This $700 Laptop Is Consumer Reports’ Top Budget Pick

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Gadget prices will rise in 2026, all thanks to the AI-powered memory shortage, which is driving up the price of key components used in consumer electronics. Fortunately, even in tough times like these, there are still gadgets that sell at attractive prices and are suitable for anyone shopping on a tight budget. The only problem is that it is usually difficult to find products at such a good price that are worth buying. However, Consumer Reports has a panel of experts who review and rate products to help you make the best purchasing decisions when you’re in the market for a new gadget. The site’s experts have so far evaluated more than 180 laptops and around 20 Chromebooks. So when they recommend a model that is worth buying, you should definitely check it out.

If you’re looking for a laptop on a budget, CR recommends the Acer Aspire 16 AI Laptop. This model underwent CR’s rigorous testing and emerged as a standout option with the highest overall score among budget laptops, earning it the site’s CR Recommended label. That label says it meets CR’s “high evaluation standards,” which the site says could include testing for “performance, safety, predicted reliability, and owner satisfaction.” The Acer Aspire 16 AI usually sells for $800, but it’s currently marked down to $700 at Amazon, making it even more affordable for anyone looking for a top-rated budget laptop that also has CR’s stamp of approval.

CR praises the Acer Aspire 16 AI as “proof that you don’t need to spend a fortune to get a capable everyday laptop.” This is due to the large 16-inch screen, performance good enough to easily handle regular tasks (like web browsing and working on documents), good battery life, and the balanced ergonomics that the laptop offers. This is also a Copilot+ PC, and with Windows 11 Home built-in, you’ll be able to enjoy Microsoft’s Windows AI features on this laptop. In terms of specifications, the laptop features a 16-inch WUXGA display with a 120Hz refresh rate, 1920 x 1200 resolution, 100% sRGB coverage, and up to 350 nits of brightness. CR says the screen is generous enough for its price, although you shouldn’t expect sharp visuals that rival more expensive options.

Under the hood, this laptop is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon The laptop offers a wide selection of ports, some of which are hard to find these days, such as a microSD card slot. In addition to the microSD card slot, you get two USB-C ports and two USB-A ports as well as a single HDMI 2.1 port and a 3.5mm headphone jack.

Although this laptop comes highly recommended by CR for the reasons we have already discussed above, you might still have some doubts about it. If so, Amazon reviewers who purchased the laptop should give you peace of mind about what to expect. Being a newer laptop on the market, the Acer Aspire 16 AI hasn’t received many reviews. It currently has a total of 37 reviews with an overall rating of 3.9 out of 5. Amazon reviewers say it’s a “great laptop,” and it impressed one user by being better than their previous model in terms of performance and battery life.

One Amazon reviewer even goes so far as to say that “if you can’t decide if this laptop is worth it, it is!” Others praise the laptop for being lightweight for a 16-inch laptop and good value for money. That said, the laptop’s 3.4-pound weight might not seem particularly light to many users. Additionally, not all reviews are positive. One reviewer notes that it’s not powerful enough, and another says their device doesn’t come with a valid Windows license.