Our top pick
Acer
Illustration, not the exact model
#1
Acer Chromebook Plus 515
People who want a big, fast Chromebook for web work, streaming and school
Best Laptops Under $500 in 2026
Updated October 14, 2026. We may earn a commission if you buy through our links. Read our affiliate disclosure.
The best laptop under $500 right now is the Acer Chromebook Plus 515. Under $500 the best laptops get the everyday basics right, a responsive system for browsing, documents and video calls, a clear 1080p screen and a battery that lasts through a school or work day. This list is for students, families and home users who need a dependable laptop for school, work and everyday use on a tight budget.
Prices change often, so check the current price on Amazon before you buy.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
At a glance
Asus
Illustration, not the exact model
#2
Asus Chromebook Plus CX34
People who want a portable Chromebook with a great keyboard and touchscreen
Acer
Illustration, not the exact model
#3
Acer Aspire Go 15
Buyers who need Windows and a full-size screen for the lowest price
Our top picks
Picks last checked October 14, 2026.
| Rank | Laptop | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Acer Chromebook Plus 515 | People who want a big, fast Chromebook for web work, streaming and school | Check price on Amazon |
| 2 | Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 | People who want a portable Chromebook with a great keyboard and touchscreen | Check price on Amazon |
| 3 | Acer Aspire Go 15 | Buyers who need Windows and a full-size screen for the lowest price | Check price on Amazon |
| 4 | Lenovo Chromebook Duet 11 (Gen 9) | Kids and casual users who want a light tablet that doubles as a small laptop | Check price on Amazon |
| 5 | Asus Chromebook CX15 | Shoppers who need a very cheap screen for email, browsing and online classes | Check price on Amazon |
Best overall under $500: Acer Chromebook Plus 515
Acer
Illustration, not the exact model
- CPU
- Intel Core i3-1215U
- RAM
- 8GB LPDDR5X
- Storage
- 128GB UFS
- Display
- 15.6-inch, 1920 x 1080
- Battery
- About 13 hours in PCWorld testing
- Weight
- 3.7 lb
Why we like it
This is the best all-round pick under $500 if you are happy with ChromeOS. PCWorld found zippy performance, a nice typing experience, good audio and a 1080p webcam, all on a roomy 15.6-inch screen. It was reviewed in 2023, so it is not the newest design, but the specs on the Amazon listing match what was tested.
Pros
- Zippy performance
- Nice typing experience
- 1080p webcam
- Good audio quality
Cons
- Blah design
- Bezels thicker than the reviewer likes
- Reviewed in 2023, so it is not the newest model
Best build and keyboard: Asus Chromebook Plus CX34
Asus
Illustration, not the exact model
- CPU
- Intel Core i5-1335U
- RAM
- 8GB LPDDR5
- Storage
- 128GB
- Display
- 14-inch touchscreen, 1920 x 1080 IPS, anti-glare
- Battery
- About 12 hours in PCMag testing (Amazon lists 10 hours)
- Weight
- Just over 3 lb
Why we like it
PCMag liked the spacious, comfortable keyboard, the great trackpad and the bright touchscreen, and measured about 12 hours of battery. The 13th-generation Core i5 is the fastest chip in this list. It sits right at the top of the budget, and 8GB of memory and 128GB of storage mean you should keep large files in the cloud.
Pros
- Comfortable, spacious keyboard
- Great trackpad
- Bright touchscreen
- Crisp 1080p webcam
Cons
- 8GB of memory and 128GB of storage limit heavy multitasking and local files
- Priced right at the $500 limit
Best Windows laptop under $500: Acer Aspire Go 15
Acer
Illustration, not the exact model
- CPU
- Intel Core 3 N355
- RAM
- 8GB DDR5
- Storage
- 128GB UFS
- Display
- 15.6-inch IPS, 1920 x 1080, 60Hz
- Battery
- About 7.5 hours in Tom's Guide testing of the 16GB/512GB model
- Weight
- 3.8 lb
Why we like it
This is one of the cheapest ways to get a full-size Windows laptop, with a wide port selection including HDMI. The processor holds back performance and battery life is only average, so it suits light jobs like browsing, documents and streaming. The Amazon listing is the base 8GB/128GB model, which is more limited than the larger one Tom's Guide tested.
Pros
- Lots of ports
- Lightweight and easy to travel with
- Low price for a Windows laptop
Cons
- Battery life is not great
- The CPU holds back performance
- Mediocre webcam and keyboard
- Windows 11 in S mode on this listing
Best tablet-style Chromebook: Lenovo Chromebook Duet 11 (Gen 9)
Lenovo
Illustration, not the exact model
- CPU
- MediaTek Kompanio 838
- RAM
- 4GB
- Storage
- 128GB eMMC
- Display
- 10.9-inch IPS touchscreen, 1920 x 1200, 60Hz
- Battery
- 9 hours 47 minutes in Laptop Mag testing
- Weight
- 2.08 lb with case
Why we like it
This detachable Chromebook works as a tablet with a stylus or as a small laptop with the folio keyboard. It is very light and Laptop Mag found solid battery life and good cameras for the price. It only has 4GB of memory and a small screen, so it is for simple tasks.
Pros
- Solid battery life
- Ultra-light chassis
- High-quality 5MP front and 8MP rear cameras
- Slick stylus and gesture controls
Cons
- Mushy keyboard on the attached folio
- 4GB of memory limits some apps
- Small 10.9-inch screen
Cheapest option: Asus Chromebook CX15
Asus
Illustration, not the exact model
- CPU
- Intel Celeron N4500 (dual-core)
- RAM
- 4GB
- Storage
- 128GB eMMC
- Display
- 15.6-inch, 1920 x 1080
- Battery
- 10 hours 57 minutes in PCWorld CrXPRT 2 testing
- Weight
- 3.51 lb
Why we like it
PCWorld calls this extremely inexpensive, and you still get a sharp 15.6-inch 1080p display, an enjoyable keyboard and decent speakers. The slow dual-core processor and 4GB of memory limit it, so keep it to light web tasks and avoid many open tabs.
Pros
- Good design with an enjoyable keyboard
- Sharp 15.6-inch 1080p display
- Decent speakers
- Extremely inexpensive
Cons
- Small touchpad
- Slow dual-core processor
- 4GB of RAM often holds it back
- Short battery life in real-world use
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
How we picked these laptops
- Smooth everyday performance. We favor laptops that stay responsive with a browser, documents and a video call open, and we say clearly when a pick is only for light use.
- Memory and storage stated up front. Cheap laptops often ship with little memory or storage, so every pick lists both and the trade-offs that come with them.
- A screen you can use all day. We favor sharp 1080p screens, because a dim, low resolution panel makes every task harder.
- Battery for a full day. We check independent battery tests rather than the maker's claim, since budget laptops are often carried to class or work.
- Windows and ChromeOS options. We include both, because a Chromebook often gives more for the money if your work happens in a browser.
How to choose a laptop under $500
What to look for in a budget laptop
Solid-state drive (SSD) for fast boot times and app loading.
At least 8GB RAM for smooth multitasking.
Intel Core i3/i5 or AMD Ryzen 3/5 processor.
Full HD (1920x1080) display for clear visuals.
6+ hours battery life for all-day use.
Lightweight design (under 4 lbs) for portability.
USB-C port for modern connectivity.
Windows 11 or ChromeOS for latest features.
Not sure which one fits you?
Choose how you will use it, your budget and your operating system, and our AI assistant will suggest matches.
Not sure? Take the laptop quiz. Torn between two of these picks? Compare them side by side.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get a good laptop for under $500?
Yes! Modern budget laptops under $500 offer solid performance for everyday tasks like web browsing, document editing, streaming, and video calls. Look for models with at least 8GB RAM and an SSD for the best experience.
Should I buy a Chromebook or Windows laptop under $500?
Chromebooks offer better value at this price point if you primarily use web apps and cloud storage. Choose Windows if you need specific desktop software like Adobe Creative Suite or advanced gaming.
What's the catch with cheap laptops?
Budget laptops may have plastic builds, lower-resolution displays, and less powerful processors compared to premium models. However, they're perfectly capable for everyday tasks when you choose the right specs.
Can a $500 laptop handle video editing?
Basic video editing (1080p with simple effects) is possible, but expect slower render times. For serious video work, invest in a laptop with 16GB RAM and a dedicated GPU, which typically costs $800+.
From the blog
- What Laptop Should I Buy? Answer 5 Questions to DecidePublished October 15, 2026
- How to Choose a Laptop: A Simple Step-by-Step GuidePublished October 14, 2026
- MacBook Neo Review: Is Apple's $599 Laptop Worth It?Published October 18, 2026
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Or browse every laptop buying guide by use case, budget and type.
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