Finding the best budget laptop can be tricky with all the models on the market right now. From Chromebooks to MacBooks to Windows laptops, splurging on new models with the best processors and features might clean out your wallet. Thankfully, for those not too tied to getting hands-on with the latest tech, several budget laptops have enough punch to provide smooth web surfing and more on the go.
TL;DR - The Best Budget Laptops at a Glance
If you need a solid laptop while working remotely or to help kickstart an exciting creative project, the best budget laptops offer stability and performance without breaking the bank.
- Want something a little beefier? Try the best gaming laptops.
1. Acer Aspire 5
The Best Budget Laptop
The Acer Aspire 5 has been one of the best budget laptops for quite some time now, with various models at varying price ranges that mostly settle under $500. Every year Acer has improved the Aspire 5 with new design modifications and processors. But from all the variations available, I chose the A514-54-32RS model as a great budget option. It comes out of the box with a solid Intel Core i3, 8GB of RAM, and an NVIDIA GeForce MX330 for faster performance.
The Acer Aspire 5 lacks style and a sleek chassis, but it holds up through daily browsing and work tasks. The laptop is light, has a solid clean keyboard, and will hold up well into the future. You won’t be able to tinker comfortably with hardware-dependent software, but for all your basic laptop needs, the Acer Aspire 5 is a decent option.
2. Lenovo Chromebook Duet 3
The best 2-in-1 budget laptop
Among all the cheap 2-in-1 Chromebooks, the Lenovo Chromebook Duet 3 is the best budget laptop on the market. The Duet 3 offers a sharp 11” touchscreen display and solid performance thanks to the Qualcomm Snapdragon 7c Gen 2 under the hood.
For its price, the 10-hour battery life and detachable keyboard trump most budget laptops if – like me – you’re looking for a way to boot up the web and surf for hours with the flexibility of a 2-in-1 device. However, the Duet 3 doesn’t have a headphone jack, the audio is flat, and its cameras aren’t the best. If those downsides don’t deter you, the Duet 3 could be the best budget laptop for you.
3. HP Pavilion 14
Best performance in a budget laptop
Peeking at the head of various budget laptops is the HP Pavilion 14. Like the Acer Aspire 5, the HP Pavilion line also constantly sees some shake ups with new variations equipped with fast processors and exterior changes. And for me, the 2022 version of the HP Pavilion 14 is still one of the best budget laptops you can get in 2023.
Even though it’s last year’s model, it still has solid overall performance, a full deck of ports, excellent battery life, and sports a sleek keyboard and touchpad to complement the micro-edge screen. The 12th-generation Intel processor, paired with 16GB of RAM is more than enough to handle anything you can throw at it – short of video editing. Plus, out of all the budget laptops here, the Pavilion 14 has an attractive compact design that outclasses its price tag. Depending on ongoing sales, the HP Pavilion 14 settles between $449 and $679, which can be a bit pricey based on your budget, but it absolutely delivers a bang for your buck if you scoop it up.
4. Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2
The best budget Chromebook
Visually, the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 could pass as a high-end laptop. It has that spicy fiesta red color splashed over its keyboard and touchpad, a slender body, and a sharp QLED touchscreen. The Intel Core i3 processor also offers great performance for a Chromebook, and its 8-hour battery life improves the previous version’s lackluster longevity.
Starting at $349, the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 is a solid budget laptop for watching videos, web hopping, and working on the go. However, as with most Chromebooks, the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 has a small keyboard and poor audio quality that you’ll want to consider.
What to Look for in a Budget Laptop
Aside from saving money, a budget laptop should fulfill your needs. Some buyers may prefer a laptop perfect for watching YouTube videos, while others desire the flexibility of a 2-in-1 during a work trip. Determining your primary need for a budget laptop will help you better decide which one to buy. Once you know, there are two things you must consider before purchasing.
Battery Life
Avoid buying any budget laptops with terrible battery life. You should shoot for a device hitting at least the 8-hour mark. Whether shopping online or getting deep into a Netflix show, a laptop with poor battery life will drain before you know it.
CPU
Budget laptops won’t have the fastest processors, but you want to make certain that whatever you buy has a solid chip inside. If you’re going to work on the laptop daily, having a decent processor will make flipping through tabs and programs snappy, unlike a less powerful one.
