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10 Best Low Budget Laptops 2025 in the United States

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Our Top Picks

#1

Winner

HP 14 Laptop, Intel Celeron N4020, 4 GB RAM, 64 GB Storage, 14-inch Micro-edge HD Display, Windows 11 Home, Thin & Portable, 4K Graphics, One Year of Microsoft 365 (14-dq0040nr, Snowflake White)

Rating
9.9
Chosen by1,243
Processor (CPU)
RAM
Storage

Most important from
4015 reviews

Processor (CPU)
Intel Celeron N4020 processor is adequate for basic tasks but struggles with multitasking.
RAM
Limited to 4GB RAM, affecting performance when multiple applications are open.
Storage
Storage space is minimal with 64GB eMMC, necessitating external storage solutions.
Display
Decent display quality with a 14-inch HD micro-edge screen.
Build Quality and Portability
Affordable and portable, making it perfect for students and light users.
Operating System
Windows 11 Home ensures a secure and streamlined user experience.

The HP 14 Laptop, with its Intel Celeron N4020 processor, 4 GB RAM, and 64 GB of storage, is a solid choice for those on a budget. Its thin and light design, along with a 14-inch micro-edge HD display, makes it highly portable and visually appealing. The laptop runs Windows 11 Home in S mode, ensuring a secure and streamlined user experience, particularly for everyday tasks like browsing, office work, and streaming videos. Moreover, the inclusion of one year of Microsoft 365 adds value for productivity tasks right out of the box.

The integrated Intel UHD Graphics 600 supports 4K content streaming, although it is worth noting that gaming and heavy graphic applications may not run smoothly on this machine. The 10-hour battery life is commendable, allowing for extended use without frequent charging. However, the modest 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of eMMC storage might limit performance for more demanding applications and multitasking. Users needing more storage space might have to rely on external drives or cloud storage options.

Build quality is decent for the price, but the plastic construction might not feel as premium as higher-end models. Port selection is adequate with multiple USB ports and wireless connectivity options, providing versatility for various peripherals. This HP 14 model is best suited for students, casual users, and those needing a secondary device for basic computing needs, but it may fall short for users with more intensive requirements.

Rating
9.9
Chosen by1,243
Processor (CPU)
RAM
Storage

Most important from
4015 reviews

Processor (CPU)
Intel Celeron N4020 processor is adequate for basic tasks but struggles with multitasking.
RAM
Limited to 4GB RAM, affecting performance when multiple applications are open.
Storage
Storage space is minimal with 64GB eMMC, necessitating external storage solutions.
Display
Decent display quality with a 14-inch HD micro-edge screen.
Build Quality and Portability
Affordable and portable, making it perfect for students and light users.
Operating System
Windows 11 Home ensures a secure and streamlined user experience.
#2

HP Stream 14" HD BrightView Laptop, Intel Celeron N150, 16GB RAM, 288GB Storage (128GB eMMC + 160GB Docking Station Set), Intel UHD Graphics, 720p Webcam, Wi-Fi, 1 Year Office 365, Win 11 S, Silver

Rating
9.8
Build Quality and Portability
Battery Life
Processor (CPU)

Most important from
2879 reviews

Build Quality and Portability
The laptop is impressively lightweight and easy to carry, making it ideal for students and users on the go.
Battery Life
Battery life is strong, lasting all day and charging quickly even when running low.
Processor (CPU)
Performance handles basic multitasking smoothly, with quick tab transitions and no noticeable delay when connected to external displays.
Storage
The built-in docking station effectively expands storage and allows seamless connection to TVs or monitors without lag.
Display
The display offers good color and crisp visuals for movies and games, especially when using an external higher-resolution monitor.
Operating System
Windows 11 in S Mode severely restricts software installation to Microsoft Store apps, limiting flexibility until switched out of S Mode.

The HP Stream 14" laptop offers a mix of features tailored for budget-conscious users needing a simple, portable machine. It stands out with a generous 16GB of RAM, which is quite high for this price range, making it capable of handling multiple apps and basic multitasking smoothly. Storage combines 128GB eMMC built-in and an additional 160GB from the included docking station, offering ample space for documents and media, though eMMC storage is slower compared to standard SSDs. The Intel Celeron N150 processor provides basic performance suitable for everyday tasks like web browsing, office work, and video calls, but it’s not designed for heavy or demanding applications. The 14-inch HD BrightView display has a resolution of 1366 x 768, which is adequate for general use but lacks sharpness and detail compared to higher-resolution screens. Battery life is strong at around 11 hours, supporting all-day use without frequent charging. The laptop is lightweight (about 3.2 pounds) and slim, making it easy to carry around. It runs Windows 11 Home in S Mode, which is simpler and more secure but restricts software installation to apps from the Microsoft Store unless switched out of S Mode.

Ports include USB-C, USB-A, HDMI, and a media card reader, providing decent connectivity options for peripherals. The inclusion of a 1-year Office 365 subscription and bonus accessories like a docking station and microSD card add value. Build quality is typical for budget laptops—functional but not premium. This HP Stream is well suited for students, casual users, or anyone needing an affordable, lightweight laptop mainly for web-based tasks and light productivity, although it may not meet expectations for faster processing or high-definition visuals.

Rating
9.8
Build Quality and Portability
Battery Life
Processor (CPU)

Most important from
2879 reviews

Build Quality and Portability
The laptop is impressively lightweight and easy to carry, making it ideal for students and users on the go.
Battery Life
Battery life is strong, lasting all day and charging quickly even when running low.
Processor (CPU)
Performance handles basic multitasking smoothly, with quick tab transitions and no noticeable delay when connected to external displays.
Storage
The built-in docking station effectively expands storage and allows seamless connection to TVs or monitors without lag.
Display
The display offers good color and crisp visuals for movies and games, especially when using an external higher-resolution monitor.
Operating System
Windows 11 in S Mode severely restricts software installation to Microsoft Store apps, limiting flexibility until switched out of S Mode.
#3

Acer Aspire 3 A315-24P-R7VH Slim Laptop | 15.6" Full HD | AMD Ryzen 3 7320U Quad-Core | AMD Radeon Graphics | 8GB LPDDR5 | 128GB NVMe SSD | Wi-Fi 6 | Windows 11 Home

Rating
9.6
Processor (CPU)
Display
Battery Life

Most important from
4303 reviews

Processor (CPU)
Surprisingly fast performance for web browsing and light multitasking.
Display
The screen brightness and quality are impressive for a budget laptop.
Battery Life
Battery life is reliable, lasting long enough for a full day of use on campus.
Build Quality and Portability
Sleek design and lightweight build make it ideal for portability.

The Acer Aspire 3 A315-24P-R7VH is a solid choice for a low-budget laptop, particularly for users needing a reliable device for everyday tasks. It features an AMD Ryzen 3 7320U Quad-Core Processor and 8GB LPDDR5 RAM, providing decent performance for web browsing, document editing, and light multitasking. The 128GB NVMe SSD offers fast storage, though its capacity may be limited for those with extensive media libraries or large files.

The 15.6-inch Full HD IPS display delivers clear and sharp visuals, thanks to its 1920x1080 resolution and narrow bezels, making it suitable for watching videos and general use. Battery life is quite impressive, lasting up to 11 hours on a single charge, which is great for on-the-go use without frequent recharging. The laptop's thin and light design, weighing just 3.92 pounds, adds to its portability.

Build quality is decent for the price, although it lacks a backlit keyboard, which might be a drawback for some users. Operating on Windows 11 Home in S Mode, this laptop offers a secure and streamlined experience, although it may limit the installation of some applications unless switched out of S Mode. With Wi-Fi 6 support, users can expect a strong and stable internet connection. Additional features like improved thermal management and a variety of ports, including USB Type-C, enhance the user experience. This laptop is ideal for students, professionals, or families looking for an affordable and efficient device for daily tasks.

Rating
9.6
Processor (CPU)
Display
Battery Life

Most important from
4303 reviews

Processor (CPU)
Surprisingly fast performance for web browsing and light multitasking.
Display
The screen brightness and quality are impressive for a budget laptop.
Battery Life
Battery life is reliable, lasting long enough for a full day of use on campus.
Build Quality and Portability
Sleek design and lightweight build make it ideal for portability.

Buying Guide for the Best Low Budget Laptops

When choosing a low-budget laptop, it's important to focus on the key specifications that will impact your daily use. While you may not get the top-of-the-line features, you can still find a laptop that meets your needs by understanding what each spec means and how it affects performance. Here are the key specs to consider and how to choose the right one for you.
Processor (CPU)The processor is the brain of your laptop, determining how fast and efficiently it can run programs. For low-budget laptops, you'll typically find Intel Core i3, Intel Pentium, or AMD Ryzen 3 processors. If you plan to use your laptop for basic tasks like web browsing, word processing, and streaming videos, these processors should be sufficient. If you need to run more demanding applications, consider looking for a laptop with an Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5, though these may be slightly more expensive.
RAMRAM (Random Access Memory) is crucial for multitasking and running applications smoothly. For low-budget laptops, 4GB of RAM is common and can handle basic tasks. However, if you plan to have multiple applications open at once or use more memory-intensive programs, 8GB of RAM is a better choice. More RAM allows for better performance and a smoother experience.
StorageStorage determines how much data you can save on your laptop. Low-budget laptops often come with either HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or SSD (Solid State Drive) storage. HDDs are cheaper and offer more storage space, typically starting at 500GB, but they are slower. SSDs are faster and more reliable, though they usually come with less storage space, starting at 128GB or 256GB. If speed and quick boot times are important to you, opt for an SSD. If you need more storage for files and media, an HDD might be more suitable.
DisplayThe display quality affects your viewing experience. Low-budget laptops often have screens ranging from 11 to 15 inches with resolutions of 1366x768 or 1920x1080 (Full HD). A higher resolution provides a clearer and more detailed image. If you plan to watch videos or work with graphics, a Full HD display is preferable. For basic tasks, a lower resolution may be sufficient and can help reduce costs.
Battery LifeBattery life is important if you need to use your laptop on the go. Low-budget laptops typically offer between 4 to 8 hours of battery life. Consider how you will use your laptop: if you need it for long periods without access to a power outlet, look for a model with longer battery life. If you mostly use it at home or near a power source, battery life may be less critical.
Build Quality and PortabilityBuild quality and portability are important for durability and ease of transport. Low-budget laptops may use plastic materials, which can be less durable than metal. Consider the weight and thickness of the laptop if you need to carry it around frequently. A lighter and thinner laptop is easier to transport but may come at the cost of fewer ports or lower build quality.
Operating SystemThe operating system (OS) is the software that manages your laptop's hardware and software resources. Common options for low-budget laptops include Windows, Chrome OS, and Linux. Windows is versatile and supports a wide range of applications. Chrome OS is lightweight and designed for web-based tasks, making it a good choice for users who primarily use online services. Linux is free and open-source, offering flexibility for tech-savvy users. Choose the OS that best fits your needs and familiarity.

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