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Gaming laptops have witnessed great improvement over the years. Thanks to technology, you can now choose the best gaming laptop under 1300 USD within the few minutes it’ll take you to read this post. Here, we recommend ✅Acer Predator Helios 300 laptop as the best gaming laptop under 1300 USD.
Truth is, it used to be time-consuming and difficult choosing the best gaming laptop to suit your needs.
Even after you might have spent a whole day on this, you’re still unsure of what you’d get in terms of quality.
Whether your need is for a powerful gaming laptop that can run multiple games or one that would enable you to game and work at the same time, this review is for you.
Best Gaming Laptop Under 1300 USD
Comparison table of the best gaming laptop under 1300 USD
| S/N | Product | Image | Specifications |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Acer Predator Helios Gaming Laptop |   | Processor: Intel Core i7 Display size: 15.6" RAM: 16GB Hard Disk: 512GB Operating System: Windows 10 S Weight: 5.07lbs Battery life: Up to 6hrs |
| 2 | Acer Nitro 5 Gaming Laptop |   | Processor: Intel Core i7 Display size: 15.6" RAM: 16GB Hard Disk: 256GB Operating System: Windows 10 Weight: 7.68lbs Battery life: Up to 5hrs |
| 3 | Asus TUF Gaming A15 |   | Processor: AMD Ryzen 7 Display size: 15.6" RAM: 16GB Hard Disk: 512GB Operating System: Windows 10 Weight: 4.85lbs Battery life: Up to 5hrs |
| 4 | Asus TUF Gaming Gaming Laptop |   | Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 Display size: 15.6" RAM: 8GB Hard Disk: 256GB Operating System: Windows 10 Weight: 4.85lbs Battery life: Up to 4hrs |
| 5 | HP Pavilion Gaming Laptop |   | Processor: Intel Core i5 Display size: 17" RAM: 8GB Hard Disk: 256GB HDD Operating System: Windows 10 Weight: 6.07lbs Battery life: Up to 8hrs |
| 6 | MSI GL65 Leopard Gaming Laptop |   | Processor: Intel Core i7 Display size: 15.6" RAM: 16GB Hard Disk: 512GB Operating System: Windows 10 Weight: 9.38lbs Battery life: Up to 3hrs |
| 7 | Razer Blade 15 Gaming Laptop |   | Processor: Intel Core i7 Display size: 15.6" RAM: 16GB Hard Disk: 256GB Operating System: Windows 10 Weight: 8.93lbs Battery life: Up to 5hrs |
1. Acer Predator Helios 300 Laptop
Acer Predator Helios 300 is the undisputed champion and the best gaming laptop under 1300 USD, from our research.
If you need a powerful gaming laptop with superior performance and display, here is your machine!
Design
Acer Helios 300 comes with a sturdy plastic casing with blue accents (showing the logo) on the lid.
It’s very similar in build quality to its 17″ gaming laptop counterpart reviewed here.
For a sub-1300 gaming machine, the all-plastic build is forgivable and can be easily overlooked although the plastic may flex a bit.
But that’s nothing careful handling wouldn’t handle.
Screen
For less than $1300, you get yourself a stunning 15.6″ 144Hz/3ms 1080p IPS display that’s both crisp and sharp in visual output.
The incredible viewing angles ensure you don’t miss out a thing while enjoying your favourite games.
Keyboard
It has a great keyboard and touchpad. The 4-zone RGB backlit keyboard is unique and decent with a sensitive trackpad.
Hardware / Software / Connectivity
Acer Helios 300 comes with the 10th generation Intel i7 6 core and 2.6GHz base clock speed processor which is very powerful and super-efficient.
With a 6GB NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 GPU, the integrated graphics are fantastic.
Also, the RTX is a very new architecture which is capable of handling ray-tracing (lighting effects put into games by developers).
Additionally, the turbo button enables you to overclock the GPU and also sends the fans into hyperdrive for heat compensation.
Talking about heat, Helios 300 comes with a Predator button which shows you the temperature, per time of the GPU/CPU and also the laptop’s ambient temperature.
With an upgradeable 16GB RAM and 512GB NVMe SSD, you can cruise through all your games as much as you want.
There are small cut-outs for the sound underneath which would have been better if they are top-facing. It makes it cumbersome hearing the sound properly.
You may need to always have your headphones on for the maximum audio experience.
Also, ports for connectivity ranges from 2 x USB-A Gen 1, 1 x USB-A Gen 2, 1 x USB-C Gen 2, HDMI, 3.5mm audio jack, display port, etc.
About the only other downside is the noise the fans make when reacting to bring down the heat.
Battery
Considering that most gaming laptops are poor in the battery department, the battery life of the Helios 300 is designed to take you up to 6 hrs.
But from users’ reviews, it’s abysmally lower than that.
Weight
It weighs 5.07 lbs which is fair for a gaming machine.
PROS
- Great storage
- Great graphics
- Powerful/efficient processor
- Beautiful keyboard
- Great thermal management system
CONS
- The all-plastic casing flexes easily
- Noisy fans
Considering its performance, Helios 300 is the real deal and the best gaming laptop under 1300 USD, capable of handling heavy gaming at high settings.
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2. Acer Nitro 5 Gaming Laptop
The 2 nd best gaming laptop under 1300 USD is none other than the Acer Nitro 5.
Design
Acer Nitro 5 is a gaming laptop with a difference with its solid build and sleek design.
It reeks of quality all over.
Also, it’s relatively thin and light.
In addition, the body is mostly plastic with a network of red markings.
Screen
The Acer Nitro 5’s 15″ 1080p IPS FHD display provides a completely immersive experience that pulls you in, every single time.
It offers a very bright display with great viewing angle and 144Hz refresh rate.
Keyboard
The keyboard is great and easy on the fingers.
However, the red markings on the keys coupled with the red backlight can make reading the numbers a bit tasking.
If you do not like red, you can easily change the brightness to suit your preferences.
Also, there’s an extra key added for Acer’s NitroSense software.
Hardware / Software / Connectivity
This machine runs on the very powerful 9th Generation Intel Core i7 which keeps you powering through all your favourite games smoothly.
Combine this speed with the high-performance NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 graphics and you’ve got yourself a winner.
Furthermore, you wouldn’t have to worry about the laptop frying under such intense power because the twin fans and Acer CoolBoost technology provides excellent thermal management.
In addition, it features 16GB RAM and 256GB PCIe NVMe SSD to ensure you have very enjoyable and smooth gaming experience.
Also, there’s an additional open slot for easy upgrades.
Knowing how important sound is to the gaming experience, Acer Nitro comes complete with Waves MaxxAudio.
This, with the very rich and deep sounds with Acer TrueHarmony, takes the sound experience a notch higher.
Also, the NitroSense technology application included helps you keep track of the fan’s speed.
Battery
On low brightness settings, the battery would last for up to 5 hours and 2-3 hours at normal brightness settings.
Weight
It’s slightly bulky at 7.68 lbs.
PROS
- Slim profile
- Affordable
- Powerful processor
CONS
- Low battery life
Acer Nitro 5 is excellent for entry-level and medium gamers, great value for money and is one of the best gaming laptops under 1300 USD.
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3. Asus TUF Gaming A15 Laptop (8GB, 512 SSD)
The Asus TUF A15 gaming laptop is one of the exciting gaming laptops you’d ever come across.
It’s a beautiful laptop that succeeded in striking the perfect balance between its price and value.
Hence, it’s one of our favourites and also one of the best gaming laptops under 1300.
Design
It comes in a slightly chunky but functional build, a far deviation from the Vivobook series.
It’s a heavy-duty gaming machine after all!
The sturdy design reinforces its protection against accidents. Just by the base, there’s a honeycomb design which we believe is to prevent it from sliding or moving unnecessarily while in use.
Also, another advantage of the sturdy design is the adequate space it provides for ports and peripherals.
Screen
The 15.6″ 1920 x 1080 FHD IPS display comes with wide viewing angles.
This ensures vivid visuals and consistent colours when you watch from extreme angles.
Keyboard
The keyboard is well-spaced, smooth and decent with a fairly responsive trackpad.
Hardware / Software / Connectivity
Asus TUF A15 has an impressive selection of components which is endearing.
Firstly, it features AMD Ryzen 7 3750H and GeForce RTX 2060 which greatly increases its credible performance and speed.
The processor gives a superb performance through the SenseMI which helps choose the appropriate power level against battery life.
Furthermore, it has 16GB RAM and 512GB SSD which are great for your memory and storage needs and runs on Windows 10 OS.
The fans could be distractingly loud in full operation as they go into overdrive.
In the ports department, you have a wide array to choose from. From the Ethernet to HDMI, 2 x USB Type-A and USB Type-C, all your connectivity needs are well taken care of here.
Battery
As a rule of thumb, we don’t get our expectations high regarding gaming laptops battery performance.
But the Asus TUF battery life is impressive at up to 5 hrs under moderate use.
Weight
It’s lightweight for a gaming machine at 4.85 lbs.
PROS
- Strong and sturdy
- Powerful processor
- Comfortable keyboard
- Lightweight
- Great screen with a high refresh rate
CONS
- Loud fan
- Flimsy mousepad
As one of the best laptops under 1300 USD, Asus TUF A15 is a great value for money.
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4. Asus TUF Gaming Laptop (8GB RAM, 256GB SSD)
Yet another Asus on this list, this gaming laptop is also a favourite of ours.
Although it differs slightly in performance from the TUF A15 gaming laptop, it’s also one of the best gaming laptops under 1300 because of its impressive performance
Design
The body is chunky with a functional build which is great for protecting the laptop.
Notwithstanding the heavy design, it’s still very sleek and easy on the eyes.
Screen
It comes with a 15.6″ 1920 x 1080 Full HD display featuring the new NanoEdge design. This offers you an absolutely immersive gaming experience.
Furthermore, it has a 144 refresh rate and wide viewing angles with vivid visuals even when watching from acute positions.
Keyboard
The keyboard is decent with a fairly responsive trackpad.
Hardware / Software / Connectivity
To begin with, this machine comes with AMD Ryzen 5 3550H processor and AMD Radeon RX 560 GPU to provide unrivalled optimal performance.
Secondly, it comes with 8GB RAM and 256GB NVMe M.2 SSD.
Hence, your gaming activities run smoothly and speedily with no glitch.
You may even combine gaming with other productive activities.
In the ports department, you have all the ports you need for your gaming peripherals like the audio jack, USB 3.1 Gen 1, USB 2.0, HDMI 2.0, RJ45 and the power port, etc.
Battery
You’d want to keep your charger close by because the battery performance is below expectations at reported life of 2hours.
Weight
The Acer TUF is lightweight at 4.85lbs.
PROS
- Lightweight
- Affordable
- Fast processor
CONS
- Poor battery performance
- Loud fan
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5. HP Pavilion Gaming Laptop
This HP Pavilion 17″ gaming laptop is one of the best gaming laptops under 1300 USD.
Also, we can conveniently say it’s one of the best gaming laptops manufactured by HP.
Design
The HP 17″ gaming laptop is surprisingly sleek with a sturdy chassis.
Also, it has smooth matte and aluminium as its chassis components. This gives it a premium look which raises the bar in quality for other Pavilion designs to follow.
The matrix-like backlit in green colour stands this gaming laptop out, in a classy way.
Although the matte finish also means it tends to become easily smudged.
As strong as the base is, other parts of the chassis fall short as they flex under pressure, especially the lid.
Screen
With its larger-than-life 17″ IPS enabled 1080p display, this laptop provides you with a great visual experience.
Images are bright and vivid although it has a low refresh rate leading to slight ghosting.
Also, you might experience slight backlight bleeding but this is minimal and hardly noticeable.
Keyboard
The keys are firm, clicky and smooth.
Also, the touchpad is responsive although small relative to the form factor. It’s wide, breadth-wise but short in height.
It gives a feeling of poorly-utilised space.
You might find the audible click sound made by the touchpad a bit disconcerting.
Add that to the complaints of it feeling hollow and you’d end up feeling you’ve got a cheap product.
But it’s just a design flaw.
Hardware / Software / Connectivity
HP gaming laptop runs on the efficient 10th generation Intel Quad-Core i5-10300U with Intel Turbo Boost.
Also, it comes with upgradeable 8GB RAM and 256GB storage.
Add to these the NVIDIA GTX 1650 with real-time ray-tracing technology and you get superior performance and speed.
Furthermore, you’d find the cooling system very game-oriented with dual exhaust headers placed at the back.
As a matter of fact, every accessory is placed at the back so there’s little distraction while you enjoy your favourite games.
For connectivity, there’s the superfast USB Type C as well as 3xUSB Type A, RJ45, HDMI, headphone jack, AC smart pin.
Battery
Battery life is superb at up to 8 hrs of varied usage.
Weight
It weighs 6.07 lbs
PROS
- Sleek and sturdy in build
- Powerful processor
- Great graphics
- Beautiful backlit
- Great battery life
CONS
- Keyboard feels hollow
- Low refresh rate
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6. MSI GL65 Leopard Gaming Laptop
MSI GL65 Leopard is a gaming laptop in a class of its own and is simply one of the best gaming laptops under 1300.
Design
Although MSI’s design combines solid plastic and metal, it has a sleek aluminium finish.
It’s sleek and very sturdy and might even feel a bit chunky but we love it for the protection and powerful performance it provides.
Screen
Very clear and bright (300nits), the 15inch 1080p FHD IPS-enabled display comes with 144Hz refresh rate to make your gaming experience superfast.
It has good viewing angles and 3ms response rate.
Keyboard
You’d enjoy the typing experience on the keyboard because it’s fast, smooth and unique with each key having different colours.
However, you can control and customise the colours to your preference.
Also, the backlit is customisable with different templates to choose from.
Furthermore, the touchpad is a windows precision one with dedicated mouse buttons.
Hardware / Software / Connectivity
Inside the MSI, there’s Intel Core i7-10750H with 6cores and 12 threads processor, clocking at 2.6GHz with 5GHz turbo boost speed.
Also, it has 8GB RTX 2070 graphics card, known to be the 2nd fastest and powerful GPU for laptops.
Furthermore, it comes with 16GB memory and 512GB storage.
For connectivity, there’s a variety of ports to choose from like 3 x USB 3, USB Type C, Gigabit Ethernet, WiFi 6, HDMI, etc
Weight
It’s heavy at 9.38 lbs.
Battery
The battery life isn’t as great as we’d like it to be, averaging 2-3hrs under intense use.
PROS
- Sleek and sturdy
- Great graphics
- Powerful processor
- Beautiful and responsive keyboard
CONS
- Heavyweight
- Poor sound quality
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7. Razer Blade 15 Gaming Laptop
Razer Blade 15 gaming laptop is yet another very efficient and powerful laptop, worth its designation as one of the best gaming laptops under 1300 USD.
Design
Stylish and sleek, Razer is known in some quarters as the MacBook Pro of gaming. The reasons are simple.
To begin with, it’s a very classy machine, beautifully designed with a sleek completely-aluminium body that looks and feels like a premium laptop.
Screen
Although the screen isn’t the much-loved fancy 4k OLED, the 1920 x 1080 Full HD comes with an impressive 300Hz refresh rate.
In addition to that, it’s super-bright (300nits) and simply perfect for an immersive visual experience.
Which we’d all agree is non-negotiable for enjoyable gaming.
To cap the experience, there’s the Window Hello facial recognition included.
Keyboard
Razer comes with chiclet keys that feels amazing.
The keys are evenly spaced out and travel is as deep as you’d need it to be.
Also, the touchpad is smooth, sensitive, responsive and perfectly complements the keys.
As a matter of fact, it’s touted as one of the best touchpads in the market.
Hardware / Software / Connectivity
It’s powered by Intel Core 17-10875H and NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2080 Super.
With this super-combination, Razer 15 is a power horse, riding you through any task you might throw at it.
The rave reviews and performance specifications show it can definitely hold its own against high-end gaming laptops.
Also, it comes pre-installed with Razer Synapse.
Hence there’s enough flexibility to adjust performance, switching through different fan speeds and power modes.
We can’t but point out that there’s an impressive number of ports to choose from.
It has 3 x USB-A, 2 x Thunderbolt 3, reversible charging and dedicated HDMI ports.
Simply plug in your headphones, keyboard, mouse and you’re fully immersed in your gaming world.
Battery
At up to 5 hrs backup for basic tasks, it’s still better than most gaming laptops.
Weight
It’s pretty heavy at 8.93 lbs
PROS
- Slim, sleek and beautiful design
- Impressive ports
- Fast processor
- Facial recognition
CONS
- Heavyweight
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Conclusion On the Best Gaming Laptop Under 1300 USD
A common factor for most gaming laptops is the poor battery performance. This may be connected with the hardware level and processing speed which takes a toll on the battery life.
If you plan to enjoy an uninterrupted full-day gaming experience with your gaming laptop, you’d have to move around with your charger.
Considering all, the ✅Acer Predator Helios 300 laptop is recommended as the best gaming laptop under 1300 USD. Click on the link above to buy on Amazon.
