[top 7] Best Budget Laptops for Editing YouTube Videos (Smooth & Lag-Free Performance)
Introduction: Finding the Right Budget Laptop for YouTube Video Editing
Are you a video editor or content creator looking for a budget-friendly video editing laptop that can smoothly edit your YouTube videos or podcast without any lag? Well, you’ve come to the right place! In today’s post, we’ll look at the best budget laptops for editing YouTube videos that will make your editing experience efficient and seamless, without affecting your budget.
These laptops will give you smooth performance, handle high-resolution footage, and manage multiple layers easily, making your content creation process hassle-free and enjoyable.
In this guide, we’ll explore the top 7 best budget laptops for editing YouTube videos in 2025. Whether you’re using Adobe Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve, Final Cut Pro, or Capcut these laptops offer great performance, good battery life, and value for money.
By the end of this article, you’ll know:
- Which budget laptops are best for video editing
- The minimum specs required for smooth performance
- Pros & cons of each laptop
- Which laptop suits your editing needs and budget
What to Look for in a Budget Video Editing Laptop?
Before diving into our list, here are the key factors to consider when choosing the best cheap laptop for editing YouTube videos:✅ Processor (CPU)
• Choose at least an Intel Core i5/i7 (12th Gen or newer) or AMD Ryzen 5/7.• More cores = Faster rendering times.
✅ Graphics Card (GPU)
• Dedicated NVIDIA GTX/RTX or AMD Radeon GPUs are best for smoother playback & rendering.• Integrated GPUs (like Intel Iris Xe) can work for light editing.
✅ RAM (Memory)
• Minimum: 16GB RAM (for 1080p editing).• Recommended: 32GB RAM (for 4K video editing).
✅ Storage (SSD vs HDD)
• SSD (Solid-State Drive) is a must for fast loading times.• Get at least 512GB SSD (1TB is better if working with large files).
✅ Display & Color Accuracy
• IPS panel with 100% sRGB for accurate color grading.• Full HD (1920x1080) or 4K display recommended.
Top 7 Best Budget Laptops for Editing YouTube Videos in 2025
Here are the best affordable laptops for video editing, based on performance, price, and features:1. ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14
If you want a powerful yet portable laptop for video editing, the ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 is an excellent choice. Powered by an AMD Ryzen 7 7735HS processor and NVIDIA RTX 4060 GPU, this laptop can handle 4K video editing effortlessly. The QHD+ 165Hz display with 100% DCI-P3 color accuracy ensures vibrant and true-to-life colors, making it ideal for professional video editors.✅ Pros:
✔️ High-end performance for smooth 4K editing✔️ Compact and lightweight design, making it portable
✔️ Excellent color accuracy for professional work with 100% DCI-P3
✔️ Long battery life despite powerful performance
❌ Cons:
❌ No built-in SD card reader (external adapter needed)❌ Slightly expensive compared to other budget options
❌ Limited ports (only 2 USB-C and 1 USB-A)
💰Price: $1,099
2. Apple MacBook Air M2
For Mac users, the Apple MacBook Air M2 is one of the best budget options. Powered by the Apple M2 chip and 16GB Unified Memory, it ensures buttery-smooth 4K video editing, especially if you’re using Final Cut Pro or DaVinci Resolve. The Retina display with 500 nits brightness provides crisp and vibrant visuals, while the fanless design ensures a silent editing experience.✅ Pros:
✔️ Exceptional 18+ hour battery life✔️ Highly optimized for Apple software
✔️ Optimized for macOS software, especially Final Cut Pro
❌ Cons:
❌ Limited connectivity (no HDMI, no SD card slot)❌ Not the best choice for Adobe Premiere Pro users
❌ RAM is not upgradeable after purchase
❌ Higher price compared to similar spec laptops
💰 Price: ~$999
3. Dell XPS 15
For those who need a budget laptop for 4K video editing, the Dell XPS 15 is a fantastic option. It features an Intel Core i7-13700H processor and NVIDIA RTX 4050 GPU, which provide powerful performance for smooth video rendering. The 3.5K OLED display with 100% Adobe RGB color accuracy ensures precise color grading, making it ideal for YouTube creators and filmmakers.✅ Pros:
✔️ Stunning 3.5K OLED display for accurate color work✔️ High-end Intel Core i7 and NVIDIA RTX 4050 for smooth 4K video editing
✔️ High-end specs at a budget price
✔️ Excellent color accuracy with 100% Adobe RGB
❌ Cons:
❌ Slightly expensive compared to other budget options❌ Battery life isn’t the best under heavy usage
❌ Fans can become noisy during intense video rendering
❌ Slightly expensive compared to others
💰 Price: ~$1,299
4. Acer Nitro 5
If you want a laptop that can handle both gaming and video editing, the Acer Nitro 5 is a great choice. Equipped with an Intel Core i5-12500H processor and NVIDIA RTX 3060 GPU, this laptop delivers solid performance for Full HD video editing and smooth rendering speeds. The high-refresh-rate display makes it a good option for creators who also enjoy gaming.✅ Pros:
✔️ Powerful GPU (NVIDIA RTX 3060) for smooth video rendering✔️ Upgradeable RAM and storage
✔️ Great for both gaming and editing
❌ Cons:
❌ Bulky and heavy design❌ Battery drains quickly under heavy load
❌ Battery drains quickly under heavy usage
💰 Price: ~$899
5. HP Pavilion 15
If you’re just starting with YouTube content creation and need an affordable laptop for basic video editing, the HP Pavilion 15 is an excellent entry-level choice. It features an AMD Ryzen 5 7535U processor and integrated Radeon GPU, which are good enough for 1080p editing. The Full HD IPS display ensures decent color accuracy for beginner editors.✅ Pros:
✔️ Budget-friendly price for entry-level video editing✔️ Good battery life for extended editing sessions
✔️ Decent performance for 1080p editing
✔️ Full HD IPS display with decent color accuracy
❌ Cons:
❌ Not suitable for 4K video editing❌ No dedicated GPU, so rendering can be slow
❌ Limited upgradeability in terms of RAM
💰 Price: ~$699
If you need an all-rounder laptop for video editing, gaming, and multitasking, the Lenovo Legion 5 is one of the best options. It packs an AMD Ryzen 7 6800H processor and NVIDIA RTX 3070 GPU, which ensures smooth 4K video rendering. The 1TB SSD storage is ideal for creators who need plenty of space for video projects.
✔️ 1TB SSD storage for ample space
✔️ Great performance for both gaming and video editing
✔️ Good cooling system for long editing sessions
❌ Fans can get loud under heavy workloads
❌ Display brightness could be higher for outdoor use
💰 Price: ~$999
✔️ Large 16-inch display for better editing workspa
✔️ Decent battery life for an ultra-budget laptop
✔️ Good performance for basic video editing tasks
❌ No dedicated GPU, so rendering speed is limited
❌ Limited storage space (512GB SSD)
✅ Pros:
✔️ High-performance GPU (NVIDIA RTX 3070) for smooth 4K video editing✔️ 1TB SSD storage for ample space
✔️ Great performance for both gaming and video editing
✔️ Good cooling system for long editing sessions
❌ Cons:
❌ Slightly bulky design❌ Fans can get loud under heavy workloads
❌ Display brightness could be higher for outdoor use
💰 Price: ~$999
7. ASUS VivoBook 16X
For those looking for the cheapest laptop for editing YouTube videos, the ASUS VivoBook 16X is a solid choice. It features an AMD Ryzen 5 5600H processor and integrated Radeon GPU, which are suitable for basic video editing tasks like cutting, trimming, and light effects. The 16-inch display offers a larger workspace for editing.✅ Pros:
✔️ Most affordable laptop on this list.✔️ Large 16-inch display for better editing workspa
✔️ Decent battery life for an ultra-budget laptop
✔️ Good performance for basic video editing tasks
❌ Cons:
❌ Only 8GB RAM (upgrade recommended for better performance)❌ No dedicated GPU, so rendering speed is limited
❌ Limited storage space (512GB SSD)
💰 Price: ~$599
Comparison Table: Best Budget Laptops for YouTube Video Editing
Laptop Comparison (2024)
| Laptop | CPU | GPU | RAM | Storage | Display | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 | Ryzen 7 7735HS | RTX 4060 | 16GB | 512GB SSD | 14” QHD+ | $1,099 |
| MacBook Air M2 | Apple M2 | Apple GPU | 16GB | 512GB SSD | 13.6” Retina | $999 |
| Dell XPS 15 | i7-13700H | RTX 4050 | 16GB | 512GB SSD | 15.6” 3.5K OLED | $1,299 |
| Acer Nitro 5 | i5-12500H | RTX 3060 | 16GB | 512GB SSD | 15.6” FHD | $899 |
| HP Pavilion 15 | Ryzen 5 7535U | Radeon | 16GB | 512GB SSD | 15.6” FHD | $699 |
Final Verdict: Best Budget Laptop for YouTube Editing
Still confused? Here’s a quick summary:”• 💪 Best for Power Users: ASUS ROG Zephyrus G14 (4K editing, RTX 4060)
• 🍏 Best for Mac Users: MacBook Air M2 (Lightweight, optimized for Final Cut Pro)
• 🎨 Best Display for Color Grading: Dell XPS 15 (3.5K OLED, 100% Adobe RGB)
• 🎮 Best for Gaming & Editing: Lenovo Legion 5 (RTX 3070, 1TB SSD)
• 💰 Most Affordable Choice: ASUS VivoBook 16X (Basic editing under $600)
“Which one are you planning to buy? Let me know in the comments!
Each of these budget-friendly laptops for YouTube video editing offers a unique balance of performance, affordability, and usability. Choose the best cheap laptop for YouTube video editing based on your budget and editing requirements.FAQs: Best Cheap Laptop for YouTube Video Editing
Q: What specs should I look for in a video editing laptop?Look for at least an Intel i7/Ryzen 7 processor, 16GB RAM, a dedicated GPU (RTX 3050 or higher), and an IPS or OLED display for accurate color grading.
Q: What is the best budget laptop for Premiere Pro?
For Premiere Pro, go with the Acer Nitro 5 or Lenovo Legion 5, as they offer powerful GPUs for smooth editing and rendering.
Q: Which laptop do most YouTubers use?
Popular YouTubers prefer MacBook Pro, Dell XPS, or ASUS ROG Zephyrus for video editing.
Which budget laptop for YouTube video editing do you prefer? Leave a comment and share this blog with fellow content creators!