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TOP 10 BUDGET LAPTOPS UNDER $500 (2026 BUYER’S GUIDE)
Finding a reliable laptop under $500 in 2026 is easier than ever. Thanks to improvements in entry-level CPUs, faster SSDs, and sharper displays, you can now get a dependable machine for school, remote work, streaming, and everyday use—without breaking the bank.
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- AMD Ryzen 3/5
- 8GB RAM
- 256GB SSD
- 15.6" Full HD
- Up to 8 hours battery
- AMD Ryzen 5
- 8GB RAM
- 256GB SSD
- 14" FHD
- Dolby Audio
- Intel Core i3 (12th Gen)
- 8GB RAM
- 256GB SSD
- 15.6" FHD Anti-Glare
- Intel Core i3
- 8GB RAM
- 128–256GB SSD
- 15.6" NanoEdge FHD
- Intel Celeron/Core i5
- 16 GB RAM
- 256GB SSD
- 15.6" FHD
- Chrome OS
- 4GB RAM
- 32GB eMMC
- 12.2" Touchscreen
- 2-in-1
- Ryzen 5
- 8GB RAM
- 256GB SSD
- 14" Touch
- Stylus support
- Intel Pentium Gold
- 4GB RAM
- 64GB eMMC
- 14" Touch
- 360° Hinge
- HD Touchscreen 2-in-1 Laptop for Students
- Intel Celeron N100
- 288GB Storage(128GB SSD＋160GB Docking Station Set)
- Intel Celeron N100
- 4GB RAM
- Intel Core i3
- 8GB RAM
- 256GB SSD
- 15.6" FHD
- Optional fingerprint reader
This guide reviews the Top 10 Budget Laptops Under $500 and includes where to buy them on Amazon using our affiliate links.
⭐ At a Glance — Top 10 Budget Laptops Under $500 (2026)
| Rank | Laptop | RAM | Storage | Screen | Best For | Price (Est.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Acer Aspire 5 Slim | 8GB | 256GB SSD | 15.6″ FHD | Best Overall | ~$449 |
| 2 | Lenovo IdeaPad 3 14″ | 8GB | 256GB SSD | 14″ FHD | Students | ~$399 |
| 3 | HP 15 | 8GB | 256GB SSD | 15.6″ FHD | Work & Office | ~$479 |
| 4 | ASUS VivoBook 15 | 8GB | 128–256GB SSD | 15.6″ FHD | Display Quality | ~$449 |
| 5 | Dell Inspiron 15 3000 | 8GB | 256GB SSD | 15.6″ FHD | Durability | ~$429 |
| 6 | Samsung Chromebook Plus V2 | 4GB | 32GB eMMC | 12.2″ Touch | Chromebook | ~$349 |
| 7 | Lenovo Flex 5 2-in-1 | 8GB | 256GB SSD | 14″ Touch | Creativity | ~$499 |
| 8 | HP Chromebook x360 | 4GB | 64GB eMMC | 14″ Touch | Convertible | ~$379 |
| 9 | ASUS L210 | 4GB | 64GB eMMC | 11.6″ HD | Most Affordable | ~$219 |
| 10 | Gateway 15.6″ | 8GB | 256GB SSD | 15.6″ FHD | Big Screen | ~$429 |
FULL REVIEWS — Top 10 Budget Laptops Under $500
1. Acer Aspire 5 Slim (Best Overall Budget Laptop)
Estimated Price: ~$449
Key Specs:
AMD Ryzen 3/5 • 8GB RAM • 256GB SSD • 15.6″ Full HD • Up to 8 hours battery
Why We Like It:
A perfect balance of performance, display quality, and durability. Great for students, work, and everyday productivity.
Pros: Fast boot, strong multitasking, backlit keyboard
Cons: Not built for gaming
- 1
Acer Aspire 5 Slim (Best Overall Budget Laptop) -
Why We Like It: A perfect balance of performance, display quality, and durability. Great for students, work, and everyday productivity.
2. Lenovo IdeaPad 3 14″ (Best for Students)
Estimated Price: ~$399
Key Specs:
AMD Ryzen 5 • 8GB RAM • 256GB SSD • 14″ FHD • Dolby Audio
Why We Like It:
Portable, lightweight, and powerful enough for schoolwork and multitasking.
Pros: Strong battery life, lightweight
Cons: Basic plastic build
👉 Buy on Amazon
- 2
Lenovo IdeaPad 3 14" (Best for Students) -
Why We Like It: Portable, lightweight, and powerful enough for schoolwork and multitasking.
3. HP 15 (Best for Work & Office)
Estimated Price: ~$479
Key Specs:
Intel Core i3 (12th Gen) • 8GB RAM • 256GB SSD • 15.6″ FHD Anti-Glare
Why We Like It:
Excellent for office tasks, Zoom calls, and spreadsheets.
Pros: Responsive and stable performance
Cons: Battery life is average
👉 See on Amazon
- 3
HP 15 (Best for Work & Office) -
Why We Like It: Excellent for office tasks, Zoom calls, and spreadsheets.
4. ASUS VivoBook 15 (Best Display Quality)
Estimated Price: ~$449
Key Specs:
Intel Core i3 • 8GB RAM • 128–256GB SSD • 15.6″ NanoEdge FHD
Why We Like It:
Thin bezels and a bright display make it ideal for streaming and productivity.
Pros: Sleek design, solid viewing angles
Cons: Limited storage on some models
👉 View on Amazon
- 4
ASUS VivoBook 15 (Best Display Quality) -
Why We Like It: Thin bezels and a bright display make it ideal for streaming and productivity.
5. Dell Inspiron 15 3000 (Strong Build Quality)
Estimated Price: ~$429
Key Specs:
Intel Celeron/Core i3 • 8GB RAM • 256GB SSD • 15.6″ FHD
Why We Like It:
Durable build with plenty of ports and a reliable keyboard.
Pros: Tough chassis, many ports
Cons: Celeron models are slow
👉 Check on Amazon
- 5
Dell Inspiron 15 3000 (Strong Build Quality) -
Why We Like It: Durable build with plenty of ports and a reliable keyboard.
6. Samsung Chromebook Plus V2 (Best Chromebook Under $500)
Estimated Price: ~$349
Key Specs:
Chrome OS • 4GB RAM • 32GB eMMC • 12.2″ Touchscreen • 2-in-1
Why We Like It:
Lightweight, long battery life, and ideal for students who live online.
Pros: Excellent portability, strong battery
Cons: Limited offline storage
👉 Buy on Amazon
- 6
Samsung Chromebook Plus V2 (Best Chromebook Under $500) -
Why We Like It: Lightweight, long battery life, and ideal for students who live online.
7. Lenovo Flex 5 2-in-1 (Best for Creativity)
Estimated Price: ~$499
Key Specs:
Ryzen 5 • 8GB RAM • 256GB SSD • 14″ Touch • Stylus support
Why We Like It:
A versatile 2-in-1 design that’s great for drawing, content creation, and presentations.
Pros: Great value for creative users
Cons: Can run warm during heavy tasks
👉 See Price on Amazon
- 7
Lenovo Flex 5 2-in-1 (Best for Creativity) -
Why We Like It: A versatile 2-in-1 design that’s great for drawing, content creation, and presentations.
8. HP Chromebook x360 (Best Convertible Chromebook)
Estimated Price: ~$379
Key Specs:
Intel Pentium Gold • 4GB RAM • 64GB eMMC • 14″ Touch • 360° Hinge
Why We Like It:
A flexible laptop/tablet hybrid with excellent battery life.
Pros: Versatile, smooth Chrome OS performance
Cons: Not suitable for Windows users
👉 Open on Amazon
- 8
HP Chromebook x360 (Best Convertible Chromebook) -
Why We Like It: A flexible laptop/tablet hybrid with excellent battery life.
9. ASUS L210 (Most Affordable Option)
Estimated Price: ~$219
Key Specs:
Intel Celeron • 4GB RAM • 64GB eMMC • 11.6″ HD
Why We Like It:
Ultra-cheap, lightweight, and perfect for basic tasks or kids.
Pros: Very affordable, extremely portable
Cons: Limited multitasking
👉 Buy on Amazon
- 9
ASUS L210 (Most Affordable Option) -
Ultra-cheap, lightweight, and perfect for basic tasks or kids.
10. Gateway 15.6″ (Best Large Screen Under $500)
Estimated Price: ~$429
Key Specs:
Intel Core i3 • 8GB RAM • 256GB SSD • 15.6″ FHD • Optional fingerprint reader
Why We Like It:
A spacious 15.6″ display and solid value for home and office.
Pros: Big display, good features
Cons: Average battery
👉 See on Amazon
- 10
Gateway 15.6" (Best Large Screen Under $500) -
Why We Like It: A spacious 15.6" display and solid value for home and office.
⭐ How to Choose a Laptop Under $500 (2026 Guide)
✔ Processor (CPU)
Best performance options:
- AMD Ryzen 3 / Ryzen 5
- Intel Core i3
Avoid low-end Celeron unless for very basic use.
✔ RAM
- Recommended: 8GB
- Chromebooks run fine on 4GB
✔ Storage
- Go for SSD only
- Minimum: 128GB
- Best value: 256GB SSD
✔ Display
- Full HD (1080p) is recommended
- IPS panels offer better clarity and colors
✔ Battery Life
- Expect 6–10 hours depending on model
✔ Ports & Build
Useful:
- USB-C
- HDMI
- SD card slot
- Solid chassis
📊 Comparison Table
| Model | RAM | Storage | Screen | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acer Aspire 5 | 8GB | 256GB SSD | 15.6″ FHD | All-rounder |
| Lenovo IdeaPad 3 | 8GB | 256GB SSD | 14″ FHD | Students |
| HP 15 | 8GB | 256GB SSD | 15.6″ FHD | Office |
| ASUS VivoBook 15 | 8GB | 128–256GB SSD | 15.6″ FHD | Media |
❓ FAQ
Can you get a good laptop under $500 in 2026?
Yes. You can get a fast, reliable laptop for everyday use, light gaming, and productivity—just prioritize SSD storage and at least 8GB RAM.
Is a $500 laptop good for gaming?
Only for light gaming. AAA gaming requires a dedicated GPU, which typically starts above $700.
Which brands offer the best budget laptops?
Acer, Lenovo, HP, ASUS, and Dell are consistently strong. For ChromeOS, Samsung and HP are excellent choices.
Final Thoughts
If you want the best overall option under $500, the Acer Aspire 5 Slim and Lenovo IdeaPad 3 offer impressive value. For portability and battery life, Chromebooks like the Samsung Chromebook Plus V2 are excellent choices.
🔎 Affiliate Disclosure
This article contains Amazon affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting 10Tops.net