Unveiling the Best Gaming Laptop Under 400 in 2024!
If you’re like me, a tech lover who wants to get the most out of your laptop without breaking the bank, you might feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of choices. How do you know which laptop gives you the best bang for your buck? In this article, I will narrow your search to the best gaming laptop under 400, a sweet spot combining low cost and high performance.
Laptops are no longer a luxury but a necessity for everyday life, whether for work, school, or fun. Picking the right laptop means weighing factors like speed, storage, screen size, and battery life. In the under $400 range, you’ll find a variety of devices that suit the needs of different users, from students to casual users and even aspiring professionals.
Best Gaming Laptop Under 400 of 2024 Reviews | Our Top Picks for the Price
You’re in luck! We’ve researched and found some of the best gaming laptop under 400 that are perfect for everyday use. These affordable laptops have become increasingly popular among budget-conscious consumers who want a device that packs many features despite having a relatively low cost.
Our list of gaming laptops under $400 is based on in-depth research and analysis. We have carefully selected laptops that can handle everyday tasks and light gaming. These laptops are perfect for those who want a smooth gaming experience without breaking the bank.
Acer Aspire 5 Slim Laptop
Best Gaming Laptop Under 400
The Acer Aspire 5 is a slim, sleek laptop that caught my eye when I opened the box. It felt solid and well-built, and the thin bezels gave me a lot of screen space, making it ideal for multitasking or watching videos. The keyboard was also very comfortable to type on, thanks to the intelligent hinge that raised it for better cooling and sound.
The 11th Gen Intel Core i3 processor was impressive, efficiently handling daily tasks and some gaming. The Wi-Fi 6 connectivity was a big plus, giving me faster and more stable internet access. However, Windows 11 Home in S mode might only work for some, especially if you want the whole Windows experience.
The Acer Aspire 5 has a small storage capacity of 128GB NVMe SSD. It fills up fast if you have many files or media to keep. You can upgrade storage, but it costs more.
Overall, the Acer Aspire 5 A515-56-347N Slim Laptop was an excellent experience. It has power, versatility, and affordability, making it an excellent option for those looking for a reliable laptop under $400. It has some drawbacks, like the storage capacity and Windows 11 Home in S mode, but the Acer Aspire 5 is a good choice for most users.
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 Go 14 Flip
Thinnest Gaming Laptop under 400
The ASUS VivoBook Go 14 Flip is a light and portable laptop I used recently. It was only 16.9mm thick and 3.3 pounds heavy, so I could easily carry it around and put it in my backpack.
The touchscreen was terrific, too, sensing even the slightest touch of my fingers. With the 360° hinge, the laptop could turn into a tablet, tent, or stand, depending on what I wanted to do. This made it a versatile device for both work and fun.
One thing I really liked was the ASUS Antibacterial Guard that covered the laptop surface. It made me feel safe about hygiene, knowing that it could stop the growth of bacteria by more than 99% in 24 hours, according to science.
But the VivoBook Go 14 Flip has a low-end Intel Celeron N4500 processor, so it’s better for lighter tasks and daily use. Also, you might need more than the 64GB eMMC storage if you have many files, photos, or videos to keep.
Another thing to consider is that this laptop has Windows 11 Home in S mode. It has better security and performance, but some users might not like it because it only lets you install apps from the Microsoft Store.
The ASUS VivoBook Go 14 Flip is a good choice if you want a cheap, portable, and flexible laptop under $400. Its design, touchscreen, and features make it a good deal, especially for everyday tasks and use on the go.
Pros
- Lightweight and portable design
- Responsive touchscreen with 360° hinge
- Backlit Keyboard
- ASUS Antibacterial Guard for increased hygiene
- Portable model
Cons
- Limited storage with 64GB eMMC
HP 2022 Stream 14″ HD BrightView Laptop
Affordable Gaming Laptop Unde 400
The HP 2022 Stream 14″ HD BrightView Laptop is a budget-friendly laptop with impressive performance. I was looking for a good laptop that could handle my daily tasks without costing too much, and this one had everything I wanted.
When I opened and set up the laptop, I was amazed by the bright 14-inch HD BrightView display. It gives a vast viewing experience, which is great for switching between multiple monitors. The Intel Celeron N4120 Processor smooths multitasking with a good balance between power and performance.
The 4GB DDR4 RAM can run multiple programs and some gaming, but the laptop’s storage capacity is small. The 64GB SSD improves storage and data management, but it can get completely fast with files and apps. You should upgrade the storage or use cloud services for more space.
The Integrated Intel HD Graphics 600 are suitable for basic graphics, not heavy graphics or gaming. Windows 11 S operating system is pre-installed, which works well for basic tasks but might not let you install non-Microsoft Store apps.
The HP 2022 Stream 14″ HD BrightView Laptop is a cheap and reliable gaming laptop under 400 for everyday use and light multitasking. Its design, performance, and portability make it perfect for users who need a budget laptop.
However, more storage and integrated graphics might be needed for users with heavier computing needs. I suggest this laptop for those who want a cheap and reliable laptop for everyday use and light multitasking.
Pros
- 14-inch HD BrightView Display
- Affordable price range
- Intel Celeron N4120 Processor
- Full-sized keyboard
- 4GB DDR4 RAM
Cons
- Integrated Intel HD Graphics 600
HP 2022 Premium 14-inch Laptop
Stylish Gaming Laptop Under $400
The HP 2022 Premium 14-inch laptop amazed me when I used it recently. It has a thin and light design, making it easy to carry around, which is excellent for people who travel a lot. The laptop’s Intel Quad-Core Processor and 16GB RAM give a smooth performance for multitasking, web browsing, and gaming.
The laptop’s battery life is another impressive feature, lasting up to 11 hours on one charge. With the HP Fast Charge technology, I could charge it from 0 to 50% in about 45 minutes, which helped me stay productive during my busy days. The laptop also came with a 1-year Microsoft 365 subscription, giving me all the tools for productivity and creativity.
However, the laptop has some drawbacks. There may need to be more than 64GB of storage space for users with many files or apps to store. I also didn’t like the non-backlit keyboard, which was hard to use in dark situations. The display quality was also average, with a 1366 x 768 resolution and only 45% NTSC colour gamut coverage; it may be better for users who want a better visual experience.
To sum up, the HP 2022 Premium 14-inch laptop is an excellent option for those who want a portable and reliable laptop with excellent performance and long battery life under $400. It has some minor drawbacks, but overall, it gives excellent value for the price, making it a smart buy for students and professionals alike. I suggest this laptop for its outstanding performance, design, and value for the price.
Pros
- 1-year Microsoft 365 subscription included
- Long battery life with fast charging
- Quite a powerful processor
- Stylish design
Cons
- Low Storage
- No Backlight Keyboard
ASUS VivoBook 15 Thin and Light Laptop
Best Build Ultra-thin Gaming Laptop
Asus is a famous name in the laptop industry. It has a strong reputation in the high-end range and the cheap and budget ranges. The ASUS VivoBook 15 laptop is around $400 and has fantastic features and performance that make it stand out from the competition.
The model has a 15.6-inch FHD IPS display. The display could be more brightly, and it looks a bit dark, but it gives enough performance for gamers’ needs. The display’s bezels are thin, giving more screen space and taking less room.
The keyboard on this model is backlit. Its backlit soft ergonomic keys create a better environment for gamers to play the latest games easily. The games give a great typing experience for kids, teachers, and others, and so do the lights on the keys.
The CPU is an Intel i3-1005G1. The CPU supports turbo boost and speeds up to 3.4 GHz, letting you enjoy super-fast processing. An 8GB RAM helps the processor’s performance. You can get 8GB DDR4 memory for a low price. The memory capacity is impressive and works well even with complex and challenging tasks.
The model has SSD storage for faster loading and booting. The new storage makes a slight difference, giving up to 17 times faster loading speeds than mechanical storage. It has 128GB of SSD storage for quick loading and booting. The model has Intel UHD graphics for excellent visual processing.
The graphics need to be higher to play the newest games, but you can play light games like Dota 2, GTA 5, League of Legends, and others in a row. It’s a light model with more mobility, easy to travel with a laptop. It’s easy to carry the model when travelling or going to school, college, or other places.
Pros
- Compact and portable design.
- 4-way NanoEdge bezel display with a stunning 88% screen-to-body ratio
- Ergonomic backlit keyboard with fingerprint sensor activated via Windows Hello
- 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 gaming 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
How We Test The Best Gaming Laptops Under 400
Laptops are not easy to review because they have to excel in many different areas and have many parts. They also have a high price tag, so we must test them thoroughly and cover every aspect.
But when it comes to gaming laptops, the most important thing is how well they can handle the latest AAA games in terms of graphics performance. That’s why we always use 3DMark, the ultimate PC graphics benchmarking tool, to test every gaming laptop. 3DMark has a long and trusted reputation among gamers and businesses, and it offers a range of tests to run.
We run as many of these graphical tests as possible before we try to play a game with its own benchmarking tool if it has one. Then, we play the games on the gaming laptop and see how smooth the framerates are and how high we can crank up the resolution and the graphical settings.
But gaming performance is not the only thing we look at. We also check the gaming laptop’s battery life and screen quality for non-gaming tasks. This includes watching movies, editing photos in Photoshop, and browsing the web.
We also look at the build quality of the gaming laptop. Other factors, like fan noise, keyboard design, and RGB lighting system, are also considered.
Finally, we compare the gaming laptop with its competitors and see how much value it offers for the money. We then give it a star rating, with 5 stars being the best possible score, and decide if it deserves a spot in our best gaming laptop buying guide.
Gaming on a Budget: How to Find a Laptop that Delivers Performance and Affordability
To find the best gaming laptop under 400, focus on the key features that matter the most, such as processor speed, RAM, storage capacity, and battery life. These features determine how well the laptop can handle your tasks and needs. Besides, you should also look at other factors like build quality, portability, and display quality, as they affect your overall satisfaction.
Processor
The processor is like the computer’s heart. It decides how fast everything runs before you see it on the screen. If you upgrade, you want a processor that lasts long and can handle faster speeds.
Some speeds only work with specific RAM sizes. Too much speed can damage the motherboard and the circuits. Intel processors are usually safe, but AMD chips can be risky. For frequency, look for models above 2.0 GHz. Intel’s Celeron and Lake processors are some of the best ones.
Graphics Card
In this price range, you won’t see many NVIDIA features. Most models have either an Intel or AMD graphics processor. Both are fine if the visuals are good. Intel processors are still better, while AMD chips are improving.
The AMD CPU in Gateway laptops has excellent visuals, so switching to Intel is easy. The Dell Inspiron 15 3000 has parts that are easy to upgrade. If you just want a sound output, some laptops have AMD processors.
RAM
Big RAMs make the laptop run better. We suggest 4GB RAM or more. Anything less is not enough nowadays. Some laptops have 8 GB of memory, which is much better. The DDR4 category is the best one.
Some have SSD-format RAM, which is even better. If you get a laptop with 4 GB of RAM, make sure you can upgrade it later. Why? Because you might need more as you use the laptop. The apps we use, especially for watching, browsing, and gaming, need much primary memory to run fast.
Resolution & Display
When you pick a laptop, think about how you’ll watch apps and games. It doesn’t matter how well things run in the background. You must check the screen’s type, size, and pixel count. That way, you’ll pick what’s best for your eyes.
IPS and WLED have some of the best displays and colours. They’re in HPs and high-end devices like the Acer Aspire 5 Slim. When they have a lot of pixels, the clarity is fantastic. That’s why Acer’s model has a 1920 x 1080 pixels resolution.
For pixels, this is the highest range in laptops in this price range. But some models only have 1366 x 768 pixels, the lowest you should go. Even though you have a smaller output window, high quality on small screens looks excellent.
The screen on laptops like the Gateway is small, but the pixels are in the 1080p range. The Dell Inspiron model has a 15.6-inch screen with 1366 x 768 pixels, which makes the visuals blurry on a big screen.
Storage
Laptops under $400 only have a little storage. Why? Because the type of drive matters. Most of them have SSD, which is faster than SATA.
Laptops with more storage have both SATA and SSD. They have different slots, so they are easy to upgrade. SSD has less storage than HDD because of cost and speed.
HDD is cheaper but slower, so it has more storage. Some laptops have eMMC storage, like SSD, but with some limits. These storage modes are part of the motherboard, so they only have a little space for storage or upgrades.
Connectivity
If you want to play online games, you must see how fast your laptop can connect to the internet. They all have Wi-Fi and follow industry standards. The speed depends on your connection point. Look for laptops that have more than 802.11 a.c standards for faster output.
Small laptops, like the Dpofirs, may not have big Ethernet ports. That means you can’t use the fast-wired internet. Get a laptop with an RJ45 connection if you can. Bluetooth and other wireless communications are also important.
The sound output of laptops in this price range differs, but you need the stereo to improve it. A laptop with Bluetooth will reduce the wires you have to deal with as you work and play.
Battery
The battery life is the last and most important thing in the best gaming laptops. It also decides if you buy it or not. In gaming, expect the laptops to last only a short time. Some can last more than 10 hours. But this will go down depending on how you use the laptop.
You can get a laptop that lasts between five and eight hours for excellent working and playing time. But upgrading a laptop and using it more will make the hours less. Remember that batteries die eventually. You will have trouble if you don’t get an original replacement. To keep a battery good, limit how you use the laptop. Don’t overcharge it, which is expected. There are other problems like ventilation, which is very important if you use a laptop.
Frequently Asked Questions
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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