Best Laptops under $500 to Buy in January 2026
HP 14 Laptop, Intel Celeron N4020, 4 GB RAM, 64 GB Storage, 14-inch Micro-edge HD Display, Windows 11 Home, Thin & Portable, 4K Graphics, One Year of Microsoft 365 (14-dq0040nr, Snowflake White)
- ULTRA-PORTABLE DESIGN & 79% SCREEN-TO-BODY FOR ON-THE-GO VIEWING.
- ENJOY VIVID DETAIL ON A 14-INCH HD DISPLAY WITH NEARLY NO BEZEL.
- DUAL-CORE INTEL CELERON ENSURES ALL-DAY PERFORMANCE AND EFFICIENCY.
HP 15.6" Laptop with Microsoft 365-1.1TB Storage - 8GB Memory - Intel Inside | Anti-Glare Display, 128GB SSD and 1TB Cloud Storage, 4-Cores CPU, Fast Charge and 12hrs Battery, no Mouse
-
BOOST CREATIVITY: UNLOCK SMARTER WRITING & VISUALS WITH MICROSOFT 365.
-
STUNNING DISPLAY: ENJOY AN ULTRA-WIDE HD SCREEN FOR SEAMLESS MULTITASKING.
-
VERSATILE CONNECTIVITY: MULTIPLE PORTS FOR ALL YOUR DEVICES AND PERIPHERALS.
HP Rose Gold Ultrabook Laptop with Microsoft Office 365, Intel 2-Core CPU, 1.1TB Storage (1TB OneDrive and 64GB SSD), 8GB RAM, Windows 11, No Mouse
-
FAST PERFORMANCE: INTEL CELERON N4500 FOR QUICK MULTI-TASKING.
-
LONG BATTERY LIFE: ENJOY UP TO 11.5 HOURS OF UNINTERRUPTED USE.
-
VERSATILE CONNECTIVITY: MULTIPLE PORTS FOR SEAMLESS DEVICE INTEGRATION.
Dell 15 Laptop DC15250-15.6-inch FHD 120Hz Display, Intel Core 3 Processor 100U Processor, 8GB DDR4 RAM, 512GB SSD, Intel UHD Graphics, Windows 11 Home, Onsite Service - Carbon Black
- EFFORTLESS EFFICIENCY WITH INTEL CORE 3 FOR QUICK TASK COMPLETION.
- ENERGY-EFFICIENT BATTERIES AND EXPRESS CHARGE FOR EXTENDED PRODUCTIVITY.
- COMFORTVIEW REDUCES EYE STRAIN FOR ENJOYABLE, EXTENDED SCREEN TIME.
SGIN 15.6 Inch Laptop Computer, Windows 11 Laptops 16GB RAM 1024GB SSD, Celeron N5100, Office 365, IPS FHD, WiFi 6, 53.2WH Battery, 180° Viewing, HDMI, Cooling Fan, for Business and Students
-
VIVID 15.6 FHD DISPLAY: ENJOY IMMERSIVE VISUALS WITH ANTI-GLARE TECH.
-
16GB RAM & 1TB SSD: FAST MULTITASKING AND AMPLE STORAGE FOR ALL YOUR NEEDS.
-
UP TO 8 HOURS BATTERY: PORTABLE DESIGN WITH LONG-LASTING POWER FOR ON-THE-GO USE.
Dell Inspiron 15 Business Laptop, 15.6" FHD Touchscreen, Intel 10-Core i5-1334U, 16GB RAM 512GB SSD Wi-Fi 6, Win 11 Pro, Laptop Computer for Work School Home Office Professional Use
-
UNMATCHED POWER: 10-CORE I5 PROCESSOR DELIVERS SUPERIOR MULTITASKING.
-
STUNNING 15.6 FHD TOUCHSCREEN FOR IMMERSIVE VISUALS ANYWHERE.
-
ALL-DAY BATTERY LIFE WITH 16GB RAM AND 512GB SSD FOR ULTIMATE PRODUCTIVITY.
15.6 Inch Laptop with Office 365, 4GB RAM, 128GB Storage Expandable 1TB, 5205U Processor, HD Display, Windows 11 Laptops Computer, Wi-Fi 5, BT4.2, Numpad, Type-C, for Business and Students.
- TRAVEL-FRIENDLY: ULTRA-LIGHT AT 3.6 LBS WITH A SLEEK 15 HD DISPLAY.
- EFFICIENT MULTITASKING: POWERED BY A 1.9GHZ INTEL 5205U PROCESSOR.
- EXPANDABLE STORAGE: 128GB PLUS 1TB SSD SLOT FOR ALL YOUR NEEDS.
Dell Inspiron 15.6" FHD Touchscreen Laptop, 13th Gen Intel Core i5 (Beat i7-1250U), 12GB RAM, 768GB Storage (256GB PCIe SSD + 512GB External), Anti-Glare, Win 11 with MS Office, Long Battery Life
- POWERFUL INTEL CORE I5 FOR SEAMLESS MULTITASKING EFFICIENCY.
- 15.6 FHD TOUCHSCREEN FOR VIBRANT VISUALS AND INTUITIVE NAVIGATION.
- COMPREHENSIVE ACCESSORY PACKAGE ENHANCES CONVENIENCE AND STORAGE.
HP 17.3 inch Laptop with Lifetime Office 365 for The Web, Intel 13th 8 Cores i3 CPU (Beat 11th i5), 16GB RAM, 256GB SSD Storage, 10 Key Number Pad, Windows 11, No Mouse
-
POWERFUL INTEL I3: MULTITASK EFFORTLESSLY WITH 8 CORES AND TURBO BOOST.
-
IMMERSIVE 17.3 HD DISPLAY: PERFECT FOR WORK, ENTERTAINMENT, AND CREATIVITY.
-
ULTRA-FAST WI-FI 6: ENJOY SEAMLESS STREAMING AND VIDEO CALLS, LAG-FREE.
HP Chromebook 14 Laptop, Intel Celeron N4120, 4 GB RAM, 64 GB eMMC, 14" HD Display, Chrome OS, Thin Design, 4K Graphics, Long Battery Life, Ash Gray Keyboard (14a-na0226nr, 2022, Mineral Silver)
-
ALL-DAY BATTERY & FAST CHARGING: 14 HOURS OF USAGE IN 45 MINS!
-
PORTABLE 14 HD DISPLAY: PERFECT FOR WORK, SCHOOL, OR BINGE-WATCHING!
-
QUAD-CORE INTEL POWER: SMOOTH PERFORMANCE FOR GAMING AND STREAMING!
Finding the best laptop deals under $500 can be a thrilling yet challenging task. Whether you're a student, a professional on a budget, or simply someone looking for an affordable tech upgrade, this price range offers various options that balance performance and cost. In this guide, we'll walk you through the essentials of choosing the perfect laptop under $500, along with tips on what to look for in this price segment.
Understanding Your Needs
Before diving into the specs and features, it's crucial to define what you need from your laptop. Are you looking for a device for basic tasks such as web browsing, streaming, and document editing? Or do you require something that can handle more intensive applications like light photo editing or casual gaming? Knowing your primary use-case will help narrow down your options.
Key Features to Consider
1. Processor
In the under $500 category, you’ll often find laptops equipped with Intel's Core i3 or AMD's Ryzen 3 processors. While these may not match the power of higher-end models, they are typically sufficient for everyday tasks. If your budget slightly extends, keep an eye out for occasional discounts on Core i5 or Ryzen 5 processors, which can offer better performance.
2. RAM
For smooth multitasking, aim for at least 8GB of RAM. Many budget laptops come with 4GB, which might suffice for light usage, but 8GB is more future-proof and handles multiple applications with ease.
3. Storage
Storage is another critical consideration. Most laptops under $500 will feature either a 256GB SSD or a 1TB HDD. While SSDs offer faster data access speeds and improved performance, they come in smaller capacities at this price point. Decide on your priority: speed or storage capacity.
4. Display
Look for a laptop with at least a Full HD (1920x1080) display. This will ensure clearer images and better overall viewing experience. Screens in this range typically measure around 15 inches, which provides a good balance between usability and portability.
5. Battery Life
Battery life is essential, especially if you plan to use your laptop on the go. Many affordable laptops now offer a battery life of around 5 to 8 hours, which should be ample for a full day’s work or study.
Build Quality and Design
While under $500, don’t expect premium materials like aluminum or carbon fiber, you can still find laptops with decent build quality. Pay attention to user reviews regarding the durability and functionality of the keyboard and trackpad. A lightweight design can also be beneficial if portability is important for you.
Warranty and Support
Ensure that the laptop you choose comes with at least a one-year warranty. Many manufacturers extend additional support services, which can be an added benefit, especially if you're unfamiliar with troubleshooting technical issues.
Expanding Your Budget
If you find that the options under $500 do not quite meet your specifications, you might want to consider slightly extending your budget. Check out our guide on Affordable Laptops Under $1000 for more robust options.
Conclusion
Navigating the world of budget laptops requires a balance between features, performance, and price. By focusing on the key aspects such as the processor, RAM, storage, and build quality, you can find a laptop that meets your needs without breaking the bank. Remember, assessing your primary usage and considering future requirements can lead to a more satisfactory purchase.
For more specialized needs, such as video editing, you might want to explore premium options. Visit our detailed article on Laptop Deals for Video Editing for recommendations.
By making informed decisions, you’ll ensure that your investment in a budget-friendly laptop will pay off with satisfying performance and longevity.