Best Gaming Laptops Under $500
Best Gaming Laptops Under $500
Looking for affordable and fun ways to spend time amidst this pandemic is of chief concern in today’s times. Good entertainment ends up costing a ton of money that not all of us can afford to spend. Nevertheless, the urge for entertainment doesn’t cease. Especially now, when all of us are stuck at home, some of us completely alone even, the need for entertainment is stronger than it has ever been.
We have maybe exhausted every movie and series on our lists but there is still more time left, and the hours just do not end. Meeting up with friends is a far-fetched dream, and the best we can hope for is phone calls and video calls. In such times the want for video games is at its peak.
Gaming is and has been a primary source of entertainment for a large number of people. When all your shows have been watched, and all your books have been read, and you still need something to do, be sure to find a way to spend your time via video games, be it Candy Crush on your phone or Fortnite on the best screen you have in your house (ideally).
But, just because you want to play your video games on fancy devices does not mean that your pocket will be able to afford such devices.
Finding a laptop that lets you game for cheap is not the easiest of tasks. It takes research and a lot of time and energy to find a laptop under five hundred dollars that will provide you with a decent experience. And even after the endless hours spent scouring the internet for an affordable but sturdy laptop, you may not have any results.
This article will help you with that and make your life a little bit easier. Let it guide you in finding the best (under $500) laptops available on the market.
Top 8 Best Gaming Laptops Under $500 :
Below are the top 15 best gaming laptops $500 (in no particular order) within a budget. This list is curated with products available on Amazon and other sites. A product link has been provided after each product so that you can check out what each laptop has to offer for yourself.
We understand and respect your gaming needs and are here to provide you with the best “within budget” laptops to serve those needs. We hope that you’ll find this article useful and will spend your money on something truly worthy of it.
1] Acer Aspire 5 Slim Laptop
With its name already known far and wide in the technology world, Acer is here with a gaming laptop that will cost you less than five hundred dollars. It has a 15.6 inches Full HD IPS display and supports Windows 10 in S mode.
Asus Vivobook S15
Asus not only makes smartphones and high-end laptops but has something in store ( literally ) for people that aren’t looking to spend an arm and a leg on their gaming laptops. With its sleek design, the Asus Vivobook S15 is sure to catch some eyes. It’s thin and light with an Icicle gold metal finish and a 15.6 inches HD screen. But it is not just about looks with this laptop as it has top-notch features as well with an Intel Core I5 and a Windows 10 Home.
Pros – a) Great resolution
- b) Keyboard is user-friendly
- c) Lightweight and easy to carry.
- d) Stylish and easy on the eyes.
Cons – a) Poor battery life (after regular use)
- b) Low memory
HP 14 laptop
HP is a brand that never lets you down. If you want a good and reliable gaming laptop in the mid-price range, the HP 14 is a great option. It has 8GB RAM and is quite fast with its 256GB SSD. It provides great graphics and comes in a sleek design in a grey color with a black interior. It has a 14.0 inches diagonal HD SVA BrightView WLED-backlit touch screen. It is a great option for a gaming laptop within a budget and is as good as any other laptop mentioned on this list.
Pros – a) Sleek look and feel
- b) Very loudspeakers
- c) Stylish and easy on the eyes
Cons – a) Power brick gets heated quickly
- b) Too much bloatware
Lenovo IdeaPad 3
Lenovo has created its brand image among its customers by producing laptops that get the job done and are less costlier than many of its counterparts. When it comes to gaming, the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 has surely made a place for itself in the market. Its features include 14.0 inches HD display, AMD Ryzen 3500U Processor, and 8GB RAM. It’s not only fast and effective but also comes in a beautiful abyss blue color and is sure to make a great accessory for your desk while providing unmatched services.
Pros – a) Great graphics
- b) Long battery life (after regular use)
- c) Lightweight and easy to carry
- d) Stylish and easy on the eyes
Cons – a) No touch screen
- b) Doesn’t support USB type-C
Lenovo Flex 14 2-in-1 Convertible Laptop
With its brand name and reputation, it is no surprise that there is more than one Lenovo laptop on this list. The Lenovo Flex 14 is not only a good gaming laptop but also a great 2-in-1 option. It can serve as a laptop for your game nights but can easily convert into a touchscreen when you need it to. It is highly flexible and lightweight and is a delight to use. It has a 14 inches HD touchscreen display and comes in a sophisticated black color inside and out. The keyboard is very user-friendly, and it has 4GB RAM and a Windows 10 operating system.
Pros – a) Easily portable
- b) Flexible
- c) Works with blackboard
Cons – a) Only has 2 USB slots
- b) Battery life is comparatively short (after regular use)
Dell Inspiron
The Dell Inspiron is another hot option for laptops under five hundred dollars. It has a Windows 10 operating system, a 15.6 inches HD screen, and Intel HD graphics. This laptop comes in black color and is fit not only for gaming but also for the office. The Dell Inspiron is sure to never let you down and will provide all that it promises in under five hundred dollars.
Pros – a) High storage and RAM
- b) Very fast and works smoothly
Cons – a) No touchscreen
- b) Doesn’t come with a power brick
Asus Vivobook F512DA
No less than any of its competitors, the Asus Vivobook F512DA is a great option for gaming. Its features include a 15.6 inches HD display, a 4GB RAM, and AMD Ryzen 3 3200U processor. This laptop will not disappoint you as it is sure to serve your gaming as well as other needs. The Asus Vivobook F512DA is a stylish computer that will be by your side at any time.
Pros – a) Lightning fast speed
- b) Fingerprint login option
- c) Stylish and easy to look at
Cons- a) Speakers are not too loud
- b) Low battery life (after regular use)
- c) Low memory
Acer Aspire E 15
Acer has more to offer, and the Acer Aspire E 15 is a perfect example of that. The Acer Aspire E 15 comes with 15.6 inches Full HD display, 8th Gen Intel core, 6 GB ram, and comes in a sober black color. With all its features laid out, you’d be missing out if you didn’t grab the Acer Aspire E15 from the store nearest to you or online. It provides fast speed and will definitely not be the reason behind losing in any video games.
Pros – a) Sturdy build
- b) Long battery life (after regular use)
- c) Stylish and easy on the eyes
Cons – a) No touchscreen
- b) Heavyweight
- c) Difficult to carry (not easily portable)
Asus Vivobook F510UA
Definitely one of the most popular brands in the gaming laptop sector, Asus is back with another lightweight and sleek laptop. No less than any of its counterparts, the Asus Vivobook F510UA has a 15.6 inches full HD screen, an Intel Core i5-8250U Processor, 8GB RAM, 1 TB HDD, and a fingerprint unlocks the system. It is available in a metallic grey color with the exterior matching the interior. It provides value for money and is true to whatever it promises. Be it for gaming or anything else; you will not be dissatisfied if you add this device to your shopping cart.
Pros – a) Great picture quality
- b) Thin and easy to carry (easily portable)
- c) Stylish and easy on the eyes
Cons – a) Battery life is not that long (after regular use)
- b) Screen creaks sometimes
HP 17-X114dx core
This is another great option from HP and is perfect for big-screen lovers. With its 17 inches HD display, it is sure to take you further and deeper into your gaming world. Apart from its 17 inches display, it has 6GB RAM and an i5-7200U processor. It is a great option, and its 17 inches display sets it a little apart from others. It has a Windows 10 OS and is available in a matte black color.
Pros – a) Great display (big screen and good resolution)
- b) Has a long battery life (after regular use)
- c) Stylish and easy on the eyes
Cons – a) Low memory
- b) Heavy and difficult to carry (not easily portable)
CHUWI herobook
Even though CHUWI may not have been able to make a name for itself in the technological world the way the other brands on this list have, the CHUWI herobook is, in fact, a great option for gaming laptops under five hundred dollars. It has a 14.1 inches HD display with an 8GB RAM and a 256GB SSD. It is extremely fashionable and sleek to look at and is actually one of the cheapest options on the list. If you have a low budget, the CHUWI Herobook might be worth considering. It is extremely thin and is available in black color. Since it is thin and light, it also makes for a great laptop to travel with. Apart from that, the sound quality of the CHUWI Herobook is also up to the mark and, along with its display, provides for a good, if not great, gaming experience.
Pros – a) Extremely lightweight and easy to carry (easily portable)
- b) Stylish and easy on the eyes
- c) High memory and RAM
Cons – a) Low webcam resolution
- b) Smooth internet connection is not always achievable
CHUWI lapbook pro
CHUWI definitely has more to offer. The CHUWI lapbook pro is another great option for a (gaming or otherwise) laptop for under five hundred dollars. It again has a 14.1 inches HD display, 8GB RAM, and a 256GB SSD. It has a great display and offers good graphics. It has a Windows 10 operating system and is available in black color. Its design is sleek and definitely provides value for money with its good sound quality and Intel N4100 Quad-Core processor. A little more expensive than the CHUWI Hero book it makes sure it makes up for the higher price by providing the latest features and frequent updates. Like the CHUWI Herobook, the CHUWI lapbook pro is also perfect for traveling because of its lightweight.
Pros – a) Sleek and stylish; easy on the eyes
- b) Lightweight and easy to carry (easily portable)
- c) High memory and RAM
Cons – a) Comparatively low battery life (after regular use)
- b) No touchscreen
- c) Smooth internet is not always achievable
BMAX laptop computer
The BMAX laptop computer is another option to consider if you cannot part with too much money. It is one of the cheaper options on the list, but that does not mean that it compromises its quality. With its 15.6 inches HD display, 8GB RAM, 128GB SATA SSD Intel Quad-Core Celeron N4100 processor, and Windows 10 operating system, the BMAX laptop computer is no less than any other computer on this list. It is sleek, stylish, and provides for a great “within budget” gaming laptop.
Pros – a) Stylish, sleek and easy to look at
- b) Lightweight and easy to carry (easily portable)
Cons – a) Sound quality is not that good
- b) Low webcam resolution
XIDU 2020 laptop
XIDU has come out with its latest laptop in 2020, and this is definitely a great option for laptops below five hundred dollars. It has an HD display, 8GB RAM, and an Intel 8th 3867U Processor. It comes in a rose gold color that is quite unique in laptops. You will definitely be making a good choice if you choose to go with this one.
Pros – a) Sleek and very pretty to look at
- b) Good display
Cons – a) Low webcam resolution
- b) Low battery life (after regular use)
CHUWI Aerobook Pro
The last but definitely not least product on the list is another CHUWI laptop. No less than the other two CHUWI counterparts, the CHUWI Aerobook, is sure to serve all your needs, whatever they may be. The CHUWI Aerobook has a 13.3 inches HD display, 8GB RAM, and a 256GB SSD. It has a Windows 10 operating system and an Intel M3-8100Y processor. The CHUWI Aerobook is extremely light and easy to use while being sleek and up to date with the various functions.
Pros – a) Sleek and stylish
- b) Extremely lightweight and easy to carry (easily portable)
Cons – a) Low webcam resolution
- b) Not great sound quality
Factors to consider before making your final purchase:
Even though we have done our best in listing the best gaming laptops within a budget, they may still not be what you are looking for. Thus, to help match you with exactly what you need and want, we have listed some factors that you must ponder over before making that final purchase. These factors, once considered and taken into account, will surely help you pick out a laptop best suited for you.
- Battery life – This is a no-brainer since everyone wants their devices to last as long as possible before plugging them into a power circuit. And when it comes to gaming, no one wants their laptop to shut down amidst a very stressful yet fulfilling round of Fortnite. It is always advisable to research your laptop’s battery life before making the final purchase.
- Value for money – What a device offers vs. what it costs is a never-ending battle. Some devices charge much more than what they offer, and we don’t want you to fall in such a trap. There are plenty of options available on the internet that do not live up to what they promise and cost way more than they should. This is a classic mistake that many customers make (buy too less for too much), and this article is here to help you not make that very mistake. Pay for what you get, always!
- RAM – RAM determines how quick your mobile or laptop runs, and for a gaming laptop, this is of utmost importance. RAM also decides the amount of graphics your laptop can handle, so it is advisable to go for the laptop, which has the highest RAM that you can afford.
- Display – You want your laptop’s display to be the best it can be so that you can have ra eal gaming experience. Make sure you buy a laptop that provides the best resolution and graphics for its price. Some under $500 laptops may not provide you with the best graphics on the planet, but they should be decent enough to keep you interested and also because $500 is no small amount to be paying.
- Sound quality (of the built-in speakers) – Another factor that needs to be considered to keep you interested in your video games is the sound quality. A good laptop should come with top-notch sound quality, and if it does not, then it is not the laptop you want to be buying for yourself. A laptop needs to have good sound quality be it to keep you interested in your games or to provide loud music for your late-night solo dance parties.
- Style – Finding a laptop within your budget, with the needed features and also with a sleek and fashionable design, is truly a very tough job. Some laptops are too harsh on the eyes, and you would not be caught dead using them. Our list provides you with laptops that offer a mix of efficiency and style within a budget of under five hundred dollars. These laptops are sure to provide you with all the entertainment that you need while leaving your friends envious of their design and build.
- Speed – Already covered under the “RAM point,” speed is of major importance in a gaming laptop. No one wants their laptop to hang in the middle of a game that you were probably winning. You do not want to keep your friends waiting during a game because of a faulty laptop. Thus, it is very important to invest in a device that runs fast and smoothly.
- Ease of use – You do not want a laptop that poses difficulties while using. Be it the keyboard or how flexibly it opens and closes; everyone wants a computer that is easy to use with the minimum amount of problems. Every so often, there is a problem with the touchpad that takes too long to be resolved. Or the screen does not work properly, and the brightness is off. Thus, it is always advisable to check the ease of use of a computer that you are spending your hard-earned cash on.
- Warranty – Even though most electrical devices usually do provide a warranty period of a few months, if not a few years, it is always recommended to thoroughly check the terms and conditions of the warranty offered of the laptop that you are buying and also the period for which it is offered.
- A number of uses – Even though this article is centered around laptops suitable for gaming, it is always wise to buy a device that has more than one use. You do not simply want a laptop that can do one task seamlessly but rather one that can do a number of tasks seamlessly. Be it office/college work, graphic design, calculations, watching videos, or gaming, a laptop should be able to do it all.
This will not only help you make the correct decisions but will also save a ton of time that you might have wasted on the internet. Knowing what you want is half the battle won; now all that’s left is to find the perfect match, swipe that credit card, and have a laptop to call your own.
Conclusion:
Gaming as a source of entertainment will last for decades to come, and there will definitely be many more technological advancements. We cannot foresee the future, but we do not need to foresee the future because we hope that with this article, we have been able to make the present a little bit more enjoyable. Gaming will advance, and we will be here for it, but meanwhile, we hope this article has allowed you to decide which laptop it is that you would put your money into. With this article, our aim has been to help you enjoy the joys of gaming, even if you have a tight budget.
Finding a laptop that fits all your needs and is also affordable is no easy feat. There are many options available in the market, and finding the correct one may take hours, if not days. The internet is a funny place, providing you with so many options that you are left confused in the end. You might not know which brand is better, what processor to go for, how much RAM you need, and what color best matches your personality. Thus, with all of this in mind, this article has tried to curate a list that fulfills all your needs, and if not, that then at least guides you towards the correct choice.
This article hopes to have reduced your screen time spent choosing the right laptop.
We truly hope that we have been successful in our endeavor and that you have found the right laptop that will stick with you through your gaming wins and losses. We hope you have or will find a laptop that matches your speed and does not leave you hanging. A laptop that not only meets your every requirement but also makes for an appealing accessory for your desk.

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