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.
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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 HP 15.6-Inch Touchscreen Laptop, which features a lightweight design that’s great for studying or working on the go.
RAM: 16 GB | Storage: 128 GB eMMC | Processor (CPU): Intel Celeron N4120 | Display: 14″ HD BrightView (1366×768) | Battery Life: Up to 11 hrs video playback (9.5 hrs streaming)
The HP Stream BrightView 14-Inch Laptop is a wallet-friendly workhorse that covers all the basics without fuss. With 16 GB of RAM and 64 GB of speedy eMMC storage, it feels surprisingly snappy when loading apps, hopping between browser tabs, and streaming your favorite shows. The 14″ HD screen shines at everyday brightness, though it won’t rival higher-end displays.
Battery life is solid at around 10 to 11 hours, making it dependable for a school or workday away from a charger. Ports are generous for its class, and Fast Charge gets you to 50% in about 45 minutes. Don’t expect gaming prowess or razor-sharp visuals, but for students or casual users on a budget, it’s a dependable companion.
RAM: 12 GB DDR4 | Storage: 512 GB SSD + 128 GB eMMC | Processor (CPU): Intel Celeron N4500 | Display: 15.6″ Full HD (1920×1080) | Battery Life: Up to 9 hours
The Lenovo IdeaPad 1 is a budget-friendly laptop that aims to keep things simple for students and light office users. It packs 12 GB of RAM and dual storage options, giving you more wiggle room than many entry-level machines. The 15.6-inch Full HD display looks good on paper, though customer feedback suggests it's hit-or-miss depending on expectations.
The Intel Celeron chip is perfectly fine for tasks like web browsing or Word docs, but it may crawl under heavier multitasking. Users praise its easy setup and value for money, though some mention slow performance and occasional bugs. If you need a basic, affordable laptop with ample storage and RAM, this one gets the job done, as long as you’re not asking it to juggle too much at once.
RAM: 8 GB LPDDR5 | Storage: 128 GB NVMe SSD | Processor (CPU): AMD Ryzen 3 7320U (quad core) | Display: 15.6″ Full HD IPS | Battery Life: 9 to 11 hours typical use
The Acer Aspire 3 A315-24P is a budget-friendly gem that refuses to act cheap. With a Ryzen 3 chip and 8 GB of LPDDR5, it handles web browsing, Office work, and Zoom calls with confidence. The 15.6″ IPS screen brings crisp colors and comfortable viewing, though it won't impress creative professionals.
Battery life is a pleasant surprise, often stretching through a full workday. The chassis is simple and lightweight, though the plastic build feels basic. The keyboard is comfortable, and the port selection is practical and sufficient. It’s the kind of laptop that proves you don't need to overspend to get something dependable and capable.
RAM: 16 GB DDR4 | Storage: 1 TB PCIe SSD | Processor (CPU): AMD Ryzen 3 7330U (quad core, up to 4.5 GHz) | Display: 15.6″ Full HD (1920×1080) | Battery Life: Up to 10 hours
The HP 255 G10 is a well-rounded workhorse built to balance business tasks and everyday browsing without breaking a sweat. With 16 GB of RAM and a full terabyte of fast SSD storage, this laptop doesn’t flinch at multitasking or loading large files. The Ryzen 3 7330U processor delivers zippy performance that comfortably edges out older Intel i5s in real-world use.
The 15.6-inch Full HD display is crisp and comfortable for long sessions, though brightness could be stronger in sunny settings. At just under an inch thick, it travels well, and the inclusion of Windows 11 Pro makes it a solid pick for professionals. It’s not flashy, but if you want a reliable daily driver with serious storage and speed, this one is a smart bet.
RAM: 16 GB DDR4 | Storage: 64 GB eMMC + 256 GB SD Card | Processor (CPU): Intel Celeron N4120 (quad core, up to 2.6 GHz) | Display: 14″ HD (1366 × 768) | Battery Life: Up to 10 hours
The HP 14-Inch Premium Laptop keeps things practical with just enough power for students, casual users, or those working on a budget. With 16 GB of RAM and a combo of eMMC and SD storage, it offers more multitasking headroom than many entry-level laptops. The HD display is serviceable for web browsing and videos, though the resolution and brightness may feel limiting for heavy visual work.
The Celeron N4120 chip handles basic computing tasks like document editing, streaming and online classes well enough. Setup is easy, and the inclusion of Office 365 is a welcome bonus. It’s not going to win any speed contests, but if you want something light, affordable, and functional, this HP gets the job done for everyday needs.
RAM: 64 GB DDR4 | Storage: 2 TB PCIe SSD | Processor (CPU): Intel Core i5 (10 cores, up to 4.4 GHz) | Display: 15.6″ HD Touchscreen (1366 × 768)
The HP 15.6-Inch Touchscreen Laptop packs enough firepower to handle serious multitasking, creative workflows, and everyday productivity without flinching. With 64 GB of RAM and a massive 2 TB SSD, it chews through heavy browser sessions, video editing, and office software like a champ. The 10-core i5 processor delivers excellent responsiveness, and Windows 11 Pro keeps everything feeling modern and secure.
While the HD resolution on the touch screen won’t win over graphic designers, it’s perfectly fine for spreadsheets, web work and media. Added features like the numeric keypad, camera privacy shutter, and included Office suite make it even more appealing for students or professionals who want a well-rounded machine. If you're looking for a high-capacity laptop that won't blink when pushed, this one brings a lot to the table.
RAM: 36 GB DDR4 | Storage: 512 GB SSD + 1 TB Cloud Storage | Processor (CPU): Intel Pentium Silver N6000 (quad core, up to 3.0 GHz) | Display: 15.6″ Full HD (1920 × 1080)
The Lenovo Essential IdeaPad is built for users who value space and multitasking without stretching their wallet. With a hefty 36 GB of RAM and a combination of 512 GB SSD plus 1 TB of cloud storage, it offers impressive capacity for everything from spreadsheets to schoolwork. The 15.6-inch Full HD display is crisp enough for most tasks, though not touch-enabled, which may be a deal-breaker for some.
The Intel Pentium Silver processor handles light-to-moderate workloads comfortably, but it's best suited for web browsing, Office apps, and streaming rather than demanding software. Features like Wi-Fi 6, a USB-C port, and Dolby Audio speakers round out a solid value package. It's not flashy, but if you're after storage, memory, and daily usability on a budget, this IdeaPad checks the right boxes.
Best 2-in-1 Convertible Laptop
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 Chromebook
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, such as the Lenovo Ideapad Gaming Chromebook, 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
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.
Featuring a fingerprint recognition sensor for biometric authentication, 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, it keeps all your work safe and secure.
While it doesn’t provide all the bells and whistles that some of our other top picks do, 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 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, suppose you spend most of your computer time browsing the web or watching movies. In that case, 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 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 $700 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're open to spending more than $600, consider the most modern laptops or MacBooks.
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. Solid-state drives (SSDs) store data in flash memory. SSDs have no moving parts and are several orders of magnitude faster than traditional hard drives. 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. A budget laptop should be expected to last an average of three years. Some higher-priced models may last up to five. The ability of the battery to hold a charge and the cost of replacing a battery that won’t charge anymore is the primary reason to consider buying a new laptop.
A. 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. Budget laptops, like mainstream laptops, generally offer screen sizes between 13 and 16 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. HD (around 720p or 768 pixels vertical) is a minimum and may look blurrier and coarser on a large 15-inch screen. If you can afford it, try to find a laptop with at least FHD (1080p, or more than 1000 pixels vertical) for a sharper picture with more usable space.
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 that have touch screens 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. Good tablets can cost as much or more than the least costly budget laptops, and the laptops come with keyboards.
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.
Jmar Gambol is a writer and product tester for BestReviews. He has written almost two hundred articles and buying guides, as well as tested products as varied as coffee presses, robot vacuums and smartphones. He personally tested six laptops under $1,000, several of which are included in this article.
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.
