Best ASUS Laptops Under £500 UK 2026 | 6 Tested & Ranked

1. ASUS Chromebook Plus 15 CX1505

The ASUS Chromebook Plus 15 CX1505 is the best ASUS laptop under £500 for most people, and it’s not particularly close. At £395, you’re getting a proper 15.6-inch IPS display that’s genuinely pleasant to look at, 8GB RAM that handles multitasking without choking, and Chrome OS that boots in seconds.

I tested this alongside Windows laptops at similar prices, and the difference is stark. Chrome OS means you’re not waiting for updates to install or dealing with background processes eating your RAM. Everything just works. The display is particularly impressive for this price bracket, with decent colour reproduction and viewing angles that don’t make you tilt the screen constantly.

Battery life easily handles a full working day. I got through eight hours of Google Docs, YouTube, and video calls without hunting for a charger. The keyboard feels solid, not the mushy mess you often get on budget machines. And the 8GB RAM makes a real difference when you’ve got 15 Chrome tabs open (we all do it).

For students and remote workers who live in web browsers and Google Workspace, this is spot on. The 15.6-inch screen gives you proper space for split-screen work, and Chrome OS security means you’re not constantly worrying about malware. It’s also worth noting the eMMC storage is fine for Chrome OS, where most files live in the cloud anyway.

Read our full ASUS Chromebook Plus 15 CX1505 review for detailed performance benchmarks and real-world testing results.

Editor's pick: ASUS Chromebook Plus 15 CX1505CTA Laptop | 15.6" Full HD Screen | Intel Core 3 N355 Processor | 8GB RAM | 256GB SSD | Google Chrome OS

2. ASUS Chromebook 14 CX1405

At £193, the ASUS Chromebook 14 CX1405 is absurdly cheap for a laptop that actually works properly. This is the best ASUS laptop under £500 if you’re on an extremely tight budget and just need something for web browsing, emails, and light productivity work.

Look, we need to be honest about the compromises. The 4GB RAM is tight, and you’ll notice slowdowns if you’re the type who keeps 20 tabs open. The TN display isn’t winning any awards for colour accuracy or viewing angles. But here’s what matters: it does the basics well enough that you won’t want to throw it out a window.

Chrome OS saves this machine. On Windows, 4GB RAM would be painful in 2026. On Chrome OS, it’s manageable for basic tasks. Web browsing is smooth, Google Docs works fine, and video streaming handles 1080p without stuttering. The 14-inch form factor is properly portable too, which students will appreciate.

Battery life is solid, easily getting through a full day of lectures or light work. The keyboard is surprisingly decent for this price, with reasonable travel and feedback. And the build quality, while obviously plastic, doesn’t feel like it’ll fall apart if you look at it wrong.

This isn’t the laptop for heavy multitasking or demanding work. But for basic computing needs, especially for students or as a secondary device, it’s remarkable value. Just make sure your needs align with Chrome OS capabilities before buying.

We covered this in our ASUS Chromebook 14 CX1405 review, including detailed testing of the 4GB RAM limitations.

3. ASUS Vivobook 15 X1504ZA

The ASUS Vivobook 15 X1504ZA offers an Intel alternative at £499, and it’s a solid choice if you prefer Intel processors or need specific Intel-optimised software. The Core i5 paired with 16GB RAM and NVMe SSD delivers capable performance for productivity work.

Performance is good for everyday tasks. The Intel processor handles office work, web browsing, and light multitasking without issues. The 16GB RAM is generous at this price and makes a real difference when you’re juggling multiple applications. File management and application loading are snappy thanks to the NVMe storage.

But here’s the letdown: the TN display. After testing the IPS panels on other laptops in this roundup, the X1504ZA’s screen feels like a step backwards. Viewing angles are poor, colours look washed out, and it’s just not pleasant for extended use. If you’re doing any photo editing or content creation, this will frustrate you.

That said, if screen quality isn’t your priority and you need Windows with decent specs, this works. Battery life is acceptable at around six hours, and the keyboard is comfortable for typing. The build quality is typical ASUS Vivobook: plastic but reasonably sturdy.

This laptop makes sense for specific use cases. If you’re primarily working with spreadsheets, documents, and business applications where screen quality matters less, the X1504ZA delivers good value. But most people will be happier with the Ryzen 7 model’s better display.

Read our ASUS Vivobook 15 X1504ZA review for detailed display measurements and performance testing.

Buying Guide: What to Look For in ASUS Laptops Under £500

Shopping for the best ASUS laptops under £500 means making smart compromises. You can’t have everything at this price, so understanding what matters most for your needs is crucial.

Chrome OS vs Windows: The Fundamental Choice

This is the biggest decision you’ll make. Chrome OS laptops (Chromebooks) deliver better performance per pound because the operating system is lighter. You’ll get faster boot times, longer battery life, and smoother operation at lower specs. But you’re limited to web apps, Android apps, and Chrome extensions.

Windows gives you full software compatibility but demands more resources. At this price point, Windows laptops often feel slower because they’re running a heavier OS on budget hardware. If your work lives in web browsers and Google Workspace, Chrome OS is brilliant. If you need specific Windows software, you’ll need a Vivobook.

RAM: Don’t Go Below 8GB (If Possible)

4GB RAM works on Chromebooks for basic tasks, but it’s tight. On Windows, it’s painful in 2026. Aim for 8GB minimum, and 16GB is ideal if your budget stretches. The difference in multitasking capability is massive. When testing these laptops, the 16GB models handled heavy workloads without constant slowdowns, while 4GB machines struggled with moderate multitasking.

Display Quality Matters More Than You Think

You’re staring at this screen for hours daily. IPS panels cost more but deliver better viewing angles and colour accuracy. TN displays save money but look washed out and have terrible viewing angles. For content creation or extended use, the display quality difference is worth paying for. The ASUS Chromebook Plus 15’s IPS screen makes it feel like a more premium device than its price suggests.

Storage: SSD vs eMMC

NVMe SSDs are significantly faster than eMMC storage. For Windows laptops, this matters a lot, boot times, application loading, and file transfers are all noticeably quicker. For Chromebooks, eMMC is acceptable because most files live in the cloud and Chrome OS is lightweight. If you’re buying a Windows laptop under £500, prioritise models with SSD storage.

Processor Performance

Intel and AMD both offer capable budget processors. The Ryzen 7-7730U in the Vivobook 15 delivers excellent multi-core performance for the price. Intel’s Core i5 and i9 options are solid too. For basic tasks, even budget Intel chips work fine. For demanding work, look for Ryzen 7 or Core i7/i9 processors.

Battery Life Expectations

Chromebooks typically deliver 8-10 hours of real-world use. Windows laptops at this price usually manage 5-7 hours. Powerful processors like the Core i9 drain batteries faster. If you need all-day battery life without charging, Chromebooks are your best bet among ASUS laptops under £500.

Build Quality and Longevity

At this price, you’re getting plastic chassis. That’s fine. What matters is whether the plastic feels solid or creaky. ASUS generally does well here, their budget laptops feel reasonably sturdy. Check keyboard quality too. You’ll be typing on it daily, and mushy keys get frustrating quickly. The Vivobook keyboards are surprisingly decent for the price.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Don’t buy based on processor specs alone. A fast processor paired with 4GB RAM and slow storage will still feel sluggish. Don’t ignore display quality, you’ll regret a terrible screen daily. And don’t assume you need Windows. If Chrome OS covers your needs, you’ll get better performance for less money. Finally, check what’s actually included. Some budget laptops skimp on essentials like decent webcams or adequate port selection.

For more detailed laptop buying advice, Tom’s Hardware offers excellent technical guides and component explanations.