If you want a new laptop from a recognisable brand but do not want to overspend, HP’s cheaper models are a sensible starting point. They focus on the basics – web browsing, emails, streaming and everyday documents – without the premium price tags of more powerful machines.
Here we have picked out some of the most affordable HP laptops worth considering in 2026. They are not designed for heavy gaming or intensive creative work, but they do offer decent everyday performance for the money. Each one involves a trade‑off between price, portability and features, so the best choice depends on how you actually plan to use it.
Rather than simply listing the very lowest prices, we have highlighted models that still feel like a good buy, backed up by real owner ratings.
These HP budget recommendations are chosen by looking closely at real‑world information such as specifications, pricing, and customer ratings, rather than just chasing the rock‑bottom deal. We focus on models that deliver solid everyday usability, not just impressive numbers on paper.
For each laptop we weigh up the compromises that naturally come with a lower price against what you get in day‑to‑day use, from portability and screen size to ease of setup and reliability. Strong owner feedback is particularly important, as it shows that the laptop copes well with normal family or student use.
Our aim is to steer you towards the cheaper HP laptops that still feel like sensible, dependable purchases, and away from options that might look tempting at checkout but quickly feel frustrating.
We started by looking at the lower‑priced end of HP’s laptop range, including both Chromebooks and Windows machines, and filtered for the models that represent clear value rather than just the absolute lowest ticket price. Any options with consistently poor reviews or obvious deal‑breaking limitations were set aside.
From there, we compared price, review scores and owner feedback, favouring laptops that offer a smooth everyday experience for browsing, streaming and simple productivity. We also considered variety: not everyone wants the same thing, so we included a mix of compact 14‑inch machines and a larger 15.6‑inch screen for those who prioritise comfort over pure portability.
The result is a short list of HP laptops that sit firmly at the budget‑friendly end of the range, but still look like wise buys for 2026 if your needs are realistic and focused on the basics.
These are some of the cheapest HP laptops we are happy to recommend for 2026. The first pick keeps upfront cost as low as possible, while later models spend a little more on extra screen space or refinement.
All are intended for light to moderate everyday use rather than intensive workloads, so you can choose between the absolute lowest price or a slightly higher spend for a more comfortable long‑term companion.
One of the very cheapest HP laptops around, this 14-inch Chromebook is ideal if you mainly live in the browser and want a simple, light machine for everyday tasks.
At around £149, this HP Chromebook is one of the most affordable ways to get a branded laptop that handles web browsing, emails and streaming with ease. ChromeOS is light and simple, so even modest hardware can feel snappy for basic tasks compared with a similarly priced Windows machine. The 14-inch size strikes a nice balance between portability and comfortable viewing, making it handy for students and casual home use. A perfect 5 out of 5 rating from early buyers suggests it does exactly what people expect at this price.
As a very cheap Chromebook, this HP 14″ 14a-ne1000na is not built for heavy workloads, offline software or serious gaming. Storage is likely to be limited, so you will want to rely on cloud services for most files. If you need specialist Windows programmes or expect to keep lots of apps open at once, one of the Windows models on this list will be a better fit, even if it costs slightly more.
Ideal if you want the lowest possible price on a new HP laptop and are happy doing almost everything in the browser. It suits students, casual users and families who mainly browse, stream and work with cloud documents. If you want something light, simple and cheap that just gets basic jobs done, this is a strong option.
A low-cost 14-inch HP Windows laptop for those who need traditional Windows software but still want to keep the budget tight.
This HP 14-dq6002na keeps costs low while giving you the familiarity and flexibility of Windows, which is helpful if you rely on specific desktop apps. The compact 14-inch design makes it easy to carry between rooms, to lectures or to the office, and it should handle light multitasking as long as you keep your expectations realistic. With a very strong 5 out of 5 score from customer reviews, it appears to satisfy buyers who wanted a straightforward, no-frills Windows laptop. For many, it will feel like a safer all-rounder than a Chromebook at a similar price.
Being a budget Windows laptop, performance will not rival mid-range or premium HP machines, especially if you try to multitask heavily. You may find it slower to start up and install updates compared with a Chromebook at a similar price. Storage and memory are likely to be modest, so heavy app users could feel constrained over time. If you are able to stretch the budget, the 14s-dq3001na may feel more future-proof.
Best for buyers who need Windows on a tight budget, perhaps for school software, simple office work or light home admin. It suits people who mostly work with a few apps and browser tabs at a time and are willing to accept slower speeds in exchange for a low upfront cost. If you are nervous about switching to ChromeOS, this is a reassuringly traditional option.
This 14-inch HP laptop costs a touch more than the very cheapest options, but offers a more rounded experience for everyday Windows use.
The HP 14s-dq3001na nudges the price up slightly, but you are still in firmly budget territory for a branded Windows 14-inch laptop. That little extra outlay tends to buy a more comfortable experience over time, particularly if you like to keep several browser tabs and apps open. A 4.8 out of 5 average from its reviews is a strong sign that owners are happy with the balance of price and everyday performance. For anyone wanting a cheap HP laptop that feels a bit more capable than the very entry-level models, it stands out as good value.
Although it offers a better balance of price and capability, this HP 14s-dq3001na is still an entry-level Windows laptop at heart, so it is not ideal for demanding creative work or modern games. It also costs more than the very cheapest HP Chromebook, so if you only ever use web apps, you might be paying extra for Windows you do not really need. Power users may still find they outgrow it quicker than they would a more expensive model.
A good fit for anyone who wants a cheap HP Windows laptop but would like a bit more headroom than the absolute entry-level models. It suits students and home workers who keep several tabs and a couple of apps open, and who value a machine that should stay usable for longer. If your budget can stretch a little, this is a safer long-term pick than the very cheapest alternative.
A well-liked 14-inch HP Chromebook with excellent ratings, offering a smoother take on the browser-first experience if you can stretch beyond the absolute bottom end.
With many more reviews than the cheapest Chromebook here and an excellent 4.8 out of 5 rating, the HP 14a-nf0002na looks like a very safe choice for everyday online life. ChromeOS again keeps things straightforward and responsive for web-based tasks, which suits families, students and anyone who mostly uses cloud services. The 14-inch screen gives you enough space to work on documents and watch videos comfortably without making the laptop bulky. For a little more money than the absolute cheapest Chromebook, you are getting a machine that has proven itself with a broad base of owners.
This Chromebook is noticeably more expensive than the very cheapest HP laptop on the list, so if your budget is extremely tight you may be tempted by the lower-priced 14a-ne1000na instead. Like all Chromebooks, it is not suited to people who depend on full desktop Windows software or want to work extensively offline. If you are not comfortable living primarily in the browser, a cheap Windows HP laptop may be a better compromise.
Well suited to people who are comfortable living in the cloud and want a Chromebook that other owners have thoroughly road-tested. It is a great pick for families, younger students and anyone who wants a fuss-free laptop for browsing, study and streaming. If you prefer a tried-and-tested crowd favourite over the very cheapest option, this HP Chromebook makes sense.
A budget-friendly 15.6-inch HP Chromebook that gives you more screen space for not much extra, great for streaming and casual everyday use.
The HP 15.6″ 15a-nb0006na Chromebook offers one of the lowest prices you are likely to find on a 15.6-inch branded laptop, yet it still enjoys a flawless 5 out of 5 review score from early buyers. That larger screen makes a clear difference for streaming, schoolwork and side-by-side windows, especially if you spend long stretches looking at it. As a Chromebook, it keeps software overhead low, so day-to-day browsing and video playback should feel smooth. For households that want a bigger shared laptop without spending a fortune, it delivers a lot of usability for the money.
The larger 15.6-inch screen makes this Chromebook bulkier and a bit less portable than the 14-inch options, which might matter if you carry it daily. As a Chromebook, it does not cater well for users needing full Windows apps or offline specialist software. You are also paying a bit more than the very cheapest 14-inch HP options, so if you do not value the extra screen space you could save money by going smaller.
Ideal for households and students who do a lot of watching, reading and basic work on a laptop and prefer a larger screen for comfort. It works well as a shared family machine in the living room or kitchen, especially if most tasks are web-based. If portability matters less than screen size and value, this 15.6-inch HP Chromebook is a smart budget choice.
