Best Gaming Laptops Under $700 in 2025:Introduction
Looking for the best gaming laptops under $700 in 2025. You don’t need to spend thousands of dollars to enjoy smooth gaming anymore. Brands like Lenovo, HP, ASUS, MSI, and Acer now offer powerful laptops at this price point that can handle esports titles and even modern AAA games with good performance
In this guide, you will find
What to Look for in the Best Gaming Laptops Under $700
Here are the recommended minimum specs you should focus on
| Component | Recommended Spec |
|---|---|
| CPU | AMD Ryzen 5 (5600H or 5500H) or Intel Core i5 (11th or 12th Gen H series) |
| GPU | NVIDIA GTX 1650 or RTX 2050 or RTX 3050 (if you find a deal) |
| RAM | 8GB DDR4 or DDR5 (upgradeable to 16GB recommended) |
| Storage | 512GB NVMe SSD |
| Display | 15.6 inch Full HD with 120Hz or higher refresh rate |
| Cooling | Dual fan or advanced thermal system |
1. Lenovo LOQ 15 (Intel i5 12450H + RTX 2050)
Overview
The Lenovo LOQ 15 is one of the best entry-level gaming laptops you can buy in 2025. It balances performance and price by combining a modern Intel 12th Gen processor with an NVIDIA RTX 2050 GPU. This makes it a great choice for gamers who want smooth esports performance and the ability to run newer AAA games with DLSS enabled.
Specifications
- CPU Intel Core i5 12450H (8 cores 12 threads)
- GPU NVIDIA RTX 2050 4GB GDDR6 (supports DLSS and Ray Tracing)
- RAM 8GB DDR5 4800MHz (upgradeable to 16GB or 32GB)
- Storage 512GB NVMe SSD (expandable)
- Display 15.6 inch Full HD 144Hz IPS panel
- Price around $690
Design and Build
- Weight 2.3kg with a durable plastic chassis
- Matte finish reduces fingerprints
- Ports include USB-C HDMI 2.1 Ethernet 2x USB-A and headphone jack
- Keyboard has white backlight with decent key travel for gaming
Display Quality
- 144Hz refresh rate offers smooth visuals in esports
- Brightness around 300 nits enough for indoor use
- 100 percent sRGB coverage great for casual content creation too
Performance and Benchmarks
Gaming FPS results (1080p settings):
| Game | Settings | Avg FPS |
|---|---|---|
| Valorant | High | 125 FPS |
| GTA V | Very High | 85 FPS |
| Call of Duty Warzone | Medium | 65 FPS |
| Cyberpunk 2077 | Low + DLSS | 45 FPS |
| Red Dead Redemption 2 | Medium | 50 FPS |
Synthetic Benchmarks:
- Cinebench R23 Multi 11000+
- 3DMark Time Spy 3800
Thermal Performance
- Dual fan cooling system with 4 vents
- During gaming temps reach around 82°C CPU and 76°C GPU
- Fan noise noticeable under load but not distracting
Upgradability
- 2 RAM slots (easily upgrade to 16GB dual-channel)
- Extra M2 SSD slot for storage expansion
Battery Life
- 60Wh battery
- 4–5 hours in normal use
- 1.5 hours in gaming
Pros
- Latest Intel 12th Gen CPU with RTX graphics
- 144Hz color-accurate display
- Good upgrade options
Cons
- Thermals need regular cleaning
- Battery life is average
Verdict
Best balanced gaming laptop under $700 ideal for students and gamers who want modern features like DLSS
2. HP Victus 15 (Ryzen 5 5600H + GTX 1650)
Overview
The HP Victus 15 is designed for gamers who want a reliable brand and a sturdy laptop at an affordable price. Although it uses the older GTX 1650 GPU it still offers smooth gameplay for esports and mid-range titles.
Specifications
- CPU AMD Ryzen 5 5600H (6 cores 12 threads)
- GPU NVIDIA GTX 1650 4GB GDDR6
- RAM 8GB DDR4 3200MHz (upgradeable to 16GB or 32GB)
- Storage 512GB NVMe SSD
- Display 15.6-inch Full HD 144Hz panel
- Price around $660
Design and Build
- Clean minimal design, not too flashy
- Weight around 2.3kg, solid build quality
- Ports: HDMI, Ethernet, USB-C, USB-A, and headphone jack
- The keyboard has a good backlight and key spacing
Display Quality
- 144Hz refresh rate makes a big difference in esports
- Brightness 250–300 nits
- Around 60 percent sRGB is not ideal for creators, but fine for gaming
Performance and Benchmarks
Gaming FPS results (1080p settings):
| Game | Settings | Avg FPS |
|---|---|---|
| Valorant | High | 120 FPS |
| Apex Legends | Medium | 70 FPS |
| GTA V | High | 75 FPS |
| Cyberpunk 2077 | Low | 30 FPS |
| Fortnite | Medium | 80 FPS |
Synthetic Benchmarks:
- Cinebench R23 Multi 9000+
- 3DMark Time Spy 3000
Thermal Performance
- Decent cooling system with dual fans
- CPU temps peak at 85°C, GPU around 78°C
- Fan noiseis moderate but steady
Upgradability
- 2 RAM slots
- Extra SSD slot available
Battery Life
- 52Wh battery
- 4 hours in light use
- 1 hour in gaming
Pros
- Sturdy design from HP
- 144Hz refresh rate
- Reliable Ryzen CPU
Cons
- GPU is older
- Display colors average
Verdict
Great for gamers who want a reliable laptop for esports and casual AAA gaming on a budget
3. ASUS TUF Gaming A15 (Ryzen 5 4600H + GTX 1650)
Overview
The ASUS TUF series is famous for its military-grade durability and gaming design. The A15 is one of the most durable gaming laptops in this price range built to last with solid cooling.
Specifications
- CPU AMD Ryzen 5 4600H (6 cores 12 threads)
- GPU NVIDIA GTX 1650 4GB GDDR6
- RAM 8GB DDR4 upgradeable
- Storage 512GB SSD
- Display 15.6 inch Full HD 144Hz panel
- Price around $700
Design and Build
- Military grade durability tested against drops and heat
- Aggressive gaming look with highlighted WASD keys
- Ports HDMI USB-C Ethernet USB-A
- Heavier at 2.3–2.4kg
Display Quality
- 144Hz refresh rate
- Brightness 250 nits
- sRGB around 62 percent
Performance and Benchmarks
Gaming FPS results (1080p settings):
| Game | Settings | Avg FPS |
|---|---|---|
| Valorant | High | 115 FPS |
| PUBG | Medium | 65 FPS |
| GTA V | High | 70 FPS |
| Cyberpunk 2077 | Low | 30 FPS |
| Rainbow Six Siege | High | 110 FPS |
Synthetic Benchmarks:
- Cinebench R23 Multi 8500
- 3DMark Time Spy 2900
Thermal Performance
- Excellent cooling with dual fans and vents
- Temps stay under 80°C in most games
- Fans can get loud but performance remains stable
Upgradability
- 2 RAM slots supports up to 32GB
- 2 SSD slots for future storage expansion
Battery Life
- 48Wh battery
- 3.5 to 4 hours in normal use
- 1 to 1.5 hours in gaming
Pros
- Durable, military standard certified
- Strong cooling for long gaming sessions
- 144Hz display
Cons
- Slightly heavy
- Older GPU
Verdict
A rugged laptop perfect for gamers who want durability and reliable performance under $700
📊 Comparison Table
| Laptop | Processor | GPU | Display | RAM | Avg FPS (Valorant/GTA V/Cyberpunk) | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acer Aspire 7 | Ryzen 5 5500U | GTX 1650 | 15.6″ FHD 60Hz | 16GB | 120 / 70 / 35 | Budget gaming, casual use |
| HP Victus 16 | Ryzen 5 5600H | RTX 3050 | 16.1″ FHD 144Hz | 8GB | 160 / 80 / 50 | Competitive gaming, smooth visuals |
| Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 | i5-11400H | GTX 1650 | 15.6″ FHD 120Hz | 8GB | 130 / 75 / 40 | Entry-level gamers, students |
Final Verdict
- Best Overall Lenovo LOQ 15 RTX 2050 modern CPU + GPU combo
- Best Value HP Victus 15 Ryzen 5 balanced design and performance
- Most Durable ASUS TUF A15 is built like a tank with excellent cooling
🌍 Conclusion
If you’re a casual gamer, Acer Aspire 7 is the most budget-friendly option.
If you want future-proof performance, the HP Victus 16 with RTX 3050 is the best choice.
For students and first-time gamers, Lenovo IdeaPad Gaming 3 offers a balanced package.
No matter where you are — India, USA, or Europe — these laptops provide excellent value under $700 / ₹60,000 in 2025.
More budget and a different performance laptop only on the Gaming Guide
Are gaming laptops under $700 good for AAA games?
Yes, you can play most AAA games like GTA V, Cyberpunk 2077, and Red Dead Redemption 2 on medium settings with decent FPS. For ultra settings, you’ll need a higher budget.
Which is better for gaming under $700 — Intel or AMD?
Both are good. AMD Ryzen 5 and Ryzen 7 CPUs offer excellent value and power efficiency, while Intel i5/i7 processors give slightly higher single-core performance, useful for FPS-heavy games.
Can I upgrade RAM and storage in budget gaming laptops?
Most laptops under $700 allow RAM upgrades (up to 16GB/32GB) and have additional SSD/HDD slots for storage expansion. Always check model specifications before buying
Do I need an RTX graphics card for smooth gaming?
Not necessarily. GTX 1650 or 1660 Ti can handle most eSports and older AAA games. But RTX 3050/3050 Ti is recommended for newer titles, ray tracing, and future-proof gaming.
Is a high refresh rate (144Hz) important for gaming?
Yes. A 120Hz or 144Hz display makes gameplay smoother, especially in competitive games like Valorant, CS2, or Fortnite. Even with mid-range GPUs, high refresh rates improve the overall experience.
Which is the best gaming laptop under $700 for students?
Laptops like the HP Victus and Acer Aspire 7 are great for both gaming and productivity. They balance performance, battery life, and portability — ideal for students who also game.
Can these laptops run VR games?
Entry-level RTX 3050 laptops can handle basic VR experiences, but for smooth VR gaming, you may need at least an RTX 3060, which is usually above $700.
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