Which gaming laptops are the best under $1,500?

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The best Gaming laptop for under $1,500 is hands-down the Asus ROG Strix G15 Advantage Edition. This all-AMD gaming laptop has everything from a slick, RGB-laden design to incredibly powerful overall and graphics performance. Not content with being one of the most powerful processors around, the G15’s Ryzen 9 CPU is also overclockable — allowing you to squeeze every drop of power from this already stacked laptop.

If you’re looking to game on a bigger screen, then you’ll find that the HP Omen 17 offers a brilliant 17-inch screen with a speedy 144Hz refresh rate. You’ll be able to experience impressive 1080p gaming on this display thanks to an 11th Gen Intel Core i7 CPU and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 GPU — a tried and tested combination that never fails to impress. There’s also some impressive thermal management on hand thanks to HP’s Omen Tempest cooling system and incredible audio quality from its built-in Bang and Olufsen speakers.

Want to get the most bang for your buck without stretching your budget too far? Acer’s Nitro 5 is a gaming laptop that offers all the power and performance you’ll need for tackling AAA games in 1080p at an attractive sub-$1,500 price. While its plastic chassis and dim display might turn some away, fantastic color reproduction and a speedy 165Hz refresh rate do wonders to make up for these drawbacks.

1. 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

TODAY’S BEST DEALS

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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 

When it comes to mid-range gaming laptops, you’re likely to see AMD processors and Nvidia GPUs come together to create a fair balance of power, efficiency, and price. However, all-AMD laptops are a little harder to come across, but after seeing what the Asus ROG Strix G15 Advantage Edition has managed to do at this price point, it’s hard to see why that’s the case.

For starters, Asus’ gaming laptop is powered by a Ryzen 9 5900HX processor, one of the fastest CPUs around. Better still, it’s the first mobile AMD processor that you can overclock to really max-out performance, too. Secondly, AMD’s Radeon RX 6800 GPU offers some incredible visuals and in-game performance roughly on par (if not a little better under certain circumstances) with Nvidia’s GeForce RTX 3070.

In our benchmark testing the G15 Advantage Edition’s 12GB of VRAM allowed it to showcase an impressive frame rate across a range of intensive PC titles at maximum settings. The only issue with the model we’ve highlighted is its 8GB of RAM, but as with most ROG laptops, this is easily upgradable — allowing up to 32GB.

See our full Asus ROG Strix G15 Advantage Edition review

2. HP Victus 15 (2022)

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

TODAY’S BEST DEALS

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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

Put your snobbiness away for the HP Victus 15. No, it doesn’t come with a killer response time, a fancy-schmancy Nvidia RTX 30-series GPU, nor a glitzy, animated RGB keyboard, but come on, you’re only shelling out $800 for this laptop, so give it a break!

At this point, if you’ve already turned your nose up like a petulant child snubbing their vegetables, the HP Victus 15 is not for you. However, if you’re still intrigued, good! This means you’re willing to temper your expectations. The Victus 15 won’t appeal to professional gamers who demand the latest and greatest, but it has enough razzle dazzle to win the affections of casual players. The HP gaming rig sports a 12th Gen Intel Core i5 CPU, a 144Hz refresh rate display, updated thermals, and a sophisticated, office-friendly onyx chassis that can double as a work laptop. At only $800, the HP Victus 15 is a dream for unpretentious, budget-conscious gamers.

See our full HP Victus 15 review

3. 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

TODAY’S BEST DEALS

View at Amazon

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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 Asus TUF Dash F15 is as solid in performance and graphics as it is in build. This is saying something considering its build is backed by a MIL-STD-810H certification that can handle drops, vibrations, and extreme temperatures. The military-tested chassis isn’t just “TUF,” it’s also pretty dazzling with its all-white color scheme and FHD 1080p display. While the panel could be brighter, it does feature impressive color reproduction, a 3-millisecond response time, and a lightning-fast refresh rate of 240Hz — offering smooth visuals for competitive gaming and esports.

All that means very little unless you’ve got the power to make the most of it. Thankfully, the Asus TUF Dash F15 has enough power to make hoverboards work on water, and is outfitted with an 11th Gen Intel Core i7 CPU, 16GB of RAM, and an awesome Nvidia GeForce RTX 3070 GPU.

In our benchmark testing, the Dash F15 beat the average frame-per-second output for mainstream gaming laptops across a number of taxing titles — all of which were running at their highest settings. For presentation, protection, performance, and price, the Asus TUF Dash F15 deserves a place on anyone’s shortlist as an excellent budget-friendly purchase.

See our full Asus TUF Dash F15 (RTX 3070) review

4. 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

TODAY’S BEST DEALS

View at Amazon

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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 

HP’s Omen laptop range is one of three product lines the manufacturer has dedicated to producing gaming machines. There’s the Pavillion which is best suited to low-end, casual gaming, the Victus, which is more focused on entry-to-mid-level gaming, and the Omen, where HP delivers on the levels of performance and graphics most serious or hardcore gamers are looking for. The HP Omen 17 just squeezes into this list with a price tag of $1,499, but it’s a brilliant laptop for those looking for larger-screen gaming with punchy performance, high refresh rates, and sublime Bang & Olufsen speakers.

The Omen 17’s potent performance derives from the combination of an 11th Gen Intel Core i7 CPU, an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 GPU, and 16GB of RAM. When it comes to gaming, there are few hurdles in your way to achieving both superb visuals and decent FPS counts, with each frame caught by the 17.3-inch panel’s speedy 144Hz refresh rate.

The Omen 17’s potential is undeniable, and it serves as a great desktop replacement. However, if you’re willing to trade that larger screen for more graphical power, for $50 more the Omen 16 (2021 Intel) offers up even more graphical prowess with an RTX 3070 GPU.

5. 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

TODAY’S BEST DEALS

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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 built its reputation on an ability to deliver quality devices at affordable prices and, for just $1,399, the Acer Predator Triton 300 SE is another job well done for the Taiwanese manufacturer. Without breaking the bank, the Triton 300 SE offers everything you’d need from a gaming laptop: brilliant 11th Gen Intel Core i7 performance; gorgeous Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 powered visuals; a crisp, bright and vibrant 1080p display; and silky smooth refresh rates of 144Hz. Better still, it’s all housed within a slim and stylish silver chassis.

The Triton 300 SE has a number of other neat features, including a comfortable keyboard with three-zone RGB and a solid battery life that lasted over six and a half hours during our testing. However, what makes or breaks a gaming laptop is performance, and across a range of demanding AAA titles, the Triton showcased some impressive frame counts — even at max settings. If you’re buying on a budget, the most important thing is value for performance, and the Acer Predator Triton 300 SE’s price-to-performance ratio is second to none.

See our full Acer Predator Triton 300 SE review 

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

TODAY’S BEST DEALS

View at Amazon

REASONS TO BUY

+

Sleek, attractive design +

Comfortable keyboard +

Good overall and gaming performance +

High refresh rate display 

REASONS TO AVOID

–

Below-average battery life 

Even at lower configurations, Alienware’s m15 Ryzen Edition gaming laptop retains the super-sleek design, comfortable keyboard, and powerful AMD-based performance found in some of the more expensive models available. The entry-level Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 Ti graphics is where a lot of the differences will be found. While it’s at the lower end of the RTX 30-series of GPUs, the 3050 Ti can still perform admirably, delivering 60 fps gameplay in modern titles at higher settings. Better still, the RTX GPU can make use of DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling) in certain games to boost that performance further — sometimes increasing frame rates by up to 70%.

Also carrying over from some of the more expensive models is a gorgeous, 15.6-inch, 1080p display with a rapid refresh rate of 165Hz and a snappy 3 millisecond response time.

The m15 is a budget-friendly dynamo that makes the most of Alienware’s design and build quality, AMD’s superb performance, and Nvidia’s awesome RTX GPUs to deliver not just one of the best Alienware laptops available but one of the most well-balanced gaming laptops in this price bracket.

See our full Alienware m15 Ryzen Edition review 

7. 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

TODAY’S BEST DEALS

View at Amazon

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

When you think “Lenovo,” it’s unlikely that your first thought is that of gaming laptops, let alone one of the beefiest gaming laptops you can find online for less than $1,500. However, Lenovo’s range of Legion laptops includes some terrific machines that offer tremendous overall performance. One such machine is the Legion 5 Pro, a fantastic gaming laptop that combines the best of AMD and Nvidia to great effect. Armed with a Ryzen 7 5800H CPU and 16GB of RAM, Lenovo’s gaming laptop is a performance powerhouse that effortlessly showcases the awesome potential of the AMD 5000-series processors.

However, that isn’t even the most impressive aspect of this machine thanks to the inclusion of Nvidia’s GeForce RTX 3070 GPU. During our review, we threw a series of demanding AAA titles at the Legion 5 Pro to put the GPU through its paces.

Not only did Lenovo’s gaming laptop allow us to crank the graphics all the way up for each title, but it also consistently delivered over 60 fps across the board. If you need a little extra oomph to your gaming sessions, then the Legion 5 Pro is a shoo-in to win you over.

See our full Lenovo Legion 5 Pro review 

8. 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

TODAY’S BEST DEALS

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REASONS TO BUY

+

Good color accuracy +

Speedy 165Hz refresh rate+

Solid overall and gaming performance  +

Atypical keyboard layout 

REASONS TO AVOID

–

Dim display 

Looking for a great laptop on a budget is all about making every cent count, and the Acer Nitro 5’s power and performance offers some very impressive bang for your buck. Merging AMD and Nvidia into one spritely machine, the Acer Nitro 5 is ideal for those with solid 1080p gaming in mind.

Acer’s gaming laptop sports an AMD Ryzen 7 5800H processor and Nvidia’s awesome GeForce RTX 3060 GPU. When met with 16GB of RAM, you have a machine that can take on the latest AAA games with some impressive results. Making use of Nvidia’s DLSS feature will squeeze even more potential out of the Nitro 5, transforming it from a great budget buy to an absolute steal at just over $1,100.

There are a few things that take the shine off of Nitro’s impressive performance. Its chunky, plastic chassis could be one if you prefer a more premium styling, and there’s an atypical keyboard layout that takes some time to get used to. Also, the Nitro 5’s display is a little on the dim side, but this is redeemed with its fantastic color accuracy and a speedy 165Hz refresh rate. 

See our full Acer Nitro 5 review

9. 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

TODAY’S BEST DEALS

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REASONS TO BUY

+

Solid overall and gaming performance +

Dolby Atmos speakers +

Great battery life +

Good port selection 

REASONS TO AVOID

–

No thunderbolt support 

For a long time, the Zephyrus G14 was (when it came to gaming) by far and large the best 14-inch laptop money could buy. Nowadays the Zephyrus G14 faces stiff competition from the likes of the Razer Blade 14 and Dell’s Alienware x14, but in the sub $1,500 price range, Asus’ gaming notebook has plenty of configurations available to help secure a place near the top of anyone’s shortlist.

The Zephyrus G14 is a great blend of AMD and Nvidia components, outfitted with an impressive Ryzen 9 5900HS CPU and a solidly performing Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060. For just shy of $1,500, the Zephyrus G14 is capable of fantastic 1080p gaming performance and ultra-smooth visuals thanks to its speedy 144Hz panel. Add to this a great selection of ports and Dolby Atmos speakers alongside a great battery life, and you have a killer gaming notebook that won’t be murder on your budget.

10. 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

TODAY’S BEST DEALS

View at Amazon

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 proves you don’t have to be the most expensive or high-spec device to be considered one of the best. Some smart decisions to include discrete graphics while promoting function over form has led to Acer’s Swift X becoming one of the best ultra-portable laptops available, and for one of the fairest prices. For a little over $1,000, you get an impressive 14-inch notebook that delivers a remarkable one-two punch of overall performance and graphical ability.

Taking a look inside the Swift X’s aluminum chassis is where we find the source of its success: a healthy dose of AMD Ryzen 7 processing power paired with Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 Ti graphics. You’ll be able to play the latest games at stable frame rates and even experience real-time ray-tracing if you don’t mind the performance hit. You’ll also be able to take advantage of DLSS in supported games and experience noticeable boosts to visual fidelity and performance.

See our full Acer Swift X review 

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