Because there are a lot of cheap laptops that aren't worth it, try not to make rash decisions when buying. Use these picks to sort through the competition. This advice is based on our years of testing and review experience if you want to continue your budget laptop hunt on your own.

Not sure what to look for in a good budget laptop? Jump to the buying advice right below our recommendations.

If you're searching for a laptop under $500, we've tested and reviewed the best budget laptops you can buy right now. You'll have to hit a good sale or pick up a refurbished one to get a MacBook for less. Also, you won't find any current MacBooks at these prices: a new entry-level MacBook Air is $1,000. Otherwise, you may need to spend closer to $700 to get a laptop that'll last several years. So while it's possible to find a good laptop under $500, you may need to shop around and wait for a discount. With fewer chips available, PC makers made more midrange and premium laptops than lower-end models to handle essential, day-to-day tasks. The chip shortages of the past couple of years have made finding a good budget-friendly laptop a little trickier.

The best budget laptop models can handle all your everyday tasks like checking emails, scrolling through social media, typing up documents and more, and they can be available for less than $500. When picking out the best laptop for your budget, you don't want to spend big money on features you don't need.

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