Finding a good laptop under $700 is easier than ever in 2025. The market offers many options with enough power for everyday tasks like browsing, video streaming, and office work.
Budget laptops have improved dramatically, with better processors, more RAM, and faster storage than models from just a few years ago.
We’ve found that most people shopping in this price range need a reliable machine for school, remote work, or home use. The Acer Swift 3 stands out as our top pick, offering an impressive balance of performance and portability without breaking the bank.
For under $700, you can get a laptop that will serve you well for several years.
When shopping for a budget laptop, pay attention to four key factors: processor (aim for at least an Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5), RAM (8GB minimum), storage type (SSD is much faster than HDD), and build quality.
Many cheap laptops cut corners with flimsy plastic cases or dim, low-resolution screens. We tested fifteen popular models under $700 to find ones that deliver the best overall experience.
Best Laptops Under $700
Finding a great laptop that won’t break the bank can be challenging. We’ve researched and tested dozens of models to bring you the best laptops under $700 that offer excellent performance, good build quality, and useful features.
Our picks balance power, portability, and value to help you find the perfect computer for work, school, or everyday use.
HP 14 Laptop
The HP 14 offers impressive portability and decent features for everyday tasks at under $700, making it an excellent budget choice for students and casual users.
Pros
- Thin, lightweight design perfect for on-the-go use
- Almost 11.5 hours of battery life with fast charging
- Includes one-year Microsoft 365 subscription
Cons
- Limited 64GB storage fills up quickly
- 4GB RAM struggles with multitasking
- Basic HD display lacks crispness for media
We recently spent time testing this HP 14 laptop, and it’s a solid entry-level option if you need something affordable and portable. The snowflake white design looks clean and professional.
What impressed us most was how light it felt in our backpack during commutes – at just over 3 pounds, it’s noticeably easier to carry than bulkier laptops.
The micro-edge display makes the 14-inch screen feel larger than it actually is. We appreciated the thin bezels that maximize viewing area during our daily use.
While watching videos, we noticed the HD resolution isn’t spectacular, but it’s perfectly adequate for browsing, document work, and casual streaming.
Battery life stands out as a major strength. We got through entire workdays without needing to plug in, typically reaching around 10-11 hours with regular use.
The fast charging feature saved us several times when we forgot to charge overnight – just 45 minutes gave us enough power to last through morning meetings.
Performance is where the compromises show. The Intel Celeron processor handled basic tasks well enough, but we experienced some lag when attempting to run multiple programs simultaneously.
Web browsing with several tabs open caused occasional stuttering. For email, Microsoft Office work, and Netflix streaming, it performed adequately.
Storage space filled up faster than expected with the 64GB eMMC drive. After installing Windows updates and a few essential apps, we had to rely heavily on cloud storage.
If you work primarily with online tools like Google Docs or Office 365 (which comes included), this won’t be a major issue.
The keyboard feels comfortable for typing, with good key travel for a budget laptop. We typed several long documents without discomfort.
The touchpad is responsive enough, though not as smooth as what you’d find on premium models.
Jumper EZbook S7Hi Laptop
The Jumper EZbook S7Hi offers impressive performance and storage for everyday computing needs at a budget-friendly price under $700.
Pros
- Lightning-fast 12GB RAM with huge 640GB storage
- Crystal clear 15.6-inch FHD IPS display
- Excellent connectivity options with multiple USB ports
Cons
- Battery life could be better
- Speakers are decent but not exceptional
- Celeron processor may struggle with heavy gaming
We recently got our hands on this Jumper laptop and were genuinely surprised by its performance. The combination of 12GB RAM and 640GB storage (128GB EMMC + 512GB SSD) made everyday tasks a breeze.
We opened multiple browser tabs, ran Office applications, and streamed videos simultaneously without any noticeable lag.
The display quality caught our attention immediately. The 15.6-inch FHD IPS screen delivers crisp, vibrant colors that make both work and entertainment enjoyable.
The anti-glare coating is a thoughtful touch that reduced eye strain during our long testing sessions. The narrow bezels give it a modern look that belies its budget price tag.
Connectivity is another strong point of this laptop. We connected our external devices using the two USB 3.0 ports and the Type-C port without issues.
The Mini HDMI port came in handy when we needed to present content on a larger screen. Wi-Fi performance was reliable with the dual-band capability (2.4G/5G) maintaining stable connections throughout our testing.
Windows 11 runs smoothly on this machine, and we appreciated the clean setup without excessive bloatware.
The Intel Celeron 5305U processor (2.3GHz) handled everyday computing tasks well, though it’s not designed for intensive gaming or video editing. For web browsing, document work, and video streaming, it’s more than capable.
The keyboard feels comfortable for typing, and the trackpad responds accurately to gestures. We also liked the full-size layout that includes a numeric keypad, which is useful for data entry.
The build quality is solid for a laptop in this price range, with minimal flex in the chassis.
Acer Aspire 3 Slim Laptop
This affordable Acer laptop delivers impressive performance for everyday tasks while maintaining a sleek design that’s perfect for students and casual users on a budget.
Pros
- Lightweight, thin design makes it extremely portable
- Crisp, clear 15.6″ Full HD IPS display with narrow bezels
- Fast performance for everyday tasks with AMD Ryzen 3 processor
Cons
- Limited 128GB storage fills up quickly
- No backlit keyboard for nighttime use
- Speakers produce average sound quality
We recently tested the Acer Aspire 3, and it’s a solid contender in the under-$700 laptop market. The slim silver body feels surprisingly premium for its price point.
At just under 4 pounds, we had no trouble carrying it around all day in a backpack.
The 15.6″ Full HD display really impressed us during testing. Colors look vibrant, and the IPS panel provides good viewing angles. The narrow bezels give it a modern look while maximizing screen space.
We watched a few episodes of our favorite shows, and the picture quality was excellent for a budget laptop.
Performance-wise, the AMD Ryzen 3 7320U processor handled our daily workload without issues. We had multiple browser tabs open while working on documents and the laptop stayed responsive.
The 8GB of LPDDR5 memory helps keep things running smoothly for most tasks.
Battery life proved solid in our tests, lasting around 8-9 hours with normal use. This is plenty for a full day of work or classes. The laptop also stayed relatively cool during extended use, thanks to the improved thermal system.
The 128GB SSD does fill up quickly. We recommend either being selective about what you install or buying an external drive for extra storage.
The keyboard feels comfortable for typing, though we missed having backlighting when working in dimmer environments.
Wi-Fi 6 connectivity is a nice bonus at this price point. We experienced fast, stable internet connections even in areas with several devices competing for bandwidth.
The webcam quality is decent for video calls, especially with Acer’s noise reduction technology.
Lenovo V15 Business Laptop
The Lenovo V15 offers incredible value with its massive RAM and storage capacity, making it one of the best sub-$700 laptops for everyday productivity and multitasking.
Pros
- Huge 32GB RAM and 1TB SSD storage
- Comfortable 15.6″ Full HD display
- Excellent battery life (up to 11.5 hours)
Cons
- Intel Celeron processor isn’t ideal for demanding tasks
- Somewhat heavy at 3.75 pounds
- Non-backlit keyboard limits use in dim lighting
We’ve been testing the Lenovo V15 for a couple weeks now, and it’s clear this laptop punches above its price class in several ways.
The 32GB of RAM is almost unheard of at this price point, allowing us to keep dozens of browser tabs open alongside multiple applications without a hint of slowdown.
The 1TB SSD provides lightning-quick boot times and plenty of storage for documents, photos, and even video files. We particularly appreciated how quickly files transfer and applications launch compared to other budget laptops we’ve used.
The 15.6-inch anti-glare display delivers crisp visuals that remain visible even in bright rooms.
Battery life has been a pleasant surprise. During our testing, we regularly got through an entire workday without needing to plug in.
The port selection is also quite generous, including multiple USB ports, HDMI, and even an Ethernet jack – something increasingly rare on modern laptops.
While the Celeron N5100 processor handles everyday tasks well, it does show its limitations with more demanding applications like video editing or gaming. We noticed some lag when trying to edit photos or play anything beyond simple games.
The laptop’s weight also makes it a bit less portable than some ultralight options.
The audio quality from the Dolby-enhanced speakers impressed us during video calls and while streaming content. The privacy shutter on the webcam is a thoughtful touch for those concerned about security.
Windows 11 Pro runs smoothly and provides additional management features compared to the Home edition.
HP 255 G10 Thin and Light Laptop
The HP 255 G10 offers exceptional value with its powerful Ryzen 3 processor, ample storage, and business-ready features, making it our top recommendation for budget-conscious shoppers seeking a reliable laptop under $700.
Pros
- Impressive 16GB RAM and 1TB SSD for smooth multitasking
- Lightweight, portable design with slim profile
- Windows 11 Pro pre-installed with business features
Cons
- No ethernet port for wired connections
- Average battery life during heavy use
- Speakers could be louder for media consumption
We recently tested the HP 255 G10, and it’s a solid workhorse that won’t break the bank. The laptop feels surprisingly premium despite its budget-friendly price point. Its silver finish looks professional, and the chassis is sturdy enough to withstand daily commuting.
We especially appreciated how light it felt in our backpack when moving between meetings.
Typing on the keyboard is comfortable with good key travel, and the numeric keypad is a welcome addition for spreadsheet work. The 15.6-inch Full HD display delivers crisp visuals with decent color accuracy for the price range.
We found the screen brightness adequate for indoor use, though it does struggle a bit in very bright environments.
Performance is where this laptop truly shines. The AMD Ryzen 3 7330U processor handled our everyday tasks with ease. We ran multiple Chrome tabs, Word documents, and Excel spreadsheets simultaneously without any noticeable slowdown. The 16GB of RAM makes a huge difference compared to other budget laptops that typically offer just 8GB.
The 1TB SSD provides ample storage for documents, photos, and even a modest collection of videos. Apps open quickly, and the system boots in seconds.
Windows 11 Pro is a nice bonus at this price point, offering additional security features and business functionality not found in the Home edition.
Wi-Fi 6 connectivity proved reliable during our testing, maintaining strong connections even in areas with multiple networks. Though we do wish it had an ethernet port for those situations where a wired connection is preferred.
Battery life is decent but not extraordinary. We got about 6-7 hours of regular work before needing to recharge. For a typical workday, you’ll want to keep the charger handy.
HP 255 G10 Thin and Light Laptop
The HP 255 G10 offers exceptional value with its powerful Ryzen 3 processor, ample storage, and business-ready features, making it our top recommendation for budget-conscious shoppers seeking a reliable laptop under $700.
Pros
- Impressive 16GB RAM and 1TB SSD for smooth multitasking
- Lightweight, portable design with slim profile
- Windows 11 Pro pre-installed with business features
Cons
- No ethernet port for wired connections
- Average battery life during heavy use
- Speakers could be louder for media consumption
We recently tested the HP 255 G10, and it’s a solid workhorse that won’t break the bank. The laptop feels surprisingly premium despite its budget-friendly price point. Its silver finish looks professional, and the chassis is sturdy enough to withstand daily commuting.
We especially appreciated how light it felt in our backpack when moving between meetings.
Typing on the keyboard is comfortable with good key travel, and the numeric keypad is a welcome addition for spreadsheet work. The 15.6-inch Full HD display delivers crisp visuals with decent color accuracy for the price range.
We found the screen brightness adequate for indoor use, though it does struggle a bit in very bright environments.
Performance is where this laptop truly shines. The AMD Ryzen 3 7330U processor handled our everyday tasks with ease. We ran multiple Chrome tabs, Word documents, and Excel spreadsheets simultaneously without any noticeable slowdown. The 16GB of RAM makes a huge difference compared to other budget laptops that typically offer just 8GB.
The 1TB SSD provides ample storage for documents, photos, and even a modest collection of videos. Apps open quickly, and the system boots in seconds.
Windows 11 Pro is a nice bonus at this price point, offering additional security features and business functionality not found in the Home edition.
Wi-Fi 6 connectivity proved reliable during our testing, maintaining strong connections even in areas with multiple networks. Though we do wish it had an ethernet port for those situations where a wired connection is preferred.
Battery life is decent but not extraordinary. We got about 6-7 hours of regular work before needing to recharge. For a typical workday, you’ll want to keep the charger handy.
Buying Guide
Finding the right laptop under $700 means looking at several key features. We’ve put together this guide to help you make a smart choice without breaking the bank.
Processor Power
The processor (CPU) is the brain of your laptop. For everyday use, look for at least an Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5. These give you enough power for most tasks without costing too much.
Pro Tip: 10th generation Intel or newer will give you better performance and battery life.
Memory (RAM)
RAM lets your computer run multiple programs at once. We recommend at least 8GB of RAM for a smooth experience. If you can find a model with 16GB in this price range, that’s even better.
Storage Options
Look for laptops with SSD (Solid State Drive) storage. They’re much faster than traditional hard drives. 256GB is good for basic use, but 512GB gives you more room for files and programs.
| Component | Minimum Specs | Recommended Specs |
| Processor | Intel Core i3/AMD Ryzen 3 | Intel Core i5/AMD Ryzen 5 |
| RAM | 4GB | 8GB or 16GB |
| Storage | 128GB SSD | 256GB or 512GB SSD |
Display Quality
Screen size and resolution matter. A 14-inch or 15.6-inch display works well for most people. Look for at least 1080p (Full HD) resolution for clear images and text.
Battery life is crucial if you plan to use your laptop on the go. We suggest looking for at least 6 hours of real-world battery life.
Ports and Connectivity
Check for USB ports (both USB-A and USB-C), HDMI, and an SD card reader if you need them.
Good WiFi (at least WiFi 5, but WiFi 6 is better) will keep you connected reliably.