10 Best Budget Laptops 2025 in the United States

The Microsoft Surface Laptop (2024) stands out in the budget laptop category by offering a solid combination of strong performance and modern features. Its Snapdragon X Elite 12-core processor, paired with 16GB of LPDDR5x RAM, ensures smooth multitasking and efficient handling of everyday tasks, including AI-related apps thanks to its integrated Neural Processing Unit. The generous 1TB SSD provides fast storage with plenty of space, which is a great fit for users needing quick access to files and programs without worrying about running out of room.

The 13.8-inch touchscreen display delivers sharp visuals with a 2304 x 1536 resolution and supports HDR, making it suitable for both work and entertainment with vibrant colors and clear details. Battery life is impressive at up to 20 hours, allowing use throughout the day without frequent charging—ideal for students or professionals on the go. The build quality is premium, featuring a slim, lightweight aluminum frame that balances durability with easy portability, keeping it comfortable to carry around yet sturdy enough for daily use.

Connectivity options include Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), which ensures fast and reliable wireless internet. One potential drawback is the integrated graphics, which are fine for general use but not meant for gaming or heavy graphic work. The AI-powered Copilot+ features have potential for productivity enhancement. This laptop is well-suited for budget-conscious users seeking a powerful, stylish machine with excellent battery life and a vibrant touchscreen for daily tasks, creative work, and media consumption, though those needing dedicated graphics or extensive port options might want to consider other options.

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.

The 15.6-inch Full HD display with a 120Hz refresh rate provides clear and smooth visuals, which is a nice bonus for streaming videos or light gaming. The anti-glare coating and Dell’s ComfortView technology help reduce eye strain during extended use. At about 3.6 pounds and under an inch thick, the laptop is reasonably portable, though not ultra-light, which is typical for a 15-inch budget model. Build quality appears sturdy with ergonomic touches like a backlit keyboard, numeric keypad, and angled hinges for comfortable typing.

Battery life is supported by energy-efficient features and Express Charge, which helps you get back to use quickly. Connectivity includes multiple USB ports (two USB 3.0 and one USB 2.0), memory card slot, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), covering most everyday needs. The absence of an optical drive is standard nowadays and not a drawback for most users. This Dell laptop offers strong memory and storage, a sharp display, and practical features for daily use, making it a great pick for students and professionals on a budget. However, if you need high-end processor power for very demanding tasks, you might want to consider options with faster CPUs.

The HP 15-fc0399nr is a solid choice for anyone looking for an affordable laptop for everyday tasks like browsing, streaming, and light work. It comes with an AMD Ryzen 3 7320U processor, which is decent for basic multitasking but won’t power through heavy software or gaming. The 8 GB of fast LPDDR5 RAM helps keep things running smoothly, and the 256 GB SSD storage offers quick startup and file access while providing enough space for documents and moderate media.

The 15.6-inch HD touchscreen with a resolution of 1366 x 768 is responsive and makes navigation easy, although the screen’s lower resolution and color range (about 62.5% sRGB) mean it isn’t ideal for photo or video editing. Battery life is impressive at around 12 hours, so it can last a full work or school day without needing a charge. Weighing just over 3.5 pounds and featuring a slim design, it’s easy to carry around. Build quality is typical for budget laptops—functional but not very premium, with a matte finish that helps reduce fingerprints.

For connectivity, it covers the basics with one USB-C (data transfer only), two USB-A ports, HDMI, and a headphone jack, which should be enough for most users but lacks charging or video output via USB-C. Windows 11 Home comes pre-installed, offering a fresh and user-friendly interface. This laptop suits students, home users, or anyone who needs a straightforward machine without heavy demands. Those seeking sharper visuals, more power, or premium features might want to explore higher-end models.