We have gathered the top 10 best laptops under 300 dollars! Each of these ones have gone through our performance testing processes.
Looking for laptops in the $300 price range doesn’t leave you with a lot of options. From a more practical standpoint, features on the sub-$300 laptops are restrictive and require proper analysis before being zeroed upon.
Our experts take every aspect of your usage into account before making suggestions. We tested almost 50 best laptop for cheap price points and evaluated them, according to processing power, portability, security standards, battery life, and certainly relevance.
Put simply, if you are planning to buy a budget laptop and that too in the given price range, it is necessary to ascertain the specs, preferences, and trade-offs beforehand.
- In case you are a student, try to get the best laptop under $300, preferably with the best processor and battery backup for the concerned price.
- Furthermore, if you are planning to use the new machine as your secondary travel companion, consider a light-weighted convertible and obviously a touch screen display.
- Desk-bound professionals can consider laptops with a decent chunk of RAM, preferably more than the expected 4GB.
You need to understand that even the best budget laptops aren’t capable of listing every available specification. However, you can refer to our exhaustive list before purchasing a laptop that offers the most productivity.
Pro Tip: Not just a laptop, you can also purchase a decent enough Chromebook at this price, provided you are fine with the Google Chrome operating system and the restricted web-specific functionality.
Side note: You can also read our 5 best Chromebooks under $300 guide.
TOP PICK
Acer Aspire 1
If you’re planning to skip the rest of the discussion, the Acer Aspire 1 is most likely to cut your search short, precisely with the best set of features on display.
For starters, the Intel Celeron powered gadget doesn’t sound like much but offers decent processing performances.
Besides a competitive processor, the gadget scales beyond most in terms of portability and lightweight chassis.
Furthermore, the Aspire 1 flaunts a stunning display, which is a steal for the given price tag. Moreover, the battery backup offered by most of the other budget laptops is no match to the Aspire 1.
Therefore, if you want to skip reading further and make the much-anticipated purchase, this is the perfect laptop under 300 to consider.
10 Best Laptops under $300 Enlisted [Updated 2022]
1. Acer Aspire 1 (A115-31-C2Y3)
PROS
- Brilliant display
- Fast eMMC storage
- Dependable battery
- Wi-Fi 5 compatible
- Light and portable
- A diverse range of ports
CONS
- The screen isn’t as accurate as an IPS panel
- Not for demanding workflows
- Processor: Intel Celeron N4020
- GPU: Intel UHD 620
- RAM: 4GB
- Storage: 64GB eMMC
- Battery Life: Up to 10 Hours
- Display: 15.6-inch FHD (1920 x 1080)
- OS: Windows 10 S
- Highlight: TN Panel comes with better native refresh rates
Aspire 1 is probably one of the best laptops that you can get for this price. Powered by the Intel Celeron N4020 dual-core chipset, this laptop certainly lives up to the processing expectations, courtesy of the Intel Burst support.
With a maximum single-core clock speed of up to 2.8GHz, this notebook is more than capable of handling the basic and even slightly demanding tasks with ease. Casual gaming support is rendered by the UHD 620 integrated graphics module.
Complementing the processor is 4GB of RAM, which is more than adequate for working on cloud software, managing email chains, or opening several browser tabs, at once.
The 64GB storage unit is pretty fast and reliable. The eMMC module loads the Windows 10 S Mode operating system faster than usual. You also get a more than decent, 15.6-inch TN screen to work with.
With 1920 x 1080 display resolution to rely on, the existing display looks exceedingly vibrant. Besides, the viewing angles and screen Refresh Rate are more than adequate for the given budget. The LED-Backlit panel sits right atop the durable keyboard.
Despite the competitive hardware, this sleek laptop weighs a mere 4.19 pounds. Furthermore, the battery lasts for almost 10 hours at a stretch, qualifying this as one of the best laptops under 300 dollars for carrying around for basic professional tasks.
2. Lenovo IdeaPad 1
PROS
- Glare-free 14 inch screen
- Performance-oriented APU
- Bloatware-free operating system
- Comfortable keyboard
- Comes with a Dependable battery
CONS
- Restricted storage
- HD display isn’t bright enough
- Processor: AMD A9-9430E APU
- GPU: AMD Radeon R5
- RAM: 4GB
- Storage: 64GB eMMC
- Battery Life: Up to 8 Hours
- Display: 14-inch HD (1366×768)
- OS: Windows 10 S
- Highlight: Anti-Glare display
The Lenovo IdeaPad 1 is a moderately powerful product from Lenovo, stacking almost every essential feature for the economical price tag. For starters, this is an extremely lightweight notebook at 3.09 pounds. Despite the minimalistic dimensions, you get a dual-core AMD A9-9420E accelerated processing unit added along, capable of reaching clocking speeds of up to 2.7GHz.
Based on detailed tests conducted by our experts, the gadget was able to handle every basic application and even some of the casual games with considerable ease. Supporting the processor further is the Radeon R5 integrated graphics processor.
- The 4GB DDR4 RAM on this model isn’t expandable and boasts of pretty average processing speeds of 1866MHz. This means, if you are expecting quicker creative throughput, the IdeaPad 1 might not be the gadget to invest in.
- The 64GB storage unit, based on eMMC firmware-free technology, is adequately fast and ensures boot-ups at acceptable rates. Lenovo compromises on the display resolution and brings in a 14-inch HD panel into the mix. Despite the meager overall resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels, the anti-glare display saves the day for Lenovo IdeaPad 1.
Lenovo comes with a predefined software suite with 1TB of cloud storage support. In terms of ports, there are 3.1 and HDMI slots to work with. Other essential specs include a standard webcam, SD card slot, and purposeful microphone array. Connectivity, both wired and wireless, is serviceable enough. However, it is the 8-hour battery backup that can definitely make a few budget heads roll.
Overall, the Lenovo IdeaPad 1 is worth considering if you are a loyal Lenovo user and looking for a professional budget laptop at an affordable rate.
3. HP Stream 11
PROS
- WLED-backlit panel
- Exceptional battery backup
- 1TB of cloud storage
- USN Type-C port
- Bluetooth 5.0
CONS
- RAM isn’t upgradeable
- 32GB storage isn’t good enough
- Processor: Intel Celeron N4000
- GPU: Intel UHD Graphics 600
- RAM: 4GB
- Storage: 32GB eMMC
- Battery Life: Up to 12 Hours
- Display: 11.6-Inch HD (1366×768)
- OS: Windows 10 Home S Mode
- Highlight: Bundled Office 365
The HP Stream 11 is probably the most budget-friendly computer that you can purchase without having to compromise on aesthetics. Besides a class-leading design, this gadget is also known for its exceptional battery backup.
At 3.17 pounds, it’s not one of the lightest laptops under $300 that you can buy. However, the Celeron processor ensures decent processing performances, which make you forget about the impending heft. The processor works in tandem with the integrated UHD 600 graphics support and contributes towards the mesmerizing, 11.6-inch visual real-estate.
While the 4GB DDR4 RAM isn’t expandable, the 32GB eMMC unit isn’t promising either. Therefore, file, cache, and data storage abilities aren’t the strongest suits of the Stream 11. Windows 10 Home in S mode comes across as the power-efficient operating system. Next in line is the exceptional keyboard, closely followed by the gesture-supported ImagePad, purposeful webcam, and a commendable set of ports, including USB Type-C, HDMI 1.4, USB 3.1, and more. The battery on this laptop under $300 is capable of lasting up to 12 hours before needing a refill. As per our experts, HP Stream 11 certainly lived up to the battery life promises, on moderate usage. Overall, this is the perfect laptop under 300 dollars if you are interested in getting something as your secondary machine.
4. Dell Inspiron 3583
PROS
- 10th gen Intel processor
- Power-efficient display
- Fast RAM module
- Ultrafast NVMe SSD
- Stereo speakers with MaxxAudio support
CONS
- No Full HD panel
- On the heavier side
- Processor: Intel Celeron N4020
- GPU: UHD Integrated Graphics 610
- RAM: 4GB
- Storage: 128GB SSD
- Battery Life: Up to 6.5 Hours
- Display: 15.6-Inch HD (1366×768)
- OS: Windows 10 Home
- Highlight: Ultrafast storage module with LED backlit
Purchasing the Dell Inspiron 3583 at less than 300 dollars depends on the availability of deals, as listed by offline and online stores. Even without a price cut, this is one of the best budget laptops under $300, courtesy of the high-end Intel celeron N4020 dual-core processor. Intel’s turbo boost technology makes an appearance, ensuring that the clock speed reaches up to 3.4GHz if deemed necessary.
Intel’s integrated UHD, optimized for the intel processors, is also available, playing a pivotal role in casual gameplay and visual experience optimization. 4GB of RAM on offer processes data at 2666MHz, which is pretty fast given the budget tag. Besides, this is one of the best cheap laptops under $300 with a 128GB NVMe-compatible SSD. In the world of eMMC storage units, the solid-state drive is like an ultrafast addition.
Dell also makes ample room for a 15.6-inch screen, featuring the LED-backlit display technology. The HD panel looks great with 1366 x 768 pixels to rely on and keeps display glares at bay. When it comes to additional features, the Dell Inspiron 15 3000 stacks in a decent keyboard, respectable speakers, HD webcam, and integrated microphones.
Dell offers USB 3.1, HDMI, USB 2.0, and other functional ports, followed by a decent set of wired and wireless connectivity specs. The laptop certainly isn’t the lightest product in our catalog at 4.8 lbs. Then again, the battery life of almost 6.5 hours isn’t all that bad, considering the budget. Overall, the Dell Inspiron 15 3000 is a high-end budget laptop reviewed by our experts and certainly worth purchasing if you are looking for a balance machine and an interactive operating system.
Also read: 5 Best Dell Laptops
5. Microsoft Surface Go (Renewed)
PROS
- Fast processor
- Brilliant display
- Chromebook like storage
- Long-lasting battery
- Brilliant speakers
- Offers stylus support
- Dual camera
CONS
- Smallish screen
- The keyboard needs to be purchased separately
- Processor: Intel Pentium Gold 4415Y
- GPU: Intel HD 615 GPU
- RAM: 4GB
- Storage: 64GB eMMC
- Battery Life: Up to 9 Hours
- Display: 10-Inch PixelSense (1800×1200)
- OS: Windows 10
- Highlight: Offers Fast Charging support
If you are in luck, the used or rather the refurbished Microsoft Surface Go is a good laptop to consider under 300 dollars. However, you need to search for credible retouched gadget suppliers before taking the plunge. Clubbed along is the Intel HD 615 graphics, capable of handling the occasional casual game sans lags. Microsoft ensures that a fast chunk of system memory is on offer, in the form of 4GB RAM. Storing files, apps, and consumable media becomes easier with the 64GB firmware-free eMMC storage unit.
While the 10-inch display might sound restrictive, the Surface Go is still the best secondary, globetrotting laptop. The PixelSense display technology makes room for sharper viewing angles and flaunts an overall display resolution of 1800×1200 pixels. Surface Go never runs short of ports and features a USB-C, Surface Connect slot, and other resources to rely on. In addition to these bells and whistles, the company also brings forth a decent power supply unit offering up to 9 hours of extended battery life.
6. CHUWI HeroBook Pro
PROS
- 8GB DDR4 RAM
- Upgradeable storage
- Excellent low-end processor
- One of the best displays on a budget laptop
- Exceptional battery life
CONS
- Shortage of ports
- Not fit for mid-range gaming
- Processor: Intel Celeron N4000
- GPU: Intel UHD Graphics 600
- RAM: 8GB
- Storage: 256GB SSD
- Battery Life: Up to 9 Hours
- Display: 14.1-inch Full HD (1920×1080)
- OS: Windows 10
- Highlight: Decent chunk of system memory
The HeroBook Pro from CHUWI is the perfect all-rounder, in case you are looking for the best laptop under 300. When it comes to raw processing power, the existing Intel chipset is a great addition to the sub 300 budget segment.
CHUWI offers 8GB RAM, which is probably the best addition at this price range. The existing chunk of system memory ensures that you’ll not face any issue while multitasking or immersing in online gaming activities. While there is a 256GB SSD unit in place, you can also expand the same by 512GB, upon using a TF card. The 14.1 inch IPS screen is all about clarity and color accuracy. Besides, the overall resolution of 1920×1080 pixels enhances the overall viewing experience.
Other specs that target productivity include a fast actuating keyboard, smooth touchpad, 0.3mp webcam, and a decent set of ports. This laptop features USB 2.0, 3.1, and other legacy slots followed by five additional ports for charging, data transfer, and establishing external connections. In conclusion, your search for best laptops under 300 dollars should end right after coming across the HeroBook Pro from CHUWI, provided you aren’t much of a brand fanatic.
7. Acer Chromebook 314
PROS
- Excellent design
- A decent set of ports
- Reliable battery
- Best-in-class keyboard
- Exceptional speakers
- 100GB cloud storage
CONS
- No Wi-Fi 6 support
- Chrome OS isn’t meant for loyal Windows users
- Processor: Intel Celeron N4000
- GPU: Intel UHD Graphics 600
- RAM: 4GB
- Storage: 64GB
- Battery Life: Up to 12 Hours
- Display: 14 inch Full HD (1920 x 1080)
- OS: Chrome OS
- Highlight: Extraordinary battery backup
In case you want to purchase a Chromebook, there are quite a few dependable options in the market. The Acer Chromebook 314 is one of the better gadgets to rely on courtesy of sleeker and lightweight chassis. At 3.3 pounds, this is quite a light Chromebook, bolstered further by the functional Celeron processor.
Besides supporting the burst mode at a maximum clock speed of 2.6GHz, the Celeron dual-core SoC also brings home an integrated UHD Graphics 600 GPU for handling casual online gaming and video editing indulgences with ease. This Chromebook from Acer also flaunts 4GB of RAM, a feature that allows you to keep at least 10 browser tabs open at once. Next in line is the eMMC storage module with 64GB of space..
However, this Chromebook scales beyond even the best laptops under 300 dollars if the high-quality structural innovations are concerned. At close to 3 pounds, this is a light and portable Chromebook. The mobility quotient gets a significant boost with 12.5 hours of battery life, as projected by this Chrome-powered laptop. In terms of ports and connectivity, there are two Type-C slots to rely on, followed by Type-A, and Gig Wave 2 Wi-Fi 5 support. Overall, this is the only Chromebook that you should consider for the given cost bracket, mainly for the structural craftsmanship, connectivity perks, and the unrelenting battery.
8. HP 14-fq0013dx (Renewed)
PROS
- Resourceful entry-level chipset
- Fast SSD support
- An excellent conglomerate of ports
- Lightweight notebook
- S mode is power-efficient
- Gig Ethernet support
CONS
- HD panel isn’t bright enough
- Middling battery life
- Processor: AMD Athlon 3050U
- GPU: AMD Radeon
- RAM: 4GB
- Storage: 128GB SSD
- Battery Life: Up to 6 hours
- Display: 14-Inch HD (1366×768)
- OS: Windows 10 Home
- Highlight: Flaunts Gig Ethernet support
Despite featuring an entry-level chipset, the HP 14-fq0013dx packs quite a punch, especially in the 300 dollar segment. Most importantly, amid the plethora of several easily available selections, this laptop from HP doesn’t get ignored and poses a significant challenge to others, courtesy of the formidable performances.
The Athlon Silver 3050U chipset is a great addition for a given price and is capable of clocking at maximum speeds of up to 3.2GHz. Lending adequate support is the Radeon integrated graphics card that makes ample room for casual gaming. Handling email chains or managing multiple tabs on the Chrome browser, the 4GB RAM is quite a handful for the multitaskers. In terms of storage, you get a solid-state module, offering 128GB of storage space.
The 14-fq0013dx brings forth USB Type-C with Super Speed technology, followed by HDMI and USB 3.1 ports for improved functionality. In terms of connectivity, you can always rely on the Wi-Fi 5 standard and Gig Ethernet functionality. To sum it up, the HP 14-fq0013dx is one of the more portable gadgets, weighing a mere 3.24 pounds. While the 6-hour battery backup might be a deal-breaker, it still works fine if you are more of a desk-bound user.
9. Asus VivoBook E203MA
PROS
- Brilliant design
- Light and portable
- 4MB of cache
- Decent connectivity specs
- Long-lasting battery with 10 hours of backup
CONS
- Not meant for hardcore professionals
- 64GB storage space is restrictive
- Processor: Intel Celeron N4000
- GPU: Intel UHD Graphics 600
- RAM: 4GB
- Storage: 64GB eMMC
- Battery Life: Up to 10 Hours
- Display: 11.6-Inch HD (1366×768)
- OS: Windows 10
- Highlight: Ultralight
The VivoBook E203MA is a great laptop under 300, best suited for carrying around, especially if you are more of a mobility fan. For starters, the Celeron chipset is a pretty good choice for the given price, boasting of 4MB cache and the burst clock speed of up to 2.6GHz.
Memory allocation is not the best, courtesy of the budget price point. However, 4GB RAM is still a good enough multitasking resource. Nevertheless, the eMMC storage is slower as compared to an SSD but offers 64GB of storage space for accommodating necessary files and the Windows 10 operating system.
The 11.6 inch Tru2Life screen doesn’t offer a lot of bells and whistles. However, it is still quite sharp despite the restricted resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels. The VivoBook E203MA is one of the lightest gadgets on our list, tagged at a respectable 2.18 pounds. As far as portability goes, the battery backup worth 10 hours has a major role to play. Therefore, the Asus VivoBook E203MA is worth investing in if you want a gadget with a smallish footprint.
10. Asus ImagineBook
PROS
- Combination of the best look and maximum efficiency
- The 14-inch Display makes the HD gaming experience smoother
- HD integrated webcam
- Clear sounding speakers
- Widely spaced keys for maximum convenience
CONS
- You may sometimes feel a little problem with the keys
- Processor: Intel Core M3 Dual-core processor
- RAM: 4 GB
- Storage: 128 GB of internal storage
- Display: 14-inches
- Weight: 3.5 lbs
This is one of the most recently launched laptops under $300 with a premium look and best efficiency. The laptop offers best-in-class performance. The laptop is available in beautiful white color, and the textured lid gives it a distinct and stylish look. The laptop is available with a 14-inch display, which makes your gaming experience smooth and enjoyable. The laptop also comes with an integrated HD webcam that can be used for video calls while playing games with your game-mate.
The clear sounding speakers of the laptop add better vibes to your gaming experience. The keyboard has decently spaced keys so that you don’t face any problem in using shortcuts while you are playing a game. The touchpad of the laptop is pretty big, and it supports multi-finger gestures. The laptop weighs just around 2.5 lbs, making it easy for people to commute with this laptop. The laptop comes up with an Intel Core m3 dual-core processor, which makes it a good option for all types of gamers.
Factors to look for when purchasing the laptop under 300$
There are several factors that one need to consider. Here are a few of them.
1. RAM and VRAM
Although you are looking for the best laptop under $300, it is important to check the laptop’s RAM and VRAM capability. Always try to pick a laptop that offers higher RAM and VRAM capability. The RAM capability should always be more than 200 so that any lags and slowdown can be avoided when you are doing the tasks.
The more is the laptop’s RAM and VRAM capability, the better experience it will offer to you.
2. Display
The Display of a laptop is one of the major components that you can’t miss to check when you are purchasing one. Look for a laptop with the best resolution. Display should be bright and anti-glare so that you can get the best gaming experience.
3. Keyboard and touchpad
The keyboard and touchpads of a laptop are important points to consider. It is very important to make sure that you are comfortable with the keyboard. Try to look for a keyboard that has a customized backlit keypad.
4. Battery life
It is important to check the battery life of a laptop you want to purchase so that you don’t face a shutdown. Check the average duration of a single charge of the laptop’s battery. Try not to go for a laptop with less than 6 hours of battery life. Check reviews on different platforms to get an idea about the battery life. Most often, brands write that they come up with 10 hours of battery life, but you will get just 6 hours of battery life in reality. Thus, make sure to check reviews and specifications about battery life before choosing one for you.
Final Verdict
Amidst the plethora of choices, including a Chromebook, touchscreen convertible, detachable, and a clamshell model, we would still recommend the Acer Aspire 1 for the aesthetics, design, and brand presence, all under 300. While you might be tempted to go lower in terms of budget and get a Chromebook, the Aspire 1 is certainly worth every penny you spend on the same.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
How much do laptops cost, if professional tasks are your priorities?
Professional users might find it hard to accommodate demanding tasks with 4GB of RAM. Therefore, if you are into extensive CPU and RAM intensive tasks, you need to make room for a powerful processor, 10 hours of battery life, and at least 8GB RAM. Related: Best Laptops under $600 -
How much does a laptop cost, if purchased for entertainment and leisure?
You can very easily get a sub-$300 notebook that caters to all your leisure requirements. If you prefer 15.6-inch Full HD IPS panels for sharper viewing angles, the existing price might not be sufficient. This is where we would suggest you to opt for the used Microsoft Surface Go, owing to the brilliant display resolution and the PixelSense paneling technology. -
What is the best cheap laptop for graphics-intensive tasks?
If you want to indulge in graphics-intensive video editing tasks on budget laptops, we would suggest you to take the preferences online, via Chromebooks, flaunting the Google Chrome OS. You can opt for an Asus Laptop , Lenovo Chromebook, or the listed Acer Chromebook 314 to suit diverse graphics-intensive requirements.