Best Laptops Under $800: Ranked and Reviewed
August 19, 2025
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Best $800 Laptop
Summary
We tested all of the most popular laptops under $800, and here's how they stack up.
Table of contents:
Shopping for a laptop under $800 can be overwhelming. Configurations vary, sales change daily, and it’s easy to get stuck with a weak display or underpowered processor. To make things simpler, we tested the most popular models in this price range and ranked them from worst to best.
7. HP OmniBook X and 7 Flip
The OmniBook X and 7 Flip look sleek, but their build quality doesn’t match their modern design. Expect some keyboard flex and even a lid that doesn’t close flush. They’re also heavy in both their 14 and 16-inch form factors. Performance is decent with options for Intel Lunar Lake or AMD Ryzen processors, and you do get tablet-style 2-in-1 functionality. Unfortunately, the mushy keyboards, weak displays, and poor speakers keep these firmly at the bottom of our list.
Pros: Good CPU options, touchscreen, convertible design
Cons: Weak build, poor display, unimpressive keyboard and speakers
6. Dell Plus
Dell’s Plus models offer plenty of ports and a high-resolution, 90Hz display. But they’re let down by a flimsy chassis, mushy keyboard, and weak trackpad. Battery life is surprisingly good, and Lunar Lake processors provide solid single-core performance and integrated graphics. Overall, though, it’s a compromise-heavy laptop that doesn’t feel as premium as competitors.
Pros: Sharp 90Hz display, good battery life, solid performance
Cons: Mushy keyboard, flexy build, low-quality webcam
5. Acer Swift Go 14 AI
Despite the marketing gimmick in its name, the Swift Go 14 is a well-built device with a great trackpad and a lightweight design. Its Qualcomm processor delivers excellent battery life and solid CPU efficiency, but weak integrated graphics and limited software compatibility (due to ARM Windows) make it less versatile.
Pros: Long battery life, excellent trackpad, lightweight build
Cons: Poor graphics, limited app/game compatibility
4. ASUS Vivobook S 14
The Vivobook S 14 feels stylish and comes with a bright OLED display, a comfortable keyboard, and excellent performance if you choose the Ryzen 9 configuration. However, its speakers and webcam are below average, and you’ll need to carefully pick between AMD and Intel versions depending on whether you want better performance or longer battery life.
Pros: Strong performance with Ryzen 9, OLED display, light design
Cons: Weak speakers and webcam, trade-off between power and battery
3. Microsoft Surface Laptop 13
Compact, light, and premium-feeling, the Surface Laptop 13 is ideal for students and light users. Its Snapdragon chip provides excellent efficiency and great speakers, but performance is only average and software compatibility can be a headache.
Pros: Premium build, excellent portability, great speakers, strong battery life
Cons: Limited ports, ARM software limitations
2. Lenovo Yoga 7 and 7i
Lenovo’s Yoga 7 series offers some of the best value in this price range. Available in 14- and 16-inch sizes, these 2-in-1 laptops feature bright displays, excellent port selection, and one of the best keyboards on any laptop under $800. The AMD-powered Yoga 7 delivers strong multi-core performance for heavy workloads, while the Intel Yoga 7i offers better integrated graphics for light gaming.
Pros: Excellent keyboard, versatile 2-in-1 design, strong performance options
Cons: Slightly heavy, trackpad could be better
1. Apple MacBook Air 13 (M4)
The clear winner in this category, the new MacBook Air 13 combines premium build quality with strong CPU/GPU performance and long battery life. Already discounted to $799, it’s the most well-rounded laptop you can buy under $800.
Pros: Premium build, excellent performance, long battery life
Cons: Limited ports, 60Hz display
Final Thoughts
Every laptop on this list has trade-offs, but the right choice depends on your priorities. If you want sheer value and a premium all-rounder, the MacBook Air 13 is the standout. For versatility and a great typing experience, Lenovo’s Yoga 7 series is tough to beat. And for students who need portability and efficiency, the Surface Laptop 13 is a strong contender.
Since pricing fluctuates constantly, make sure to set price drop alerts on our website and check deals regularly. You might land an even higher-spec model within budget.