Dell 14 Inspiron (5410)
The Dell Inspiron 14 (5410) is an incredibly good laptop. It was going to be our top pick, but Dell dropped the sub-$500 model with an i3 processor. However, as of this writing, the version with a Core i5-11300H processor, 8 GB of memory, and a 512 GB solid-state drive is still available for $550, representing unrivalled performance for the price. (We haven’t tested the Core i5 model, but it’s identical to the Core i3 model we tested except for the processor.)
The Inspiron 14 (5410) is small and light, and the Core i3 model we tested had an above-average battery life of about 8.5 hours in our tests; we expect the battery life of the Core i5 model to be slightly shorter, but not by much. Its 14-inch 19201080 display, as well as its comfortable backlit keyboard and sturdy build quality, are the best of the models we tested this year.
The Inspiron 14 (5410) also includes a reliable fingerprint reader built into the power button. This laptop is by far the best value I’ve seen in nearly a decade of testing laptops; if you need a Windows laptop and have a little extra money to spend, this is the one to get.
HP 14t-dq200 Laptop
Get the HP Laptop 14t-dq200, which was previously our top pick. Its processor, memory, and storage are fast enough for most computer tasks, and its 19201080 screen looks crisp and colorful—though you must select this upgrade during checkout or you will be stuck with a poor display.
In our mid-2022 battery life test, the 14t lasted 6 hours and 43 minutes, which is about average for this category. Its chassis has a hollow feel to it and flexes under light pressure.
Its keyboard and trackpad also have a cheap feel to them and rattle when tapped. However, both inputs are accurate, and it is the best option if our top pick is unavailable.
In our mid-2022 battery life test, the 14t lasted 6 hours and 43 minutes, which is about average for this category. Its chassis has a hollow feel to it and flexes under light pressure.
Its keyboard and trackpad also have a cheap feel to them and rattle when tapped. However, both inputs are accurate, and it is the best option if our top pick is unavailable.
Aspire 3 (A315-58-35VZ)
The Acer Aspire 3 A315-58-35VZ and A315-58-300D are the next best options. The Aspire 3 (A315-58) has a poorer display, no USB-C ports, and significantly less battery life than the Acer Aspire 5 (A515-45) models we recommend.
In our mid-2022 battery life test, the 300D model lasted only 5 hours and 11 minutes, while the 35VZ model lasted 6 hours and 11 minutes. However, if our 15-inch picks are unavailable, this is a serviceable option that can handle most computer tasks.
OLED Asus Zenbook 14
The Asus Zenbook 14 OLED, our budget ultrabook pick, costs a few hundred dollars more but has the build quality to last at least five years and the battery life to last all day.
We’ve also seen it on sale for $550 a few times, and at that price, it’s an unbeatable value.
