Best HDD Laptops of 2026

Mike Davis Avatar
Mike Davis
Last Updated: Jan 18, 2026

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HDD laptops are a popular choice for those seeking ample storage space on their portable device. These laptops come equipped with a hard disk drive (HDD) that offers plenty of room for storing documents, photos, videos, and more. Unlike their solid-state drive (SSD) counterparts, HDD laptops tend to be more affordable and offer larger storage capacities. While they may not be as fast as SSD laptops, they are still reliable and provide a great option for those who require plenty of storage space on-the-go. Whether for work or for leisure, a HDD laptop is a practical choice for many users.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

acer Aspire Go 15 AI Ready Laptop Cover #TOP 1
acer Aspire Go 15 AI Ready Laptop
ftb score rating icon 9.8
Dell Inspiron 15.6" 13th Gen i5 Laptop Cover #TOP 2
Dell Inspiron 15.6" 13th Gen i5 Laptop
ftb score rating icon 9.7
Dell Inspiron 15.6" 13th Gen i5 Laptop Cover #TOP 3
Dell Inspiron 15.6" 13th Gen i5 Laptop
ftb score rating icon 9.5

Top 3 HDD Laptops

acer Aspire Go 15 AI Ready Laptop

NX.JJLAA.001
Silver
15.6 inch
acer Aspire Go 15 AI Ready Laptop Cover
acer Aspire Go 15 AI Ready Laptop | 15.6" FHD (1920 x 1080) IPS Display | Intel Core 3 Processor N355 | Intel Graphics | 8GB DDR5 | 128GB UFS | Wi-Fi 6 | Windows 11 Home in S Mode | AG15-32P-39R2

The acer Aspire Go 15 offers a smooth computing experience powered by an 8-core Intel Core 3 processor, 8GB of memory, and fast 128GB storage, making multitasking and everyday tasks feel effortless. Its 15.6-inch Full HD IPS display delivers clear and vibrant visuals, perfect for browsing, streaming, or watching movies, while the Acer BluelightShield helps reduce eye strain from prolonged use. You’ll also appreciate the convenience of Wi-Fi 6 and HDMI 2.1 ports, which provide faster connections and easy hook-up to external displays or accessories. Plus, Copilot, the AI assistant built into Windows, helps you get things done more quickly across multiple apps with just one touch.

What We Like
Affordable price
Good for everyday tasks
Fast charging
Lightweight and portable
Easy setup

Dell Inspiron 15.6" 13th Gen i5 Laptop

Black
Dell Inspiron 15.6" 13th Gen i5 Laptop Cover
Dell Inspiron 15.6" FHD Touchscreen Laptop, 13th Gen Intel Core i5 (Beat i7-1250U), 12GB RAM, 768GB Storage (256GB PCIe SSD + 512GB External), Anti-Glare, Win 11 with MS Office, Long Battery Life

The Dell Inspiron i5 Laptop offers a powerful 13th Gen Intel Core i5 processor that smoothly handles multitasking and common office tasks, making your workday more efficient. Its 15.6-inch full HD touchscreen provides clear, vibrant visuals with an anti-glare finish, perfect for comfortable viewing in various lighting conditions. With support for up to 64GB DDR4 RAM and a super-fast PCIe NVMe SSD, you can switch between applications quickly and store large files without slowdowns. Running on Windows 11 Home with AI Copilot, this laptop helps you complete tasks faster and find information more easily, enhancing your overall productivity.

What We Like
Powerful 13th Gen Intel i5
15.6" FHD touchscreen display
High-speed DDR4 RAM and SSD
Windows 11 with AI Copilot
#TOP 3

Dell Inspiron 15.6" 13th Gen i5 Laptop

Carbon Black
Dell Inspiron 15.6" 13th Gen i5 Laptop Cover
Dell Inspiron 15.6" FHD Touchscreen Business Laptop, 13th Gen Intel Core i5 (Beat i7-1250U), 12GB RAM, 768GB Storage (256GB PCIe SSD + 512GB External), Windows 11, w/WOWPC Bundle

The Dell Inspiron i5 Laptop is designed to boost your productivity with its powerful 13th Gen Intel Core i5 processor and Intel UHD Graphics, making multitasking and video calls smooth and efficient. Its 15.6-inch Full HD touchscreen offers clear, vibrant visuals with anti-glare technology, perfect for comfortable viewing in various lighting conditions. With support for up to 64GB DDR4 RAM and a fast PCIe NVMe SSD, you can switch between apps and handle large files effortlessly. Running on Windows 11 Home with AI Copilot, this laptop provides smart tools to help you work faster and stay organized with ease.

What We Like
Powerful 13th Gen Intel i5
Vibrant 15.6" FHD touchscreen
High-speed multitasking support
Windows 11 with AI Copilot
Buying Guide Image

HDD Laptops Buying Guide: What You Need to Know

How to Choose the Best HDD Laptop

When it comes to choosing a laptop, there are countless factors to consider. One of the most important is the type of hard drive. While solid-state drives (SSDs) are becoming more popular, many laptops still come with a traditional hard disk drive (HDD). In this article, we'll explore how to choose the best HDD laptop for your needs.

Capacity

The first thing to consider is how much storage you need. HDD laptops typically come in sizes ranging from 500GB to 2TB. If you're only using your laptop for basic tasks like web browsing and word processing, 500GB should be sufficient. However, if you plan on storing large files like videos or high-resolution images, you'll want to opt for a larger capacity.

Speed

The speed of an HDD laptop is determined by its spindle speed, which is measured in revolutions per minute (RPM). The faster the spindle speed, the faster the laptop can read and write data. Most HDD laptops come with a spindle speed of either 5400 RPM or 7200 RPM. If you're looking for a faster laptop, opt for one with a 7200 RPM spindle speed.

Brand

When choosing an HDD laptop, it's important to consider the brand. Stick with well-known brands like Dell, HP, and Lenovo. These brands have a reputation for producing high-quality laptops with reliable hardware.

Price

HDD laptops are generally less expensive than SSD laptops. However, prices can vary significantly depending on the brand, capacity, and other features. Consider your budget and look for laptops that offer the best value for your money.

Durability

If you plan on using your laptop for work or travel, it's important to choose one that is durable. Look for laptops with sturdy build quality and a protective casing. Additionally, consider laptops with spill-resistant keyboards and shock-absorbing features.

Conclusion

Choosing the best HDD laptop requires careful consideration of several factors, including capacity, speed, brand, price, and durability. By taking the time to research and compare different laptops, you can find one that meets your needs and budget. Remember to stick with well-known brands and consider the laptop's durability if you plan on using it for work or travel.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is HDD laptop?

What Is an HDD? An HDD is a data storage device that lives inside the computer. It has spinning disks inside where data is stored magnetically. The HDD has an arm with several "heads" (transducers) that read and write data on the disk.

2. Do they still make laptops with HDD?

Given these trends, it is pretty safe to say that, by the end of 2020, no new laptop sold in WE will have HDD as the primary storage component – and there's not much doubt the desktop segment will follow closely in 2021.

3. Which is better SSD or HDD laptop?

SSDs are faster, more durable, more compact, quieter, and consume less energy. HDDs are more affordable and may offer easier data recovery in the event of damage. As long as price isn't the determining factor, SSDs come out on top — especially since modern SSDs are just about as reliable as HDDs.

4. What kind of HDD does a laptop use?

Most modern laptop computers use a serial advanced technology attachment (SATA) for HDD devices. SSD device interfaces include SATA, mSATA, and M. 2. Some laptops combine HDD and SSD devices and might feature multiple interfaces.

Editor's Notes

During our hdd laptop research, we found 24 hdd laptop products and shortlisted 3 quality products. We collected and analyzed 7,799 customer reviews through our big data system to write the hdd laptops list. We found that most customers choose hdd laptops with an average price of $401.55.

The hdd laptops are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of hdd laptops, including Acer, Dell. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 384 consumers with an average rating of 4.7.

Written by
Mike Davis Avatar

Mike Davis is a professionally trained electrician with six years of working experience in the electronics industry. He has written an array of web and mobile-based articles for e-magazines and blogs. He loves trying out some novel and popular gadgets and his expertise is in the areas of electronics and computers which is built over many years of working and personal experiences.