The Best Laptop Under $500 for 2025
Top pick
Recommended configuration
| Processor: | AMD Ryzen 5 7520U | Screen: | 14-inch 1920×1080 non-touch |
| Memory: | 8 GB | Weight: | 3.1 pounds |
| Storage: | 512 GB SSD | Tested battery life: | 13.5 hours |
Why we like this one: If you need to run Windows apps or games, or if you prefer to work offline, we recommend the Acer Aspire 3 (A314-23P-R3QA). The Aspire 3 is fast enough to meet most people’s computing needs for years to come. Many cheap Windows laptops have less memory or terrible processors that limit them to running only a couple of apps and a handful of browser tabs at a time.
The Aspire 3 is one of the more portable cheap Windows laptops we’ve tested. It’s more compact than typical Windows devices in this price range, and its battery life lasted 13 hours 38 minutes in our tests—long enough to get through a full day of work or classes. Unlike cheap laptops with unpleasant keyboards and trackpads that flex and rattle, the Aspire 3’s backlit keyboard and trackpad are accurate and reliable.
Where it falls short: Our pick’s 14-inch 1920×1080 display lacks touch input, and colors look dull and washed out. But it’s much better than many laptop displays in this price range—most have lower-resolution screens that look pixelated or use horrendous TN panels that look blown out and have poor viewing angles. If you want a better (or bigger) display, consider our 15-inch pick instead.
Like many inexpensive Windows laptops, the Aspire 3 comes with a ton of unnecessary bloatware that takes up space and slows down performance. Follow these steps to remove those programs and make your laptop feel faster and be more secure.
The Aspire 3 also lacks a fingerprint reader and has a mediocre webcam, and it can’t be opened with a single hand.
Also great
If you want a 15-inch screen, the best option is the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3. This model is fast, plus it has long battery life, a 1080p screen, and a fingerprint reader.
Recommended configuration
| Processor: | Ryzen 3 7320U or Ryzen 5 7520U | Screen: | 15-inch 1920×1080 non-touch |
| Memory: | 8 GB | Weight: | 3.6 pounds |
| Storage: | 256 GB or 512 GB SSD | Tested battery life: | 11.5 hours |
Why we like this one: If you want a Windows laptop with a large 15-inch screen, we recommend the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 15AMN8, either the 82XQ00GQUS or 82XQ00EBUS configuration. With our recommended specs, it’ll be fast enough for most people’s computing needs for years to come.
The IdeaPad Slim 3 15AMN8 has a 15-inch 1920×1080 display that looks decent. It lacks touch and it’s not the brightest or most color-accurate option we tested, but its IPS display is still leagues better than the horrendous TN panels common in cheap Windows laptops.
Our pick lasted 11 hours and 18 minutes in our battery test, which is long enough to last a full day of work or classes. The backlit keyboard feels snappy and the large trackpad is reliable and accurate. The IdeaPad Slim 3 also has a reliable fingerprint reader on the power button and a handy webcam cover. It’s possible to partially open the laptop with one hand, though it’s difficult to fully open the lid without additional leverage.
Where it falls short: Compared to the 15IRU8 (82X7001VUS) model, the 15AMN8’s display lacks touch, doesn’t get as bright, and its colors aren’t as accurate—if your priority is a nice screen for watching lots of media, get the 15IRU8 model instead. (But the 15IRU8 has hours less battery life.)
Like most inexpensive Windows laptops, the IdeaPad Slim 3 is bulky and heavy, and its webcam is mediocre. We also recommend following these instructions when you get the laptop to remove unnecessary preinstalled programs.
