Whether you need a portable notebook for casual work or a powerful machine for gaming and office use, our pick of the best budget laptops for working from home helps you to get the best bang for your buck.
Work from home can be tedious, and without a suitable machine, it makes things even worse. Typical remote work is filled with continuous Zoom Meetings, web surfing, or creating PowerPoint presentations. So, you need a laptop that can accomplish all of these without breaking a sweat. It is by far the best choice.
When you start your laptop purchasing journey, you need to know your work requirement and what types of software you will work on.
A laptop that is ideal for journalists might not be a great choice for a developer. Therefore Identifying your needs can make your buying journey much more straightforward. Once you know what you need, then go after other specs such as Processor, RAM, and graphics.
But, not everyone knows these hardware units and how powerful they are, so to make things easier, we’ve curated a list of the best budget laptops for working from home.
Best Budget Laptops For Working From Home In 2022
1) Lenovo Ideapad 3
- Display :- 14 Inch display with 1920 X 1080 pixels
- Processor :- AMD Ryzen 5 5500U
- Graphics :- AMD Radeon Graphics
- RAM :- 8 GB
- Storage :- 256 GB SSD
- Webcam :- 720p Camera
One of the best reasons to include the Lenovo Ideapad 3 in this list is not just that it has a beautiful design, good battery life, and a gorgeous display – but it’s the price that stands out.
At $500, you’ll get a much faster and more power-efficient notebook compared to their counterpart which gives the same specs except by charging an extra $150 or more.
This ultrabook is fueled by a mighty AMD Ryzen 5 5500U processor that can handle everything you throw at it. Ideapad 3 comes with a 14-inch display panel and a resolution of 1920 X 1080 pixels. It looks bright and colorful, though not the brightest we’ve seen on some other budget laptop from Lenovo.
The AMD-powered processor can easily stack up against your routine task filled with Zoom meetings, running dozens of Chrome tabs and Spreadsheet work. But, if you like to play heavy games then it has its flaws.
Lenovo provides an integrated AMD Radeon 7 graphics card that can handle entry-level games like Minecraft and Roblox by giving a smooth and reliable gaming experience. Under the hood, it comes with Windows 11 Home version.
Another triumph of the laptop is its Wireless connectivity which features Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth 5.0 to give you a seamless and latency-free internet connection. There is one HD webcam with a privacy shutter – important during the era of work from home. The battery is also good and gives you up to 6 hours of continuous power without needing an adapter.
Lenovo Ideapad 3 is our go-to pick for those who need a solid performable device with tremendous potential and most importantly that won’t cost an arm and a leg.
2) HP 14
- Display :- 14 Inch display with 1920 X 1080 pixels
- Processor :- Ryzen 5 5500U
- Graphics :- AMD Radeon 7 Graphics
- RAM :- 8 GB
- Storage :- 256 GB SSD
- Webcam :- 720p Camera
HP 14 is a portable machine suitable for your daily activities and scouring the internet. It defaults run by Windows 11 OS and by changing some bios settings you can install any operating system.
The 14-inch screen is suitable for watching movies, writing or editing documents, and basic multitasking. If you find 14-inch small then there is a 15-inch version available (comes in a bit).
It is driven by a powerful AMD Ryzen 5 5500U processor and pairs with integrated AMD Radeon Graphics to deliver stunning performance while you play entry-level games or run multiple apps simultaneously. It won’t hang or get loud. The silver design looks bold and gives this ultrabook a portable look. However, it is not durable compared to the Lenovo Ideapad 3.
This ultrabook has one major flaw in terms of battery life. When you continue work on your project it will give you just four hours of battery back up. If you work from home this might not be a problem for you, but for those who need a cheap laptop with long battery life, this will be disappointing. HP does allow you to charge this machine up to 50% in just 45 minutes, but cannot justify the low battery life.
The base model comes with an 8 GB memory rig and 256 GB SSD, you can expand both memory and storage in the future whenever you find it necessary.
To sum up, HP 14 is good on performance and portability, but it runs on a very short battery so you need to carry a charger around all the time.
3) HP 15
- Display :- 15.6 Inch display with 1920 X 1080 pixels
- Processor :- 11th generation i5-1135G7
- Graphics :- Integrated Intel Graphics
- RAM :- 8 GB
- Storage :- 256 GB SSD
- Webcam :- 720p Camera
If you like a big screen but don’t want to put pressure on your shoulders then HP 15 is the sweet spot between a 14-inch and a 17-inch screen.
This ultrabook is designed strictly for office and professional use. With its HD webcam, Full-sized keyboard, and stunning display, you can take your productivity to the next level.
It has the same look and feels as HP 14, there is not much difference between these two except the screen size and processor unit. Unlike HP 14 this ultrabook runs on the latest 11th generation i5-1135G7 processor that can tackle all routine work along with some basic editing tasks. But, don’t expect too much from it. The i5 processor pairs with an integrated Intel Xe graphics card to deliver vivid and crisp images.
The 15.6-inch screen will give you a pleasant late-night movie experience, but it is not suitable for outside usage. As with any budget notebook, it has a dim display with a limited color gamut.
Coming to the memory, HP shipped it with 8 GB RAM and 256 GB SSD with empty slots for future expansion. The keyboard is relatively good and gives instant feedback when you type fast.
What we most like about this machine is its battery life that lasts up to 7 hours on normal usage. If you do heavy work (Graphics editing or 10 applications run at once) then you might run out of battery in just 4 hours.
Overall, HP 15 is the best bargain in terms of performance battery life, if you need a laptop for professional use then this is one of the best budget laptops for working from home you can get.
4) Acer Aspire 5
- Display :- 15.6 Inch FHD Display
- Processor :- 11th generation i5-1135G7
- Graphics :- Integrated Intel Graphics
- RAM :- 8 GB
- Storage :- 256 GB SSD
- Webcam :- 720p
Acer Aspire 5 is strictly for those who put performance above power. This machine is designed for power users who have a limited budget but want a serious machine that can hold against regular heavy tasks.
Surely, the Aspire 5 is an old-school laptop, and it doesn’t have the best notebook look, design, or even thin bezels, but what makes it stand out from the crown is its performance. You can edit videos, run dozens of apps simultaneously or just surf the internet, it will not sneeze or freeze during computing.
Acer has coveted the machine with solid build and best suitable for business usage. There are some decent ports to connect for extra accessories and an external monitor. The trackpad feels smooth and supports all windows gestures, so scrolling the Kindle Ebook or webpage would be a great experience.
Further, the webcam delivers decent images and gets the job done for your emergency Zoom meetings. We hope that Acer can make the webcam even better to meet the work from home requirements.
The processor is fueled by an 11th generation i5-1135G7 unit and makes your laptops run smoothly. While 256 GB NVMe SSD ensures notebooks boot up fast and launch programs quickly. You’ll also get 8GB of memory.
The keys please to type and give tactical feedback when you play for a long period. Not to mention, Backlit keyboard technology.
There are some drawbacks such as low battery life, mediocre display brightness, and limited ports. But, you’ll get lots of other things for the price you pay.
With its decent IPS screen and unmatched performance, Acer Aspire 5 is arguably one of the best budget laptops for working from home.
5) Asus Vivobook 14
- Display :- 15.6 Inch display with 1920 X 1080 pixels
- Processor :- 11th generation i5-1115G4
- Graphics :- Intel UHD Graphics
- RAM :- 8 GB
- Storage :- 256 GB SSD
- Webcam :- 720p Camera
Asus Vivobook 14 is a pretty laptop that comes with powerful performance and won’t cost an arm and a leg. It features an 11th generation i3 processor and strikes the right performance chords. The new generation i3 processor is capable of tackling regular office work and basic editing tasks without burning too much.
Asus Vivobook 14 features a 14-inch compact display with a resolution of 1920 X 1080 pixels. For the price you pay, it is the most bright and colorful panel we’ve seen in a cheap notebook. Further, it comes with ample 8 GB RAM and 256 GB SSD to run the application quickly and boot up a notebook in seconds. The SSD slot is NVMe which is one of the fastest SSD available in the market.
Under the hood, you’ll get a fantastic keyboard with snappy keys and a roomy trackpad to scroll through the blog. The keyboard is backlit and allows you to work in a low-light environment. The overall design of the notebook is sturdy, but not the toughest. Asus Vivobook 14 has a fully plastic body starting from the lid to the keyboard. The plastic is solid, but won’t protect your laptop from accidental damage. So, you need to be careful while using this baby.
The battery will last for about 4 hours and we don’t expect much by looking at the price tag. With short battery life, you need to carry the charger around. Finally, you’ll have an HD webcam that delivers crisp images during zoom meetings.
If you are a student, teacher, or businessman who needs a notebook for the basic task then Asus Vivobook 14 is right to pick.
6) Acer Aspire Vero
- Display :- 15.6 Inch display with 1920 X 1080 pixels
- Processor :- 11th Generation i7-1195G7
- Graphics :- Intel Iris Xe Graphics
- RAM :- 16 GB
- Storage :- 512 GB SSD
- Webcam :- 720p Camera
It is costly but if you are one of Acer’s Eco targeted customers, this might be it. The display is a 15.6-inch long panel maxed out with 227 nits of brightness. It gives decent pictures but not the best we’ve seen in other budget laptops. It features 66% of the RGB gamut which is more than enough for regular tasks and a normal user won’t find much difference from 100% sRGB color gamut. But, if you work in the design field then we strictly suggest staying away from this notebook.
The touchpad is terrifically designed and does a great job with palm rejection. It responds quickly, supports all Windows gestures without much effort, and has enough space for scrolling.
The keyboard, on the other hand, is not that great, it is a bit flat and typing for a long session was not a pleasant experience. The keys are small and I feel a low traveling speed from it.
What makes it perfect for users is its performance. It runs on an i7-1195G7 processor and you can certainly run some heavy apps and games without facing significant heat or other issues.
What annoys me about the notebook is its bloatware. Out of the box, you’ll get plenty of pre-loaded apps that most users won’t use. So, you need to manually uninstall it for better performance and clear some memory.
The Acer Aspire Vero is the best to pick when it comes to the best budget laptops for working from home that can outperform some of the Intel-based laptops when it comes to performance and battery life.
7) HP Pavilion 15
- Display :- 15.6 Inch display with 1920 X 1080 pixels
- Processor :- 11th Generation i7-1165G7
- Graphics :- Intel Iris Xe Graphics
- RAM :- 16 GB
- Storage :- 512 GB SSD
- Webcam :- 720p Camera
HP Pavilion 15 is a remarkably designed and solid performable machine assembled for power users who have a limited budget and want a machine that can run things smooth as butter.
It comes with rocky components, 16 GB RAM, 512 GB SSD, i7 processors, and most importantly Windows 11 Pro. The pro-OS gives numerous new features for business users to make their work easier.
The 15.6-inch screen is admirable and delivers crisp and rich text with gorgeous images. It is also a great pick for late-night entertainment.
The graphics unit is powered by an Intel Iris Xe graphics card gives a new level of graphic performance. You can experience stunning visuals while you play games.
HP Pavilion 15 is truly a business laptop with stellar performance and full-day battery life that sits at a decent price.
8) Lenovo Ideapad 1
- Display :- 14 Inch HD Display
- Processor :- Intel Celeron N4020
- Graphics :- Intel Iris Xe Graphics
- RAM :- 4 GB
- Storage :- 64 GB Storage
- Webcam :- 720p Camera
Lenovo Ideapad 1 defines it as a budget laptop and comes under $300. It is not the most productive and won’t be able to run multiple apps at once. If you are a student or basic user then this is the right pick, otherwise, you need to look for other laptops on our list.
This notebook has a fully plastic body and weighs around 1.4 kg. The Lenovo Ideapad has a simple design appealing to professional users and students. It has a nice and robust chassis with a minimal bezel.
This baby is powered by a low-power Intel Celeron N4020 CPU, so don’t set your expectations too high. It can do spreadsheet work, office meetings, and basic web browsing. If you want more power then go for processors like i3 or i5.
It runs on Windows 11 S mode which comes with limited functionality and usage. However, you can upgrade the OS for Free. All you need is to switch out from S mode to the Home or Pro version.
The 14-inch screen has a resolution of 1366 X 768, with this resolution you can easily stream videos and browse online. Speakers are placed on the bottom side and produce mediocre sound while you stream music or play videos.
There is no fan so your laptop’s performance would be limited. The keyboard is a bit clunky and you won’t be able to type for a long period without feeling tired. While the trackpad is high quality – looking at the price.
If you are strict on a budget, then Lenovo Ideapad 1 is our go-to pick when it comes to the best budget laptops for working from home.
9) HP 17
- Display :- 17 Inch HD+ Display
- Processor :- 11th Generation i5-1135G7
- Graphics :- Intel Iris Xe Graphics
- RAM :- 8 GB
- Storage :- 256 GB SSD
- Webcam :- 720p Camera
If you are fond of the roomy screens and can bargain portability over performance then HP 17 is hands down one of the best laptops in the range. It is fueled by the 11th generation i5-1135G7 processor, There is an integrated graphics card and 8 GB of memory rig to give you guaranteed excellent performance.
The 17 screen looks appealing and stylish, whether you watch movies or work on your dream project, it will not compromise on image performance. Though, the display resolution is not Full HD. You’ve to work with an HD+ screen. The anti-glare panel lets you work outside without any glare or mitigating brightness.
HP 17 comes with plenty of ports to play around with and create a seamless connection with your accessories. It is crafted with a fully plastic build which is not as strong as metal, but it can withstand some accidental damage or spill without any serious issue.
The keyboard gives a natural and comfortable typing experience through its lifted-hinge, so typing for a long session won’t be a problem. As for the trackpad, it’s not the best in the class, but we haven’t found any serious issues or low feedback while scrolling through Kindle Book. It would be best if it would be more smoother.
The battery is good for the price and offers up to 6 hours of performance along with fast charging technology. With the HD webcam and purified mic, you can easily attend office meetings in seconds. At last, you’ll get a powerful 256 GB NVMe SSD for fast and reliable performance.
HP 17 is the best budget laptops for working from home with outstanding performance and long-lasting battery life.
10) Dell Inspiron 15 3511
- Display :- 15.6 Inch Full HD Display
- Processor :- 11th Generation i3-1115G4
- Graphics :- Intel UHD Graphics
- RAM :- 8 GB
- Storage :- 256 GB SSD
- Webcam :- 720p Camera
Dell Inspiron 15 3511 is a powerful machine crafted by Dell’s cutting-edge technology and trust that will last for long without any performance issue and gives you a terrific computing experience.
It has a classic beautiful design and portable build making it ideal to take during traveling without putting pressure on your shoulders. Dell has put all the bells and whistles to make it a powerful option for small business owners or budget lovers.
The 15.6-inch display looks fantastic for the price you pay, it delivers vivid colors along with rich and crisp text. The graphics unit is powered by Intel UHD Graphics, so you can do basic graphics editing, but not more than that.
On the processor side, the base model comes with an 11th generation i3-1115G4 processor and makes it easier to run a couple of Chrome tabs, & Multitasking windows apps without breaking a sweat. If you want more power then there is i5 – which costs you around $150 more, but it is worth the price.
Final Words
Best budget laptops for working from home excel in performance, looks, and battery life. You can find laptops in our list range starting from $250 (S Mode) to $1000. All of these laptops will offer great performance without bargaining too much.