If you're shopping for a laptop on a budget, you can find some great options for under $500. Nowadays, some brands keep older models around longer to serve as budget options; while the hardware may be a couple of generations old, you can still find great options to suit your needs. Many laptops in this price range are also available with the same CPUs that we see in more premium models, but they compromise on a few features to reduce the price. The recommendations in this article consist mainly of productivity and media consumption devices like Chromebooks and Windows laptops. Higher-performing devices like gaming laptops and Apple MacBooks are typically much more expensive. We'll be testing more laptops soon to offer you greater brand and product diversity.
We've tested over 180 laptops, and below, you'll find our recommendations for the best ones under $500. See our recommendations for the best laptops under $300, the best laptops under $400, and the best budget and cheap laptops.
Since 2021, we've tested dozens of laptops every year. We buy our laptops to avoid bias and, following a rigorous methodology, test nearly every part of the laptop so we can deliver results you can rely on. We use a wide range of equipment to perform our tests, including a colorimeter, a Mecmesin MultiTest-i System Test Stand, and various performance benchmarking suites.
Want to know more? Check out our How We Test Laptops article, where we give you a broader overview of our review process, from the moment we purchase the product to the final review.
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Best Laptop Under $500
Media ConsumptionGamingHeavy WorkloadForm Factor:Traditional (Clamshell)Screen Size:14"Operating System:Windows 11Touch Screen:NoRefresh Rate:60 HzSee all our test resultsTested RAM Capacity:8 GBThe best laptop under $500 we've tested is the HP OmniBook 3 14 (2025), as its 8GB configuration is often sold for below that price when it's on sale. It's light enough to carry around and gets the everyday basics right: the keyboard and touchpad are comfortable to use and the webcam is good for video calls. There are also enough USB ports and an HDMI output for common accessories. The Ryzen 5 40 configuration lasts around 11 hours during light use, so you can usually leave the charger at home. Its 14-inch screen looks sharp, although it isn't very bright, and colors appear muted.
That said, pay close attention to the configuration when shopping. The OmniBook 3 14 comes with a wide range of processors, including basic Athlon models; the Ryzen 5 40 is a better target if it fits your budget. It's capable of web browsing, writing, and spreadsheets, but the commonly available 8GB version doesn't leave much room for multitasking in Windows. A few tabs and a document are fine. Keep a video call, lots of tabs, and other apps open together, though, and it will feel sluggish. The memory in this configuration is soldered too, so you can't add more later. If you regularly work across several apps, look for a 16GB OmniBook 3 14 instead. That will give you more breathing room, although you'll generally have to spend more than $500.
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Best Chromebook Under $500
General ProductivityMultimediaGamingWorkstationForm Factor:Size:15.6"Operating System:Chrome OSTouch Screen:Refresh Rate:HzSee all our test resultsCapacity:GBIf you mainly browse the web and write documents, the ASUS Chromebook CX15 (2026) is the best Chromebook under $500 we've tested. It costs much less than the HP OmniBook 3 14 (2025) above and gives you a larger 15.6-inch screen, a comfortable keyboard, and useful ports for an external monitor and other accessories. ChromeOS supports web and Android apps, but you can't install most programs made for Windows, so check that the apps you need are available. The HP is more powerful and versatile, but the CX15 covers everyday tasks for considerably less money.
The least expensive CX15 configurations are best suited to light use, while versions with a faster processor give you a little more room to work across several tabs or apps. You can also choose between 4GB and 8GB of RAM. ChromeOS can unload unused tabs and reload them when you return, making 4GB workable for basic browsing. If you keep lots of tabs or Android apps open, 8GB is the better choice. ChromeOS is less demanding on memory than Windows 11, so 8GB is less restrictive here than on an 8GB HP, though the CX15's processor still limits heavier work. The display looks washed out, the touchpad sometimes misses movements, and the battery may not last a full workday, so keep that in mind.
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Best Multimedia Laptop Under $500
BusinessMultimediaGamingWorkstationForm Factor:Size:13.3"Operating System:Chrome OSTouch Screen:Refresh Rate:HzSee all our test resultsCapacity:GBThe Lenovo Chromebook Duet 5 (2021) is the best laptop we've tested for watching movies and shows under $500. It's a ChromeOS tablet with a kickstand and detachable keyboard, so you can prop it up to watch something or remove the keyboard when you want to hold it. Its 13.3-inch OLED screen is smaller than the ASUS Chromebook CX15 (2026)'s display, but colors look much richer and blacks stay dark. Its battery also lasts around eight hours of video playback, compared with just under six on the ASUS.
The speakers get reasonably loud, though they sound slightly unnatural and have little bass. There's no headphone jack, so you'll need wireless headphones or a USB-C adapter for wired ones. The keyboard comes with the device, but it's better for a few emails than a long writing session. If you want a Chromebook for everyday work as well as streaming, the CX15 above gives you a larger screen and a more comfortable keyboard. For watching on the go, the Duet 5 is the more enjoyable choice.
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Best Compact Laptop Under $500
BusinessMultimediaGamingWorkstationForm Factor:Size:11"Operating System:Chrome OSTouch Screen:Refresh Rate:HzSee all our test resultsCapacity:GBThe Lenovo Chromebook Duet Gen 9 11 (2024) is the best compact laptop we've tested under $500. Like the Duet 5 above, it's a ChromeOS tablet with a detachable keyboard and kickstand. Its smaller 11-inch size makes it easier to carry and hold, though you give up the Duet 5's OLED screen and the deep blacks that make movies look so good on it. The Gen 9's touchscreen is still sharp and colorful, and it supports pen input, though a stylus isn't included with every version.
It's a good fit for browsing, streaming, and other light tasks, but the small screen and cramped keyboard make longer work sessions less comfortable. The battery lasts around eight to nine hours with light use or about seven hours when watching videos. If you mostly browse the web, the older Lenovo Chromebook Duet 3 (2022) is worth considering for its longer battery life. However, the Gen 9 has a taller 16:10 screen, a slightly more comfortable keyboard, and longer video playback time, making it the more well-rounded choice.
Notable Mentions
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Apple MacBook Neo (A18 Pro, 2026):
If you can spend more than $500, the Apple MacBook Neo (A18 Pro, 2026) is worth a look, especially at its $599 education price. It has a sturdier build, a nicer display, and longer video-playback battery life than the HP OmniBook 3 14 (2025). MacOS makes good use of its 8GB of RAM, so everyday work can feel comparable to a budget Windows laptop with 16GB+.
See our review -
Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3i Chromebook 14 (2023):
If you can find a Core i3 configuration with an FHD IPS touchscreen, the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3i Chromebook 14 (2023) is a stronger Chromebook than the ASUS Chromebook CX15 (2026). It performs better when multitasking, has a more colorful display and clearer webcam, and lasts longer on battery. It's just very hard to find brand new, unfortunately.
See our review
Recent Updates
Sep 28, 2026:
We updated our picks to reflect newer, better-value laptops. The HP OmniBook 3 14 (2025) is now the top pick, and the less expensive ASUS Chromebook CX15 (2026) is the 'Best Chromebook Under $500'. We also replaced the 'Best Compact Laptop Under $500' with the newer Lenovo Chromebook Duet Gen 9 11 (2024) and refreshed the Notable Mentions.
Apr 30, 2025:
Removed the Acer Swift 3 14 (2020) from the Notable Mentions because it's no longer worth getting. Added the Acer Aspire 3 Spin 14 (2023) as a Notable Mention.
Mar 03, 2025:
No changes in recommendations; all picks are valid and available.
Jan 09, 2025:
Replaced the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3i 15 (2023) with the ASUS Vivobook 16 M1605 (2023) because the Lenovo is no longer available.
Nov 11, 2024:
Added the Acer Chromebook Spin 714 (2022) as a Notable Mention. No change in recommendations.
All Reviews
Our recommendations above are what we think are currently the best laptops under $500 you can get. In addition to the test results, we factor in the price, feedback from our visitors, and availability.
If you prefer to make your own decision, here's the list of all the laptops we've tested under $500, sorted by price from low to high. Keep in mind that most laptops are available in various configurations, and the table only shows the results of the model we tested, so it's best to see the full review for information about other variants.