The best cheap gaming laptop deals in February 2026: my favorite rig takes a massive discount

Acer Nitro 16 gaming laptop open on a wooden table — (Image credit: Future)

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This week's gaming laptop deals focus on slightly more premium models, with RTX 5060 and RTX 5070 configurations dropping to between $1,200 and $1,500. The star of the show, though, is the HP Omen Max 16. The RTX 5080 leader has dropped under $2,000 on Newegg's shelves this week, marking an excellent opportunity for anyone who prioritizes component value over an OLED display.

Below you can find offers across the cheap gaming laptop spectrum below, from the best gaming laptops to true budget machines that'll still handle some games.

All of these laptops are discounted to vary degrees, and I've capped my search for cheap gaming laptop deals at a budget of $2,000 / £2,000. My findings have been split between true budget rigs (under $1,000) and the more premium models on the shelves.

Curated by

Tabitha Baker

I've been hunting down gaming laptop deals since I first started as a Deals Editor at our sister site TechRadar in 2019. With a sharp eye for value and a love for portable PC gaming, I made my way over to GamesRadar+ a couple of years later, and have been scouring the web for the lowest prices on rigs actually worth buying ever since. I've worked out what the best deals look like in the last six years, and exactly where (and when) to find them.

Cheap gaming laptop deals under $2,000

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What is considered cheap for a gaming laptop?

Defining a cheap gaming laptop usually comes down to setting a value to the individual parts inside each rig. For example, an RTX 4070 machine with a current-gen i7 processor, 16GB RAM, and a 512GB SSD is going to be cheap if it's priced around $1,000-$1,500, depending on the chassis itself. However, an RTX 3050 with an i5 processor, 8GB RAM, and 256GB SSD would be considered overpriced in this range.

However, a lot of this determination comes from the brand and model. The best Razer laptops, for example, are particularly well-engineered machines with a whole suite of premium features and display technology. That means a 'cheap gaming laptop deal' on one of these rigs will still be a lot more expensive than the average going rate for the specs inside. The same goes for cheap Alienware laptops as well.

Can you buy a gaming laptop for under $500 / £500?

It's becoming increasingly rare to find budget gaming laptops at under $500 / £500, though you may still find some offers in this price range hitting the shelves during larger sales events. The rigs behind these price tags will always be incredibly entry level, though - so it might be worth setting your budget a little higher to truly maximise your value. $500 might get you a lot further when put towards an RTX-enabled configuration than it would in a budget GTX buy.

Which are the best budget gaming laptops?

The best budget gaming laptops right now are the Acer Nitro 5, HP Pavilion Gaming, MSI GF63, and Asus TUF Dash F15. These are all rigs that sacrifice some of the fancier features of more premium chassis' to ensure you're getting great components at an affordable rate.

I'm also rounding up all the best Asus gaming laptops and best Alienware laptops money can buy right now, or check out the best gaming PCs on the market.

Managing Editor of Hardware at GamesRadar+, I originally landed in hardware at our sister site TechRadar before moving over to GamesRadar. In between, I've written for Tom’s Guide, Wireframe, The Indie Game Website and That Video Game Blog, covering everything from the PS5 launch to the Apple Pencil. Now, i'm focused on Nintendo Switch, gaming laptops (and the keyboards, headsets and mice that come with them), PS5, and trying to find the perfect projector.

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