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
Lenovo 16”

Legion Pro 5i

BEST RATING
Engineering & Design:
4.7
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 large storage capacity and ample 32GB of RAM, suited for both demanding engineering tasks and gaming with its Intel i7 processor and Nvidia RTX 4060 GPU. Its screen is a 16-inch IPS panel with a high refresh rate, ideal for smooth visuals, and it has a resolution that strikes a balance between clarity and performance. It doesn't support touchscreen but has a comfortable keyboard with a numpad and is backlit. However, at 5.6 pounds, it leans towards the heavier side, which might affect portability, and its battery life is modest, which could limit mobility for extended use away from power sources. It supports a wide range of ports, including USB-C and HDMI, and has features like Ethernet and USB-C charging, but it's not the quietest under load. Overall, it's built for gaming and heavy workloads but not the best for on-the-go usage.
Pros
  • High-performance Intel i7 processor
  • Powerful Nvidia RTX 4060 GPU
  • Ample 32GB RAM
  • Large 16 inch high-refresh display
  • Spacious 1TB storage
Cons
  • Slightly bulky at 5.6 pounds
  • Short battery life at 3.5 hours
  • Not very portable
  • No touchscreen capability
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
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
8
BEST RATING
Engineering & Design:
4.6
Gaming/AI: A-
Size: 16"
Overall Performance: Very Good
Portability: Thick, heavy
Battery: Good




Expert Summary
The Acer Predator Helios 16 is a midrange-priced gaming laptop with a solid processor and Nvidia RTX 4060 graphics, which makes it well-suited for intensive gaming, 3D rendering, and machine learning tasks. It comes with a sizable amount of storage and memory. The 16-inch display with a higher refresh rate ensures crisp and smooth visuals, especially beneficial for gaming and video content. However, with a weight of over 5 pounds and less than 7 hours of typical battery life, the laptop is not the most portable and may not be ideal for those who need to work on the go. It has a comfortable keyboard, good build quality, and effective heat management, but fan noise could be a concern during heavy use. The laptop offers ample connectivity options, including multiple USB-C ports with Thunderbolt support. Overall, the Predator Helios 16 offers a balance of performance and features for users who prioritize gaming or creative work over portability and long battery life.
Pros
  • High general performance
  • Excellent for engineering use
  • Great for 3D and machine learning
  • High resolution screen
  • Includes number pad
Cons
  • Considerable weight
  • Moderate battery life
  • Not very portable
  • High cost
9
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
10
MSI 17.3”

Katana 17

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




Pros
  • Large 17-inch display
  • High refresh rate screen
  • Powerful Intel i7 processor
  • Robust Nvidia RTX 4060 GPU
  • Substantial 32GB of RAM
Cons
  • Average battery life
  • Fairly hefty at 5.7 pounds
  • No USB-C charging support
  • No Thunderbolt or USB4 ports