Having a laptop with a backlit keyboard is both practical and pleasing to the eye. A backlit keyboard is simply a keyboard where the keys light up when you press them. This feature is very important if you use your laptop in dark or low light environments: not only will this help your typing speed if you can’t type without looking at the keyboard, but also will help you locate keys that you don’t normally use, such as the F- keys. There is also the aesthetical aspect, a backlit keyboard laptop not only adds an eye pleasing visual experience, but also gives a more premium feel to your device. Some high end gaming laptops even comes with RGB backlit keyboards, and even let you customize the backlighting of the keys, change colors in a variety of patterns, and also divide the keyboard into different zones.

LED illuminated keyboards are usually offered on premium laptops, but you can also find many budget laptops with backlit keyboards, and you don’t have to pay extra for this feature. Nowadays, even some Chromebooks have backlit keyboards, and we have recently compiled a list of some of the best Chromebooks with backlit keyboards available right now.

In our list, we have researched and compiled some of the best budget laptops with backlit keyboards as of 2019. Please feel free to tell us in the comments if you have any suggestions or any other laptops with lighted keyboards we should add to the list.

Important: Don’t confuse Backlit LED and Backlit Keyboard!

When writing this article, I’ve seen countless negatives reviews of people complaining how the laptop they just bought doesn’t have a light up keyboard as advertised, and how the product description falsely stated “LED backlit display”. If you already know what LED backlit display stands for, then skip this part :); but there are a lot of non tech savvy people who are confused by laptops’ specs, and many confuse terms such as “backlit Keyboard” and “LED backlit display”.  A laptop that has an “LED backlit Display” doesn’t necessarily come with a light up keyboard too. So, if you are planning on buying a laptop that is not on this list, make sure that you ask the seller whether the keyboard is backlit or not.

 

10 Best Budget laptops with backlit keyboards:

  • Acer Aspire 5 A515-43-R19L: The Cheapest Laptop with  backlit for everyday use!

First on our list, the Acer Aspire 5 is not only one of the cheapest Laptops with backlit Keyboards you can find, but it’s also one of the best budget laptops you can get for basic needs. The model featured here, is the Aspire 5 A515-43-R19L which comes with the new Intel Core AMD Ryzen 3 3200U Processor, 4GB of RAM, and a 128GB PCIe SSD. It’s a great backlit keyboard laptop for everyday use, and especially for typing.

While it’s not the most powerful laptop out there, we can’t deny that it offers plenty of value for the money. For example, The Aspire 5 also comes with a good amount of ports and the build quality is honestly better than many laptops that are double its price. Battery life is also good, at 7.5 hours.

Processor AMD Ryzen 3 3200U Processor
RAM 4GB
Storage 128GB, PCIe SSD
Graphics Integrated, AMD Radeon Vega 3
Screen 15,6 inch, 1920X1080
Connectivity and Ports 1 – USB 3.1 port

2- USB 2.0 port

1 – HDMI port, Ethernet

Card reader, Bluetooth, backlit keyboard

Battery up to 7,5 hours battery life
  • Asus VivoBook 15  F512JA-AS34

The Asus VivoBook 15 F512JA-AS34 combines style, up to date specs, and a pocket friendly price tag. Under the hood, this laptop comes with a new 10Th generation Intel i3-1005G1 processor, 8GB of RAM, a 128GB SSD, and of course, a beautiful backlit keyboard.

There are also other great features that make the Vivobook 16 so unique: for example, the bezels are very thin around the display, which provides an immersive experience when watching movies. There is also a fingerprint sensor for improved security.

This laptop is also great for typing, it’s very comfortable overall, and Asus’s “Ergolift” design definitely helps with that. And of course, you have the backlit keys which can be a life saver for late night usage.

One last note, this laptop (like other cheap laptops) comes with Windows in S mode. Windows 10 in S Mode is a more limited version of  Windows. In S Mode, you can only install apps from the Store, and you can only browse the web with Microsoft Edge. But you can easily disable S mode and switch to normal Windows at no cost.

Processor Core i3-1005G1 Processor
RAM 8GB
Storage 128GB, SSD
Graphics Integrated, Intel Iris Plus Graphics
Screen 15,6 inch, 1920X1080
Connectivity and Ports 1 – USB 3.1 port Type C

3- USB 3.1

1 – HDMI port,

Card reader, Bluetooth, backlit keyboard

Battery up to 7 hours battery life
  • HP 14-dq1033cl:

HP has been putting out some great budget laptops lately, and the HP 14-dq1033cl should definitely be on your list if you’re looking for a cheap but reliable and up to date budget laptop. Despite it’s price, this laptop packs the new  generation Intel i5-1035G4 Processor, 4GB of RAM, a 128GB SSD, and a Full HD IPS display. You definitely cannot ask for more from a laptop at this price range!

In terms of performance, this laptop offers a pretty solid work despite the price tag, and it’s all thanks to the new processor, which score 8273 points on CPU benchmark list by the way. And thanks to the new Intel Iris Plus Graphics G4, you can even play some games or tackle more GPU hungry applications.

The HP 14-dq1033cl is also a great option if you’re looking for a lightweight laptop for school, since it only weighs 4.24 lbs and is only 0,71 inch thick. And of course, it comes with a great backlit keyboard, which is why we included in our list. There is no separate numeric pad however, since this is a 14 inch laptop. So if having a separate number pad is important for you, go for a bigger laptop, or check our best laptops with number pad article here.

Processor Core i5-1035G4 Processor
RAM 4GB
Storage 128GB, SSD
Graphics Integrated, Intel Iris Plus Graphics
Screen 14 inch, 1920X1080
Connectivity and Ports 1 – USB 3.1 port Type C

2- USB 3.1

1 – HDMI port, Ethernet

Card reader, Bluetooth, backlit keyboard

Battery up to 7 hours battery life
  •  HP Pavilion X360 15-cr0037wm:

The HP Pavilion X360 is a premium looking budget laptop that offers a lot of unique features that sets it apart from the competition. It comes with an 8th Generation Intel core i3-8130U processor, 4GB of RAM (With 16GB Intel Optane Memory), and a 1TB hard drive.

In terms of performance, the Pavilion X360 is no beast, but can certainly handle most of your daily productivity tasks with no issues: such as web browsing, watching movies, or using word processing.

The New Pavilion X360 also sports a 15,6 Full HD display that is surprisingly gorgeous considering the price of this laptop. Colors are sharp, and being an IPS display, viewing angles are also great. Not to mention that the X360, as its name implies, also comes with a 360 degree hinge, and you can use the laptop in normal mode, tent mode, or in tablet mode. And did I mention that the X360 comes with a touch display? You’ll be happy to know that this laptop comes with a free pen too.

And last but not the least, the Pavilion X360 comes with a backlit keyboard. The keys have great travel distance, and the tactile feedback is good too.

Processor Core i3-8130U Processor
RAM 4GB
Storage 1TB, HDD
Graphics Integrated, Intel 620
Screen 15,6 inch, 1920X1080
Connectivity and Ports 2 – USB 3.1 port

1- USB 3.1 Type C

1 – HDMI port,

Card reader, Bluetooth, backlit keyboard

Battery up to 7 hours battery life

 

  • Dell  Inspiron 13 7386 :

If you’re looking for a little more power, then check out the Dell Inspiron 13 7386. Not only is the Inspiron 7386 a good laptop with backlit keyboard but it can also fit for a wide type of users thanks to its convertible design. The Inspiron 7396 comes with an Intel Quad Core i5-8265U processor, 8GB of RAM, and a 256GB SSD.

In terms of performance, the Inspiron 7396 is excellent for multitasking and everyday productivity work. The 13,3 Full HD IPS display is great for watching movies or youtube, although not the brightest out there. You can also easily use this laptop in tablet mode thanks to the 360° hinge.  It’s also not too big, nor heavy (3.22lb).

The Dell Inspiron 13 7000 is a perfect choice if you’re looking for a laptop for school, or simply need a laptop for word processing. The Keyboard has a blue back-lighting,  and the keys offer good tactile feedback.

The build quality also sets the Inspiron 13 7000 from other similarly priced laptops. As expected, the chassis is entirely made of plastic, but it has a nice metal finish to it that gives a sleek and premium look.

Processor Intel i5-8265U Processor
RAM 8GB
Storage 256GB, SSD
Graphics Integrated, Intel UHD 620
Screen 15,6 inch, 1920X1080
Connectivity and Ports 1 – USB 3.1 port Type C

1- USB 3.0 port

1 – HDMI port,

Card reader, Bluetooth, backlit keyboard

Battery up to 7 hours battery life

 

  • Acer Aspire 5 A515-54G-5928: The champion of all budget laptops!

Call us biased, but we have included the Aspire 5 two times in this list. Although the design might be similar, but this version is very different from the first one. For those of you who are looking for a laptop with a backlit keyboard, but need a little more power, then the Acer Aspire 5 A515-54G-5928 is unbeatable when it comes to providing value for the money. It’s actually hard to find another budget laptop that packs the same features as the Aspire 5 at this price range: an 8th generation Intel Core i5-8265U processor, 8GB of RAM, a 512GB Solid state drive, a dedicated Nvidia MX250 graphics….and of course, a backlit keyboard!

Battery life is also excellent considering this is a budget laptop, and you can easily get more than 8 hours of use from a single charge.

Processor Intel Core i5-8265U Processor
RAM 8GB
Storage 512GB, SSD
Graphics Dedicated, Nvidia GeForce MX250
Screen 15,6 inch, 1920X1080
Connectivity and Ports 1- USB Type C

2 – USB 3.0 port

1- USB 2.0 port

1 – HDMI port,

Card reader, Bluetooth, backlit keyboard

Battery up to 9.5 hours battery life

  • Lenovo ThinkBook 14S: A great backlit keyboard laptop for typing

Packing an 8th generation Intel  i5-8265U processor, the Lenovo ThinkBook 14S is a perfect choice if you want a laptop that offers both performance and a slim design. The ThinkBook 14S comes with a 7th Gen i5 8265U processor, 8GB of RAM, a 256GB SSD, and a dedicated AMD Radeon 540X graphics card. This laptop is perfect for business users, and for those looking for a reliable laptop that can guarantee consistent performance.

Lenovo also makes some of the best laptops keyboards, and the ThinkBook 14S has a comfortable backlit keyboard with big and well spaced keys. There is also a good amount of ports: 2 USB 3 and 1 USB C, and an HDMI port.

Processor Intel i5-8265U Processor
RAM 8GB
Storage 256GB, SSD
Graphics Dedicated, AMD Radeon 540X
Screen 14 inch, 1920X1080
Connectivity and Ports 1- USB Type C

2 – USB 3.0 ports

1 – HDMI port,

Card reader, Bluetooth, backlit keyboard

Battery up to 8 hours battery life

  • HP Pavilion 17BY0088CI : A great budget 17 inch laptop with a backlit keyboard

Finding a 17 inch laptop has become hard these days, but what is even harder, is finding a decent budget laptop with a good 17 inch screen.  Thankfully, the HP Pavilion 17BY0088CI is here!

The HP 17BY0088CI comes with an 8th Gen i5-8250U processor, 8GB of RAM,  Intel integrated graphics, and a 2TB hard drive. Which is a standard for Intel budget laptops these days. However, what makes the HP 17BY0088CI a special pick is its 17,3 inch screen. while it doesn’t come with a full HD resolution, it still manages to produce a sharp and decent picture quality: This laptop can fit for someone looking for a multimedia device, and for those simply looking for a bigger screen.

And of course, the reason why we put the HP 17 in here is because it comes with a backlit keyboard. Which makes this laptop a good pick for those who do a lot of typing.

Processor Intel i5-8250U Processor
RAM 8GB
Storage 2TB, HDD
Graphics Integrated, Intel HD Graphics 620
Screen 17,3 inch, 1600X900
Connectivity and Ports 1- USB 3.1

2 – USB 2.0 port

1 – HDMI port,DVD/RW

Card reader, Bluetooth

Battery up to 5 hours battery life

 

  • Dell G3 3579: An affordable gaming laptop with a backlit keyboard

If you’re looking for an affordable entry level gaming laptop with a backlit keyboard, then the Dell G3 3579 is one of the best options available to you. Of course, don’t expect an RGB backlit keyboard at this price range, but the G3 has what it takes to save you when typing at night. It comes with an Intel i5-8300H processor, 8GB of RAM, a 128GB SSD +1TB HDD, and a dedicated Nvidia GTX 1050Ti. You can use this laptop for work, but also for casual gaming. The keys have a good feedback, and there is also a separate number pad, which is not that common with Dell.

Although the case is mostly made of plastic, the chassis is very rigid and the laptop seems durable and well built. In terms of ports, we have 3 USB ports, 1 USB C port, and HDMI, which is very good.

Processor Intel i5-8250U Processor
RAM 8GB
Storage 128GB SSD, 1TB, HDD
Graphics Dedicated, Nvidia GTX 1050Ti
Screen 15,6 inch, 1920X1080
Connectivity and Ports 1- USB 3.1 Type C

2 – USB 3.0 port

1- USB 2.0 port

1 – HDMI port,

Card reader, Bluetooth, backlit keyboard,

Battery up to 8 hours battery life

 

  • Lenovo Flex 14: A lightweight 14 inch backlit keyboard laptop with a premium feel

If you’re looking for a lightweight laptop and don’t want to spend 800$ on an ultrabook, then consider the Lenovo Flex 14. This 2 in 1 laptop comes with a 8th generation Intel core I5-8265U processor, 8GB of RAM, and a standard 128GB Solid State drive. The Flex 14has all the power you need for your daily computing tasks, as long as you stay away from intensive applications and gaming.

The 14 Inches Fhd (1920 x 1080) Touchscreen display is ideal for productivity or Creativity, and quality is very good overall.  And of course the Flex 14 also comes with a backlit keyboard.

Processor Intel i5-8265u Processor
RAM 8GB
Storage 128GB, SSD
Graphics Integrated, Intel HD graphics 615
Screen 14 inch, 1366X768
Connectivity and Ports 2 – USB 3.0 port

1- USB 3.0 port Type C

1 – HDMI port,

Card reader, Bluetooth

Battery up to 8.5 hours battery life

 

2 COMMENTS

  1. Thank you very much for taking the time to do this research and post your findings. I found this to to be extremely helpful and informative. You helped me to narrow my choices and to ultimately make a reasonably priced decision.

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