Best laptops under $500: the best budget laptops around

It may be harder to find the best laptop under $500, but it’s not impossible. While it’s true that generally true that more powerful laptops tend to be pricier, the best laptops under $500 will strike that perfect price and performance balance.

Most budget laptops are never going to deliver that level of performance many of the best laptops on the high-end boast. However, if you don’t expect to do anything incredibly graphics-intensive or processor-hungry, there are quite a few laptops out there that will see you through most computing demands without costing you an arm and a leg. With a bit of help from us, you can save some cash while still getting that portable that meets your computing needs.

Whether you’re simply looking for a cheap laptop for the kids, an affordable gaming laptop, a 2-in-1 laptop or one of the best Chromebooks on the market, we’ve got the best laptops under $500 on this list. You’ll find something that suits you without needing to do all that frustrating research. Just because you’re on a budget, it doesn’t mean you can’t still get the best.

Best laptops under $500 at a glance

Microsoft Surface Go
Acer Switch 3
Dell Inspiron Chromebook 11 2-in-1
Acer Chromebook 15
Acer Chromebook R11
Acer Chromebook Spin 15

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 you’re computer needs 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

The Microsoft Surface Book 2 is fairly expensive, but the Acer Switch 3 is a great alternative for far less money, making it the best laptop under $500 for fans of Surface Book 2’s features. This tablet is designed around basically the same concept as the Surface Book 2, even though it's less adept because of its lower-power internals. For most tasks, however, it's a plucky little machine. What this 2-in-1 laptop has over Microsoft's 'Pro' and 'Go' models is that the keyboard is already included. Of course, the Acer Switch 3 comes in multiple configurations, with USB-C, 8GB of memory, an IPS touchscreen and an Intel Core i3 7100U processor coming with the more expensive option.

Read the full review: Acer Switch 3

Counted among the best Chromebooks is also a thrifty machine for anyone looking for the best laptop under $500. It's easy to see how the Dell Inspiron Chromebook 11 2-in-1 exceeds expectations. While it is far from the most powerful Chromebook available, it's exactly what people need it from it: budget-friendly, easy to use and able to hold up to abuse. The Dell Inspiron 11 2-in-1 is more than able to handle all your web browsing and document editing, and consider that it could be the best laptop under $500 which won’t shatter from a simple stumble.

Read the full review: Dell Inspiron Chromebook 11 2-in-1

With a shiny chassis as gorgeous as the most recent MacBook, this beautiful, 15-inch Chromebook makes an amazing impression with its battery life, lasting nearly 17 hours in our battery test. That's crazy for a 15-inch laptop – Chromebook or not. But that’s not the end of it. It also has a few other aces up its sleeves, including its roominess, brilliant display and fast charging capability. Best of all, it’s the best laptop under $500 (you can find one under $200, in fact), so budget-minded shoppers will love the value.

Read the full review: Acer Chromebook 15

The Acer Chromebook R11’s design might not turn heads, but as far as the best laptops under $500 go, it’s chassis is still a minimalist beauty with its textured finish and an overall build that feels pretty solid. It’s got a few other aces as well – the battery life that lasts up to 10 hours, the vibrant touch display, the 2-in-1 design that lets you use it in tent and tablet mode, and those bright crispy speakers. That keyboard is endearing as well.

Read the full review: Acer Chromebook R11

Even if you’re used to powerful laptops that breeze through your photo and video editing demands, the Acer Chromebook Spin 15 will still impress you with its knack for multitasking without batting an eyelash. This lightweight laptop might not look like it could take on processor-hungry tasks at a time, but it does, making it great for relentless computer users who do more than their fair share of Internet browsing, mobile gaming and video streaming.

Read the full review: Acer Chromebook Spin 15