Best Gaming Laptop under 400 in 2023 – Top Picks
If you’re a gamer seeking a gaming laptop, look no further. You’ve come to the correct location. We’ll go over the top 8 best gaming laptop under 400 in this article.
Gaming laptops in the $400 range are unlikely to have high-quality features, but they have some advantages, such as higher resolution and larger RAM.20
In general, gamers cannot live without gaming, and if you share this sentiment, this post is for you. Many of us are looking for gaming tranquillity and a method to de-stress and unwind.
Assume you’re already stressed and you’re struggling every minute. It appears to be a nightmare. A tight budget will never stop you from having a good time and enjoying games for free.
That is why we have investigated a variety of gaming laptops and found the top 8 Best Gaming Laptops under 400 for you to choose from. Without wasting any more time, let’s get to work on the reviews. For your convenience, you can find all of the extensive reviews of Cheap gaming laptops under 400 on the market, as well as the specifications for each laptop mentioned separately following the related review.
Quick List – Best Gaming Laptop Under 400
Now, on to the main topic: we’ve compiled a list of the top 8 best gaming laptops under $400 for your consideration. Let’s have a look at it.
Award | Design | LAPTOPS | Retailer |
---|---|---|---|
Best Gaming Laptop Under 400 | Staff Pick | Check Price | |
Thinnest Gaming Laptop under 400 | Best Pick | Check Price | |
Best AMD Gaming Laptop Unde 400 | Check Price | ||
Stylish Gaming Laptop Under $400 | Check Price | ||
Best Build Ultra-thin Gaming Laptop | Check Price | ||
Best Gaming Laptop for Players | Check Price | ||
Best Chromebook under 400 | Check Price | ||
Best HP Premium Gaming Laptop | Budget Pick | Check Price |
How we test the Best gaming laptops under $400
Reviewing laptops is a significant task because, unlike many other products, they are proficient in many different topics and have many components. They also cost hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars, so ensuring that a system is thoroughly covered is crucial to our testing process.
However, with gaming laptops, the system’s overall graphics performance in recent AAA games is the essential parameter, which is why we always run a gaming laptop via 3DMark, the best PC graphics benchmarking tool. 3DMark not only has a long history as a benchmark tool, trusted by both gamers and businesses, but it also provides a suite of tests to run.
We run all of these graphical benchmarks as feasible before attempting to analyze a game with its developed benchmarking tool if one is available. Then, after actually playing video games on the gaming laptop, we report back on how smooth the framerates were and how high the resolution and in-game graphical settings could be pushed.
Aside from gaming performance, we also examine a gaming laptop’s battery capacity and its screen’s performance in non-gaming chores. This covers watching movies, photo editing in Photoshop, and web surfing.
We examine the construction quality of the gaming laptop as well. Additional factors, including fan noise, keyboard style, and RGB lighting system, are also considered.
Finally, we evaluate the system concerning its counterparts and in terms of value for money. It is then given a star rating, with 5 stars being the most possible for any system, and is considered for inclusion in our best gaming laptops buying guide.
Best Gaming Laptop Under 400 USD – Top 8 Picks 2023
It can be difficult to get an excellent laptop for $400 or less. It’s difficult to find a nice gaming device on such a tight budget. Fortunately, I’ve already done half the work for you by compiling a list of the best gaming laptops under $400. All you have to do now is pick the one that best meets your needs.
Here are eight good-budget laptops that can also be used for business. Each gaming laptop on this list under $400 offers some impressive capabilities and features to meet the needs of a budget-conscious gamer. Continue reading to learn about the key benefits of these selections and how to get the finest laptop for you.
Acer Aspire 5 Slim Laptop
Best Gaming Laptop Under 400
Without a question, the Acer Aspire 5 is the best gaming laptop available on the market at an extraordinarily low price. All low-budget players should hold the brand in great regard because it has made gaming more accessible to them. Having said that, I purchased this laptop a year ago when I was already on a tight budget. Investing in it has proven to be one of the best moves I’ve ever made. Until now, the laptop has been performing at a level that I had not anticipated.
Simple, smooth, and elegant are the first expressions. This laptop is not at all heavy or bulky. It’s an excellent portable gaming console for players with a budget of less than $400. To summarise, the Acer Aspire 5 should be the clear winner when it comes to the best budget gaming laptops.
Now, to get down to business, the Acer gaming laptop is powered by an AMD Ryzen 3 processor, which is capable of running demanding programs. It can also load games more quickly than other laptops.
In addition, the modification of random access memory was one of the features that I enjoyed the most about this laptop. As a result, the presence of 4GB DDR4 RAM is more than sufficient to aid you in multitasking. You may effortlessly play games, listen to music in the background, or engage in any other activity.
This isn’t the end of the conversation. The Acer Aspire 5 also has improved AMD Radeon 3 graphics for a more fluid gaming experience. On medium to high settings, games like PUBGM Emulator, GTA IV, and Need for Speed – The RUN is easily playable.
Last but not least, the laptop’s overall durability has not been compromised. I’ve had it for a year and it’s been excellent for me thus far. One of the main reasons I hold my laptop in such high regard is because of this.
The Acer Aspire 5 is, without a doubt, the most outstanding gaming laptop on the market. However, I’d advise low-budget gamers to purchase this powerful processing machine as soon as possible because it may run out of stock shortly.
Pros
- 1 High screen quality when playing games
- 4 Battery life up to 7.5 hours
- AMD graphics card with 3.5GHz speed
- SSD transfer data up to 400mb/s
- Super light (4 pounds)
- USB 3.1 port for high-speed transmission
Cons
- The hard drive size is only 128GB
- Ram only 4GB
ASUS VivoBook 15 Thin and Light Laptop
Thinnest Gaming Laptop under 400
Asus is one of the most well-known names in the laptop industry. Not just in the luxury range, but also in the inexpensive and budget ranges, the brand has built a strong reputation. The ASUS VivoBook 15 laptop costs around $400 and has a fantastic set of specifications and performance that puts it ahead of the competition.
A 15.6-inch FHD IPS display is included with the model. The display isn’t exceptionally bright, and it appears to be a little dark, but it manages to deliver adequate performance for gamers’ needs. The display’s bezels are thin, allowing for a larger viewing area while taking up less space.
Yes, the keyboard on this model is illuminated. Its illuminated soft ergonomic keys provide a better atmosphere for gamers to play the most recent games without difficulty. Not only do the games provide an excellent typing experience for kids, professors, and others, but the lights that come down on the keys do as well.
The CPU is an Intel i3-1005G1. The CPU supports turbo boost and has a clock speed of up to 3.4 GHz, allowing you to enjoy ultra-fast processing. An 8GB RAM is included to aid the processor’s performance. Yes, you can acquire 8GB DDR4 memory for a low price. The memory capacity exceeds expectations, and it performs admirably even when faced with complex and challenging jobs.
SSD storage is included in the model to provide faster loading and booting. In comparison to mechanical storage, the latest storage makes a minor difference, offering up to 17 times faster loading speeds. It offers 128GB of SSD storage for lightning-fast loading and booting.
The model uses Intel UHD graphics to provide excellent visual processing. Though the graphics aren’t high enough to play the latest titles, you may play light games like Dota 2, GTA 5, League of Legends, and others in a succession. It’s a lightweight model with increased mobility. It would not be challenging to travel with a laptop. It would not be difficult to transport the model when traveling or on the route to school, college, or other destinations.
Pros
- 10th Gen processor
- 8GB DDR4 memory
- Backlit Keyboard
- Intel UHD graphics integrated
- Portable model
- Premium, sturdy designed
Cons
- Dim Display
Lenovo IdeaPad S150
Best AMD Gaming Laptop Unde 400
Do you have a financial crisis and can’t afford $400? We have a model that costs $250 and allows you to play the latest light games without any problems. It’s a Lenovo model that can handle both leisure computers and gaming.
This model’s CPU is what allows it to go through the processing and computing that you encounter on a daily basis. It has an AMD A6-9220e CPU with a clock speed of up to 2.4 GHz. It also boasts AMD Radeon R4 graphics to fool with its beautiful images. Without a hitch, you’ll be able to enjoy vivid, clear, and smooth visuals.
It offers a 14-inch HD display that allows you to see bright images. The display’s bezels are thin, allowing you to enjoy a greater viewing area in a tiny space.
It contains 4GB of ddr3 memory and 64GB of eMMC storage in terms of memory and storage. Look at the pricing instead of the 64GB storage; you’ll be able to acquire a laptop for less than $250.
All other nuts and bolts are included in the model, including a graphics card to handle visuals, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth, allowing you to enjoy your usual processing without interruption. Its battery life is superior to that of the other devices on the list. It provides around 6 hours of runtime on a single charge and allows you to enjoy a longer runtime with a single charge. So, get your hands on the model and enjoy an improved computing experience.
Pros
- 6-hours battery runtime
- Affordable 250 dollars price range
- AMD Radeon R4 graphics
- Full-sized keyboard
- SD Card reader
Cons
- Lenovo has a lack of connectivity options
HP Premium i5 (2020)
Stylish Gaming Laptop Under $400
The 2020 Newest HP will be a wonderful choice for you if you require a laptop with a lot of storage space and general support for connections. This laptop is ideal for gaming and multitasking.
Although the screen and graphics are unlikely to enable intense gaming, it is advisable to utilize a large screen with this laptop. If you have a larger screen, this laptop’s AMD Athlon Silver 3050U processor will perform admirably.
The screen is a WLED from HP, which is known for producing some of the most incredible colours. The processor’s clock speed can go up to 3.2 GHz from a minimum of 2.3 GHz, depending on what you’re doing.
AMD has plundered the graphics section as well, and this time it is Radeon. HP claims that this performs as well as or better than the Ryzen 3 in an i5.
The HP Premium is only 3.3 pounds due to the machine’s extensive use of plastic. It’s also not very big, owing to the modest screen and keyboard surface.
The battery life is likewise uncertain, but depending on what you’re doing, it’ll be enough. Like a system capable of supporting amazing pictures on a large screen, the battery is unlikely to last long.
Everyone appreciates the fact that it will be a 2020 HP laptop with touchpad buttons. If you prefer a toggle track over an all-flat touchpad, this will be the ideal option for you when you utilize the touchpad. For people who need to play games offline, the most recent HP is the best option. It has plenty of storage, and the operating system can be stored on a faster but smaller SSD.
Pros
- Huge storage
- More connectivity option
- Quite a powerful processor
- Stylish design
Cons
- The screen size is quite small
- low battery life
ASUS VivoBook L203MA
Best Build Ultra-thin Gaming Laptop
The VivoBook L203MA, another Asus masterpiece in our best gaming laptop under 400 list, will be available in 2021 at a very low price. Yes, you are correct. This laptop will set you back a little more than $300, and I’m not lying. When it comes to characteristics and features, they are subpar because of the low price. However, even with these specifications, you can play all games produced between 2000 and 2015. As a result, it’s a good deal for gamers and students who need some fun and entertainment anytime they have free time.
First and foremost, the laptop is powered by an Intel Celeron N4000 processor for improved overall performance. You’ll be able to play numerous games on it without any problems this way.
Aside from that, the presence of a full HD display and 4GB DDR4 RAM elevate the gaming experience to new heights. One of the reasons why so many gamers prefer this laptop is because of this.
ASUS VivoBook L203MA is another excellent laptop that you should consider, especially if you have a budget of around $300. Yes, this ASUS machine is one of the best cheap gaming laptops among the ten.
Pros
- Compact and portable design.
- Ultra-thin body.
- Perfect for playing old AAA titles.
- Recommended for beginner gamers.
Cons
- Low storage space.
- Battery drains fast while gaming.
Dell Inspiron 15 3000
Best Gaming Laptop for Players
While finding a feature-rich best laptop under 400 is challenging, the Dell Inspiron 3000 satisfies the criteria. Dell’s Inspiron laptops are designed to meet the needs of a diverse variety of consumers. They are powerful enough to complete all daily chores efficiently. The Dell Inspiron 3000 is part of Dell’s Inspiron range, which provides a low-cost alternative to the company’s typical computers. It’s perhaps the most outstanding laptop under $400, with a standard 15-inch display and a similar design to the rest of the series.
The system is powered by an Intel Celeron 4205U chipset with an integrated Intel UHD GPU. The cache memory of 4MB is also available to improve response times. Because of the 3.4 GHz clocking frequency, it can readily do complex tasks. The 4GB RAM is a terrific addition for the price, especially when combined with the 128GB SSD disc. You may upgrade the system with an additional 8GB of RAM and an SSD disc if you need more space. In terms of the operating system, you get the immersive Windows 10 Home version.
The multi-touch 15.6-inch display, which has a resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels, takes Dell’s inventiveness to the next level. It has a 1080p resolution and good colour accuracy. The highest brightness is only 250 nits, which detracts from the overall appeal of the device. Within that pricing range, the keyboard is one of the best. It has excellent placement buttons and a large enough touchpad to accommodate a comfortable palm rest.
It also has a significant number of sockets and ports. Although its display isn’t very stunning, you can use it as your primary work laptop by connecting it to a different monitor to support your home/office setup. This Dell gadget is feature-rich, but it shines when it comes to multi-touch capabilities.
Pros
- Comes with fast PCIe Solid State Drive
- Features a great collection of sockets and ports
- It contains a powerful processor
- Keyword with perfectly aligned keys
- Long last battery
Cons
- You don’t get touchscreen functionality
- Display quality is not a good one
Lenovo Chromebook Flex 5 13″
Best Chromebook under 400
If you’re shopping for the perfect Chromebook for around $400, we recommend the Lenovo Flex 5 13′′. It’s a 13-inch convertible Chromebook with strong hardware packed inside a beautifully built lightweight chassis weighing only 2.9 pounds!
It is equipped with an Intel Core i3 processor, 4GB of RAM, and a 64GB SSD, which provides acceptable performance for most users’ daily needs. With approximately 15 tabs open and a couple of other apps running in the background, it can easily manage Chrome. So it isn’t a slouch. Apart from that, the laptop features a stunning 13-inch full HD touchscreen display with pen input, making it an excellent choice for students taking notes.
The pen, however, is not included in the box and must be purchased separately. Furthermore, the laptop’s hinges enable seamless screen movement, allowing it to be used as a tablet or in various positions. There is no unnecessary friction or pauses in the operation of the hinges.
The Lenovo Flex 5 13 Chromebook is a comprehensive package for consumers who prefer Chrome OS over Windows, with an excellent backlit keyboard, all of the needed connections and slots, including a microSD card reader to expand its modest storage, and a battery life of up to 10 hours.
If you need a budget laptop of around $400 with solid gaming performance, consider the Lenovo Chromebook Flex 5. Purchase it before it sells out.
Pros
- Amazing backlit keyboard
- It comes with stylus compatibility
- Good performance and built quality
- Long-lasting battery
Cons
- 250-nit poor display
- The RAM and storage may fall short for some users
- The touchpad is so good
HP 14 Laptop
Best HP Premium Gaming Laptop
If you prefer a visual appearance, this may not be the best solution for you. This laptop has a wide range of capabilities and performs admirably to outperform others in its price range. It’s made of plastic, so it doesn’t look great, but it’s well-constructed and lasts longer than others. It’s a lightweight model that weighs only 3.1 pounds and can be carried around with ease.
Another remarkable aspect of the model is that it includes a good number of connections, including USB 3.1 ports, a headphone jack, a charging port, and HDMI 14 to provide you with a wide selection of communication possibilities. The model is pre-programmed to work with the 14 in the display. It’s an IPS display, which means you can see the screen from a broader and crisper angle. The display’s visual quality will be brighter, smoother, and error-free, allowing you to enjoy your gaming and entertainment.
The model is equipped with a 7th generation Intel Core i3 CPU with a clock speed of 2.40 gigahertz. A 4GB DDR4 RAM is included to enable the laptop to handle any amount of processing, light gaming, or application usage. The memory may appear limited for power users, but it is more than adequate for leisure computing and light gaming. You can increase the memory amount to meet your needs.
It includes SSD storage, and you’re aware of the importance of solid-state drives, the most recent storage technology designed to improve the system’s overall processing and speed. The model includes a 128GB SSD storage drive, which is regarded as adequate for the price, as it falls under the $400 mark. It contains an M2 slot, which allows you to expand the storage capacity to meet your needs.
The model includes integrated UHD graphics 620 to aid processor visuals. You may play light games like Minecraft 2, FIFA 2018, and others without trouble. Don’t expect this laptop to be a full-fledged gaming computer capable of running AA titles; it won’t.
When it comes to battery life, the laptop lasts roughly 6 hours on a single charge, which isn’t bad for a laptop in the $400 budget range. For computing, traveling, and lugging it about for learning and other purposes, you can only rely on the laptop for a long time. Overall, the model is an excellent buy for the money; it will be challenging to find a device with this level of specs and features for less than $400. So take advantage of the opportunity and get hands-on with the equipment right now.
The HP 14′′ gaming laptop is comparable to the gaming beasts listed above. But, on the other hand, it is lightweight, portable, and tiny. So, I’d advise you to get your hands on this computer as soon as possible.
Pros
- 7th mobile series processor
- Extensive range of boats
- Intel HD graphics
- SSD storage
- Upgradable storage
Cons
- N/A
Things you need to know about the Gaming laptop for under 400
You are now at the end of the post, which means you’ve already decided on some of the best laptops for your next gaming adventure. You still want to pick the ideal of them all, but you’re not sure where to start.
This article will assist you in determining which laptop under $400 will best suit your needs. The critical thing to remember is that it all depends on how you want to use your laptop.
Processor
This is comparable to a computer’s heartbeat. It’s the stage before you see anything on the screen that determines the final execution. What you should look for in processors is longevity and the ability to handle higher speeds in the future if you upgrade.
Some clock speeds can only be used with RAM sizes that fall within a specific range. Increased loudness can cause motherboard issues, and in most cases, the circuitry suffers as a result. When it comes to Intel processors, you’ll rarely have an issue, but when it comes to AMD chips, you might want to think twice.
When it comes to frequency, there are only a few models that go above 2.0 GHz. You can begin your search there. Intel’s Celeron and Lake processors, among others, have lately been improved, and they have provided the highest performance in machines.
Graphics Card
In this pricing range, we don’t expect to see many NVIDIA specifications. The majority of the selected models and others have either an Intel or AMD graphics processor. If the visual is acceptable, going with both is not a bad idea. On the other hand, Intel processors continue to dominate, while AMD chips continue to enhance their performance.
Because the AMD CPU in Gateway laptops has excellent pictures, upgrading to Intel is much easier. When you acquire a Dell Inspiron 15 3000, most of the parts are readily available, making future upgrades a breeze.
If you merely need a high-quality output, though, there are a few laptops with AMD processors to consider.
RAM
Large RAMs are beneficial to the output of a laptop. As a result, we recommend 4GB RAM or above. Anything less than that won’t cut it in today’s world. There are a variety of laptops with 8 GB of memory, which is significantly superior. When it comes to selecting a category, the DDR4 category is the better option.
Others have SSD-format RAM, which produces more excellent results. If you buy a laptop with 4 GB of RAM, ensure it has an extra slot or that the present RAM stick can be upgraded. Why? Because as you utilize the machine, you may need to upgrade to a larger one.
The applications we use, particularly those for watching, browsing, and gaming, necessitate a large amount of primary memory to function quickly.
Resolution & Display
When it comes to choosing a laptop, consider how you’ll be watching apps and games. It makes no difference how well things run in the background. You may need to double-check the screen’s type, size, and pixel count. That way, you’ll be able to choose what best suits your eyes.
IPS and WLED have provided some of the most remarkable displays and colour renderings among the categories. They’re in HPs and high-end devices like the Acer Aspire 5 Slim. When such a panel is combined with a high pixel capacity, the clarity skyrockets, that’s why Acer’s model has a resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels.
When it comes to pixels, this is the highest range available in laptops in this price range. However, some models only support 1366 x 768 pixels depending on the model, which is the lowest resolution you should choose. Although you must contend with a reduced output window, high quality on tiny screens brings out the best visuals.
The screen on laptops like the Gateway is modest, but the pixels are in the 1080p category. The Dell Inspiron model has a 15.6-inch screen with 1366 x 768 pixels, which results in fuzzy visuals on a large screen.
Storage
If you buy a laptop for less than or around $400, you won’t get much storage. Why is that when we’ve seen models with more than a terabyte? The sort of drive in the machine must first be considered. The modern SSD, which is quicker than SATA, is found in the majority of them.
SATA and SSD interfaces are available on laptops with larger capacities. Due to the diversity of slots available, such devices are simple to update. You’ll also see that the SSD drive has less storage than the HDD drive. This boils down to two factors: cost and speed.
HDDs are slower, but they are also less expensive, allowing for greater storage capacity. The eMMC kind of storage is also available in select versions. It works in the same way as the SSD version but with some limitations. These storage modes are built into motherboards, and they don’t leave much capacity for storage or upgrades.
Connectivity
If you plan on playing online games, you’ll want to see how fast your laptop can connect to the internet. They’re all Wi-Fi enabled and follow industry standards. As a result, the speeds you get will be determined by your connection point. Check for laptops that support more than the 802.11 a.c standards for faster output.
Compact laptops, such as the Dpofirs, may not have large Ethernet ports. That implies you won’t be able to make use of the fast-wired internet rates. Consider a laptop with an RJ45 connection if you have the choice. Bluetooth and other types of wireless communications are also necessary.
The sound output of laptops in this price range varies, but you’ll need the stereo to make it better. As you work and play, a laptop with Bluetooth connectivity will lessen the number of wires you have to deal with.
Battery
The battery life is the last but not least consideration in the best gaming laptops. It’s also a deciding element in whether or not a deal will go through. In the gaming area, though, don’t expect the laptops to last as long. There are a few instances that will last longer than 10 hours. However, this will inevitably decrease depending on how you use the machine.
You can get a laptop that lasts between five and eight hours for fantastic working and playing time. However, upgrading a machine and extending its use will reduce the number of hours. It’s also important to keep in mind that batteries do eventually go out. Trouble will begin if you do not obtain an original replacement. Keeping a battery in good condition necessitates a few restrictions on how the equipment is used in general. Apart from not overcharging, which is a common occurrence, there are other difficulties such as ventilation, which is especially important if you spend a lot of time on your machine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Summary
Award | Design | LAPTOPS | Retailer |
---|---|---|---|
Best Gaming Laptop Under 400 | Staff Pick | Check Price | |
Thinnest Gaming Laptop under 400 | Best Pick | Check Price | |
Best AMD Gaming Laptop Unde 400 | Check Price | ||
Stylish Gaming Laptop Under $400 | Check Price | ||
Best Build Ultra-thin Gaming Laptop | Check Price | ||
Best Gaming Laptop for Players | Check Price | ||
Best Chromebook under 400 | Check Price | ||
Best HP Premium Gaming Laptop | Budget Pick | Check Price |
Best Laptops Under 400 Dollars Conclusion
We’ve put together a selection of the best gaming laptop under 400 that you can’t pass up to help you stick to your budget and get the best results.
Because there are so many brands and types to choose from, it’s not easy to find the right equipment. The final decision, though, is yours to make, and it will be based on your career and personal goals. The Acer Aspire 5 is the way to go if you want a notebook that is exceptionally light and compact. If portability is a key priority, I recommend the Microsoft Surface Go. I am confident that my laptop buyer’s guide will assist you in finding the best laptops under 400.
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