Are you looking forward to purchasing a gaming laptop but do not have enough money to spend on it? The good news is that a budget as low as around £400 can make you eligible of purchasing a gaming laptop, an entry-level one at least. So let us help you find some of the best gaming laptops under £400 through this article.
Though budget gaming laptops are very poor at supporting high-end gaming, they are an option for you if you play games for fun and to idle away time. Particularly, if you are not among the ones who play sophisticated games, there is no reason for you to spend extra money on a high-end gaming laptop.
The gaming laptops that we have mentioned in this post offer optimal performance without exceeding your budget. So let’s move on and have a look at our shortlisted gaming laptops which are certainly the best gaming laptops under £400. You may also like reading about the Best Gaming Laptops under £500.
Our Top 3 Recommendations
Editor’s Choice – MSI Modern 15
- Intel i5 12th Gen
- 8GB RAM
- 512GB SSD
- Intel Iris Xe
2nd Best Choice – Asus Vivobook 15
- Intel i5 11th Gen
- 16GB RAM
- 512GB SSD
- Intel Iris Xe
3rd Best Choice – Lenovo V15
- AMD Ryzen 5 5500U
- 8GB RAM
- 256GB SSD
- AMD Integrated
How we picked the best gaming laptops under £400
To make an investment worthwhile and to make the most out of a gaming laptop, one must be quite informed about certain criteria for choosing the right gaming laptop. Let’s see what we have included in that selection criteria which helped us in determining and picking some of the best gaming laptops under $400.
Processor:
One of the first things that need to be checked in a gaming laptop before purchasing it is its processor. The processor determines how smoothly your gaming laptop functions. Therefore, it is important to choose the right processor. The Intel Core i5 11th or 12th Gen or the AMD Ryzen 5 processors are recommended for this class of gaming laptops.
RAM and Storage:
That capacity of RAM can be considered optimal which lets you run your programs without any lag. For this category of gaming laptops, even 8GB of RAM should be sufficient. For, storage, 512GB is more than sufficient. Even 256GB storage capacity can be considered okay if you do not store a lot of data on your gaming laptop.
Graphics:
The quality of the graphics of your game is determined by two factors – the GPU and the refresh rate of the display. You’ll usually get integrated graphics on gaming laptops of this price which will let you play basic games quite well. For the refresh rate, the higher the better. 120Hz is recommended for a budget gaming laptop.
Battery:
A gaming laptop that requires frequent charging will compromise its portability. Make sure that the gaming laptop you purchase offers a good battery backup so that you are able to enjoy uninterrupted gaming sessions even if you are outdoors. In addition, also look for whether fast charging options are offered.
Other features:
Other features that one must look for in a gaming laptop include its build quality, connectivity features, RGB, etc. Make sure the gaming laptop is not very heavy. Also, look for whether the keyboard and trackpad are accessible and responsive or not. The latest, useful connectivity options should be available on it. You can also look for additional features like RGB lights, a webcam, a fingerprint sensor, a card reader, and so on.
These are the best gaming laptops under £400
| Laptops | RAM | Storage | CPU | GPU | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MSI Modern 15 | 8GB | 512GB SSD | Intel i5 12th Gen | Intel Iris Xe | Current Price |
| Asus Vivobook 15 | 16GB | 512GB SSD | Intel i5 11th Gen | Intel Iris Xe | Current Price |
| Lenovo V15 | 8GB | 256GB SSD | AMD Ryzen 5 5500U | AMD Integrated | Current Price |
| Lenovo ThinkBook 14 | 8GB | 256GB SSD | AMD Ryzen 5 5500U | AMD Integrated | Current Price |
1. MSI Modern 15
One of the best laptops under £400 is the MSI Modern 15 comes with a 15.6-inch Full HD display which offers good picture quality with a great colour palette and a good contrast ratio. It comes with a refresh rate of 60Hz which is okay for a budget gaming laptop and optimal for entry-level games. For graphics, it features the Intel Iris Xe graphics which are one of the best-integrated graphics that you can find in budget laptops.
The MSI Modern 15 features one of the latest processors that is the 12th Gen Intel Core i5 which makes this gaming laptop one of the best-performing gaming laptops in this price range. Moreover, 8GB DDR4 RAM is offered on this gaming laptop which makes your games run lag-free. For even more enhanced performance, this gaming laptop is provided with a good cooling system that dissipates heat build-up efficiently.
Featuring a military-grade build, the MSI Modern 15 is durable. Its screen can be tilted up to 180 degrees. Besides, it comes with a very convenient full-sized keyboard that comes with a separate number pad. It also offers a short key travel distance and it is backlit. A large and responsive trackpad is also offered on this gaming laptop. Further, it is lightweight, weighing just 1.7kg, and can be carried easily anywhere along.
This gaming laptop offers a number of connectivity ports which include a Type-C and a Type-A USB 3.2 Gen 2 port, a Type-A USB 2.0 port, an HDMI 1.4 port, and a 3.5mm jack. A card reader is also featured on it. It also features the latest Wifi 6 technology for stable wireless connectivity. Thanks to Hi-Res Audio, this gaming laptop sounds pretty good too. Moreover, this gaming laptop supports fast charging which adds to the convenience.
Pros
- Latest processor
- Intel Iris Xe graphics
- Full-sized backlit keyboard
- Lightweight
Cons
- RAM cannot be upgraded
- Only one USB-C port offered
Specifications:
| Display: | 15.6 inches FHD |
| CPU: | Intel Core i5-1235U |
| GPU: | Intel Iris Xe |
| RAM: | 8GB |
| Storage: | 512GB |
| Weight: | 1.7 Kg |
2. Asus Vivobook 15
The next gaming laptop which fits your budget and comes with appreciable features for basic gaming is the Asus Vivobook 15. The processor offered on this gaming laptop is the Intel Core i5 11th Gen which will let you experience a smooth performance. An enormous 16GB of RAM is offered on this gaming laptop which is rarely seen in gaming laptops of this budget and is a great feature to consider for gaming purposes.
Positives come up from the storage perspective as well since this gaming laptop features a large storage of 512GB which will let you store all your desired games onto it. The graphics of this gaming laptop are enhanced using the Intel Irix Xe graphics which are much to expect for the price. With these graphics, you’ll surely be able to enjoy your games with great visual quality. Screen stuttering and tearing will be reduced.
This gaming laptop comes with a 15.6-inch Full HD display which delivers a great picture output with wide viewing angles. Thin bezels add to the qualities of the display. Though this display comes with an antiglare coating, the reflections are not handled very well due to the low brightness of the screen, with a peak brightness of 250 nits being offered. However, the display performs quite well in moderate light conditions.
For the battery, we expected a better battery backup which is not the case practically. the battery lasts for about 3 to 4 hours on moderate use. Speaking of the ports it comes with a USB-C 3.2 port, a USB-A 3.2 port and a USB 2.0 port. Besides, an HDMI output port is also offered. With great features and no significant drawbacks for an entry-level gaming laptop, the Asus Vivobood 15 is definitely one of the best gaming laptops under £400.
Pros
- Great processor
- 16GB more RAM
- Intel Iris Xe graphics
- Good display quality
Cons
- Average battery life
- Low screen brightness
Specifications:
| Display: | 15.6 inches FHD |
| CPU: | Intel Core i5-1135G7 |
| GPU: | Intel Iris Xe |
| RAM: | 16GB |
| Storage: | 512GB |
| Weight: | 2.74 Kg |
3. Lenovo V15
The Lenovo V15 is the next on our list of the best gaming laptops under £400. This gaming laptop features the AMD Ryzen 5-5500U processor which helps it perform smoothly while you game on it. This processor is quite powerful and one of the best processors that can be found in entry-level gaming laptops.
Besides, 8GB of RAM is offered on this gaming laptop which will minimise latency and help the gaming laptop respond faster. Coming to the storage, only 256GB of storage comes pre-installed in this gaming laptop which might seem insufficient. But if that is the case, the Lenovo V15 gives you the flexibility to upgrade it.
The AMD integrated graphics take care of the visuals and make them appear lively. A refresh rate of 60Hz is offered on the display of this gaming laptop which is much to ask for at this price. Though the display is clear and colourful, it may not get very bright as the peak brightness offered is only 250 nits.
The build quality and the cooling system of this gaming laptop are worth praising. However, the webcam offered is very poor at functioning and a backlit keyboard and fingerprint sensor are lacking on this gaming laptop. But what is offered on this gaming laptop for a low price makes it one of the best gaming laptops under £400.
Pros
- Performs well
- Expandable storage
- Lightweight
Cons
- Low peak brightness levels
- Poor webcam
Specifications:
| Display: | 15.6 inches FHD |
| CPU: | AMD Ryzen 5-5500U |
| GPU: | AMD Integrated Graphics |
| RAM: | 8GB |
| Storage: | 256GB |
| Weight: | 1.64 Kg |
4. Lenovo ThinkBook 14
The Lenovo ThinBook 14 can also be regarded as one of the best gaming laptops under £400. This gaming laptop features a 14-inch Full HD display. The small size of the display as compared to its counterpart may be good for some of you who prefer portability. However, some of you may like to consider a larger display.
The processor offered on this gaming laptop is the AMD Ryzen 5-5500U which is a great processor for gaming and will not let you down on a smooth performance. This is coupled with 8GB of RAM which is sufficient to run all basic games without slowing down on speed. However, only 256GB of storage capacity is offered.
This gaming laptop weighs just 2kg and with a small and compact design, it is very easy to carry along. So if you travel a lot with your gaming laptop, the Lenovo ThinBook can be preferred. This gaming laptop from Lenovo may not come with the best features but is good enough to be considered one of the best gaming laptops under £400.
Pros
- Good processor
- Compact build
- Good peak brightness levels.
Cons
- Only 256GB of storage offered
- Display may be small for some
Specifications:
| Display: | 14 inches FHD |
| CPU: | AMD Ryzen 5-5500U |
| GPU: | AMD Integrated Graphics |
| RAM: | 8GB |
| Storage: | 256GB |
| Weight: | 2 Kg |
FAQs about the best gaming laptops under £400
Which are the best gaming laptops under £400?
The best gaming laptops under £400 include the MSI Modern 15, the Asus Vivobook 15, the Lenovo V15 and the Lenovo ThinkBook 14.
Do integrated graphics support gaming?
Integrated graphics can only support entry-level gaming. Moderate to heavy gaming requires dedicated graphics.
Is 256GB storage sufficient?
If one stores extremely low amounts of data on their computer, 256GB storage may suffice. In most cases, it is going to fall short.
