Most cheap gaming laptops are not worth buying, but three models — the Lenovo LOQ 15 with RTX 5060, MSI Cyborg A15 with RTX 5050, and Alienware 15 with RTX 5050 — stand out as the only ones worth considering, according to WIRED's latest testing. Senior writer Luke Larsen, in a review updated August 2026, found that budget gaming laptop prices have climbed sharply: a decent system that used to sell for around $800 now costs $400 to $500 more, while newer entry-level models often deliver similar performance for a higher price or cut corners on build quality.
The Three Models That Passed Testing
Larsen evaluated the Lenovo LOQ 15 (RTX 5060), MSI Cyborg A15 (RTX 5050), and Alienware 15 (RTX 5050) across six benchmarks and games. The Lenovo LOQ 15 led in frame rates in Cyberpunk 2077, Marvel Rivals, Black Myth: Wukong, and Monster Hunter: Wilds, and scored 2701 on 3DMark Steel Nomad. The MSI Cyborg A15 and Alienware 15 trailed in gaming but posted much higher Cinebench 2026 multi-core scores (2979 and 3280, respectively, versus the LOQ 15's 833), indicating stronger CPU rendering performance.
| Game/Benchmark | Lenovo LOQ 15 (RTX 5060) | MSI Cyborg A15 (RTX 5050) | Alienware 15 (RTX 5050) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cyberpunk 2077 | 91 fps | 52 fps | 65 fps |
| Marvel Rivals | 51 fps | 34 fps | 38 fps |
| Black Myth: Wukong | 34 fps | 20 fps | 27 fps |
| Monster Hunter: Wilds | 54 fps | 36 fps | N/A |
| 3DMark Steel Nomad | 2701 | 1619 | 2025 |
| Cinebench 2026 (Multi-Core) | 833 | 2979 | 3280 |
Other Budget Options on the Market
Larsen also listed affordable laptops he had not yet tested. Asus and Dell both offer RTX 5050 models, but neither is under $1,000. The Asus ROG A14 is available only with an RTX 5060. The HP Omen 16, with an RTX 5050, is currently selling for $1,100, a deal Larsen called "solid" despite not having recently tested it. The cheapest RTX 5050 option he has seen is the HP Victus 15 at $999. For those considering a step up to an RTX 5070, the least expensive option he cited is the Asus ROG Strix G16 at $1,760, illustrating the significant price jump beyond the budget tier.
Two More Tested Laptops With Compromises
Larsen also tested two other affordable models but found serious caveats. The Lenovo LOQ 15 Essential Gen 11, priced at $1,850, pairs a three-year-old GPU with the Core i7-13650HX, also three generations old. While its display matches the recommended LOQ 15 in color quality — beating the Alienware 15 — the system ships with a 135-watt power adapter instead of the larger 180-watt brick. In Performance mode, the laptop loses power even while plugged in, putting the 10–15 percent frame-rate boost on a time limit. At full price, Larsen called it "way overpriced" and advised waiting for a discount.
The Acer Nitro V 16, at $1,040, offers a bright 180-Hz display, but color accuracy and gamut are "wildly off," producing desaturated colors. It also uses a 135-watt charger rather than the 180-watt adapter typical of RTX 5050 laptops, meaning intensive games in Turbo mode drain the battery even when connected. Larsen noted the Acer "isn't as cheap as it once was," undercutting its value.
Price Outlook for Budget Gaming Laptops
The review, originally part of WIRED's ongoing laptop coverage, was updated in August 2026 to reflect new prices and added testing of the Alienware 15 and Lenovo LOQ 15 Essential Gen 11. While Larsen acknowledged it "may not feel like the best time to buy a cheap gaming laptop," he warned that prices may only increase in the future. For procurement teams and industrial buyers who rely on WIRED's testing to guide volume hardware purchases, the current environment favors acting quickly on the three recommended models before prices climb further.
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