10 Best Budget Laptops 2025 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 Lenovo ThinkPad E16 G2 Business Laptop is a compelling option in the budget category, providing impressive performance and features suitable for professional use. Its AMD Ryzen 7 7735HS processor delivers excellent speed and efficiency, which is ideal for multitasking and handling demanding applications. Coupled with 32GB of DDR5 RAM, this laptop ensures smooth operation even with multiple programs running simultaneously. The 1TB PCIe SSD offers ample storage space and quick data retrieval times, which is a significant plus for users with large files or extensive software needs.

The 16-inch FHD+ display delivers clear and crisp visuals, enhanced by integrated AMD Radeon 680M graphics, making it suitable for both work and casual multimedia use. However, the display's 45% NTSC color gamut may not be ideal for color-sensitive tasks like professional photo or video editing. Portability is decent, with a relatively lightweight design at 5 pounds and a sleek profile. Build quality appears robust, adhering to the ThinkPad's reputation for durability, and the inclusion of security features like a fingerprint reader and TPM 2.0 chip enhance its appeal for business users.

Connectivity options are comprehensive with Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, multiple USB ports including USB-C, HDMI 2.1, and Ethernet, ensuring versatile compatibility with various devices and peripherals. The backlit keyboard is a convenient feature for working in low-light environments. The Lenovo ThinkPad E16 G2 is a strong contender for those seeking a budget-friendly yet powerful laptop for professional tasks.

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.

Battery life is a major advantage, with up to 20 hours on a single charge, which is excellent for long days away from outlets. The laptop is thin and lightweight, weighing just under 3 pounds, with a durable aluminum build that makes it easy to carry around without feeling fragile. It also features useful AI enhancements through Windows 11 Copilot+, such as improved video calls and quick access to documents, adding value for productivity and creativity.

On the downside, because it runs on an ARM-based Snapdragon processor, some traditional Windows software may not run as smoothly or be compatible compared to laptops with Intel or AMD chips. The integrated Adreno graphics are fine for everyday use and light media work but won’t satisfy users needing strong gaming or video editing power. This Surface Laptop is a strong choice for budget buyers wanting a stylish, portable device with great battery life and AI features, but less ideal if you rely on heavy software or gaming.