Are you trying to look for the best gaming laptops under $400? And finding it hard to get one under the budget you got in hands. That’s true, gaming laptops are expensive, they cost arms and legs. For the budget, you just mentioned it is tough to get hands-on with a good gaming laptop. But if you focus on the specs and features pertinent for gaming, you can get a laptop under a tight budget. Do not try to house those specs that you rarely consume or aesthetics. Try to get those that are important and related to the gaming niche.
See Our other reviews of gaming laptops for fallout 4, Grand Theft Auto V (GTA 5) and minecraft, or budget gaming laptops under 500, 800, 1200, 1500, 2000, 2500 and more.
So, if you deviate the focus from unimportant and impertinent features to pertinent and important, you quite may a good laptop for the budget.
In this post, we are going to curate a list of the best gaming laptops for $400. It took several hours to pick these models, have a bird’s eye view of the list, and check which one of them falls right on your criterion.
Contents
Our Picks of Top 10 Best Gaming Laptops Under $400 Product Reviews for 2023
1) Acer Aspire 5 – 15.6 inches Full HD IPS Display, AMD Ryzen 3 3200U, Vega 3 Graphics, 4GB DDR4, 128GB SSD
Whether you are a newbie or an experienced computer user, the model got something unique for you. Firstly, it is a sleek, premium-looking model that exceeds your expectation. It comes under $350 price and offers you enhance productivity and efficiency to get hands-on with your favorite games. The sleek-looking, beautifully designed gaming laptop comes boasted with a 15.6 inches FHD IPS display. You get a stunning, error-free, and seamless display.
The display got the power to produce sharp and large viewing angles. It is a plastic constructed model, high-quality plastic is used to get the chassis prepared.
It has SSD storage, yes you can’t believe having SSD storage for the price. It has 128GB SSD storage with 4GB DDR4 memory to make you smoothly pass through light to average scale processing.
It comes powered by AMD Ryzen 3 3000-Series processor that goes up to 3.5 GHz clock speed. You get the uninterrupted performance and smoothly play light games with no issue. Furthermore, to help gamers handles the visuals, the model offers AMD Radeon Vega 3 mobile graphics.
On top of that, Acer Aspire 5 also shares a decent range of ports. You get USB 3.1, 2 USB 2.0 and an HDMI port to connect several devices. You would not feel short of ports, enough number of ports to fill your casual computing needs.
It comes supported with a backlit keyboard. Illuminated keys offer an enhanced environment to type through any amount of typing work. Keys are soft, solid-built, lasts longer than you imagine.
Its battery runtime is more than expected. It offers 7.5 hours long runtime and makes you use it for hours, takes it on traveling, and get long-hours work done without feeling any need to juice up the device.
In a nutshell, the laptop exceeds our expectations and offers more than what we sought for the price of $400. Get hands-on with the model, you would not regret the decision.
2) ASUS VivoBook 15 – FHD Display, Intel i3-1005G1 CPU, 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD
Asus is one of the leading names in the world of laptop production. The brand has earned a huge reputation not only in premium range but affordable and budget range laptops as well. ASUS VivoBook 15 laptop comes in hands around 400 dollars and offers a spectacular range of specs and performance to outrank others in the list.
The model comes integrated with a 15.6 inches FHD IPS display. The display though is not that vibrant, seems a little dim but manages to pour good performance as per the gamer’s requirements. The bezels around the display are small and offer a magnified viewing area compare in less space.
Yes, the model has a backlit keyboard. Its illuminated soft ergonomic keys offer an enhanced environment for the gamers to play the latest games without any issue. Not just the games, the lights coming down of the keys offer an optimal typing experience for students, teachers, and others.
It has an Intel i3-1005G1 processor. The CPU goes up to 3.4 GHz clock speed, supports turbo boost, and makes you enjoy ultra-fast processing. To assist the processor performs well, there comes an 8GB RAM. Yes, you get 8GB DDR4 memory under a tight budget range. The memory size is more than expected and does well even for the complex and difficult to go through tasks.
To make the model offers superior loading and booting there comes SSD storage. The latest storage makes a marginal difference and offers up to 17 times improved loading time compare to mechanical storages. It has 128GB SSD storage to help you enjoy skyrocketing loading and booting.
To offer superb visual processing, the model shares Intel UHD graphics. Though the graphics would not let you play the latest titles enough good to handle light games such as Dota 2, GTA 5, League of Legends, and much more in the row.
It is a portable model that offers enhanced mobility. You could travel with the laptop without any difficulty. It would not be cumbersome to carry the model on traveling or taking along on the way to school college and others.
3) HP 14 Laptop – HD Thin & Light Flagship Laptop Computer, 7th Gen Intel Core i3-7100U 2.40GHz, 4GB DDR4 RAM, 128GB SSD
If you are more into the looks and styles of a laptop then this might not be an option for you. This laptop offers an extensive range of features and performs astonishingly to outrank others under the price segment. It is made of plastic it might not look that good but it is sturdily built and lasts longer than others. It is a portable model weighs 3.1 pounds and can be taken around anywhere without any hiccup.
Another great feature of the model is it comes with a decent range of ports including USB 3.1 ports, headphone jack, charger port, and HDMI 14 to offer you extensive connectivity options. The model comes integrated with the 14 in the display. It is an IPS display that offers wider and sharper angles to view the screen from anywhere. The image quality of the display will be brighter smoother and error-free to make you enjoy your gaming and entertainment experience.
The model comes integrated with the 7th generation Intel Core i3 processor that goes up to 2.40 gigahertz clock speed. To help the laptop go to any amount of processing light gaming or application usage there comes a 4GB DDR4 memory. The memory might look shorter for avid users but for casual computing light gaming, it is more than required you can enhance the memory size to fits you need.
It has SSD storage and you know the value of solid-state drives the latest storage developed to enhance the overall processing and speed of the system. The model comes integrated with the 128GB SSD storage which is considered good to go for the price as it comes under the $400 price range. It has an M2 slot to help you expand the storage as per your needs. The model has integrated UHD graphics 620 to help processor visuals without any big issue you can play light games such as Minecraft 2 FIFA 2018 and others without any issue. Don’t take this laptop as a full-fledged gaming machine to run AA titles it won’t run those games at all.
As long as the battery performance is considered the laptop last around 6 hours in a single charging which is not that bad for a laptop under $400 price range. You can only rely on the laptop for an extended period for computing, traveling, and carrying it around for studying and other things.
In total, the model is a great grab for the price it will be hard to get this range of specs and features under 400 dollars price range. So do not miss the chance and get hands-on with the machine right now.
4) Lenovo ThinkPad 11e – Business Laptop Computer, Intel Dual-Core i3-6100U 2.30GHz, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD
Lenovo ThinkPad series revolutionized the laptop world. They are quite impressive laptops with stunning performances. This 11e version of the ThinkPad series manages to bring outstanding performance under a budget price range.
It has a dual-core processor; the 6th Gen Intel Core i3-6100U series processor offers 2.30 GHz clock speed and makes your things rolled smoothly. The model integrates integrated Intel HD 520 graphics to help users play light games without any issue.
It has 256GB SSD storage to make you smoothly pass through the workload. Not only the data-transfer and loading time is improved but booting time and overall system efficiency enhances.
Its 8GB RAM is quite unexpected. For the price, it is hard to imagine 8GB DDR4 memory, it is more than required for casual to personal computing. You can play light games, go through light to complex processing tasks, and use some heavy application as well.
It has 11.6 inches HD display that converts into tablet mode. It has 360-degree hinges that make you transform the machine into a tablet to get the desired job done with no issue.
It comes installed with Windows 10 home basic and weighs just 3.30 lbs. It makes a great grab for students, teachers, and on the go users.
5) Dell i3552-3240BLK – Intel Pentium N3700 1.6GHz Processor, 4 GB DDR3L SDRAM, 500 GB HDD, Windows 10
Dell is known as one of the biggest names in manufacturing sturdy and powerful laptops. Its models are famous not only in premium budget but in an affordable price range as well. This mentioned model is a perfect pick for light computing office use and light gaming. You can take it for internet surfing, videos watching, streaming, word processing, and other countless tasks without an issue.
It comes integrated with 15.6 inches led backlit screen that offers an HD resolution and renders a smooth visual experience. You would be able to watch vibrant smooth error-free images without any turbulence. The model weighs 4.5 lbs. Wait which is a little bulky and might cause issues when taking around.
Under the hood, the model comes powered with Intel 3700 quad-core processor that goes up to 2.4 gigahertz clock speed and offers 2M cache speed. to help processor go through bulky visuals and high-resolution images there are Intel HD graphics onboard. The Integrated graphics not only helps users processing through the heavy visuals but let you play light games such as Minecraft and others.
Its vital specs include 4GB DDR3 memory and 500 GB HDD storage to help you go through the processing and the task comes through your computing ways.
The model has a standard size keyboard with a chiclet-style layout. The keys are smoothing responsive and sensitive to offer you a comfortable typing experience. The model offers a decent range of ports and connectivity options including a USB 3.0 SD card reader USB 2.0 HDMI audio jack and others to enhance your connectivity options. its removable four-cell battery offers longer than 5 hours run time in a single charging.
In total the model falls right on our criteria of a good laptop under a $400 price range don’t overlook the model and get your hands on it it won’t disappoint you.
6) Lenovo 14w Laptop – AMD A6-9220C Dual-Core up to 2.7GHz,4GB LPDDR4X RAM, 64GB eMMC
If you are looking for a model to handle music, light gaming, browsing, word processing, and other similar tasks, do not overlook this model. Lenovo designed 14w laptop is particularly designed for office work and handles office-grade processing quite amazingly.
It comes powered by an AMD A6-9220C Dual-Core processor that goes up to 2.7 GHz clock speed. The processor is good to go, not for complex processing but light. You can rely on the model to play the latest light games.
Its 4GB memory helps you handle basic multitasking. It is enough for light gaming as well, and the price bracket would not let the brand come up with a bulky memory capacity. So, for the price, the memory is enough.
It has 64GB eMMC storage for file storage. The storage size could have been enhanced, it can be filled using the M2 slot. You can expand the storage using the extra slot that comes with the model.
It has 14-inches FHD IPS anti-glare display that helps you view images and videos produced without any glare or issue. You can take the laptop outdoor without any glaring issues.
It’s AMD Radeon R5 graphics helps you handle games and other heavy operations without any big issue.
The standout feature of this model is its USB Type-C port. It is rare to see a USB Type-C port for a 400 dollars laptop. The port is useful for charging, docking, data transfer. You get three functions using one slot, no need to carry your laptop charger around; a mobile charger will be enough to handle the charging thing.
It has a MicroSD card reader as well, HD 720 camera, and headphone jack to help you handle multiple operations at one time.
7) Lenovo IdeaPad S150 – 14″ HD Display, AMD A6-9220e Upto 2.4GHz, 4GB RAM, 64GB eMMC, HDMI
Are you running short of money and can’t handle 400 dollars? We are here with a model that costs you 250 dollars and helps you play the latest light games without any issue. It is a Lenovo model that fits your casual computing needs and gaming as well.
It is the processor of this model that makes it go through the processing and computing your come across on regular basis. It has an AMD A6-9220e processor that goes up to 2.4 GHz clock speed. It also has AMD Radeon R4 graphics onboard as well to deceiver’s elegant visuals. You will be able to enjoy crisp, clear, and smooth visuals without any big issue.
It has a 14-inches HD display to help you view vibrant images. The bezels around the display are slim so that you could enjoy a larger viewing area in a small space.
As long as the memory and storage are concerned it has 4GB ddr3 memory and 64GB eMMC storage. Do not look at the 64GB storage, look at the price; you are going to get a laptop under 250 dollars price range.
The model has all other nuts and bolts integrated graphics card to handle visuals, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth to help you enjoy your regular processing without any drawback.
Its battery performance is better than other models added to the list. It offers around 6-hours runtime in a single go and makes you enjoy a longer runtime in a single charging. So, get hands-on with the model and enjoy a superior computing experience.
8) Lenovo 2-in-1 – 11.6″ Convertible Chromebook Touchscreen Laptop Computer/ Quad-Core MediaTek MT8173C
It is hard to grab a good notebook under a 400 dollars price range leave aside convertibles. We are here with a 2 1 laptop that offers you seamless transformation into a tablet and offers improved productivity.
This model comes integrated with a MediaTek MT8173C Quad-Core Processor that goes up to 2.16 GHz clock speed. The model is not for regular computing but light browsing, internet surfing, streaming, and videos watching.
It has 4GB DDR3 memory to take care of your multitasking. The added memory is soldered can’t be upgraded. The memory is for basic computing, d not take it for hard-core processing and handling.
It has 32GB eMMC storage. The storage size could have been better than this, but to make it convertible the brand has to cut the corners. You can enhance the storage using the SD Card reader, get the storage enhanced using the card reader.
Its 11.6 inches HD multi-touch IPS 300-nits Anti-glare display is the star of the show feature of the model. The laptop is no doubt as vibrant as hell and produces clearer, smoother, and error-free images. Transform the notebook into a tablet, its multi-touch pressure-sensitive display helps you type onto the screen without any issue. It supports a stylus pen, the digital pen does not include in the package.
In total, the model is more than what you ask for for the price. Get hands-on with the model if you have the above-mentioned requirements.
9) Dell Inspiron 15 – Touchscreen Laptop, Latest Intel Core i3-7100U with 2.4GHz, 6 GB DDR4 RAM, 1 TB HDD
Dell Inspiron series is no doubt one of the most prominent laptop line-up produced by one of the finest brand Dell. The series has many other impressive models but for the price range, the mentioned model seems the right fit. The model though goes a few notches above in price range, but the extra price worth every penny.
Intel Dual-Core Core i3-7100u series processor. The mobile series processor two core processor supports multi-thread and offers clock speed up to 2.40 GHz to make you handle the workload that comes through your ways. The added processor is not only great for gaming but other light to complex processing. So, if you require a laptop for bulky processing, do not overlook the model at all.
It runs Windows OS and comes fitted with a 15.6 inches FHD IPS display with Intel UHD 605 graphics that offers error-free smooth visuals. The screen does not support touch but anti-glares panels and sharper viewing angles make the viewing smoother and seamless.
It has 6GB ddr4 memory that helps you smoothly pass through a basic level of processing and workload. The added memory is not enough for AA titles or heavy processing, so if you are into heavy processing get the memory size enhanced. The memory can be extended up to 8GB, so get it enhanced if you feel like so.
Its storage size is entertained with 1TB HDD storage. The storage is though great and helps you store your files and folders without any issue. It is not SSD storage, so you will have to face the slow booting time and loading time.
It has longer 7-hours battery runtime. A great product for extended time processing and computing. The model can be taken around without any issue, take it for schools, colleges and office works.
As long as gaming is concerned the model is great for light gaming such as sims 3, Minecraft and Dota 2. So, rely on the model for light gaming and get things sorted out.
10) Lenovo G50 – AMD A8, 6GB RAM, 500GB HDD, DVD-SuperMulti Drive, Windows 8.1
If you are looking for a sober-looking, sturdily made laptop under a tight budget get a hands-on Lenovo designed G50 model. The laptop comes integrated with all features you require for video streaming, light gaming, browsing, word-processing, and other casual tasks. It has a vibrant 15.6 inches HD display that produces vibrant images to offer an impressive entertainment experience.
It comes powered by an AMD quad-core processor which is great for light to complex processing. You can play your favorite games such as Minecraft, GTA v, and others. It is not for dedicated gaming, you must not take it for hardcore gaming.
With a 500GB HDD storage, you get quite astonishing storage to store your files, folders, and other stuff without any issue. The storage is not SSD, so you will have to suffer slow loading and booting time.
It has 6GB DDR4 memory enough for casual and basic multitasking. It is rare to see 6GB memory for 400 dollars price range. For light computing and browsing, the memory is more than required.
It has a 4-cell 2200 mAh 45W power battery that lasts around 6-hours in a single charging. That means you can count on the machine for outdoor usage. Yes, take it for school, college, office, or home computing.
How to choose the best gaming laptops under $400?
Before you go out and pick a gaming laptop for the price, these are some special attributes you should take special care of. If you do not care for the specs and attributes you might not be able to get the desired processing done.
Processor:
It is one of the most integral parts of a gaming laptop for the price. Check for the latest generation processor and its cores along with clock speed. A faster, high clock speed, multi-core, the hyper-thread supporting processor is always recommended and preferred. But for the price under 400 dollars that might not be possible. So, for the price, we recommend at least a core i3 processor for light gaming and computing.
Graphics card:
Graphics cards aka GPU are considered the integral part of systems designed and taken for gaming. It ensures smooth error-free gaming and processing. For the price, we cannot get dedicated graphics cards, as graphics cards are expensive. You may get hands-on integrated graphics which are also useful for light gaming and computing.
For 400 dollars you can’t get a dedicated graphics card but integrated. So, get a hands-on latest and powerful integrated graphics card. Intel UHD 4000 graphics can be purchased for the price.
RAM:
RAM or random access memory takes care of multitasking. In simple words, it helps you run multiple apps and programs to enhance productivity. Higher RAM sizes mean, high-end multitasking.
For the price in hand, we can’t afford a bulky memory. For 400 price range, we can only have 4GB memory. So, do not settle with less than that, the price demanded 4GB at least memory.
Storage:
It is essential to have good storage for optimal gaming performance. For a laptop under 400, we can’t afford giant storage. The least we can have 128GB SSD storage or 500GB HDD storage. So, do not settle less than that.
FAQs section:
Conclusion:
It is hard to buy the best gaming laptops for under $400. It requires lots of research and you may have to sacrifice some important features or attributes. In this post, we tried our best to make you suggest the best gaming machines for the price. You can have a bird’s eye view of the post and see which one of them falls right on your criterion.
We are pretty sure this post will make you pick a good laptop for the price. Do not forget to read the buying guide section as it helps you learn what to expect for the price.
Key Reference
- The PC Gaming System Requirements for 2020 Games – Intel Link
- How to Buy a Gaming Laptop: A Guide for 2020 Link
- What to look for in a cheap gaming laptop – CNET Link