The 10 Best Laptops Under $800 in [A Budget Guide in 2022]

The day has come! You’re finally in the market for a new laptop, but there’s just one hitch; your budget looks thin.

It’s a common problem. The best laptops might cost more than you can handle right now.

You need a laptop that can take everything you throw but won’t break the bank. You’re in the right place; Let’s get to it!

The 10 Best Laptops Under $800

Let’s look at the best laptops under 800 dollars you can get!

1) Best Overall: Asus ZenBook 13 Ultra-Slim Laptop

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Features

• 11th-gen Intel Core i5 processor
• Intel Iris Xe Graphics
• Backlit keyboard

It’s helpful to think of $800 as a barrier of sorts. Common sense would say that any laptop under 800 dollars isn’t worth it, and you should go for something more expensive.

But budget laptops are available, and this is the best laptop you can get for its price. This isn’t just a business laptop; It’s flexible enough to do more!

The bevy of features within this laptop has earned it an Intel EVO certification. This is Intel’s way of reminding you that the Zenbook 13 is one of the best laptops under $800 around!

You can also expect a nice, long battery life from this laptop. The EVO certification is rigorous and demands a battery life of at least 9 hours and about 16 hours of video playback.

As another bonus, the Zenbook 13 has a crisp and clear FHD screen. This laptop is bright enough to be used under a gentle sun without hurting your eyes.

It’s hard to imagine a laptop with all these features clocking in at under $800, but Asus has managed it. You can pick up the Zenbook 13 here.

PROS

• Strong and reliable battery life
• Crisp and clear Full HD display

CONS

• Only 8GB of RAM
• Smaller screen size and storage

2) Best Value: Acer Aspire 5

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Features

• A fingerprint sensor for additional security
• 11th-gen Intel core i5 chip
• Expandable HDD slot for more storage

Acer’s Aspire line of machines tends to be more affordable than other laptops, and the Aspire 5 continues this trend! This machine packs dual speakers and a full number pad.

Don’t expect to find Intel UHD graphics in this device; It’s been updated with Intel Iris graphics, making it perfect for more casual gamers.

The Aspire 5 packs a quad-core processor that can handle your daily tasks and quickly load your files. Apart from the CPU, its 15.6-inch screen is also a decent size, so you won’t have to squint.

There’s also no need to worry about your laptop having a double chin. The Aspire’s screen has been refreshed and given a narrow bezel to enjoy more of your device.

This Acer machine also has Intel Iris graphics to complement its screen so you can watch videos at 1080p and 6oFPS online!

However, it’s not quite perfect because of Aspire’s design. Acer has not refreshed the design of this line in a few years, and it shows. You can pick up the Aspire 5 here.

PROS

• It comes with a good selection of USB ports
• Respectable IPS display

CONS

• Relatively weaker battery life
• Old and flat design

3) Best Budget: Microsoft Surface Go 3

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Features

• Intel UHD Graphics
• Intel Pentium Gold processor
• Windows 11 Operating system

The Surface Go 3 is a tablet that aims to deliver affordable laptop-like performance, and it succeeds!

However, keep in mind that this laptop is not built to deliver blazing fast speeds and performance. It’s more like a device for small children and adults with lots of free time.

While the Surface Go 3 is equipped with a full copy of Windows 11, updating this device might take a while, so set this up when you have a free afternoon!

It’s not all doom and gloom; This device is built to be tough and long-lasting and passes those tests with flying colors.

Expect a battery life of about 10 hours while watching online videos. If you want to add more storage to your Surface Go, the storage is upgradeable through the SD card slot.

Unfortunately, this model does not come with any extra accessories, so it’s a tablet until you pick up a keyboard. You can pick up a Surface Go 3 here.

PROS

• Very lightweight and affordable
• Exceptional performance in a small package

CONS

• Inadequate storage capacity
• It does not come with any extra accessories

4) Lenovo Ideapad 3

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Features

• 11th-gen Intel core i5
• Intel Iris Xe graphics
• Full-sized SD card reader

The Ideapad 3 has always been a good laptop, and this refresh helps bring this classic ultrabook into the modern day. This little clamshell laptop has a timeless design that offers impressive connectivity!

You won’t be starved for ports with Ideapad 3 because it has practically 1 of everything: 1 HDMI port, 1 Type-C port, and a USB A port. It’s also Bluetooth-capable.

Moving on from the ports, the new Ideapad comes with a nice and wide Full HD IPS display. You’ll be able to enjoy your favorite content creators on this 15.6-inch screen.

Depending on your configuration, you can get a unit with up to 32GB of system memory and 2TB of storage space. As a bonus, the storage of the Ideapad is now a speedy SSD.

Say goodbye to long loading times with this laptop! You can expect smooth performance during your day-to-day tasks thanks to the Ideapad 3’s powerful processor.

You can get an IdeaPad 3 here.

PROS

• It comes with an excellent selection of ports
• 720p Webcam comes with a privacy shutter

CONS

• No upgradable storage
• Screen brightness is slightly lacking

5) Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5

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Features

• AMD Ryzen 7 4700U
• 64-bit Windows 10 operating system
• Full HD IPS display

If you want a versatile touchscreen laptop under $800, then the Flex 5 is ideal for you! While other laptop models like Yoga may have more features, the IdeaPad Flex is simple and clean!

This is a full-AMD laptop, so don’t expect an Intel Core chip inside this 2-in-1. Its built-in Ryzen 7 CPU has more cores, meaning it has more processing power to get you through the day faster!

Not only is the Flex 5 fast and powerful, but it’s also extremely slim for a laptop. You won’t have trouble slipping this touchscreen into your backpack with a thickness of less than an inch.

A single charge will give you about 8 hours of light use. If you’re using this device at home, you can keep the charger out of sight, out of mind!

Radeon graphics. Battery life. This laptop has a lot to offer under the hood, despite its very affordable price! You can pick up an IdeaPad Flex 5 here.

PROS

• Ideal for use in tablet, tent, or clamshell mode
• Clear IPS touchscreen

CONS

• It doesn’t come bundled with the Lenovo active pen
• The 250 nits brightness is too dim

6) Acer Nitro 5

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Features

• Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050 graphics card
• 11th-gen Intel Core i5 chip
• Supports Windows 11 OS

Now it’s time to look at some budget gaming laptops! The Acer Nitro 5 features an entry-level NVidia Geforce card inside, so it’ll do the job if you need it for graphic-intensive tasks.

A word of warning if you intend to bring this on the go a lot: This laptop is fairly heavy. Weighing in at 5.07lbs without the power brick, the Nitro 5 is far from the lightest laptop.

However, it’s perfectly competent as gaming laptops under $800 go! Its quad-core processor will be able to load your games at a decent speed.

You won’t be running the latest and greatest like Cyberpunk 2077‘s 1.5 patches with maxed-out graphics, but you’ll be able to run Tiny Tina’s Wonderlands on medium settings at a smooth frame rate.

But what if you want to turn off your games and do some work? This gaming laptop will keep up perfectly well!

The specs on this device will be able to handle the Microsoft office suite just as well as the latest games. You can get the Nitro 5 here.

PROS

• Will provide AAA gaming on a budget!
• Punches up in terms of refresh rate and screen quality

CONS

• The plastic chassis undercuts its performance
• Subpar battery life

7) Dell Inspiron 15

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Features

• Full-featured Windows 10
• 11th-gen Intel core i5
• Classic reliable Dell build quality

Now let’s take a look at a budget Dell laptop! Dell laptops aren’t usually offered at approachable prices, but this trusty Inspiron is an outlier.

The Inspiron 15 3000 is a very non-descript laptop; It’s boxy with a dark chassis and sports a fairly dull logo on its top. But for what this device lacks in flair, it makes up for in reliability.

With a quad-core processor, this laptop can boost from a base of 2.4 GHz up to 4.2GHz. That’s a decent speed for a mobile processor and will be enough for daily tasks.

The Inspiron 15 3000 also has a full Number pad as an unusual bonus. This device is ideal for you if your work involves many fast-paced numbers.

There’s just one issue. I’m not a fan of the small amount of storage inside this laptop. 256GB isn’t much to talk about, especially after subtracting some space for Windows 10.

If you pick up this device and run into a storage issue, you can upgrade the storage with an SSD, but that will cost you extra. You can pick up an Inspiron 15 3000 here.

PROS

• Excellent selection of ports
• Stays cool even under heavy loads

CONS

• Fairly inadequate storage capacity
• non-backlit keyboard

8) Acer Swift 3

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Features

• Fingerprint sensor
• 11th-gen Intel core i7
• Intel EVO-certified

This budget laptop features best-in-class specs for its price and offers incredible value. The fingerprint sensor below the keyboard allows for easier unlocking and is great for added security.

This Swift model packs a massive and responsive touchpad, which will please users who don’t have the space or budget for an external mouse.

Its processor is also designed to hit faster speeds, with a max clock speed of 4.7GHz. If you’re swamped with tasks, you’ll be glad for the speed of the Swift 3’s processor.

Outside of work, the Swift 3 excels too. With its 3:2 aspect ratio, you’ll be able to enjoy your quality screen more. Keep in mind that it has an unusual resolution of 2256×1504.

Despite its excellent IPS display, it’s smaller than the other laptops featured at 13.5 inches. But if that doesn’t bother you, it’s clear and bright enough for indoor use.

You can pick up the Swift 3 here.

PROS

• Excellent price-to-performance ratio
• Sturdy magnesium-aluminum alloy chassis

CONS

• Users report a much shorter battery life than advertised
• Soldered and non-upgradeable RAM

9) Lenovo Ideapad L340

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Features

• Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 graphics card
• 9th-gen Intel Core i5 chip
• Backlit keyboard

The idea of a gaming laptop under $800 is almost like a pipe dream. But you don’t have to dream with Ideapad L340!

This uniquely designed laptop will give you a decent gaming experience while playing lighter games, thanks to its Intel Core i5 chip and 16-series Nvidia GPU.

You get a fairly good, but a bit basic, selection of ports. Unfortunately, every port is located exclusively on the left side of the device, and the lone USB-C port does not support charging.

I just have a slight issue with the touchpad. Since it doesn’t have dedicated mouse buttons, the bottom half of the panel serves as the left and right mouse buttons.

However, the buttons aren’t too sensitive, so clicking down on them causes the touchpad to rattle in its frame. I suggest getting an external mouse if you choose this laptop.

This Lenovo device has a tactile keyboard with nice wide keys and a full keyboard, but using it for too long is a reminder of the plastic chassis.

You can pick up an Ideapad L340 here.

PROS

• The keyboard comes with a Numpad
• Upgradable to 16GB of RAM memory

CONS

• Build quality is not top-of-the-line
• Small storage space

10) MSI GF63 Thin

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Features

• Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 Max-Q graphics
• 9th-gen Intel Core i5 chip
• MSI Cooler Boost technology

The GF63 Thin is a competitively-priced gaming laptop from MSI with a subtler design and enduring internals.

This gaming machine has two different laptop models available with different Intel processors. If you can level up your budget, you can pick up the Intel core i7 version.

You might wonder about the graphics card. Not to worry, because this NVidia GeForce GTX chip is still fast enough to handle modern games!

Moving from under the hood to up top, the GF63 Thin has a pleasantly springy keyboard that doesn’t require much force to register. The touchpad is also quick and responsive.

Be careful when handling this device because it collects smudges and fingerprints fairly quickly. Make sure you have clean hands before sitting down to use this!

Unfortunately, the screen quality is also quite lackluster. It packs a TN display with a max brightness of less than 250nits.

Remember to stay in a well-lit environment when using this gaming laptop. You can pick up the GF63 Thin here.

PROS

• Snappy and pleasant keyboard travel time
• Lightweight but not flimsy-feeling

CONS

• The screen is fairly dim
• Chassis attracts fingerprints

Frequently Asked Questions

Learn more about the best budget laptops here!

Is It Possible to Get a Full HD Display Screen With Laptops Under $800?

Definitely! Technology has made fair progress in the last few years, and a Full HD display should ideally be the baseline for any decent laptop out there.

A laptop’s “display resolution” refers to how many pixels the laptop can produce well. In case you’re a little overwhelmed by the many kinds of screens available, here’s a quick guide:

• HD is 1366×768 pixels
• FHD is 1920×1080 pixels
• QHD is 2560×1440 pixels
• 4K is 3840×2160 pixels

More pixels mean a sharper and clearer image but note that higher resolutions will naturally look better on larger screens.

There’s also the kind of display to consider. Within the range of $800, you should expect to see plenty of TN and IPS displays.

If you intend to use your laptop for photo and video editing, you’ll want to snag one with an IPS display. These kinds of screens are sharper and brighter than TN displays.

What Is the Best Laptop Under $700?

No worries if your budget isn’t enough for some of these laptops! Some of them are more budget-friendly than others.

Here are the best laptops under $700:

• Lenovo Ideapad Flex 5
• Acer Aspire 5
• Microsoft Surface Go 3
• Lenovo Ideapad 3
• Dell Inspiron 15 3000

How Long Will My Laptop Last?

A brand new device should last for an average of 3 years before requiring any repairs or upgrades to its parts. A gaming laptop will feel outdated faster as newer tech is released.

Any laptops that last for more than 5 years will eventually need a thorough cleaning to prevent dust and possibly to repaste buildup to help keep temperatures low.

When buying a new laptop, you should consider how long you expect it to last. Check for reviews that mention the specific brand you’re looking at and their general reputation.

Brands like Dell and Asus tend to make physically tougher laptops, so if you think your device will see a lot of movement and fairly rough handling, go for their brands.

Acer and Lenovo generally make laptops out of flimsier materials, so they’re more suited for long periods of indoor use.

Which Laptop Specs Should I Prioritize?

I won’t sugarcoat it. It’ll be difficult to find an incredible laptop under 800. However, depending on what you need it for, some specs can be skimped on or even ignored entirely.

Remember that all the features mentioned here are more general than specific and will change depending on your needs!

I’ll split this quick guide into 2 divisions: Creative/Gaming laptops and Business/Productivity laptops.

Gaming Laptop

You’ll need lots of storage space, a strong graphics card, and a powerful processor for both gaming and video editing processor.

Aim for an 8th-gen Intel Core i7-chip and an NVidia GeForce GTX graphics card for a good gaming experience. You’ll also need a minimum of 8GB of RAM memory.

If you can spare the budget, go for a 20- or even 30-series NVidia GeForce RTX card. They’re stronger and faster than the GTX line.

Battery life may not be a great concern since you likely won’t be moving around too much.

Productivity/Business Laptop

Like the gaming section above, you’ll want to pick up a laptop with at least an 8th-gen Intel Core i7 chip. If your budget is tight, a 9th-gen Intel Core i5 chip will do fine too.

The best laptop can handle work and play, but your budget might be unable to handle that. If you want a decent gaming experience, find a model with Intel iris graphics and at least 8GB of RAM.

Prioritize battery life if you won’t have time to plug in. Look for a backlit keyboard if you’ll be working in a low-light environment or under the sun.

Which Laptop Specs Are Non-Negotiable?

Above I discussed 2 specific use cases, but some specs are essential regardless of what you’ll be using your laptop for.

In this section, I’ll discuss those vital features you should be on the lookout for.

CPU

I would advise getting at least an Intel Core i5 chip, but recent Intel Core i3 chips are also perfectly competent. Aim for an 11th- or 12th-gen chip if you decide to get an i3-based laptop.

If your budget is more flexible, look for a device with an i7 chip.

A faster CPU is the first step to a speedier laptop, but it’s not the only thing you need to watch out for!

Storage And RAM

Your CPU will need to pair up with your storage and RAM to pull up files and load them even faster.

Most of the laptops I’ve covered here are packed with NVMe SSDs with a good read and write speeds. But the amount of storage is also important!

Find a device with at least 256GB of storage so you can future-proof it for longer. 256GB of storage will be able to hold around 50,000 photos, so it’s a decent amount.

8GB is the baseline for RAM.Anything less will struggle with basic tasks, but getting more than 8GB will benefit you regardless of what your laptop is for.

Battery Life

A fresh-out-of-the-box laptop should have a battery life of 9 hours. This is almost more than a full day’s worth of work, so it’s a good baseline to strive for.

With time you can expect your laptop’s battery to get weaker with constant use, but that shouldn’t be an issue until a few years later.

Summary

Here are the best picks on this list!

Best Budget: Microsoft Surface Go 3

It may not be a gaming laptop, but it’s got enough processing power for daily tasks, which counts! The Surface Go 3 will require additional accessories to be a better device.

However, if you intend to use it for light leisure tasks and online schooling for your kids, the device will do a fine job!

Best Value: Acer Aspire 5

All-metal, light, and slim, not to mention that gorgeously clear screen! The Aspire’s look and chassis have been revamped and improved.

The IPS display and Intel’s Iris Xe graphics will make using this laptop for light graphical workloads pleasant. Just remember to upgrade the storage capacity after a few years!

Best Overall: Asus ZenBook 13 Ultra-Slim Laptop

Sleek and stylish everywhere it counts! The Zenbook 13 is perfect for high-powered professionals who expect to move from floor to floor.

You’ll also end up praising this Asus laptop’s battery life and snappy performance when you have a full day of meetings and no time to charge up.

Best Laptops Under 800 Dollars: Conclusion

The perfect laptop will depend on what you need it for; Other laptop models will offer exactly what you need, and some features will seem irrelevant to you.

These laptops under 800 dollars are light on your wallet for those who want to stay light on their feet!