Top Budget Laptop Brands for Quality and Value

In today's fast-paced digital world, finding a reliable laptop without breaking the bank is more possible than ever. Budget laptops have evolved significantly, offering impressive performance and features that cater to the needs of students, professionals, and everyday users alike. Brands such as Acer, Lenovo, HP, and ASUS have carved out a niche in the budget segment, providing a range of options that blend affordability with functionality. To help you make an informed choice, we've compiled a list of the top budget laptop brands and their standout models below.

Illustration of budget laptop

Best brands of budget laptop in 2025

Acer

Acer is a leading producer of budget laptops, known for its robust performance and affordability. In 2022, notebooks accounted for 56.9% of Acer's total revenue, highlighting the company's strong presence in the laptop market. Acer's market share in the global PC market was approximately 6.9% in 2023, with a projected increase to 7.2% in 2024. The company's success in the education sector, particularly with its Chromebook offerings, has been crucial in maintaining its market share. Acer's revenue is expected to grow to around $11.2 billion in 2024, driven by the increasing demand for its gaming laptops and monitors. For a detailed overview of Acer's market position and growth, visit their official statistics page.

Lenovo

Lenovo stands as a leading producer of budget laptops, maintaining a strong market presence with a global PC market share of around 24% as of 2023. The company's efforts in boosting sales and innovative product releases have helped it retain its dominant position, even in a slowing PC market. Lenovo's budget-friendly options, such as the IdeaPad Slim 3i Chromebook 14, offer impressive value with features like a sharp 1080p display and up to 13 hours of battery life, all at an affordable price range of $300 to $500. Additionally, Lenovo's investment in R&D, which increased by 30% to $2 billion in 2023, ensures continuous improvement in their products. This commitment to innovation and affordability makes Lenovo a top choice for budget-conscious consumers. For detailed insights on choosing the best laptop for writers, visit Rtings' guide on laptops for writers.

ASUS

ASUS is a prominent player in the laptop market, particularly excelling in the budget and gaming segments. As of the third quarter of 2024, ASUS held a 7.9% market share of global PC unit shipments, showcasing its strong presence. The company's Republic of Gamers (ROG) and TUF Gaming lines are highly regarded, with ROG dominating the gaming laptop market with a significant share. Despite a decline in overall market share in some regions, ASUS experienced a 17% annual growth in Q2 2024, shipping 4.5 million units, highlighting its resilience and innovation. ASUS's budget-friendly options, such as the VivoBook series, offer robust performance at affordable prices.

HP

HP is one of the leading producers of budget laptops, holding a significant market share globally. In 2023, HP maintained a 22.5% global laptop market share and a 26.7% market share in the United States, where it narrowly lost the top position to Dell but still saw an increase in sales and market share compared to 2022. HP's popular models such as Envy, Elitebook, Pavilion, and Omen contribute to its strong market presence. The company's revenue and market share have been steadily increasing, with HP grossing around $50-$60 billion annually. HP's competitive edge in the budget laptop segment is further reinforced by its wide range of affordable and feature-rich models. Learn more about laptop market share.

Dell

Dell is a leading producer of budget laptops, holding a significant market share globally. By the third quarter of 2023, Dell's global laptop market share stood at 17.4%, and it is expected to reach 26.7% by the end of the year. In the U.S., Dell shipped 4.81 million units in the second quarter of 2023, capturing a 26.4% market share. Dell's budget-friendly options, such as the Latitude 3000 series, are popular among education and small business sectors. The company's global shipment of PCs amounted to 64.28 million units in 2023, according to Statista. You can explore their range of laptops on the Dell laptops page.

Microsoft

Microsoft's Surface Go series stands out as a top choice for budget laptops, offering a blend of performance, style, and affordability. The Surface Laptop Go, for instance, features a 10th Gen Intel Core i5 processor, up to 13 hours of battery life, and a lightweight design at just 2.45 lbs, making it ideal for casual business and personal use. The Surface Go 3, with its 12th Gen Intel Core i5-1235U processor and up to 15 hours of battery life, further enhances the series' appeal. These devices are equipped with advanced features like Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0, and dual far-field Studio Mics, ensuring seamless connectivity and communication. With prices starting from $550 for the Surface Laptop Go and $799.99 for the Surface Laptop Go 3, Microsoft provides high-quality options without the high price tag. For more details, visit the Microsoft Surface Laptop Go 3 page.

Gateway

Gateway, a brand now owned by Acer, has reemerged as a notable producer of budget laptops exclusively available at Walmart. The brand, which was once a major competitor to HP and Dell, offers a range of laptops, including Ultra Slim and Creators series, featuring both AMD and Intel processors, starting from as low as $199.99 for the 11.6-inch Ultra Slim Laptop. This move leverages the brand's nostalgic appeal and aims to bolster Acer's market share. The lineup includes various models, such as the 14.1-inch Ultra Slim Laptop with an AMD Ryzen 3 3200U for $429.99 and the 15.6-inch Creators Series Laptop with an Intel i5 and Nvidia 2060 RTX GPU for $1199.99.

Samsung

Samsung, although not a dominant player in the laptop market, offers competitive budget laptops that appeal to a specific segment of consumers. As of 2023, Samsung holds a 2% share of the global laptop market, indicating a niche but significant presence. Their laptops are known for integrating advanced technology, such as high-resolution displays and efficient processors, making them a viable option for those seeking affordable yet capable devices. Despite the relatively small market share, Samsung's laptops have seen growth, particularly in certain regions. However, their overall market influence remains limited compared to major players like Lenovo, HP, and Dell. For more insights on laptop market statistics, please visit the provided link.

CHUWI

CHUWI, although facing some criticism for customer service and product durability, is often considered a budget-friendly option in the laptop market. However, it is crucial to note that the brand has not gained a significant global market share, and issues such as poor customer support and hardware failures have been reported by several users. As of recent years, CHUWI has been investing more deeply in the Chinese laptop market, but it still lags behind major brands like Lenovo, HP, and Dell. Despite this, CHUWI's products are popular for their affordability and feature set, making them a viable choice for budget-conscious consumers. However, potential buyers should be cautious and ensure they purchase from official stores to avoid counterfeit products. More information about their products can be found on their official website.

Honor

HONOR, although primarily known for its smartphones, has been making significant strides in the technology market, including the laptop sector. While it is not yet a major player in the laptop market, HONOR's growth trajectory, particularly in regions like Latin America where it achieved a 7% market share and a 293% year-on-year growth rate in Q1 2024, indicates its potential to become a competitive brand in the budget laptop segment. However, specific data on HONOR's laptop market share and sales are not as readily available as those for its smartphone division. HONOR's success in leveraging Huawei's legacy and achieving triple-digit quarterly growth suggests it could expand its product lines effectively. As of now, HONOR is more recognized for its smartphone achievements, but its growth pattern hints at future possibilities in the laptop market. For more insights, read about the rise of HONOR in Latin America.