Best gaming laptop under $700 in 2024 – our top picks
If you’re on the hunt for the best gaming laptop under $700, we’ve got you covered right here.
Gaming laptops that come in at under $700 are great for those looking to play some of the most popular games on the go, without breaking the bank. Typically at this price range, you won’t find the very latest components, like RTX 40 series GPUs or Intel 13 processors, but you will find some excellent Nvidia RTX 20 and 30 series graphics cards paired with CPUs such as the Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5. On top of that, you’ll also find mostly 1080p or FHD displays with up to 144hz refresh rates. For 1440p gaming, we’d say you’ll want to up your budget a little.
But what does this all mean for gaming? Well, it means that you can play games like Warzone, Fortnite, and much more with ease, but you may want to increase your budget if you’re looking to game at higher settings.
For this price, you can actually get a lot of bang for your buck in our opinion, but finding the right laptop can be a challenge as the devil is very much in the details.
We’ve selected a number of laptops that we think tick all the right boxes, so you can kick-start your search in the best way possible, plus, we’ve also included our expert advice on key considerations you’ll want to factor in before making your decision.
Products at a Glance
How we picked
We used our expertise to search for gaming laptops that were available for less than $700. We selected laptops that offered great value for money in terms of specs, features, and other notable aspects. We are always on the lookout for the best laptops within this price range and update our list whenever we find one worth getting. Therefore, make sure to check back after some time to go through more options.
Product Reviews
- 144 Hz high-refresh rate display
- Powerful GPU
- Decent processor for multitasking
- Design may not be for everyone
- Battery life could be better
The MSI Pulse GL66 15 is our overall pick for the best gaming laptop under $700. It is easily one of the best RTX 3050 gaming laptops available in the market. After all, it features an Intel Core i5-11400H processor and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 graphics card, a combination that can run modern games with decent frame rates.
You only get 8GB of DDR4 RAM, which is standard for laptops in this price range. Plus, it has a 512GB SSD for storing several games and other personal files. This combination delivers fast performance for gaming or office work.
On top of that, you can enjoy a blazing-fast 144Hz refresh rate at 1080p on its 15.6-inch FHD display. And an IPS panel that delivers impressive color and clarity for gaming or watching movies.
The most notable aspect is the red backlit keyboard, which lets you enjoy comfortable and accurate typing, even in dim lighting. Further, you have a built-in webcam for video calls with other gamers, friends, or families.
- Smooth 144Hz display
- Good 1080p performance
- Built-in 720 HD webcam despite its low price
- Comes packed with an old GPU
- Battery life is not great
If you want a 1080p gaming experience without spending much, go for the MSI Thin GF63. It has much in common with some of the best gaming laptops, as it can deliver decent performance.
The laptop boasts an Intel Core i5-12450H processor and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2050 graphics card for unprecedented performance. Plus, the GPU has 4GB of GDDR6 VRAM, which should be sufficient for playing games at 1080p.
To aid performance, you get an 8GB of DDR4 RAM and a 512GB SSD. It is a perfect combination that delivers high-speed data transfers, quicker application loading, and boot-up times.
When it comes to display, you have a 15.6-inch FHD display with an astonishing 144Hz refresh rate for smooth visuals. Moreover, the IPS panel provides vibrant, accurate colors and reduces motion blur during gameplay.
Despite its low price, you get a red backlit keyboard and a 720p HD webcam for all your video conference calls or gaming chats.
- Excellent 1080p gaming and productivity performance
- Great battery life
- 120 Hz high-refresh rate display
- Storage can be low for some users
- Display is not that bright
The Lenovo IdeaPad gaming 3 is, without a doubt, a solid option for anyone looking for an affordable laptop that can handle modern games without a hitch.
The laptop packs an Intel Core i5-11300H processor alongside an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050 graphics card, which should deliver optimal gaming performance. Plus, the GPU has 4GB of dedicated VRAM and an integrated Intel Iris Xe.
The only drawback is the 256GB SSD, which accommodates a few games but delivers faster boot-up and application loading times. Additionally, you get a standard 8GB RAM for efficient multitasking capabilities.
As far as display is concerned, you get a 15.6-inch FHD display with a 120Hz refresh rate for smooth visuals at 1080p settings. Further, you have an IPS panel with anti-glare and DC dimmer, which keeps your eyes strain-free after prolonged gaming sessions.
It’s worth mentioning the laptop features a white backlit keyboard, which is helpful for gaming or working in low-light settings. Furthermore, it also has a 720p HD webcam with a privacy shutter for secure video chats.
In case you want more power from the same brand, we recommend checking out the best Lenovo gaming laptops.
- 144Hz display for a smoother gameplay experience
- 16 GB RAM for better gaming and productivity
- Multiple ports
- Design may be simple for some users
- GPU is not future proof
The HP Victus is one of the best HP gaming laptops as it offers the best value for money. It sports an AMD Ryzen 5 7535HS processor and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2050 for playing or video editing without taxing your gaming laptop.
After all, the Ryzen 5 series delivers a max boost of 4.5GHz while the GPU has 4GB GDDR6 of VRAM, which provides enough processing power to play the latest AAA titles on the lowest settings and enjoy smooth gameplay.
On top of that, you get 16GB of DDR5 RAM and 512GB SSD, which should ensure you enjoy fast storage and memory access. The good news is that you can upgrade the base model with more RAM or storage at an extra cost.
On the outside, you have a 15.6-inch FHD display with an ultra-fast 144Hz for the ultimate 1080p gaming experience. The IPS panel produces rich colors, and the backlit keyboard lets you game or work, even in dim lighting.
Things to consider when looking for a gaming laptop under $700
There are a few things to consider while searching for a gaming laptop under $700, that you’ll want to factor in before you make your final decision.
GPU and CPU
Even though your budget is limited to $700, you should still look for a laptop that features an RTX 2000 or RTX 3000 series GPU. Finding the latter will be better, but some of the RTX 2000 series GPUs are also excellent for 1080p gaming. As for the processor, aim for at least Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5.
If you want something better, we’d advise increasing your budget a little. We’ve selected some of our picks for the best gaming laptops under $800 so you can kick off your search in the best way possible. And, of course, if you’re deciding to go all in, it may be worth considering some of the best gaming laptops under $1500 too.
Storage
Storage is important, and less storage capacity means you’ll be able to download only a few games on your laptop. Therefore, make sure to aim for at least a 512GB SSD. If you decide to get a laptop with 256GB SSD, you will find the need to upgrade it in the future.
RAM
Most latest games require you to have at least 16GB of RAM. While 8GB of RAM can also help you run them, 16GB will make the gameplay more smooth. Therefore, even if you’re getting a laptop with 8GB of RAM preinstalled in it, it will be wise to throw in some extra bucks and upgrade it to 16GB.
Screen size
Make sure the laptop you’re choosing features at least a 15-inch display. Anything lower than this will feel too small, especially during gaming. Furthermore, make sure it has a high refresh rate, and you can easily find a 144 Hz display for under $700.
Battery
While gaming laptops are power-hungry and don’t feature a long battery life like regular laptops, you should still get something that can run for around three to four hours without the need to plug the charger in.
Weight
If you’ll be carrying around your laptop a lot, you need to consider the weight of the one you’re getting. Furthermore, some laptops also come with a heavy power brick, which can take the total weight up to 2 KG. Therefore, aim for something that is not bulky and features a sleek design. We know finding something like this under $700 can be challenging, but you can at least try to get something close to it.
Our Verdict
We think that the MSI Pulse GL66 is the best gaming laptop under $700 at the moment. The laptop features a decent GPU and CPU paired with a stunning 144 Hz 1080p display. Overall, it is an excellent gaming laptop that can run modern games at low settings, and steam through everyday tasks and most work usages too.