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10 Best Budget Gaming Laptops 2025 in the UK

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Our technology thoroughly searches through the online shopping world, reviewing hundreds of sites. We then process and analyze this information, updating in real-time to bring you the latest top-rated products. This way, you always get the best and most current options available.

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Our Top Picks

#1

Winner

HP Victus 15.6" Gaming Laptop | AMD Ryzen 7-8845HS | 16 GB RAM | 512 GB SSD | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 Graphics | FHD IPS Display | Up to 13 hrs battery | Win 11 | Mica Silver | 15-fb2006sa

Rating
9.8
Chosen by1,431
Graphics Card (GPU)
Processor (CPU)
RAM
Graphics Card (GPU)
Ryzen 7 8845HS and RTX 4060 deliver smooth gaming and multitasking performance, making it a great value-for-money gaming laptop.
Processor (CPU)
Ryzen 7 8845HS and RTX 4060 deliver smooth gaming and multitasking performance, making it a great value-for-money gaming laptop.
RAM
The laptop runs games like Halo MCC perfectly with Xbox Live, loading them quickly and handling multiple applications without lag.
Storage
It boots up in seconds and features a design that's both sturdy and aesthetically pleasing, despite the plastic build.
Display
The 15.6-inch Full HD display provides smooth visuals with its 144Hz refresh rate, though brightness and color accuracy could be better.
Battery Life
While the battery life is around 5-6 hours for casual use, it's significantly less during gaming, which is typical for gaming laptops.
Build Quality and Design
It boots up in seconds and features a design that's both sturdy and aesthetically pleasing, despite the plastic build.

The HP Victus 15.6" Gaming Laptop offers strong performance for its price, making it a solid choice for budget-conscious gamers. It features an AMD Ryzen 7-8845HS processor and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 graphics card, ensuring smooth gameplay for most modern games. With 16 GB of DDR5 RAM and a 512 GB SSD, it provides ample memory and storage for gaming and multitasking needs.

The 15.6-inch Full HD IPS display delivers clear and vibrant visuals, enhancing the gaming experience. However, some gamers might find the 1920 x 1080 resolution less sharp compared to higher-end models with 4K displays. The laptop's battery life is commendable, boasting up to 13 hours, though actual gaming usage may significantly reduce this duration. Weighing 2.29 kg, it is relatively portable but might still be on the heavier side for some users.

The build quality is robust, and the design is sleek, with a backlit keyboard and anti-glare coating being notable additions. Additional features like the fingerprint reader, HD camera with Temporal Noise Reduction, and multiple connectivity options, including USB 3.0 and HDMI ports, contribute to its versatility. One drawback is the lack of an optical drive, which may be a consideration for users who still utilize physical media. In summary, the HP Victus 15.6" Gaming Laptop is a well-rounded option for gamers looking for a balance of performance and affordability, though it may not fully satisfy those seeking ultra-high-end gaming experiences.

Rating
9.8
Chosen by1,431
Graphics Card (GPU)
Processor (CPU)
RAM
Graphics Card (GPU)
Ryzen 7 8845HS and RTX 4060 deliver smooth gaming and multitasking performance, making it a great value-for-money gaming laptop.
Processor (CPU)
Ryzen 7 8845HS and RTX 4060 deliver smooth gaming and multitasking performance, making it a great value-for-money gaming laptop.
RAM
The laptop runs games like Halo MCC perfectly with Xbox Live, loading them quickly and handling multiple applications without lag.
Storage
It boots up in seconds and features a design that's both sturdy and aesthetically pleasing, despite the plastic build.
Display
The 15.6-inch Full HD display provides smooth visuals with its 144Hz refresh rate, though brightness and color accuracy could be better.
Battery Life
While the battery life is around 5-6 hours for casual use, it's significantly less during gaming, which is typical for gaming laptops.
Build Quality and Design
It boots up in seconds and features a design that's both sturdy and aesthetically pleasing, despite the plastic build.
#2

ASUS Laptop Vivobook Pro 15 M6500XV 15.6" 144Hz Full HD Laptop (AMD Ryzen 9-7940HS, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD, Windows 11)

Rating
9.6
Processor (CPU)
Storage
Display
Processor (CPU)
It's powerful for productivity tasks, handling lots of tabs open, as well as VS Studio and VS Code simultaneously.
Storage
Handles video editing extremely well and is great at uploading and downloading large files.
Display
The screen looks amazing, making it a visual treat for gamers and productivity tasks alike.
Battery Life
Battery life is quite bad (2-3h), but usable in a pinch, with better results if the d-GPU is completely turned off.

The ASUS Vivobook Pro 15 M6500XV stands as a compelling option in the budget-gaming laptop category, offering considerable power and performance. It features an AMD Ryzen 9-7940HS processor, which is robust for multitasking and gaming. Coupled with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 GPU, it supports demanding games and provides a smooth visual experience, enhanced by the 144Hz Full HD display. This makes it well-suited for gamers looking for fluid graphics and quick response times.

In terms of memory and storage, the laptop is equipped with 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD. This combination ensures fast boot times and efficient game loading, although some users might find the storage capacity limited if they maintain a large game library. The RAM size is adequate for most gaming needs but is at the upper limit of what this model supports, leaving no room for future upgrades.

Battery life averages around 7 hours, which is reasonable but not exceptional for gaming on-the-go. While it can handle some gaming sessions unplugged, prolonged gaming will necessitate being near a power outlet. The build quality is solid for its category, with a sleek design and a manageable weight of 1.8 kg, making it portable enough for travel or versatile use beyond gaming.

The laptop runs on Windows 11, ensuring compatibility with the latest applications and games. Connectivity options are decent with Wi-Fi 6 support, although the number of USB ports might feel limiting for gamers who use multiple peripherals.

The Vivobook Pro 15 is a good fit for budget-conscious gamers, but those looking for extensive storage or battery life beyond moderate gaming sessions might need to consider additional options or upgrades.

Rating
9.6
Processor (CPU)
Storage
Display
Processor (CPU)
It's powerful for productivity tasks, handling lots of tabs open, as well as VS Studio and VS Code simultaneously.
Storage
Handles video editing extremely well and is great at uploading and downloading large files.
Display
The screen looks amazing, making it a visual treat for gamers and productivity tasks alike.
Battery Life
Battery life is quite bad (2-3h), but usable in a pinch, with better results if the d-GPU is completely turned off.
#3

ASUS Laptop ROG Strix G16 G614JV 16.0” WUXGA 165Hz Gaming Laptop (Intel i7-13650H, NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD, Windows 11, 90Whrs Battery)

Rating
9.4
Graphics Card (GPU)
Processor (CPU)
Storage
Graphics Card (GPU)
It's impressive how this machine can handle modern games at ultra settings with high frame rates.
Processor (CPU)
The laptop performs exceptionally well, even under load, without hitting any thermal throttle.
Storage
The SSD is lightning fast and the 2TB storage is generous compared to others.
Display
The screen is beautiful and the keyboard is nice to use, making it suitable for work as well.
Build Quality and Design
The laptop is very well built and feels sturdy, with a thoughtfully designed aesthetic.

The ASUS ROG Strix G16 G614JV is a solid choice for budget-conscious gamers. It features the latest Intel Core i7-13650H processor and a dedicated NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4060 GPU, providing strong performance for most modern games. With 16GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD, it offers a good balance of fast multitasking and ample storage for games and other files.

The 16.0” WUXGA 165Hz screen delivers smooth visuals, enhancing the gaming experience, though the 1920 x 1200 resolution isn't the highest available but is still quite satisfactory for this price range. The build quality is robust, typical of ASUS's ROG series, and it comes in a sleek black design that appeals to gamers. At 2.7 kg, it's reasonably portable, though not the lightest option out there.

The 90Whrs battery promises around 6 hours of life, which is decent but might require frequent recharges during extended gaming sessions. One drawback is the cooling system, which, while adequate, can become noisy under heavy use. The pre-installed Windows 11 Home provides a modern interface and compatibility with the latest software. Connectivity options, including multiple USB 3.0 ports and Wi-Fi 6, ensure good peripheral support and fast internet speeds. This laptop is best suited for gamers looking for a high-performing machine without breaking the bank, although those seeking the very best in graphics and battery life might consider other options.

Rating
9.4
Graphics Card (GPU)
Processor (CPU)
Storage
Graphics Card (GPU)
It's impressive how this machine can handle modern games at ultra settings with high frame rates.
Processor (CPU)
The laptop performs exceptionally well, even under load, without hitting any thermal throttle.
Storage
The SSD is lightning fast and the 2TB storage is generous compared to others.
Display
The screen is beautiful and the keyboard is nice to use, making it suitable for work as well.
Build Quality and Design
The laptop is very well built and feels sturdy, with a thoughtfully designed aesthetic.

Buying Guide for the Best Budget Gaming Laptops

When choosing a budget gaming laptop, it's important to balance performance with cost. Gaming laptops are designed to handle demanding tasks, so you'll want to focus on key specifications that affect gaming performance. Consider what types of games you play and how you plan to use the laptop. This will help you prioritize which specs are most important for your needs. Remember, a budget gaming laptop won't have the highest-end components, but you can still find a machine that offers a good gaming experience by focusing on the right features.
Graphics Card (GPU)The graphics card, or GPU, is crucial for gaming as it handles rendering images, animations, and video. In budget gaming laptops, you'll typically find entry-level to mid-range GPUs. These are sufficient for playing most games at medium settings. If you play less demanding games or older titles, an entry-level GPU will suffice. For more modern or graphically intense games, aim for a mid-range GPU to ensure smoother gameplay. Consider your gaming preferences to decide which level of GPU performance you need.
Processor (CPU)The processor, or CPU, is the brain of your laptop and affects overall performance, including gaming. In budget gaming laptops, you'll find CPUs ranging from lower-end to mid-range. A quad-core processor is generally a good starting point for gaming, providing enough power for most games. If you multitask or play CPU-intensive games, consider a higher-end CPU within the budget range. Your choice should depend on whether you prioritize gaming alone or plan to use the laptop for other demanding tasks as well.
RAMRAM, or memory, is important for multitasking and ensuring smooth gameplay. For budget gaming laptops, 8GB of RAM is typically the minimum you should consider, as it allows for decent performance in most games. If you play more demanding games or run multiple applications simultaneously, 16GB of RAM is preferable. Consider how you use your laptop beyond gaming to determine the right amount of RAM for your needs.
StorageStorage affects how much data you can keep on your laptop and how quickly it can access that data. Budget gaming laptops often come with either a Hard Disk Drive (HDD) or a Solid State Drive (SSD). An SSD is faster and improves load times, which is beneficial for gaming. If you can, opt for a laptop with an SSD, even if it's smaller, as you can always use external storage for additional space. Consider the size of your game library and whether you need quick access to your files when choosing storage options.
DisplayThe display is important for your gaming experience, affecting how games look and feel. In budget gaming laptops, you'll typically find Full HD (1080p) displays, which are sufficient for most gamers. Consider the refresh rate as well; a higher refresh rate (like 120Hz or 144Hz) can make games look smoother, which is beneficial for fast-paced games. Think about the types of games you play and whether you value visual quality or performance more when choosing a display.
Battery LifeBattery life is often a trade-off in gaming laptops, as powerful components consume more power. In budget gaming laptops, battery life can vary, but it's generally shorter than non-gaming laptops. If you plan to game on the go, look for a laptop with decent battery life, though keep in mind that gaming will drain the battery faster. If you mostly game at home, battery life may be less of a concern. Consider your gaming habits and where you'll use the laptop most often when evaluating battery life.
Build Quality and DesignBuild quality and design affect the durability and aesthetics of your laptop. Budget gaming laptops may use more plastic in their construction, but you can still find models with sturdy builds. Consider the laptop's weight and portability if you plan to carry it around. Design features like keyboard backlighting can enhance your gaming experience. Think about how important these aspects are to you and how they fit into your lifestyle when choosing a laptop.