Top 5 Budget Laptops for Students in 2025 (Affordable & Reliable)

laptop, coffee, arm, desktop, notebook, writing, computer, technology, internet, business, communication, cup, desk, connection, working, online, screen, portable, person, coffee cup, laptop screen, keyboard, cup of coffee, break, office, computer screen, mockup, gray business, gray computer, gray office, gray technology, gray coffee, gray laptop, gray work, gray writing, gray online, gray community, gray internet, gray communication, gray desk, gray company, gray keyboard, gray cup, laptop, laptop, laptop, laptop, laptop, coffee, desktop, writing, writing, writing, computer, computer, computer, computer, technology, business, business, online, online, online, office

Looking for a laptop that won’t wreck your wallet but can still handle school assignments, Zoom calls, and late-night YouTube binges? You’re in luck.

We’ve rounded up the top 5 budget laptops for students in 2025, each under $500 — tested for performance, battery life, and day-to-day reliability.

1. Acer Aspire Premium Slim

Price: ~$399.99
CPU: AMD Ryzen 3 7330U
RAM: 16GB
Storage: 512GB SSD
Battery Life: ~8 hours
Display: 15.6″ Full HD

🔗 Acer Aspire Premium Slim on Amazon

Why we recommend it: Fast enough for multitasking, reliable build, and long-lasting battery life — all for under $400. A solid all-rounder.

2. Lenovo 2024 IdeaPad 1 Gen 7

Price: ~$399.90
CPU: Intel Core i3-1215U
RAM: 16GB
Storage: 1TB SSD
Battery Life: ~9 hours
Display: 15.6″ Full HD

🔗 Lenovo 2024 IdeaPad 1 Gen 7 on Amazon

Why we recommend it: Lightweight and surprisingly smooth for the price. Great for portability, writing papers, and streaming on the go.

3. HP Chromebook X360 14b

Price: ~$279
CPU: Intel Celeron N4020
RAM: 4GB
Storage: 64GB eMMC
Battery Life: ~10 hours
Display: 14″ Touchscreen

🔗 HP Chromebook X360 14b on Amazon

Why we recommend it: If you’re always online and using Google Docs or YouTube, this Chromebook delivers excellent battery and a flexible 2-in-1 design.

4. ASUS Vivobook Go 14

Price: ~$299
CPU: Intel Celeron N4500
RAM: 4GB
Storage: 128GB SSD
Battery Life: ~7 hours
Display: 14″

🔗 ASUS Vivobook Go 14 on Amazon

Why we recommend it: Sleek and smooth, with an anti-glare screen that’s perfect for long study sessions. A very balanced machine for students.

5. Dell Inspiron 15

Price: ~$496
CPU: Intel Core i5-1135G7
RAM: 16GB
Storage: 1TB SSD
Battery Life: ~6.5 hours
Display: 15.6″ Full HD

🔗 Dell Inspiron 15 on Amazon

Why we recommend it: Dell’s build quality at an entry-level price. Plenty of ports and screen space for multitaskers who need performance on a budget.

📝 Student Buyer Tips

Minimum RAM: 8GB is the sweet spot
SSD over HDD: Always go SSD for faster boot/load times
Screen size: 13–15 inches is ideal for portability and productivity
Battery: Aim for 6+ hours minimum
OS: ChromeOS is okay for light work, but Windows gives more flexibility

Final Thoughts

College and high school don’t have to be expensive — and neither should your laptop. Each pick on this list is affordable, reliable, and designed for real student needs in 2025.

Have a favorite budget laptop you think we should test next? Let us know in the comments!

⚠️ Affiliate Disclaimer

Some of the links in this post may be affiliate links. If you purchase through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting CircuitNextGen!