Finding the perfect laptop for video editing can be a challenge, especially when you’re on a tight budget. But if you’re willing to put in some research, there are plenty of great laptops available for under $500 that can provide incredible performance when it comes to video editing.
In this article, we’ll be exploring the best laptops under $500 specifically designed for video editing, taking into consideration factors such as RAM, storage capacity, and processor speed. We’ll also discuss the features and specs to look out for when making your purchase decision. So, grab your coffee, and let’s dive right in!
Best Laptops Under $500 For Video Editing in 2025 to Consider
Apple MacBook Pro – 16 inches
In this case, it isn’t about whether or not a Mac will be effective for video editing, but a matter of how much power you need.
If you just plan on doing minor work for YouTube, you won’t be troubled by extensive renders or clamoring for screen estate, so it doesn’t make sense to pay for specs built for something ten times as processor-intensive.
Truly a top-of-the-line machine, this MacBook Pro model was built for precision and nothing less. The 8-core i9 processor can stand up to just about anything you throw at it, it has a powerful graphics card UHD Graphics 630. The 16″ screen offers some more real estate than the smaller 13″ models
Features
- Apple M1 Pro with 8-core CPU, 14-core GPU, and 16-core Neural Engine.
- 16GB unified memory.
- 512GB SSD storage.
- 67W USB-C Power Adapter.
- 14-inch Liquid Retina XDR display.
- Three Thunderbolt 4 ports, HDMI port.
- Backlit Magic Keyboard with Touch ID – US English.
Pros
- It has nearly unbeatable power between the mix of RAM, GPU, and processor.
- Beautiful Screen
- effectively in your favorite editing programs.
Cons
- When editing professionally, you need all the screen space you can get
- No size laptop is going to be able to offer that.
Dell G3 Gaming Laptop
The Dell G3 gaming laptop stands out from other Dell models. It’s a powerful machine packed with great features for video editing.
It has dual fans for stability during high-performance tasks and includes an NVIDIA GTX 1050 for fast video creation, though this adds some weight. The laptop runs on an Intel Core i5 8300H CPU, which has 4 cores and speeds up to 4.00 GHz.
The G3 comes with 8 GB of RAM and a 256 GB SSD, both upgradeable. It has a 15.6″ FHD anti-glare display, making it great for editing. However, the battery life is only about 3 hours, lasting 1.5 to 2 hours under heavy use. It also lacks a USB-C port.
Features
- Processor: Intel i5-8300H CPU
- Ram: 8GB RAM
- Storage: 256GB SSD Storage
- Display: 15.6″ FHD Display
- Graphics: NVIDIA GTX 1050 4GB VRAM
- Battery Life: Up to 3 hours of battery life
Pros
- Sleek keyboard
- GTX 1050 dedicated graphics
- The best gaming laptop for the price
- Dual-channel fans
Cons
- Low battery life
- Average speaker
- Heavy to transport
HP Pavillion x360
The HP Pavilion x360 ranks second on our list of the best laptops under $500 for video editing. HP is known for making affordable and practical technology.
This laptop is great for video editing without overheating. It has an 11th-generation Intel Core i5-1135G7 processor, which offers fast performance for multitasking. Its 360-degree Full HD touchscreen lets you draw and create videos easily.
With 8 GB of RAM and a 256 GB NVMe SSD, it runs Adobe Premiere smoothly. The battery lasts about 8 hours and charges quickly. However, it lacks a fingerprint sensor and a backlit keyboard. The plastic back needs extra care to avoid damage.
Features
- Processor: Intel Core i5-1135G7
- Ram: 8GB RAM
- Storage: 256GB SSD Storage
- Display: Full HD IPS Display
- Graphics: Intel Iris Xe Graphics
- Battery Life: Up to 9 hours of battery life
Pros
- Best 2-in-1 laptop and an absolute bang for the buck
- Speedy processing
- Does not overheat
- Touchpad and touchscreen that respond very well
Cons
- No fingerprint scanner
- No backlit keyboard
Lenovo Ideapad 3
The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 became popular for its low price and strong parts. It features a 10th-generation Intel Core i5-1035G1 processor, which is great for multitasking. With 12 GB of RAM, it’s one of the best video editing laptops under $500. The 256 GB SSD provides ample storage for videos and projects. It also has an energy-efficient backlit screen, giving it a nice look in public.
The battery life is impressive for this price, lasting about 7 hours. It includes a 15.6-inch touchscreen with 720p resolution, but it’s not ideal for professional editing. Overall, you get solid performance with some trade-offs.
Features
- Processor: Intel i5-1035G1
- Ram: 12GB RAM
- Storage: 256GB SSD Storage
- Display: 15.6-inch LED-backlit
- Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics
- Battery Life: Up to 8 hours of battery life
Pros
- Fantastic battery life
- Up to 12 GB RAM
- Smooth touch screen
- Value for money
Cons
- 720p screen
- Slow touchpad
HP 15s Laptop
If you’re not satisfied with our top 3 choices, don’t worry—we have more options. The HP 15 is a great laptop for video editing under $500. It has an 11th-generation Intel Core i5-1135G7 processor that runs up to 4.2 GHz, giving you fast performance.
This laptop has 8 GB of RAM but can be upgraded to 64 GB. It also features a 256 GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD for quick storage. The Intel Iris Xe Graphics card helps with video editing.
The HP 15 is thin and light, with a 15.6-inch Full HD display. However, its keyboard may be hard to read in low light. Consider a touchscreen model if you want more features.
Features
- Processor: 11th Gen Intel Core i5-1135G7 Processor
- Ram: 8GB RAM
- Storage: 256GB SSD Storage
- Display: 15.6” Full HD IPS Display
- Graphics: Intel Iris Xe Graphics
- Battery Life: Up to 7 hours of battery life
Pros
- Fantastic screen quality
- Quad-core processor
- Clear webcam
- Lightweight and thin design
Cons
- Unreadable keyboard
- No touchscreen
- Can’t upgrade SSD
Dell Inspiron 15 5000 – 2018
Dell and HP are top tech brands, offering great devices at good prices. One model to consider is the 2018 Dell Inspiron 15 5000. It has a 15.6-inch LED-backlit display with a resolution of 1920 x 1080, perfect for video editing.
The laptop features an 8th generation Intel Quad Core i5-8250U CPU, which runs at 1.6 GHz and can boost to 3.4 GHz. Many users say it outperforms the 7th generation Intel chip by about 26%. It also has Intel Integrated 620 graphics for decent gaming.
With 8 GB of DDR4 RAM, it can be upgraded to 32 GB if needed. There’s a 1 TB SATA HDD for plenty of storage. However, the battery lasts only about 4 hours, and the touchpad feels sticky, making it seem cheaper than it is.
Features
- Processor: 8th Gen Intel Quad Core i5-8250U Processor
- Ram: 8GB RAM
- Storage: 1TB SATA hard drive
- Display: 15.6” Full HD (1920 x 1080) Display
- Graphics: Intel Integrated 620 Graphics
- Battery Life: Up to 4 hours of battery life
Pros
- Backlit Keyboard
- Widescreen HD Webcam
- Fingerprint reader
- Value for money
Cons
- Poor battery life
- Sticky touchpad
- Missing CD/DVD drive
Acer Aspire 5
Acer is known for making powerful gaming laptops at good prices. The Acer Aspire 5 A515 features an AMD Ryzen 3 3550U processor, which is great for heavy tasks. It has 4 cores and can reach speeds of up to 3.5 GHz for demanding apps.
The laptop has a 15.6-inch FHD display with a 16:9 ratio and thin bezels. It also includes AMD Radeon Vega 6 graphics for high resolution and frame rates.
You get 4 GB of DDR4 RAM and a 128 GB NVMe SSD. It has a backlit keyboard and a fingerprint scanner for extra security. However, the fans are noisy, and 4 GB of RAM may not be enough for video editing. There’s only one RAM slot, so you might need to upgrade. It also lacks a USB-C port and other features like memory card slots and CAPSLOCK indicators.
Features
- Processor: AMD Ryzen 3 3350U
- Ram: 4GB RAM
- Storage: 128GB NVMe solid-state drive storage
- Display: 15.6 Full HD display
- Graphics: AMD Radeon Vega 6 Mobile Graphics
- Battery Life: Up to 10 hours of battery life
Pros
- Stunning screen
- Price-performance ratio
- Aluminum top cover
- Lightweight at only 3.6 pounds (1.63 kg)
Cons
- Low battery life
- Microsoft Windows S
Dell Inspiron 15 Laptop (2021 Model)
The Dell Inspiron 15 is a small upgrade from the Inspiron 15 5000, offering great features at a good price. It has an Intel Celeron N4020 dual-core processor that runs at 1.1 GHz and can boost to 2.8 GHz.
The 15.6-inch HD display has a 16:9 aspect ratio and anti-glare, which is good for beginners in video editing. It comes with 16 GB of RAM to run multiple programs smoothly and a 256 GB NVMe SSD for fast startup and data transfer.
The laptop also has Intel UHD Graphics for decent visuals. It includes Windows 10 and a free upgrade to Windows 11 when available.
Features
- Processor: Intel N4020 Dual-Core Processor
- Ram: 16GB RAM
- Storage: 256GB SSD Storage
- Display: 15.6″ HD Display
- Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics 600
- Battery Life: Up to 7.5 hours of battery life
Pros
- Lightweight
- Thin and elegant design
- Quick charging
- Battery timing of up to 6 hours
Cons
- Only 1366 × 786 screen
- Only one color
HP Premium Laptop (2021 Model)
The HP Premium 2021 is the finest editing laptop under $500 since it has all the components and technical requirements required to run top-tier editing programs.
With a 6.5 mm thin silver bezel, the model’s 14″ HD (1366 x 786) touchscreen gives it a more upscale appearance. Due to its lightweight design of about 3.2 pounds, it is designed to keep you engaged and productive wherever you are (1.45 kg).
You will receive AMD AthlonTM Silver 3050GE as its top powerhouse in terms of technical features, powered by AMD Radeon Graphics to improve your workflow. It has two cores, two physical threads, and four MB of cache on a mobile platform with a dual-core CPU. It has a base frequency of 2.3 GHz and can be unlocked for a boosted rate of up to 3.4 GHz.
Features
- Processor: AMD Athlon Processor
- Ram: 16GB RAM
- Storage: 320GB SSD Storage
- Display: 14″ HD Display
- Graphics: AMD Radeon Graphics
- Battery Life: Up to 9 hours of battery life
Pros
- Responsive touchscreen
- Excellent camera quality
- Decent battery life
- Lightweight
Cons
- Outdated Windows
- 10Relatively slow processor
ASUS Vivobook F512
The ASUS VivoBook F512 is a strong choice for video editing on a budget. It features an AMD Ryzen 5 3500U processor, with a base speed of 2.1 GHz, and can reach up to 3.6 GHz. It includes AMD Radeon Vega 8 graphics, providing enough video memory for editing software.
The 15.6-inch screen has a sharp 1920 x 1080 resolution and an 88% screen-to-body ratio for a great view. It comes with 8 GB of RAM, with a 16 GB option available. A 256 GB PCIe NVMe M.2 SSD ensures quick start-ups.
The laptop has a backlit keyboard, a fingerprint sensor, HDMI for TV connection, and USB 3.2 Type-C for fast data transfer. It’s good for video editing, but faster RAM would help. One downside is the display brightness, which is only 200 nits, making it hard to see in bright light.
Features
- Processor: AMD R5-3500U CPU
- Ram: 8GB RAM
- Storage: 256GB SSD Storage
- Display: 15.6” FHD WideView NanoEdge Display
- Graphics: AMD Radeon Graphics
- Battery Life: Up to 3 hours of battery life
Pros
- Several variations
- slim and modern style
- an everlasting battery
- ideal touchpad
Cons
- Only 200 nits brightness
- Fans become loud under heavy work
- Not for graphics intent games
Dell Latitude E7470
Ah! We don’t want to go, but the search for the best laptop for video editing under $500 is done. The Dell Latitude E7470 is a refurbished laptop, so you won’t get a brand-new one; it’s second-hand.
This laptop has an Intel Core i7-6600U processor from the 6th generation. It has 2 cores, 4 threads, a base speed of 2.60 GHz, and can boost up to 3.40 GHz.
It comes with 16 GB of DDR4 RAM and a fast 512 GB SSD for quicker start-up and file transfers. The 14-inch QHD touchscreen helps with video editing. Overall, it’s a good choice for under $500, despite being refurbished.
Features
- Processor: Intel Core i7-6600U 2. 6GHz Processor
- Ram: 16GB RAM
- Storage: 512GB SSD
- Display: 14” QHD Touchscreen Display
- Graphics: Intel HD Graphics
- Battery Life: Up to 2 hours of battery life
Pros
- increased battery life
- QHD touchscreen
- Fast boot time
- sturdy frame
Cons
- Refurbished
- Faulty OS
- Long delivery time
Factor to Consider to Buy Laptops under $500 for Video Editing
- User Experience
Look for laptops with intuitive interfaces and responsive performance. A smooth user experience enhances productivity, making editing tasks easier and more enjoyable. - User Review
Read user reviews to gauge real-world performance and satisfaction. Reviews can reveal insights about reliability, speed, and video editing capabilities, helping you make an informed decision. - Overheating Issue
Check if the laptop has proper cooling features to prevent overheating during long editing sessions. Overheating can affect performance and cause hardware damage over time. - Build Quality and Design
Choose a laptop with durable materials and a comfortable design. A solid build ensures longevity, while an ergonomic design enhances usability during extended editing periods. - Brand
Opt for reputable brands known for quality and customer support. Established brands often provide better service and warranty options, ensuring peace of mind with your purchase. - Warranty and Battery Life
Look for laptops with good warranty coverage and decent battery life. A solid warranty protects your investment, while longer battery life allows for flexible editing on the go.
Why use a big screen?
Working long hours on your trade is essential to video editing, and smaller screens may cause eye strain and discomfort that will hinder your productivity. Additionally, increased resolution results in better pixels and superior output.
Other factors to consider:
- SSD storage
- Lightweight
- Dedicated graphics
- Battery life
FAQs
What specifications should a laptop for video editing have?
For faster processing of higher resolution recordings, a video editing laptop with 8 GB RAM and a 6TH Intel or AMD Athlon processor is required.
Which affordable laptop is the best for editing YouTube videos?
One of the most well-liked laptops that new YouTubers use to edit their videos before uploading them is the ASUS VivoBook F512.
How can I edit videos on my laptop for free?
The best video editing tools are Premier Pro and Final Cut Pro X, however, you can still edit your videos on these programs without paying a cent
1. DaVinci Resolve
2. Movie Maker Online
3. Lightworks
4. VideoPad
Conclusion
You might be able to locate the greatest laptop for video editing on the market, but you trust our advice to help you advance your career on a tight budget.
As a result, we assisted you by reviewing all of the greatest laptops for video editing for around $500 that are available on the market, all of which have good features and sturdy bodies.
The Dell G3 Gaming Laptop is the option we recommend if you’re still unsure which to choose. The dedicated GTX 1050 graphics card is the most crucial feature of this device, along with high-frequency RAM and a quick processor. Thank you for sticking with us through to the end.
