You may have heard it before, you need a thousand dollar laptop to play a game or budget laptops will never be able to play any game. Well, that may be true, depending on the game under review. What if you were told that you can game on a $200 laptop? Sounds unbelievable right? Thanks to advancing technologies, manufacturers are not able to offer more at a slim budget—but there is yet another problem.
Not all cheap gaming laptops under 200 are worth your money. It is easy to fall prey to duds in this category because of the myriads of available products. In fact, buying a cheap gaming adventure can still be a complex task for a professional. We want to make the experience less stressful. Therefore, we have put together the best gaming laptops under $200. After going through the list, feel free to ask any question and we will be glad to help.
Review of Cheap Gaming Laptops Under $200
You need to be realistic when buying a cheap gaming laptop because they have their limits—and that limit is very low. You possibly can’t expect your $200 laptop to play the latest AAA games, but such as minecrafts. However, with the right mindset, you will easily discover that the laptops on our list can outperform your expectations. Have a look and tell us which one stands out for you
Acer Aspire 5 Slim – Best overall
If there is any laptop that deserves the top spot among cheap gaming laptops, it is certainly Acer Aspire 5 slim. Like you already noticed, the price is almost $150 above the $200 benchmark. However, that is because we couldn’t find anything better. This laptop runs on the AMD Ryzen 3 with a speed of up to 3.5 GHz. this works together with a 4GB RAM to give you a fairly smooth gaming experience on all entry-level games.
One thing you will easily notice with cheap laptops is that Full HD display is almost a luxury feature. In addition to offering Full HD display, Acer Aspire 5 slim is powered by AMD Radeon Vega 3 Mobile Graphics. These two features work together to deliver stunning visuals that allows you to see the game background properly. If any enemy is hiding in the background, you should be able to spot them with ease.
With this one you will get 12GB SSD storage. This is probably the highest you will get in a cheap laptop. The keyboard has backlight which keeps you in control irrespective of the lighting of your environment. Also, you will get up to 7.5 hours of battery life. Your games will sound better and louder, thanks to the Acer TrueHarmony and innovative speaker design. Of course, it is not all rosy with Aspire 5. You will get to pay a high price to get it and the 3.97 pounds weight can easily begin to feel like a load. Overcome those and you can brag that you have the best cheap gaming machine.
Pros
- Good processor and speed
- Full HD widescreen IPS display
- AMD Radeon Vega 3 Mobile Graphics
- Large storage space
- Acer TrueHarmony and innovative speaker design
Cons
- Expensive
- Slightly heavy
Lenovo S330 – Best gaming laptop
Lenovo S330 runs on Chrome OS. One interesting thing you may not know is that the latest versions of Chrome OS can play android games. Also, programmers are raising the bar almost on a daily basis. You can easily mistake Telltale Games for regular Windows games. This 14” laptop offers you the best of Chrome gaming with a full keyboard and spacious trackpad. Also, the screen offers HD anti-glare display which is further enhanced by the Integrated PowerVR GX6250 graphics card.
Another astonishing inclusion in this gadget is the USB-C. You now have more ways to connect and share your files. Lenovo S330 runs on MediaTek processor with a speed of 1.70 GHz. pair this with 4GB RAM and you should have a seamless experience navigating through the most demanding Android games. The 2 x 2W speakers deliver immersive audio experience—and this means a lot for every gamer.
Lenovo S330 offers up to 10 hours of battery life. This seems like a lot for a cheap gaming laptop under 200. However, this laptop disappoints in a number of places too. Firstly, it offers only 64GB storage—although you can expand this using a memory card. It is also slightly heavy at 3.2 pounds. Well, the flaws are pardonable when you consider the price.
Pros
- Up to 10 hours of battery life
- Comes with USB Type-C port
- Large screen and good graphics card
- Immersive audio experience
- One year manufacturer warranty
Cons
- Slightly expensive
- Disappointing storage space
Asus VivoBook L203MA – Best Asus laptop under 200
Intel remains one of the best processors for Windows gaming. With Asus VivoBook L203MA, you will get Intel Celeron N4000 processor with a speed of up to 2.6 GHz. This works well with 4GB RAM to handle day-to-day tasks with ease. You should be able to play most entry-level games with absolute ease. This Asus VivoBook has a smaller screen (11.6”) but still manages to squeeze in Full HD display. Also, the visual experience is optimized by Asus Tru2Life technology.
This Asus VivoBook has large bezels unlike the midrange and high-end versions that have thin and attractive bezels. However, it makes up for its flaws in other ways. One of them is by being extremely lightweight. It weighs only 2.2 pounds. Also, it has a battery that last up to 10 hours on a single charge. The combination of these features means you can make it your travel companion. The inclusion of USB-C gives you ultimate flexibility in the way you share your files.
The L203MA delivers immersive audio and this is as a result of its dual speakers and Asus SonicMaster technology. Like most of our selections in this category, it is slightly expensive. However, one major flaw is that the storage space is only 64GB. The keyboard lacks a backlight too and the key travel is 1.6mm. Therefore, expect slower response time when playing your favorite game—and this can be costly.
Pros
- Full HD display with Asus Tru2Life technology
- Up to 10 hours of battery life
- Comes with the revolutionary USB-C
- Dual speakers with Asus SonicMaster technology
Cons
- Slightly expensive
- Keyboard lacks backlight
HP Stream 14 – Best storage
One of the major problems with cheap laptops is their limited storage space. HP Stream 14 has 32GB eMMC storage. However, it comes with Office 365 which gives you 1 TB of cloud storage. Also, you can upgrade your storage space using the memory card. This 14” laptop combines functionality and style in several ways. It runs on the Intel Celeron N3060 processor with a speed of up to 2.48 GHz. This pairs with 4GB RAM to effectively handle most entry-level games.
Like the name suggests, HP Stream 14 offers better streaming experience, thanks to the improved 802.11ac 2×2 Wi-Fi antenna. This improved architecture offer stronger and more reliable internet connection. One feature that will definitely come handy is the imagepad with gesture capabilities. This laptop also shines when it comes to battery life with up to 9 hours of power. This is definitely suitable for an outdoor spin.
One key feature that we think is missing here is the backlit keyboard. Unless you have mastered the keyboard, you may struggle with controls when you find yourself in a poorly-lit environment. Inasmuch as it can be considered lightweight at just 3 pounds, you won’t get Full HD display. The price is definitely another subject for debate.
Pros
- Large cloud storage space
- Improved 802.11ac 2×2 Wi-Fi antenna
- Up to 9 hours of battery life
- Lightweight
Cons
- Lacks backlit keyboard
- Slightly expensive
Samsung Chromebook 3 – Best gaming laptop under 150
There are certainly a few laptops below $150 that can rival what Samsung Chromebook 3 is offering. The most obvious advantage of this laptop is that it offers up to 11 hours of battery life on a single charge. The entire Chrome OS architecture has built-in formidable security features that protect you from viruses and malware. With Chrome OS you tend to worry less about the safety of your files.
The 11.6” screen is HD anti-reflective display which can give remarkable clarity without hurting your eyes. It might also interest you to know that it makes use of the Intel HD Graphics card. This allows you to play for longer hours without undue pressure on your eyes. Samsung Chromebook 3 was built tough too making it a good gift for teens. It has a spill resistant keyboard that protects it against accidental damage.
This laptop runs on Intel Celeron N3060 processor with 2GB RAM. Definitely, there is a huge limitation on the kind of games that you can play. Its storage space is only 16GB which is yet another huge limitation. It is not all gloom. This Samsung Chromebook 3 weighs 2.54 pounds which is considerably lightweight. You will barely feel like you are holding anything. If budget is your greatest limitation, this should suffice.
Pros
- Built-in formidable security features
- Up to 11 hours of battery life
- Graphics card is Intel HD Graphics
- Spill resistant keyboard
- Lightweight
- Affordable
Cons
- Poor RAM and storage space
- Keyboard lacks backlight
- Display is not Full HD
Dell Inspiron 11 3000 – Best 2-in-1 laptop
Interestingly, the best dell laptop under 200 is also a 2-in-1. The 360 degrees hinge allows you to use this laptop in 4 different modes. The first feature that caught our interest was the processor. This laptop runs on the 7th generation AMD A9 processor. This works with 4GB RAM to deliver a fluid gaming experience—as long as its specs are not below your game’s minimum requirement.
The 11.6” screen offer LED-backlight HD touchscreen display giving you extreme flexibility in how you use your device. The display quality is further enhanced by the inclusion of Radeon R5 graphics. Another area where Dell Inspiron 11 3000 stands out is the inclusion of multiple ports including a HDMI port that allows you to project your screen to a larger display.
Dell Inspiron 11 3000 gives you up to 7 hours of battery life. It is also considered lightweight at just 2.57 pounds. However, it has its own limitations beginning with the absence of a backlit keyboard. Also, you will get only 64GB eMMC storage—although you can expand this using a memory card. The price is a bit higher than the $200 benchmark which can be a huge limitation for many. Irrespective of these seaming flaws, it is one of the best cheap gaming laptops you will find.
Pros
- Runs on the 7th generation AMD A9 processor
- Comes with Radeon R5 graphics
- Multiple ports
- Lightweight
Cons
- Slightly expensive
- Lacks backlit keyboard
- Low storage space
Lenovo 100e Chromebook – Best for sound
Stunning visuals and powerful audio work together to create the ultimate gaming experience. Although Lenovo 100e Chromebook offers only HD display, it makes up for it with stereo speakers that deliver deep bass and more volume. It runs on the MediaTek processor with a speed of up to 2.1 GHz. This pairs with a 4GB RAM to deliver a seamless gaming experience. Like all other laptops that run Chrome OS, you will have access to all the mind-blowing Android games on Play Store.
Lenovo 100e is one of those laptops that prepares you for the future. It comes with the USB Type-C port with charging functionality while also retaining the regular Type A port. The fact that it weighs only 2.68 pounds and that the battery can last up to 10 hours means you can work or enjoy your favorite game while on the move. The icing on this product is the 1-year manufacturer warranty.
This laptop has its limitations too beginning from the storage space. You will get only 32GB eMMC storage space. The keyboard lacks a backlight which can limit where and how you use your laptops. Also, smaller screens don’t do justice to games and this laptop’s screen is only 11.6”. However, the price is well within the budget limit—and that is comforting.
Pros
- Stereo speakers with deep bass
- USB Type-C port with charging capability
- Up to 10 hours of battery life
- One year manufacturer warranty
- Affordable
Cons
- Limited storage space
- Lacks backlit keyboard
Asus VivoBook E12 – Best lightweight
Gaming is more fun when you are playing with friends but you can only play with friends if you can carry your laptop with you. Asus VivoBook E12 weighs only 2.2 pounds. Also, the battery can last up to 10 hours. These two features make it possible for you to take this laptop outdoor and have unlimited fun with your friends.
This is probably one of the best Asus laptops under 200, thanks to the Intel Celeron N4000 quad core processor. Working with a 4GB RAM, this laptop is able to play some of the entry-level games without a hitch. The 11.6” HD screen is able to bring images to life, thanks to the associated software. This VivoBook has three USB 3.1 ports giving you more space to connect your accessories.
It comes with 32GB eMMC which is considerably low. However, you can boost your storage using external drive or memory card. The price is a bit higher than the $200 benchmark. Also, the absence of a backlit keyboard can limit how you use your device. When it comes to portability, this VivoBook will definitely give you the best value for money.
Pros
- Up to 10 hours of battery life
- Good processor and RAM
- Extremely lightweight
- Large number of USB ports
Cons
- Slightly expensive
- Storage space is limiting
- Lacks backlit keyboard
HP Chromebook 11 – Best battery life
If your primary aim is to find a gaming laptop with big battery life, HP Chromebook 11 will give you a good reason to pick it. With this one, you will get up to 11.5 hours on a single charge. This is literarily a whole day’s power. It runs on Intel Celeron N3060 with a speed of up to 2.8 GHz. This pairs with 2GB RAM to offer a reasonable amount of computing power that can handle mild games.
Like all laptops running on Chrome OS, you can enjoy your favorite android games and apps from Play Store. In terms of storage, you will get 16GB eMMC storage but you can expand it using memory card. Google is also offering up to 100GB cloud storage. With cloud storage and the robust Chrome OS security architecture, you will never have to worry about losing your files either to a malware attack or accidental deletion.
HP Chromebook 11 offers 11’6” HD SVA anti-glare WLED-backlit display. It is considerably lightweight at 2.51 pounds meaning you can take it wherever you go without feeling weighed down. You also get 1-year limited hardware warranty. The two main problems you will likely encounter with this laptop is the absence of backlit keyboard and the price which is slightly above the benchmark. However, if you focus on the battery, you will probably not see the flaws.
Pros
- Up to 11 hours of battery life
- Lightweight
- Access to apps and games on Play Store
- One year limited manufacturer warranty
- Cloud storage space of up to 100GB
Cons
- Slightly expensive
- Backlit keyboard is absent
Acer Flagship CB3-532 – Best renewed
Most times, buying a refurbished laptop is the only way to cut back on your expenditure. However, while doing so, make sure you are backed by some form of warranty or you may end up getting a deformed product. The renewed Acer Flagship CB3-532 has a 15.6” screen which is a huge plus for gamers. It offers an LCD HD display that will captivate you. Also, the screen has a zero air gap that leads to enhanced clarity even in the sunlight.
This laptop runs on the Intel Dual Core Celeron N3060 with a speed of up to 2.4 GHZ. This squares up with 2GB RAM to handle very light games as well has handle your day-to-day entertainment. All these comes in a shiny attractive pack. Unfortunately, you will only get 16GB SSD. However, it is possible to expand this using an external drive or a memory card. The choice is solely up to you.
An innovative feature that comes with this Acer Flagship is the top-facing speakers. It allows you to hear sounds with greater clarity. A good sound can further draw you into the game. You will get up to 7 hours of battery life too. One major setback of this laptop is its large weight. At 4.3 pounds, it is eventually going to feel like a load if you move around a lot.
Pros
- Affordable
- Large screen with clear display
- Top-facing speakers
- Up to 7 hours of battery life
Cons
- Disappointing RAM and storage space
- Slightly heavy
Buying Guide for Cheap Gaming Laptop Under 200
We would have loved this list to have only laptops under 200. However, that would mean listing just anything. That is definitely not one of the reasons we create our list. We bring the best in each category and when we find not that fits our laid down standards, we simply look further. If you prefer to make your own research, this guide will assist you to get good gaming laptops under 200 dollars.
Operating System
At 200 dollar budget, your choice is limited to Chrome OS and Windows. If you are a fan of Mac OS, you simply have to save up a little bit more. There are probably more games available to Chrome OS than you can ever get with Windows. Also, Android games are usually less demanding than Windows. These are some of the things you should keep in mind when deciding the operating system you will buy.
Processor
In terms of processor you will have to choose between Intel Celeron and MediaTek. Both are fairly good processors for the price range. However, we will advise that you don’t look at the processors in isolation. Compare the processor speed and RAM. These will eventually determine the kind of games you can play.
RAM
The best you will get is definitely 4GB—and you may have to exceed the $200 benchmark to get this. Most of the cheap gaming laptops under 200 will have only 2GB RAM. This almost rules out the possibility of multitasking even when using less CPU demanding software.
Storage Space
One of the biggest challenges you will encounter when you invest in a laptop under this category is the low storage space. At best you will get 64GB eMMC storage. In fact, we would advise that you make plans to get a supporting storage like an external hard drive or a memory card. You will find a few great options under this category with very low storage spaces. For that reason, we would advise you pay less attention to this when making your choice.
Screen Resolution and Size
If you are to choose between a big screen and a better resolution, we will advise on the latter. Unfortunately it is almost impossible to have them both when you are on a slim budget. Most of the laptops in this category will only offer HD display. If you find one that you love with Full HD resolution, consider it a jackpot.
Price
Like you would have noticed already, the majority of the laptops in this category goes beyond the $200 benchmark. This is to tell you how difficult your option will be. However, we strongly recommend that you make your budget as flexible as possible if you want something better.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the best gaming laptop under 200?
The best gaming laptop under 200 dollars will likely depend on whether you are looking for a Windows or a Chromebook. When you go through our list, you should find great laptops that fits into your budget while offering considerably good functionality.
- What is a good laptop under $200?
If you are looking for a laptop that is not a Chromebook, one of the best you will find under 200 dollars is Asus VivoBook L203MA. It clearly outperforms most of the laptops in this category.
- What is the best laptop for gaming under 300?
At $300 you will begin to see laptops with specs that will handle more entry-level games without freezing. One laptop that you need to consider in this category is the Acer Aspire 5 slim.
- What is the best laptop under $250?
When you scroll through our list, you will find that majority of the laptops on our list fall under this category. However, we would recommend Samsung Chromebook 3 because of the extended battery life.
- What is the best Chromebook under $200?
Inasmuch as there are great Chromebooks under $200, Lenovo 100e Chromebook stands out for us in a number of ways including having a 4GB RAM. Go through our review to find the features that stood out for us.
Conclusion
Apart from the processor, operating system, RAM size, and screen resolution, you will likely not find a striking difference when comparing cheap gaming laptops under 200 dollars. No matter what you do, never try to play high-end games on them because you will only end up disappointed. Newer entry-level games may require more specs. Ideally, these laptops are more suitable for children and teen entertainment as it helps them to get familiar with the gaming world. The only way to get more would be to expand your budget.