The Best Budget Laptops of 2026: A Real Look at the Affordable Models
December 11, 2025
2026 is already here, and finding a decent laptop that won't drain your budget and still won't lag on basic tasks is still a bit of a quest. Prices jump around, exchange rates misbehave, and all you really want is a device that can handle Full HD movies, keep ten browser tabs open without freezing, and last a couple of years without needing a replacement.
This time we collected only the models that are truly worth their money right now. No fluff about "gaming laptops for 20 thousand" or other fairy tales. Only the ones that were actually tested in real use - opened up, pushed through tests, checked how hot they get and how long the battery lasts in everyday use, not just on paper.
If your budget is tight, the selection now is much more interesting than a year or two ago. Processors got quicker, screens finally stopped being dim and washed out, and 512 GB SSDs are almost standard even in the budget segment. The main thing is not to get tricked by a nice box hiding outdated hardware inside.
Below are honest impressions and specific models that actually make sense to buy in 2026. Let's go.
1. Acer Extensa 15 EX215-24-R3BA
The Acer Extensa 15 EX215-24-R3BA is a typical workhorse for those who want a big screen without overpaying. Inside is a dual core AMD Athlon Silver 7120U that won't surprise you with speed, but it's fine for documents, YouTube, online courses, and lots of browser tabs with no slowdowns. It has 8 GB LPDDR5 RAM and a 256 GB SSD - the system starts quickly, apps open without delays. The grey plastic case isn't premium, but the build is neat, and the weight of 1.73 kg is normal for a 15 inch model.
A nice bonus is having two USB C ports, both supporting charging and video output. There is also a full size HDMI port in case you need a TV or projector. The 53 Wh battery usually lasts around 6-7 hours of office work. The keyboard has a numpad and a dedicated Copilot key, although you'll have to install Windows yourself - it comes with DOS.
Key specs:
AMD Athlon Silver 7120U (2 cores, up to 3.5 GHz)
8 GB LPDDR5, SSD 256 GB
15.6" IPS Full HD, matte
Two USB C (charging + DisplayPort), HDMI, Wi-Fi 6
53 Wh battery, 1.73 kg weight
Who it's for:
For students or anyone working with texts and spreadsheets who wants an affordable laptop with a big screen and modern Type C charging.
2. HP 15-fc0137ua
The HP 15-fc0137ua turned out quite light at just 1.59 kg, yet it packs a solid quad core Ryzen 3 7320U and Radeon 610M graphics. In daily tasks it feels faster than many budget models: you can keep twenty tabs open, watch 1080p video, and even do light photo editing. With 8 GB LPDDR5-5500 RAM and a 256 GB SSD, everything runs smoothly.
The case looks a bit nicer than typical office plastic. There is keyboard backlight (very helpful in the evening), a webcam shutter, and a fingerprint reader - features you rarely see in this price range. The battery isn't record breaking (41 Wh), but you'll get 5-6 hours of browsing and working in Word without issues.
Key specs:
AMD Ryzen 3 7320U (4 cores/8 threads, up to 4.1 GHz)
8 GB LPDDR5-5500, SSD 256 GB
15.6" IPS Full HD 300 nits, matte
Keyboard backlight, webcam shutter, fingerprint scanner
1.59 kg weight, Wi-Fi 6
Who it's for:
For those who often work in the evening and appreciate a lightweight device and extras like a webcam shutter and key backlight.
3. Acer Aspire Go 15 AG15-32P-34UM
Acer Aspire Go 15 AG15-32P-34UM is a new lineup and already more interesting: inside is the new Intel Core 3 N355 with eight cores - rare for a budget laptop. Plus you get 16 GB DDR5 RAM and a full 512 GB SSD. Open 30 Chrome tabs, run a few apps - everything runs fast. The silver plastic case looks clean, and the weight is standard at 1.73 kg.
You get more ports than usual: two full USB C (charging and video output), two USB A, HDMI. You can even charge it from a power bank with PD if you forget the charger. The 53 Wh battery lasts about a day of moderate use.
Key specs:
Intel Core 3 N355 (8 cores, up to 3.9 GHz)
16 GB DDR5, SSD 512 GB
15.6" IPS Full HD, matte
Two USB C with charging and DisplayPort, HDMI
53 Wh battery, 1.73 kg weight
Who it's for:
For those who need a lot of RAM and storage right out of the box, who keep many apps open at once, and don't want to upgrade anything later.
4. HP 255 G10
HP 255 G10 is very light at 1.52 kg, yet comes with a 512 GB SSD and a Ryzen 3 7330U processor, which is slightly faster than the 7320U. The RAM is DDR4-3200 (8 GB), but in real use the difference is barely noticeable. The case has passed MIL-STD-810H tests - not exactly tank level, but more resistant to bumps and vibrations than usual budget models.
The screen is a basic IPS panel with 250 nits. It will look dim outdoors in bright sunlight, but indoors it's fine. Ports are standard, without surprises. The 41 Wh battery offers around 5-6 hours of work.
Key specs:
AMD Ryzen 3 7330U (4 cores/8 threads, up to 4.3 GHz)
8 GB DDR4-3200, SSD 512 GB
15.6" IPS Full HD 250 nits
MIL-STD-810H certified case
1.52 kg weight, Wi-Fi 6
Who it's for:
For those who carry their laptop every day and want the lightest possible 15 inch device with lots of storage without extra costs.
5. Acer Aspire Go 17 AG17-31P-C011
When you want a big screen without extra features, this 17 inch Acer Aspire Go 17 AG17-31P-C011 is exactly what fits the bill. Inside is the Intel N150 - a simple quad core chip that won't break speed records but easily handles Full HD movies, lots of tabs, and all office tasks. With 8 GB LPDDR5 RAM and a 512 GB SSD, the system feels quick, and there is enough space for media and photos. The grey plastic case weighs a bit over two kilograms - fine for a desk at home, but you'll notice it in a backpack.
The number of ports here is generous: two USB C with charging and video output, two regular USB A, HDMI 2.1, and a combo jack. You can even charge it from a power bank. The 53 Wh battery lasts around 6-7 hours of video or work. It comes with DOS, but you do get a Copilot key - install Windows and you're ready to go.
Key specs:
Intel Processor N150 (4 cores, up to 3.6 GHz)
8 GB LPDDR5, SSD 512 GB
17.3" IPS Full HD, matte
Two USB C (charging + DisplayPort), HDMI 2.1
2.04 kg weight, 53 Wh battery
Who it's for:
For those who work at home or in the office, watch movies on a big screen, and want maximum screen space for a low price.
6. Acer Aspire 3 A315-59-739P
Inside the Acer Aspire 3 A315-59-739P is an Intel Core i7-1255U from the 12th generation – 10 cores, with two performance cores and eight efficiency cores. In real use this means the laptop doesn’t choke when you have 20+ tabs open along with Word, Excel, and Zoom. With 16 GB DDR4 RAM and a 512 GB SSD, everything runs smoothly. The silver case is thin (1.8 kg) and looks neat.
The set of ports is solid: three USB A, HDMI 2.1, and even gigabit LAN – rare in this price range. The 48 Wh battery lasts around 6 hours of regular work. The keyboard has a numpad, and the key travel feels nice. The OS is again DOS, but the processor easily handles Windows 11 or even a lightweight Linux setup.
Key specs:
Intel Core i7-1255U (10 cores, up to 4.7 GHz)
16 GB DDR4, SSD 512 GB
15.6" IPS Full HD, matte
3×USB-A, HDMI 2.1, Ethernet
1.8 kg weight, thin body
Who it's for:
For those who need a truly fast laptop for work and study, who handle lots of spreadsheets, write coursework, and want some performance headroom for the next few years.
7. Acer TravelMate P2 15 TMP215-55-TCO-3208
The Acer TravelMate P2 15 TMP215-55-TCO-3208 comes from Acer’s business series but is priced like a budget model. It runs on a modern Intel Core 3 100U (6 cores), has 16 GB RAM and a 512 GB SSD – multitasking is strong. There is keyboard backlight, a webcam shutter, a fingerprint reader in the power button, and even Thunderbolt 4 – almost unbelievable in this price segment. The case passed MIL-STD-810 tests, so drops from a meter and small bumps aren’t a problem.
The port selection is stacked: two USB C, two USB A, HDMI 2.1, Ethernet, and a card reader. Charging is via Type C, and the 53 Wh battery can realistically last up to 8 hours of office work. The weight is just 1.6 kg, very easy to carry around.
Key specs:
Intel Core 3 100U (6 cores, up to 4.7 GHz)
16 GB DDR4, SSD 512 GB
15.6" IPS Full HD, keyboard backlight
Thunderbolt 4, webcam shutter, fingerprint reader
1.6 kg weight, MIL-STD-810 protection
Who it's for:
For those who work with confidential data, attend many meetings, and want a laptop with plenty of ports, good security, and decent battery life.
8. Lenovo V15 G4 AMN
The classic Lenovo V15 G4 AMN is for those who just need things to work without breaking. Inside is a Ryzen 5 7520U – four cores, eight threads, up to 4.3 GHz, plus 16 GB LPDDR5 and a 512 GB SSD. Open a bunch of programs – everything stays stable. The 15.6" IPS screen with 300 nits is reasonably bright even outdoors.
There’s a webcam shutter, gigabit LAN, and the case passed MIL-STD-810H tests. It weighs 1.65 kg and is under 20 mm thick, so it’s easy to carry in a bag. The 38 Wh battery is modest, but in real use it manages 5-6 hours. Charging is via USB C at 65 W – from 0 to 80% in about an hour.
Key specs:
AMD Ryzen 5 7520U (4 cores/8 threads, up to 4.3 GHz)
16 GB LPDDR5, SSD 512 GB
15.6" IPS Full HD 300 nits
Webcam shutter, Ethernet, MIL-STD-810H protection
1.65 kg weight, USB C charging
Who it's for:
For those who want a reliable work laptop with a solid processor and a bright screen without paying extra for unnecessary features.
9. Acer Aspire 5 A515-57-59NG
Acer Aspire 5 A515-57-59NG is a perfect match if you want a truly powerful laptop without paying extra for brand names or RGB lighting. Inside is the i5-12450H from the H-series – not an office chip but a proper 8 core CPU with a 45 W TDP. With 32 GB DDR4 RAM you can easily keep lots of tabs open, run Photoshop with many layers, work in Premiere, and still have a few programs running – everything stays fast. The 512 GB SSD is standard but quick. The case is thin (under 18 mm), weighs 1.76 kg, looks clean and minimal, and includes backlit keys plus a fast fingerprint reader.
It heats up under load, and the fans get audible, but it rarely throttles – temperatures top out around 85-87 degrees. The ports are plentiful: three USB A, one USB C, HDMI, and even Ethernet. The 48 Wh battery gives around 6 hours of normal use, and rendering drains it faster, which is expected.
Key specs:
Intel Core i5-12450H (8 cores, up to 4.4 GHz)
32 GB DDR4, SSD 512 GB
15.6" IPS Full HD 250 nits
Keyboard backlight, fingerprint scanner, Ethernet
1.76 kg weight, USB C charging
Who it's for:
For those who edit video, work with graphics, program, or simply want a laptop that won’t beg for mercy under load for the next five years.
10. HP 17-cn3034ua
The large HP 17-cn3034ua is for anyone tired of squinting at 15 inch screens. The Full HD IPS panel with 300 nits and anti glare coating lets you stretch spreadsheets across the whole screen, open two documents side by side, watch movies, and scroll less often. Inside is the 13th gen i7-1355U – 10 cores, up to 5 GHz, handles 4K YouTube easily and runs many programs at once without issues. With 16 GB RAM and a 512 GB SSD, everything runs smoothly.
The weight is 2.08 kg, so it's more suited for home or office use, but the keyboard with a huge numpad and a webcam shutter make daily use more comfortable. The battery is average at 5-6 hours of real work, but the power brick is compact and light.
Key specs:
Intel Core i7-1355U (10 cores, up to 5.0 GHz)
16 GB DDR4-3200, SSD 512 GB
17.3" IPS Full HD 300 nits
Numpad keyboard, webcam shutter
2.08 kg weight
Who it's for:
For those who work with huge spreadsheets, watch films on a large screen, and mostly use the laptop at home or at a desk.
11. Lenovo ThinkBook 16 G6 ABP
Lenovo ThinkBook 16 G6 ABP immediately feels more premium than its price: the lid is aluminum, cool to the touch, and doesn't collect fingerprints, and the build feels solid. The 16 inch screen with a 16:10 ratio and 1920×1200 resolution gives more vertical workspace, which is genuinely useful for code, documents, and websites. The Ryzen 5 7530U with 6 cores and 16 GB RAM (expandable up to 64 GB) handles everything a typical office worker or freelancer can throw at it. A 512 GB SSD, 300 nits brightness, and a blue light filter help reduce eye strain.
The port selection is excellent: two USB C, Ethernet, a card reader, and HDMI 2.1. The keyboard has two level backlight, and the fingerprint reader is built into the power button. The battery comfortably lasts up to 8 hours with normal use – one of the best in this segment.
Key specs:
AMD Ryzen 5 7530U (6 cores, up to 4.3 GHz)
16 GB DDR4-3200 (expandable to 64 GB)
SSD 512 GB
16" IPS WUXGA 1920×1200, 300 nits
Aluminum lid, backlit keys, fingerprint reader
Who it's for:
For freelancers, programmers, and anyone who travels with their laptop often, values solid build quality, a comfortable 16:10 screen, and the ability to upgrade RAM later without replacing the existing stick.
Conclusion
In 2026, you can finally buy a normal laptop for a reasonable price without getting frustrated after six months. IPS screens are now standard even in the cheapest models, 512 GB SSDs are almost everywhere instead of being a premium feature, and 16 GB RAM is enough for everyday tasks – browser, office apps, Zoom, YouTube in 4K, and a couple more programs running together.
If your priority is a big screen and using the laptop like a small desktop at home, look at 17 inch models. If you want something lighter to carry, aim for 1.6-1.8 kg laptops with 15-16 inch screens. For those planning to upgrade RAM later or worry that 16 GB might not be enough in a few years – choose models with free slots.
In the end, everything depends on your tasks. For studying and basic office work, even the most affordable model from this list will be enough. For those who juggle many tabs, full screen spreadsheets, and light editing – it's better to pick something more powerful with a good hardware reserve. The good news is that in the under-50k budget range, you no longer have to choose between a decent screen and a decent processor – you can get both without painful compromises.