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10 Best Budget Laptops 2025 in the UK

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Our technology thoroughly searches through the online shopping world, reviewing hundreds of sites. We then process and analyze this information, updating in real-time to bring you the latest top-rated products. This way, you always get the best and most current options available.

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Our Top Picks

#2

ASUS Vivobook 15 OLED X1505ZA 15.6" Full HD OLED Laptop (Intel i5-12500H, 16GB RAM, 1TB PCIe SSD, 400nits OLED Screen with 600nits Peak Brightness, Windows 11 Home)

Rating
10.0
Processor (CPU)
RAM
Storage
Processor (CPU)
A fantastic spec for the price, featuring an i5 processor, 16GB RAM, and a 1TB SSD drive.
RAM
A fantastic spec for the price, featuring an i5 processor, 16GB RAM, and a 1TB SSD drive.
Storage
A fantastic spec for the price, featuring an i5 processor, 16GB RAM, and a 1TB SSD drive.
Display
The OLED screen is stunning, delivering super sharp visuals and beautiful colors.
Battery Life
Battery life is decent, but viewing angles for the screen are limited, requiring adjustments for optimal brightness and contrast.
Build Quality and Portability
The build quality is solid, although an aluminum case would be preferable for added durability.
Operating System
Windows 11 setup is easy, despite some quirky features that take getting used to.

The ASUS Vivobook 15 OLED X1505ZA stands out in the budget laptop category thanks to its powerful Intel Core i5-12500H processor, which boasts 12 cores and 16 threads, ideal for multitasking and handling everyday computing tasks efficiently. With 16GB of RAM and a 1TB PCIe SSD, it's well-equipped for smooth performance and ample storage, making it suitable for users who need to store large files and applications.

The 15.6-inch Full HD OLED display is a major highlight, offering vibrant colors and high brightness levels with 400 nits standard and 600 nits peak brightness, which enhances the viewing experience for multimedia consumption and work-related tasks. Additionally, the display supports a 100% DCI-P3 color gamut, ensuring accurate color reproduction, which is beneficial for creative professionals on a budget. The build quality is commendable, complying with US MIL-STD 810H military-grade standards, indicating durability and reliability. Weighing 1.7 kg, it's relatively portable for its size, making it convenient for users who need to carry their laptop around.

However, the battery life is an area of concern, averaging around 7 hours, which might require users to carry a charger for extended use. The integrated Intel Iris Xe Graphics are decent for everyday tasks but may not meet the needs of heavy gamers or those requiring high-end graphic performance. The laptop comes with Windows 11 Home, offering the latest features and a user-friendly interface. The UK layout keyboard and additional ports, including HDMI and multiple USB ports, add to its usability. The ASUS Vivobook 15 OLED X1505ZA is a solid choice for budget-conscious users seeking a high-performing laptop with excellent display quality and robust build, though its battery life and integrated graphics might be limiting for some.

Rating
10.0
Processor (CPU)
RAM
Storage
Processor (CPU)
A fantastic spec for the price, featuring an i5 processor, 16GB RAM, and a 1TB SSD drive.
RAM
A fantastic spec for the price, featuring an i5 processor, 16GB RAM, and a 1TB SSD drive.
Storage
A fantastic spec for the price, featuring an i5 processor, 16GB RAM, and a 1TB SSD drive.
Display
The OLED screen is stunning, delivering super sharp visuals and beautiful colors.
Battery Life
Battery life is decent, but viewing angles for the screen are limited, requiring adjustments for optimal brightness and contrast.
Build Quality and Portability
The build quality is solid, although an aluminum case would be preferable for added durability.
Operating System
Windows 11 setup is easy, despite some quirky features that take getting used to.
#3

ASUS Vivobook 15 E1504FA 15.6" Full HD Laptop (AMD Ryzen 3-7320U, 8GB RAM, 512GB SSD, Windows 11 Home)

Rating
9.9
Processor (CPU)
RAM
Display
Processor (CPU)
Quick to start up and performs well for everyday tasks such as web browsing, Skype, and YouTube.
RAM
The laptop handles multitasking with ease, even when multiple screens are open.
Display
Screen quality is good and easy to read, providing a satisfying visual experience.
Build Quality and Portability
The design is sleek and modern, exuding professionalism with a slim profile and minimalist aesthetic.

The ASUS Vivobook 15 E1504FA is a budget-friendly laptop that offers a good balance of performance and value, ideal for students and casual users. It is powered by the AMD Ryzen 3-7320U processor, which, with a speed of 4.1 GHz, is suitable for everyday tasks like browsing, streaming, and document editing. The 8GB RAM is decent for multitasking, while the 512GB SSD provides ample storage and quick access to your files, enhancing the laptop's overall speed.

The 15.6-inch Full HD display ensures clear and vibrant visuals, making it a good choice for watching videos or working on presentations. However, the integrated graphics card may not handle heavy gaming or graphic-intensive tasks well. Weighing 1.63 kg, the laptop is relatively portable, although not the lightest option available.

Running on Windows 11 Home, it includes a user-friendly interface with regular updates. The build quality is standard for its price range, with a silver finish that offers a sleek look. It features a UK layout keyboard and a webcam, which are handy for remote work or online classes.

Battery-wise, it supports a 42-watt-hour lithium-ion setup, which should provide decent battery life for a budget laptop, though not exceptional. Connectivity options include Wi-Fi, and multiple USB ports, which are practical for connecting peripherals. Its compact dimensions make it easy to carry around, fitting well in backpacks for students or professionals on the move.

In conclusion, the ASUS Vivobook 15 E1504FA is a solid budget laptop for those needing a reliable machine for everyday use. Its limitations in graphics and battery life are typical of this price range but don't overshadow its strengths in providing good performance and storage capacity.

Rating
9.9
Processor (CPU)
RAM
Display
Processor (CPU)
Quick to start up and performs well for everyday tasks such as web browsing, Skype, and YouTube.
RAM
The laptop handles multitasking with ease, even when multiple screens are open.
Display
Screen quality is good and easy to read, providing a satisfying visual experience.
Build Quality and Portability
The design is sleek and modern, exuding professionalism with a slim profile and minimalist aesthetic.

Buying Guide for the Best Budget Laptops

When it comes to buying a budget laptop, it's important to balance cost with the features you need. Budget laptops are designed to offer essential functionality without the high price tag. To make the best choice, you should consider what you'll primarily use the laptop for, such as work, study, or casual browsing. Understanding the key specifications will help you find a laptop that meets your needs without overspending.
Processor (CPU)The processor is the brain of your laptop, determining how fast and efficiently it can run programs. For budget laptops, you'll typically find Intel Core i3 or i5, or AMD Ryzen 3 or 5 processors. If you need the laptop for basic tasks like web browsing, word processing, and streaming, an Intel Core i3 or AMD Ryzen 3 will suffice. For more demanding tasks like light photo editing or multitasking, consider an Intel Core i5 or AMD Ryzen 5.
RAMRAM (Random Access Memory) affects how many applications you can run simultaneously and how smoothly they operate. Budget laptops usually come with 4GB or 8GB of RAM. For basic use, 4GB might be enough, but 8GB is recommended for better performance and future-proofing, especially if you plan to run multiple applications at once or use more demanding software.
StorageStorage determines how much data you can save on your laptop. Budget laptops often come with either HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or SSD (Solid State Drive) storage. HDDs offer more storage space at a lower cost, typically 500GB or 1TB, but are slower. SSDs are faster and more reliable, though they usually offer less storage, around 128GB to 256GB. If speed and performance are important, opt for an SSD. If you need more space for files and media, an HDD might be better.
DisplayThe display quality affects your viewing experience. Budget laptops usually have screen sizes ranging from 13 to 15 inches, with resolutions of 1366x768 or 1920x1080 (Full HD). A 1366x768 resolution is adequate for basic tasks, but a Full HD display provides sharper and clearer images, which is better for watching videos, browsing, and working on documents. Choose the screen size and resolution based on your comfort and usage needs.
Battery LifeBattery life is crucial if you plan to use your laptop on the go. Budget laptops typically offer between 4 to 8 hours of battery life. If you need a laptop for travel or long periods away from a power source, look for one with longer battery life. For home or office use where you can easily plug in, battery life may be less of a concern.
Build Quality and PortabilityBuild quality and portability are important for durability and ease of transport. Budget laptops are often made of plastic, which can be less durable than metal. Consider the weight and thickness if you need to carry the laptop frequently. A lighter, thinner laptop is more portable but may come at the cost of fewer ports or lower durability. Choose based on how often you'll be moving the laptop and the environments you'll use it in.
Operating SystemThe operating system (OS) is the software that manages all the hardware and software on your laptop. Common options for budget laptops include Windows, Chrome OS, and sometimes Linux. Windows is versatile and supports a wide range of software, making it suitable for most users. Chrome OS is lightweight and ideal for web-based tasks and users who rely on Google services. Choose the OS that best fits your software needs and personal preferences.