Best laptops under $500: the best budget laptops around

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The best cheap laptops TechRadar has reviewed

We have compiled a list of the top laptops under $500.

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

Microsoft Surface Go

Microsoft Surface Go will more than meet your computing needs in its compact and portable package.

1. Microsoft Surface Go

The best laptop under $500 so far

CPU: Intel Pentium Gold 4415Y | Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 615 | RAM: 4GB - 8GB | Screen: 10.5-inch 1,800 x 1,200 PixelSense touch display | Storage: 64GB eMMC - 128GB SSD

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US$399

Affordable

Light and easy to hold

Not as powerful as the iPad

Type Cover not included

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.

Acer Switch 3

Acer Switch 3 is designed around basically the same concept as the Surface Book 2.

2. Acer Switch 3

A Surface Book 2 alternative at half the price

CPU: 1.10GHz Intel Pentium Quad Core N4200 - Intel Core i3 7100U | Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 505 | RAM: 4GB | Screen: 12.2-inch, 1,920 x 1,200 IPS LCD touchscreen | Storage: 64GB - 128GB eMMC

US$493.6

Excellent build quality

Superb value

Tricky hinged stand

Slower storage options

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.

Dell Inspiron Chromebook 11 2-in-1

Dell Inspiron Chromebook 11 2-in-1 is more than able to handle all your web browsing and document editing.

3. Dell Inspiron Chromebook 11 2-in-1

The best cheap 2-in-1 Chromebook

CPU: Intel Celeron N3060 | Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 400 | RAM: 4GB | Screen: 11.6-inch, HD (1366 x 768) touchscreen | Storage: 32GB-64GB eMMC

US$222.80

Durable

Long battery life

Not very powerful

Slower SSD storage

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.

Acer Chromebook 15

Acer Chromebook 15 makes an amazing impression with its battery life, lasting nearly 17 hours in our battery test.

4. Acer Chromebook 15

Proof that 15-inches can be affordable, too

CPU: Intel Pentium N4200 | Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 505 | RAM: 4GB | Screen: 15.6-inch, FHD (1,920 x 1,080) | Storage: 32GB eMMC

US$241.49

Unbelievable battery life

Attractive, fanless design

Trackpad feels clunky

Easy to weigh down with tabs

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.

Acer Chromebook R11

Acer Chromebook R11’s design might not turn heads. (Image credit: Acer)

5. Acer Chromebook R11

360-degree flips all day long

CPU: Intel Celeron N3150 – N3160 | Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 400 | RAM: 4GB | Screen: 11.6" HD (1366 x 768) 16:9 IPS | Storage: 32 GB Flash Memory or 32GB SSD

US$234.39

Convertible

Attractively minimalist

Good battery life

Terrible trackpad

HD-only screen

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.

Acer Chromebook Spin 15

Acer Chromebook Spin 15 will still impress you with its knack for multitasking without batting an eyelash. (Image credit: Acer/Elgiganten)

6. Acer Chromebook Spin 15

The ultimate Chromebook for multitasking

CPU: Intel Pentium N4200 | Graphics: Intel HD Graphics 505 | RAM: 4GB | Screen: 15.6" Full HD (1920 x 1080) 16:9 IPS | Storage: up to 64 GB Flash Memory

US$519.99

Plenty of power

Extremely long battery life

Beautifully responsive touchscreen

Trackpad could be better

Second-rate speakers

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.