Compare Top 9 Budget Laptops
Other Budget Laptops to Consider
HP OmniBook 5 16 for $630: The HP OmniBook 5 16 shares a lot in common with the Lenovo IdeaPad 5i 2-in-1 16. It has right around the same size chassis and comes with the same Intel processor. It’s also dinged by a similar budget display that isn’t very color-accurate. It’s decent, but the discount on the $550 IdeaPad 5i above makes it the better option. I haven’t tested the Snapdragon X Plus version of the OmniBook 5 16, but based on my other reviews, I have a feeling that its current selling price of $550 is a crazy-good deal.
Lenovo LOQ 15 for $779: I tested the RTX 5060 model of the LOQ 15, which is an incredible deal. The RTX 5050 model is also a solid option. It’s not quite as cheap as the Acer Nitro V 16, but it doesn’t have the power adapter issue and has a better design. The LOQ 15 (8/10, WIRED Recommends) isn’t covered in RGB or harsh edges, meaning it also makes for a decent budget-oriented content-creation machine. That discrete graphics card will not only let you play modern games, it’ll also speed up other GPU-dependent workflows like video rendering or 3D modeling.
Acer Aspire Go 14 for $290: The Acer Aspire Go 14 (7/10, WIRED Recommends) won’t win any style or performance awards, but it holds up well as an incredibly affordable Windows laptop. The one major thing it has going for it is fantastic battery life. I was able to hit upwards of 14 hours on a charge, which could make this a decent budget option for students who need something that’ll last a whole day on campus. Just keep in mind this is a $300 laptop (occasionally less on sale), so the screen quality, sound, and webcam are far from great.
Lenovo Flex 5i Chromebook for $490: Chromebooks have a reputation for being underpowered. To change that, Google launched Chromebook Plus in 2023, an umbrella category for a new class of devices from various manufacturers. The “Plus” stands for better performance—faster processors, more memory, more storage, and better video cameras. One of my favorites is Lenovo’s Flex 5i Chromebook Plus (8/10, WIRED Recommends). It’s among the fastest Chromebooks we’ve tested at this price, featuring an Intel Core i3-1315U CPU, 8 GB of RAM, and 128 GB of flash storage.
Acer Chromebook Plus 515 for $380: This is one modest step up from the Asus Chromebook CX15 mentioned above in terms of performance, thanks to the Intel Core i3-1305U chip inside. So, if you need a cheap Chromebook that won’t slow down under your dozens of Chrome tabs or need to connect to an external monitor, the Acer Chromebook Plus 515 will do the trick.
Asus Zenbook 14 for $749: Asus’ Zenbook 14 (7/10, WIRED Recommends) offers good performance, great battery life, and an OLED display—all for a little over $1,000. Now, you might think that sounds a little expensive to be considered a “cheap laptop.” And it is. But Asus also sells a cheaper, Intel-powered model called the Zenbook 14 Q415. It’s selling for around $650, if you can believe it, as it’s a couple of years old. That model comes with less memory but otherwise offers the same portability, port selection, and comfortable keyboard
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