Looking for a great laptop without spending a fortune? In 2025, you don’t need to drop $1,000+ to get a fast, reliable, and feature-packed laptop. Whether you need one for school, work, or casual gaming, these are the best laptops for under $500 that deliver excellent performance.
We’ve researched the best-selling, top-rated laptops on Amazon and picked the best budget laptops under $500 that offer great value, speed, and battery life.
🔥 Ready to find your perfect budget laptop? Let’s dive in!
📌 Quick Comparison Table – Best Budget Laptops Under $500
| Laptop | Best For | Processor | RAM & Storage | Battery Life | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acer Aspire 5 (2025 Model) | Best Overall | AMD Ryzen 5 5500U | 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD | 10+ Hours | $$$ |
| ASUS VivoBook 15 | Best for Students | Intel Core i3-1315U | 8GB RAM, 128GB SSD | 9+ Hours | $$ |
| Lenovo IdeaPad 3 | Best for Work & Office | AMD Ryzen 3 5300U | 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD | 7+ Hours | $$ |
| HP 15 Laptop | Best Battery Life | Intel Core i3-N305 | 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD | 11+ Hours | $$ |
| Dell Inspiron 15 3000 | Best for Casual Gaming | Intel Core i5-1135G7 | 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD | 6+ Hours | $$$ |
| CHUWI HeroBook Pro | Best Ultra-Budget Pick | Intel Celeron N4020 | 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD | 9+ Hours | $ |
1️⃣ Acer Aspire 5 (2025 Model) – Best Overall Budget Laptop 🎯
⭐ 4.8/5 Rating | 50,000+ Reviews
If you want the best balance of speed, battery life, and display quality, the Acer Aspire 5 (2025 Model) is the best budget laptop under $500. It features an AMD Ryzen 5 5500U processor, 8GB RAM, and a 256GB SSD, making it fast for multitasking, streaming, and light gaming.
🔥 Why It’s a Top Pick:
✅ Powerful AMD Ryzen 5 CPU – Faster than Intel Core i3 alternatives
✅ Full HD 15.6” IPS Display – Clear, bright visuals
✅ 10+ Hour Battery Life – All-day performance on a single charge
✅ Backlit Keyboard & Fingerprint Reader – Premium features at a budget price
2️⃣ ASUS VivoBook 15 – Best Laptop for Students 🎓
⭐ 4.7/5 Rating | 40,000+ Reviews
If you need an affordable, lightweight laptop for school or college, the ASUS VivoBook 15 is an excellent choice. It features an Intel Core i3 processor, a 15.6” Full HD display, and a thin, portable design, making it perfect for students who need to take their laptop everywhere.
🔥 Why It’s a Top Pick:
✅ Thin & Lightweight – Easy to carry around campus
✅ ErgoLift Hinge – More comfortable typing experience
✅ Windows 11 Home in S Mode – Faster boot-up & security
✅ Affordable & Reliable – Perfect for homework, streaming, and Zoom calls
3️⃣ Lenovo IdeaPad 3 – Best for Work & Office Use 🏢
⭐ 4.6/5 Rating | 35,000+ Reviews
For those who need a budget-friendly work laptop, the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 is a solid performer. With an AMD Ryzen 3 processor, 8GB RAM, and a 256GB SSD, it can handle Microsoft Office, emails, and web browsing with ease.
🔥 Why It’s a Top Pick:
✅ Fast Boot-Up with SSD Storage
✅ Comfortable Keyboard for Typing
✅ Solid Performance for Office Work & Video Calls
✅ Affordable Price for Business Users
4️⃣ HP 15 Laptop – Best Battery Life (11+ Hours!) 🔋
⭐ 4.7/5 Rating | 30,000+ Reviews
If battery life is your top priority, the HP 15 Laptop is a fantastic choice. With 11+ hours of battery life, it outperforms many premium laptops in power efficiency.
🔥 Why It’s a Top Pick:
✅ 11+ Hour Battery Life – No need to carry a charger all day
✅ Intel Core i3 Processor – Good performance for daily tasks
✅ Full HD Display – Clear and sharp visuals
✅ Reliable Build Quality – Trusted HP durability
5️⃣ Dell Inspiron 15 3000 – Best for Casual Gaming 🎮
⭐ 4.6/5 Rating | 25,000+ Reviews
If you want a budget laptop that can handle light gaming, the Dell Inspiron 15 3000 is a great option. While it’s not a full gaming laptop, the Intel Core i5 processor and Intel Iris Xe graphics allow for decent performance in less demanding games like Minecraft, Fortnite, and CS:GO.
🔥 Why It’s a Top Pick:
✅ Intel Core i5-1135G7 Processor – Faster than most budget laptops
✅ Intel Iris Xe Graphics – Can handle light gaming
✅ Full HD 15.6” Display – Crisp visuals for movies & gaming
✅ SSD Storage for Fast Performance
6️⃣ CHUWI HeroBook Pro – Best Ultra-Budget Laptop 💰
⭐ 4.4/5 Rating | 20,000+ Reviews
If you need the cheapest laptop that still works well, the CHUWI HeroBook Pro is the best ultra-budget option under $300. It won’t blow you away with speed, but for basic tasks like web browsing, emails, and YouTube, it gets the job done.
🔥 Why It’s a Top Pick:
✅ Extremely Affordable – Perfect for tight budgets
✅ 8GB RAM & SSD Storage – Faster than most cheap laptops
✅ Full HD Display – Rare at this price point
✅ Great for Basic Tasks – Web browsing, streaming, and emails
Final Thoughts: Which Budget Laptop Should You Buy?
✔ Best Overall: Acer Aspire 5 (2025) – Great performance & features
✔ Best for Students: ASUS VivoBook 15 – Lightweight & portable
✔ Best Battery Life: HP 15 Laptop – 11+ hours of power
✔ Best for Gaming: Dell Inspiron 15 3000 – Handles light gaming
🔥 These laptops sell out FAST! Click the links above to check the latest prices before they’re gone!