Finding a reliable laptop on a tight budget can be difficult, but today’s digital world offers plenty of powerful options on a lower budget, like under £500.
If you are looking for the best laptops under £500, they can still come with impressive performance, sharp displays, SSD storage, and all the best features that suit studying, working, and day-to-day use.
In this guide, I have explored the curated list of the 5 best budget laptops under £500 you can buy in 2026. All these laptops deliver dependable performance, longer battery life, and enough storage for everyday tasks.
The article will help you choose something that lasts all year round. Let’s discuss in detail.
5 Best budget laptops under 500 pounds
Let’s talk about the 5 best budget laptops under £500, which is still a smart choice in 2026. The list below offers the features that are more than enough, and if you are specifically searching for the best student laptop UK under £500, follow the list:
1. Acer Aspire 3
Acer Aspire 3 is a simple and effective Windows laptop that delivers smooth performance on everyday tasks, making this laptop the best choice for anyone.
Its configuration around an AMD Ryzen 5 or equivalent Intel processor, 8GB of RAM, and a 512 GB SSD space, which punches well above the price tag.
Key features:
- Ryzen 5 CPU or equivalent offers a smooth multitasking experience, best for school essays, streaming, and daily work.
- A 15.6-inch full HD screen is best for video, coursework, and presentations.
- 512 GB SSD offers a quick boot time and space for all your files.
- USB-C, HDMI, and Wi-Fi support make it future-proof.
Pros:
- Best battery life, like a whole day.
- Lots of ports and connectivity.
Cons:
- The display is not the brightest.
Price: Ranging between £269 – £459
2. Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3
Lenovo IdeaPad Slim3 is a great option for younger students or anyone needing a simple device for web browsing and video playback.
It comes with an Intel Core i5 processor, 16GB RAM, and 512GB of internal SSD storage. The charging is significant as well, giving you two hours of computing from just 14 minutes of being connected to a charger.
Key features:
- Core i7-10510U offers powerful performance.
- Clear and reliable display for daily use
- 256 GB SSD storage size
- 16GB RAM is excellent for gaming, media editing, and high-demand apps
- Comes with 1-Year Warranty
Pros:
- Available on cheaper rate
- A comfortable keyboard is provided
- Wide ranges of ports are available with a laptop.
Cons:
- They offer the economy-class screen
Price: Ranging between £299 – £449
3. Asus Vivobook 15
The Asus VivoBook 15 Laptop is an excellent budget laptop that comes with luxury features at an affordable price.
The Asus VivoBook 15 has the 10th-generation Intel Core i3 processor and integrated UHD graphics as well. The 15.6-inch display of this laptop looks amazing with a 1920 x 1080 Pixel screen resolution.
If you want a mix of solid performance, a roomy screen, and long battery life, and all of this in the best laptop under £500, the Asus Vivobook 15 is the best option for you.
Key features:
- Offers swift performance for multitasking.
- 16GB RAM & 512GB SSD provide fast loading & ample storage space.
- Vivid display boosts the streaming and productivity.
- Easy to carry for work or study.
- Smooth performance for gaming & media.
- Easily connect to all your devices.
- Trust in reliable support.
Pros:
- The laptop comes with a beautiful design.
- Light in weight and easy to carry.
- Fast charging support.
- Reliable performance.
Cons:
- Camera quality seems to be a downside
Price: Ranging between £399
4. HP Chromebook Plus 14
The Chromebook Plus series offers a high quality of ChromeOS laptop, and the HP Chromebook Plus 14 is a fine showcase of everything a Chromebook can be. It combines a low price, large specs, and high features.
The laptop comes with a full year of Gemini Advanced included. ChromeOS runs without difficulty on this laptop, and doesn’t have software load and slowdown, and as long as you are almost always connected to the internet, this laptop is the best option if you are looking for one of the best laptops available under £500.
Key features:
- Chromebooks usually last longer on a single charge, sometimes over 12 hours.
- Light-weight Chrome OS and efficient hardware make performance feel brisk even with modest specs.
- Easy to use and manage; ideal if you mainly use Google Workspace, email, and online apps.
- Light, compact, and perfect for students on the go.
Pros:
- Top-notch Google software’s are included.
- Lightweight to carry and speedy.
- Continuously update software.
Cons:
- Limited offline options
Price: About £260
5. Dell Inspiron 15 3520
The Dell Inspiron 15 3520 is one of the go to option in the best laptop under £500 UK category, which combines the blend of performance, functionality, and value.
The laptop is ideal for students, daily users, and any tasks. It is a 15.6-inch laptop designed for modern computing, with reliable real-world performance for work, study, media, and multitasking.
This model often comes in configurations with Core i3 to i5 and even i7 in higher specs, 8 GB or 16 GB of RAM, and fast NVMe SSD storage. It is a perfect combination that is capable of handling everyday workloads smoothly.
Key features:
- Reliable 12th-Gen Intel Processors
- Comes with a large 15.6″ Full HD display
- Ample storage & fast SSD
- Smooth multitasking with 8 GB+ RAMS
- Modern Connectivity & Ports
- Comfortable Keyboard & Numeric Keypad
- Windows 11 & everyday tools
Pros:
- The laptop has solid construction
- Attractive price point
- Narrow screen bezels
Cons:
- No high-end performance
Price: £ 446
Conclusion
The best laptop under £500 in 2026 doesn’t mean that you have to compromise on power or features, but this laptop offers you high-end features at a lower price.
Whether you want a robust performance or a sleek look of the best student laptop UK under £500 for everyone, then follow the guide explored above and choose the best one according to your requirements.