For gaming purposes, laptops are always considered the natural successors of desktop computers because they are more user-friendly and less expensive. Buying a top-notch laptop for gaming is quite difficult if you are on a tight budget.
You need to be cautious because there are many discounts available, but you need to be very careful if you are buying the right brand. Then you’ll need to be careful to get all the specifications you needed.
You can’t compromise with the laptop performance. You need to buy a laptop that offers more storage, RAM, and processing power.
Laptops under this price range are fast enough to run high-end games without any lag or frame drops.
If you’re looking for one of the best gaming laptop under 400 dollars, then you are in the right place.
To get down to the meat of the matter, I’ve made a list of the top 10 best gaming laptops to help you make an informed selection.
Scroll through this list and make your way to the pros and cons section for a more thorough evaluation, if necessary.
Image | Product | Feature | Price |
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Gaming Laptop | ASUS VivoBook 15 Thin and Light Laptop | Processor: 3.4 GHz core_i3 RAM: 8 GB DDR4 Memory Speed: 3.4 GHz | Check On Amazon |
Gaming Laptop | Acer Aspire 5 Slim Laptop | Processor: 3.52 GHz ryzen_3_3200u RAM: 4 GB DDR4 Memory Speed: 3.5 GHz | Check On Amazon |
Gaming Laptop | 2020 Newest HP 14 Inch Premium Laptop | Processor: 3.2 GHz Athlon RAM: 8 GB DDR4 Memory Speed: 2400 MHz | Check On Amazon |
Gaming Laptop | Lenovo Ideapad S145 15.6-inch HD Display Laptop | Processor: 1.8 GHz celeron_n RAM: 4 GB SDRAM Memory Speed: 2133 MHz | Check On Amazon |
Gaming Laptop
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HP 1W830UA 15.6″ Laptop
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4 GB DDR4 3.7 pounds weight 10th Gen Intel Core i3-1005G1 |
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Gaming Laptop
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Lenovo Ideapad 3 81WE011UUS
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8 GB DDR4 1920 x 1080 Pixels resolution dual-screen Lightweight |
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Gaming Laptop
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Lenovo Chromebook Flex 5
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4 GB DDR4 10 Hours battery 2.97 pounds weight |
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Gaming Laptop
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HP 14″ Premium Laptop
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14 Inches screen 1366×768 resolution 4 GB SDRAM |
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Gaming Laptop
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Newest Acer Aspire 5 Laptop
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4 GB DDR4 128 GB SSD 4.19 pounds weight |
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Gaming Laptop
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ASUS VivoBook 15 Ultraportable
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4GB DDR4 RAM 1920 x 1080 resolution 3.97 pounds weight |
Check On Amazon |
List of Best Gaming Laptop under 400
ASUS VivoBook 15 Thin and Light Laptop
This year’s ASUS VivoBook does not look anything like the one from 2017. While both devices have the same display size and storage, the former is significantly speedier. Light gaming is supported with the improved graphics card in the 2022 models.
However, it’s splotchier and paler in hue. Even though $400 is a modest spending limit, the Asus VIvobook’s performance and portability make it a top pick for gamers looking for an affordable gaming laptop.
The F510QA uses the AMD version of the processor, whereas the F510 uses the Intel version. There are four cores in this processor, and it runs at a minimum of 2.7 GHz. The frequency might go up to 3.6 GHz depending on your project.
However, the RAM is on the low side, with only 4 GB, however, it belongs to the DDR4 class. Additional RAM can be added via a slot on the motherboard, and the existing RAM can be swapped out.
The VivoBook 15’s 128 GB of storage is carried over to the VivoBook 16. M.2 and SATA expansion slots are available for those who desire more storage capacity. Again, because of the limited storage, this laptop isn’t ideal for storing large files.
This ASUS laptop weighs 0.5 ounces less than the previous generation. As a result, it’s simple to assume they’re equal in size and weight.
The grey laptop, on the other hand, has greater inside space, but it appears to be buggy from the bottom up.
The thin Numpad on the previous keyboard made the alphanumeric keys smaller, thus this one does away with it.
Not only that, but it’s also not lit from the inside. The 15.6-inch screen provides a broader viewing angle, which is another plus.
Flipping the lid to lower places increases or decreases your level of comfort. Cooling vents are located at the bottom front of the vehicle. Because of its location, the laptop may become distractingly loud at times.
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Key Features
- Standing screen display size: 15.6 Inches
- Screen Resolution: 1920 x 1080 pixels
- Processor: 3.4 GHz core_i3
- RAM: 8 GB DDR4
- Memory Speed: 3.4 GHz
Acer Aspire 5 Slim Laptop
The Acer Aspire 5 thin is the finest gaming laptop under $400, and it comes with a slew of useful features.
Even if the Windows version isn’t perfect, that shouldn’t stop you from using it to play games or go online.
It also fits computer work as a whole, therefore it’s a good option for students, office workers, and people who work from home.
However, AMD’s Ryzen 3 does not let gamers down, with a 3.5GHz clock speed that ranks among the best for gaming. The RAM in this system may need to be upgraded.
While working with the 4GB DDR4 RAM is fine for now, by 2020, you may find yourself in need of greater computational capability. One of the RAM slots is already occupied, so you’ll need to add more.
To reach the other, you must open the hole at the bottom of the device, which may hold up to 32 GB. There’s also a bare minimum of storage space available here, with just 128 GB.
However, it’s a solid-state drive (SSD) in M.2 form factor that can be upgraded. You have the option of upgrading to a faster SSD or using an older HDD that is still functional because it is backward compatible.
Upgrades can be performed without a fresh installation. With a weight of just under four pounds, moving around is a breeze.
Even though it’s small, you shouldn’t put too much pressure on the screen cover if you plan on using it in a backpack with limited room.
On the whole, it’s exactly what you’d expect from a modern laptop these days. The battery life on this device is also rather long. You may expect 7.5 hours of battery life with normal use and surfing.
However, if you’re going to use it for gaming, expect that to go down. If you’re going to be playing while you’re on the go, make sure your charger is close at hand.
The screen on the A515-43-R19L model is among the best. The screen is 1920 x 1080 pixels and is made entirely of IPS.
Key Features
- Standing screen display size: 15.6 Inches
- Max Screen Resolution: 1920 x 1080
- Processor: 3.52 GHz ryzen_3_3200u
- RAM: 4 GB DDR4
- Memory Speed: 3.5 GHz
- Hard Drive: 128 GB Flash Memory Solid State
2020 Newest HP 14 Inch Premium Laptop
If you need more power, the processor’s clock speed can be increased to as much as 3.2 GHz from as little as 2.3 GHz. With a bigger screen, the AMD Athlon Silver 3050U processor performs better.
Furthermore, with AMD, gaming may turn into more of a competition than a pleasurable pastime. Because it has 16 GB DDR4 RAM, you know this laptop will get the job done quickly.
As a result, while it may not have the fastest processor, it will get the job done. The 128 GB SSD drive stores Windows 10 in S mode, providing you with a terabyte of HDD space to store your data.
Because of its small size and low cost, the equipment is easy to move about. The HP Premium weighs only 3.3 pounds because of the polycarbonate covering the entire unit.
It’s also not very big, which is understandable given the device’s small screen and keypad. On a 14-inch screen with a 1366 x 768-pixel resolution, you shouldn’t expect to see much better.
Conversely, a larger display screen will make it more effective, as previously stated. The HP screen is a WLED, which is well-known for its ability to produce vibrant colors. Additionally, AMD has made a move into the graphics market by acquiring Radeon.
As far as performance goes on an i5, HP says it’s on par with the Ryzen 3 or even better. Whether the screen size is 14 inches or 10 inches is up for debate.
The 14-inch screen must fit perfectly into a 10 x 10-inch square lid in order for it to work properly.
Key Features
- Standing screen display size: 14 Inches
- Processor: 3.2 GHz athlon
- RAM: 8 GB DDR4
- Memory Speed: 2400 MHz
- Hard Drive: flash_memory_solid_state
- Chipset Brand: AMD
Lenovo Ideapad S145 15.6-inch HD Display Laptop
Light gaming and other computer tasks like watching, on the other hand, are much better with this laptop.
Only 4 GB of RAM is included in this, but it’s DDR4 so don’t try to overtax it. Windows and a few files will fit on a 128 GB SSD.
In addition, this boosts the computer’s performance over those with HDD drives. If you’re in need of more storage, you should look into external solutions. Connectivity can be established through a variety of ports.
Even though it’s heavier, it’s manageable when you’re carrying it around. Having an optical drive would have added weight and bulk. The extra weight is caused by the keyboard’s length and the chassis that houses it.
While the screen’s ability to stretch to 180 degrees flat is impressive, it would be even more useful if it could be used with a finger. The S145 model has an average battery life of six hours.
When playing a light game like pool or chess, you can play for a longer period of time before needing to recharge your device. However, more demanding games may necessitate frequent recharging.
A 15.6-inch display lacks resolution despite its size. It only has a resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels.
However, the screen isn’t all that horrible if you’re just using it to watch and learn. When you look at it from a distance, it appears to be wider.
There is an Intel UHD graphics card installed, however, it is only capable of supporting light gaming. On the very top, there’s a 720p-capable webcam.
However, this will not be the case with the majority of laptops. Since the majority of laptops in this model fail, it’s most likely a mechanical problem.
Key Features
- Standing screen display size: 15.6 Inches
- Screen Resolution: 1366×768
- Max Screen Resolution: 1366×768 Pixels
- Processor: 1.8 GHz celeron_n
- RAM: 4 GB SDRAM
- Memory Speed: 2133 MHz
HP 1W830UA 15.6″ Laptop
This HP 15-inch laptop is one of our top picks for the best gaming laptops because it has impressive hardware specs! Under $400, this is a great laptop for anyone looking to play some video games.
The laptop features the 10th Generation Intel Core i3 processor, 4GB of RAM, and 128GB SSD.
This HP 15-inch laptop is a wonderful choice for someone who wants to get their feet wet with a gaming laptop and doesn’t want to spend too much money on something that isn’t one hundred percent sure they’ll use.
If we talk about its design, it is built with high-quality heat-resistant plastic to keep its temperature under control.
It has a 15.6-inch HD LED-backlit Display with 1366 x 768 resolution. The HP 15 is an ideal laptop for college or school students for their work.
Fit for anything, this laptop has a built-in HD webcam with dual speakers and WiFi 802.11ac and Bluetooth 4.2 for all your needs!
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This laptop comes complete with a multi-format media card reader, 1 x USB-C 3.1 port, 2 x USB 3.1 ports, 1 x HDMI port, solid-state, and an AC smart pin so you can fit it in anywhere you wish to go.
Features
- 15.6 Inches screen
- 1366 x 768 Pixels resolution
- 4 GB DDR4
- 3.7 pounds weight
- 10th Gen Intel Core i3-1005G1
- 220 nits’ brightness
Lenovo Ideapad 3 81WE011UUS
This Lenovo Ideapad is one of the many great laptops on the market that offers enough power to run most games and a budget-friendly price tag.
With a larger 15.6″ display than other laptops, gamers can enjoy better visibility for more immersive play.
For anyone looking for a cheaper way to get into gaming, this is the best option! This Lenovo Ideapad is one of the best gaming laptops one can find.
It features a powerful 10th generation Intel Core i3 processor and graphics, making it an affordable option especially for people looking to get into gaming on a tight budget.
This Lenovo Ideapad has a 15.6″ Full HD non-touch display 1920 x 1080 resolution with native 1080p support to showcase your games and HD movies with impressive color and clarity. Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics.
This is an Ideapad; its operating systems are Windows 10 and Linux. It has 8 GB of DDR4-2666 SDRAM memory and a 256GB M.2 PCIe NVMe solid-state drive.
No optical drive because we’re only in 2016, but it does come with a VGA port, HDMI port, and Ethernet port.
Furthermore, the IdeaPad 3 comes loaded with powerful Intel UHD 620 Graphics so you don’t have to wait for any time for your system to complete a couple of tasks simultaneously.
The same features make it perfect for your everyday activities and light entertainment purposes.
It is midnight blue weighing only 4.8 pounds making it quite one of the lightest books you would ever have on your hands!
Features
- 4.08 pounds weight
- 8 GB DDR4
- 1920 x 1080 Pixels resolution dual-screen
- Lightweight
- 10th Generation Intel Core i3-1005G1
Lenovo Chromebook Flex 5
Flexibility is the name of the game. With its 10th generation Intel Core processors, Lenovo’s new Flex 5 laptop offers an exceptional combination of power and performance customization options for your on-the-go lifestyle!
Intelligent performance features will adapt to you to deliver a personalized, intuitive and responsive experience.
The flexible design allows you to work from home, school, or pretty much anywhere in between.
The Lenovo Flex 5 2 – -1 laptop has a dual-screen design packaged into one machine. Whether you’re using the keyboard or just tapping on the touchscreen, there’s no need to constantly move back and forth between devices when getting work done.
Plus, with optional Windows Ink technology, you can take notes quickly with the built-in digital pen.
The Lenovo Flex 5 – The 13.3-inch FHD touch screen display delivers captivating visuals while narrow bezels keep you immersed in the experience.
Two user-facing stereo speakers ensure thin and light 360° convertible Chromebooks come wrapped in sound amazing enough to enjoy anywhere.
The Lenovo Flex 5 lets you use your Google account to easily access documents, videos, music, and files that are stored on the cloud. With up to 10 hours of battery life, you’ll stay productive.
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Features
- 13.3 Inches screen
- 1920 x 1080 Pixels resolution
- 4 GB DDR4
- 10 Hours battery
- 2.97 pounds weight
- 64 GB flash memory solid state
HP 14″ Premium Laptop
One of the primary reasons why HP laptops have consistently been on top throughout all these years is because they are built with a particular customer base in mind.
People who don’t want to compromise on their performance, even if that means buying a product that costs slightly more than what they would like to pay.
Another reason why HP laptops have always sold out pretty quickly is that, much like other products that are bestsellers, over time people develop a fondness for them and keep coming back again and again.
For example, one of the most noteworthy models out there these days is the HP Premium notebook series – always an absolute favorite with its customers because it caters so well to those who appreciate high-end devices for gaming purposes.
A 14-inch HD display does not necessarily mean that this laptop is ideal for watching movies at home.
On the contrary, it has a standard resolution of only 1366 x 768 which means that the picture you see on your laptop will not be as clear and sharp as a display with a higher pixel density would allow.
However, since the processor is faster than its previous generation i3 model, this laptop can handle most casual games.
The laptop also comes with 4GB DDR4 RAM to help you multitask easier while still maintaining faster running speeds and 128GB SSD storage space.
Finally, this laptop is preinstalled with Windows 10 Home allowing you to find compatible software to do pretty much anything you could want on a regular computer but in an easy-to-carry package!
Features
- 10th Generation Intel Dual-Core Core i3-1005G1
- 14 Inches screen
- 1366×768 resolution
- 4 GB SDRAM
- 128 GB SSD
Newest Acer Aspire 5 Laptop
The Acer Aspire 5 is a solid workhorse laptop to consider if you’re in the market for specs that outperform many computers with higher price tags.
One reason why this computer has received so many positive reviews on Amazon is because of its powerful performance at a surprisingly low cost.
The Aspire 5 boasts an attractive silver chassis and a vivid 15.6-inch full HD display that will leave you feeling satisfied as you enjoy your favorite games, apps, and more.
This laptop was originally powered by an Intel i3, 4GB of RAM, and 128GB of solid-state storage, but with a new 11th generation Intel i3 processor, it’s ready to run most games at medium to low graphics settings.
Just make sure you take care when using the numeric keypad on the keyboard as it can be quirky sometimes.
The laptop also comes with a preinstalled Windows 10 operating system. Alexa can transform your PC into a personal home assistant.
Just ask and Alexa will assist you in organizing events, writing books (or anything for that matter), taking notes of your ideas to make them a reality, later on, playing music to keep up with your creative juices, answering questions like Wikipedia anyways.
Features
- 15.6 Inches screen
- 1920 x 1080 Pixels resolution
- 4 GB DDR4
- 128 GB SSD
- 4.19 pounds weight
ASUS VivoBook 15 Ultraportable
The Asus Vivobook 15 is a sleek and youthful 15-inch laptop that can make the perfect choice for people looking for the best laptops under $400.
This laptop comes equipped with a vibrant full HD display, has an ultra-thin profile, and is designed to fit comfortably into your daily workflow.
With this laptop at your side, you’ll look forward to everyday tasks like emailing or surfing the web.
The Asus Vivobook 15 comes equipped with a powerful Intel Core i3-1005G1 Processor, which is one of the most powerful processors available today.
This laptop also has 4GB of RAM, which will help you multitask efficiently by allowing you to have multiple applications open and still have enough memory to run them more effectively.
The storage space on this system comes in at 128GB of SSD, which allows you to save all your files and data onto your laptop.
It also included Intel UHD graphics, which allow you to play some lower-setting games as well as HD movies smoothly and effectively.
The Vivobook 15 is equipped with an ergonomic backlit keyboard along with a fingerprint sensor-activated via Windows Hello.
It has comprehensive connections such as USB 3.2 Type-A (Gen1), USB 3.2 Type-C (Gen1), USB 2.0, SD card reader, and HDMI of laptop for connecting multimedia devices For its cost, this computer has a lot of solid features including data ports like a USB Type-C port which is rare for devices at this price range.
The keyboard is full size and can be backlit for working in low light conditions. When you’re heading out of the house or attending a presentation, your laptop should have some great features!
Features
- 15.6 inch Full HD
- Intel Core i3-1005G1 Processor
- 128GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD
- 4GB DDR4 RAM
- 1920 x 1080 resolution
- 3.97 pounds weight
Things to Look Carefully While Buying the Best Gaming Laptop
Now that you know what kind of laptop you can acquire for around $400; you need to figure out what specifications it should have. Here are some suggestions.
You must first establish a list of parameters or standards that a laptop must meet in order for you to select it.
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Memory
The laptop that you choose to purchase should have adequate memory or RAM to support your game without causing any latency or choppiness in the gameplay experience.
If you want to have a nice gaming experience, you must have enough RAM available on your computer.
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Weight
When it comes to gaming, portability is the primary argument for purchasing a laptop rather than a desktop computer or console. If your laptop is large and hefty, it will be difficult for you to transport it with you.
Consequently, you should get a laptop that will not be a burden to you when it comes to transporting it around.
If, on the other hand, you do not intend to move your laptop frequently, a heavier laptop may be a more cost-effective option than a lighter laptop.
The Appropriate Size
In terms of display size, laptops are available in a variety of sizes ranging from 11 to 18 inches in length.
As a result, you must determine which laptop size is most appropriate for you and your portability requirements.
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Keyboard and Touchpad
Every laptop is equipped with a touchpad as well as a keyboard. You must decide early on if your game or games will require a separate mouse and keyboard or whether they will not.
Battery Life
Even if you have a limited budget, you should not sacrifice the battery life of your laptop. This allows you to fully immerse yourself in your games without having to worry about needing to charge your laptop after every game.
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CPU
It’s not critical, but it’s still important. Despite the fact that the CPU in your laptop is not as crucial as the GPU, it is still vital to choose the most appropriate alternative.
If you’re searching for a laptop solely for gaming, seek a processor that is both speedy and technologically sophisticated.
Having more cores and a faster clock speed will be extremely advantageous for video encoding and photo editing but will have little effect on the overall 3D gaming experience.
FAQs Related to Best Gaming Laptop under 400
Are 400 dollars good for a gaming laptop?
If you’re just getting started or are on a tight budget, $400 will bring you a taste of the action. However, you won’t have access to the features found on high-end machines.
Laptops with NVIDIA graphics cards and top-of-the-line Intel processors are difficult to come by. Generally, the graphics are nicer, and some of them offer more storage.
Is a $400 gaming laptop would be good for everyday use?
Yes, you may use a gaming laptop for other purposes besides gaming. They have a lot of RAM and a very fast processor.
Those who program or work in the graphics industry, on the other hand, will need to invest in new laptops with more memory and storage space.
Conclusion
For many gamers, a $400 laptop can run recent games at 1080p or higher with few graphic setting changes.
The quality and graphic options offered by traditional desktop PCs and more costly laptops are undoubtedly better, but a $400 gaming laptop’s performance can be more than adequate.
For your convenience, we’ve compiled a list of the best gaming laptop under 400 based on your needs and budget.
For more updates about gaming laptops visit our website.