen display, and up to 8 hours of battery life on a full charge with quick recharge technology.
Connectivity
There is a range of ports like two USBs, one USB C, HDMI, and a card reader slot.
Conclusion
If you’re looking for an excellent 2-in-1 gaming laptop that will provide decent gaming performance across a range of mobile and PC titles without breaking $500, then the Lenovo flex 14 2-in-1 is a great option. With a stunning 14-inch HD touchscreen display, easy flip hinges, and Intel UHD 620 graphics for on-the-go gaming.
The only disadvantage is when using the touchscreen frequently, fingerprints become very visible. The dual-function laptop and tablet with easy flip hinges. You can block your webcam Physically to enhance your online security.
Specification Table
6. HP 14
The 6th best budget gaming laptop under 500 dollars on our list is HP 14. It is a great all-rounder gaming laptop under $500. If you’re looking for an affordable laptop for gaming on a bigger screen, then the HP 14-inch laptop DF0020NR is one of the best choices for you.
Display
The HP comes with a large 14-inch FHD IPS display and a good amount of processing power and storage at an affordable price point.
Design
You find the displays beautifully backlit with impressive colors and clarity that enhance your games and other media. The simple but effective silver casing brings a great modern look while keeping it very lightweight for its size at only 3.6 pounds.
Features
You also get a generous 128 gigabyte SSD hard drive, so you’ll be able to store substantially more games than the Vivobook. Unfortunately, the integrated Intel GMA 3150 graphics only support up to direct X9. So you won’t be able to run many of the more recent titles.
Performance
The Intel processor can reach up to 4 gigahertz, which is incredible for the price point. Letting you enjoy some great classic games like roller coaster tycoon, theme hospital, and more that look great and full 1080P.
The key features are Intel Core i3 8130U processor, Intel GMA 3150 graphics, 4 gigabytes of DDR4 RAM, and 128-gigabyte flash storage SSD, 14-inches 1920 x 1080 FHD IPS anti-glare WLED backlit display and up to 10 hours of battery life on a full charge.
Connectivity
The great simple design and operation do all the basics well. The touchpad is responsive and offers precision movement with great feedback on clicks. It has USB C, USB 3.1, HDMI, LAN, and SD memory card slots.
Conclusion
Suppose you’re looking for a laptop with a bigger screen for gaming at an affordable price. In that case, the HP 14-inch laptop DF0020NR has a large 14-inch FHD IPS display along with a good amount of processing power and storage, all at an affordable price point, making it one of the best choices for you.
The only disadvantage is the limit of the graphics of direct X9 limits playing more recent titles.
Specification Table
| Image | Product | Specifications | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
HP Flagship 15.6-inch | 7th generation Intel Core i3 Processor, 8 GB DDR4 RAM, 1 TB HDD, Intel HD Graphics, 15.6 inches, 6.25 hours, 4.52 lbs | Amazon |
 |
Samsung Chromebook 3 | Intel Celeron Processor, 4 GB DDR4 RAM, 32 GB eMMC, Intel HD Graphics, 11.6 inches, 11 hours, 2.5 lbs | Amazon |
 |
Asus Vivobook L203 MA Ultra-Thin | Intel Celeron Processor, 4 GB DDR4 RAM, 64 GB eMMC, Intel UHD Graphics, 11.6 inches, 10 hours, 2.2 lbs | Amazon |
 |
Lenovo Flex 14 2-in-1 | Intel Core i3 Processor, 4 GB DDR4 RAM, 128 GB NVMe SSD, Intel HD Graphics, 14 inches, 10 hours, 3.52 lbs | Amazon |
 |
HP 14 | Intel Core i3 Processor, 4 GB DDR4 RAM, 128 GB SSD, Intel GMA Graphics, 14 inches, 10 hours, 3.6 lbs | Amazon |
5. Dell Inspiron 15-inch 5575
The 5th best budget gaming laptop under 500 dollars on our list is the Dell Inspiron 15-inch 5575. Dell is no stranger to making a wide range of laptops from premium products to affordable brands. A Dell Inspiron 15-inch 5575 laptop is a perfect example of the latter. Usually when systems prices dip the specs tend to follow suit.
Design
However, Dell has managed to keep excellent specs on the system despite the low price. The laptop looks very classy. However, it is a plastic make which is a testament to the low cost of the computer.
Display
It will run the semi-intensive titles quite well without stress. The display of the system is also top-notch as it has a 15.6 LCD screen. Although the viewing angles aren’t the best, its color reproduction abilities are outstanding.
Features
The catchy feature of the design is the matte finish which gives the system a sleek look.
The laptop weighs slightly on the high side in terms of modern size ranges scaling about 2.2 kilograms. The bezels also measure around 0.5-inches which could be a bit disturbing for some style lovers. However, these features are not deal breakers in any way.
Performance
The system makes up for the slack designed with a strong performance. It sports 8 gigabytes of DDR4 RAM and one terabyte of HDD storage. That is ample space for your files and enough processor memory to handle any daily task you subject the system to apart from gaming. It uses the AMD Ryzen 5 2500U CPU and Radeon Vega 8 graphics card.
Connectivity
In terms of connectivity, you get 2 USB 3.1 ports, USB 2.0 port, an HDMI port, a headphone Jack, and a full SD card reader. You will be disappointed that there is no USB type C port here.
Conclusion
Overall, the Dell Inspiron 15-inch laptop is a good pick for college students who needs a work and gaming system.
Specification Table
4. Asus Vivobook F510UA
The 4th best budget gaming laptop under 500 dollars on our list is Asus Vivobook F510UA. Asus is known for its high-end ROG gaming laptop. Apart from these high-end products, they also have some affordable laptops which can take quite a beating in gaming activities.
Design
All this laptop doesn’t exactly blow you off your feet with the best specs it can hold its own against others in this category.
This Vivobook system also sports a plastic chassis with an excellent finish. Its gunmetal blue color stands out and leaves us quizzed on how Asus was able to achieve this design? We also love the relatively lightweight laptop as it only weighs about 1.8 kilograms. It also has a slim size measuring it just 0.8-inches.
Display
The display is a Full HD LCD panel means you get an aspect ratio of 16:9 and a resolution of 1920 x 1080 resolution. The LCD panel means the viewing angles won’t be as right as that of an IPS panel. Although the screen still eliminates those annoying reflections thanks to its matte finish.
Features
The audio of the system is average but is good enough for video calls.
Performance
For performance, the system packs an Intel Core i5 CPU which is clocked up to 3.4 gigahertz, 8 gigabytes of RAM, and an Intel UHD 620 graphics card. The hard drive offers abundant space for files with one terabyte space.
Connectivity
The connectivity options provided here include 3 USB type-A ports, 1 USB type C port, HDMI ports, and a headphone port. If you can live with these specs, the Asus Vivobook F150 UA is an excellent choice for anyone on a budget.
Conclusion
The system will handle your casual gaming needs, but you should expect to play those resource-intensive titles like call of duty or Forza 4 here. The 47 watt-hour battery will offer back up for about 6 hours and 30 minutes before you run out of juice.
However, we don’t expect anyone who plans to buy the system to be far away from a power source so that shouldn’t be a problem.
Specification Table
3. Lenovo IdeaPad 3 15-inch
The 3rd best budget gaming laptop under 500 dollars on our list is Lenovo IdeaPad 3 15-inch. Chinese manufacturers Lenovo are well known for their affordable products in the mobile and laptop category. The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 15-inch laptop is one of the best and affordable systems in the Lenovo IdeaPad series.
Design
It follows the norm with the plastic chassis with four color variants black, blue, gold and black. It is relatively light weighing around 1.8 kilograms. The plastic has a brushed look, making it look refined and can even compare to a premium system.
Display
One thing you love about the system is the wide range of configurations you can get. This range of configurations applies to both the display and performance. The display we were able to lay our hands on was the 1920 x 1080 FHD resolution IPS panel.
Features
There’s also the TN panel. We’ll recommend the TN for gamers who prefer superior response time to the IPS panels’ accurate color reproduction great viewing angles. However, we would go over the IPS panel as it provides more versatility. The screen has 15.6-inches of screen real estate and a 142 pixel per inch rating.
Performance
There are several hardware configurations, but we review the 8-gigabyte RAM and 256 gigabyte SSD variants. It packs the AMD Ryzen 3500U which could clock up the maximum speed of 3.7 gigahertz. The Radeon Vega 8 dedicated graphics card will handle the graphic-intensive games.
Connectivity
You get the regular USB type-A ports, HDMI port, an SD card reader, and a headphone Jack. Sadly there’s no USB type C port.
Conclusion
One wrong spec is its 35 watt-hour battery which allows you to play games for up to about 2 hours before running out of juice. For other less energy-consuming activities, you can get up to 6 hours of battery life.
Specification Table
2. HP BY1053DX 17
The 2nd best budget gaming laptop under 500 dollars on our list is HP BY1053DX 17. We all know HP is synonymous with quality, and the HP 17-inch laptop is no different. Its plastic jet-black chassis makes it look like one of the laptops from a premium line.
Display
It is glossy and has a sleek finish. It is quite bulky compared to others weighing around 2.2 kilograms. HP BY1053DX 17 has a display just as a design with the LED panel that has 1600 x 900 resolution.
Performance
The laptop’s performance is one of the best in the category, with an 8th Generation Intel Core i5 processor at the Core of operations. The processor could clock a maximum of 3.9 gigahertz and handle most games smoothly. Coupled with 8 gigabytes of RAM and an Intel UHD 620 dedicated graphics card it is a good budget laptop.
Conclusion
You get good color reproduction and viewing angles. Its 220 nits peak brightness is a letdown but not necessarily a deal-breaker. Its 17.3-inch screen will give you expansive space for gaming.
Specification Table
1. Acer Aspire 5
The 1st best budget gaming laptop under 500 dollars on our list is Acer Aspire 5. Our top budget laptop under $500 is the Acer Aspire 5. The Acer Aspire 5 is presently one of the most affordable Acer laptops you can find on the market.
Display
The design has a subtle and minimalistic touch which gives it a cool look. The silver color version stuck with us best. There’s also the beautiful backlit chiclet-style keyboard which leaves plenty of armrest for you while typing. The display of the laptop gives you 15.6-inches of screen real estate. The screen is an IPS display and has a full HD resolution.
Features
It covered 63 percent of the sRGB color gamut and possessed 250 units of brightness which is not optimized for outdoor viewing. This laptop has some of the best speakers compared to any other system on this list. It utilizes Acer’s true harmony Gen2, which provides three different sound modes are: music, movie, and game modes.
Performance
It has the 8th Generation Intel Core i7 processor, 4 gigabytes of RAM, and 128 gigabytes of storage space.
Connectivity
You get 2 USB 3.0 ports, one USB 2.0 port, one USB C port with a thunderbolt feature, one HDMI 2.0 port, and one micro SD card reader. The Windows Hello enabled fingerprint scanner is also present here.
Conclusion
The specs of these laptop houses can even play some high-end titles without getting hot. The laptop didn’t get uncomfortably hot, even when performing the most difficult tasks.
If you are a student who needs a laptop for school work and occasional gaming, then this laptop is just for you.
Specification Table
| Image | Product | Specifications | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
Dell Inspiron 15-inch 5575 | AMD Ryzen 5 Processor, 8 GB DDR4 RAM, 1 TB HDD, AMD Radeon 8 Graphics, 15.6 inches, 4.85 lbs | Amazon |
 |
Asus Vivobook F510UA | Intel Core i5 Processor, 8 GB DDR4 RAM, 1 TB HDD, Intel UHD Graphics, 15.6 inches, 6.3 hours, 3.9 lbs | Amazon |
 |
Lenovo IdeaPad 3 15-inch | AMD Ryzen 3500U Processor, 8 GB DDR4 RAM, 256 GB SSD, AMD Radeon 8 Graphics, 15.6 inches, 3.9 lbs | Amazon |
 |
HP BY1053DX 17 | 8th generation Intel Core i5 Processor, 8 GB DDR4 RAM, 256 GB SSD, Intel UHD Graphics, 17.3 inches, 4.8 lbs | Amazon |
 |
Acer Aspire 5 | 8th generation Intel Core i7 Processor, 4 GB DDR4 RAM, 128 GB SSD, Intel UHD Graphics, 15.6 inches, 4.8 lbs | Amazon |
Final Verdict
Recommended Best Budget Gaming Laptop under 500 dollars are Acer Aspire 5 & HP BY1053DX 17. Other laptops on this list are also great. You can select and buy one from the above Amazon link as per your need and requirements.
Dear Reader
That’s our Best Budget Gaming Laptop under 500 dollars buying guide; hopefully, you found it helpful. Thank you so much, guys, for reading this post, and I hope you enjoyed reading the post.
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