Finding a reliable gaming laptop can be a challenge for avid gamers looking for their ideal model at a reasonable price, especially when you want to narrow down the best gaming laptop under $700. So, you might ask yourself this: which ones are available and what should I consider?
We compiled this guide of the best gaming laptops under $700 for any avid gamer to help you simplify your search and consider what relevant components are suitable for your gaming needs.
Based on our research and testing, the best overall pick is the MSI GE63 15.6″ Laptop for its high-resolution display and RAM, but we recommend browsing through the other options to find a laptop that best suits your specific needs.
Here is the list of the best gaming notebooks for under 700 dollars in 2022. Let’s dive in.
The Best Gaming Laptops Under $700 Reviewed
Table of Contents
MSI GE63 (Best Overall)
First, we’ll start with the best overall pick on our list of the best gaming laptops under $700, the MSI GE63. This affordable model has a vivid Full HD display and a powerful dedicated graphics card.
Its powerful 8th generation i5 processor is an ideal fit for handling casual gaming as well as everyday tasks such as browsing the Internet or watching movies. It has 8GB of RAM and 256GB of SSD storage data, perfect for video editing or graphic design. It also has a crisp HD webcam, an ideal tool for live streaming or video conferences.
The installed version of the operating system is Windows 10 home. It’s easy to set up, but unfortunately, it has some bloatware you might want to uninstall.
It has a dedicated NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Max-Q graphics card, the perfect tool for maximum performance for the price.
Summary: The MSI GE63 has a high-quality IPS screen and a fast startup time, but it has sub-par speakers, and the exterior is prone to fingerprints. This product is a bargain for under $700 and is an excellent choice if you’re tight on cash but want a good gaming laptop.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Fast | Sub-par speakers |
| Excellent full HD IPS-level display | Exterior prone to fingerprints |
| Best gaming performance for the price | Bloatware |
MSI GF63035 (Best Gaming Look)
If you’re considering buying a cost-effective gaming laptop, another option to consider is the MSI GF63035.
This laptop from MSI has a sleek design and weighs just above 4 pounds. It comes with a webcam and microphone, but it lacks a CD/DVD drive and has no SD card reader.
The highlight of this product design is the illuminated red keyboard. Instead of a numeric keypad, you’ll find special keys on the right side of the laptop that you can use for volume control. Unfortunately, it’s not possible to change the color of the keyboard’s backlight. However, it does look great, and once you’ve gotten used to the rather short key travel, it’s a pleasure to type and game on.
As with many budget gaming notebooks, the screen is rather dim. Fortunately, it has good contrast, and the viewing angles are great.
Just like the MSI above, it’s powered by an Intel Core i5 processor and has the powerful Nvidia GTX 1650 graphics card. This means it will smoothly handle running the latest games on medium-high graphics settings.
Summary: The GF63035 is a very cost-effective option to consider when you’re on the lookout for the best gaming laptop under 700 USD. It has great specs for the price, and the sleek design is perfect when you’re on the move.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Fast solid state drive | Dim screen |
| Sleek design | No optical drive |
| Great specs for the price | Hard to upgrade |
Asus Zenbook 14 (The Contender)
A good contender as the best gaming laptop under $700 is the ASUS ZenBook 14. This model weighs less than five pounds, making it an excellent option if you want to take your gaming system with you during a lengthy trip. It’s also slightly smaller than most average 1920 x 1080 screens, measuring 14 inches long.
The laptop’s AMD Ryzen 5 4500U processor is excellent for playing lighter games for casual gamers or higher performance games at lower settings. Unfortunately, one of its drawbacks is that its NVIDIA GeForce MX350 graphics card doesn’t have the power to support high-end games at its highest resolution settings.
This model has 8GB of RAM and 256GB of space, giving it enough storage capabilities if you want to install lighter games or computer programs onto your system. In addition, like our top pick, it has a fast startup time and won’t experience lag if you adjust your settings accordingly.
Its stereo speakers are an excellent addition if you want to fully immerse yourself in your game’s sound design. Its built-in HD webcam is also an excellent accessory for chatting with your friends or family online or recording your gaming sessions.
Summary: The ASUS ZenBook 14 makes an excellent gaming laptop because of its battery life and lightweight properties, but has a GPU that lacks the power to support the latest games on high-ultra settings.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 5.5-hour battery life | Graphics card isn’t suitable for high-end, high-resolution games |
| Lightweight | |
| Full HD LED display screen |
Lenovo IdeaPad L340 (Best Value)
If you’re looking for a gaming laptop with a fast startup and upgradable RAM, the Lenovo IdeaPad L340 is your best option. Unfortunately, although it has the same amount of RAM and hard disk size as our previous entries on our list, this model has a loud fan that might be distracting when using the device for gaming or work.
Its Intel Core i5 processor and NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 graphics card work together to help you experience seamless gameplay for three hours at most when unplugged. Although this might feel limited for some users, it shouldn’t be something to worry about if you’re mostly close to a power outlet.
Although this model is slightly heavier than some gaming laptops, its compact and thin design makes it easier to store and transport if you need to commute. If you need to save extra space in your bag or on your desk, consider this option when rearranging your room.
It has 256GB of storage space and 8GB of RAM. However, you can upgrade this amount, depending on your preferences. Its high-resolution full HD display measures 15.6 inches, has a bright color output, and the matte finish reduces light glares.
Summary: If you’re looking for a thinner laptop, consider the Lenovo IdeaPad L340. However, it might be too loud for some users.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Fast startup | Loud fan |
| Excellent screen resolution and colors | Shorter battery life |
| Compact and thin design |
HP Pavilion Gaming 15-DK (Best Modern Design)
Do you prefer gaming in style? If so, consider adding the HP Pavilion Gaming 15-DK to your list. Design-wise, the silver exterior meshes well with the keyboard’s green highlights. We think it’s a great-looking laptop that can blend in with any gaming room’s aesthetic.
Since it has a 256GB SSD and 8GB RAM, its NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 makes it suitable for light gaming with titles such as Grand Theft Auto V or BioShock Infinite. Furthermore, its Intel Core processor and screen with fast response time help it combat potential lag.
The HP Pavilion is an excellent option if you’re looking for a gaming laptop under $700 built for long hours of enjoying the latest games. It has a ten-hour battery life, qualifying it as a must-have if you love streaming longer game sessions online. It can also charge up to 50% within 45 minutes when plugged in and powered off.
Another feature that encourages long gaming sessions is its enhanced cooling systems located in its rear corner vents. By using airflow the cooling system increases the machine’s performance and stability to prevent overheating, significantly increasing the lifespan of this machine.
It also has several USB ports for additional gaming accessories, such as headsets and charging stations for your game controllers.
Summary: Although you’ll need to keep its graphic settings low or medium, the HP Pavilion Gaming 15-DK’s modern design and long battery life make it one of the top gaming notebooks under $700.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Stylish colors | Resolution quality varies |
| Several USB ports | |
| Ten-hour battery life |
ASUS VivoBook 15 (Best 512GB SSD Storage)
The ASUS VivoBook 15 is an ideal option if you prefer using a gaming laptop with more storage data for your games and applications. Unlike the previous models on this list, its hard disk drive has 512GB of space, offering twice the amount for your games, music, movies, or other files, making it one of the most budget-friendly options for your data.
This gaming laptop has one of the most ergonomic designs we’ve ever seen in any affordable gaming laptop. Its ErgoLift hinge positions the screen at any angle while tilting the keyboard up two degrees for a more comfortable typing angle. It’s a great feature to help prevent hand and wrist pain if you spend hours working or playing online.
The touchpad’s top right-hand corner has a reliable fingerprint scanner incorporated into it to help you log in to your laptop much quicker. This feature is a wonderful time-saving addition that lets you waste less time deciding on a password that others might attempt to steal, enhancing the device’s overall security. It also has Windows Hello if you prefer devices with facial recognition.
Although its AMD Radeon Vega 10 graphic card isn’t suitable for high-end games, its SSD offers shorter loading times for low or medium-setting games.
Summary: The ASUS VivoBook 15 is a fast and ergonomic gaming laptop with enhanced security, but not all of its 8GB RAM is usable.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 512GB SSD capacity | Only 6GB of its 8GB RAM is usable |
| Ergonomic chiclet keyboard design | Average battery life |
| Built-in fingerprint sensor for enhanced login security |
HP 15-ef0022nr (Best Energy-Saving Option)
The HP 15-ef0022nr laptop is an excellent option if you’re having trouble finding a gaming laptop that uses less energy when powered on.
This ENERGY STAR-certified model has enhanced HP Fast Charge technology that helps the machine preserve battery life. As a result, this lets you continuously play your favorite games without wasting several hours charging it like a few of the other laptops on this list.
As one of the best gaming notebooks under $700, this model has a large touchpad with gesture capabilities to help you click, zoom, and scroll through your favorite online browsers. Its keyboard also has a convenient ten-key numeric keypad on the side but the keys don’t have backlit properties.
Its 8GB RAM is great for handling lighter games at low or medium resolution, but it doesn’t permit upgradable memory. Thankfully, its AMD Ryzen 7 processor lets you start up your device faster than other budget gaming machines.
This laptop has a ten-hour battery life, making it a staple gaming PC for anyone who prefers playing their games uninterrupted before recharging it. It’s also one of the lightest gaming laptops you can find, weighing around 3.75 pounds, making it less of a hassle to carry around when rearranging your room or taking it with you on the go.
Summary: If you’re looking for a light gaming device that helps you reduce your energy bills, the HP 15-ef0022nr is a great budget gaming laptop to consider.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Responsive keyboard | Blurry screen |
| Fast-booting SSD | Poor microphone quality |
| Uses less energy |
Acer Spin 3 (Best Convertible Design)
The Acer Spin 3 is the closest you’ll get to an affordable two-in-one laptop and tablet for gaming. Its 360-degree hinge converts it into a more convenient easel for drawing and rotates easily to show your work to others or revert it back into its static mode for gaming or web browsing. It also comes with a rechargeable stylus.
It’s not ideal for running demanding games, so it might be more suitable for casual activities. However, it does have a good AMD Ryzen CPU, making it one of the faster models in our rundown.
Its keyboard is responsive and quiet but is a bit large for the device’s compact size. Additionally, it doesn’t have a number keypad.
The Acer Spin 3’s fingerprint scanner in its large touchpad is an excellent feature you can use to access your device without remembering a passcode. It’s a different color from the touchpad, so you can’t miss it.
Although its 14-inch display doesn’t take as much space as other 15-inch models, its brightness remains intact. However, it’s prone to smudging, so you’ll have to use the stylus when using the touchscreen.
Summary: The Acer Spin 3 is a good gaming laptop that can save you extra by acting as a tablet. Its CPU speed is fast and its keyboard is responsive yet quiet.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Fast CPU speed | Prone to smudging |
| Responsive keyboard | Poor webcam |
| Embedded fingerprint reader |
Asus X512DA-BTS2020RL (Best Keyboard Quality)
If you’re looking for a quality gaming laptop, the Asus X512DA-BTS2020RL might be the best gaming laptop for you. It has a 512GB SSD and an AMD Ryzen 5 processor with a slower 2.1GHz CPU speed, making it suited for running older games or newer ones at lower settings. However, the key reason why this Asus laptop is not our top pick is that its AMD Radeon RX Vega 8 GPU has trouble running the latest games on high graphics settings.
This gaming laptop has one of the most durable keyboards you can find on any lightweight model. In addition, it comes equipped with a fingerprint scanner for a more immersive login session and has a nice hinge angle for supporting your wrists while typing. Its key travel is very short, allowing you to type with minimal effort without waiting.
This model draws less power from its battery and charges over half its battery life within an hour of turning it off. This feature might be useful for you if you spend most of your weekend playing light or medium games, or writing for school or work.
Its full HD monitor is slim yet durable. It has a subtle, narrow bezel design and LED screen that reduces eye strain, a feature essential if you enjoy streaming your favorite shows or spend a few hours playing your favorite video games. The screen takes up most of the area, letting you witness your game’s full-scale visuals in the best quality.
Summary: Although the Asus X512DA-BTS2020RL isn’t suitable for high-end first-person shooter games, it’s easy to start up and has a durable keyboard ideal for remote work or casual light gaming.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Fast booting times | Battery life varies depending on the programs you run |
| Dual-band Wi-Fi 5 | GPU is unsuitable for online FPS campaigns |
| Durable backlit keyboard |
Asus Vivobook 14 (Best Display Quality: Asus Vivobook 14)
The Asus Vivobook 14 shares several specifications of the previous laptops we covered: a full HD display, a lightweight build, and an AMD RX Vega GPU.
This laptop’s HD display has a NanoEdge bezel that meshes well with its frame. This feature also has an anti-glare coating to reduce reflections, making the visuals stand out and preventing eye strain from its brightness. The exterior’s matte and plastic shell is durable and has a solid slate gray-colored surface that stands out on any table or desk.
Another thing that makes the Asus Vivobook one of the best budget gaming laptops under $700 is the AMD Radeon RX Vega 10 GPU. It’s not as powerful as the Nvidia GTX 1650 found in some of the laptops above but it’s plenty enough for light gaming and it has less power consumption than a laptop with a dedicated GPU.
Since this gaming laptop lacks an optical drive, you can’t play older physical copies of your favorite games. However, its SSD space offers plenty of room for the digital games you purchase and download.
This model comes equipped with Windows 10, giving you easy access to all your applications and files. This feature might resonate with you if you prefer keeping your desktop organized to match your preferences.
The keyboard has a simple design, but its chiclet design requires less force for typing. However, it doesn’t have a number keypad. Its CPU speed is passable but might feel a bit slower than other laptops with the same amount of SSD space and RAM.
Summary: The Asus Vivobook 14 is an excellent laptop with excellent anti-glare properties for its full HD display screen and storage space. However, it lacks Ethernet ports and optical drives for physical game discs.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 512GB SSD | It doesn’t have ethernet ports or a touchscreen |
| Powerful AMD Ryzen 7 CPU | No numeric keypad |
| Anti-glare HD display | No optical drive |
Acer Swift 3 (Best Battery Life: Acer Swift 3)
Although the Acer Swift 3 is on the pricier side of the spectrum for a $700 budget, we consider it one of the best gaming laptops for anyone who likes using their device on the go or unplugged around the house.
Its maximum battery life is about 11.5 hours, depending on your settings. Its AMD Ryzen 7 4700U processor is one of the fastest and most responsive cores on our list. It’s suitable for gaming and can handle most computer applications, making it an excellent feature that increases your productivity.
As far as gaming goes, it can handle light and medium game settings. Although the Acer Swift 3 is on the pricier side of the spectrum for a $700 budget, we consider it one of the best gaming laptops for anyone who likes using their device on the go or unplugged around the house.
As far as gaming goes, it can handle light and medium game settings. Thus, its 8GB RAM is standard for most laptop activities. However, it’s not upgradeable if you need more for heavier games or professional software for art or video editing.
Its large keyboard is comfortable and sturdy. Additionally, it has a dynamic HD webcam and built-in speech recognition technology to optimize your daily tasks.
Summary: If you’re looking for a lightweight gaming laptop with the highest battery life and SSD space, the Acer Swift 3 is your best pick. Just be aware that it can overheat quickly and you can’t upgrade the RAM space.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Long 11.5-hour battery life | Gets hot quickly |
| Thin and lightweight | Its RAM isn’t upgradeable |
| Ultra-responsive CPU |
Acer Aspire 5 Slim (Best Budget Option)
The Acer Aspire 5 Slim is another option we recommend you consider if you have a tight budget. It uses Windows 10 Home as its core operating system and has a high-speed AMD Ryzen 7 3700U Mobile Processor for an enhanced multi-tasking experience.
It has an aluminum top cover with a sleek appearance and durable surface. It falls under the mid-range weight for gaming laptops: not too heavy, but light enough to carry without struggling. It also has two USB 2.0 ports and one USB 3.0 port for connecting other devices to your laptop for a more immersive experience.
It has 8GB of RAM, a 512GB SSD, and a high processor speed of 4GHz. These features might resonate with you if you enjoy light gaming or need extra space for your photos, videos, and additional applications.
It has a sleek and glare-free LED screen with a maximum display resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels, giving top-quality visuals when playing older games or streaming your favorite shows.
Although it has a large touchpad, it may feel loose when scrolling or clicking through something. Some users also heard a slight cracking when using it.
The Acer Aspire 5 Slim also has a loud fan, which can become distracting when working or playing your favorite PC games.
Summary: The Acer Aspire 5 Slim is a durable and budget-friendly gaming laptop with plenty of RAM and SSD space and strong Internet connectivity. Unfortunately, it’s loud and has touchpad issues.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Several USB ports | Faulty touchpad |
| Sharp screen and sound quality | Loud fan |
| Durable | Crashes when in web browsers |
Lenovo IdeaPad 3 (Quietest Option)
We chose the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 as one of our best gaming laptops under $700 because of its cooling capabilities and quiet fan noise. You can also select one of three fan speed modes to match your performance preferences. That way, you can have a consistent airflow wherever you take this lightweight device.
Its 8GB RAM and 256 SSD make it ideal for light gaming, browsing, and writing. However, unlike many of our previous options, this model lets you upgrade your RAM memory. Adding more RAM will help the load times when you play games and it can better handle multitasking.
Its built-in webcam has full-time privacy control. In addition, you can reduce eye strain if you’re sensitive to low blue lights with its Eye Care feature or block out background noise with its Noise Cancelling feature.
The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 turns on and shuts down quickly, so you don’t have to wait several minutes for it to load, giving you extra time to focus on your daily tasks.
Unfortunately, despite its HD resolution, the laptop’s display is dull, which can become distracting when it affects this budget laptop’s gameplay.
Summary: The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 is one of the best gaming laptops because of its quiet fan noise and fast boot-up speed. Unfortunately, it has poor speakers, so you’ll have to plug in a headset or earbuds to get good sound quality.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Quiet and adjustable fan speeds | Exterior is prone to fingerprints |
| Turns on and shuts down fast | Dull screen |
| Upgradeable memory |
Dell Inspiron 15 3505 (Best Option with the Most RAM)
Last but not least is the Dell Inspiron 15 3505. This gaming laptop stands out from the rest on our list because of its 12GB RAM, one of the highest options available. This feature is the best solution for improving your gaming experience with faster loading times. It also has a 512GB SSD, that’s 256GB more storage space than many of its competitors.
Although this model is more suitable for lighter gaming at lower resolutions, its large RAM capacity and integrated Radeon Vega 8 graphics card will run games at low-medium settings.
One drawback of this model is its sensitive touchpad. The left and right-click areas are challenging to navigate, so you might need to invest in a USB mouse.
The Dell Inspiron’s 512GB SSD is also relatively quiet, making it less distracting if you want to use it late at night when others might be sleeping. It also has an impressive battery life, adding up to almost 11 hours when unplugged.
Summary: The Dell Inspiron 15 3505 has enough RAM for low and medium gaming, but has a sensitive touchpad that may be hard to use.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 12GB of RAM | Sensitive and hard-to-use touchpad |
| Uses less power to run | Prone to smudging |
| Faster loading times | GPU lags behind the competition |
What to Look For in the Best Gaming Laptop Under $700
To help you find the right laptop for your needs, we’ll look at the key factors that will play a role in the laptop’s overall gaming performance. Here are a few starting points to help you begin with your decision process:
The Right Amount of RAM
The best gaming laptop under $700 should have at least 8GB of RAM to function efficiently. If you run a game that requires more RAM than your laptop has, you will have frame drops, lag, and an inconvenient gaming experience.
8GB is also a good amount of RAM for completing daily tasks on your computer, such as word editing and browsing the Internet. However, you shouldn’t run too many programs simultaneously on an 8GB gaming laptop because they might slow it down. If you prefer multi-tasking while gaming, consider finding a model with 16GB of RAM or more.
SSD Storage Space
Another key factor that comes to play when choosing the best gaming laptop under $700 is if it has a Solid State Drive (SSD). Unlike a standard HDD hard drive, SSDs use less power to run the machine, giving it a longer battery life and significantly increased performance speed.
Most gaming laptops under $700 have at least 256GB of space, but if you want to install lots of games on your system, you might need to find one with at least 512GB of space.
Refresh Rate
As you search for your ideal gaming laptop, another factor you should consider is the laptop screen’s refresh rate. Typically, a higher refresh rate results in faster image loading and updating time. In addition, a reasonable frame rate is essential for playing competitive games such as Dota 2 and CS:GO.
Other components your gaming laptop will need to display high refresh rates are a fast CPU and GPU. An average gaming laptop has a 60Hz refresh rate, making it capable of supporting most games. However, others have a 120hz or 144hz screen, offering a smoother gaming experience and can give you better reaction times in competitive online games.
Display
One of the things that makes the best gaming laptop under $700 stand out from others is the overall display quality. A good full HD screen is ideal for anyone seeking an immersive gaming experience without reducing the game’s graphics.
Although most full HD display monitors measure at least 15.6 inches long, several models within this price range have smaller screens capable of a crisp 1920 x 1080 screen resolution. You can also sometimes find a gaming laptop with a 144hz refresh rate, something you usually only start to find here in the 800-dollar price range.
GPU
A critical aspect you should consider while narrowing down your options for the best gaming laptops under $700 is its graphics processing unit or GPU. This part of your computer determines how smooth or rough your game will run.
Games with higher frame rates require computers with more powerful GPUs, so finding one with a quality dedicated graphics card is the best solution.
When we selected our top picks for our list, we considered the laptops GPUs’ quality compared to lower-quality integrated graphics cards found in less expensive gaming laptops. With the right GPU, you will experience less lag when you’re playing the latest games.
Battery Life
Most gaming notebooks over $700 incorporate typically have a longer battery life than their more expensive counterparts. The models on our list usually last around five hours before you have to plug it into an outlet to recharge. The pricer models can run often only run around two hours left unplugged.
CPU
For your gaming laptop to run your game smoothly, its CPU, central processing unit, and GPU must work in tandem. Several of our top contenders for the best gaming notebooks under $700 have Intel Core or AMD Ryzen processors for operating the device, both solid options that can handle gaming and everyday tasks with ease.
Are Budget Gaming Laptop Models Worth It?
Finding a gaming laptop within your budget is often one of the most worthwhile investments you can make in 2022, regardless of if you’re a casual or dedicated gamer. Plenty of gaming laptops under $700 can handle the games you love without worrying about your playthrough feeling too slow or sacrificing the game’s graphics.
If you want to save a little extra on a high-quality gaming device, there’s still plenty of time to reward yourself with something entertaining after working so hard throughout 2021. After determining what features you want the most to enhance your gaming experience, you can begin comparing your favorite gaming laptop options and find the best one that resonates with you.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much RAM does my gaming laptop need?
Most gaming laptops under $700 typically have between 8 to 16GB of RAM.
How do I prevent my gaming laptop from overheating?
Ideally, you should keep it on a flat hard surface, covered by a cooling pad, keep its fan clean, lower your graphics settings, or limit the number of programs you run while playing.
What are Some Other Good Budget Laptop Options?
If you’re looking for an affordable laptop for gaming, the laptops on this list are all great options. However, if you want to go down a bit in price, make sure also to check out our recommendations of the best gaming laptop under $600 and our favorite products for under $500.
Can my gaming laptop be used for everyday tasks?
Yes, you can use a gaming laptop for traditional computer activities. Have at our in-depth article on this topic for more information on why a gaming laptop can be used for everyday use.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are plenty of options to choose from when selecting the best gaming laptop under $700. Although all 14 of our options have their share of unique features and benefits, the best overall pick in our rundown is the Evoo Gaming 15.6″ Laptop.
Despite its short two-hour battery life, its 8GB RAM and 256GB SSD meet the average gaming laptop standards found in most devices. Keeping it plugged into any of your home’s outlets and shutting it down after using it can help preserve this laptop’s lifespan exponentially. Its Intel Core processor can handle light gaming, like our other picks, and is a staple in stable connectivity.
We hope this guide helped you find the best gaming laptop under $700. It’s never too late to find the best gaming laptop suitable for your gaming preferences and budget range!