10 Best Budget Laptops 2025 in the UK

The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 is a solid choice for a budget laptop, featuring strong performance and a lightweight design. With a 12th Gen Intel Core i5 processor and 16GB of RAM, it can handle everyday tasks smoothly, such as web browsing, streaming, and document editing. The 512GB SSD provides ample storage for files and quick boot times.

The 14-inch Full HD display offers sharp visuals and is easy on the eyes due to its anti-glare coating and TÜV Certified Low Blue Light feature. Additionally, Dolby Audio enhances the sound quality for entertainment purposes. One of its standout features is the rapid-charging technology, which gives 2 hours of use from just a 14-minute charge. However, its battery life is relatively average, so frequent charging might be necessary for prolonged use.

The build quality is satisfactory with its sleek design and lightweight at 1.37 kg, making it portable and ideal for students or professionals on the go. The inclusion of Windows 11 Home ensures you have the latest operating system, and the various connectivity options, including Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth, USB ports, and HDMI, cover all standard needs. One potential drawback is the integrated graphics card, which might limit gaming or graphic-intensive applications. Nonetheless, the IdeaPad Slim 3 balances performance, portability, and essential features effectively for budget-conscious users.

The Dell Inspiron 15 3535 is a solid choice for a budget laptop, especially if you want reliable everyday performance. It’s powered by the AMD Ryzen 5 7520U, which handles multitasking and light content creation smoothly without pushing into high-end territory. The 8GB of LPDDR5 RAM is enough for running multiple apps comfortably, though upgrading to 16GB might be needed for heavier tasks later. Storage comes in the form of a speedy 512GB SSD, offering plenty of space and quick boot-ups.

Its 15.6-inch Full HD+ screen with a 120Hz refresh rate and anti-glare coating is a strong point, delivering sharp visuals and smoother motion — a nice bonus not always found at this price. The narrow borders improve immersion whether you're streaming or working. Sound quality is decent, thanks to tuned speakers and an audio jack for headphones.

For build and portability, the carbon black finish looks sleek and feels durable, but at 1.66 kg and almost 1.9 cm thick, it’s not the lightest or slimmest to carry around all day. Connectivity is versatile with HDMI, multiple USB ports, and a microSD reader. Wireless connectivity is up-to-date with Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth, ensuring faster and reliable connections. Running Windows 11 Home, it’s ready for most users out of the box. With a 41Wh battery and 65W charger, it offers moderate endurance suitable for typical daily use but likely not for long unplugged stretches. This Dell Inspiron model balances solid performance, a smooth display, and good storage for a budget laptop, making it great for students and professionals who need dependable basics with some added polish. However, if you prioritize ultra-light weight or extended battery life, there may be better options elsewhere.

The ACEMAGIC LX15 is a budget-friendly laptop featuring a 12th generation Intel Celeron N-97 processor with speeds up to 3.6GHz, offering improved performance compared to older models in this category. It comes with 16GB of DDR4 RAM, allowing smooth multitasking without slowing down, and a 512GB SSD for fast storage and quick loading times. The 15.6-inch Full HD IPS display delivers sharp, colorful images and includes eye protection features that reduce blue light, which is beneficial for extended screen use.

The laptop is powered by a 5000mAh battery, which provides sufficient life for typical work or study sessions, though it may require charging for longer periods away from power sources. Weighing about 1.56kg and designed to be slim, it is easily portable for students and professionals. It runs Windows 11 Pro to provide a modern and familiar user environment. Connectivity options include WiFi 5, Bluetooth 5.0, multiple USB ports, HDMI, and an SD card reader, covering common everyday needs. The build quality is solid for a budget model, and a privacy switch on the webcam enhances security for users concerned about privacy.

While the Celeron processor is entry-level and may struggle with demanding tasks such as advanced gaming or video editing, the ACEMAGIC LX15 is a well-rounded budget laptop aimed at students, office workers, and casual users seeking good performance, a vibrant display, and respectable portability without a high price.