Updated 18 Oct 2026
Is the Lenovo LOQ 15 (2025) worth it?
Yes — the best budget gaming laptop, in the right build.
Its full-power RTX 5060 runs most games above 60 fps at 1080p, the build feels sturdy and you can add memory and storage later. The screen is dim and a little slow, the battery is small, and most 16 GB builds use a single memory stick, which causes stutter. The UK build with 24 GB in two sticks avoids that for less money.
Good to know
- Most 16 GB builds have a single memory stick; a matching second stick fixes the stutter.
- The screen is dim (about 300 nits) and smears a little in fast games.
- Expect 4–6 hours of light use and about an hour of gaming on battery.
- The fans are loud in Performance mode.
- There's no 8 GB-memory version: the "8GB" in listing titles is the graphics card's memory.
- Full-power RTX 5060
- 60–100+ fps in most games at 1080p
- Easy to add memory and storage
Our pick: RTX 5060 · 16 GB · 512 GB. Other builds
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Which build to get
The same LOQ 15 is sold with different graphics, memory and storage, each under its own model number. Each button below goes to that exact build.
- Our pickCheck price on Amazon
RTX 5060 · 16 GB · 512 GB
Intel Core i7-13650HX · 15.6" 1920×1080 144 Hz
The pick in the US: add a matching 16 GB stick for dual-channel memory, and a second SSD when 512 GB fills up.
Model number: 83JE002LUS
- Check price on Amazon
RTX 5060 · 16 GB · 512 GB
AMD Ryzen 7 250 · 15.6" 1920×1080 144 Hz
The version most reviewers tested. Same graphics, a slightly slower processor.
- Check price on Amazon
RTX 5050 · 16 GB · 512 GB
Intel Core i5-13450HX · 15.6" 1920×1080 144 Hz
Only worth it at a clear discount: the RTX 5060 is noticeably faster.
Model number: 83JE002KUS
Get it if…
- You want to play new games at 1080p without spending a lot.
- You don't mind adding a memory stick yourself.
- It mostly stays on a desk, plugged in.
Skip it if…
- You want a bright screen for films and photos.
- You need it to last a day away from the plug.
- You want to play at 1440p on high settings.
How we reached this verdict
PC Gamer gave it 81 and named it its best budget gaming laptop for the build and 1080p frame rates, but found the single 16 GB stick caused stutter. Notebookcheck (78%) measured 89 fps in Cyberpunk at 1080p Ultra and a dim, slow screen; Tom's Hardware (3/5) found it behind rivals on battery and processor speed. All tested the AMD version with an RTX 5060.
We compared independent expert reviews with the manufacturer's specifications, then checked it's sold at a major retailer where you live. We don't test products ourselves.
Sources: PC Gamer, Notebookcheck, Tom's Hardware, PCWorld, Lenovo (specs), Notebookcheck, Tom's Guide, TechRadar, manufacturer specifications.
Updated 18 Oct 2026How we decide