10 Best Budget Laptops 2026 in the United States

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 Acer Aspire Go 15 is a solid choice if you’re looking for a budget-friendly laptop that doesn’t compromise on power and features. It runs on a Ryzen 7 5825U processor combined with 16GB of RAM, which means it can handle everyday tasks and even some demanding apps smoothly. The 512GB SSD provides fast storage, making startup and file access quick, a step up from traditional hard drives. The 15.6-inch Full HD IPS display delivers clear and vibrant visuals, great for browsing, streaming, or working, and the narrow bezels make it feel modern and spacious. Battery life is quite good at about 10 hours, so it can easily last through a day of typical use without needing a charge.

Build-wise, it’s reasonably slim but weighs just under 4 pounds, so while it’s portable, it might not be as light as some ultraportables. You’ll find plenty of ports including USB-C with fast charging and DisplayPort support, USB 3.2 ports, HDMI 2.1, and Ethernet, giving you flexibility to connect accessories and external displays. Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.1 ensure up-to-date wireless connectivity. The backlit keyboard and fingerprint reader add convenience and security. However, it relies on integrated AMD Radeon graphics, so it’s not suitable for heavy gaming or graphics-intensive work.

This laptop is ideal for students, professionals, or anyone needing a reliable everyday machine with strong performance and good connectivity at a budget price.

The Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Go is a solid choice for budget-conscious students or casual users needing a lightweight and durable laptop for everyday tasks. It runs on an Intel Celeron N4500 processor paired with 4GB of RAM, which is enough for basic web browsing, document work, and streaming, but it may struggle with more demanding multitasking or heavy apps. Storage is a bit unique, combining 128GB eMMC with a 128GB SD card, giving decent space for files and media but slower than a full SSD setup.

Its 14-inch display offers a comfortable size with anti-glare coating, though the resolution is standard HD (1366x768), so it won’t be very sharp or vibrant compared to pricier models. Battery life stands out here, promising up to 12 hours, which is great for long study sessions or travel without frequent charging. The build is robust with a military-grade, spill-resistant keyboard—ideal if you need something tough and portable. Connectivity is quite good, featuring Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth, multiple USB ports including USB-C, and an included 7-in-1 hub for extra versatility.

Running Chrome OS, it’s simple and secure, well-suited for online learning, video calls, and light productivity with apps from Google Play. The modest processor and limited 4GB RAM limit performance for heavier workloads, and the screen resolution is basic. For those mainly needing a dependable, easy-to-carry device for school or casual use, this laptop fits well, but it’s not designed for power users or those wanting a high-resolution display.