The Best Laptops for Students 2025: Top Picks for Every Budget

Priced for tight budgets, the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 15 is a no-frills option that in our testing handled note-taking and web research thanks to its Intel Core i3-1115G4, 8GB RAM and SSD. During our review the FHD screen and overall build felt underwhelming — colors were muted and the chassis plasticky — which drags down an otherwise serviceable laptop. With SSD storage and up to 7.5 hours of battery, it covers basic coursework, but at a 6/10 score we’d recommend stretching your budget if display quality matters.

The ASUS Vivobook 15 impressed us in testing for students who value typing comfort and solid audio: its high-quality keyboard and impressive speakers make lectures and long typing sessions easier, and the chassis feels sturdy. However, during our review the laptop's TN panel looked flat and dated, there’s no keyboard backlight, and battery life was disappointing at about three hours — real downsides if you work between classes. With an Intel Core i3-1220P, 8GB RAM and SSD it performs everyday tasks fine, but its 6.5/10 score reflects those compromises.

The ASUS Vivobook Go 15 OLED is an affordable productivity machine that in our testing felt quick for everyday coursework thanks to 16GB RAM and a 512GB SSD, while the OLED panel punches above its class for color and contrast. During our review we found the AMD Ryzen 5 7520U handled web apps and documents smoothly, but battery life was a disappointment — only about five hours in typical use. The 720p webcam with a privacy shutter is a nice privacy touch, but image quality is below average, which holds this model to a 6.5/10 score.

If sustainability matters, the Acer Aspire Vero 16 stands out: our experience shows over 60% post-consumer recycled materials give it real eco-cred without breaking the bank. In testing the bright 16-inch display and comfortable keyboard made long study sessions pleasant, but the Intel Core Ultra 5 and 8GB RAM leave it underpowered for heavier workloads. Battery life was middling and we missed an Ethernet port and microSD slot, so it’s a sensible, eco-friendly budget pick that trades peak performance for responsible design.

For students on a tight budget, the Acer Aspire 5 delivers solid everyday performance with its Core i5-1235U and 8GB RAM, and in our testing it handled browsing and document work reliably. Our experience shows the main compromise is the dim, lackluster display — colors aren’t very vibrant — and battery life is just average at about 6.5 hours, so you may need a charger between classes. At its price this is a pragmatic pick if display quality isn’t a priority.

The Acer Aspire 5 15 scored 6.5/10 and is a sensible budget option for students who want upgradeability. In our testing we liked that RAM and storage are upgradable—easy ways to extend performance—but we found the 15-inch display is dim with weak color reproduction and the touchpad can rattle during use. The Core i5-1335U with 8GB RAM handled everyday tasks fine and battery lasted roughly 9.5 hours in light use. If you want a brighter screen, consider spending a bit more.

If you want a laptop with a killer screen, the ASUS Vivobook S 15 impressed us in testing for its 15.6-inch 3K OLED 120Hz panel and Snapdragon X Elite paired with 16GB of RAM. Our testing also showed excellent battery life — roughly 15 hours for light tasks — so it’s great for long study sessions. During our review we found software compatibility issues on ARM, a chassis that flexes under pressure, and a noisy low-light webcam, which tempers its otherwise strong 8.5/10 score.

The HP Pavilion Plus 14 is a strong midrange pick — we found its 14-inch 2.8K OLED and 5MP webcam deliver vibrant colors and excellent video quality for online classes, and the full-size backlit keyboard is comfortable for long typing sessions. During our review the Intel Core i5-13500H and 16GB RAM handled multitasking smoothly, which is why it scores 7.5/10 as a balanced performer. That said, real-world battery life was disappointing (around 4.5–5 hours in our testing), the touchpad can be temperamental, and preinstalled software pop-ups can interrupt work.

If you want a vivid screen for media and notes, the Lenovo Slim 7i’s 14-inch OLED touchscreen really pops — in our testing the panel impressed with color and contrast. We found the Intel Core Ultra 7 155H and 32GB of RAM handle multitasking smoothly, so it’s a solid midrange performer (7.5/10). That said, our experience shows the touchpad’s mushy clicks and the awkward side-mounted power button can be frustrating during lectures. With about 10 hours of battery and Intel Arc graphics, it’s a capable portable for students who prioritize display quality but can tolerate small ergonomic trade-offs.

The HP Pavilion Plus 14 is a strong midrange option thanks to a vivid 14-inch 2.8K OLED and a comfortable full-size backlit keyboard — in our testing the display and typing experience stood out. We found the Intel i5-13500H and 16GB RAM kept multitasking smooth, but our review also flagged short real-world battery life (around 5 hours) and a clunky touchpad that pushed us toward an external mouse. Preinstalled software pop-ups are another annoyance, so while it scores 7.5/10 for balance, expect some friction out of the box.

The ASUS Zenbook 14 OLED is an excellent all-day companion — in our testing it delivered impressive battery life (over 15 hours) and a comfortable typing experience that suits long study sessions. We found the Intel Core Ultra 9 and 32GB of RAM provide snappy responsiveness, though performance can throttle under prolonged stress which tempers its otherwise strong showing. With Intel Arc graphics and a high-quality OLED panel, this 8.5/10 scorer is ideal for students who value endurance and a premium screen.

Scoring 7.5/10, the HP Envy x360 is a capable convertible that pairs solid performance with a sturdy build. In our testing the strong hinges and colorful display made lectures and streaming more enjoyable, and the Intel Core Ultra 5 with 16GB of RAM handled multitasking smoothly. We found the audio only passable and the chassis is heavier than some competitors, which matters if you carry it all day. It also doesn't include a stylus, so if pen input is essential look elsewhere despite its near 10-hour battery.

The Lenovo Yoga Slim 7 scored 7.5/10 and shines when battery life matters. In our testing it reached about 17 hours for light tasks, so you can go through long lecture days without a charger. We found the Ryzen 7 4800U with 16GB RAM handled everyday multitasking well, but the 720p webcam delivers poor image quality and there's no fingerprint scanner for quick logins. If endurance beats webcam quality on your checklist, this is a practical pick.

The HP Pavilion x360 14 scores 6.5/10 and is a handy convertible for students who want touchscreen versatility. In our testing the 360-degree hinge and responsive 14-inch Full HD touchscreen made switching between laptop and tablet modes easy, and the Intel Core i5 with 16GB RAM handled everyday productivity well. During our review we found drawbacks: the keyboard lacks a backlight, the display tops out around 250 nits which struggles in bright classrooms, and real-world battery life was nearer seven hours. For casual note-taking it's workable, but expect compromises.

The ASUS Zenbook S 14 earned its high 9/10 rating in our testing thanks to a vivid OLED display and exceptional battery life — our experience shows it can stretch through a day, and Intel Core Ultra 7 with 32GB RAM keeps things snappy. Design is sleek and very portable, making it ideal for students who move between lectures and cafés. During our review we did note shallow, mushy keys, a grainy webcam, and less-impressive multi-core performance, so creatives who need heavy parallel processing may want to compare options.

The HP Spectre x360 14 is a versatile 2-in-1 that earned an 8/10 in our guide; during our review its 3K OLED touch display and over 11-hour battery life made it excellent for streaming, note-taking, and long study sessions. We found the two-in-one form factor very handy for annotating PDFs in tablet mode and the design feels premium, but our experience shows the lid can be stiff to open. Be aware the Spectre’s compact design makes upgrades and repairs tricky and the trackpad’s palm rejection sometimes caused accidental cursor jumps.

The HP OmniBook 14t is a performance-focused laptop that in our testing impressed with the AMD Ryzen AI 9 365, 16GB RAM and a bright 14-inch 2.2K multitouch IPS panel at 400 nits. We found the 9MP IR AI camera produced clear video, and long battery ratings (up to 17.5 hours) mean you can go through extended study days unplugged. However, during our review we saw occasional WiFi disconnects on some units, the glossy screen reflects heavily without anti-glare, and the keyboard lacks backlighting — trade-offs that explain its 7/10 score.

The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon remains one of our go-to choices for students who prioritize durability and typing — its robust chassis and excellent keyboard give it a premium, dependable feel during daily use. During our review the Intel Core Ultra 7 155U and 32GB of RAM delivered strong performance and long runtimes (about 15.5 hours), which is why it earns an 8/10 in our guide. Be mindful that the price is steep and the webcam underwhelmed in our tests, so budget-conscious buyers who need better video may want alternatives.

For students who need desktop-class performance in a compact package, the ROG Zephyrus G14 (2025) delivers with AMD Ryzen AI 9 and an NVIDIA RTX 5070 — in our testing it blazed through rendering and heavy multitasking. The 14-inch 120Hz OLED with full DCI-P3 makes creative work and media shine, and we liked its lightweight build for campus carry. Our review notes average 5–6 hour battery life and warm operation under load, and the premium $2,099 price means it’s best for power users rather than budget buyers.

The Lenovo Yoga Pro 9i 16 earned a 9.5/10 and is our top choice for students who need premium performance and a great keyboard. In our testing the Intel Core Ultra 9, 32GB RAM and Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 pushed creative apps and games smoothly, and the sharp 16-inch display makes editing and presentations pop. During our review we found battery life of about six hours and some annoying preinstalled bloatware. If you can stretch your budget, this laptop delivers class-leading performance for demanding coursework.

If you prefer ChromeOS, the Acer Chromebook Plus Spin 714 is a polished convertible that in our testing delivered a smooth Chrome experience on the Intel Core Ultra 5 with 8GB RAM, plus a backlit keyboard that feels responsive. We also liked the speakers — they’re well tuned for lectures and media — but during our review the touchpad felt a bit squirrely and the battery drained faster than expected despite a 10-hour rating. It scores 7/10 as a solid Chromebook choice, though a fingerprint reader would make logins more convenient.

The Acer Chromebook Plus 515 is a dependable Chromebook choice that in our testing handled web apps smoothly thanks to an Intel Core i3-1215U and 8GB of RAM, and the speakers surprised us with clear audio for lectures. We did notice the 15.6-inch 1080p display is a bit dim and battery life hovered around 8–8.5 hours, so it can struggle in long, bright days outside. At its price it’s a solid multimedia-focused Chromebook, but don’t expect standout brightness or all-day endurance.

The Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus punchs above its price for everyday tasks — in our testing the 14-inch touchscreen and backlit keyboard made web work and note-taking pleasant, and the Core i3-powered performance felt solid. We found it can run hot during heavy tasks and storage speeds are slower than some rivals, which, along with battery life sometimes falling short of the advertised 10 hours, tempers enthusiasm. For under $500 it’s a versatile convertible, just be mindful of thermal limits under sustained load.

The Acer Chromebook Spin 514 scored 6/10 and is tempting if you want a flexible 2-in-1 Chromebook. In our testing the 360-degree hinge and responsive touchscreen made note-taking and tablet-style studying convenient, and the AMD Ryzen 3 3250C with 8GB RAM delivered around 9–9.5 hours of battery life. That said, we found the display is too dim for bright classrooms, the speakers sound tinny with little bass, and its weight makes tablet mode awkward. For basic browsing and classwork it works, but don't expect great media performance.

If battery life matters more than color-critical work, the Lenovo Yoga 7 16" 2-in-1 stands out — in our testing it lasted over 13 hours in video playback and is a true all-day machine. We found the flexible 2-in-1 form factor handy for note-taking, but our review flagged poor display color accuracy and limited brightness, and the power button placement is easy to hit accidentally. With a 13th‑Gen Core i5 and 8GB RAM it’s useful for general student tasks, but creatives should look elsewhere for color fidelity.

Our testing shows the MacBook Air (M2, 2022) is one of the best all-around student laptops thanks to excellent battery life (up to 18 hours), strong performance from the M2 chip, and slim portability that makes campus life easier. We found the base model’s slower storage can bottleneck certain workflows, and the Midnight finish attracts fingerprints, but those are minor trade-offs for a 9/10 experience for most students. If you value long runtimes and smooth everyday performance, it’s a top-rated choice.