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10 Best Low Budget Laptops 2026 in the United States

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Our technology thoroughly searches through the online shopping world, reviewing hundreds of sites. We then process and analyze this information, updating in real-time to bring you the latest top-rated products. This way, you always get the best and most current options available.

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Our Top Picks

#1

Winner

Dell 15 Laptop DC15250-15.6-inch FHD (1920x1080) 120Hz Display, Intel Core i5-1334U Processor, 16GB DDR4 RAM, 512GB SSD, Intel UHD Graphics, Windows 11 Home, Onsite Service - Platinum Silver

Rating
10.0
Chosen by1,224
Processor (CPU)
Display
Battery Life

Most important from
737 reviews

Processor (CPU)
Delivers fast performance with ample storage, handling everyday tasks smoothly without lag.
Display
The 15.6-inch screen size strikes a comfortable balance, making it easy to use for extended periods.
Battery Life
Battery life is noticeably short, lasting around four hours with basic web browsing and email checking.
Build Quality and Portability
Lightweight design adds to the overall portability, making it convenient to carry around.

The Dell 15 Laptop DC15250 is a solid choice for a budget-friendly laptop, especially if you need a dependable machine for everyday tasks like web browsing, office work, and streaming. It features a 15.6-inch Full HD display with a smooth 120Hz refresh rate, which is a nice perk for sharper visuals and smoother scrolling compared to many other budget options. Powered by an Intel Core i5-1334U processor and equipped with 16GB of DDR4 RAM, it handles multitasking and common applications with ease, making it less likely to slow down during regular use.

The 512GB SSD offers fast storage that helps the laptop boot quickly and load files swiftly, which is a great advantage at this price point. Intel UHD integrated graphics are suitable for casual games and video but not for heavy gaming or graphic-intensive work. The laptop runs Windows 11 Home, providing a familiar and modern software environment. In terms of build and portability, it weighs about 3.6 pounds and has a slim 0.75-inch profile, which is reasonably light but not ultra-portable. The platinum silver finish gives it a clean, professional look. The keyboard includes backlighting and a separate numeric keypad, which adds comfort for typing and number entry. Ergonomic features like lifted hinges help reduce wrist strain during longer typing sessions.

Battery life is supported by energy-efficient components and Express Charge technology to get you back up to speed quickly, with average endurance expected for daily use. It also has useful extras like anti-glare coating and Dell ComfortView to reduce eye strain during extended use. One standout is the 1-year onsite service, which ensures you get help at your location if hardware issues arise—a plus for those who want hassle-free support. The main downsides are the integrated graphics limiting gaming or heavy video editing, and the lack of an optical drive, which some might miss. While the laptop is fairly portable, it is not the lightest or smallest, so it may feel a bit bulky if you carry it around frequently. This Dell model offers strong performance and features for a low-budget laptop aimed at students, professionals, or anyone needing a reliable everyday computer without breaking the bank.

Rating
10.0
Chosen by1,224
Processor (CPU)
Display
Battery Life

Most important from
737 reviews

Processor (CPU)
Delivers fast performance with ample storage, handling everyday tasks smoothly without lag.
Display
The 15.6-inch screen size strikes a comfortable balance, making it easy to use for extended periods.
Battery Life
Battery life is noticeably short, lasting around four hours with basic web browsing and email checking.
Build Quality and Portability
Lightweight design adds to the overall portability, making it convenient to carry around.
#2

Dell 15 Laptop DC15250-15.6-inch FHD 120Hz Display, Intel Core 3 Processor 100U Processor, 8GB DDR4 RAM, 512GB SSD, Intel UHD Graphics, Windows 11 Home, Onsite Service - Carbon Black

Rating
7.9
Processor (CPU)
Storage
Display

Most important from
737 reviews

Processor (CPU)
The laptop delivers fast performance with ample storage, making it an excellent value for its price point.
Storage
The laptop delivers fast performance with ample storage, making it an excellent value for its price point.
Display
The bright and clear 15.6-inch screen provides a comfortable viewing experience for everyday tasks.
Build Quality and Portability
Its lightweight design enhances portability, making it convenient for regular use on the go.
Battery Life
Battery life is notably short, lasting around 4 hours under light usage, which may require frequent charging.

The Dell 15 DC15250 is a solid choice for anyone looking for an affordable, everyday laptop. It comes with an Intel Core i3 processor, which is good for general tasks like browsing, working on documents, and streaming videos, but may struggle with very heavy applications or gaming. The 8GB of DDR4 RAM and 512GB SSD storage offer a nice balance of speed and space, making it easy to multitask and store plenty of files without constant lag.

The 15.6-inch full HD display with a 120Hz refresh rate means the screen looks clear and smooth, which is a plus for watching videos or simple gaming, though it uses integrated Intel UHD graphics, so it’s not ideal for graphic-heavy work. Battery life is enhanced by energy-efficient features and Express Charge, helping you stay productive longer. Build-wise, it has a lightweight, slim design (about 4.2 pounds), making it fairly portable but not the lightest option out there. The carbon black finish looks sleek, and the keyboard includes a numeric keypad and a comfortable typing angle thanks to lifted hinges. It runs Windows 11 Home, which is user-friendly and up to date. The inclusion of 1-year onsite service adds convenience if you run into hardware issues.

It lacks an optical drive, and the processor speed is modest, so it’s not suited for demanding software or advanced multitasking. This laptop is well-suited for students, remote workers, or anyone needing a dependable, budget-friendly machine for standard daily use.

Rating
7.9
Processor (CPU)
Storage
Display

Most important from
737 reviews

Processor (CPU)
The laptop delivers fast performance with ample storage, making it an excellent value for its price point.
Storage
The laptop delivers fast performance with ample storage, making it an excellent value for its price point.
Display
The bright and clear 15.6-inch screen provides a comfortable viewing experience for everyday tasks.
Build Quality and Portability
Its lightweight design enhances portability, making it convenient for regular use on the go.
Battery Life
Battery life is notably short, lasting around 4 hours under light usage, which may require frequent charging.
#3

Dell Inspiron Touchscreen Laptop, 15.6" Business & Student Laptop Computer, Windows 11 Pro Laptop 32GB RAM 1TB SSD, Intel i5-1155G7 Processor, Full HD IPS Display, Numeric Keypad, HDMI, Carbon Black

Rating
7.9
Display
Battery Life
Build Quality and Portability

Most important from
986 reviews

Display
Battery life is excellent and picture quality is great.
Battery Life
Speed is awesome, very lightweight, and the battery life is pretty good.
Build Quality and Portability
Speed is awesome, very lightweight, and the battery life is pretty good.

The Dell Inspiron Touchscreen Laptop is a solid pick for those on a budget looking for a reliable device for business or educational purposes. It comes with a powerful Intel Quad-Core i5-1155G7 processor, which ensures smooth performance for everyday tasks. The hefty 32GB RAM and 1TB SSD provide ample memory and storage, which is quite generous for this price range, ensuring you won't run out of space or experience slowdowns easily.

The 15.6-inch Full HD IPS touchscreen display with narrow bezels and anti-glare features offers decent visuals, although the 220 nits brightness might be a bit dim in brightly lit environments. The integrated Intel UHD Graphics are suitable for general use but not ideal for high-end gaming or graphics-intensive tasks. Battery life isn't extensively detailed but having a lightweight build at 3.65 pounds makes it portable and convenient for daily commuting.

The design is stylish with a professional look in carbon black, and the numeric keypad is a plus for those who frequently work with numbers. On the connectivity front, it includes multiple USB ports, HDMI, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi 5, covering most users' needs. Running Windows 11 Pro, it ensures access to the latest features and security updates, making it a good choice for remote work and online classes. However, it lacks an optical drive, which might be a downside if you need to use CDs or DVDs. Summing up, this laptop is well-suited for students, professionals, and small businesses looking for a cost-effective yet capable device.

Rating
7.9
Display
Battery Life
Build Quality and Portability

Most important from
986 reviews

Display
Battery life is excellent and picture quality is great.
Battery Life
Speed is awesome, very lightweight, and the battery life is pretty good.
Build Quality and Portability
Speed is awesome, very lightweight, and the battery life is pretty good.

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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