Best Laptops Under $500: Smart Choices That Don’t Skimp on Quality
You don’t need to break the bank to get a Best Laptops Under $500.
Looking for a solid Best Laptops Under $500 that won’t empty your wallet? Whether you’re a student, remote worker, or casual user, there are plenty of great laptops available for under $500 in 2025. These budget-friendly machines prove you don’t need to spend a fortune to get dependable performance, long battery life, and sharp displays. We’ve rounded up the top picks that offer the best balance of price and performance—perfect for everyday tasks like web browsing, streaming, and productivity.
At a glance
 | Best laptop under $500 overallAcer Aspire Go15 ￬ Learn More | Best Price Today$295.97 at Amazon | VIEW DEAL |
| Best Chromebook under $500Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 ￬ Learn More | Best Price Today$529.99 at Amazon | VIEW DEAL |
| Best Chromebook under $200Asus Chromebook CX15 ￬ Learn More | Best Price Today$262.82 at Amazon | VIEW DEAL |
| Best battery lifeHP Laptop 14 ￬ Learn More | Best Price Today$375 at Amazon | VIEW DEAL |
Best laptops under $500: Affordable picks that actually work
You don’t have to ask for much to find a solid Best Laptops Under $500—just look in the right places. We’ve done the digging and come up with the best options that offer respectable screens, smooth performance, and competitive battery life. If you know what to look for—1080p resolution, at least 8 GB RAM, and decent ports—you can still get a laptop that doesn’t feel cheap.
Here are the best under‑$500 picks that prove budget laptops can hold their own.
1. Acer Aspire Go 15 — Best overall
Pros:
• Sharp 1080p display
• Nearly 12 hours battery life
• Comfy keyboard and good port selection
Cons:
• Bulky and plastic construction
• Modest performance—not suited for heavy loads
Why we like it
The Acer Aspire Go 15 delivers the sweet spot for everyday tasks—web, streaming, work, school—without fuss. With Intel Core i3‑N305, 8 GB RAM, and 1080p on a 15.6″ screen, it’s basic but reliable. Battery life during our tests hit nearly 12 hours, enough to power through a full day offline.
Who should buy it?
If you need an affordable, no‑nonsense laptop for browsing, office apps, or Zoom lectures, this is a smart pick. Keyboard and trackpad are comfortable, and ports include USB‑C (power/video), USB‑A, HDMI, and headphone jack—no dongles required.
2. Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 — Best Chromebook
Pros:
• Smooth ChromeOS experience
• Great keyboard, stylish design
• Excellent connectivity (Wi‑Fi, ports, webcam)
Cons:
• Battery life lags compared to others
• 16:9 screen feels narrow for productivity
Why we like it
Chromebooks shine below $500, and the ASUS CX34 is a standout thanks to fast ChromeOS performance, clean design, and solid keyboard. 1080p display and HD webcam make it ideal for video calls and light work.
Who should buy it?
Want a worry-free, lightweight machine for email, Google Docs, and streaming? This is your best option under $500.
3. ASUS Vivobook 16 M1605 (2023) — Best Windows ultraportable
Pros:
• Excellent keyboard and touchpad
• Impressive CPU performance for the price
• Lightweight for a 16″ laptop
Cons:
• All-plastic build
• Screen brightness and color are modest
Why we like it
RTINGS tested this model and gave it high marks for comfort and feel—including top keyboard and touchpad scores. For office work, multitasking, and streaming, it outperforms many competitors in this class RTINGS.com.
Who should buy it?
Need a roomy screen and typing comfort on a budget? This is a strong Windows pick under $500.
4. Dell 15 (with Ryzen 5 + 16 GB) — Best upgrade‑friendly deal
Pros:
• 16 GB RAM and 512 GB SSD at ~$350
• 120 Hz Full HD display
• Great for multitasking and content creation
Cons:
• HDMI limited to 4K@30Hz
• Build quality is very budget-grade
Why we like it
Currently on sale at around $350, this Dell Ryzen 5 system includes 16 GB RAM and 512 GB SSD—rare specs at this price. With a 120 Hz FHD display, it handles everyday work and multitasking well.
Who should buy it?
If you value performance and storage over premium design and are okay with a budget chassis, this is a steal.
What to Look For in a $500 Laptop
- Display: Always choose full‑HD (1920×1080) over lower resolutions—even small screens look sharper
- Memory: Aim for 8 GB RAM in Windows machines; Chromebooks can work well with less
- Battery: 10–12 hours is ideal for working unplugged
- Ports: USB‑C, USB‑A, and HDMI are handy; avoid models with minimal connectivity
- Future‑proofing: Most sub‑$500 laptops don’t allow RAM upgrades; SSD upgrades depend on model
🛒 Quick Comparison Table
| Model | Processor | RAM / Storage | Battery Life | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acer Aspire Go 15 | Core i3‑N305 | 8 GB / 128 GB SSD | ~12 hrs | Everyday Windows use |
| ASUS Chromebook Plus CX34 | Core i3 | 8 GB / 128 GB SSD | ~8–10 hrs | ChromeOS productivity |
| Vivobook 16 M1605 | Ryzen i3/Ryzen 5 variants | 8 GB / 256 GB SSD | ~10 hrs | Ultralight Windows use |
| Dell 15 (Ryzen 5 Build) | Ryzen 5 7530U | 16 GB / 512 GB SSD | ~10 hrs | Heavy multitaskers on budget |
FAQ’s
Question: What’s the best laptop under $500?
Answer: The Acer Aspire Go 15 strikes the best overall balance of battery, display, comfort, and value.
Question: Looking for a Chromebook instead?
Answer: Go with the Asus Chromebook Plus CX34—it’s fast, reliable, and handles web-based workflows exceptionally well.
Question: Can these be upgraded later?
Answer: RAM is typically soldered and not upgradable. Some models allow SSD upgrades, but not always. Check before buying if expandability matters to you.
Final thoughts
These budget laptops show that under $500 doesn’t have to mean disappointment. Whether you’re shopping for Windows or ChromeOS, each of these models delivers dependable performance in its category. Know your priorities—screen clarity, typing feel, battery life, upgradeability—and pick accordingly.