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For people on a tight budget, it can be challenging to find the best laptop under 300 dollars. Some may even consider budget laptops to be “cheap”, thinking that they are of lower quality, or not as sturdy. Is this true? The answer is no. Cheaper laptops are generally made with cheaper materials, but these laptops are equivalent to their more expensive counterparts when it comes to performance. Moreover, they are often the same brand and usually use the same quality components, but they just cut some corners to save money on manufacturing.
We tested many Windows laptops and Chromebooks from different brands in order to provide you with a lot of choices. Apple laptops on the other hand are too out of range for this price, unless you can settle for a secondhand option or a very old model.
List of top 7 best laptops under 300 $
| 1 | Acer Aspire 5 – The most powerful option |
| 2 | ASUS Laptop L510 – Ultra thin laptop |
| 3 | HP Stream 11 – Best Windows laptop |
| 4 | Lenovo IdeaPad 1 – Best for students |
| 5 | Acer Chromebook Spin 311 – Best 2-in-1 model |
| 6 | Samsung Chromebook 4 Plus – Large FHD screen |
| 7 | Dell Inspiron Chromebook 11 – Best ChromeOS laptop |
Should I buy laptops under 300 $?
There are certainly lots of benefits to owning a laptop under 300 dollars. The main benefit is that at such a low price you get an amazing computer for basic tasks such as typing documents, spreadsheets, browsing the web, and streaming videos. These budget laptops usually have the latest features such as an HD display that is great for watching videos or editing pictures, a fingerprint sensor, and a backlit keyboard so that you can see what you’re typing in the dark. They have enough power to do basic video editing and basic lightweight gaming. However, you should note that these are not professional laptops but instead provide the quality of more expensive computers at a cheap price tag.
Best Laptop Under 300 $ – Reviews
1. Acer Aspire 5
- Specification:
- Screen: 15.6-inch Full HD (1920 x 1080) display
- CPU: AMD Ryzen 3 3350U Quad-Core Mobile Processor
- GPU: AMD Radeon Vega 6 Mobile Graphics
- OS: Windows 10 Home S
- RAM: 4GB DDR4
- Storage: 128GB NVMe
- Battery Life: 7 Hours
- Weight: 3.97 lbs
The Acer Aspire 5 A515 is a thin, sleek laptop under 300 US dollars that does more for its price. It comes with a powerful touchpad and a convenient backlit keyboard to keep you comfortable even in low light. The thin 15.6″ inch full-HD IPS display gives you a stunningly beautiful viewing experience perfect for homework or watching Netflix from your lap! With fast WiFi 6 802.11ac, everything loads quickly and streams smoothly without interruption. Acer laptops are usually equipped with powerful processors and amazing graphics. Powered by an AMD Radeon Vega 6 Graphics card, this PC can handle any task including gaming (especially at minimal settings). The AMD Ryzen 3 3350U Quad-Core Mobile Processor lets you get things done quickly and efficiently with 8GB of RAM while 128GB of NVMe SSD provides faster data access speeds compared to other laptops in this category, all at an unbeatable price point!
Windows 10 Home (S mode) means system requirements are at the core for an even faster safer, and more reliable experience. The best thing about the Acer Aspire 5 A515 is that it’s packed with tons of ports so that no matter what device you need to plug into it, there should be a port for it. The Acer Aspire 5 A515 is not a gaming laptop, but if you want a laptop that can handle your day-to-day office and college work with ease and play your casual games then you can confidently pick this best gaming laptop under 300$.
2. ASUS Laptop L510
- Specification:
- Screen: 15.6-inch FHD (1920×1080) Display
- CPU: Intel Celeron N4020 Processor
- GPU: Intel UHD Graphics 600
- OS: Windows 10 Home
- RAM: 4 GB DDR4
- Storage: 128 GB eMMC
- Battery Life: 8 hours
- Weight: 3.59 pounds
ASUS L510 is an ultra-thin laptop that offers powerful performance with its Intel Celeron N4020 Processor in a sleek design. This Asus laptop is the best laptop under $300 for gaming. With its 15.6” FHD display, you’ll enjoy stunning visuals and immersive gameplay. Intel UHD Graphics 600 and 4 GB RAM provide plenty of power for multitasking, while the 128GB storage ensures you can store all your files with ease. Windows 10 Home in S Mode gives you an intuitive user interface and access to your favorite Microsoft Office apps. And with the included 1 year Microsoft 365 subscription, you’ll be able to stay productive on the go.
3. HP Stream 11
- Specification:
- Screen: 11.6 inch HD (1366 x 768) Anti-Glare Display
- CPU: Intel Celeron N4020
- GPU: Intel UHD Graphics 600
- OS: Windows 11 Home in S mode
- RAM: 4 GB DDR4
- Storage: 64 GB
- Battery Life: 13 hours
- Weight: 2.37 pounds
The HP Stream 11 is the best laptop under 300 $ for students and busy professionals. It is one of the best HP laptops under 300 $ that features an impressive Intel Celeron N4020 processor and 4 GB of RAM, so you can easily power through your work. The 11.6” HD Anti-Glare Display ensures a clear view of your tasks, while the Windows 10 operating system provides a user-friendly experience. With up to 13 hours of battery life, you can stay productive even when away from an outlet. And at just 2.6 pounds, it’s easy to take with you wherever you go. Plus, the included Microsoft 365 subscription offers access to essential tools like Office and OneDrive.
4. Lenovo IdeaPad 1
- Specification:
- Screen: 14.0 inch HD (1366 x 768) Display
- CPU: Intel Celeron N4020 Dual-Core Processor
- GPU: Intel UHD Graphics 600
- OS: Windows 10 S
- RAM: 4 GB DDR4
- Storage: 64 GB SSD
- Battery Life: 12 Hours
- Weight: 3.09 pounds
If you need a reliable laptop that can keep up with your busy lifestyle, the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 14 is here to help. Powered by an Intel Celeron N4020 processor and 4GB RAM, this computer can handle any task you throw at it – from watching videos to browsing the web. For storage, you get 64 GB of SSD. Plus, its High-definition 14-inch display and Dolby Audio speakers create a crisp, immersive viewing experience whether you are watching your favorite shows or video conferencing your colleagues and classmates over its 720p HD webcam.
At just over 3 lbs and less than 1 inch thick, this Lenovo computer is perfect for on-the-go use. WiFi 802.11 ac and Bluetooth 4.1 connectivity ensures you stay connected no matter where you go, while its multiple ports and slots including a microSD card reader, a microphone/earphone combo jack, and an HDMI and two USB 3.1 Gen 12 (Type-A) ports to make it easy to connect external devices.
5. Acer Chromebook Spin 311
- Specification:
- Screen: 11.6 inch HD Touch IPS Display
- CPU: Intel Celeron N4020
- GPU: Mediatek
- OS: Chrome OS
- RAM: 4GB LPDDR4
- Storage: 32GB eMMC
- Battery Life: 10 Hours
- Weight: 0.01 ounces
Acer Chromebook Spin 311 is the best laptop under 300$ for anyone who wants a powerful and versatile convertible laptop. It has a sleek design, a backlit keyboard with anti-ghosting technology, and a 360° Hinge that allows it to go from laptop mode to tablet instantly.
The 11.6″ HD touchscreen display and Intel Celeron N4020 processor let you easily work on projects or surf the web, while 4GB of LPDDR4 memory ensures smooth performance. With Bluetooth 5.0 and Google Chrome access to 2 million Android apps, this best Chromebook under 300$ is perfect for students or busy professionals. Featuring 32GB of internal storage, this device can hold all your important files and documents. Additionally, it has MediaTek graphics that allow you to easily view multimedia content and enjoy your favorite movies and games.
6. Samsung Chromebook 4 Plus
- Specification:
- Screen: 15.6-inch FHD LED (1920 x 1080) display
- CPU: Intel Celeron Processor N4020
- GPU: Intel UHD Graphics 600
- OS: Chrome OS
- RAM: 4GB LPDDR4
- Storage: 32GB eMMC
- Battery Life: 12 Hours
- Weight: 3.80 lbs
Among the best Chromebooks under 300 $, the sleek and efficient Samsung Chromebook 4 + is perfect for all of your activities with ample processing power and long battery life. With an immersive 15.6” screen in a compact frame and sturdy chassis, the Samsung Chromebook 4 Plus is ideal for college students and office workers alike. Its Gigabit WiFi ensures your internet connection stays fast when you browse the internet or download files to its 32 GB SSD storage. With military-grade durability and advanced security features including multiple layers of built-in virus protection, you can be assured that your data will always be safe on this Samsung notebook laptop. Moreover, made by the dominant brand this laptop doesn’t stop at aesthetics either; the Samsung Chromebook 4 Plus offers exceptional battery life, with over 10 hours of regular use between charges.
7. Dell Inspiron Chromebook 11
- Specification:
- Screen: 11. 6 inch HD(1366 x 768) Non-Touchscreen Display
- CPU: Intel Celeron N3060 Dual-Core Processor
- GPU: Intel HD Graphics 400
- OS: Chrome OS
- RAM: 4GB
- Storage: 16GB eMMc Flash Memory
- Battery life: 11 hours
- Weight: 3. 09 pounds
If you are in the market for a low-cost laptop for basic web browsing and word processing, the Dell Inspiron 11 Chromebook is a good option. This laptop has an 11.6-inch HD display and is lightweight and easy to carry around. It has a speedy Intel Celeron N3060 processor, 4 GB of memory, and an included 16 GB solid-state drive for storage.
The Dell Inspiron 11 Chromebook runs Chrome OS so it’s not good for heavy-duty browsing but the laptop boots up quickly and is secure enough for most users who want to avoid security issues. This best laptop for 300 dollars has a good battery life for such a low-priced laptop, and it’s reasonable to replace if something goes wrong.
4 GB of memory is enough for basic tasks but you probably won’t want to run too many applications at once; multitasking can be sluggish at times. Among Dell laptops under 300 $, the Dell Inspiron 11 Chromebook is good for basic web browsing, word processing, and streaming music and videos.
The HD webcam has two microphones which help in reducing noise and eliminating echo during video chats. The battery is a 3-cell Lithium-ion battery that gives up to 11 hours of battery life. This best $300 laptop also has a built-in SD card reader, two USB 3.0 Type-A ports, one HDMI port, and an audio jack. It also has a wireless card with Bluetooth 4.0 to connect wirelessly with other Bluetooth-enabled devices like smartphones. The Dell Inspiron Chromebook 11 comes preloaded with the Google Chrome OS operating system that boots up instantly on start-up. Overall, the Dell Inspiron 11 Chromebook is the best laptop under $300.
Other Notable Mentions
Asus Vivobook E203MA
- Specification:
- Screen: 11.6-Inch HD LED backlight display (1366 x 768)
- CPU: Intel Celeron Dual Core N4000 Processor
- GPU: Intel UHD Graphics 600
- OS: Windows 10 Home
- RAM: 4GB DDR3
- Storage: 64GB eMMC
- Battery Life: 10 Hours
- Weight: 2.2 pounds
If you are looking for a powerful and slim laptop that can keep up with your busy lifestyle, then look no further than the Asus Vivobook E203MA. Weighing in at only 2.18 lbs, this laptop is one of the best laptops under 300 $ for on-the-go use. With its 11.6″ HD display, you can enjoy your favorite movies and TV shows in vivid detail. Powered by an Intel Celeron N4000 Dual-Core Processor and 4 GB of RAM, this laptop will have no trouble keeping up with your multitasking needs. And thanks to its 64GB of storage, you’ll be able to store all of your important files without having to worry about running out of space. Moreover for connectivity, you have an HDMI port, USB-C, and USB 3.0, so you are never short on ports.
Acer Aspire 1 A115-31-C2Y3
- Specification:
- Screen: 15.6-inch Full HD (1920 x 1080) Widescreen LED-backlit TN display
- CPU: Intel Celeron N4020 Dual-Core Processor
- GPU: Intel UHD Graphics 600
- OS: Windows 10 S
- RAM: 4 GB DDR4
- Storage: 64 GB SSD
- Battery Life: 10 Hours
- Weight: 4.2 pounds
The Acer Aspire 1 A115 is the best Acer laptop under 300 $ that’s perfect for all of your everyday computing needs. Powered by an Intel Celeron N4020 Dual-Core Processor and 4GB of DDR4 memory, this laptop can handle anything you throw at it. The 15.6″ Full HD Widescreen LED-backlit TN display provides stunning visuals and incredible detail, while the Intel UHD Graphics 600 ensures smooth graphics performance.
With its 802.11ac Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth 4.1, the Acer Aspire 1 A115 is smooth at wireless connectivity. But at the same time, you are never short on wired connectivity with 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet capabilities via RJ-45 port. And at the same time, you got plenty of ports like two USB 3.1, a USB 3.1 Gen 1 Port, an HDMI port, and a Combo headphone / microphone-in jack. It comes with 64 GB of storage and with up to 10 hours of battery life, you can stay productive or entertained all day without worrying about recharging.
HP Chromebook 14
- Specification:
- Screen: 14-inch HD (1366 x 768) micro-edge display
- CPU: Intel Celeron N4020 processor
- GPU: Intel UHD Graphics 600
- OS: Chrome OS
- RAM: 4GB LPDDR4
- Storage: 32GB eMMC
- Battery Life: 13.5 Hours
- Weight: 3.24 lbs
The HP Chromebook 14 Laptop is perfect for busy professionals who need a reliable device that can keep up with their demanding schedules. Its Intel Celeron N4020 processor and 4GB of RAM ensure smooth performance even when multitasking while the Chrome OS operating system ensures you get quick and easy access to your most important files. And at the same time with 32GB of built-in storage, you’ll have plenty of room to store your most important documents and photos. It is the HP laptop under 300 $ that comes with a comfortable backlit keyboard so you never have to worry about not being able to type in low-light conditions. The 14-inch HD screen places all of your work right in front of you so there are no distractions while operating on tight deadlines. Plus, its battery lasts over 13 hours between recharges, making it ideal for people who live busy lives.
Buyers Guide: Things to consider when buying the best laptop under 300 $
Cheap laptops may not come as perfect all-rounders, therefore you need to know what features mean the most to you. Here are some important considerations you need to make before buying the best laptop for under 300 dollars.
Operating system
The very first thing to consider when looking for the best laptop under 300 $ is the operating system. As we have mentioned earlier iOS is beyond the scope of this price range as Macbooks are expensive. But there are many laptops that come with Windows 10. Many people prefer Windows laptops because of the flexibility they offer in terms of hardware compatibility and rich software pool. However, if you are looking to use your laptop mainly for web browsing, and email checking, and you deem better online security then ChromeOS provides you with a better option.
Processor
The processor is one of the most important components of a laptop. It should have a powerful processor. But it doesn’t need to be a very high-powered one to get things done. A strong dual-core processor will do the job well for most daily tasks, and it must be clocked at a higher speed of about 2.0 GHz or more. Also, if your daily tasks require more RAM usage, then you need to go with quad-core. However, at sub-300, a quad-core processor is rare but not impossible.
Graphics Card
A dedicated graphics card is out of reach for this price range. But if your main focus is entertainment and office work, even an integrated graphics card will yield good performance. Dedicated graphic cards are important for heavy visual rendering required either in gaming or heavier tasks like heavy video editing. They are expensive and to find the laptops with even the low-end GPU you’ll have to look at gaming laptops for under 800 $.
RAM
The amount of RAM in your laptop is another important component when looking for the best cheap laptop under 300$. The more RAM you get, the better performance you can achieve with your laptop. However, for daily routine tasks, you don’t really need more than 4 GB of RAM. Therefore, when choosing a cheap laptop under 300 $, make sure it comes with at least 4 GB of RAM.
Storage
Internal storage is the amount of memory available for saving files like software, music, videos, etc. Good laptops under 300$ have an SSD drive, which is a flash memory chip that is much more compact and quicker than a hard drive. Therefore, look for laptops that come with a good amount of SSD storage. For casual users even a 32 GB SSD can be sufficient at this price, however, if you want to store a lot of things on your laptop, make sure it has at least 60GB of SSD space or more.
Screen
The display is also one of the important components to look at when choosing your best cheap laptop under 300$. The screen size is another factor to consider in your search. If you are looking for a 17-inch laptop, then you should raise your bar and look for laptops under 500 $. However, for laptops under 300$, you expect options from 11 inches to 15 inches of screens.
Also, it should have at least HD resolution which means the display will be 1366 x 768 pixels. Some laptops will even come with Full HD 1920 x 1080 screens. Finally, screens with IPS technology for better visuals and color accuracy, micro-edge technology, LED backlighting, anti-glare, and touchscreens are always a plus.
Connectivity
Apart from reliable WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity for wireless connection, the best cheap laptop under 300 $ should have at least 2 USB ports, a USB type C or type A port, an SD card slot, and an HDMI port. Also, audio jacks for speakers should be present.
Battery life
Generally, cheap laptops come with better battery life because of their lower specs. Therefore, you can expect your best laptop under 300 $ to last for a whole day on a single charge. We would recommend you look for laptops that can last for 8 hours and more so that you can keep up with your work from home, and at the same time keep your entertainment going so that you stay fresh.
People Also Ask
Are budget laptops of lower quality compared to more expensive ones?
No, laptops for under 300 $ are not necessarily of lower quality. They often use the same brand and quality components as more expensive laptops. However, manufacturers may cut some corners to save costs on manufacturing. But overall, budget laptops provide a good value for their price.
Can the best laptop under $300 handle video streaming and online content consumption?
Yes, the best laptop under 300 $ can handle video streaming and online content consumption, including streaming services like Netflix or YouTube. However, you may experience limitations with high-resolution streaming or very demanding video formats.
Are these best laptops under 300$ suitable for gaming?
While the best laptops under $300 are not designed for heavy gaming, some models may be able to handle basic lightweight gaming with their respective integrated graphics cards. It is rare that you find gaming laptops under 300 $. For more demanding gaming, it is recommended to consider higher-priced gaming laptops.
Are there any laptops under 300$ with long battery life?
Yes, some best laptops under 300 $ offer impressive battery life, ranging from 7 to 13 hours. Check the specifications of the laptops on our list to find models with extended battery performance.
Final Words
We’ve done our best to help you find the best laptops under 300 $ that offer the best value for your money. All, these cheap laptops will get all your daily tasks done with ease while providing you with power and speed for all your net surfing and multimedia entertainment.
Though we can’t promise that these laptops will be able to go head-to-head with the higher-end models, they certainly do their best and will definitely hold you off until you can afford a more expensive model.
It’s important to note that not all of them are perfect, but almost everyone has something special to offer so it all comes down to personal preference.
We hope you enjoyed our article on the top laptops under 300$ and that it helped you make up your mind when looking for a new laptop. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to leave us some feedback using the form below.
