Forget the myth that stellar laptops require exorbitant prices. I can find a fantastic laptop under $1,000 that doesn’t sacrifice performance, battery life, or durability. In fact, some of these laptops also rank among the best laptops we’ve tested overall.
With modern processors, many of which are AI-powered, these sub-$1,000 laptops are well-rounded machines that offer great performance, solid battery life, and durable build quality. You don’t have to sacrifice screen brightness or performance for battery life.
That said, there are multiple ways to narrow down your search and find the best laptop under $1,000 for your specific needs.
If you’re looking for the most affordable option and primarily use the web, consider one of the best Chromebooks or the best laptops under $500. If you want the best performance possible for gaming on your laptop, you may need to accept a lower-quality display. Alternatively, consider upping your budget slightly and take a look at the best gaming laptops under $1,500.
Whether you’re searching for a budget-friendly laptop that’ll last all day without charging, seamlessly handle your tendency to leave multiple tabs open, or help you unwind with AAA games in the evening, we’ve got you covered.
After thousands of hours testing and reviewing laptops this year, here are the best laptops under $1,000 in 2025.
Click to view recent updates to this page
Update log
6/16/2025: Moved the Acer Swift Go 14 from Best Overall to Best Windows; added the Apple MacBook Air 13-inch M4 as the Best Overall pick; added the Acer Nitro 17 as the Best Gaming pick; added the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook Plus as the Best Chromebook pick; removed the Asus Zenbook 14 OLED (Q425M) as the Best Student pick
Curated byCurated by
Sarah Chaney
Contributing Writer
Sarah Chaney is a freelance tech writer with a bachelor’s degree in English and five years of experience across multiple outlets, including Mashable, How-To Geek, MakeUseOf, Tom’s Guide, and of course, Laptop Mag. As someone who reviews multiple laptops every year, Sarah knows which laptops offer the best specs, performance, and features for their price. Finding a great laptop under $1,000 is easier than you might think.
The Quick List
Best overall
1. Apple MacBook Air 13-inch M4
