Looking for the best laptops for college students under $500? We’ve listed the top affordable laptops that offer great speed, battery life, and reliability for your studies.
These budget-friendly options are perfect for note-taking, research, online classes, and entertainment.
Whether you need a lightweight laptop for travel or one with long battery power, you’ll find the ideal choice here.
Powerful Yet Affordable Laptops for Online Classes and Projects
Save money without sacrificing quality and performance. Explore our top picks to find the best laptop that fits your college needs and budget in 2025.
1. ASUS Vivobook 15.6″ (L510KA-ES04)
The ASUS Vivobook L510KA is a slim and lightweight laptop designed for students who need speed and style on a budget. It features an Intel Celeron processor, 15.6-inch HD display, and long battery life for all-day study sessions.
With Windows 11 and 128GB storage, it’s perfect for browsing, writing papers, and watching videos. Its compact design makes it easy to carry anywhere — an excellent choice for college students under $500.
2. Lenovo IdeaPad 1 Student Laptop
The Lenovo IdeaPad 1 is built for performance and portability. Featuring an Intel Celeron processor, 15.6-inch display, and Windows 11, it delivers reliable speed for everyday tasks.
Ideal for students, it handles school projects, streaming, and web browsing smoothly.
With a lightweight body and long battery life, it’s easy to carry to class or the library. A perfect blend of affordability and performance for college students.
The HP Stream 14 is a smart, budget-friendly laptop for students. Equipped with an Intel Celeron N4120 processor, 14-inch HD display, and 64GB eMMC storage, it’s built for schoolwork, streaming, and online learning.
Its sleek, lightweight design makes it easy to carry, and the long battery life keeps you powered all day.
Pre-installed with Windows 11 and Microsoft 365, it’s ready to handle your assignments right out of the box.
4. HP 250 G9 Business Student Laptop
The HP 250 G9 offers solid performance for students and professionals alike. Powered by an Intel Core i3 processor, it ensures smooth multitasking and quick load times.
The 15.6-inch Full HD display delivers crisp visuals, while its durable design makes it ideal for daily use.
Whether for college classes, online research, or entertainment, this laptop provides great value under $500. Reliable, fast, and ready for productivity on the go.
5. HP Pavilion 15 Touchscreen Laptop
The HP Pavilion Touchscreen Laptop combines smart technology and style. With an Intel Core i3 processor, Full HD touchscreen, and anti-glare display, it’s perfect for students who want interactive performance.
The slim, lightweight design and powerful battery make it great for college life. Enjoy seamless multitasking, smooth video calls, and quick startup times.
A great pick for students looking for both performance and affordability.
6. FUNYET 15.6″ Laptop Computer
The FUNYET 15.6-inch laptop offers excellent value for money. Featuring a fast Intel processor, fingerprint unlock, and full-size keyboard, it’s perfect for students and professionals.
With 512GB SSD and 16GB RAM, it provides smooth multitasking and fast file access. Its stylish, lightweight build makes it ideal for carrying around campus.
This laptop delivers power, performance, and convenience at an affordable price under $500.
The HP Chromebook 14a is the perfect study companion for students who love speed and simplicity.
It runs on ChromeOS for fast performance and easy access to Google apps. With an Intel Celeron processor, 14-inch HD display, and long battery life, it’s great for browsing, note-taking, and video calls.
Lightweight and durable, it’s perfect for learning anywhere. A dependable choice for budget-conscious students.
8. HP Flagship 15.6″ Laptop (AI Copilot Edition)
The HP Flagship Laptop delivers reliable speed and multitasking power with its Intel Core i3 processor.
Featuring a large 15.6-inch HD display and Windows 11, it’s perfect for study, work, or entertainment.
Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connectivity make online classes seamless, while the AI Copilot integration adds smart features for productivity. A sleek, modern design makes it an excellent laptop for students under $500.
The Acer Aspire 3 is built for performance and everyday reliability.
Equipped with an AMD Ryzen 3 processor and 15.6-inch Full HD display, it handles study, browsing, and streaming with ease.
The SSD ensures fast startup and smooth multitasking, while the slim design fits perfectly in any backpack. It’s a great pick for college students who want a durable, fast, and affordable laptop under $500.
10. Lenovo IdeaPad 3 15″ Laptop
The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 offers powerful performance in a compact body.
Powered by an Intel N4020 processor, it’s perfect for students managing schoolwork, research, and video streaming. Its 15.6-inch HD screen and long-lasting battery ensure comfort and productivity all day.
Lightweight and affordable, it’s one of the best laptops for college students who need efficiency without spending too much.
11. SGIN 15.6″ Laptop (Intel N95)
The SGIN 15.6-inch laptop is fast, sleek, and efficient. With an Intel N95 processor, 12GB RAM, and 512GB SSD, it’s perfect for study, business, or entertainment. Its 180° hinge and fingerprint unlock make it both stylish and secure.
Lightweight and portable, this laptop is ideal for students needing strong performance and modern features — all under $500.
12. ANMESC 15.6″ Laptop (N150 Processor)
The ANMESC laptop offers power and practicality in one device. Equipped with a Quad-Core N150 processor, 16GB RAM, and 512GB SSD, it delivers fast and efficient performance for multitasking.
Its slim, lightweight build makes it perfect for students on the move. Enjoy smooth browsing, online learning, and office tasks with ease — an excellent choice for college students under $500.
13. Huidun 15.6″ Business Laptop
The Huidun Business Laptop is built for students and professionals who value performance and portability. With a quad-core processor, 12GB RAM, and 512GB SSD, it ensures smooth and quick operation.
The lightweight design and long battery life make it great for work, study, or travel. Ideal for those who want a reliable and stylish laptop at an affordable price.
14. Lenovo IdeaPad 3 Business Laptop
The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 Business Laptop offers the perfect balance of power and value.
Featuring an Intel i3 processor, 15.6-inch display, and Windows 11, it’s great for students and office use. The ergonomic keyboard, fast SSD, and durable build make studying and multitasking easy.
Affordable, reliable, and stylish — it’s one of the best laptops under $500 for students and professionals.
