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The Surface Laptop Go isn’t the cheapest laptop on this list, but it’s arguably the best and it’s still very affordable. It’s packing an 10th Generation i5 Intel Core processor, which is comfortably powerful enough to coast through basic productivity tasks such as browsing the web, filling up word documents and watching Netflix. 

Weighing just 1.1kg and having a compact 12.4-inch display, the Surface Laptop Go easily fits into most bags too, making it a good option for those who work on the go, whether you’re commuting to an office or hopping between university lecture halls. 

Its biggest flaws are a sub-par resolution which isn’t ideal for video content, as well as the omission of a keyboard backlight for late night use. But if you just want one of the best Windows 10 laptops round for a super-affordable price, the Surface Laptop Go is our top recommendation.

Reviewer: Ryan Jones
Full review: Surface Laptop Go review

The Lenovo Chromebook Duet is one of the cheaper options in this list. During testing, we found it is a fantastic option for those who want a basic productivity performance. The Lenovo Chromebook Duet also boasts a fantastic battery life and a lovely Full HD display, making it a great value laptop option worth considering. 

There is a slight catch, as this isn’t a traditional clamshell laptop but rather a tablet bundled with a keyboard accessory – think iPad with an optional keyboard attachment, but at a far more affordable price point, using ChromeOS instead of iPadOS. 

Having a detachable screen means this is a very versatile gadget, allowing you to use it as a tablet for watching YouTube or reading the news, but with the added ability to snap the screen back into its keyboard as soon as you need to do some serious work. We did find the keyboard slightly cramped compared to proper clamshell laptops, but it still does a commendable job. If you’re looking for a 2-in-1 laptop at an affordable price, this is your best bet.

Reviewer: Ryan Jones
Full review: Lenovo Chromebook Duet

Think of a classic Chromebook, and you’ll likely conjure up an image of the Acer Chromebook Spin 513. It’s a clamshell laptop with a touchscreen, which can easily be flipped into tablet mode.

This laptop ticks all of the important checkboxes too, with a sharp Full HD display, super-portable 1.2kg design and a 13-hour battery life. And while the performance may be mediocre at this price point, it’s still perfectly speedy enough for basic tasks such as browsing the web, sending emails and filling up spreadsheets. And as a bonus, it has a whisper-quiet performance so you don’t need to worry about the fan distracting co-workers.

Acer has had to make some compromises to the quality of the speakers, while the lack of a keyboard backlight may be annoying to some, but this is otherwise a fantastic ChromeOS-powered laptop available for a dirt-cheap price.

Reviewer: Reece Bithrey
Full review: Acer Chromebook Spin 513 review

The Acer Chromebook 314 takes the ‘budget laptop’ accolade to the extreme, and is currently available for under £200. Despite the bargain price, it features a great 13-hour battery life and a solid performance, while also rocking a sturdy design. There’s also an abundance of ports here, so you don’t need to take up the dongle life.

The laptop does admittedly have a few weak points, as there’s no touchscreen and the display quality is substandard since it has low brightness and a low 1366 x 768 resolution. As a result, this may not be the best option for those who want Netflix and Disney Plus videos looking their best.

But it’s easy to forgive this laptop’s shortcomings given its fantastic value price. If you just want a laptop that can coast through emails and spreadsheets, while also being capable of running your favourite apps through Google’s app store, then this is a fantastic choice for anyone on a tight budget.

Reviewer: Reece Bithrey
Full review: Acer Chromebook 314 Review

The Lenovo Ideapad Flex 5 Chromebook is one of the most powerful Chromebooks you can buy, packing Intel’s 10th Generation i5 processor so it can pace through day-to-day tasks. 

It’s also flaunting a 2-in-1 design, allowing you to flip into tablet mode for whenever you want to watch a video or scroll through Instagram. Lenovo’s Chromebook also features a fantastic battery life and a comfortable keyboard, making it ideal for student and office goers.

However, at this price, you could argue that you might as well buy a Windows laptop instead. This means the Lenovo is only worth considering if you’re not fussed about the restrictions of ChromeOS. 

Reviewer: Andrew Williams
Full review: Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5