The 5 best laptops under $300 let you enjoy a new PC on a budget
Overview
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UPDATE: Nov. 17, 2023, 5:00 a.m. EST We'll be revisiting this guide in the coming months with new picks. Most sub-$300 laptops have older specs, but some of the featured models are getting a tad too outdated.
A new laptop is a big investment, one that you'll likely need to make every few years to keep up with ever-changing technology. But shopping for one can get overwhelming fast once you see just how pricey new laptops can be (on top of the sheer number of options out there).
We're of the firm belief that your laptop doesn't have to cost more than your rent — and depending on your use case, you might be able to spend as little as $300 (or less) on a new PC. You'll have to curb your expectations, of course: Dirt-cheap laptops don't have mind-blowing specs or state-of-the-art features; most of them will be basic, dinky, slow, outdated clunkers, and many are Chromebooks. (ChromeOS isn't the average person's operating system of choice.) But if you just need a simple device to send emails, write documents, video chat with loved ones, or browse YouTube, a budget model can simply get the job done.
Keep reading to check out our favorites under $300 — whether you need one for school, work, or fun, you've got options.
Samsung Chromebook 4+
Best overall pick
The Good & The Bad
- Big, decent display
- Elegant casing
- Comes with 100GB of cloud storage
- Large touchpad can be tricky to get used to
- Not enough ports
Why We Like It
While companies like ASUS and Lenovo tend to dominate the budget laptop space, the entry-level Samsung Chromebook 4+ still has a ton of great features for the price tag and the quality you’d expect from the brand. Like all Chromebooks, it runs on Chrome OS — and even with the two-core CPU you’d expect for under $300, it does the jobs you need to get done with ease. It’s lightweight at well under 4 pounds, and a full HD (1920 x 1080) display is better than many we see for the price point. (Peep that huge 15.6-inch screen, too.) It's a little low on internal storage, though as a Chromebook, it does come with 100GB of cloud storage for a year.
Details
Lenovo Chromebook Flex 3
Best 2-in-1 laptop under $300
The Good & The Bad
- Plenty of ports
- Super compact
- Touchscreen
- Battery life leaves something to be desired
- Not very durable
- Stylus sold separately
Why We Like It
Two-in-one laptops are the best of both worlds, and a great option for those who like flexibility in their devices. The 11-inch Lenovo Flex 3 Chromebook is no exception. What it lacks in processing power, it makes up for with a portable design, a touchscreen, and an OK port selection. You're not going to be able to run super demanding programs on it, but it'll suit you well if you're just looking for a casual browsing and productivity experience. (Its convertible design also makes it a prime choice for taking notes and doodling.) It's worth mentioning that it's not very durable, though that's not entirely unexpected for a budget device. Its battery life is also a bit middling, but not bad by any means. If you want a solid 2-in-1 laptop at a great price, the Lenovo Flex 3 is quite the bargain at well under $200.
Details
HP Chromebook 14a-ne0013dx
Best laptop under $300 for battery life
The Good & The Bad
- Mixed-use battery life of up to 14 hours
- Micro-edge display
- Charges halfway in 45 minutes
- Lightweight
- Display is underwhelming
Why We Like It
With a mixed-use battery life of up to 14 hours per charge, this 14-inch HP Chromebook will easily last you all day. Better yet, you can top it up on the go — it has a fast charge feature that can take it from dead to 50% battery in about 45 minutes. As with all budget laptops, it’s not going to be the zippiest computer out there, but it does pack some other perks for its price, including a sleek micro-edge display and reasonable portage (two USB-C ports and a USB-A port, plus a headphone jack).
Details
HP Stream 11-ak0053dx
Best value
The Good & The Bad
- Lightweight
- Decent battery life
- Includes a year of Microsoft 365 Personal
- Bad webcam
- Low-res display
Why We Like It
The 11-inch HP Stream is the best deal on our list — not just because it sits at a tempting $189, but also because it includes a year's worth of Microsoft 365 Personal (formerly Microsoft Office 365), some essential software that's valued at $70. It's also a highly portable option for someone who commutes or travels often, coming in just under 2.5 pounds. Battery-wise, it'll get you just over 13 hours of video playback or up to 8.5 hours of wireless streaming per charge — not too shabby. And with two USB-A ports, one USB-C port, an HDMI port, and a headphone jack, it's got you covered on the connectivity front.
Details
Asus L510
Sleekest laptop under $300
The Good & The Bad
- Thin design
- Good amount of storage (relatively speaking)
- Large 15-inch display
- Includes a year of Microsoft 365 Personal
- Lay-flat hinge
- Short battery life
Why We Like It
If you're mostly concerned with your laptop's looks and not too worried about the rest, you can't go wrong with the ASUS L510. Its display is one of its marquee features — it's full HD and has an 84% screen-to-body ratio, so you're always seeing as much of the frame as possible. This makes it great for all things streaming. We also really like the 180-degree lay-flat display, which makes it way easier to share the device with others at a moment's notice. It doesn't have the best battery life at just eight hours, but for a sub-$300 computer, that's not a huge knock against it. If you see yourself mainly using your laptop to watch movies and TV shows, you've got a worthwhile pick right here. It also comes with a year's worth of Microsoft 365 Personal.
Details
Topics Gadgets
Frequently Asked Questions
Different people will need different specs — it all depends on the kinds of things you're hoping to do with your new laptop. Perhaps you're someone who wants a portable notebook they can take to the coffee shop, or maybe you're a student who needs a long-lasting laptop that'll get you through a day of classes. If you're someone who likes watching Netflix on their laptop, find one with a larger screen. And if you need a place to store a bunch of photos and documents, look for one with a decent amount of storage space. Think about the main purpose your laptop will serve, and start your shopping search from there.
Full disclosure: Laptops in the $300-or-below price range are not going to be good for PC gaming. You're priced out of a 4K resolution display or a refresh rate higher than 60Hz, and your RAM is going to max out at around 8GB. (Not bad, but not spectacular, either.) You’re also unlikely to get more than 500GB of storage space out of a cheap laptop.
Screen-wise, most of the best laptops under $300 are on the smaller end. Manufacturers are starting to make more in the 14- to 15.6-inch range, but most clock in around 11.6 inches. Bells and whistles like touchscreens and backlit displays are available on some machines in this price range, but they're few and far between.
You're mostly going to be looking at entry-level, pared-down laptops that are best for light tasks like browsing the web, writing and editing documents, video calls, and streaming — which again, may really be all you need. Basic isn't necessarily a bad thing.
