10 Best Gaming Laptops Under 1500

Wally Nowinski
editor

Our experts used the PerfectRec decision engine to comb through our laptop database and find the best gaming laptops under 1500 available in 2024. Here are our top picks.

Our criteria for the best gaming laptops under 1500:

  • Operating System: We limited the search to Windows laptops since there are more games available than on Mac.
  • Usage: We focused on gaming laptops.
  • Budget: We chose a higher budget of $1,000-1,500, which should cover a mid-range gaming laptop.
To consider others factors, try the PerfectRec decision engine to get your personalized laptop recommendation
Get your personalized recommendations

10 Best Gaming Laptops Under 1500

1
Lenovo 16”

Legion Pro 5i

BEST RATING
Gaming & AI:
4.6
Gaming/AI: A-
Size: 16"
Overall Performance: Very Good
Portability: Thick, heavy
Battery: Poor




Pros
  • High-end Intel i9 processor
  • Nvidia RTX 4070 GPU supports ray tracing
  • High refresh rate screen for smooth visuals
  • Solid build and heat management
  • Good RAM and storage capacity
Cons
  • Battery life could be better
  • Not very portable at 5.6 pounds
  • Limited Thunderbolt ports
  • DCI-P3 and Adobe RGB coverage is average
2
BEST RATING
Keyboard Quality:
4.7
Gaming/AI: B+
Size: 14"
Overall Performance: Very Good
Portability: Med. thick, light
Battery: Good




Expert Summary
The ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14, with its AMD Ryzen 9 processor and Nvidia RTX 4060 GPU, is designed for high performance and is suitable for engineering tasks, 3D rendering, machine learning, and gaming. With a 14-inch IPS display, high resolution, and a high refresh rate, it's great for fast-paced games and creative work, though it doesn't come with a touchscreen. Portability is very good given its light weight and compact dimensions, coupled with a solid battery life for typical use. The laptop also boasts a backlit keyboard, USB-C charging, and high-quality sound and build, but if you're looking for a laptop with Thunderbolt ports or a number pad, this might not be the best fit.
Pros
  • AMD Ryzen 9 CPU
  • Nvidia RTX 4060 GPU
  • 76Wh battery, long life
  • Lightweight and portable
  • High screen refresh rate
Cons
  • No touch screen
  • Limited port selection
  • Fingerprint reader, no facial recognition
  • Moderate fan noise
3
BEST RATING
Gaming & AI:
4.6
Gaming/AI: A-
Size: 16"
Overall Performance: Very Good
Portability: Very thick, heavy
Battery: Good




Expert Summary
The Acer Predator Helios 16 is a midrange gaming laptop that offers a blend of performance and features suitable for both gaming and general use. It comes with ample storage and a good amount of RAM, powered by a robust Intel i7 processor and a high-end Nvidia RTX graphics card, which makes it great for 3D applications and machine learning tasks. The laptop's 16-inch display boasts a high resolution that's larger than standard Full HD, and the screen's high refresh rate ensures smooth visuals, important for fast-paced games. Battery life is moderate, so it may not be ideal for extended use away from a power source. The build is solid, with a weight that leans towards the heavier side, affecting its portability. It includes features like a backlit keyboard with a number pad, hardware ray tracing, and DLSS for improved gaming graphics. Ports are generous, with multiple USB-C and Thunderbolt connections, though its midrange price reflects a balance between the high-end features and compromises in areas like the battery. The laptop was released quite recently and it's optimized for Windows 11 Home. It's well-suited for gaming and work tasks involving complex graphics and engineering software.
Pros
  • High performance with Intel i7 and RTX 4070
  • Large, high-resolution 16-inch display
  • High screen refresh rate for smooth visuals
  • Good color accuracy for sRGB and DCI-P3
Cons
  • Moderate battery life, may not last a full day
  • Heavier build, less convenient for travel
  • No touchscreen support
  • Limited battery life under heavy use
4
HP 17.3”

Omen 17

BEST RATING
Gaming & AI:
4.6
Gaming/AI: A-
Size: 17.3"
Overall Performance: Very Good
Portability: Very thick, very heavy
Battery: Poor




Expert Summary
The HP Omen 17 is a premium gaming laptop that boasts a large 17.3-inch display with a high refresh rate, ideal for gamers and professionals who work with fast-moving visuals. It's equipped with a high-end Nvidia RTX 4080 graphics card and an Intel i7 processor, which make it powerful enough for 3D rendering, machine learning tasks, and engineering software. It offers excellent heat management but is weightier than average, making it less portable. The keyboard is backlit with a number pad, contributing to a very good overall build quality. Its screen offers vibrant colors and brightness, though it lacks a touchscreen. You'll find a variety of ports, including Thunderbolt, Ethernet, and USB-C charging, which enhances its connectivity. Expect a solid battery life for typical usage, but keep in mind that intensive tasks will likely drain the battery faster. The Omen 17 is particularly suited for intensive gaming and demanding computational tasks, but it's less ideal for those who require a lightweight and highly portable laptop.
Pros
  • Powerful Intel i7 processor
  • High-end Nvidia RTX 4080 GPU
  • Large 17.3-inch display
  • Good keyboard quality
  • Effective heat management
Cons
  • Relatively short battery life
  • Heavier, less portable design
  • No touchscreen available
  • Limited portability score
5
BEST RATING
Engineering & Design:
4.6
Gaming/AI: A-
Size: 16"
Overall Performance: Very Good
Portability: Very thick, heavy
Battery: Fair




Expert Summary
The Acer Predator Helios Neo 16, with a midrange price point, offers a balance of performance and features suited for versatile users, especially those interested in gaming and demanding tasks. It comes equipped with a large storage capacity, adequate RAM, a high-end Intel i7 processor, and an Nvidia RTX 4060 graphics card, supporting hardware ray tracing and DLSS for enhanced visual fidelity. The device boasts a significant battery capacity, a 16-inch IPS display with a 16:10 aspect ratio and a high refresh rate, ensuring smooth motion and a sizable workspace. However, with a weight over 5 pounds and a battery life offering modest hours of typical usage, its portability is compromised. Windows 11 Home comes pre-installed, and the laptop features multiple USB-C and Thunderbolt ports, ensuring extensive connectivity options. The laptop also includes a quality keyboard with a number pad and backlit keys, alongside good speakers and heat management systems. Despite its suitability for intensive gaming and high-performance tasks, its bulk should be considered if frequent mobility is necessary.
Pros
  • Powerful Intel i7 processor
  • High-performance Nvidia RTX 4060 GPU
  • Large 16-inch display
  • High 165Hz refresh rate
  • Good build and heat management
Cons
  • Moderate 5-hour battery life
  • Heavy, weighing over 5 pounds
  • Display not 4K resolution
  • Not extremely portable
6
ASUS 17.3”

ROG Strix G17

BEST RATING
Engineering & Design:
4.6
Gaming/AI: A-
Size: 17.3"
Overall Performance: Very Good
Portability: Very thick, very heavy
Battery: Poor




Expert Summary
The ASUS ROG Strix G17 is a midrange-priced laptop offering solid gaming performance and is released recently in February 2023. It is equipped with a large and fast 17.3-inch display, a powerful AMD Ryzen processor, and an Nvidia RTX GPU, which makes it excellent for gaming, 3D rendering, and machine learning tasks. Its keyboard is highly rated for quality, and it provides ample connectivity, including Ethernet, USB-C, and HDMI ports. However, it is not the most portable option, given its size and weight, and the battery life is not designed for long periods away from power outlets.
Pros
  • High-performance AMD Ryzen CPU
  • Powerful Nvidia RTX GPU
  • Large, fast-refresh screen
  • Good build and heat management
  • Backlit keyboard with number pad
Cons
  • Heavy and bulky design
  • Short battery life
  • Poor portability score
  • No USB4 or Thunderbolt ports
7
Lenovo 16”

Legion Pro 5i

BEST RATING
Keyboard Quality:
4.6
Gaming/AI: A-
Size: 16"
Overall Performance: Very Good
Portability: Thick, heavy
Battery: Poor




Expert Summary
The Lenovo Legion 5i Pro is a midrange-priced laptop with a strong Intel i7 processor and Nvidia RTX 4060 graphics, which makes it well-suited for gaming and engineering tasks that require powerful performance. It comes with a sizable amount of storage and memory, an 80 WHr battery that provides moderate battery life, and has a 16-inch IPS display with high resolution and refresh rate that is great for both work and play, but it is not touchscreen. Weighing over 5 pounds, it is less portable than lighter laptops. It features a full array of ports including USB-C and Ethernet, a backlit keyboard with a number pad, and hardware ray tracing and DLSS for enhanced gaming and content creation, but it lacks premium features like facial recognition. Released in March 2023, it's a suitable choice if you need robust performance for intensive tasks and can manage with its moderate portability and battery life.
Pros
  • High performance CPU and GPU
  • Large, high-refresh-rate screen
  • High-quality keyboard and build
  • Good heat management
  • Ample RAM and storage
Cons
  • Below average battery life
  • Not very portable
  • Higher weight
8
Acer 15.6”

Nitro 5 15

BEST RATING
Engineering & Design:
4.5
Gaming/AI: A-
Size: 15.6"
Overall Performance: Good
Portability: Very thick, heavy
Battery: Fair




Expert Summary
The Acer Nitro 5 15 is positioned at a midrange price, offering solid general use and gaming performance, thanks to its robust AMD Ryzen 7 6800H processor and Nvidia RTX 3070 Ti graphics. It has 16GB of RAM and a large 1024GB of storage, ideal for demanding applications and multitasking. The laptop features a 15.6-inch IPS display with a high resolution, perfect for detailed work and immersive gaming, complemented by a high refresh rate suitable for fast-paced action. The build includes a backlit keyboard with a number pad, hardware ray tracing, and DLSS support for enhanced gaming visuals. It's not the lightest at over 5 pounds and offers moderate battery life, meaning it sacrifices some portability for performance. Its array of ports, including USB-C, HDMI, and Ethernet, plus the presence of available RAM and storage slots, adds to its versatility. This device suits users needing a powerful laptop for engineering, machine learning, and gaming, but who don't require the longest battery life or the most portable design.
Pros
  • Very good general performance
  • Excellent for 3D and machine learning
  • High refresh rate screen
  • Very good screen brightness
  • Good keyboard quality
Cons
  • Average battery life
  • Fair portability
  • Moderate weight
  • Good but not best speaker quality
9
Lenovo 16”

Legion Pro 5

BEST RATING
Engineering & Design:
4.6
Gaming/AI: A-
Size: 16"
Overall Performance: Very Good
Portability: Thick, heavy
Battery: Poor




Expert Summary
The Lenovo Legion 5 Pro is an upper midrange laptop with an AMD Ryzen 7 processor and Nvidia RTX 4070 graphics, ideal for gaming and demanding graphical tasks like 3D rendering and machine learning. It features 16GB of RAM, a 1024GB storage drive, a 16-inch IPS display with a resolution of 2560 x 1600, and a refresh rate of 165Hz ensuring smooth visuals during fast-paced games or videos. It isn't touchscreen but has a high brightness level and robust color coverage. With a 3.5-hour battery life, it's less suited for extended work on-the-go, but it makes up for this with a backlit keyboard that includes a number pad, and hardware features like ray tracing and DLSS support for enhanced gaming graphics. Weighing 5.6 pounds and nearly an inch thick, portability is fair, yet it remains a strong performer for both general use and engineering applications. It was released in March 2023 and runs on Windows 11 Home.
Pros
  • High refresh rate screen
  • Backlit keyboard with number pad
  • Robust heat management
  • Impressive 3D rendering capability
  • Solid build quality
Cons
  • Heavy at 5.6 pounds
  • Average battery life
  • Moderate portability
  • No touchscreen
10
ASUS 16”

Vivobook 16X

BEST RATING
Engineering & Design:
4.5
Gaming/AI: B+
Size: 16"
Overall Performance: Very Good
Portability: Med. thick, med. heavy
Battery: Fair




Expert Summary
The ASUS Vivobook 16X offers a solid balance between price and performance with a lower midrange cost while delivering a good general use experience. It is equipped with a large 16-inch IPS display with a resolution suited for productivity and entertainment, but it may not be optimal for color-sensitive tasks with its adequate color coverage. The laptop includes a powerful main processor and a capable Nvidia RTX 4060 GPU, making it suitable for 3D rendering, machine learning, and engineering applications. However, with a modest battery life for typical usage and a weight that may affect portability, it's less ideal for on-the-go use. It has a good build quality and effective heat management, ensuring comfortable use during demanding tasks. The backlit keyboard with a number pad and additional features like a fingerprint reader enhance the user experience, especially for professionals. It is released in May 2023 and runs on Windows 11 Home, making it a contemporary option for those seeking a new laptop with recent features.
Pros
  • Good main processor
  • Robust GPU for gaming, 3D work
  • High screen refresh rate
  • Wide color coverage
  • Various ports and Thunderbolt
Cons
  • Average battery life
  • Not the lightest option
  • No touchscreen
  • Limited RAM upgradeability