There's no reason why you need to splash the cash to get a worthwhile machine for working on, and that's the greatest strength of the best laptops under $500. Make no mistake, these rigs aren't going to be portable powerhouses by any means, but we've made our choices here on reliability, build quality, battery life, and screen so you can buy with confidence.
It can be intimidating to know where to start when it comes to the best laptops under $500, especially if you're only relying on listing pages and screenshots. That's where TechRadar shines; for over 15 years, we've reviewed all manner of machines from all price points, and have surmised what we believe to be the top eight best from all-star brands such as Acer, Dell, HP, Microsoft, and more.
Keep in mind that these wallet-friendly rigs will not rival the best laptops available. The processors are going to be older than what you'll find in flagships, and the integrated graphics inside won't even begin to rival what the best gaming laptops can do. With that said, you'll find contenders for the best Chromebooks further down the page. After all, you can save a fair chunk of change by swapping out to ChromeOS if you're after something cheap and cheerful.
I've been reviewing computer hardware professionally for more than six years now, and I've seen a lot of laptops that are, to put it simply, overpriced. You won't find any of those laptops here, though - I've carefully curated this list to ensure that it only contains products that I would personally be happy to purchase if I was out shopping on a budget.
The best laptops under $500 in December 2024
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The best laptop under $500 overall
The Microsoft Surface Go may not be the traditional laptop we’re all used to, but it will more than meet your computing needs in its compact and portable package. Not only is this device one of the best Windows tablets out there, but it makes for an excellent laptop alternative if you’re looking for the best laptop under $500.
With a Windows 10 S mode out of the box, you’re getting a proper operating system that lets you use such apps as the mobile versions of Microsoft Office and Adobe Photoshop. If your computer needs to go as far as word processing, sending emails, video conferencing, some light gaming, light photo editing and streaming Netflix, this device has you covered.
Read the full review: Microsoft Surface Go
Best 2-in-1 laptop under $500
Using a hybrid tablet/snap-on keyboard design, the Lenovo IdeaPad Duet Chromebook is the best budget laptop for the classroom and students. After all, it combines the tablet mode for research, reading and easy Netflix watching when you’re kickback at home, with a traditional laptop form for when you need a keyboard. With a powerful ARM processor that goes for 21 hours (yes you read that right), it’s an awesome computer package. The keyboard and trackpad let it down somewhat, but then you get that delicious Full HD+ display. Best of all, it all comes in at a price that’s as low as you could hope for, making this one of the best laptops under $500.
Read the full review: Lenovo IdeaPad Duet Chromebook
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Best Chromebook under $500
The best laptops under $500 balance a bargain price and capability – and the HP Chromebook 14 is the perfect example of that. While it’s similar to the Acer Chromebook 15 in a lot of ways, this 14-inch Chromebook is a tad more compact and looks slightly better. Complemented by a bright blue finish and a screen made to astound, the HP Chromebook 14 offers the best value of any Chromebook out there – even if the battery life and performance are average.
We are particularly impressed with how slim and light it is, a great device for anyone who wants a long-lasting laptop that they can comfortably carry around with them. If you want a laptop to work on while lounging on a sofa, this is a great choice as well. Also, unlike some other Chromebooks, it comes with plenty of ports, including HDMI-out, USB 3.0 and a microSD card slot, making it a brilliantly versatile laptop for the price.
Read the full review: HP Chromebook 14
Best battery life on a laptop under $500
If you’re looking for a budget laptop that really gives you excellent value for money, then the Acer Chromebook 314 is the best laptop under $500 for you. It’s easy to use, reliable, and has a wonderful screen and battery life (up to 12 hours) combo. That 14-inch crisp and bright display gives you more screen real estate for your productivity needs. Plus, its keyboard is both satisfying and a joy to use. More importantly, it strikes a great balance between design, usability, features, battery life and performance, while being comfortable with its own limitations.
Read the full review: Acer Chromebook 314
Most versatile laptop under $500
If versatility is a top priority, then look no further than the Acer Chromebook Spin 311. This all-rounder has all the makings of a great Chromebook, from its good battery life to its robust build and solid usability.
But then, it takes it further with its impressive levels of versatility, thanks to its abundance of ports considering its size, 2-in-1 design, portable size and excellent touchscreen display. It also boasts a keyboard and a touchpad that are not only reliable but also satisfying to use. Plus, its small size means it's really easy to carry around with you, so if you're looking for the best laptop under $500 to travel with, this is it.
Read the full review: Acer Chromebook Spin 311
Best premium laptop under $500
The Surface Go line proves popular with the more budget-conscious crowd, and its follow up, Surface Go 2, continues that tradition with its reasonable price and premium design. It also runs the full Windows 10 operating system, so it’s even more capable than other laptops or laptop alternatives out there as far as what applications you can use on it. Finally, it offers a slight bump in performance over its predecessor, giving users a sensible reason to upgrade if they’ve got the money. All those features combined with its portability make the Microsoft Surface Go 2 among the best laptops under $500.
Read the full review: Microsoft Surface Go 2
Check out our Microsoft promo codes to get the best deal on your next purchase.
Best 1080p laptop under $500
Designed for the education market, the HP Chromebook x360 range is tougher than it might at first look, it’s also aimed at students on a budget. So this won’t eat into your pencil fund too much either. Costs are kept low with the affordable but dependable 1.1GHz Intel N4000 processor and 4GB of RAM. The balance extends to the 12-inch touchscreen that makes it portable, light but still perfectly usable.
The main downside here is the HD-level 1366x921 resolution, but that’s offset interestingly with a 3:2 ratio that makes browsing and writing a more relaxed experience. It folds back into a tablet, offers a good range of ports and includes as an extra a dedicated stylus. While at this price still manages to look pretty funky.
Read the full review: HP Chromebook x360
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Most powerful laptop under $500
The fact that the Intel Dell Inspiron 15 3000 models weigh just as much as the more premium offerings out there only adds to its value. Of course, its specs are less powerful, but its under-$500 configurations still come with the latest specs, from 11th-generation Intel Core chips to DDR4 RAM that runs at 2666MHz. You probably should expect any mind-blowing features or design, but there’s already a lot going for it for a laptop that costs less than half the price of many of the best laptops in 2021.
Best laptops under $500 - FAQs
Is $500 enough for a good laptop?
Yes, a budget of $500 should be enough to get a respectably-powered laptop featuring a 1080p display with flash memory, and a solid processor at the heart. Keep in mind these machines won't be capable of anything too intensive such as video editing or gaming, though.
How long do laptops under $500 last?
The main trade-off with a laptop under $500 comes at the extent of build quality and lifespan. This means largely plastic construction and less powerful batteries inside. If you look after your device, you can expect the laptop to last several years without issue, provided you do not do anything too intense on it.
