7 Best Affordable Video Editing Laptops for 2026

If you want a laptop that costs less but still handles video editing in 2026, you are in the right place. Today’s affordable laptops have good performance. They come with fast processors, enough RAM, and solid SSD storage.

But, picking the best one means looking at speed, screen quality, and how easy it is to carry.

Want to see which laptops stand out and how to pick the right one? Keep reading to find the top budget-friendly options.

2026 Laptop with AMD Ryzen 7 5700U Processor (8C/16T), 16.1″ FHD Display, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD

If you want an affordable laptop that is good for video editing, the 2026 AOC Laptop is a great pick. It has an AMD Ryzen 7 5700U processor with 8 cores and 16 threads. This means it can handle editing smoothly and quickly. The 16.1-inch Full HD screen shows bright, clear visuals. It’s perfect for detailed work and watching your edits come to life.

The laptop has 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD. These help your computer run fast and let you open files and programs without waiting. It also has integrated AMD Radeon RX Vega 8 graphics. This can handle moderate creative work, but it’s not made for very heavy tasks.

This laptop is portable and durable. It has a metal body and a backlit keyboard. It’s a good choice for students, casual users, or anyone on a budget who wants a reliable machine for video editing and other creative tasks.

Best for: Students or casual users who want a budget-friendly laptop for editing videos and light creative work.

Pros:

• Strong AMD Ryzen 7 5700U processor with 8 cores and 16 threads
• Bright, clear 16.1-inch Full HD screen
• Can be upgraded with more RAM and storage in the future

Cons:

• Uses integrated AMD Radeon RX Vega 8 graphics, which can slow down demanding tasks
• Battery lasts up to 8 hours, so long editing sessions might need a charger
• Not suited for heavy professional editing or gaming

This laptop offers a good mix of power and price. It’s easy to use and handles most editing needs well.

HP 2026 Flagship 15.6″ FHD Touchscreen Laptop with Intel i7, 16GB RAM, 1TB Storage, Win 11 Pro

The HP 2026 Flagship 15.6″ touchscreen laptop is a great choice for video editors who need power and clear visuals. It has an Intel i7 processor with 10 cores that can run up to 4.7 GHz. This makes it easy to handle heavy editing tasks. The 16GB of RAM and 1TB SSD help you work smoothly, quickly opening files and editing videos without lag. The 15.6-inch FHD IPS touchscreen gives sharp, bright images from many angles. This makes it easier to see small details while editing. It runs on Windows 11 Pro and comes with lifetime Office. It supports modern connections like Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3. Weighing just over 3.5 pounds, it’s portable and powerful at the same time. It’s a good pick for anyone needing a strong, portable editing laptop that won’t break the bank.

Best For: creative professionals and video editors who want a powerful and portable laptop with clear visuals and good multitasking.

Pros:

• Fast Intel i7 processor with 10 cores and speeds up to 4.7 GHz
• 16GB RAM and 1TB SSD for quick files and smooth work
• 15.6-inch FHD IPS touchscreen shows bright, detailed images and wide viewing angles

Cons:

• Slightly heavier at about 3.52 pounds, which may be less convenient to carry
• Uses integrated Intel Iris Xe graphics, which are not best for intense gaming or 3D work
• Battery lasts around 9 hours, so heavier use may need more charging

This laptop makes editing easier with its speed, stunning display, and portability. It is perfect for anyone who wants a solid and reliable machine without paying a lot.

2026 17.3-Inch FHD Laptop with 12th Gen Alder Lake N97, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD, Silver

This 17.3-inch laptop has a big, clear FHD IPS display. The thin bezels give you plenty of space to see your work. It’s perfect for video editors or anyone who needs a bright, wide screen for detailed projects.

Under the hood, it has a strong 12th Gen Alder Lake N97 processor. With 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD, the laptop handles multiple tasks smoothly and loads files quickly. The sleek silver color makes it easy to carry around and look good in any place.

It has a long-lasting battery that can keep you working longer without recharging. The quiet cooling system keeps the laptop cool even during heavy use. Plus, it offers several connectivity options so you can connect your accessories easily.

Whether you are editing videos at home or working in a studio, this laptop has the power you need. It delivers good performance at a price that won’t break the bank.

Best For: Video editors and creative workers needing a big, bright screen and strong specs for detailed projects.

Pros:

• Large 17.3-inch FHD IPS screen with thin bezels for clear, wide views
• Fast 12th Gen Alder Lake N97 processor, 16GB RAM, and 512GB SSD for smooth work
• Long battery life and quiet cooling make it easy to use on the go

Cons:

• About 5 hours of battery life, so you may need to charge often for long work sessions
• Only a few ports with just data-only Type-C and simple connection options, so you might need adapters
• Slightly heavier than smaller laptops, which could make carrying it around a bit harder

16 Inch Gaming Laptop with Windows 11 Pro, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD, Intel 12th Gen N95 Processor

Looking for a light and powerful laptop that can handle gaming, media editing, and everyday tasks? This 16-inch gaming laptop runs Windows 11 Pro and has a strong Intel 12th Gen N95 processor with 16GB RAM. It’s built to run smoothly, whether you’re playing games, editing videos, or doing multiple things at once. The 512GB SSD gives you quick access to your files and apps. Its integrated Intel UHD Graphics can handle casual gaming and media tasks easily. The bright, crisp 16-inch IPS screen with 1920×1200 resolution makes every image look sharp and colorful.

This laptop is lightweight, weighing only 3.5 pounds, and just 0.8 inches thick. It’s easy to carry anywhere you go. It comes with a backlit keyboard so you can work or play even in the dark. It also has more ports for connecting to other devices. Plus, it offers up to six hours of battery life, making it good for travel or when you are on the move.

Best for: gamers, media creators, and anyone who wants a portable, fast laptop for work and fun.

Pros:

• Fast Intel 12th Gen N95 processor and 16GB RAM make multitasking easy.
• Light and slim design (3.5 pounds, 0.8 inches) helps you carry it everywhere.
• The 16-inch screen is bright and detailed, perfect for watching videos or playing games.

Cons:

• The battery might last about six hours, which can be short for long days away from charging.
• Some users say Wi-Fi can be a bit slow or unstable.
• The laptop can get warm during heavy use, which might be uncomfortable and could slow performance.

This laptop gives you good performance in a portable, easy-to-use package. It’s great for anyone who wants a reliable device that fits into their busy life.

15.6″ Laptop for Students and Business (Intel N97, 16GB RAM, 512GB ROM)

If you are a student or a business worker looking for a portable laptop that can handle video editing and multitasking, this 15.6-inch model is a good choice. It has an Intel N97 processor that runs up to 3.6GHz. This helps it work smoothly even when you have many programs open. It comes with 16GB of DDR4 RAM and a 512GB SSD. This means you can move files fast and run your apps without lag. The 15.6-inch Full HD IPS screen gives clear, bright pictures. The laptop has a slim metal body that weighs around 3.7 pounds. This makes it easy to carry everywhere. It offers useful ports like USB-C, HDMI, and supports WiFi 5 and Bluetooth 5.0. You can use it for work, watching videos, or light gaming when you’re on the go.

Best For: Students and business people who want a lightweight laptop that can do many tasks, like editing videos and browsing the internet.

Pros:

• Fast Intel N97 processor with up to 3.6GHz speed
• 16GB DDR4 RAM and 512GB SSD make multitasking quick
• Slim, light metal body and a bright 15.6-inch Full HD screen

Cons:

• The battery lasts about 5 hours, so you might need to charge it often
• Better for light gaming and simple editing, not heavy-duty tasks
• Slightly higher price than basic laptops with similar features

Acer Aspire 3 A315-24P-R7VH Slim Laptop

The Acer Aspire 3 A315-24P-R7VH Slim Laptop is a good choice if you want an affordable laptop for casual video editing. It is lightweight and easy to carry. The laptop weighs just under four pounds, so you can take it with you easily. The 15.6-inch Full HD IPS screen shows clear pictures with bright colors. This makes editing videos more fun and simple.

The laptop runs on an AMD Ryzen 3 processor. It has 8GB of RAM and a quick NVMe SSD. These parts help the computer work smoothly while doing many tasks at once. The laptop does not have a backlit keyboard, so it can be harder to use in dim light. Its Wi-Fi 6 connection helps it stay online fast. The battery lasts long enough for many casual uses. It is good for light video editing, school work, and simple creative projects.

This laptop is best for people who want a low-cost device that is easy to carry. It works well for daily tasks and casual editing.

Pros:

• Light and slim, so it’s easy to bring anywhere
• Clear 15.6-inch Full HD IPS screen with bright, lively colors
• Smooth performance with AMD Ryzen 3, 8GB RAM, and fast SSD

Cons:

• No backlit keyboard, so it’s harder to see keys in dim light
• Hard to upgrade because parts are not removable
• Fan noise can be loud, and the screen refresh may not be perfect for high-end gaming or intensive video work

HP Chromebook 14 Laptop with Intel Celeron N4000, 4GB RAM, 32GB eMMC

The HP Chromebook 14 with an Intel Celeron N4000 chip is a good choice for light tasks like basic video editing and simple content creation. It has a 14-inch HD micro-edge display that shows clear images. The laptop weighs just over 3 pounds, so it’s easy to carry around. It runs on Chrome OS, which is great for browsing the internet and using web apps. It also has a built-in webcam and microphone, making it easy to join remote meetings.

This Chromebook has 4GB of RAM and 32GB of eMMC storage. These specs are enough for basic editing and streaming, but they may struggle with larger files or running many apps at once. The battery life is good too. It lasts up to 13.5 hours on a single charge. This makes it perfect for taking to classes, coffee shops, or anywhere on the go. But, because of the small storage, saving big files or installing many apps can be difficult.

Best for: Light video editing, simple content work, and web-based tasks. It’s ideal for students or anyone on a budget who needs portability and basic features.

Pros:

• Light and easy to carry.
• Long battery life, up to 13.5 hours.
• Clear display and decent webcam and mic for video calls.

Cons:

• Small storage limits saving large files.
• The hardware may slow down with many tabs or heavy use.
• Chrome OS works best for web tasks, not full desktop editing software.

This Chromebook works well if you want a simple device that’s easy to carry and lasts long. It’s good for basic editing and daily tasks, especially if you don’t need a lot of storage or powerful performance.

Factors to Consider When Choosing Affordable Video Editing Laptops 2026

When choosing an affordable laptop for video editing in 2026, think about a few key things. First, make sure the laptop has a good processor. A faster processor helps your videos edit smoothly. Next, check the amount of RAM. More RAM lets you work on bigger files without slowdown. Also, look at the storage space. You need enough room to save your videos and projects.

Don’t forget about the graphics card. A better graphics card makes your videos look better and renders faster. The screen quality is important too. A clear, bright display helps you see your work clearly. Portability matters if you want to carry your laptop around often.

Battery life is another thing to consider. A longer battery lets you work without being plugged in all the time. Finally, see if the laptop can be upgraded later. Being able to add more RAM or storage can save you money in the long run.

Processing Power Needs

Choosing a good laptop for video editing in 2026 needs careful thought. A fast processor is very important. Look for a laptop with at least a quad-core CPU. If you do more complex work, a hexa-core or octa-core processor can help a lot. These CPUs handle videos with lots of effects and multiple tasks better. Make sure the processor has at least 8 threads. More threads mean faster work when editing 4K videos or adding effects.

Some laptops have integrated graphics, which can work for simple edits. But for heavy editing, a dedicated GPU makes a big difference. Graphics cards like AMD Radeon RX Vega 8 or similar help speed up rendering and playback. Also, check the processor’s speed. A clock speed above 4.0GHz helps speed up rendering and makes editing smoother.

As videos get higher in resolution, a powerful processor becomes even more needed. It helps avoid lag and long render times. So, for great video editing in 2026, pick a laptop with a fast, multi-core processor and a strong graphics card.

RAM and Storage Size

To make sure your cheap laptop runs smoothly when editing videos in 2026, focus on having at least 8GB of RAM. This helps your computer do many tasks at once without slowing down. When it comes to storage, go for 512GB or more. Bigger storage means you can save your raw video files, project work, and finished videos all in one place. It’s best to choose a solid-state drive (SSD) because it loads files faster and speeds up your work. Many budget laptops don’t let you add more storage or RAM later, so pick a good amount now. Having enough RAM and storage makes editing easier and keeps your laptop portable. This way, you can work smoothly without spending too much.

Graphics Capability Level

For basic video editing, integrated graphics like AMD Radeon RX Vega 8 or Intel Iris Xe usually work fine. They can handle 1080p videos and simple effects well. If you do more advanced editing, like working with 4K videos or adding lots of effects, a dedicated graphics card can make things faster. Laptops with their own graphics cards, even small ones, often give you better speed and smoother previews than those without. For heavy editing with big files and detailed visuals, look for a GPU with 4GB or more of VRAM. This helps it manage effects better. Also, check if the GPU supports your editing software’s hardware acceleration. This makes editing quicker and smoother.

Display and Portability

A good display is key for editing videos on a budget laptop. A Full HD screen (1920×1080) shows sharp and clear images. This makes it easier to see small details and color shades. A bigger screen, like 15.6 inches or 17.3 inches, gives you more space to work. It also cuts down the need for an extra monitor.

Portability is important too. Look for a light and slim laptop. This way, it’s easy to carry it to different places or jobs. Good color accuracy and wide viewing angles help keep colors true and consistent. That’s useful when you do color grading or editing. Features like foldable hinges or thin bezels add to portability without taking away screen size or quality.

All these things help you get a great view and an easy-to-carry laptop that doesn’t cost too much.

Battery and Upgrade Options

When picking a budget-friendly laptop for video editing in 2026, keep an eye on battery life and upgrade options. Choose a laptop with at least a 50Wh battery. This size usually gives you about 6 to 8 hours of work time, so you won’t need to plug in all the time.

Check if the laptop lets you add more memory. Look for models that support up to 64GB of RAM. Adding more memory helps the laptop run smoother when you have big editing projects. Also, see if the storage can be upgraded. A good choice is a laptop with M.2 SSD slots, so you can add or replace drives easily and get more than 2TB of space when needed.

Good cooling is important, too. Pick a device that manages heat well. This prevents the laptop from overheating during long editing sessions and keeps your hardware safe.

Keep in mind that some cheap laptops might not let you upgrade things. Parts could be soldered to the board or fixed in place. Always check if you can upgrade the RAM or storage before you buy. This way, your laptop can grow with your needs and help you work better.

Last update on 2026-01-24 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API.   Some of the links on this website are affiliate links, which means that at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. I only recommend products and services that I believe will add value to my readers. Thank you for your support!