While many PC gamers prefer the desktop, there are occasions when you need something more portable and comparatively affordable. This is where laptops make an entrance! Gaming laptops are among the few things gamers can not compromise on. There is just something about laptops advanced hardware and cool features that enhance the whole gaming experience.

The gaming community might have different opinions on the best laptops. But, they all agree on one ground: gaming laptops come in costly! Buying a $2,000 as a casual gamer playing less demanding games seems pointless. You need something more affordable, say, under $500.

Most gaming laptops under $500 today offer upgraded features, including huge memory, high speed, better graphics, good battery life, and fast processing speed, only at a lesser rate. But finding decent laptops under $500 can be tough, especially considering the vast variety in the market. Luckily for you, this article highlights a list of the 10 best laptops under $500 in 2022. So, let us get right to it!

10 Best Laptops Under $500

The 10 best laptops under $500 mentioned in this list are in no order, but they tick all the boxes of performance, battery life, speed, weight, display quality, and memory!

1- Acer Aspire 5 Slim (A515-43-R19L)

Do not be deceived by its price tag – the Acer Aspire 5 Slim is a bang for the buck! The laptop has a sturdy construction and offers high performance. It has a glossy aluminum lid and a 15.6-inch display with a broad viewing angle. The display appears dull in bright light, but it is ideal for dimly lit areas.

Additionally, it features a bigger backlit keypad with a Numpad on the right, ideal for people with large hands. The Intel Core i3-1135G7 processor in the Acer Aspire 5 delivers a solid performance. Integrated Intel UHD Graphics, 128GB SSD storage, and 4GB RAM are some other Acer Aspire 5 Slim features.

One thing that we did not like about the Acer Aspire 5 Slim is its speakers. Of course, you can not expect much from budget gaming laptops, but still, these bass-free speakers can not compete with headphones. Additionally, the product guarantees a 7.5-hour battery life, but some customers have claimed that it lasts only 5 hours on a single charge.

Specifications

·         Internal storage: 4 GB

·         Hard disc size: 128 GB

·         CPU speed: 3.52 GHz

·         Display resolution: 1920x1080

·         Operating System: Windows 10 Homes S

Pros

·         Aesthetic design

·         Great response time

·         Various ports

·         Solid construction

Cons

·         Speakers are not the loudest

·         Meddling battery life

2- ASUS VivoBook 15 (F512DA-DB34)

The ASUS VivoBook 15 ranks among those gaming laptops that demand very few compromises in exchange for its price tag. Its innovative frameless four-sided 15.6-inch (NanoEdge) display has an ultra-thin 5 7mm bezel. It enables an 88 percent screen-to-body relation for stunning visuals.

The Asus Vivobook 15 ranks among the best gaming laptops under $500 thanks to AMD Ryzen 3 3200U CPU and AMD Radeon Vega 3 GPU. Its 8GB of DDR4 RAM and a 128GB SSD are ideal if you demand good storage and memory.

The keyboard is quite durable, thanks to its metal splint and chassis construction. It is simple to operate, with a 1.4 mm travel distance and three brightness settings.

Specifications

·         Internal storage: 8 GB

·         Hard disc size: 128 GB

·         CPU speed: 3.4 GHz

·         Display resolution: 1920x1080 pixels

·         Operating System: Windows 10 Homes

Pros

·         Solid construction

·         Facilitates demanding games like Fortnite and Borderlands on medium to low settings

·         Thin and lightweight

·         Fingerprint sensor on touchpad

Cons

·         Plastic body

·         Subpar color accuracy

·         Not the best viewing angles

3- Dell Inspiron 15.6-Inch

Dell has developed a cult following, making it a must-have for both budget and high-end computers. For those seeking a decent budget-friendly laptop, the Inspiron 15.6-inch is a good option.

It has the necessary hardware components that a gaming machine needs. With this Dell edition, you get 8GB RAM and a staggering 256GB hard disk storage. You can play even the most challenging games in medium or high settings. With the AMD Radeon Vega 8 graphics card, your favorite games will run at least 60 frames per second.

However, the camera is a little blurry, and the graphics are not convincing for anything that requires a realistic portrayal of the environment. But apart from these drawbacks, the gaming performance of the Dell Inspiron 15 is excellent, as is the build quality and boot and load times.

Specifications

·         Internal storage: 8 GB

·         Hard disc size: 256 GB

·         CPU speed: 3.5 GHz

·         Display resolution: 1920x1080 pixels

·         Operating System: Windows 10 Home

Pros

·         Great budget-friendly gaming laptop

·         Amazing external storage

·         Sleek design

·         Excellent response time

·         Variety of legacy ports

Cons

·         System overheats fast

·         Display quality is not the best

·         The charcoal color is unappealing

4- Lenovo IdeaPad 3 14 (82KT00AMUS)

Those who say that you can not buy an affordable gaming laptop should take a look at the Lenovo IdeaPad 82KT00AMUS. It features an 8GB internal storage that complements its premium Ryzen 5 5500U CPU and AMD Radeon 7 GPU.

Despite being a low-cost gaming laptop with a low-cost appearance, the plastic enclosure has a modest, welcoming appearance. Although the 14-inch IPS display with 1920 x 1080 pixel resolution is dull, many customers claim that it is bright enough to use outdoors.

The IdeaPad 3 is a good pick in terms of hardware. It offers superb graphics on even the oldest games. You can play Valorant, Genshin Impact, Minecraft, Fortnite, and other recent titles on the Lenovo IdeaPads low or medium settings. With these settings, you will get 40-60 frames per second (fps).

The lack of a USB Type-C port and a backlit keyboard, both of which are standard features in recent computers, are some drawbacks, though.

Specifications

·         Internal storage: 8 GB

·         Hard disc size: 0 GB

·         CPU speed: 2.1 GHz

·         Display resolution: 1920x1080 pixels

·         Operating System: Windows 10 Home

Pros

·         Lightweight

·         Accommodates classic games

·         Decent battery life

·         Great pixel quality

Cons

·         It does not include a backlit keyboard

·         Lacks USB Type-C

·         It does not offer the best brightness

5- HP 14-Inch (CF0014DX)

The HP 14" is a super-cheap laptop that you can use to master the art of PC gaming. Its 14-inch display screen widescreen offers a comfortable viewing experience. However, if the display size is important to you, you can try some of the other items on this list with a 15.6-inch display.

The fast 128 GB SSD and 8GB of DDR4 RAM are enticing characteristics that work well to make the laptop incredibly fast and pleasant to use. Instead of an AMD processor, this HP laptop has an Intel Core i3-7100U CPU and inbuilt Intel HD 620 visuals.

The Intel Pentium Gold processor will not allow you to play the latest high-end videogames. However, the HD 14" panel offers a better DPI (Dots Per Inch) than many other laptops on the market.

Specifications

·         Internal storage: 8 GB

·         Hard disc size: 128 GB

·         CPU speed: 8 GHz

·         Display resolution: 1366x768 pixels

·         Operating System: Windows 10

Pros

·         Fast start-up

·         It contains an SD card slot for added storage

·         Portable

·         Slim and lightweight

Cons

·         Includes only two USB ports

·         Low storage for gamers

6- ASUS VivoBook 15 (F512JA-AS34)

The Asus VivoBook 15 is not going to wow anyone with its efficiency or appearance, but it is a good deal for the money. It features an ultra-thin design with an 88 percent screen-to-body ratio and a NanoEdge panel.

This gaming laptop under $500 has an HD screen, but its not like you were expecting an FHD display in a laptop of this price bracket. It has 8GB of RAM, a 128GB solid-state drive, Intels Core i3-1005G1 CPU, and Intel UHD Graphics (SSD).

Even though it is not particularly light, you can easily fit it into your laptop bag to transport it. The majority of the body is made of plastic and has a distinct feel. The Asus VivoBook 15 F512JA-most AS34s noteworthy flaws are its restricted 128GB SSD and inadequate light and graphics display.

Specifications

·         Internal storage: 8 GB

·         Hard disc size: 128 GB

·         CPU speed: 3.4 GHz

·         Display resolution: 1920x1080 pixels

·         Operating System: Windows 10 Home in S Mode

Pros

·         Great speed

·         Includes an assortment of ports

·         Decent keyboard

·         Attractive design

Cons

·         It does not offer the best graphics display

·         Limited storage capacity

7- HP 14" (14fq1021nr)

HPs Pavilion laptops have remained a popular choice for budget-conscious shoppers who do not need or can not afford the luxury models. Like some other laptops of the HP 14 laptop family, the HP 14-fq1021nr offers a good mix of efficiency and design at a reasonable price.

This gaming laptop under $ 500s exterior does not turn heads. Its plastic body has a conventional silver paint with the companys logo in the center. But you can not have the same opinion about its interior! The HP 14-inch black, faux-aluminum deck looks great with the silver hinge.

With a weight of 3.1 pounds, the HP 14 Laptop is the lightest on the list. While the 14-inch display on the HP 14 Laptop is not particularly brilliant or vivid, its polished screen and leveled-out contrast allow for a better visual experience than your ordinary affordable laptop.

Specifications

·         Internal storage: 8 GB

·         Hard disc size: 256 GB

·         CPU speed: 4 GHz

·         Display resolution: 1920x1080 pixels

·         Operating System: Windows 10 Home

Pros

·         Sleek look

·         Lightweight and portable

·         8-hour battery life

·         Sturdy construction

·         It comes with one year of Microsoft 365

Cons

·         Dull display

8- Lenovo IdeaPad 3 14" (81W0003QUS)

If you do not like the idea of selling a kidney for a good-quality gaming laptop, the Lenovo 3 14-inch might be the perfect equipment for you! The IdeaPad 3s basic look, similar to most Lenovo series laptops, immediately draws attention.

It features a plastic body, but you can not really expect anything else considering the price. Lenovos IdeaPad 3 provides a well-rounded set of features that make it ideal for regular use. Theres 8GB of RAM, a 256GB SSD, an AMD Radeon Vega 8 GPU, and an AMD Ryzen 5 3500U processor.

Moreover, you can play some of the most challenging games on the Lenovo 3 in low to medium settings. You will receive 40-60 frames per second, which is enough to enjoy your game. That said, you should increase your budget if you are a passionate gamer because this laptop would not satisfy your rigorous needs.

This system boasts a sleek keyboard with a considerable travel distance, making it feel like you are typing on a laptop rather than a screen. However, the keyboard lacks backlighting.

Specifications

·         Internal storage: 8 GB

·         Hard disc size: 256 GB

·         CPU speed: 2400 MHz

·         Display resolution: 1920x1080 pixels

·         Operating System: Windows 10

Pros

·         Solid construction

·         Great for everyday use

·         Ergonomic keyboard

·         Great value for the money

Cons

·         Lacks keyboard backlighting

·         Not suitable for professional gamers

9- 2018 HP 7200U

Despite having some of the typical budget-laptop flaws, the 2018 HP 7200U is one of the best laptops under $500! Its Intel Core i5-7200U, 2.50 GHz CPU, performs admirably in terms of performance. Additionally, Turbo Boost technology allows you to increase the clock frequency from 2.50 GHz to 3.10 GHz.

This gaming laptop has an 8GB DDR4 SDRAM that is fast and powerful. It is ideal for playing more premium games at medium graphics settings. The HP 7200U comes with a variety of connectivity options. It has two USB 3.1 Gen 1 ports, one USB 2.0 port, one HDMI port, an RJ-45 port, and a headphone/microphone-in jack.

The only potential flaw of the 2018 HP 7200U is that it lacks a keyboard backlight.

Specifications

·         Internal storage: 8 GB

·         Hard disc size: 2 TB

·         CPU speed: 2133 MHz

·         Display resolution: 1366x768 pixels

·         Operating System: Windows 10

Pros

·         Large HD display

·         Reasonable battery life

·         Sturdy construction

·         Aesthetic design

·         It offers a range of connectivity options

Cons

·         The keyboard is not backlit

·         It does not include a graphics card

10- 2019 Newest HP 8250U

The 2019 Newest HP 8250U features an Intel Core i5-8250U quad-core CPU that is both fast and powerful. It enables you to play processor-intensive games more smoothly and quickly.

Moreover, it comes with an Intel UHD 620 integrated graphics processor to help you play games at a higher frame rate. It also has a 128GB SSD for all of your files. Similarly, the HP 8250 has a 15.6-inch full HD display with a 1366 x 768 resolution.

This budget gaming laptop has a USB 2.0 port, a USB 3.0 port, and a DVD drive. Furthermore, you get an SD card reader, a headphone jack, an HDMI port, and a LAN port for reliable networking. A one-year manufacturers guarantee is included, like other HP devices.

Specifications

·         Internal storage: 8 GB

·         Hard disc size: 128 GB

·         CPU speed: 1.6 GHz

·         Display resolution: 1366x768 pixels

·         Operating System: Windows 10 Home

Pros

·         Premium construction

·         Sleek design

·         Touch screen display

·         Good-quality speakers

Cons

·         Low SSD storage

How to Buy a Laptop Under $500 – The Ultimate Buying Guide!

This list features the 10 best laptops under $500, but you only want one, right? So, how to choose the best gaming laptop for yourself? Here are some things that you can consider when buying a laptop:

1- Processor

The processor is an essential consideration of a gaming laptop. Thus, you should verify the CPU of a gaming laptop under $500 before spending your money.

An Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 3 processor is ideal for intensive games. However, this does not limit the potential of competing in video games with an older chipset. Games will operate on older processors such as the Core i3, but they will be less fun to play on the Core i5.

2- RAM

Your devices internal storage determines your gaming experience. The more RAM your laptop has, the better your gaming experience will be. Larger internal storage prevents the game from lagging or crashing.

Most of the finest gaming laptops under $500 include built-in 8GB DDR4 RAM. However, most laptops with lesser RAM feature simple upgrade options that let you enhance your laptops performance.

3- Secondary Storage

Almost all modern PC games take a significant amount of storage space. As a result, you will need adequate storage space on your laptop to download and install all of your favorite games and store some of your personal information. Most of the best gaming laptops under $500 include an SSD (solid-state drive).

We prefer SSD storage because it is faster than a regular hard drive (HDD). Plus, you will get better battery life if you choose SSD storage instead of HDD because it uses less power.

4- Graphics Card

Playing games with higher graphics settings and encountering lag with lower graphics settings are two very different things. Most gaming laptops feature built-in graphics cards, offering exclusive access to the most recent high-resolution video games.

To achieve better performance and greater FPS, you will need a dedicated GPU. We suggest selecting a high-performance graphics card to elevate your gaming experience.

5- Display

Gaming laptops with crisper screens and brighter colors significantly improve the whole experience. It is also feasible to detect additional details in an image with more pixels. It will also aid you in role-playing games where colors are used to identify enemies.

6- Battery Life

You can not purchase a gaming laptop without assessing its battery life! Ideally, you need laptops with at least 7-8 hours of battery life. Some companies advertise a higher battery life, so you should always read customers reviews to get a better idea.

Final Words

Whether your primary consideration when buying a gaming laptop is the performance or the battery life, this list has something to satisfy your needs. This sums up our list of the 10 best laptops under $500 in 2022. All that is left for you is to use our buying guide to select the best gaming laptop for yourself and enjoy your game night!