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This top-of-the-line budget laptop is perfect for casual use, offering the best balance between features, performance, and price.
This laptop delivers smooth performance for streaming and everyday tasks thanks to its AMD Ryzen 5 processor. It boasts 8 GB of memory for multitasking and 256 GB of storage for your files and apps. Plus, the 15.6-inch Full HD display ensures sharp and vibrant visuals.
It features 802.11ac WiFi 5, which provides a smooth Internet experience and fast speeds, but it's not the latest WiFi spec (802.11ax), which is even faster and more secure.
The highly portable MacBook Air delivers blazingly fast performance, outstanding all-day battery life, and superb functionality for a good price.
This MacBook has an advanced M2 chip that delivers super-fast processing power and elite performance. Its battery can last about 15 to 18 hours on a single charge. Its 13.6-inch Liquid Retina display makes images appear more vibrant and text look crisp. Its slim, lightweight design means it’s easy to take anywhere.
It supports only one external display and up to WiFi 6.
The Acer Aspire 3 Spin 14 is a budget-friendly laptop with a 360-degree hinge that allows it to convert into a tablet. It's well-built and portable, making it a good choice for students and casual users.
The touchscreen and 2-in-1 functionality provide versatility, giving you the option to work in laptop, tent, or tablet mode depending on your needs. It comes with a protective sleeve for added peace of mind when carrying it around. It delivers better-than-average battery life.
Its 60Hz display has a slow response time, so the laptop may not appeal to gamers, but for everyday tasks like streaming video, it shines!
The ASUS TUF Gaming A16 boasts a long 11.5-hour battery life and delivers smooth FHD+ visuals for gaming, making it a powerful and affordable option for both gamers and creative professionals.
It offers smooth gameplay with its wide 16-inch, 165Hz display. Provides immersive sound with dual speakers, featuring Dolby Atmos support. It has an onboard RJ45 LAN port for more reliable, wired internet connections.
While the storage capacity might not satisfy users who require extensive storage for large files and games, the laptop offers options for expanding storage through additional ports.
The Chromebook “Plus” lives up to its name, delivering a high-resolution display, ample memory, and impressive performance at an affordable price.
Chrome OS is fast, fluid, intuitive, and user-friendly. The 14-inch Full HD NanoEdge anti-glare display is perfect for streaming TV shows and movies. The battery can last up to 10 hours with moderate use. It boasts AI-powered features that several PCs lack.
We wish that its display was a touchscreen.
We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.
Needing a new laptop shouldn't become a financial burden. The reality is, the high cost of some laptops can act as a barrier, preventing many from accessing the technology they need. While high-end models can cost well over $1,000, there are many affordable options that offer solid performance for everyday tasks, browsing and entertainment.
Not sure where to start? We're here to help equip you with the know-how you need to navigate the complex laptop market and find the best budget-friendly laptop for your needs. Unsurprisingly, when shopping for a new laptop, it’s essential to consider how much you want to spend. Once you’ve determined your budget, the next step is to consider the specs and features you want. Your primary considerations should be the processor, display size and type, battery life, storage, memory and connectivity.
The BestReviews Testing Lab tested and evaluated all the latest budget-friendly models that pack all the features and performance you need for both work and play. Our top choice is the Acer Aspire 3, which features a lightweight design that’s great for studying or working on the go.
Best of the best
Product Specifications
Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 7520U | RAM: 8GB | Storage: 256GB | Display: 15.6” full HD | Battery Life: 8 hrs | Operating System: Windows 11 | Ports: 1 HDMI Port, 2 USB 3.2 Gen 1 ports, 1 USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C port | Webcam Resolution: HD 720p
Although there are laptops on the market with even stronger features, the Acer Aspire 3 offers a great value proposition for everyday users without compromising quality. Its affordable price makes it a budget-friendly option, yet it still boasts a premium build and a 15.6-inch Full HD display, perfect for enjoying streaming content.
With 8GB of RAM, you can multitask without experiencing significant lag, and the AMD Ryzen 5 7520U processor allows it to run smoothly. It has a thin, lightweight design that gives it excellent portability, and the front-facing camera offers decent video quality even in low-light conditions. It uses noise-reduction technology to clear up the picture and includes voice processing to enhance sound quality during calls.
Overall, the Acer Aspire 3 strikes a great balance between affordability and functionality for everyday tasks. It excels at handling web browsing, schoolwork, light gaming and enjoying HD content, making it an excellent choice for casual users and budget-conscious buyers looking to upgrade without breaking the bank.
Best budget MacBook
Product Specifications
Processor: M2 chip | RAM: 8GB unified (option to add up to 24GB) | Storage: 256GB SSD (option to add up to 2TB) | Display: 13.6-inch Liquid Retina | Battery Life: Up to 18 hrs | Operating System: macOS | Ports: 2 Thunderbolt, 4 USB | Webcam Resolution: HD 1080p
Apple gadget users and those seeking an alternative to Windows will find the 13-inch MacBook Air with the M2 chip particularly appealing. MacBooks are known for their sleek design, lightweight build and longevity, but there is plenty more about this laptop to love.
For starters, this MacBook Air’s dazzling 13.6-inch Liquid Retina LED screen is perfect for streaming your favorite HD TV shows and movies, and the M2 chip provides blazing-fast performance. The battery life is exceptional as well, lasting up to 18 hours on a full charge with moderate use. Shoppers can customize this laptop with up to 24GB of RAM and 2TB of internal storage. Plus, it has multiple USB and Thunderbolt ports for connecting accessories.
The Apple MacBook Air 13-Inch with the M2 chip stands out for users seeking a long-lasting and premium laptop experience. While MacBooks carry a higher price tag compared to standard laptops, their renowned build quality, powerful performance and impressive battery life make the Air worth considering.
Best 2-in-1 convertible laptop
Product Specifications
Processor: Intel Core i3-N305 | RAM: 8GB | Storage: 128GB | Display: 14” touch screen full HD 1200p | Battery Life: 8 hrs | Operating System: Windows 11 | Ports: 1 USB-C, 1 USB 3.2 | Webcam Resolution: HD 720p
More than just a gimmick, two-in-one laptops offer versatility and freedom for users who crave flexibility in their devices. With a 360-degree hinge, the Acer Aspire 3 Spin 14 transforms seamlessly from a traditional laptop to a tablet, making it ideal for drawing, note-taking and enjoying entertainment comfortably anywhere.
This laptop also boasts a fast Intel Core i3-N305 processor that’s perfect for basic computing tasks and 8GB of RAM for efficient multitasking. An uncommon feature for budget laptops, the touch-screen display enhances productivity, making tasks like scrolling through documents, navigating menus and manipulating on-screen objects more intuitive. It also proves beneficial for gaming, offering a more interactive experience, and for reading e-books, providing a natural page-turning feel.
The Acer Aspire 3 Spin 14 is surprisingly well-built for its price. Although it’s smaller-than-average, it feels sturdy, and the compact design makes it one of the better computers for traveling. Overall, it’s a solid all-around laptop and is more than enough for casual use.
Best budget gaming laptop
Product Specifications
Processor: AMD Ryzen 7 7000 | RAM: 16GB | Storage: 512GB | Display: 16” full HD 1200p | Battery Life: Up to 13 hrs | Operating System: Windows 11 | Ports: 1 Thunderbolt, 2 USB-A 3.2, 2 USB-C 3.2 | Webcam Resolution: HD 720p
Hardcore gamers often prefer desktop computers because they offer more customizability and superior processing power than laptops. However, the Asus TUF A16 Gaming Laptop packs plenty of power and is an excellent model for light to moderate gaming while on the go.
The AMC Ryzen 7 7000 CPU is among the best you’ll find in a budget laptop, and the high-end AMD Radeon RX 7600S GPU lets you run PC games at max settings without a dip in performance. Its 16GB of RAM makes it suitable for advanced gaming and allows it to handle graphics-intensive applications with ease.
Budget-conscious gamers searching for a powerful yet affordable option will find the Asus TUF A16 highly appealing. This laptop boasts advanced specs and features, including a customizable RGB backlit keyboard, making it well-equipped to handle the demands of moderate gaming experiences.
Best budget Chromebook
Product Specifications
Processor: Intel Core i3-1215U | RAM: 8GB | Storage: 256GB | Display: 14” full HD | Battery Life: Up to 10 hrs | Operating System: Chrome OS | Ports: 2 USB-C 3.2 Gen 1, 2 USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 | Webcam Resolution: Full HD 1080p
Chromebooks are known for their streamlined functionality and long battery life, making them a great choice for casual users and those who primarily work on the go. While their focus lies on online tools and cloud storage, Chromebooks offer a smooth operating system, advanced security features and a variety of applications to meet everyday needs. Best of all, they’re oftentimes hundreds of dollars cheaper than PCs and MacOS laptops.
This Chromebook is powered by the fast and reliable Intel Core i3-1215U processor, which, combined with 8GB of RAM, allows you to run multiple applications simultaneously without noticeable lag or a dip in productivity. You’ll get 256GB of internal SSD storage, and the 14-inch full HD display looks crisp with vibrant colors.
While Chromebooks don’t offer as many applications as Windows and Mac laptops, contrary to popular belief, they still offer offline functionality for essential tasks like documents, spreadsheets, presentations and emails.
For the price, this Chromebook is an excellent buy and perfect for working or casual gaming on the go.
Best budget gaming Chromebook
Product Specifications
Processor: Intel Core i3-1215U | RAM: 8GB | Storage: 128GB | Display: 16” 2K | Battery Life: Up to 13 hours | Operating System: Chrome OS | Ports: 2 USB-C 3.2 Gen 2, 2 USB-A | Webcam Resolution: Full HD 1080p
When you think of Chromebooks, gaming probably isn’t the first thing that springs to mind. After all, Chromebooks are essentially stripped-down versions of standard laptops. However, you might be surprised to learn that there are some Chromebooks with the capacity to facilitate light-to-moderate cloud gaming sessions efficiently.
Unlike many Chromebooks that have an Intel Celeron processor, the Lenovo Ideapad Gaming Chromebook’s CPU is a much faster and more reliable Intel Core i3-1215U. That means gamers can play without experiencing any issues. The 16-inch 2K resolution display looks fantastic and provides excellent color contrast. Plus, unlike some of our other top picks, this laptop boasts a full HD webcam and battery life lasting up to 13 hours on a full charge.
While not ideal for the most demanding games, this Chromebook excels as a budget-friendly option for cloud gaming. Its impressive battery life, stunning display and speedy processor make it a great value proposition for casual gamers who primarily rely on cloud platforms.
Best budget business laptop
Product Specifications
Processor: Intel Core i5-1335U | RAM: 8GB | Storage: 256GB | Display: 16” Full HD 1200p | Battery Life: Up to 12 hrs | Operating System: Windows 11 | Ports: 1 USB-C 3.2 Gen 2, 1 Thunderbolt 4, 1 USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A | Webcam Resolution: Full HD 1080p
Of all our favorite budget laptops, the Lenovo ThinkPad E16 is best suited for business professionals. It has a fast processor, the Intel Core i5-1335U, which isn’t commonly found in budget laptops and offers up to 12 hours of battery life on a single charge.
The 16-inch display is broad enough to work comfortably on spreadsheets and other business documents, and the full HD webcam is suitable for conference and video calls. Plus, you’ll get 256GB of internal SSD storage, and 8GB of RAM is enough for multitasking without any problems.
This laptop is built for security, making it an excellent notebook for students and professionals. Whether you need to work on and store sensitive documents or group projects, this laptop offers superior security to keep all your work safe. It doesn’t provide all the bells and whistles some of our other top picks do, but it’s one of the best models for productivity at school or in the office.
Each of the major operating systems — Windows, macOS and Chrome OS — is available in the lower price tiers. That said, there are a few nuances and pitfalls to be aware of.
Naturally, a “budget” laptop is one that is more affordable than cutting-edge machines, and in the majority of cases, a lower price means less powerful internal hardware. But that is not a bad thing. For example, if you spend most of your computer time browsing the web or watching movies, chances are you don’t need the latest-generation processor or an ultra-powerful video card. You can save a lot of money by finding a budget laptop that makes reasonable compromises.
As you shop, consider the most common hardware compromises you will encounter.
The best budget laptops are, in some cases, Chromebooks. What is a Chromebook? These “cheap laptops” arrived on the scene in 2011, and at first, people were skeptical because they are inexpensive computers that run on the Chrome OS and are dependent upon Wi-Fi connectivity to operate. They are great for web browsing and other Wi-Fi-reliant tasks.
Nowadays, these affordable laptops have earned a place at the table. The reason: consumers have realized that there are situations in which a Chromebook is the best buy. For example, they are great for students. If a cash-strapped student simply needs to access lessons, tests or other educational content online, this is a very economical purchase indeed.
Chromebooks come from all sorts of manufacturers and not just the “low-end” ones. Long-respected brands are making these affordable laptops, and you needn’t spend a fortune to get one of the best Chromebooks.
The best laptops with a “budget” price point cost between $250 and $600. On the low end of the range, you will find smaller machines with modest specs that are good for working in a browser or streaming video. Chromebooks often fall into this range.
On the high end of the $250 to $600 range are models that run faster, have more built-in memory and storage and, in some cases, have improved screen resolutions.
If you find a laptop at an unbelievably low price, it may be underpowered and worth avoiding. If you are open to spending more than $600, take a look at the most modern laptops or MacBooks.
We studied the specs and design of dozens of laptops to determine performance. We also incorporated our own testing notes from similar products to draw comparisons and take into account customer reviews to make the best recommendations. We primarily analyzed processing power, display quality, storage size, memory capacity, battery life and connectivity.
A. Laptops that feature touch screens, sometimes referred to as two-in-ones, cost more to make, so it is rare to see a laptop with a touch screen in the budget category. If you need a laptop that also functions as a tablet, a two-in-one laptop may be a better choice for you.
A. There are two types of computer hard drives: traditional disk drives (HDDs), which have moving parts, and solid-state drives (SSDs), which store data in flash memory. SSDs have no moving parts and are several orders of magnitude faster than HDDs. Solid-state drives are more expensive to manufacture than hard-disk drives, so expect the price difference to be reflected in laptop prices. If you can afford one, an SSD is one of the biggest speed increases you can make, and they are a worthwhile investment both in terms of user experience and hardware longevity.
A. It will depend on the model you go with, but in most cases, you can expect it to last between three and five years. Tech advances quickly, and even web browsers require more resources each day, so like all machines, a budget laptop eventually won’t be able to keep up with your work.
A. It depends on your intended use of the laptop. A larger screen (measured on the diagonal from corner to corner) is obviously easier to see. For the sake of portability, however, you might want something smaller. Keep in mind, too, that while there are some larger screens (over 15 inches) in the “budget” category, many are closer to 11 inches.
In addition to size, take note of the screen resolution of any laptop you are considering. Does it have an anti-glare coating? LED backlights? Further, find out if the resolution is HD, Full HD or something even greater. In the budget range, screen resolutions may not be as well-defined as they are in the high-end range.
A. Gaming laptops are great in their own right, but a quality laptop for gaming is going to cost more than our stated price range of $200 to $600 for low-cost laptops. A good budget laptop will still deliver when it comes to working with office apps, streaming video and performing tasks that rely on a Wi-Fi connection and web browser. If you’re interested in a device for hardcore gaming, though, expect the price minimums to be higher.
A. Tablets can be less costly than laptops, but will a new tablet give you the functionality you need? It depends, of course, on what your situation is. Tablets have touch screens, which you may or may not appreciate, and they are great for using social media and web browsing. They tend to get very good battery life, and they score big points in the portability department. You can find a tablet that costs far less than a laptop, but there are also high-end tablets that cost far more than the budget laptops discussed here — especially since most tablets do not include a physical keyboard
Laptops have more memory, more ports and connectivity points (HDMI, USB), and larger screens than tablets. You can easily type on your laptop keyboard and save or print documents as needed. Notably, many laptops in the budget range do not have touch screens, and the battery life may be lackluster as compared to a tablet.
As a writer for BestReviews, Kevin Luna has extensively tested and covered laptops, from MacBooks to Chromebooks to gaming PCs. He is knowledgeable about the differences between a high-end laptop and a mid-tier model and loves comparing their extensive feature sets. He has used several computers over the years and is familiar with the specs, features and functionality that determine overall performance. BestReviews tech expert Jaime Vazquez also contributed his insights on what makes some budget laptops more worthy than others.
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