Well, brainstorming shouldn’t be a matter of concern anymore as Unslider brings glad tidings for the budget gamers. Upon testing close to 20 gaming laptops under 1500 dollars, our experts have finally zeroed in on the top 10 options that can be picked up without second thoughts.
But then, are these laptops good enough for demanding AAA titles?
Yes, they are, as $1500 is a decent enough price to pay for a gaming machine. Plus, you can get your hands on an excellent graphics card, preferably a GTX 16-series, 10th gen processor, and at least 16 gigs of RAM at the given price point.
MSI GL66 strikes the perfect balance between power and productivity, without coming across as an intimidating and rugged laptop. Not just that, this laptop also excels when RAM allotment, upgradeability, and H-series 9th gen Intel core i7 processor allocation are concerned.
Specs:
Check latest price See Our Review
However, we understand that finding the best set of specifications can be tricky!
Unlike insanely premium Gaming Laptops that stack in unlocked 9th gen processors, the ones under $1500 rely more on 9th and 10th gen, i7 chipsets. From a graphics-centric perspective, you can expect the Turing-based GPU, with the GTX 1660 considered as one of the more preferred options. At $1500, you can even expect a 1080p display followed by at least 512GB of SSD storage space and 16GB RAM.
At Unslider, we are committed to offering the best gaming resources despite budget-centric restrictions.
Let’s Talk About The System Requirements
| Processor | 8th Gen Intel Core i5 | 10th Gen Intel Core i7 |
| Graphics | Intel UHD graphics | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 |
| RAM | 8GB | 16GB |
| Storage | 512GB SSD | 1TB SSD |
| Display | 13.3-Inch FHD IPS | 15.6-Inch FHD IPS |
We have selected the laptops based on the recommended system requirements, We have just posted them above. Now one of the experts from our team, Martin is going to describe each one of these in detail.
My Recommendation: Acer Predator Helios 300 is the Best Gaming Laptop under 1500 Dollars in 2022.
Here are top 10 Best Gaming Laptops under $1500 in 2022
I’m sure that you would have done your research, looking for a laptop for gaming that would meet your exact specifications and preferences, offering a good gaming experience while also falling into a reasonable price range.
In the subsequent sections, we have made a list of the ten best gaming laptops that are under 1500 dollars, and we have also included a comprehensive buying guide to help you choose the best gaming laptop for you. And to add more value to your purchase, these laptops can also be utilized for purposes other than gaming and intensive work.
1. Acer Predator helios 300 [Best 144Hz Gaming Laptop]
The Helios 300 continues to stay as one of the best gaming laptops of all time. At a price point less than $1500, the Acer Predator Helios 300 has still managed to retain all the best features a gaming laptop requires. It’s fitted with an Nvidia Geforce RTX 2060 graphics card, a 16GB ram, SSD of 512GB and a 5 GHz Intel i7 processor [i7 10750H].
This laptop also comes with a beautiful backlit keyboard in which the keycaps are concave and this offers comfort for both gaming and typing. It also possesses turbo and PredatorSense buttons to control performance.
The case is designed out of plastic with aluminium insets and weighs about 5.5 lbs [2.5Kg]. Its dimensional specifications are, a 15.6 inch full HD widescreen, with a refresh rate of 144Hz. It also boasts a 6-hour long battery life, on a full charge, but this is up for debate as it depends on the intensity of use.
One of the drawbacks of the Acer Predator Helios 300 is heat generation. Although it comes with custom-made AeroBlade fans, it tends to overheat during long gaming sessions. The fans can also prove to be quite noisy on maximum load.
This laptop would be the best choice in terms of saving money, but, at the lower end of the price range, it also comes with a few limitations, such as the 512GB SSD storage space, which is on the lower range of storage, for avid gamers. But, the SSD of this laptop is still quite fast. It is also G-sync and VR ready.
The Acer Predator Helios 300 works best at an fps above 60 and has a 3ms response time which makes the Predator Helios the ideal gaming laptop for competitive online multiplayer games, where reaction time is crucial, in spite of its 2060 GPU.
Also Read: Full review of Acer Predator helios 300.
2. MSI GL66 Gaming Laptop [Best MSI Model]
MSI’s new gaming laptop, i.e., the GL66 outpaces every other sub-$1500 notebook on the list, in terms of raw gaming power, processing firepower, and even multitasking functionality. What makes it one of the best investments is the supercharged graphics support that doesn’t restrict you to gaming alone but covers your professional needs, with ease.
The MSI GL66 sports an aesthetic design, with dimensions being surprisingly minimalistic, despite the 15.6-inch screen. This laptop weighs 4.63 pounds and even packs in a durable, customizable, and backlit keyboard. For the display fanatics, the existing 1080p screen assumes a refresh rate of 144Hz, a feature handy enough to see you through most games, without even one frame drop.
While the battery life caps out at 6.5 hours, on moderate usage, the remaining specs sheet is more than enough to fetch the MSI GL66 the topmost position on the list.
3. MSI GP65 Leopard – Best for Lag-free gaming
The GP65 Leopard from MSI is probably the best gaming laptop under $1500 to invest in if you are in the market for RTRT support. In addition to the top-notch gaming hardware, this laptop also features some of the best productivity-enhancing attributes, making it one of the best professional resources for the more demanding tasks.
Coming to the aesthetics, this is one of the chunkier laptops on the list at 5.14 pounds. Although the rugged layout readily contributes towards the amassing size, the advanced cooling hardware, led by the heat pipes and advanced setup of symmetrically located fans also add to the chunk.
However, it is the 15.6-inch Full HD display that works wonders for your gaming, professional, and streaming indulgences.
Also read: Razer Blade 15 Vs. MSI GP65
It wouldn’t be wrong to state that MSI GP65 has one of the better laptop displays in the market best characterized by an overall resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels. Not just that, this laptop also adds to the gaming performances by offering thinner bezels for maximizing screen real-estate.
Not just that, other gamer-friendly assets include the 144Hz refresh rate and an overdrive response time of 3ms. These attributes allow you to indulge in lag-free gaming, regardless of the title, settings, and fps preferences.
Coming to the processing conglomerate, MSI makes room for the 10th gen Intel Core i7 10750H CPU that can assume a maximum clocking frequency of 5.0GHz.
With RTRT and DLSS support to rely on, this graphics card also allows you to play the Minecraft RTX beta version and indulge in specific real-time rendering activities with minimal stutters.
The memory allocation is accommodative of the insane processing firepower as MSI accounts for 16GB of integrated DDR4 RAM, capable of processing user data, disk cache, and files at 2666MHz. Storage-wise, the 512GB solid-state drive is more than enough for regular professionals and hardcore media consumers.
The gamer-friendly keyboard is also one of a kind with MSI making way for customizable backlit support. Furthermore, you also get hold of powerful speakers, an innovative webcam, and a decent collection of connectivity-centric specs in Type-C, Type-A, HDMI, DP 1.2, and Wi-Fi 6. The battery on offer is pretty dismal and only lasts for up to 4 hours, as tested by our experts.
Needless to say, this 15.6-inch laptop easily stacks in the best processing conglomerate for the sub-$1500 price tag.
4. Razer Blade 15 – Best for FPS games
The Razer Blade 15 fittingly sits atop our list of laptops under 1500 dollar mark, courtesy of the resourcefulness it brings to the table. To start with, the aluminum-clad, unibody structure makes a lot of difference to the overall layout of the laptop, making it enviously sleek and portable.
- The display, on the other hand, is sharp, color-accurate, and exceedingly gamer-friendly, owing to the refresh rate of 144Hz. While the Blade 15 is an all-inclusive machine, the higher screen refresh rate readily qualifies the same as a functional gaming laptop by keeping screen tearing and ghosting to a minimum.
- What adds to the visual brilliance is the thinner paneling, which clearly amplifies the screen-to-body ratio of the 1080p screen.
- Memory allocation is certainly above-par with the Blade 15 making room for 16GB of high-speed RAM. What stands out though is the dual-channel RAM module followed by the scope for upgradeability.
- Apart from the display, it is the processing conglomerate that deserves attention, presided over by the 9th gen Intel core i7 processor and the associated firepower. The existing CPU comes forth with a 12-threaded architecture, making it a perfect fit for 3D modeling, rendering, video editing, and other creative indulgences.
The overall display resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels adds to the sharpness of the viewing angles and considerably improves the sunlight visibility.
When productivity is concerned, the Chroma backlit keyboard is a potent inclusion followed by potent speakers. Then again, the thermal and heat-dissipating hardware is the virtual scene-stealer. Despite the innovative cooling tech, Razer ensures that the Blade 15 is one of the lightest gaming laptops in the market.
Other resourceful specs associated with the Blade 15 include the pre-installed Windows 10 operating system followed by a gamut of functional ports and connectivity specs, including Wi-Fi 6, Thunderbolt port supporting data transfer at 40gbps, and other resources. The 6-hour battery backup, as promised by Razer isn’t convincing but adequate enough for a gaming laptop.
5. Asus ROG Strix G15 15 inch Gaming Laptop
The Asus ROG Strix G15 is one of the best gaming laptops under $1500 in the market, provided you are looking for the best graphics card, CPU, and advanced storage capacity. However, before moving onto the nooks and crannies of the processing gamut, it is necessary to take a look at the hardware management and gadget heft.
At 5.28 pounds, the Asus ROG Strix G15 is quite heavy, considering the inclusion of a potent thermal layout. While we shall be discussing the relevance of the intelligent cooling technology in the subsequent sections, it is necessary to understand that the availability of liquid metal and symmetrical fans further add to the gadget heft.
Not just that, the cooling technology on offer allows you to simmer down the amplifying heat by almost 12 percent which in turn speeds up the processing performances by 100MHz.
The series of ROG Strix laptops are top-notch for their highly reliable gaming performance. The new G-series offers a powerful gaming experience like its predecessors, ASUS ROG Strix Hero and Scar, but was released with the sole intention of providing a gaming laptop under 1500 dollars.
The ASUS ROG Strix has a 15.6 inch full HD IPS display, with a refresh rate of 240Hz. It runs on a 10th gen intel core i7 processor and has an array of graphics card options such as the Nvidia Geforce RTX 2070/ RTX 2060/ GTX 1660 Ti/ GTX 1650 Ti, which facilitate excellent gaming performance.
The ASUS ROG Strix has 16GB of ram and an ample storage space of 1TB HDD.
The hard drive features a 32GB DDR4 ram and two NVMe PCIe solid-state drives, providing a 1TB HDD capacity. A third SSD slot is also available, in case you want more storage space.
The latest ASUS ROG Strix G-series is a powerful gaming laptop that can provide a continuous 5 hours of battery life. It also comes VR-ready, along with a USB port A, C, an HDMI cable, and more. And in true ASUS fashion, the new G15 comes in a funky electropunk design that makes it a funky gaming machine.
6. Razer Blade Stealth 13
Every gamer is unique and would look for different features in gaming laptops, while trying to achieve the mind-blowing gaming experience possible. The Razer Blade 15 gaming laptop is a hybrid that combines the powerful traditional gamers’ laptops, with a highly portable laptop.
If you want to get a super thin and light gaming laptop under 1500, the Blade 15 should be your choice. And….it’s also super pink!
This gamers laptop has a 13-inch screen and weighs only 3.2 pounds [1.45Kg] and has a thickness of a mere 15mm. The outer case is made of CNC aluminium which is both durable and elegant to look at.
The Razer Blade 15 comes with all the necessary ports and even a Thunderbolt 3 port. The only thing missing would be the SD card slot, but it makes up for it in other ways. It comes with a trackpad and an RGB keyboard that can be customized with 16.8 million colors. However, to save battery life, Razer doesn’t allow customization of individual keys.
The Razer is hands-down a high-end gaming machine, as demonstrated by its 10-hour long battery life. This laptop houses a 16GB DDR4 ram and a 256GB SSD. It runs on a 10th generation Intel Core i7 processor 2.2 GHz [i7-1065G7]. This processor makes laptops run powerful and high-demand applications, seamlessly, while also efficiently saving power.
7. Asus ROG Zephyrus M15
The ASUS ROG Zephyrus must always be considered, in your search if you have budget under $1500. Combining the Intel Core i7-10750HS with the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti graphics processor, ASUS ROG brings to you, one of the best gaming laptops. For anyone that prioritizes gaming performance, this is the laptop for you.
It comes with a 15.6-inch full HD IPS display screen. Other specifications include a 512GB PCIe NVMe SSD and 16GB of ram which makes this the ultimate gaming machine. An intelligent cooling system serves to make your gaming experience on the ASUS ROG Zephyrus an overall excellent buy. It comes with powerful hardware that allows it to handle anything you throw at it.
ASUS offers this laptop with either an Nvidia Geforce GTX 1660 Ti or an Nvidia RTX 2060 configuration, varying amounts of Storage [1TB HDD and storage 512GB] and a 144Hz/ 240Hz screen. Go with the 240Hz as it’s better and provides more than 300 nits of brightness.
The laptop has approximately 5 hours of battery life, while light gaming. One drawback is the thermal designing which makes the laptop heat up super fast and the Max Q only GPU option.
However, it allows for a great gaming experience and also functions as a multi-purpose, ultra-portable laptop that weighs around 4.4 pounds [2 Kgs].
8. Lenovo Legion Y540
The Legion Y540 from Lenovo is one of the best laptops that you can purchase by paying a lot less than 1500 dollars. Unlike a typical gaming laptop that looks to accommodate a high-end graphics card at the expense of the allocated memory, the Legion Y540 from Lenovo is more concerned with amplifying the professional resources.
From a structural point of view, the Legion Y540 flaunts a durable and semi-rugged chassis that weighs close to 5.06 pounds. Despite exhibiting a predictable design, this Lenovo-branded laptop is one of the most sought-after laptops in the market, courtesy of the vibrant 15. 6-inch full HD display.
The chipset is best assisted by the 32GB of on-board RAM, which can take care of every intricate 3D project, browser indulgences, and simultaneous gaming requirements in a heartbeat. As far as the graphics and gaming requirements are concerned, you still get access to a mid-range NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 GPU, exhibiting the Turing architecture. Paired with 4GB of video RAM, the existing graphics card can manage almost every mid-range AAA game with ease, at 720p or even high 1080p settings.
Storage-wise, Lenovo introduces dual storage compatibility, which includes the 1TB solid-state drive as the boot-up resource with the Windows 10 OS, housed within. Besides, you also get access to a 1TB hard drive for the more static projects and sizable files.
While the processing requirements are handled at enviable speeds, courtesy of the 12MB cache memory, high-bandwidth system memory, and an ultrafast processor, this Lenovo laptop also takes professional productivity seriously upon pairing a backlit keyboard, serviceable webcam, and a high-fidelity acoustic setup.
Despite the numerous professional enhancements, it is the paltry, 4-hour battery life that disappoints our reviewers to the core. However, you can still consider the same if you are seeking a desktop replacement.
9. HP Omen 15-EN0023DXGaming Laptop
The HP Omen 15 is a 15-inch gaming laptop that runs on an AMD Ryzen 7 4800H processor and a GPU- Nvidia RTX 2070, with a 1920 x 1080 full HD resolution anti-glare screen and a 144HZ refresh rate display.
The core processor is supported by a 16 GB DDR4 ram, has a 512GB SSD memory and a 1TB SSD [PCIe NVMe SSD]. One of the outstanding features of the HP Omen is the incredible audio system boasted by the device; Bang and Olufsen dual speakers that lets you play with great life-like sound effects.
It has a large-bladed fan and a three-phase motor that offers a good heat dissipating design which allows it to run for a longer time without overheating. It has an impressive keyboard design with RGB lighting and outlined WASD keys that allow for some excellent gaming performance while playing games that require a high reaction speed.
It also has an array of input and output ports, including a Thunderbolt 3 port, placed at easily accessible spots along the sides.
10. ASUS TUF A15 Gaming Laptop
If you are looking for a hardcore, durable, and gamer-friendly notebook at the sub-$1500 price bracket, the Asus TUF 506IV is the perfect option to invest in. Despite being a high-end gaming laptop, the TUF 506IV is aesthetically designed whilst treading on the lines of durability. At 5.07 pounds, the Asus TUF also boasts of brushed metal accents and unmatched levels of ruggedness.
What stands out though is the extraordinarily designed thermal layout, presided over by the honeycomb-style cooling vents, ADC cooling technology, and the symmetrically aligned cooling fans.
You also get access to 6GB of video RAM which is quite a reliable asset when real-time and photorealistic rendering sessions are concerned. Not just that gaming firepower, Asus also features 32GB of system memory, which is an insane amount for any mid-level professional.
Regardless, Asus ditches the conventional 1TB HDD and persists with a 1TB NVMe SSD for achieving faster boot-ups and app loading performances. Other resourceful specs include a backlit keyboard, high-fidelity speakers, and a decent collection of ports that include Type-C, HDMI, Type-A, and more.
Then again, for the given price we were expecting Thunderbolt and Wi-Fi 6 support but Asus chose to do away with the same for accommodating better cooling hardware. Moreover, this laptop also shelters a massive, 90whr battery module that can easily churn out a battery life of almost 9 hours.
Things to consider while buying a Gaming Laptop Under $1500
1. It’s all in the GPU
GPU is one of the most important things you need to consider while buying a gaming laptop. At a budget of 1500, the graphics rendering must be offered by the Nvidia Geforce GTX 1060 graphics card in the least. Another strong GPU is the Nvidia GTX 1060 that can run most of the games.
For instance, the ASUS ROG GL702VS sometimes comes at a price less than 1500, with the GTX 1070, but will offer only a 12GB ram, when compared to the standard 16GB that you get at this rate.
It’s better to avoid any graphics card weaker than the GTX 1060, to get a good gaming performance.
2. Choose your Ram wisely
The second thing to consider while choosing the best laptop for gaming would be, the ram. When you’re paying 1500 for a gaming laptop, ensure that it has at least a 16GB ram. Anything less will lag your laptop when you’re trying to run many applications or have many tabs open.
3. CPU for this price
Now coming to the processor, for 1500, laptops come with an Intel Core i7 processor, which is the standard CPU for this price. The 7th gen Intel Core i7 7700HQ is the most common processor that is present in laptops falling under 1500.
Another processor that may be present in some laptops as an alternative, is the Ryzen 7 processor which can sometimes even outrun the Intel i7. However, both these processors are equally strong and capable for gaming, and otherwise.
4. The importance of Refresh Rate
Refresh rate is something very important while gaming online. Online combative, multiplayer games require split-second reaction times and a high refresh rate will give you this advantage.
Also, if you are an ardent gamer, there are certain key areas that you need to focus on, including 144Hz refresh rate, excellent response time for minimizing ghosting, and a heat-dissipating thermal architecture.
However, most other laptops in this budget will have a 60Hz-120Hz refresh time, which is reasonable to play most games, but not the latest ones. Some of the latest games require high-end laptop specs, to run optimally.
5. Screen and display
While looking to buy a gaming laptop, always consider the display and screen specifications and features. A Standard gaming laptop under $1500, comes with a full HD 1920 x 1080 IPS screen, but in some cases, a 4K display might also be available.
But then, these features are mere expectations and at Unslider we ensure that you get a lot more than what you bargained for. Therefore, check out for gaming laptops with RTX 20-series GPUs, upgradable RAM slots, expandable storage support, and higher refresh rates that might come in handy for low-end AAA titles.
6. Need for an SSD
A Solid State Drive is of tremendous importance to a gaming laptop, as it will boost the laptop speed greatly. The right SSD will load WIndows, programs or games almost instantly. It also reduces the laptop start-up time.
A hard drive [HDD] is a must in any gaming laptop under 1500. This will allow you to save many files. Therefore, a good solid-state drive [SSD] combined with a solid HDD is essential to make the laptop run optimally and for efficient Storage.
7. Cooling system
Overheating is a common problem faced in a gaming laptop. The hardware of a gaming laptop is essentially constructed to support intense gaming, therefore, it tends to heat up very fast.
Some of the gaming laptops such as Razer Blade, Acer Predator, HP Omen, and the new Alienware m17 R1, come with specialized cooling systems that keep the laptop cool during long hours of gameplay. However, in many laptops, while gaming, the in-built fans alone wouldn’t suffice and they may need an external fan or a cooling pad to keep them from heating up, for efficient performance.
8. Battery Life
Another important consideration while buying any laptop, especially one for gaming, is the battery life. Almost all laptops designed specifically for gaming, have a below-average battery life. If you need a better gaming performance, you’ll need to compromise on the battery life. Also, the specialized hardware that a gaming laptop has will make it heat up while gaming and this itself will impact the hours of battery life the laptop can give.
9. VR ready laptops
Some gaming laptops support VR headsets and come VR-ready, offering you an enhanced gaming experience. The Oculus Rift or the HTC Vive can be used along with the laptop. But note that, if you want to use VR, your laptop will have to have at least the Nvidia 1060 graphics specs, an i5 intel core processor and at least 8GB of ram to get a good performance.
10. Design and build
The build quality is very essential in any laptop you buy. Apart from this, it must also have a lightweight frame, for easy portability. A good performing gaming laptop under $1500 come with a durable case and chassis.
Like the ASUS ROG Strix, some come lit-up in flashy colors, while some come with a sleek and elegant finish.
A laptop meant specifically for gaming is a new checkpoint for the gaming community. Many brands come up with some great and innovative gaming machines to provide gamers with the best possible experience. Looking at the top-of-the-line design of many laptops, it may be hard to make choices on which might suit you well, especially considering the budget and the performance. So, let’s see what a laptop under 1500 has to offer, overall. If you have a little bit more budget then you can go for these gaming laptops under $2000.
Related:
1. Gaming laptop under 700
2. Gaming Laptops Under $500
3. Gaming Laptops Under $1000
Verdict
Selecting the best gaming laptop under 1500 dollars can be a stretch if you aren’t aware of the preferences or the nooks and crannies of a particular processing feature. Therefore, our experts have taken time out to enlist some of the best and most relevant gaming laptops under 1500 dollars that can justify almost every professional indulgence, including gaming, productivity, 3D designing, video editing, and more.
Although each of the mentioned laptops is extremely efficient in its own right, you can immediately consider purchasing the Razer Blade 15 with GeForce GTX 1660 Ti GPU, if you want to skip the entire discussion and select the most relevant and well-balanced machine for under 1500 dollars.
Additional Storage can always be bought and some laptops even let you upgrade the hard drive and ram.
On a final note, the market is now rife with variety, with giants such as Dell and Lenovo, competing with companies such as ASUS and Acer, to produce the ultimate gaming machine, to offer its customers a memorable experience. There is an enormous variety for you to choose from. If you’re still indecisive, look through our buying guide to help you find a design that you like.
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