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10 Best Budget Laptops 2025 in the United States

#1

Winner

10.0 score

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
10.0
Chosen by1,480
Processor (CPU)
Display
Battery Life

Most important from
798 reviews

Processor (CPU)
The ARM-based Snapdragon processor offers excellent efficiency but requires patience as some traditional Windows applications are not yet fully compatible.
Display
The touchscreen adds convenience for casual interaction, though its utility is limited without foldability or 180-degree hinge flexibility.
Battery Life
The laptop delivers outstanding battery life, lasting up to days on a single charge with moderate use, far exceeding typical expectations.
Build Quality & Portability
Its premium build quality and sleek design rival or even surpass those of higher-end competitors like MacBook, combining elegance with portability.
#2
9.7 score

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

The Lenovo V-Series V15 Business Laptop offers strong performance features that stand out in the budget laptop category. Its AMD Ryzen 7 7730U processor with 8 cores and 16 threads can handle multitasking and demanding applications smoothly. Paired with a very generous 40GB of DDR4 RAM and a fast 1TB PCIe NVMe SSD, it allows quick boot times and plenty of space for files and programs. The 15.6-inch Full HD display provides clear visuals suitable for everyday tasks, though it may not deliver the color accuracy or brightness found in higher-end models. Connectivity options are solid, including USB Type-C, USB 3.2, HDMI, RJ45 Ethernet, and Wi-Fi 6, which covers most needs for both home and office use. The numeric keypad is a useful addition for those who work with numbers frequently.

Rating
9.7
Processor (CPU)
Storage
Display

Most important from
512 reviews

Processor (CPU)
Delivers fast, smooth performance that handles business software effortlessly.
Storage
Storage capacity is ample for downloading and running multiple programs without lag.
Display
The screen quality is impressive for a budget laptop, providing clear visuals suitable for everyday use.
Build Quality and Portability
Build quality and portability meet expectations for routine business and study tasks, though it’s not designed for rugged use.
#3
9.4 score

Dell Inspiron Touchscreen Laptop, 15.6" Business & Student Laptop Computer, Windows 11 Pro Laptop 32GB RAM 1TB SSD, Intel i5-1155G7 Processor, Full HD IPS Display, Numeric Keypad, HDMI, Carbon Black

The Dell Inspiron Touchscreen Laptop offers a solid balance of performance and features for budget-conscious users such as students and professionals. It is powered by an Intel Quad-Core i5-1155G7 processor, which provides sufficient performance for everyday tasks and light multitasking. The 32GB RAM is an excellent feature, ensuring smooth operation even with multiple applications open. Storage-wise, the 1TB SSD is generous, offering quick access to your files and ample space for software and documents. The 15.6-inch Full HD IPS display delivers clear and vibrant visuals, and the touchscreen functionality adds versatility for different usage scenarios.

Rating
9.4
Display
Battery Life
Build Quality and Portability

Most important from
849 reviews

Display
The product has exceeded expectations. It was easy to setup and works very well. Battery life is excellent and picture quality great.
Battery Life
Fairly easy to set up, speed is awesome, very lightweight, battery life is pretty good.
Build Quality and Portability
Fairly easy to set up, speed is awesome, very lightweight, battery life is pretty good.

Top 10 Best Budget Laptops 2025 in the United States

#1

Winner

10.0  score

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

Chosen by 1480 this week

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

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

Lenovo Laptop Computer, Intel 10-Core i7-13620H, 16GB DDR5 RAM, 1TB PCIe SSD, 16" FHD+, WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, Type-C, Copilot AI for Business & Home, Luna Grey

Processor (CPU): Intel 13th Gen Core i7, 10 cores
RAM (Memory): 40 GB DDR5
Storage (HDD or SSD): 1TB PCIe SSD
Display: 15.3-inch Full HD+ IPS
Build Quality & Portability: 6 pounds, 0.7 inches thick
Ports and Connectivity: WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, USB-C, HDMI

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

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
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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.

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