I am completely familiar with how difficult it is to find a good product on a meager budget. Talking specifically about laptops, they are available at low prices like $200 to $300 but are they good to opt for? Well, some of them actually are. And in this article, I am going to suggest the best laptops for under $300. Before saying anything else, you should be aware that a sub-$300 laptop is just for fundamental computer works like managing sheets, excels, web browsing, and all. Don’t expect anything heavy to handle from these laptops.
But this doesn’t make these laptops bad to purchase. It is just all about the budget and requirements. Such laptops are good for business people and students. After days of research and advice from experts, all the listed laptops are arranged in the list of best laptops for under 300 dollars. Therefore, you don’t have to worry about the quality of the product. All the laptops are from branded houses like Asus, Dell, Acer, HP, etc., that have a long experience in the PC and laptop market and understand the user intent very well. Without any further delay, let’s now have a look at the best budget laptops under the $300 budget.
Recommended: Best Cheap Chromebook under $300
Top 10 Best laptops under $300 in 2025
Here is our list of the top 10 best laptops under $300 you can buy in 2025:
1Asus L510 (Best Value Laptop under $300)
Asus has covered a vast price category, and under the $300 price bracket, there is an Asus laptop named Asus L510. This laptop fits a pretty nice package where it serves as a well-balanced machine. This laptop comes with a 15.6-inch Full HD display with a specific pixel count of 1920 x 1080 pixels. The display is pretty nice for the price and will deliver a decently sharp output.
- Display: 15.6-inch 1920 x 1080p FHD
- Processor: Intel Celeron N4020
- GPU: Intel UHD Graphics 600
- RAM: 4GB DDR4
- Storage: 128GB eMMC
An Intel Celeron N4020 processor manages the performance, a dual-core processor with 2 threads sufficient to process primary data. This processor also comes with Intel Integrated UHD 600 graphics as well. The laptop packs 4GB DDR4 RAM and 128GB eMMC for the RAM and storage capacity. This storage is generally used in smartphones and is fast enough to deliver smooth working. The laptop equips Windows 10 in S Mode and also comes with One year of Microsoft 365 Personal.
Regarding dimensions, it is 0.71-inch in thickness and weighs 3.59 lbs which makes it a pretty portable one. Apart from that, all the basic connectivity options are present. Collectively, this is one of the best-selling laptops under $300 and our primary choice. However, there are many restrictions applied in the hardware section due to the limited budget, but it can be efficiently utilized for students to manage everyday tasks. You may also read our coverage of Best Laptops for College Students under $500 if you are a student.
2HP Stream 14 (Runner Up)
HP Stream 14 can be an excellent choice for the students of the school and working professionals seeking a budget-friendly laptop. This laptop has already been bundled with school & office equipment like Microsoft Office 365 and 1TB of OneDrive cloud storage. The laptop packs a 14-inch HD SVGA WLED-Backlit display with a 1366 x 768 pixels resolution. The display is decently bright, and there will be no issue working with the laptop indoors.
- Display: 14-inch 1366 x 768p HD
- Processor: Intel Celeron N4000
- GPU: Intel UHD Graphics 600
- RAM: 4GB DDR4
- Storage: 64GB eMMC
For processing, there is an Intel Celeron N4000 processor. It is a dual-core processor that has a base clock speed of 1.1GHz. It also comes packed with Integrated UHD 600 graphics. The memory and storage capacities of the laptop are also pretty decent. It comes with 4GB of DDR4 RAM running at 2400MHz frequency and 64GB of eMMC storage. Additionally, there is also 1TB of OneDrive cloud storage bundled with the laptop. Overall, it is nearly comparable to our primary choice with a slightly bigger display and similar kind of hardware.
Thus, it is a recommended pick if you are looking for a full-fledged 300 dollars Windows laptop. All the necessary connectivity ports are available on this computing machine with durable body construction. Being a cheaper option, the company has used cheap plastic material. But we can’t complain, given the price tag. Anyway, you should definitely look at HP Stream 14 while purchasing a laptop under this price range.
3Lenovo IdeaPad 1 (Best Value Pick)
Here is one more bonus laptop for you to consider. The laptop is Lenovo Ideapad 1. The laptop is very well priced, under $300. But if you have slight room to expand the budget, you can consider the higher IdeaPad 3 variant for better performance and storage options. This laptop provides a powerful performance due to its high-performing CPU and GPU. The Lenovo IdeaPad 1 houses a portable 14-inch HD display (1366 x 768 pixels) with skinny bezels around the corners. The display is decent for the price.
- Display: 14-inch 1366 x 768p HD
- Processor: Intel Celeron N4020
- GPU: Intel UHD Graphics 600
- RAM: 4GB DDR4
- Storage: 64GB SSD
The processor embedded in the chassis is the AMD Ryzen 3 3250U Mobile processor, a 2-core processor with 4 processing threads and a base clock speed of 2.6GHz. This mobile CPU also has the integrated Intel UHD Graphics 600 GPU for high graphics performance. There is 4GB of DDR4 RAM capacity in the laptop that has been coupled with 64GB of m.2 NVMe SSD storage for fast storage speed and boot up. It runs on Windows 10 in S Mode, a slightly restricted version of Windows with limited functionality. The laptop also comes in Windows 11 variant in case you want refreshed version. Yet again, it arrives in S Mode.
It has Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 4.1, 3x USB ports, 1x HDMI port, and an SD card reader. Besides, the only reason for not being our primary choice is its price. That laptop is perfectly placed under $300 with decent-looking hardware and performance. If you can afford the extra money, you can buy either Asus Vivobook 15 or Lenovo IdeaPad 3. Both the laptops perform very well available at a reasonable price. Overall, Lenovo IdeaPad 1 is the best offering from Lenovo, and it is one of the finest Windows laptops available under the $300 price tag. Hence, if you are bound to use Windows applications, this laptop can do your job efficiently.
4Acer Chromebook Spin 311 (Best Chromebook under $300)
Having a 2-in-1 convertible Chromebook is also possible, even on this meager budget. A Chromebook makes sense as a budget laptop is used for basic things, and Chrome OS handles those things easily. Plus, there is support for Android apps as well. The laptop I am talking about is the Acer Chromebook Spin 311. This laptop packs an 11.6-inch HD IPS display, which is obviously a touchscreen and comes out to be really handy in a more touch-friendly OS.
- Display: 11.6-inch 1366 x 768p HD
- Processor: Intel Celeron N4020
- GPU: Intel UHD Graphics 600
- RAM: 4GB LPDDR4
- Storage: 32GB eMMC
On top of that, there is an Intel Celeron N4020 processor having 2-cores and 2-threads. The processor comes with Integrated UHD 600 graphics. The RAM capacity of the laptop is 4GB LPDDR4 RAM. It provides high speed along with low power consumption. As for the storage, there is a 32GB eMMC flash storage. Despite being a cheaper Chromebook, it does support backlighting. Probably, this is the most inexpensive convertible laptop with a backlit keyboard.
Furthermore, the laptop has been rated to deliver up to 10 hours of battery life, which is incredible. All the essential connectivity ports are available, such as 2x USB Type-C port, 2x USB Type-A ports, and a DC-in port for charging. In conclusion, this is another worthy laptop available for under $300 if you require a Chromebook. We have already covered Best Chromebook under $300 if you are specifically looking for a Chromebook laptop.
5ASUS VivoBook 15 (Best Gaming Laptop under $300)
No need to explain how vast the VivoBook series of Asus is. It covers almost every price bracket with some of the best possible specifications. For this specific list of best laptops, I have the Asus VivoBook 15 to recommend to you. This is, I guess, the second laptop on the list that houses a Full HD display. Also, there is an HD webcam on the top, a useful addition for video conferencing, working from home, and streaming.
- Display: 15.6-inch 1920 x 1080p HD
- Processor: Intel Core i3-1005G1
- GPU: Intel UHD Graphics G1
- RAM: 4GB DDR4
- Storage: 128GB SSD
The Asus VivoBook 15 laptop comes with a big 15.6-inch bezel-less display with an 83% screen-to-body ratio. This is a Full HD panel, which means it has a 1920 x 1080 pixel count on the display panel. Jumping on the processor, the laptop has a 10th gen Intel Core i3-1005G1 processor. It is a dual-core processor with a base clock speed of 1.2GHz. This CPU also packs the Integrated 10th gen Intel UHD Graphics. The laptop also packs a backlit keyboard to enhance usability.
Moreover, there is 4GB of DDR4 RAM and 128GB of PCIe m.2 SSD, which is a pretty nice set of memory and storage. It runs on Windows 10 in S mode and comes with a Fingerprint sensor, 1x USB 3.2 Type-A port, 1x USB 3.2 Type-C port, 1x USB 2.0 port, an SD card reader, and an HDMI port. Overall, it is the best pick if you can slightly stretch your budget of $300. Still, it is available for below $400, which makes it an extremely high-value laptop.
6Lenovo Chromebook S330 (Value for Money)
Another nice ChromeBook laptop on our list is the Lenovo Chromebook S330. If you’re not into a touchscreen 2-in-1 convertible Chromebook and looking for a simple one, then this can be the choice of your interest. Unlike most other laptops on this list, the Lenovo Chromebook S330 has a Full HD screen (1920×1080 pixels) and is 14-inch large. This display is big enough to multitask and is also sharp in quality. Instead of going for an Intel or AMD processor, it has gone with a MediaTek SoC, which is nice.
- Display: 14-inch 1366 x 768p HD
- Processor: MediaTek MT8173C
- GPU: Imagination PowerVR GX625
- RAM: 4GB LPDDR3
- Storage: 64GB eMMC
This SoC packs a 4-core processor with a 2.0GHz clock speed and an Imagination PowerVR GX6250 GPU for smartphone-level high-end gaming. On top of that, there is 4GB of LPDDR3 RAM, which is pretty decent and has been coupled with 64GB of eMMC 5.1 flash storage and additional 100GB of Google Drive cloud storage. It has USB-C, micro SD, and USB 3.0 ports along with Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 4.1. Running on the latest ChromeOS, it has access to all the Google Applications you use on any Android device.
Speaking of the design, it is made of plastic material, which s highly durable. But think & heavy body makes it look bulky. As expected, the battery life is actually perfect for everyday use, and you can easily use it for 8-10 hours on a single charge. Regarding the I/O ports, there are 2x USB Type-A ports, an HDMI port, a multi-purpose Type-C port, and a 3.5mm audio jack. Overall, this is a complete package for a device running on Chromebook, and all of this is available for under $300.
7HP Chromebook x360 (2-in-1 Convertible)
The list of Chromebooks is still on as I have a couple of them to recommend to you guys. This time is the HP Chromebook x360. And you can easily guess by its name that it’s a 360-degree convertible Chromebook. This Chromebook packs a 14-inch HD display at 1366×768 pixels resolution. The laptop has pretty thin bezels and looks good. There is an Intel Pentium Silver N5000 processor, having 4 processing cores.
- Display: 14-inch 1366 x 768p HD
- Processor: Intel Pentium Silver N5000
- GPU: Intel UHD Graphics 605
- RAM: 4GB DDR4
- Storage: 64GB eMMC
To manage the graphics performance, it adds an integrated UHD Graphics 605. The processor’s base clock speed is 1.1GHz, making it suitable for any basic computation. On top of that, there is 4GB of DDR4 RAM with a top frequency of 2400MHz, making it a pretty fast memory. There is also 64GB of eMMC flash storage for storage purposes. This laptop is rated to deliver up to 12 hours and 15 minutes of battery backup. Being a convertible laptop, some people might be concerned about its durability.
But this laptop is extremely durable with good quality hinges made for lasting longer, and HP didn’t compromise with its build quality. Apart from that, the company’s port selection is not bad either as there are multiple USB Type-C ports available with a faster transfer rate. In addition to that, there is a USB Type-A port for usual work with an audio jack. That’s all! In conclusion, if you need a convertible Chromebook, this option might work for you like a charm. The combination of flawless performance and durable body makes it the finest laptop running on ChromeOS.
8HP Chromebook 14 (Good Battery Life)
This laptop is my personal favorite in terms of look and design. It has got comparatively narrow bezels and a fresh modern look to it. The laptop is also very nice in terms of performance as it has a nice set of specifications. There is a 14-inch display with an HD resolution of 1366×768 pixels. Plus, it’s an anti-glare display that is missing in most of the laptops on the list. This display features narrow bezels and hence is still compact to carry.
- Display: 14-inch 1366 x 768p HD
- Processor: Intel Pentium Silver N4000
- GPU: Intel UHD Graphics 600
- RAM: 4GB DDR4
- Storage: 32GB eMMC
Moreover, the Intel Celeron N4000 processor features 2 cores and 2 threads with a base clock speed of 1.1GHz. There is also Integrated UHD 600 graphics. The laptop packs 4GB of DDR4 RAM running at 2400MHz frequency and works flawlessly with the 32GB of eMMC storage. The laptop is rated to have up to 13.5 hours of battery backup, which is really impressive. It also has Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 5.0 for seamless wireless connectivity, along with a good set of physical ports like USB-A, HDMI, etc.
Unlike the X360 variant, this machine doesn’t support a convertible approach, and nor is there touch support available to its screen. Yet, it has become a viable option for people looking for a simple Chromebook at a lower price. The laptop barely costs $250, which is the strongest point of this laptop. However, we don’t highly recommend this computer, but it can be a decent choice for certain people who want to avoid unnecessary touches. Apparently, cheaper touchscreen laptops don’t offer smooth touch responsiveness. That might be the reason some people have different tastes.
9Samsung Chromebook 4+ (High RAM Capacity)
Samsung is also nowhere behind in the game and is well known for making some of the best productivity laptops. Chromebooks are one of them. The one for a sub-$300 budget brings the Chromebook 4+ from the house of Samsung. It features a bigger 15.6-inch Full HD display at 1920 x 1080p resolution. I know the “big” word for this size is contradictory if it was a Windows laptop. But Chromebooks normally arrive in smaller sizes, and this is very rare to have a full-fledged 15-inch display. Unfortunately, the display doesn’t support touch, which is just fine at this price. This Chromebook is more for those who are looking for more RAM than 4GB.
- Display: 15.6-inch 1920 x 1080p Full HD
- Processor: Intel Pentium Silver N4000
- GPU: Intel UHD Graphics 600
- RAM: 6GB DDR4
- Storage: 64GB eMMC
In terms of processing power, Intel Pentium Silver N4000 powers this device holding a dual-core CPU. Its base clock speed is 1.10GHz, going up to 2.60GHz while running demanding applications. There is nothing special about this chip, and it is manufactured on an older 14nm processing node. It further adds an integrated Intel UHD Graphics 600 graphics card for handling the graphics performance. The RAM capacity is on the higher side as it packs 6GB of DDR4 RAM. For storage, it supports 64GB of eMMC storage to store files internally. There is also a backlit keyboard with intact comfortability and decent key traveling.
Moreover, the I/O department is also competent with a decent set of USB ports, including Multiple USB Type-C and USB Type-A ports. The Type-C port is also open for charging, which helps it recharge very quickly. Speaking about the battery life, the company claims to deliver up to 10 hours of battery. But you can expect nearly 8-10 hours of battery in routine tasks, which is decent enough. Besides, the body construction is very slim with military-grade certification. Overall, this is the highest RAM capacity you will ever see under the price of $300. So, if getting more RAM is your priority, Samsung Chromebook 4 is an ideal pick for you; however, this extra RAM can’t significantly improve the overall performance.
10Lenovo Chromebook C330 (Bonus for Chromebook Lovers)
Lenovo Chromebook C330 is a 2-in-1 convertible touchscreen laptop running Chrome OS. This is a nicely built laptop housing a MediaTek SoC, which is fairly powerful and power-efficient at the same time. Talking in detail, the Lenovo Chromebook C330 comes with an 11-inch touch display with a resolution of 1366×768 pixels. This resolution is decent for an 11-inch display, not to make it look low resolution. It gives a crisp and sharp image output along with touch support.
- Display: 11.6-inch 1366 x 768p HD
- Processor: MediaTek MT8173C
- GPU: Imagination PowerVR GX625
- RAM: 4GB LPDDR3
- Storage: 64GB eMMC
It houses MediaTek MT8173C mobile SoC coupled with 4-cores with up to 2.0GHz of clock speed and Imagination PowerVR GX6250 GPU for graphics performance. There is 4GB of LPDDR3 SDRAM, and 64GB of eMMC flash onboard storage. The laptop is 1-inch thick and weighs around 2.6lbs. Although this is also a 360-degree 2-in-1 convertible laptop, you can use it as a tablet when you don’t need the keyboard or watch movies and TV shows.
There is one USB type-C, one full-size USB port, and an HDMI port in terms of external ports. On the other side, it has a combo jack, volume control buttons, and a power button. This laptop supports Wi-Fi 2.4GHz band with Bluetooth 4.2 for connectivity. It weighs around 2.64 lbs or 1.2 kilograms, making it a lightweight device. The battery life is decent enough, with 10 hours of running time. This optional pick might work for you as long as you have a minimalistic budget. Overall, it is an excellent Chromebook for under 300 dollars.
Buying Guide: How to Choose the Best Laptop under $300 in 2025?
Be at any budget; it is always a wise choice to have a clear vision of what you need and a product must-have on a base level. Here are the basic things a $300 laptop must-have.
Processor & GPU
One can’t expect a heavy processor on a budget laptop, but for a baseline, a $300 laptop must have at least a dual-core processor in it with more than 1.0GHz of base clock speed to handle the basic computational tasks. Also, make sure that the CPU that has been used also has integrated graphics in it. In this section, AMD’s CPUs are much better as they offer more value for the price, but there are very few laptops with the AMD processor in the $300 budget.
Display
The display is one of the most important parts of a laptop and is the one that interacts directly with the user all the time. Hence a good display is crucial. In the case of $300 laptops, they all offer at least HD resolution (1366×768 pixels). However, there are also a few laptops that have gone for Full HD resolution of 1920×1080 pixels. If your laptop’s screen size ranges from b/w 11 to 12-inch, then an HD resolution will be satisfactory, but if the screen size exceeds this bracket, it will be better to look for a Full HD display to maintain the sharpness of the visual output.
RAM & Storage
A 4GB of RAM is the baseline for any budget laptop. So, while looking for a $300 laptop, make sure that there is a minimum of 4GB of RAM. Not just that, it should be at least DDR3 or DDR4 for fast performance. If you have a $300 laptop, I can easily assume that your work will not be with heavy files and is limited to a couple of documents and video files. And for that purpose, you’ll be good to go with 128GB of SSD storage on Windows or 64GB of storage on a Chromebook.
Windows or Chromebook
It primarily depends on your work. If your work is Windows-specific, then there is no room for choice for a Chromebook. But if your work is basic web browsing, document management, binge-watching, and other works that can be done on ChromeOS, then it will be good to have Chrome OS. It is a lightweight OS and imparts a great battery backup of more than 10 hours which is hard to have on a Windows laptop.
Battery Backup
In terms of battery life, my experience says Chromebooks serve the purpose better than Windows laptops. Any Chromebook can deliver 10+ hours of battery backup, but the backup comes down to around 4-6 hours for Windows laptops. And this is the baseline for any laptop’s good battery life. Hence look for a laptop that has at least 5 hours of battery life. And if you want great battery life, then you can head towards a good Chromebook.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is a $300 laptop worth it?
This is a fairly common question when you’re spending such a tiny amount of money on a laptop. But if your work is fundamental, like web browsing, binge-watching, and doing some document handling, then a $300 laptop will get your job done, and it will be worth limited to just 300 dollars for a laptop.
What is the best laptop under $300?
Unfortunately, there is not much difference b/w most of the laptops in the $300 price segment. Most of the laptops serve similar specs. Hence you can buy any $300 laptop that offers a dual-core CPU, integrated GPU, 4GB of RAM, 128GB SSD (or 64GB eMMC storage for Chromebooks) in the set of its specifications.
Is it good to have a Chromebook for $300?
Yes! In my opinion, it is a better option to go for a Chromebook instead of a Windows laptop for $300. The reason behind this is that a $300 laptop is not gonna be used for heavy tasks. It is just for basic PC stuff, and that stuff can also be handled by a Chromebook.
Plus, Chromebooks run over Google’s Chrome OS, a lightweight OS, and consume less power, allowing the user to use it for more than 10 hours on a single charge. However, if your work asks specifically for Windows OS, I wouldn’t recommend you have a Chromebook at any cost.
Also Read: Best Laptops under $400
Bottom Line
So, these were the laptop that I have to recommend to you for an under-$300 budget. There is no doubt that $300 is a significantly less amount to spend on a good laptop. But the market is loaded with tons of options competing with each other to provide the best possible product to the consumer. Hence it is absolutely possible to get a decently good laptop even under $300 price. In our opinion, Asus L510 is the overall best laptop under $300, which comes with a full-fledged 15.6-inch Full HD display and acceptable performance.
Apart from that, HP Stream 14 and Lenovo IdeaPad 1 are the other two good options with pre-installed Windows OS. But you can also go with Chromebook laptops, which are widely popular in this price range. I hope that this list of best laptops under $300 will help you improve your buying decision, and now you’ll end up buying a more valuable laptop. If this article was helpful for you, then leave a good comment below. Also, if you have any questions or suggestions for any other good laptops, you can surely tell us below in the comments. I’ll surely consider them.
You May Also Read:
