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10 Best Budget Laptops 2025 in the United States
#1
Winner
Lenovo Laptop Computer for Business and Student, Intel Dual Core Processor, 15.6" FHD, 8GB DDR4 RAM, 256GB PCIe SSD, WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, Type-C, HDMI, Numeric Keypad, Black, Windows 11 Home
The Lenovo V15 G2 is a solid choice for those looking for an affordable laptop for everyday tasks like browsing, word processing, and watching videos. Its 15.6-inch Full HD screen offers a clear and comfortable viewing experience with an anti-glare finish, which helps reduce eye strain. The Intel Celeron N4500 dual-core processor combined with 8GB of DDR4 RAM allows for smooth multitasking on basic applications, though it might struggle with more demanding software or heavy gaming.
Rating
10.0
Chosen by1,178
Build Quality & Portability
Ports and Connectivity
Most important from
2080 reviews
#2
Dell 15 Laptop DC15250-15.6-inch FHD (1920x1080) 120Hz Display, Intel Core i5-1334U Processor, 16GB DDR4 RAM, 512GB SSD, Intel UHD Graphics, Windows 11 Home, Onsite Service - Platinum Silver
The Dell 15 DC15250 is a solid choice in the budget laptop category, especially for users needing reliable everyday performance for work, study, or casual use. Its Intel Core i5 processor, while listed at a base speed of 900 MHz, is from the 13th generation family and should handle multitasking and common software smoothly. The standout feature here is the 16GB DDR4 RAM, which is generous for this price range and helps with running multiple applications without slowing down. Storage is ample with a 512GB SSD, offering fast boot times and plenty of space for documents and media.
Rating
9.7
RAM (Memory)
Display
Battery Life
Most important from
532 reviews
#3
Microsoft Surface Laptop (2024), Windows 11 Copilot+ PC, 13.8" Touchscreen Display, Snapdragon X Plus (10 core), 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD Storage, Black
The Microsoft Surface Laptop (2024) stands out in the budget laptop category with some impressive features usually found in higher-end models. It uses a Snapdragon X Plus 10-core processor, which is efficient and offers good performance, especially for everyday tasks and AI-powered applications. With 16GB of fast LPDDR5x RAM, it handles multitasking smoothly without slowing down. The 512GB SSD provides ample and speedy storage for files and programs, far better than traditional hard drives. The 13.8-inch touchscreen display has a sharp resolution (2304 x 1536 pixels) and supports HDR, delivering vibrant colors and clear visuals, making it a pleasure for work or media consumption.
Rating
9.1
Processor (CPU)
Display
Battery Life
Most important from
880 reviews
Top 10 Best Budget Laptops 2025 in the United States
#1
Winner
Lenovo Laptop Computer for Business and Student, Intel Dual Core Processor, 15.6" FHD, 8GB DDR4 RAM, 256GB PCIe SSD, WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, Type-C, HDMI, Numeric Keypad, Black, Windows 11 Home
Lenovo Laptop Computer for Business and Student, Intel Dual Core Processor, 15.6" FHD, 8GB DDR4 RAM, 256GB PCIe SSD, WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, Type-C, HDMI, Numeric Keypad, Black, Windows 11 Home
Processor (CPU): Intel Celeron N4500 dual-core 1.1 GHz
RAM (Memory): 8 GB DDR4
Storage (HDD or SSD): 256 GB PCIe SSD
Display: 15.6-inch Full HD 1920x1080, anti-glare
Build Quality & Portability: 5 pounds, slim, decent build
Ports and Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, USB-C, HDMI
Chosen by 1178 this week
Dell 15 Laptop DC15250-15.6-inch FHD (1920x1080) 120Hz Display, Intel Core i5-1334U Processor, 16GB DDR4 RAM, 512GB SSD, Intel UHD Graphics, Windows 11 Home, Onsite Service - Platinum Silver
Dell 15 Laptop DC15250-15.6-inch FHD (1920x1080) 120Hz Display, Intel Core i5-1334U Processor, 16GB DDR4 RAM, 512GB SSD, Intel UHD Graphics, Windows 11 Home, Onsite Service - Platinum Silver
Processor (CPU): 900 MHz core_i5_family
RAM (Memory): 16 GB DDR4
Storage (HDD or SSD): 512 GB SSD
Display: 15.6", 1920x1080, 120Hz, Anti Glare
Battery Life: Express Charge, energy-efficient features
Build Quality & Portability: 3.64 lbs, 0.75" thick, backlit keyboard
Ports and Connectivity: 2 USB 3.0, 1 USB 2.0, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi 6
Microsoft Surface Laptop (2024), Windows 11 Copilot+ PC, 13.8" Touchscreen Display, Snapdragon X Plus (10 core), 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD Storage, Black
Microsoft Surface Laptop (2024), Windows 11 Copilot+ PC, 13.8" Touchscreen Display, Snapdragon X Plus (10 core), 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD Storage, Black
Processor (CPU): Snapdragon X Plus 10-core
RAM (Memory): 16 GB LPDDR5x
Storage (HDD or SSD): 512 GB SSD
Display: 13.8-inch touchscreen, 2304x1536 pixels
Battery Life: 20 hours
Build Quality & Portability: Thin, lightweight 2.96 lbs, aluminum
Ports and Connectivity: 802.11ax wireless
Lenovo V-Series V15 Business Laptop, 15.6" FHD Display, AMD Ryzen 7 7730U, 40GB RAM, 1TB SSD, Numeric Keypad, HDMI, RJ45, Webcam, Wi-Fi, Windows 11 Pro, Black
Lenovo V-Series V15 Business Laptop, 15.6" FHD Display, AMD Ryzen 7 7730U, 40GB RAM, 1TB SSD, Numeric Keypad, HDMI, RJ45, Webcam, Wi-Fi, Windows 11 Pro, Black
Processor (CPU): AMD Ryzen 7 7730U, 4.5 GHz, 8 cores
RAM: 40 GB DDR4, 3200 MHz
Storage: 1 TB PCIe NVMe SSD
Display: 15.6 inches, 1920 x 1080 pixels
Build Quality and Portability: 3.64 pounds, slim, dependable build
Connectivity: USB-C, USB 3.2, HDMI, Ethernet, Wi-Fi 6
Acer Aspire Go 15 AI Ready Laptop, 15.6" FHD (1920 x 1080) IPS Display, AMD Ryzen 7 5825U, AMD Radeon Graphics, 16GB DDR4, 512GB PCIe Gen4 SSD, Wi-Fi 6, Windows 11 Home, AG15-42P-R3NB
Acer Aspire Go 15 AI Ready Laptop, 15.6" FHD (1920 x 1080) IPS Display, AMD Ryzen 7 5825U, AMD Radeon Graphics, 16GB DDR4, 512GB PCIe Gen4 SSD, Wi-Fi 6, Windows 11 Home, AG15-42P-R3NB
Processor (CPU): Ryzen 7 5825U, 2 GHz
RAM (Memory): 16 GB DDR4
Storage (HDD or SSD): 512 GB SSD
Display: 15.6-inch Full HD IPS, 1920x1080
Battery Life: 10 Hours
Build Quality & Portability: Slim, 3.92 pounds
Ports and Connectivity: USB-C fast charge, USB 3.2, HDMI, Ethernet, Wi-Fi 6, BT 5.1
Related Products
Up to 39% off
Dell 15 Laptop DC15255-15.6-inch FHD 120Hz Display, AMD Ryzen 5-7520U, 8GB LPDDR5 RAM, 512GB SSD, AMD Radeon 610M Graphics, Windows 11 Home, Onsite Service - Carbon Black
Dell 15 Laptop DC15255-15.6-inch FHD 120Hz Display, AMD Ryzen 5-7520U, 8GB LPDDR5 RAM, 512GB SSD, AMD Radeon 610M Graphics, Windows 11 Home, Onsite Service - Carbon Black
Processor (CPU): AMD Ryzen 5-7520U, 2.8 GHz
RAM (Memory): 8 GB LPDDR5
Storage (HDD or SSD): 512 GB SSD
Display: 15.6-inch Full HD, 1920x1080, 120Hz
Build Quality & Portability: Carbon black, ergonomic keyboard, 4.19 lbs
Ports and Connectivity: 2 USB 3.0, 1 USB 2.0, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
Microsoft Surface Laptop (2024), Windows 11 Copilot+ PC, 13.8" Touchscreen Display, Snapdragon X Plus (10 core), 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD Storage, Platinum
Microsoft Surface Laptop (2024), Windows 11 Copilot+ PC, 13.8" Touchscreen Display, Snapdragon X Plus (10 core), 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD Storage, Platinum
Processor (CPU): Snapdragon X Plus 10-core
RAM (Memory): 16 GB LPDDR5x
Storage (HDD or SSD): 512 GB SSD
Display: 13.8-inch touchscreen, 2304x1536 res
Battery Life: Up to 20 hours
Build Quality & Portability: Thin, lightweight aluminum body
Ports and Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6 support
Dell 15 Laptop DC15250-15.6-inch FHD 120Hz Display, Intel Core 3 Processor 100U Processor, 8GB DDR4 RAM, 512GB SSD, Intel UHD Graphics, Windows 11 Home, Onsite Service - Carbon Black
Dell 15 Laptop DC15250-15.6-inch FHD 120Hz Display, Intel Core 3 Processor 100U Processor, 8GB DDR4 RAM, 512GB SSD, Intel UHD Graphics, Windows 11 Home, Onsite Service - Carbon Black
Processor (CPU): Intel Core 3, 900 MHz
RAM (Memory): 8 GB DDR4
Storage (HDD or SSD): 512 GB SSD
Display: 15.6-inch Full HD, 120Hz, Anti Glare
Battery Life: Lasts workday, supports Express Charge
Build Quality & Portability: 4.19 lbs, 0.75 in thick, durable
Ports and Connectivity: 2 USB 3.0, 1 USB 2.0, Wi-Fi 6
Microsoft Surface Laptop (2024), Windows 11 Copilot+ PC, 13.8" Touchscreen Display, Snapdragon X Plus (10 core), 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD Storage, Platinum
Microsoft Surface Laptop (2024), Windows 11 Copilot+ PC, 13.8" Touchscreen Display, Snapdragon X Plus (10 core), 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD Storage, Platinum
Processor (CPU): Snapdragon X Plus
RAM (Memory): 16 GB LPDDR5x
Storage (HDD or SSD): 256 GB SSD
Display: 13.8", 2304x1536, Touchscreen
Battery Life: 20 Hours
Build Quality & Portability: Thin, Light, 2.96 lbs, Aluminum
Ports and Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)
#10
Samsung 15.6" Galaxy Book5 360 Copilot+ PC, AI Business Laptop, Windows 11 Pro, Intel Core Ultra 5 Processor 226V, FHD AMOLED Touchscreen, 16GB/512GB, 2025 Model, NP754QHA-KA1US, Gray
Samsung 15.6" Galaxy Book5 360 Copilot+ PC, AI Business Laptop, Windows 11 Pro, Intel Core Ultra 5 Processor 226V, FHD AMOLED Touchscreen, 16GB/512GB, 2025 Model, NP754QHA-KA1US, Gray
Processor (CPU): Intel Core Ultra 5, 2.1 GHz
RAM (Memory): 16 GB LPDDR5
Storage (HDD or SSD): 512 GB SSD
Display: 15.6-inch Full HD AMOLED touchscreen
Build Quality & Portability: Aluminum, 3.2 lbs, 13.7mm slim
Ports and Connectivity: 1 USB 3.0 port, Wi-Fi 6
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Buying Guide for the Best Budget Laptops
Choosing the right budget laptop can be a bit overwhelming, but breaking your decision down into key parts will help you find a great fit for your needs. Start by thinking about what you plan to use the laptop for—study, work, web browsing, streaming, or light gaming. Then, pay attention to the most important features and figure out which moments matter most for what you’re planning to do. Always balance your expectations; a budget laptop might not do everything at top speed, but you can absolutely find something reliable with the right mix of features.Processor (CPU)The processor, or CPU, is like the brain of your laptop—it handles all the tasks and makes everything run. For casual tasks like browsing or watching videos, a basic processor will do the job, but if you want to run more programs at once or need extra speed for heavier applications, a more powerful one is better. Entry-level laptops usually have CPUs that are marketed for efficiency rather than raw speed, but you can generally tell how fast it is by looking at the number and type of cores. For just schoolwork or browsing, a basic dual-core processor is enough; for a bit more speed and multitasking, aim for a quad-core processor. If you often work with images or need to multitask with lots of tabs and tools, go for the best CPU you can find within the budget range.
RAM (Memory)RAM gives your laptop space to keep things running smoothly in the background. The more RAM you have, the more applications and browser tabs your laptop can handle at once without slowing down. Budget laptops generally come with between 4GB and 8GB of RAM. 4GB is suitable for light usage such as emails, streaming, and editing documents. If you want to do more, like light photo editing, use lots of tabs, or keep multiple programs running, 8GB is a better choice. Think about how much multitasking you do when making your choice.
Storage (HDD or SSD)Storage refers to how much data—like pictures, videos, and applications—your laptop can keep. There are two main kinds: HDD (hard drives) and SSD (solid-state drives). SSDs are much faster, helping your laptop start and load programs quickly, even if they often offer less space than traditional HDDs in budget models. If you want quick start-up times and don’t plan to store tons of big files, go for an SSD (even 128GB can be enough for basic users). If you store a lot of videos, photos, or games, you might need a larger drive, even if it’s an older HDD. Choose based on whether speed or storage size is more important to you.
DisplayThe display is what you’ll look at all day, so it’s worth paying attention to. On budget laptops, screen size usually ranges from 11 to 15 inches. A smaller display means a lighter, more portable machine but less space for multitasking or watching movies. Larger screens are better for watching content or working with documents side-by-side, but they’ll be heavier. Screen quality (resolution and brightness) matters too—Higher resolution means sharper images; for basic needs, HD (1366x768) is fine, but Full HD (1920x1080) offers better clarity for productivity and streaming. Pick a screen size and resolution that fits how often you’ll carry your laptop and the kind of tasks you do most.
Battery LifeBattery life tells you how long your laptop can run without needing to be plugged in. This matters a lot if you’ll use your laptop away from home or a charging spot, like in school or cafes. On budget laptops, battery life can range from a few hours up to a full day. If mobility is important and you’ll be on the go often, look for laptops that advertise 6 hours or more of battery life. If your laptop’s mostly going to stay on a desk, this is less of a worry.
Build Quality & PortabilityBuild quality affects how well the laptop stands up to everyday use and travel. Budget models often use simple plastic designs, but some have reinforced seams or water-resistant features. If portability (carrying your laptop around a lot) is key, pay attention to weight (lighter is better) and thickness. If your laptop will mostly stay in one spot, you might care less about this and more about a solid, comfortable keyboard or larger touchpad.
Ports and ConnectivityThe kinds and number of ports matter if you need to plug in extra things like USB drives, headphones, or external displays. Most budget laptops have a few USB ports and headphone jacks, but not always extras like HDMI or SD card slots. Consider what devices you use most—if you often connect to a TV or projector, for example, make sure your laptop has the required port.