
Ranking: Best laptops for under 800 dollars/euros
February 2025 update.
Sticking to a certain budget when making a laptop purchase might just be easier with this list. Here, we list the best laptops of the relatively affordable kind tested by Notebookcheck over the last few months.Christian Hintze, ✓ Sebastian Jankowski (translated by DeepL / Ninh Duy) Published 🇩🇪 🇭🇺 ...
Notebookcheck regularly tests selected devices from the lower price segment, subjecting them to the same extensive measurements and analyses as premium models. In the sub-800-euro range, various brands compete for the attention of bargain hunters. Customers are often drawn in by impressive-sounding specs like gigahertz and gigabytes, but this can lead to overlooking more crucial aspects of a laptop’s performance. Below, we list only Windows-based devices that have been thoroughly tested in recent months, with test reports linked in the table.
n determining price, we use the lowest street price at which the device was actually available at the time of the last article update. Given the significance of time-limited offers and promotions in this competitive price range, prices may fluctuate continuously, either increasing or decreasing.
The best lower mid-range laptops (new v8 rating system)
Image | Model / Review | Price | Weight | Height | Size | Resolution | Screen |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5-15ARP G10 AMD Ryzen 7 7735HS ⎘ AMD Radeon 680M ⎘ 16 GB Memory, 512 GB SSD | Amazon: 1. $344.00 Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 - Ever... 2. $565.00 Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5, 16" W... 3. $699.00 Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5i - i7-... List Price: 649€ | 1.6 kg | 15.6 mm | 15.30" | 1920x1200 | matte | |
Lenovo Yoga Slim 6 14APU8 AMD Ryzen 5 7540U ⎘ AMD Radeon 740M ⎘ 16 GB Memory, 1024 GB SSD | Amazon: $579.60 List Price: 800 EUR | 1.4 kg | 15 mm | 14.00" | 1920x1200 | glossy | |
Lenovo ThinkPad E16 Gen 2 21M5002VGE AMD Ryzen 5 7535HS ⎘ AMD Radeon 660M ⎘ 32 GB Memory, 1024 GB SSD | Amazon: $669.99 List Price: 935€ | 1.9 kg | 21.3 mm | 16.00" | 1920x1200 | matte | |
Lenovo ThinkBook 16 G7 QOY 21NH0005GE Qualcomm Snapdragon X Plus X1P-42-100 ⎘ Qualcomm SD X Adreno X1-45 1.7 TFLOPS ⎘ 16 GB Memory, 512 GB SSD | Amazon: $729.95 List Price: 960 Euro | 1.9 kg | 15.2 mm | 16.00" | 1920x1200 | matte | |
Ninkear A16 Pro AMD Ryzen 7 8845HS ⎘ AMD Radeon 780M ⎘ 32 GB Memory, 1000 GB SSD | Amazon: 1. $12.99 Vaxson 2-Pack Protector Film... 2. $18.99 Vaxson 2-Pack Protector Film... 3. $15.99 Vaxson 2-Pack Film Protector... List Price: 799 Euro | 1.8 kg | 24 mm | 16.00" | 2560x1600 | matte | |
Acer Aspire 16 A16-51GM-77G2 Intel Core 7 150U ⎘ NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2050 Mobile ⎘ 16 GB Memory, 1024 GB SSD | Amazon: 1. $94.99 Factory Original 16GB (1x16G... List Price: 929 Euro | 1.9 kg | 21 mm | 16.00" | 1920x1200 | matte | |
Acer Aspire Spin 14 ASP14-52MTN-51V5 Intel Core Ultra 5 115U ⎘ Intel Graphics 4-Core iGPU (Arc) ⎘ 16 GB Memory, 512 GB SSD | Amazon: 1. $29.99 65W Charger for Acer Aspire ... 2. $29.99 65W Charger for Acer Aspire ... 3. $649.99 Acer Aspire 14 Laptop | 14.0... List Price: 800 EUR | 1.6 kg | 21.1 mm | 14.00" | 1920x1200 | glossy | |
Lenovo IdeaPad 5 2-in-1 14AHP9 AMD Ryzen 7 8845HS ⎘ AMD Radeon 780M ⎘ 16 GB Memory | Amazon: $769.00 List Price: 820 USD | 1.6 kg | 17.9 mm | 14.00" | 1920x1200 | glossy | |
HP Pavilion 16-ag0057ng AMD Ryzen 5 8540U ⎘ AMD Radeon 740M ⎘ 16 GB Memory, 1024 GB SSD | Amazon: 1. $3,799.99 HP Pavilion 16 Touchscreen L... 2. $24.95 mCover Case ONLY Compatible ... 3. $991.00 HP Pavilion Plus 16 inch Lap... List Price: 730 EUR | 1.7 kg | 18.6 mm | 16.00" | 1920x1200 | matte | |
Lenovo V17 G4 IRU Intel Processor U300 ⎘ Intel UHD Graphics Xe G4 48EUs ⎘ 8 GB Memory, 512 GB SSD | Amazon: 1. $14.99 65W 45W Laptop Charger for L... 2. $9.99 65W 45W AC Charger for Lenov... 3. $16.99 65W Round tip Charger for Le... List Price: 450 EUR | 2.1 kg | 20 mm | 17.30" | 1920x1080 | matte |
Note: The transition to a new rating system took place in June 2024. In the updated v8 rating, certain criteria were adjusted to reflect current hardware developments, new factors were introduced, and some measurement techniques were modified. As a result, v8 ratings are slightly lower than v7 ratings and are not directly comparable to previous versions. For this reason, we currently provide two tables: one listing the best devices according to the v7 rating system and another for the v8 system. More details on the v8 rating system can be found here.
The best lower mid-range laptops (v7 rating system)
Image | Model / Review | Price | Weight | Height | Size | Resolution | Screen |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
SCHENKER Work 14 Base Intel Core i5-1235U ⎘ Intel Iris Xe Graphics G7 80EUs ⎘ 16 GB Memory, 500 GB SSD | Amazon: 1. $15.99 Vaxson 2-Pack Film Protector... 2. $15.98 Puccy 2 Pack Film Protector,... 3. $12.98 Puccy 2 Pack Touch Pad Film ... List Price: 720€ | 1.3 kg | 20.2 mm | 14.00" | 1920x1080 | matte | |
Acer Aspire Go 15 AG15-31P-34JP Intel Core i3-N305 ⎘ Intel UHD Graphics 32EUs (Alder Lake) ⎘ 8 GB Memory, 512 GB SSD | Amazon: $269.99 List Price: 429 Euro | 1.7 kg | 18.9 mm | 15.60" | 1920x1080 | matte |
The table above shows an overview of the best notebooks under 800 euros tested by Notebookcheck in the last 12 months and relevant products that are still available. If several products have the same rating, the newer review will be listed higher. The prices shown in the table are automatically updated daily and thus subject to change. Link: all tested products in this class
Editorial comment
Two devices have been removed from the old v7 list due to their age: the Ninkear A15 Plus (16+512) and the HP 250 G9 7N029ES. However, with several new additions, the updated v8 list is now complete. These new entries include the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5-15, the Lenovo ThinkBook 16 Gen 7 QOY, the Acer Aspire Spin 14 ASP14-52MTN-51V5, the HP Pavilion 16-ag0057ng, and the Lenovo V17 G4.
1st place - Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5-15 (Ryzen 7 7735HS, Radeon 680M)
With the IdeaPad Slim 5-15, Lenovo offers an affordable everyday notebook. Priced at 649 euros, it features an AMD SoC, a matte IPS display, and impressive battery life, all within an attractive aluminum case.
The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5-15 is a solid everyday laptop that delivers a well-rounded package. In testing, its high-quality case and long battery life stood out.
The IdeaPad Slim 5-15 is available at Campuspoint for 649 euros, or 585 euros for those eligible for the education program. It can also be purchased directly from Lenovo at its RRP of 649 euros.
2nd place - Lenovo Yoga Slim 6 14APU8 (R5 7540U)
The Lenovo Yoga Slim 6 14APU8 is a well-rounded all-purpose notebook with no major flaws, provided GPU performance isn’t a priority. Its efficient Ryzen processor is housed in a sleek, high-quality case with good input devices and a sufficient selection of ports.
The Lenovo Yoga Slim 6 14APU8 with Ryzen 5 7540U is a high-quality, compact, and lightweight all-round laptop.
The model with a Ryzen 5 7540U, Radeon 740M, and an OLED display is available for around 800 euros on Amazon DE.
3rd place - Lenovo ThinkPad E16 (R5 7535HS, Radeon 660M)
The second edition of the ThinkPad E16 now delivers solid graphics performance while maintaining the familiar ThinkPad design from higher-end models—though with a few notable compromises.
An efficient and fast system for quiet working, but with trade-offs, particularly in the display and keyboard.
The Lenovo ThinkPad E16 Gen 2 with a Ryzen 5 7535HS, 32 GB RAM, and 1 TB SSD is available at Campuspoint for just under 900 euros. The Intel Core Ultra 5 125U variant, with the same configuration, costs around 956 euros at Playox. However, the all-time lowest price listed on Geizhals is under 800 euros.
4th place - Lenovo ThinkBook 16 G7 (SD X Plus X1P-42-100)
Qualcomm and Microsoft aim to bring the efficiency of ARM architecture to the Windows segment. The Lenovo ThinkBook 16 7 QOY, featuring a large 16-inch display, is available for under 1,000 euros and offers an impressive battery life of over 24 hours.
The Lenovo ThinkBook 16 Gen 7 QOY is a great choice for users seeking a durable, large-screen device at a budget-friendly price. Some compromises are necessary, but that's expected in this price range.
Amazon DE lists the Lenovo ThinkBook 16 Gen 7 QOY in the tested configuration for around 773 euros.
5th place - Ninkear A16 Pro (R7 8845HS, Radeon 780M)
With the A16 Pro, Ninkear once again demonstrates that it can offer an affordable and well-built alternative to models from established brands. In testing, the A16 Pro impresses with its metal casing, good display, consistent performance even on battery power, and quiet operation—all at a relatively low price.
The Ninkear A16 Pro stands out in many ways and, thanks to its combination of quality and affordability, even outperforms some higher-priced competitors in key areas.
The Ninkear A16 Pro is available from our partner Geekmaxi for 799 euros and can also be found on TomTop for around 869 euros.
6th place - Acer Aspire 16 A16-51GM-77G2 (Core 7 150U, RTX 2050)
The 2024 Aspire 16 A16-51GM-77G2, priced at 799 euros, combines a modern, energy-efficient Core 7 150U with an older RTX 2050. This results in an affordable multimedia laptop and all-rounder. The RTX 2050 in the Aspire 16 proves that it still holds value, offering significantly better performance than even the latest integrated GPUs.
With its combination of a cutting-edge CPU and a slightly older yet capable GPU, the Aspire 16 delivers strong multimedia performance without a high price tag. However, its relatively weak IPS display is a drawback, and for 899 euros, there are several competing models that offer significantly better features.
The Aspire 16 in our tested configuration is currently available from 1,080 euros on Amazon DE.
7th place - Acer Aspire Spin 14 (Ultra 5 115U)
The 2-in-1 mechanism and touchscreen set the 14-inch Aspire Spin 14 apart from other multimedia and all-round laptops. It also offers solid connectivity, featuring four USB ports, two of which support Thunderbolt 4. Battery life is another highlight, performing well in tests.
Overall, the Aspire Spin 14 with the Core Ultra 5 115U is a solid convertible, though it would have benefited from a display with a wider color gamut and lower noise levels under load.
The tested Acer Aspire Spin 14 ASP14-52MTN-51V5, equipped with a Core Ultra 5 115U, 16 GB RAM, and a 512 GB SSD, is currently available from various online retailers starting at around 780 euros.
8th place - Lenovo IdeaPad 5 2-in-1 (R7 8845HS, Radeon 780M)
The latest IdeaPad 5 2-in-1 14 is one of the fastest devices in its size class, thanks to the Ryzen 7 8845HS CPU. If you're looking for the best value for money in a 14-inch convertible, this Lenovo device could be a great choice.
The Ryzen 7 8845HS, a gaming processor, now powers this budget-friendly 14-inch convertible, delivering impressive performance.
Lenovo offers the IdeaPad 5 2-in-1 14AHP9 starting in tested configuration at 869 euros.
9th place - Schenker Work 14 Base (Core i5-1235U)
With the Work 14 Base, Schenker offers a straightforward office laptop featuring a bright IPS display, good maintenance options, and a variety of ports. The Intel Core i5-1235U provides adequate performance for everyday tasks.
The Schenker Work 14 Base is a practical office laptop with an aluminum case, solid maintenance access, and a matte IPS display. However, users must accept a somewhat grainy image quality and an overall modest performance level.
The Schenker Work 14 Base is available for configuration and purchase at Bestware, starting at 699 euros.
10th place - Acer Aspire Go 15 (i3-N305, 32 EU UHD Graphics)
The combination of an Alder Lake processor, 8 GB RAM, a 512 GB SSD, and a Full HD display makes the Acer Aspire Go 15 a budget-friendly office notebook. Its long battery life and USB-C power delivery add to its appeal as a practical 15.6-inch laptop.
The Aspire Go 15 is an affordable office notebook from Acer, but it does come with some weaknesses.
The Acer Aspire Go 15 AG15-31P is currently available from Notebooksbilliger.de for 429 euros.
Best notebooks for under 800 dollars/euros: Overview
Measurements
Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 5-15ARP G10 | Lenovo Yoga Slim 6 14APU8 | Lenovo ThinkPad E16 Gen 2 21M5002VGE | Lenovo ThinkBook 16 G7 QOY 21NH0005GE | Ninkear A16 Pro | Acer Aspire 16 A16-51GM-77G2 | Acer Aspire Spin 14 ASP14-52MTN-51V5 | Lenovo IdeaPad 5 2-in-1 14AHP9 | HP Pavilion 16-ag0057ng | Lenovo V17 G4 IRU | SCHENKER Work 14 Base | Acer Aspire Go 15 AG15-31P-34JP | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Display | ||||||||||||
Display P3 Coverage | 70.4 | 99.9 | 39.4 | 68.7 | 42.3 | 39.1 | 39.6 | 41.6 | 69 | 72.4 | 39.4 | |
sRGB Coverage | 99.6 | 100 | 58.2 | 97.6 | 63.6 | 57.9 | 57.5 | 62.4 | 89.3 | 99.8 | 58.9 | |
AdobeRGB 1998 Coverage | 72.3 | 97 | 40.7 | 71.1 | 43.7 | 40.5 | 40.9 | 43 | 65.3 | 73.8 | 40.7 | |
Response Times | ||||||||||||
Response Time Grey 50% / Grey 80% * | 39.7 ? | 1.4 ? | 23.7 ? | 27 ? | 16.4 ? | 31.4 ? | 28.8 ? | 27.1 ? | 30.7 ? | 21.5 ? | 60 ? | 32 ? |
Response Time Black / White * | 22.2 ? | 1.2 ? | 16.6 ? | 21.6 ? | 11.2 ? | 22 ? | 19.7 ? | 20.3 ? | 20.8 ? | 13 ? | 34.7 ? | 26 ? |
PWM Frequency | 480 ? | |||||||||||
Screen | ||||||||||||
Brightness middle | 311 | 391 | 364 | 315 | 393.6 | 352 | 357 | 338 | 324 | 330 | 402 | 321 |
Brightness | 310 | 386 | 344 | 298 | 398 | 324 | 344 | 330 | 295 | 305 | 404 | 320 |
Brightness Distribution | 94 | 95 | 91 | 91 | 91 | 86 | 87 | 95 | 88 | 86 | 89 | 92 |
Black Level * | 0.14 | 0.02 | 0.25 | 0.17 | 0.44 | 0.27 | 0.26 | 0.37 | 0.2 | 0.38 | 0.16 | 0.2032 |
Contrast | 2221 | 19550 | 1456 | 1853 | 895 | 1304 | 1373 | 914 | 1620 | 868 | 2513 | 1580 |
Colorchecker dE 2000 * | 2.7 | 1.89 | 6.7 | 6.5 | 2.32 | 4.41 | 6 | 8.03 | 5.13 | 7.36 | 2.2 | 6.11 |
Colorchecker dE 2000 max. * | 6.1 | 4.43 | 21.4 | 26.5 | 3.72 | 15.04 | 22.87 | 22.17 | 16.11 | 12.35 | 4.2 | 9.93 |
Colorchecker dE 2000 calibrated * | 1 | 1.79 | 5.3 | 1.05 | 3.52 | 4.46 | 2.22 | 2.99 | 3.05 | 1.3 | 3.65 | |
Greyscale dE 2000 * | 4.3 | 1.3 | 4.9 | 4.1 | 2.69 | 3.32 | 3.5 | 7.5 | 4.24 | 6.5 | 3 | 4.9 |
Gamma | 2.31 95% | 2.204 100% | 2.2 100% | 2.33 94% | 2.38 92% | 2.44 90% | 1.992 110% | 2.1 105% | 2.3 96% | 2.077 106% | 2.18 101% | 1.925 114% |
CCT | 6910 94% | 6411 101% | 6010 108% | 6064 107% | 6086 107% | 7122 91% | 6585 99% | 5812 112% | 7318 89% | 7683 85% | 6801 96% | 6365 102% |
Noise | ||||||||||||
off / environment * | 24.5 | 24 | 24.6 | 23.7 | 23 | 23 | 25 | 25.9 | 24 | 24 | 23.6 | 24.8 |
Idle Minimum * | 24.5 | 25 | 24.6 | 23.7 | 23 | 23 | 25 | 25.9 | 24 | 24 | 23.6 | 30.5 |
Idle Average * | 24.5 | 27 | 24.6 | 23.7 | 23 | 23 | 28 | 27.6 | 25 | 26 | 23.6 | 30.5 |
Idle Maximum * | 24.5 | 29 | 24.6 | 23.7 | 23 | 31 | 29 | 27.6 | 26 | 28 | 24.8 | 31 |
Load Average * | 35.1 | 37 | 28.2 | 37.68 | 46.57 | 37 | 43.4 | 38 | 34 | 34.2 | 33.2 | |
Cyberpunk 2077 ultra * | 33.1 | 37 | 36.3 | 31.9 | 37.68 | 50 | 47 | 43.7 | 37 | |||
Load Maximum * | 40.8 | 38 | 36.3 | 47.8 | 37.41 | 50 | 51 | 43.8 | 39 | 41 | 42.9 | 35.5 |
Witcher 3 ultra * | 34.2 | |||||||||||
Heat | ||||||||||||
Maximum Upper Side * | 38.1 | 39 | 42.6 | 41.3 | 43 | 47 | 41 | 41.2 | 42 | 42 | 39.2 | 35.8 |
Maximum Bottom * | 36.6 | 46 | 43.3 | 32.7 | 50 | 50 | 47 | 41.4 | 44 | 45 | 40.4 | 44.5 |
Idle Upper Side * | 24.6 | 28 | 24.1 | 24.8 | 31 | 27 | 29.2 | 26 | 26 | 25.3 | 23.1 | |
Idle Bottom * | 24.9 | 29 | 24.9 | 26 | 32 | 31 | 31.2 | 28 | 28 | 25.8 | 30.1 | |
Battery Runtime | ||||||||||||
WiFi v1.3 | 862 | 590 | 535 | 1614 | 450 | 607 | 748 | 693 | 684 | 440 | 458 | 693 |
H.264 | 728 | 498 | ||||||||||
Load | 159 | 89 | 130 | |||||||||
Power Consumption | ||||||||||||
Idle Minimum * | 3.1 | 5 | 3.6 | 2.2 | 6.5 | 8.8 | 5 | 3.8 | 4 | 4 | 3.7 | 3.5 |
Idle Average * | 6.5 | 6 | 7.1 | 6.5 | 10.7 | 12.8 | 6 | 8.6 | 5 | 5 | 6.8 | 4.6 |
Idle Maximum * | 6.8 | 10 | 8.4 | 7.7 | 11.1 | 14.1 | 9 | 8.8 | 6 | 12 | 7.2 | 8 |
Load Average * | 46.4 | 41 | 39 | 68.5 | 80 | 32 | 60 | 40 | 31 | 31.8 | 25.7 | |
Cyberpunk 2077 ultra * | 29.6 | 42.5 | 36.6 | 21 | 72.8 | 73.5 | 34.4 | 59.4 | 43 | |||
Cyberpunk 2077 ultra external monitor * | 27.1 | 35.6 | 19.9 | 104.4 | 72 | 32 | 51.7 | 39.1 | ||||
Load Maximum * | 69.4 | 58 | 47.5 | 66.5 | 107 | 90.53 | 67 | 65 | 46 | 58 | 47.2 | 45 |
Witcher 3 ultra * | 31 | 26.6 |
* ... smaller is better