Best Budget Laptops Under $700 (2025)
Looking for a high-quality laptop that fits your budget? Whether you’re a student, a remote worker, or just need a dependable device for everyday tasks, the best budget laptops under $700 in 2025 offer impressive performance, long battery life, and sleek designs, without breaking the bank.
In this guide, we’ve rounded up the best budget laptops under $700 you can buy — each one tested for real-world usability, not just specs on paper.
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Quick Comparison Table
| Laptop | Best For | CPU | RAM | Battery Life | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lenovo Flex 5 | Everyday Productivity | AMD Ryzen 5 | 16GB | ~12 hrs | Check Price |
| HP Pavilion x360 | Convertible Convenience | Intel Core i3 | 8GB | ~11 hrs | Check Price |
| Acer Aspire 3 (A315) | Basic Use & Portability | Ryzen 3 | 8GB | ~16 hrs | Check Price |
| ASUS Vivobook 15 | Best Performance Specs | Intel Core i5 | 16GB | ~8 hrs | Check Price |
Top Picks: Best Budget Laptops Under $700 (2025)
1. Lenovo Flex 5 (14″ 2-in-1)
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 5
- RAM: 16GB
- Storage: 512GB SSD
- Battery Life: ~12 hours
- Weight: 3.3 lbs
Why It’s Great:
The Lenovo Flex 5 continues to dominate the value segment with its impressive specs and 2-in-1 design, all under $700. It’s powerful enough for multitasking, light creative work, and everyday productivity while offering flexibility for note-taking and media consumption.
- 16GB RAM — rare at this price point
- 360° hinge for tablet, tent, and stand modes
- Great keyboard and build quality
- Reliable for school, work, or casual use
2. HP Pavilion x360 (14″ 2-in-1)
- CPU: Intel Core i3
- RAM: 8GB
- Storage: 256GB SSD
- Battery Life: ~11 hours
- Weight: 3.6 lbs
Why It’s Great:
The Pavilion x360 offers a stylish, lightweight chassis with a touchscreen and convertible hinge, making it a top choice for students or anyone who values flexibility. You’ll enjoy reliable day-to-day performance for web browsing, documents, Zoom, and light media editing.
- Convertible design
- Comfortable keyboard for long typing sessions
- Affordable entry into touchscreen laptops
- Good battery life for all-day use
3. Acer Aspire 3 (A315-24P)
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 3 7320U
- RAM: 8GB
- Storage: 128GB SSD
- Battery Life: ~16 hours
- Weight: 3.9 lbs
Why It’s Great:
A fantastic pick for budget-conscious buyers who just need a reliable machine for basic use. While it’s not for power users, the Aspire 3 handles browsing, homework, video calls, and streaming with ease, and does so on a single charge.
- Best-in-class battery life
- Solid build quality at this price
- Great for students, seniors, and casual users
- Exceptional value pick
4. ASUS Vivobook 15 (2024 Model)
- CPU: Intel Core i5
- RAM: 16GB
- Storage: 512GB SSD
- Battery Life: ~8 hours
- Weight: 3.7 lbs
Why It’s Great:
This 2024 Vivobook 15 model is one of the best overall values under $500. It pairs a modern Intel i5 processor with 16GB of RAM and a spacious 512GB SSD — specs rarely seen in this price range. Perfect for students, professionals, and anyone who needs a powerful all-rounder on a budget.
- 16GB RAM and 512GB SSD — exceptional at this price
- Smooth performance for school, work, and daily multitasking
- Modern design and reliable build quality
- Great battery life and generous screen size
What to Look for in the Best Budget Laptops Under $700
A lower price doesn’t have to mean low performance. Here’s how to spot a great laptop deal in 2025 — without overpaying for things you don’t need.
1. Processor (CPU)
Look for modern entry-to-mid-tier chips:
- Intel Core i3 or i5 (12th/13th Gen)
- AMD Ryzen 3 or 5 (5000–7000 series)
These CPUs are efficient and fast enough for schoolwork, video calls, web browsing, and even light creative tools.
2. RAM
- 8GB is the minimum for smooth multitasking in 2025
- 16GB is ideal if you want future-proofing or heavier workloads
Avoid anything with 4GB unless you’re shopping ultra-budget and are comfortable upgrading the RAM later.
3. Storage
- 256GB SSD is the new standard
- 512GB SSD is even better if you store files locally
- SSDs are faster and more reliable than older HDDs — don’t settle for a spinning drive!
4. Battery Life
- Aim for 8+ hours, especially if you’re working away from an outlet
- Many budget AMD laptops now offer 12–16 hours, even in entry-level models
5. Weight & Portability
- Look for a laptop under 4 lbs if you’ll be carrying it daily
- Consider a 13”–14” screen for the best balance between usability and portability
6. Extra Features
- Touchscreen or 2-in-1 design if you like tablet use or drawing
- A backlit keyboard is a nice bonus
- USB-C and Wi-Fi 6 are good signs of future-readiness
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely — many budget laptops under $700 are perfect for students. Just make sure you choose one with at least 8GB of RAM, a modern processor, and an SSD.
Light photo editing or occasional video trimming? Sure. But for serious gaming or video production, look for a higher-end laptop with a dedicated GPU — those typically start around $900+.
Sometimes! A certified refurbished laptop with solid specs can outperform a new budget machine at the same price. Just make sure to buy from trusted sellers with warranties.
On some models, yes—especially those manufactured by Acer and Lenovo—but these models are becoming increasingly rare. Many thin & light laptops have soldered RAM, so double-check before buying if future upgrades matter to you.
Conclusion & Final Recommendation
You don’t need to spend over $1,000 to get a dependable, fast laptop. The best budget laptops under $700 hit the sweet spot between value, reliability, and performance, making them ideal for students, remote workers, or anyone looking for a great everyday machine without breaking the bank.
Recap of Our Top Picks:
- Lenovo Flex 5 — Best overall balance of features and performance
- HP Pavilion x360 — Great convertible for casual use and students
- Acer Aspire 3 — Excellent budget option for basic tasks
- ASUS Vivobook 15 — Best screen and performance combo in this price range
Still not sure? Browse our Laptop Buying Guide or Contact Us for a personalized recommendation!
