Best Laptop for Video Editing Under $500

Need a budget-friendly laptop for video editing in 2025? You don’t need to spend a fortune to edit YouTube videos, reels, or short films. We've researched the best laptops for video editing under $500 that offer smooth performance, decent graphics, and fast rendering—without breaking the bank.

🎥 1. Lenovo IdeaPad 3 – Best Overall Video Editing Laptop Under $500

The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 is one of the most powerful laptops in its price range, making it ideal for video editing tasks like 1080p timeline editing, color correction, and basic effects.

Specifications:

AMD Ryzen 5 5500U or Intel i5 11th Gen
8GB RAM, 256GB SSD
AMD Radeon Vega 7 Graphics
15.6” Full HD Display

Why It’s Great: Smooth handling of Adobe Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve, and CapCut with solid battery life and performance.

✂️ 2. Acer Aspire 5 – Best for Multitasking & Rendering

The Acer Aspire 5 is a favorite among creators who need a large display, cooling system, and fast performance for editing videos on a budget.

Highlights:

AMD Ryzen 3 7320U / Ryzen 5 5500U
8GB LPDDR5 RAM, 512GB SSD
Radeon Graphics
Wi-Fi 6 & long battery life

Best For: Entry-level YouTubers, vloggers, and freelancers using Clipchamp or Filmora.

🎞️ 3. HP 14 Laptop – Compact & Budget-Friendly Choice

For mobile video editors or students, the HP 14 is a compact yet capable machine under $450.

Specs:

AMD Ryzen 5 5500U / Intel Core i3 1215U
8GB RAM, 256GB SSD
14" HD or FHD screen
Windows 11 Home

Why Choose It: Lightweight, reliable for mobile video editing, especially with cloud-based tools like Canva Video Editor or Kapwing.

🖥️ 4. Dell Inspiron 15 – Best for Everyday Editors

Dell Inspiron 15 offers balanced performance with solid hardware, suitable for basic to intermediate-level video editing under $500.

Specifications:

Intel Core i5 1135G7 / Ryzen 5 3450U
8GB DDR4 RAM, 256GB SSD
Intel Iris Xe or Radeon Vega Graphics
15.6” Anti-glare HD Display

Top Feature: Dell’s build quality and easy upgradability make this a future-proof pick for budget-conscious creators.

🔧 5. ASUS VivoBook 15 – Stylish & Upgradeable

The ASUS VivoBook 15 delivers style, speed, and a backlit keyboard for creators who want comfort and power combined.

Top Features:

AMD Ryzen 3 5300U / Ryzen 5 3500U
8GB RAM, 256GB SSD
Vega 6 Graphics
Full HD NanoEdge display

Ideal For: College students, part-time editors, and freelancers looking for a sleek and affordable editing machine.

📊 Comparison Table – Top Video Editing Laptops Under $500 (2025)

Laptop	CPU	RAM/Storage	GPU	Best For
Lenovo IdeaPad 3	Ryzen 5 5500U	8GB / 256GB SSD	Vega 7	Overall Performance
Acer Aspire 5	Ryzen 3 / Ryzen 5	8GB / 512GB SSD	Radeon	Fast Rendering
HP 14	Ryzen 5 / i3	8GB / 256GB SSD	Radeon / Iris Xe	Portability
Dell Inspiron 15	i5 / Ryzen 5	8GB / 256GB SSD	Iris Xe / Vega	Balanced Workflow
ASUS VivoBook 15	Ryzen 3 / 5	8GB / 256GB SSD	Vega 6	Design + Usability

🧠 What to Look for in a Budget Video Editing Laptop

Before choosing your editing laptop, make sure it meets these minimum specs:

Processor (CPU): Ryzen 5 / Intel Core i5 or higher
RAM: At least 8GB for smooth timeline previews
Storage: SSD (256GB or more) for fast rendering
Graphics: Integrated Vega or Iris Xe is okay for 1080p editing
Display: Full HD (1920x1080) for better color accuracy

🌐 Best Places to Buy Video Editing Laptops Under $500

You can find these laptops at affordable prices from:

✅ Amazon – Daily deals, student discounts
✅ Walmart & Best Buy – Walk-in deals and bundles
✅ Newegg – Trusted for budget tech
✅ Manufacturer Sites – Dell, Lenovo, Acer direct offers

Pro Tip: Look for renewed/refurbished options to get better specs at the same price.

📱 Free Video Editing Software to Use With These Laptops

Pair your laptop with these top-rated free video editors:

DaVinci Resolve – Pro-level, heavy on specs
HitFilm Express – Good effects, moderate use
Clipchamp (by Microsoft) – Built-in Windows tool
CapCut Desktop – Free, easy and fast
Shotcut – Open-source & lightweight

📌 Final Thoughts – Best Video Editing Laptop Under $500 in 2025

Video editing on a budget is no longer a dream. With laptops like the Lenovo IdeaPad 3 or Acer Aspire 5, you can create stunning content for YouTube, TikTok, or freelance projects—all under $500.

Choose based on what matters most: processing power, RAM, portability, or screen quality, and you’re good to go.