Best Laptops Under $300 (2024) – Top Budget Picks

In today’s fast-paced digital world, having a dependable laptop has become a necessity for almost everyone.

With the rapid evolution of technology, owning a laptop today doesn’t necessarily mean shelling out thousands of dollars.

If you’re working within a budget, there’s good news: the market offers a range of laptops that are both affordable and efficient.

Whether you are a student, a business professional, or someone who is just seeking entertainment, it is highly likely that you will find your ideal option in our list of best laptops under $300.

We have gone through numerous models and after intensive testing, we were able to shortlist 10 top picks that are the cream of the crop.

Top 10 Best Laptops Under $300 Reviewed in 2024

Here’s a quick look at our top budget picks in 2024.

Are the above picks not up to your expectations? Consider reading our guide to the best laptops under $600.

So, if you’re keen on finding a balance between functionality and affordability, read on to discover the top laptops that won’t put a hole in your wallet.

1. Acer Aspire 3 Slim Laptop – Our Top Recommendation

A slim and lightweight laptop for versatile needs. This amazing laptop comes at an affordable price while providing surprisingly great features, making it definitely worthy of being the top recommendation.

The laptop comes in a purposeful design that is thin, lightweight, and compact. With just 0.74 Inch thickness and a weight of 3.92 pounds, you can easily carry the laptop anywhere you go and keep the performance and productivity flowing.

The portability is further enhanced by the lasting battery life of the laptop which lasts for almost 11 hours.

Adding to this, the Acer Aspire 3 provides you with versatile functionality. Equipped with AMD Ryzen 3 7320U CPU and Radeon-Powered Graphics, this laptop can be used for a wide range of applications.

So, whether you have to take care of professional work needs, want to play some of your favorite classic games, or enjoy family time while watching a movie, this laptop will serve all your needs, and that too while being the best budget laptop under 300.

Despite the low price point, the laptop does not compromise on the display size or resolution. It comes with a 15.6-inch Full HD display and IPS display panel that provides wide viewing angles.

Furthermore, to ensure that long hours of work or play do not cause a strain on your eyes, the display also features Acer Blue Light Shield which significantly reduces blue light exposure.

Moreover, the laptop comes with an innovative fan design which covers 78& and more area than the previous model providing you with more efficient and reliable cooling.

In terms of performance, the laptop does provide some impressive specs. It comes equipped with 8 GB DDR5 RAM and 128 GB SSD storage. The best part is that storage is upgradable.

Final Remarks

In my opinion, this Acer Aspire 3 model is definitely the overall best laptop for under 300 bucks. It provides you with powerful specs for all-day performance needs and can be used for almost all sorts of purposes.

 

2. Acer Chromebook 311 Spin – Best 2-in-1 Laptop Under 300

If you are more into touchscreen laptops and need an affordable option that serves both as a laptop and a tablet, then you should definitely check out the Acer Chromebook 311.

This device is one of the most versatile laptops on the list that can easily transform into anything. It comes with 4 efficient modes including the laptop, display, tent, and tablet mode. These modes really enhance the versatility and applications of this laptop.

The laptop is equipped with an Intel Celeron N4020 processor which provides ample power for the price. Combined with 4 GB DDR4 RAM, you have all the performance you need for managing your day-to-day activities.

Adding to this, the laptop comes with the advanced Chrome OS which is faster and more efficient and provides you access to a wide range of Google features.

Although the built-in storage is quite limiting, you can always expand the storage using a Micro-SD card. You also get access to 100 GB of free Google Drive storage.

With the touchscreen interface, your options really become limitless as you can enjoy doing tasks with much higher efficiency on this best convertible laptop under 300.

Moreover, the display is not made from standard glass but rather Corning Gorilla Glass which is both damage-proof and provides higher touch accuracy.

With flexible and faster connectivity options, you can always enjoy uninterrupted and faster connection. The laptop offers much faster wireless connectivity and is equipped with two USB Type-C ports that come with both Thunderbolt and DisplayPort support.

Final Remarks

Acer Chromebook 311 is the laptop of the future. It comes with the latest and advanced features that help you keep up with modern trends while managing and completing all your tasks with ease.

 

3. ASUS VivoBook L203MA – Best 11-Inch Laptop Under 300

Third on the list we have one of the cheapest laptops under 300 bucks that comes with amazing performance capabilities and is equipped with reliable specs.

The ASUS VivoBook L203MA is a Windows laptop that comes in a compact and lightweight design. The laptop is equipped with an Intel Celeron N4000 processor that comes with a 4M cache and provides processing speeds up to 2.6 GHz.

Combined with 4 GB of DDR4 RAM and 64 GB flash storage, the laptop satisfies the conventional needs of users pertaining to both professional and personal tasks.

This laptop is ideal for students, kids, and working professionals who need simple document management and functionality. It comes in a slim and portable design which has a thickness of about 0.7 inches and weighs hardly 2.2 pounds with a battery.

Adding to this, the laptop has an 11.6-inch HD display that provides good-quality visuals with optimal details and clarity.

Moreover, the laptop comes with a one-year free subscription to Microsoft Office 365 subscription which enables you to take care of your study and work-related tasks with much higher efficiency.

Although the laptop comes with Windows 10 in S mode, you can easily upgrade it to Windows 10 Home without having to pay any more money.

Additionally, the laptop provides you with a wide range of connectivity options including USB Type-C, USB Type-A, HDMI, Micro-SD, and faster wireless connections. You can use the SD card slot to expand storage.

Final Remarks

One of the best cheap laptops under 300 that comes with reliable specs and provides optimal performance for home use. The laptop can meet your usual needs without putting a hole in your wallet.

If you want to check out some more cheap laptops, take a look at our list of best laptops under 200.

 

4. Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 4 – Best Affordable Laptop Under 300

Another compact and lightweight laptop that particularly caught my attention is the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 4, which stands as one of the most durable laptops for low-budget users.

This Chromebook comes in a low-profile design but still features a full-size keyboard along with an 11.6-inch display.

It is made by Samsung, and it meets the quality and performance standards of the brand in every sense. The laptop is equipped with an Intel Celeron N4000 processor that provides you with ample processing power.

Adding to this, the laptop also features 4 GB RAM and 64 GB SSD storage, which is more than enough when dealing with normal document-related tasks. Not to mention the 100 GB free Google Drive space you get instant and easy access to.

What really sets this laptop apart and justifies the tiny spike in price you have observed while comparing it with our previous pick is the unrivaled durability.

The Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 4 comes with military-grade durability and has been tested against the standard MIL-STD-810G which includes a wide range of intensive tests.

Moreover, the laptop comes with reliable battery performance that lasts throughout the day. Ideally, the battery lasts for more than 12 hours, and the best part is that you can quickly charge the laptop with the latest USB Type-C charging.

Final Remarks

The laptop offers good value for your money and provides you with a reliable system that can handle basic tasks. It stands as one of the best Samsung laptops under 300, especially compared to other laptops at this price point.

 

5. Lenovo Chromebook S330 – Best 14 Inch Laptop Under 300

Not everyone is satisfied with just an 11-inch screen size, but most people think that’s all they can get for a very low budget.

I was able to find something special, a laptop that provides you with 14-inch display without compromising on the performance or rather enhancing the performance for this price range.

The Lenovo Chromebook S330 is one of the best gaming laptops under $300 that comes equipped with a MediaTek MT8173C processor and a PowerVR GX6250 graphics co-processor, which provide fast and efficient performance.

It is one of the highest-performing laptops that you can find in this budget range. It comes in a slim and lightweight design and provides you with perfect functionality for faster multi-tasking.

With 4 GB RAM and 64 GB of flash storage, you have ample performance on your hands for faster task processing, faster boot-ups, and also for efficient multitasking.

You don’t have to worry about the storage as you have both Google Drive as backup and can upgrade the storage by adding a micro-SD card.

Adding to this, you have a Full-HD 14-inch IPS display that provides you with impressive and immersive visuals. Whether you are working, playing some classical games, or watching movies, the display won’t let you down.

Moreover, the laptop is very easy to use. All you have to do is log in with your Google account and you will get instant access to everything. No need to install anything.

Final Remarks

One of the best Chromebook laptops under 300 that comes with a larger display and provides you with efficient functionality. The laptop is packed with numerous attractive features and offers good value for money.

 

6. Acer Aspire 5 – Best Performance Laptop Under 300

One of the most advanced and top-rated budget laptops of 2024 it provides unmatchable performance and intelligence for managing a wide range of tasks.

The Acer Aspire 5 is renowned for its versatility and vast applications. The laptop is equipped with a powerful 11^th-gen Core i3 processor that provides unmatched speed, intelligence, and performance.

What’s most amazing is that you can boost the processing speed with Turbo Boost technology that will allow you to meet the requirements of even the most demanding applications.

Adding to this, the laptop comes with a 15.6-inch full-HD display that provides stunning visuals, amazing graphics, and crystal-clear details for both professional work and entertainment.

I was surprised to find such amazing specs for such a low price. In terms of performance, the laptop comes with 4 GB DDR4 RAM and 128 GB NVMe SSD storage.

What’s even better is that both RAM and Storage have an additional slot available for expansion. This makes the laptop future-proof and allows you to upgrade later on, making it one of the best budget laptops under $300.

Moreover, the laptop has another distinguishing feature as well that increases your productivity. It comes with an ergonomically designed keyboard that has a lift-hinge which elevates the keyboard for a better typing experience.

This ergonomic design is also quite beneficial in terms of better visibility, enhanced cooling, and clearer audio quality from the speakers.

Additionally, to meet your professional needs of conference calling and online meetings, this laptop features Acer’s Purified Voice technology that has advanced AI noise canceling which provides clearer audio transmission.

The laptop is also Alexa-compatible and provides you with enhanced ease of use. Talking to Alexa will be much more accurate and if you have a smart home system, Alexa will pair with it.

Final Remarks

One of the most versatile laptops that provides powerful performance and comes value-packed with features. In my opinion, it is the best all-around laptop under 300.

Want to check out some similar high-performance laptops? Consider taking a look at our guide to the best gaming laptops under $400.

 

7. Lenovo Chromebook Duet – Best Touchscreen Laptop Under 300

Some users aren’t satisfied with convertible laptops and find them happy or inconvenient as the keyboard can still be felt on the backside.

Especially for them, I have found one of the most reliable touchscreen laptops in 2024 that comes at an affordable price.

The Lenovo Chromebook Duet is equipped with a MediaTek Helio P60T processor that provides efficient and powerful performance for managing your both personal and professional needs.

Combined with the integrated ARM G72 graphics co-processor, the laptop provides immersive and captivating visuals for perfect entertainment. So, whether you are playing games or watching movies, you will experience crystal-clear visuals.

The visual clarity is further enhanced with the WUXGA resolution which provides much higher picture quality and more pixels than a Full-HD display.

Adding to this, the laptop is equipped with 4 GB DDR4 RAM and 64 GB SSD storage. These performance components ensure that your laptop boots up instantly and provide an efficient multitasking experience.

What’s truly distinctive about this laptop is its unrivaled portability. It comes with a plug-n-play keyboard that has a unique magnet design which makes it one of the best 2-in-1 touchscreen laptops under 300.

You can mount the screen on the keyboard instantly when required and use the tablet mode at other times.

Also, the laptop comes with a long-lasting battery that can last throughout the day and provides you with more than 10 hours of battery life.

Final Remarks

One of the most standout laptops on the list comes with unrivaled portability and compactness. The slim mountable keyboard can easily fit in your bag, and you can use the laptop with or without it.

 

8. ASUS VivoBook Flip 14 – Best Convertible Laptop Under 300

If you are looking for an affordable touchscreen laptop that comes with Windows OS, then ASUS VivoBook Flip 14 is definitely worth consideration.

This laptop comes equipped with an Intel Celeron N4020 processor combined with 4GB DDR4 RAM and 64 GB SSD storage. These specs provide fast, efficient, and reliable performance for basic home and office use.

The processor can be boosted up to 2.8 GHz speed to meet the needs of demanding applications and run advanced programs smoothly.

After testing the laptop personally, I really found it to be smart and convenient. It comes with the latest connectivity options that are made to connect with modern devices. It also comes with a micro-SD card slot that allows you to expand storage.

Adding to this, the laptop comes with a fingerprint sensor that is integrated with the touchpad. With the advanced Trusted Platform Module interface, you can save all your passwords inside it and use your fingerprint to access everything.

Moreover, the laptop provides you with stunning visuals with the most accurate touchscreen interface. It comes in a compact and lightweight design and always keeps your performance at its best.

Final Remarks

One of the best laptops under 300, especially in terms of portability, technological features, and ease of use. Perfect for home and office use.

 

9. Lenovo Chromebook C340 – Best Lenovo Laptop Under 300

Normally when you see a low-budget convertible laptop, you often have to compromise on the screen size. The laptops usually come with smaller screens and thicker bezels.

However, the Lenovo Chromebook C340 breaks that trend by providing you with a full-size 15.6-inch convertible laptop with ultra-narrow bezels and stunning visuals.

Equipped with the Intel Pentium Gold processor along with Intel HD 610 graphics, 4 GB DDR4 RAM, and 32 GB SSD storage – specs are more than enough for your basic computing, average gaming, and various entertainment needs.

You don’t have to install any apps or go through any setup when you first turn on the laptop. Simply log into your Google account and get access to all the applications and all your data saved on the cloud.

The laptop provides versatile connectivity options including various ports as well as the fastest wireless connectivity possibilities.

The 360-degree movement with an enhanced touchscreen interface makes it one of the best convertible laptops under $300. The laptop has enhanced portability as well thanks to the slim design and long-lasting battery life.

The FHD IPS display provides stunning visuals and wide viewing angles. So, the laptop is perfect for family entertainment.

Final Remarks

Lenovo Chromebook C340 is also one of the best convertible laptops that comes with impressive performance capabilities and can handle complex operations with ease.

 

10. Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 – Best 2-in-1 Touchscreen Laptop Under 300

If you are looking for a convertible laptop that can also cater to your gaming needs, then you should definitely check out the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5 for this price range.

Although the laptop comes with a bit higher price point, it comes with a powerful processor and provides efficient performance to meet both your professional as well as gaming needs.

The laptop is equipped with an AMD Ryzen 3 quad-core processor that features 4 high-performance cores for fast, efficient, and powerful performance.

Combined with Radeon Powered Graphics, the laptop provides you with a perfect platform for low-budget gaming. You can play classic and average games with ease.

Adding to this, the laptop comes with a 14” FHD IPS display that provides strikingly clear visuals and wide viewing angles. So, whether you are sharing a presentation at the office or a movie with friends, everyone would be able to see it clearly.

The laptop is equipped with high bandwidth 4GB DDR4 RAM and 128 GB SSD storage, both of which enhance the overall performance of the laptop and provide faster multitasking and application loading speeds.

The fully convertible design of the laptop ensures that you can maximize your productivity and keep your performance on the go.

Final Remarks

One of the best 2-in-1 laptops under 300 bucks that comes with efficient performance and functionality. With AMD processor and Radeon-powered graphics, you get optimal performance for both professional applications and gaming pleasures.

If these laptops do not meet your needs and you need a high-performance laptop, then you should check out our list of best laptops under $700.

 

How to Select the Best Laptop Under $300 in 2024: Buyer’s Guide

While 300 dollars might not seem like a lot of budget, you will be surprised to find dozens of good options available in this price range.

Selecting one among the best laptops under 300 can be especially difficult, mainly because with a budget so low you have to be selective about features. If you choose one feature, you will have to sacrifice another one.

So, to help you make the right decision I have compiled this comprehensive guide that will tell you exactly what to look for.

Let’s begin:

CPU & GPU

First of all, you must invest most of your budget in the CPU. If you want to spend the whole 300 dollars, then you can get a pretty good CPU for your money.

The above guide offers you plenty of CPU choices. Choose the one that best meets your needs and budget.

The 11^th Gen Core i3 and AMD Ryzen 3 are both my personal favorites at this price point.

In terms of GPU, the best you can get at this stage is an integrated graphics co-processor. I loved the performance of Radeon-powered graphics as compared to the Intel-integrated graphics.

RAM & Storage

There are many aspects you have to focus on in this budget range when it comes to the performance components.

Usually, you get a fixed RAM and storage that is neither replaceable nor upgradable. So, you will have to carefully consider these aspects.

First, if you can get a system that supports upgradability, it is the best option to go with.

Otherwise, just make sure you have at least 4 GB of RAM and 64 GB of built-in storage. If there are no upgradeable slots for storage, then the laptop must come with an SD card slot to enhance your options.

Display Size & Resolution

Display size is probably one of the most crucial factors when it comes to the 300-dollar budget range. You have options available from simple 10 inches to full 15.6-inch size.

Choose the option that meets your portability needs. If you want a convertible laptop, then perhaps a larger screen size won’t be suitable. If you want a non-touch screen, then a 14-inch or more is much better.

As for resolution, the higher is always better. I always recommend FHD resolution as it provides perfect clarity for all your needs.

Other Features

Besides these foundational features, there are several other aspects you can focus on when looking for a good laptop for under 300 bucks. You must focus on ergonomic features, portability, compactness, weight, thickness, connectivity, and other aspects.

All of these features may not be your first priority, but taking them into account can help you narrow down the choices and make the perfect decision.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is 300 USD enough for a laptop?

It depends on your specific needs. Is it enough for gaming? No. But is it enough for basic computing needs and document management? You bet it is. With a 300-dollar budget, you can get some pretty good laptops.

2. Are $300 laptops worth buying?

Well, the features and performance aspects of the offer for the price point are definitely worth every cent. These laptops just make your life a little easier without putting a hole in your wallet.

3. What is a good laptop that is not too expensive?

Acer Aspire 3 is my personal favorite, a laptop that truly offers the best bang for the buck. It is equipped with some of the most advanced features and comes just under 300 dollars. Honestly, you won’t find a better choice.

4. What am I losing by getting a cheap laptop?

When you choose a cheap laptop, you give up on high-performance GPU, upgradability, larger screen size, and advanced features. However, since you have a low budget, those might not be your targeted specs.

5. Which is the best laptop for under $300?

I believe both Acer Aspire 3 and Acer Aspire 5 offer the best value for your money under 300. However, since Acer Aspire 3 is more advanced and offers higher technological features, it should take the win.

Wrapping Up!

Summing it all up, 300 dollars might not seem like much, but it is a good enough budget to get you a versatile and value-packed laptop.

Such laptops can cater to your various needs including basic computing, entertainment, classic gaming, and office-related tasks.

If I were to pick one from our list of best laptops under $300, I would definitely recommend you go with Acer Aspire 3, which is the most advanced laptop on the list and provides you with the best value for your money.

Another laptop that does push the budget to the absolute limits but is definitely worth your consideration is the Acer Aspire 5. With this laptop, you have options for upgradability.

Now that you know the true value of your 300 dollars, it’s time for you to make the choice. Good Luck!