The Best Budget Desktop Computers for 2020

Hearing the words “budget desktop PC” may conjure some negative vibes, but it doesn’t have to be that way. In the desktop computer world, inexpensive is not synonymous with low-quality or slow, especially nowadays.

Whether you’re replacing an older, flagging PC, setting up a digital signage solution, or equipping a new or temporary office that needs only simple computing, a budget or mini PC may do the job. Today’s budget desktops offer a modest baseline for performance and decent flexibility, while lasting longer than they used to. We’re talking about desktops that cost $800 at the very most, with many coming in under $500 and a few even below $200.

Below, we’ve listed all of the best budget desktops that we’ve been able to apply our full gauntlet of testing to, followed by a detailed buying guide for the most common questions before making a purchase.

More About Our Picks

Best General-Use Budget Desktop

Bottom Line:

Acer’s Aspire TC-895-UA91 is one of the best values around for under-$500 budget desktops, with snappy Core i3 performance and solid all-around feature support for the money.

Pros

• Top value we’ve tested in under-$500 desktops
• 10th Generation Intel Core i3 CPU delivers solid performance for the price
• Compact design with full complement of ports (USB-C, SD card slot)
• Optical drive, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth included

Cons

• Integrated graphics make gaming and 3D apps nonstarters
• Graphics upgrade options are limited
• Nonstandard PSU
• Fairly tight interior

Dell Inspiron Desktop (3891)

Best Home-Office Budget Desktop

Bottom Line:

Dell’s compact Inspiron Desktop 3891 offers a peppy Core i3 processor, Wi-Fi 6, and a DVD burner for a rock-bottom price.

Pros

• Bargain price
• Perky Intel Core i3 CPU
• Runs quietly
• Built-in DVD burner and Wi-Fi 6
• Includes 12-month McAfee subscription

Cons

• Only one HDMI port
• Integrated graphics limit gaming potential
• Base model supports only one internal storage drive
• Nonstandard power supply

Apple Mac mini (M1, 256 GB SSD, Late 2020)

Best Budget Mac Desktop

Bottom Line:

With a new lower starting price and Apple’s straining-at-the-leash M1 CPU, the Mac mini is far and away the most polished, potent tiny desktop in its class.

Pros

• New, lower starting price
• Much improved overall performance from 2018 model
• Especially promising bench results with native “Universal” apps
• Surprisingly quiet and cool operation under load

Cons

• Boosting RAM and SSD capacity at purchase time is pricey
• Fewer Thunderbolt ports than previous Mac mini
• Memory no longer upgradable post-purchase

Best Budget Mini Desktop

Bottom Line:

The ECS Liva Q3 Plus is a tiny, quiet, capable, and affordable mini PC that’s a great fit as a living-room media streamer or light-duty, hide-anywhere office computer.

Pros

• Uber-compact design
• Quiet operation
• Surprisingly strong port selection
• Smooth 4K streaming
• Capable of some multitasking in Windows
• Available with or without Windows preinstalled

Cons

• Limited local storage
• No USB-C port
• Lacks the latest wireless standards

Intel NUC 11 Pro Kit NUC11TNKi5

Best Budget Mini Desktop With Good Upgradability

Bottom Line:

Intel’s NUC 11 Pro Kit combines the company’s latest silicon with surprising expandability, multi-display chops, and productivity oomph in a state-of-the-art, right-priced mini desktop.

Pros

• Super-trim profile
• Very good CPU muscle for the price and size
• Clean, minimalist classic-NUC design
• Above-average connectivity for…