Best cheap gaming laptops

Start with the HP Victus 15.6" (144Hz). It's the safest cheap gaming laptop: a 1080p 144Hz screen, Intel CPU and NVIDIA graphics, and a strong 4.6/5 from 800+ ratings — fast enough for esports and most modern games at medium settings, and it doubles as a school/work machine.

Who the others suit:

• Acer Nitro 5 — the tightest budget; older hardware, so keep it to lighter and older titles.
• MSI GF65 — a step up in graphics for the same money, if you don't mind buying from a marketplace seller.
• ASUS ROG Strix G15 — the most performance here; pick it if you want headroom for AAA games.
• HP Victus 16 / MSI Thin 15 — bigger screens and newer chips if you'll also edit video.
• REIXCA — only if you want a no-name budget box and accept weaker support.

Skip the Zephyrus G14 and TUF Dash here — they're premium machines, not cheap ones.