I've tested the best budget laptops of 2025 — here are my top picks (so far)
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17 Jul 2025 07:41:56 am.
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Ever since finding my very first PC that fit my budget (and need for power) back in 2009, I've been on the hunt for the very best budget laptops that offerallthe bang for your buck.
Now, with my expert team and I reviewing dozens of laptops each year, I can bring my search expertise to help you find one yourself.
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Budget doesn't have to mean bare minimum, and you may be surprised to find that productivity notebooks for work or studying (like theAcer Aspire Go 15) and even gaming laptops (check out theMSI Cyborg 15) with impressive specs won't have to empty your wallet. Whether it's a budget laptop for students or even some light video editing, I'm here to point you toward the ones worth investing in.
If you're after even more affordable options, you'll want to head over to our list of thebest laptops under $500.
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To make sure you're saving cash without sacrificing too much, think about the following:
Depending on what you generally do on a laptop, one may be more suited to you than others.
Studying or Work:If you're looking to work on documents, answer emails or head into video calls while you're jumping between work spaces, you'll want a lightweight, portable notebook that has the power to multitask and last you more than just a couple of hours. That's where theAcer Aspire Go 15(for Windows 11) andMacBook Air M1(for macOS) come in handy, as they offer decent performance, great battery life and great value for the money.
Casual use:If you prefer to have a laptop for browsing websites, binge watching your favorite shows or jotting down a few notes, the good news is you won't have to pay a pretty penny for one. But you'll still want a decent display or even a touchscreen to interact with them far more easily. Chromebooks excel at this, and theLenovo Flex 5i Chromebook Plusor theLenovo Chromebook Duet 3are fantastic options. The former is more premium (but great for watching shows), while the latter is a 2-in-1 that offers versatility.
Gaming:If you don't want to break you bank account on a gaming laptop but still want enough power to run popular PC games, especially when it comes to multiplayer titles, getting a machine that offers a strong enough CPU and GPU, along with enough RAM, is essential. Budget laptops won't offer maxed-out graphics in AAA games, but they can still deliver excellent gameplay with smooth visuals. That includes theMSI Cyborg 15andAcer Nitro V 15, which boast RTX 40-series GPUs and surprisingly good performance — for the price, that is.
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This entirely depends on your budget, but anything around $500/£500 is considered an excellent price for a laptop. Although those numbers are a tad different for gaming laptops, as anything under $1,000/£1,000 is what you can expect from a budget gaming machine.
Now, notallbudget laptops are worth their low price. Some lean too hard on lackluster components to make up for their cheaper cost, but if it can barely open a Chrome tab or two without stuttering or, even worse, crashing, then there isn't much point in spending money on it.
Still, there are several laptops that offer a great price-to-performance ratio, and you can find some for around $300/£300 while offering commendable power. If you're only looking for an entry-level machine to get everyday tasks done, then a budget laptop will help you save while also giving you the performance you require.
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The best budget laptop overall
1. Acer Aspire Go 15
The best Windows 11 budget laptop
Specifications
Display:
15.6-inch (1920x1080) 60Hz LCD
CPU:
Intel Core i3-N305
GPU:
Intel UHD Graphics
RAM:
8GB LPDDR5
Storage:
128GB UFS (Universal Flash Storage)
Weight:
3.86 pounds
Tested battery life:
10:15
Reasons to buy
+Comfortable keyboard
+Useful port array
+
Good battery life (10 hours tested)
Reasons to avoid
-Crappy 720p webcam
-
Poor performance
Who is this for?
The Acer Aspire Go 15 is our favorite budget laptop because it is a solid workhorse with enough power for all your basic productivity needs. If you need something for the classic office work alongside some binge watching, this is a solid choice.
Why is it the best overall budget laptop?
It comes down to this offering the best balance across three key elements that make a good laptop. First, the port array with USB-A, USB-C and HDMI makes it easy to plug into any setup wherever you are. Second, the keyboard is comfortable to type on for hours on end. And third, with 10 hours of battery life, there's impressive longevity here too.
What do we like?
?Comfortable keyboard:It's rare that you see a good keyboard in a budget laptop, but Acer has pulled out the stops here with a well-spaced board with a nice comfortable, tactile impact on each key press.
?A whole lotta ports:Connectivity is key to the success of this laptop. With a pair of USB-A ports, a USB-C socket, HDMI out and a headphone jack, this is a good suite of ports that you can count on to plug into a TV for binge watching and your whole range of peripherals/accessories.
?Strong battery life:Longevity is normally an afterthought in cheap laptops, but with over 10 hours in our battery life testing, this is sure to last you a full day of work.
What don’t we like?
?Weak performance:With the N-series Intel Core i3 and UFS storage, this isn't going to be able to do anything beyond your casual productivity and gaming via Nvidia's GeForce Now.
Bottom line
The Acer Aspire Go 15 is a cheap laptop that doesn't really feel that cheap in use. There are of course some cutbacks like the weak speakers and potato of a webcam. But for what you need a laptop for, Acer absolutely delivers.
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The best budget MacBook
2. MacBook Air (M1)
The best budget MacBook
Specifications
Display:
13.3-inch (2560 x 1600-pixel resolution) IPS display — 400 nits brightness
CPU:
M1
RAM:
8-16GB
Storage:
256GB-2TB
Weight:
2.8 pounds
Tested battery life:
14:41
Reasons to buy
+Performance is still decent
+Amazingly long battery life
+Comfy Magic Keyboard
+
Still getting years of OS support
Reasons to avoid
-Has thick bezels
-Light on ports
-
Getting rather old by this point
Who is this for?
The M1 MacBook Air is the cheapest way to get an Apple laptop with all its macOS goodness (including all the Apple Intelligence features. This one is for the casual user who wants the perfect companion to their iPhone and AirPods.
Why is it the best budget MacBook?
MacBooks are typically some of the most expensive laptops you can buy. But with performance and a premium construction that still stands up to this day, the$599 M1 Airis a fantastic low-cost choice.
What do we like?
?M1 is still going strong:How is a four-year-old chip still capable of feeling zippy in terms of multitasking performance? I'm not sure what witchcraft Apple has pulled off here, but whether it's multitasking, basic productivity or even some video editing, the M1 chip in the MacBook Air continues to impress.
?Battery life continues to shock:There are notebooks in 2024 that are still paling in comparison to the 14 hours and 41 minutes we achieved when putting the M1 MacBook Air through our grueling battery life test.
?A great keyboard and trackpad:Apple knows how to do good ergonomics, and these are on full show with the slick multi-touch trackpad and great-feeling chiclet keyboard.
What don’t we like?
?Just two USB-C ports:Where the Acer Aspire Go 15 thrives, the MacBook Air falls. With just two USB-C ports (one of which will be used for charging), you're out of luck when it comes to plugging in more than one accessory unless you have a dongle
?You can feel the age:I know I'm talking up a big game on the M1 Air, and it still is pretty impressive to this day. But let me repeat — this is four years old. It's well on the way to not receiving software updates, and you can feel it slowdown in intense moments of multitasking.
Bottom line
In 2020, we called the M1 MacBook Air "shockingly good" for its combination of speed and endurance. While it's not so shocking anymore (we're onM4 Macsnow to surprise us with performance and power efficiency), this is still a stellar budget buy.
The best budget gaming laptop
3. MSI Cyborg 15
The best budget gaming laptop
Specifications
Display:
15.6-inch 144Hz FHD (1920 x 1080)
CPU:
Intel Core i7-13620H
GPU:
Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050
RAM:
16GB
Storage:
512GB
Weight:
4.37 pounds
Tested battery life:
5:05
Reasons to buy
+Affordable price
+Cyberpunk-inspired design
+Great keyboard
+
Solid gaming performance
Reasons to avoid
-Grainy 720p webcam
-Middling display
-
Runs hot while gaming
Who is this for?
As you can probably guess by the name, this is for the gamer on a budget — the MSI Cyborg 15 gives you enough power for some solid 1080p gaming here while coming in at under $1,000!
Why is it the best budget gaming laptop?
The MSI Cyborg 15 deserves this moniker for the horsepower under the hood (including that RTX 4050 giving you access to Nvidia's stellar DLSS tech), while also paying attention to the things that matter like giving you a fluid 144Hz display and a great keyboard to boot.
What do we like?
?The most powerful laptop on this list:Pairing 13th Gen Intel Core i7 with RTX 4050 graphics leads to some surprisingly impressive gaming performance. I know there are stronger GPUs out there for far greater prices, but for the lowest cost you can find, this can do more than you think — especially with DLSS turned on effectively doubling frame rates in a lot of your favorite AAA titles.
?Great keyboard:Sometimes, to invest more in the internals, you'll get the keyboard equivalent of a wet sponge on a lot of cheap gaming laptops. Not here, though, as MSI has paid attention to the tactile impact of every key press.
?Large and in charge design:Some people may not appreciate this aesthetic, but I kind of dig it. The Cyberpunk-inspired design gives it a cool, edge look that is both gamer in feel but also utilitarian enough to not look weird on a desk.
What don’t we like?
?Mid display:It's great to get a 1080p panel with 144Hz refresh rate, but you can feel the cheapness in its color and light blooming. Make sure you save up for a monitor for some better-looking gaming at home.
?Runs hot while gaming:It's always good practice to use a gaming laptop on a desk, as they can get hot. That goes doubly so for the MSI Cyborg 15, which can hit a peak of 112 degrees Fahrenheit
Bottom line
If you're keen to game on the go without breaking the bank, you can't go wrong with the MSI Cyborg 15. There are a lot of strengths here from its internals to the keyboard and general gaming performance, that it's easy to look past the naff webcam and surface temps.
The best budget Chromebook
4. Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook Plus
The best budget Chromebook for most
Specifications
CPU:
Intel Core i3-1315U
RAM:
8GB
Storage:
128GB eMMC
Display:
14-inch (1920x1200) IPS touchscreen
Dimensions:
12.4 x 9 x 0.8 inches
Weight:
3.57 pounds
Tested battery life:
7:36
Reasons to buy
+Good performance
+Bright touchscreen
+Comfy keyboard
+
Plenty of ports
Reasons to avoid
-Middling battery life
-
No stylus included
Who is this for?
The Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook Plus is a versatile and durable 2-in-1 with a 360-degree 1200p touchscreen, making it an excellent, affordable option for students and professionals who need the flexibility of a tablet and a laptop.
Why is it the best Chromebook on a budget?
At $499, the Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook Plus offers exceptional value for what it offers. Not only is it a 2-in-1, but it delivers enough performance to run virtually any app you throw at it, a bright 1200p touchscreen for getting work done, browsing through websites and watching shows, along with a lightweight, premium-looking design with a keyboard you'll find very comfortable to type on. For that price, it's hard to go wrong.
What do we like?
?Premium, versatile design:The Flex 5i defies its budget-friendly price with a high-quality and sturdy build. The chassis feels durable and looks refined, with a flexible yet firm 360-degree hinge and a comfortable keyboard for an excellent user experience.
?Beautiful AMOLED display:This Lenovo Chromebook Plus excels with a 14-inch (1920x1200) IPS touchscreen with a 16:10 aspect ratio. Its FHD+ resolution delivers a bright, colourful and highly responsive picture that surpasses what you'd think a laptop at this price could deliver.
?Speedy performance (for a Chromebook):Powered by a 13th Gen Intel Core i3 processor and 8GB of RAM, the Flex 5i delivers impressive speeds. Paired with the lightweight ChromeOS, you can expect a consistently zippy and fluid performance for everyday tasks, just don't expect the horsepower of other MacBooks or Windows laptops.
What don’t we like?
?Battery life is lacking:At under 8 hours until it cuts out, the Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook Plus won't exactly get you through a full workday, or even a one filled with classes. Not the worst, but it could be better.
?No stylus?:Touchscreens are made to be doodled on, but there's no stylus included in the box. Fine for tapping away on, but for Chromebook, a simple stylus would have been nice to see.
Bottom line
In short, the Lenovo Flex 5i is a fantastic deal, successfully mixing affordability with a quality feel. The screen is lovely, the keyboard is comfortable and it's perfect for daily tasks. The only real catch is the so-so battery life, but for this price, it's a brilliant choice.
The best budget 2-in-1
5. Lenovo Chromebook Duet 3
The best budget Chrome tablet
Specifications
CPU:
Qualcomm Snapdragon 7c Gen 2
RAM:
4-8GB
Storage:
64-128GB eMMC
Display:
11 inches, 2,000 x 1,200 pixels
Dimensions:
10.16 x 6.48 x 0.31 inches
Weight:
1.2/2.1 lbs (tablet only/tablet + cover)
Tested battery life:
10:30
Reasons to buy
+Bright, sharp display
+10+ hours of battery life
+Packed-in keyboard cover is decent
+
Surprisingly loud for a Chrome tablet
Reasons to avoid
-Still no headphone jack
-Lackluster cameras
-
Keyboard cover uncomfortable for sustained typing
Who is this for?
If you need something super lightweight for quick note taking and casual productivity, you can't go far wrong with the Chromebook Duet 3. Ideal for students and workers on-the-go.
Why is it the best budget 2-in-1?
Windows 2-in-1s at this price usually suck, but in the Chromebook space, you can get a lot more for your money. The Lenovo Chromebook Duet 3 is a fantastic convertible with a bright display, a surprisingly good keyboard cover and over 10 hours of battery life.
What do we like?
?Lovely display:Packing an 11-inch 2K display with multitouch, the Lenovo Chromebook Duet 3 is rather nice on the eyes and responsive to interact with too — great for work and entertainment.
?Solid design:The construction with its black aluminum chassis feels impressively premium to the touch. The detachable keyboard also has a nice travel to every key, and when all folded up, it's sturdy and lightweight to carry around.
?Great battery life:In our battery life testing, the Duet 3 lasted 10 hours and 30 minutes — thanks to the lower intensity of that Snapdragon chip. This means that for your all-day usage, this will stick right there with you.
What don’t we like?
?No headphone jack:No option to be wired in here! Luckily, there is bluetooth, but the lack of a headphone jack is always going to be frustrating in any kind of laptop.
?Webcam = potato:Yes there are compromises, and for the Duet 3, it's the webcam that takes a big hit with grainy pictures that look like they were taken on an early 2000s camera phone.
Bottom line
For a cheap 2-in-1, the Duet 3 focuses on the things that make this recipe work — a good display, nice-feeling keyboard, and long battery life. ChromeOS continues to go from strength to strength with regular updates from Google, to the point that you'll completely forget the webcam is naff here.
The best cheap gaming
6. Acer Nitro V 15 (2024)
A great budget gaming laptop alternative
Specifications
CPU:
Intel Core i5-13420H
GPU:
Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050
RAM:
8GB DDR5
Storage:
512GB
Display:
15.6-inch FHD (1980 x 1080) IPS, 16:9, 144Hz refresh rate
Dimensions:
14.2 x 9.4 x 0.9 inches
Weight:
4.6lbs
Tested battery life:
5:41
Reasons to buy
+Stylish, efficient design for cooling and portability
+Smooth 144Hz display
+Wealth of ports
+
Respectable gaming performance for the price
Reasons to avoid
-But general performance is still limited
-Fans get too loud
-
512GB storage isn’t enough
Who is this for?
For anyone looking to get into PC gaming but doesn't have the budget to dish out for the latest and greatest gaming laptops around. With its 144Hz display and solid gaming performance, it's great for casual gamers looking to try out popular PC titles.
Why is it the best budget gaming laptop alternative?
Since it doesn't come back with Nvidia's RTX 40-series GPU, it's understandable why some may want more of a modern gaming laptop with more up-to-date specs (such as the MSI Cyborg 15). However, for those after something even more affordable, and aren't fussed about RTX numbers, it's hard to go wrong with this Acer Nitro V 15.
What do we like?
?Stylish design:From its compact chassis to its subtle but sleek looks, this gaming laptop is a looker. Even better, it isn't too big or heavy to lug around.
?Smooth visuals:Having a 15.6-inch FHD (1980 x 1080) with a 144Hz refresh rate on a laptop this affordable is a bargain. Plus, it's big enough to take in small details in games and videos.
?Great gaming performance:Despite coming with a 13th Gen Intel Core i5 and an RTX 3050, this laptop still brings the heat, especially for the price it's set at. For less demanding games, this laptop shines, but it can even push the limits on some high-quality PC titles, too.
What don’t we like?
?Loud fans:Make sure to wear some headphones, as the Nitro V 15 can sometimes sound like a jet engine at full throttle.
?Small storage:For a gaming laptop, you'll need way more than just the 512GB of storage this laptop offers. It will mean having to install and uninstall games frequently, and that's not what any PC gamer wants.
Bottom line
For a cheap gaming laptop that offers up enough gaming performance to play many of the latest games, the Nitro V 15 does an admirable job. It may not pack the latest specs or offer a premium design, but its price gives it an edge over those with beefier specs. If what you need is a decent system that offers good gameplay, the Nitro V 15 offers great value.
How to choose the best budget laptop for you
There are some things to keep in mind when you're hunting for a good cheap laptop. Don't expect bleeding-edge performance, a super premium design or even the most colorful displays. However, there's no reason to compromise, as an affordable laptop can still take you far. Here are a few things to keep in mind when shopping for a laptop.
There are various types of operating systems, with some being simpler and others offeringlotsof customization. ChromeOS is the simplest option but limited in scope, whereas Windows has vastly more capability but can be a battery hog. macOS tries to find a sweet spot, but apps can be pricey here. Figure out your use case and you'll see how much you actually need your operating system to do.
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Will you be going long spells away from the plug outlet, or will you have charging capabilities wherever you go? There's a sliding scale on all of our choices between performance and power efficiency, and how important this is will dictate what you'll buy. If a laptop lasts around 8 hours (generally a working day), it's doing an adequate job, but they should last a little longer than this. For gaming laptops, though, don't expect long-lasting battery life, as these machines are made to be plugged in more often than not.
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This one is an easy one. If gaming is your primary concern, then a laptop like the MSI Cyborg 15 or Acer Nitro V 15 (2024) are the ones for you. If not, then you can turn your attention to others.
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You may see a lot of cheap laptops pack a less than full HD display. In the words of Admiral Ackbar: "It's a trap!" You'll be left with buyers' remorse when you see just how much resolution you lose by going down this road. Generally, you'll want a laptop that offersat leastFHD (1920 x 1080) quality. Yes, they'll still be affordable.
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Tags: MSI Cyborg 15
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