For a hardcore gamer who spends ample time exploring the latest game titles, a milliseconds lag can be a huge let down. A lot of manufacturers are increasingly creating powerful laptops specially designed for this category of gamers—but they don’t come cheap! Powerful gaming machines are really expensive, hence, the need to make sure that you are investing in the right one.
Our search for the best gaming laptop under 1500 led us to a large list but we were able to trim it down to the best 10. We were ready to compromise on any other feature except performance and overall gaming experience. The laptops on our list can play any title, have lightning-speed load time for most games, and immerses you deeper into your game world with an unrivalled display or sound.
Why invest in a gaming laptop of $1500?
Many would be wondering the point of investing in a gaming laptop of $1,500 when the best gaming laptops of 2021 under $800 can play the same role. The first thing that you would quickly realized when you put the two side-by-side is that what seems to be the maximum specification of the under $800 gaming laptops is the minimum specification for the under $1,500 gaming machines.
As you get closer to the $1,500 mark, you start to see gaming laptops with powerful processors, larger size graphics card and RAM, and larger storage space. Bear in mind, game studios are continuously advancing their software leading to higher laptop requirements to play their games. You don’t want to by a laptop that will not be able to play the latest titles in a few years’ time. With the under $1,500 best gaming laptops of 2021 on our list, you can be sure that your laptop can handle whatever upgrade game studios make. Enough said, here are our top pick.
Review of the best gaming laptop under 1500
Alienware M15 Gaming Laptop – Best overall
Obviously a monster when it comes to gaming, the Alienware M15 gaming laptop comes with the 8th Generation Intel Core i7 but it’s not your regular Core i7. This version of the processor makes use of 6 cores, has 9MB Cache size and has a speed of up to 4.1GHz with the inclusion of a Turbo Boost. It also has 128GB of solid state drive that boosts load time.
The Alienware M15 will literarily drive you insane with the quality of its display. The 15.6” FHD screen has a refresh rate of 60Hz. It also boasts of IPS anti-glare feature causing less strain to the eyes. The video graphic for this monster gaming machine is the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 with a RAM size of 6GB. Pair this with the system’s 16GB RAM and you have a super-fast gaming machine.
For a few hundred dollar extra, you can get the m17 which is a bigger monster compared to the m15. The m17 comes with the GeForce RTX 2060 which makes the GTX 1060 look like a joke. Its 17” screen will not only give you a larger view but enhance your viewing experience with a resolution of up to 2560 x 1440.
Notwithstanding packing all these great features into a single laptop, the Alienware M15 is still lightweight at 4.85 pounds. However, if you are going for the m17 prepare for its massive 11.9 pounds weight. With the 1TB storage memory, you can be certain that all your games will always be with you. A single charge will give you at least 6 hours of gaming session. There is a great discount on this gaming laptop on amazon which has also placed it as the best gaming laptop under 1200.
Pros
- Processor speed of up to 4,1GHz for m15 and 4.5GHz for m17
- Full HD and anti-glare display
- Large storage memory
- Runs on 6 processors
Cons
- The m17 is extremely heavy to carry around
- The m15 screen refresh rate is far lower than some competitors
Razer Blade 15 – Best for size
The Raze Blade 15 is promoted as the smallest gaming laptop in the world. Its thin bezel and light weight of 4.48 pounds further confirms this fact. This monster gaming laptop also has a compact and durable CNC aluminum chassis that makes it sleek and easy to carry around. If you have a high fashion sense, the Raze Blade 15 will easily blend into your world.
This gaming laptop also pushes the visual experience to the edge with its 4.9mm thin bezel. The full HD display of this 15.6” screen is factory calibrated for accuracy. The powerful NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 ensures you see the tinniest detail of your game. This thin bezel allows you to view the screen from a wider angle. The performance speed of the Raze Blade 15 is due to the 128GB SSD and 16GB RAM while the 1TB HDD gives you enough room to carry all your favorite games wherever you go. Take note, the RAM can be upgraded up to 32GB.
The Raze Blade 15 comes with the 8th Generation Intel Core i7 with a speed of 2.2GHz. Like other high-end gaming machines, Raze Blade 15 runs on 6 processors. However, you only get an average of 5 hours of battery life. If you consider the gigabit Ethernet port, the thunderbold 3 port and the HDMI 2.0 port on the side, some of the flaws of the Raze Blade 15 can be forgiven.
Pros
- Factory calibrated display for accuracy
- NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 Max-Q design graphics
- Dual storage for faster loading and larger storage
- Extremely lightweight and easy to carry around
Cons
- Low processor speed of just 2.2GHz
- Average battery life
Acer Predator Helios 300 Gaming Laptop – Best for performance
At a glance, it is easy to see that the Acer Predator Helios 300 was designed for performance. It comes with the 9th Generation Intel Core i7 processor with a speed of up to 4.5GHz. This gaming laptop also has the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti graphics with 6GB of dedicated RAM. This feature combines with a 16GB RAM to ensure unbeatable performance when playing the latest high-end titles.
If your character sweats, you will be able to see it with precision, thanks to the FHD widescreen LED backlit IPS display. The 144Hz refresh rate and 300 nit brightness of the screen ensures clarity, eliminates glares, as well as takes off any strain on your eyes. The backlit keyboard keeps you on top of control when you are in an environment with low light.
The custom-engineered 4th Generation AeroBlade 3D Fan Technology ensures that your gaming laptop stays cool throughout your playing session. The PredatorSense is a special tool that helps you to customize your gaming experience. The Acer Predator Helios 300 can be considered slightly heavy at 5.07 pounds and its storage memory is only 256GB. Outdoor gamers will find the Acer Predator Helios 300 disappointing because its battery lasts only 3 hours 45 mins.
Pros
- Comes with the 9th generation Intel Core i7 with a speed of 4.5GHz
- NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti Graphics which is higher than GTX 1060
- Backlit keyboard for poorly-lit environment
- Full HD display with a refresh rate of 144Hz
Cons
- Low storage space
- Slightly heavy
- Less than 4 hours battery life
Eluktronics MECH-17 – Best for gaming bundle
You will not find a gaming bundle that can be compared to what the Eluktronics MECH-17 has to offer. This bundle comes with a stitched edge mouse pad and a 3389 Pixart sensor gaming mouse. This powerful gaming machine comes with the 9th Generation Intel Core i7 with a speed of up to 4.5GHz. This combines with the 16GB RAM to give you an unbeatable gaming speed.
The Eluktronics MECH-17 is one of the few gaming laptops under $1500 that has the advanced NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti gaming graphics card with a memory size of 6GB. In terms of display, you will have a full HD LED-backlit IPS display with a refresh rate of 144Hz. The 17” display also offers you a wider viewing angle. There is also the MECH-15 which has 15.6” screen. Apart from getting a smaller screen, when you choose the MECH-15, your processor speed drops to 2.6GHz.
The Eluktronics MECH-17 is slightly heavier than top competitors at 5.4 pounds. However, the MECH-15 is only 4.5 pounds which is lightweight. Both products come with a one-year warranty. One of the downside of this gaming powerhouse is the low storage memory. There are also lots of comment on the efficient customer service of Eluktronics.
Pros
- Boasts of 9th generation Intel Core i7 with a speed of 4.5GHz
- Runs on 6 processors
- Full HD display with a refresh rate of 144Hz
- Higher NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti Graphics
- Backlit keyboard with anti-ghosting
- Sales bundle allows you to get more
Cons
- Low storage space
- Slightly heavy
Omen by HP 2019 15-Inch Gaming Laptop – Best for graphics
The HP Omen Gaming Laptop immerses you into a new level of gaming realism and performance. This is due to the combination of NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 (with 6GB dedicated memory) and FHD IPS anti-glare micro-edge WLED-backlit display. However, the refresh rate of the screen is 60Hz which is lower than the 144Hz offered by some of the competing brands. You can further tweak your gaming experience through the Omen command center.
The Omen comes with the 8th Generation Intel Core i7 with a speed of up to 4.1GHz and 16GB RAM. The presence of 2 accessible memory slots makes it possible to upgrade your RAM. You will also get a 128GB SSD which shorten load time as well as 1TB hard drive where you can store all your games. An important addition to the Omen is the audio boost which gives you superior sound quality and filtering.
The Omen is a little bulky to handle at 5.29 pounds. This can affect your outdoor gaming experience. The major downside of the Omen which can be a big deal for outdoor gamers is that the battery lasts only 3 hours. However, the thin bezel and innovative design of the Omen still stands it out from the crowd.
Pros
- Comes with the 8th Generation Intel Core i7 with a speed of up to 4.1GHz
- Upgradable 16GB RAM
- Large 1TB storage space and 128GB SSD for faster game load time
- Omen Command Center for game boost
- Advanced NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 with 6GB dedicated memory
Cons
- Low battery capacity
- Heavier than some of the competitors
Asus ROG Strix SCAR II Gaming Laptop – Best for cooling
Apart from staying cool, a good cooling mechanism can significantly extend the lifespan of your gaming laptop. This is where the ASUS ROG Strix Scar II has the edge over the other gaming laptops under $1500. It comes with a Hypercool Pro thermal system, triple radiators, dual 12V fans, heatsink, and anti-dust technology which work together to ensure an optimum cooling system.
To ensure you stay on top of your control, the ASUS ROG Strix Scar II has a keyboard with extended space bar and larger direction keys as well as ambient lighting effect. In terms of visual performance, this gaming machine comes with a 17.3” IPS-type with a refresh rate of 144Hz. It has the 8th Generation Intel Core i7 processor with a speed of up to 3.9GHz. When you throw in NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 with dedicated 6GB RAM into the picture you have a powerful and crystal clear visual.
The ASUS ROG Strix Scar II also has a larger SSD memory (256GB) and runs on 6 processors which is extremely commendable. However, at a weight of 6.5 pounds, it is definitely not a laptop that is easy to carry around. The battery lasts about 3 and half hours which means you cannot use it for long-term outdoor gaming.
Pros
- Advanced cooling infrastructure and anti-dust technology
- Large SSD memory and storage capacity
- Widescreen display with high refresh rate
Cons
- Battery lasts barely 3 hours
- Extremely heavy and difficult to carry around
- Processor speed is slightly lower than major competitors
MSI GS65 Stealth – Best for backlit variety
Only a few of the best gaming laptops under 1500 can stand up to the MSI GS65 Stealth in terms of design and backlit variety. You can choose between the per-key RGB backlight version and the red backlight version. This gaming powerhouse is also in a smaller body with thin bezel for a wider and immersive visual. This is not the only cool feature of the MSI GS65 Stealth. This laptop also boasts of a revolutionary cooling system for longer gaming.
The inclusion of NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 series with 6GB dedicated video memory and 15.6” IPS-level display with a refresh rate of 144Hz ensures you don’t miss any detail in the background of your game. Thanks to the 9th Generation Intel Core i7, you will get 10% more performance. However, the speed of the processor is only 2.6GHz which is lower than other competing brands.
The MSI GS65 Stealth comes with 16GB RAM. It boasts of a 512GB SSD storage space which may not be large enough for heavy gamers. Handling the MSI GS65 Stealth can be a little difficult because of its 5.07 pounds weight. Also, the battery lasts only 4 and half hours which can be considered low.
Pros
- Backlight variety and improved designs
- Revolutionary cooling system that boosts the lifespan of your game
- Advanced NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060
- IPS-level display with high refresh rate
Cons
- Low processors speed
- Battery capacity is low
- Average storage space
ASUS ROG Zephyrus Gaming Laptop – Best for display
The first thing anyone would notice when they turn on their ASUS ROG Zephyrus is the quality of the display. This powerful gaming laptop has a full HD IPS-type display with a refresh rate of 144Hz. Although it has the NVIDIA GeForce GTX 10 series, it comes with the 1070 model with Max Q technology which is slightly higher than the 1060 model. It also has an edge over other competitors by having an 8GB dedicated video RAM-but that is not all.
The ASUS ROG Zephyrus has a design that is impeccably sleek with an ultraportable military grade magnesium alloy body. ASUS has creatively incorporated the Rog active Aerodynamic System (AAS) into this laptop to help you stay cool during a long gaming session. This comprises of upgraded 12V fans and anti-dust tunnels.
The ASUS ROG Zephyrus runs on 8th generation Intel Core i7 which has a speed of up to 3.9GHz. Interestingly, the keyboard is customizable with 4 zone ASUS Aura RGB. This laptop is really light at 4.63 pounds. However, some of the features that may be a letdown for heavy gamers is the 512GB hard disk space and the 3 and half hour battery life. If you overlook those flaws you have one of the best gaming laptops of 2021 in front of you.
Pros
- Customizable keyboard
- Advanced NVIDIA GeForce GTX 10 series
- Large IPS-type display with faster refresh rate
- Improved aerodynamic system and anti-dust feature
- Higher video graphics memory
Cons
- Hard disk space is average
- Low batter life
- Slightly lower processor speed
Lenovo Legion Y740 – 17.3-inch Best for tuning
Most high-end gaming laptops come with a form of platform that allows you to adjust your settings for a better gaming experience. The Lenovo Vantage which is part of the Lenovo Legion Y740 has one of the best layout and easiest to understand. This allows you to spend less time of fine-tuning your settings and more time on playing your favorite game.
If the 17” of the Lenovo Legion Y740 feels too small for you, the HDMI 2.0, the Type-C ports, and MiniDisplay gives you the option of projecting your view to three different displays simultaneously for a more cinematic viewing experience. A combination of the Dolby Vision HDR, the FHD graphics rendering with a refresh rate of 144Hz, and the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 20 series gives you an unrivaled clarity.
The Lenovo Legion Y740 runs on the 9th Generation Intel Core with a speed of up to 4.5GHz which gives it enough power to handle AAA games. On the other side of cool lies the obstacles that the Lenovo Legion Y740 presents which include dealing with its 6.39 pounds weight and a battery that lasts barely an hour during gameplay.
Pros
- Improved NVIDIA GeForce RTX 20 series
- Lenovo Vantage for tweaking game settings
- Dolby Vision HDR for improved clarity
- High processor speed
Cons
- Extremely heavy
- Disappointing battery life
Sager NP7876 Gaming Laptop – Best for sound
HD crystal clear display and quality sound are the two things that makes a game more immersive. With the Sager NP7876’s two built-in speakers and Sound Blaster Cinema 5, you are in for a unique sound experience. The 17” widescreen Matte-type display with thin bezel gives you a wide viewing angle. This elegant gaming laptop runs on 9th Generation Intel Core i7. However, you shouldn’t expect a speed more than 2.6GHz.
To further boost performance and the quality of the graphics, the Sager NP7876 has the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 graphics card with a 6GB dedicated RAM. On the outside, the Sager NP7876 is sleek and beautiful and this stunning beauty is summed up in its Single Zone Multi-Color keyboard. In total, there are 15 colors to select.
For intense outdoor gaming, the battery of the Sager NP7876 will not last beyond 2 hours which can be a major limitation. At 5.9 pounds, carrying this gaming laptop around might feel like a load. Heavy gamers with a lot of titles may find the 500GB storage space insufficient. Minus the shortfalls, the Sager NP7876 is one of the best gaming laptop under 1500.
Pros
- Built in 2 speakers and sound blaster cinema5
- Full HD Matte-type display
- Runs on 9th generation processor
- Advanced NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 graphics card
Cons
- Processor speed is extremely low
- Average on weight
- Battery doesn’t exceed 2 hours for gaming
- Storage space is average
Buying Guide For The Best Gaming Laptop Under 1500
If you must throw $1,500 on a gaming laptop, it has to worth every dollar. It needs to have a good RAM and dedicated SSD memory for faster game loading. To make sure that it performs optimally it needs advanced graphics card and a good processors. In fact, there is a whole lot to look out for when searching for a laptop under 1500 and we have covered them below.
Processor
For a high-end gaming machine under $1,500, accept nothing less than the 8th Generation Intel Core i7. For any reason, this should be your minimum. These processors have the capability to handle AAA titles. The processor speed should also not be less than 2.5GHz either.
Display
Whether it is Matte-type or IPS-type display, it has to be full HD. At FHD you are guaranteed of an immersive and crystal clear display that will surely improve how you feel about your game.
RAM Size
The best gaming laptops under 1500 have two types of RAM and you should pay attention to them. The first is the system RAM which should not be less than 16GB and the second is the RAM for the video card which should not be less than 6GB. This gives your laptop enough space to handle any game.
Hard Disk Space
We recommend going for a laptop with an SSD of at least 128GB and another storage of not less than 500GB. The SSD helps games to load faster saving you a lot of waiting time.
Video Graphics
Either the NVIDIA GeForce GTX or RTX series is fine. However, when faced with two brands of the same price choose the one with the RTX series because they are more advanced and have larger accessory compatibility than the former.
Weight
It is hard for a high-end gaming laptop not to be bulky. Notwithstanding, you will still find those with a weight of 4.5 to 5.5 pounds. Any gaming laptop that falls within this range is easy to handle.
Price
When searching for the best gaming laptop under 1500, you will definitely find those with huge discounts. It won’t be a bad idea to jump on these discounts if they meet our minimum requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What makes these gaming laptops so expensive?
They usually have more RAM, graphics card and a few other features which you will not find in cheaper gaming laptops.
- Which is better between the 15” and 17”
The 17” usually offer a few upgrades of the features found in 15”. However the 17” are usually heavier and less flexible to carry around.
- What are the most important features for a gaming laptop under 1500
The type and speed of the processor, the RAM size, the battery capacity, and video graphics are the most important features of gaming laptops under 1500.
- Are gaming laptops only for playing games?
No. Gaming laptops can also double as a work laptop and will handle most of your projects faster.
- How long does the battery of gaming laptops last?
This varies depending on the manufacturer. However, most of them come with batteries that can last from 3 to 6 hours.
Conclusion
As your budget grows, so will your option. There are lots of powerful gaming laptops under $1,500 which gives you the power to play all your favorite titles without experiencing the lags that characterize cheaper laptops. However, an increase in choice will also increases your likelihood of making the wrong choice. When you are looking for the best gaming laptops under 1500, the best place to start would be our guide. Our curated list saves your ample time and helps you to make the right choice every time.