When it comes to purchasing laptops, you’ll be spoilt for choices, regardless of your budget. However, most options are not worth your money, especially when scouring through the cheaper end of the spectrum.
Finding a good power and price balance is hard. Much harder than you think. We tested out dozens of laptops only to have the subpar devices outnumber the good ones. Nonetheless, we came by a few terrific laptops too and we were pleasantly surprised by their functionality.
Moving forward, we’ll review these devices for you in detail. So let’s introduce to you the 7 best laptops under $300.
Which Are The Best Laptops Under $300?
1. ASUS Vivobook Go15 L510
- Processor: Intel Celeron N4020
- Display: 15.6” FHD
- Graphics: Intel UHD 600
- RAM: 4 GB
- Storage: 64 GB
- Battery Life: 7 hours
The ASUS Vivobook L510 is a super portable device that you can carry as you work or study on the go.
We consider the immersive display a core strength of this laptop. The narrow bezel design allows you to see more of everything. Moreover, it gives the laptop a sleek, premium feel. The display appears crisp and vivid on the 15.6” FHD screen right out of the box.
The Intel Celeron N4020 processor works well for day-to-day tasks. You can browse, handle spreadsheets, study, or cater to your usual work requirements on this device. The start-up is real quick and you can do a decent amount of multitasking as well.
If you’re into a lot of typing then, there’s another thing for you to cherish. It’s the keyboard with a long key travel rendering accurate and comfortable keystrokes.
Moving on, a 4 GB RAM doesn’t come off as a shocker in this budget. But honestly, it handles most tasks efficiently without a hiccup and makes a reliable work/study partner. The 64GB storage capacity cannot support you in the long run so you might want to consider an upgrade.
The laptop weighs just a touch above 3.5 pounds so you can carry it around effortlessly. Overall, it is an excellent device if you don’t expect a lot out of it.
Pros
- Number keypad
- Long battery life
- Decent loading and start-up time
Cons
- Heat-up issues
2. 2020 Newest HP Stream
- Processor: Intel Celeron N4000
- Display: 11.6” HD
- Graphics: Intel UHD
- RAM: 4GB
- Storage: 64GB eMMC
- Battery Life: 9 hours
This HP 2020 laptop is a compact device that packs a punch and suits an average user well.
It is an 11.6” laptop which means the display is quite small but then, it’s ultra portable too. The screen resolution is 768p only but, let’s be fair, anything above is more like an overkill for such small screens.
The processor is mediocre, at best. The Celeron N4000 is capable enough for average computing needs. You can enjoy streaming, browse multiple tabs at once, or use non-power-hungry applications on this laptop. Anything else will be a challenge for an entry-level processor like the N4000.
The 4GB RAM again, is nothing to write home about. It’s exactly what you can expect from a $200 device and it supports our average tasks so we’re good. The 64GB SSD storage is decent for the price. But you can hook up an external drive via the USB 3.1 port or insert an SD card, just in case you need more space.
The laptop easily lasts throughout an entire work day. In fact, we were able to keep it fired up to 11 hours in some instances. Overall, it is a compact and sturdy device with a minimum bulk of 3.3lbs. and a worthwhile choice if it fits the bill for you.
Pros
- Anti-glare display
- Lag-free multitasking
- Excellent value for money
Cons
- Cannot support power-intensive tasks
3. Tulasi T Windows 11 Laptop
- Processor: Intel Celeron J4005
- Display: 14.1” FHD
- Graphics: Intel UHD 600
- RAM: 8GB
- Storage: 128GB SSD
- Battery Life: 6 hours
The newest Tulasi 2022 is one of our top favourite picks and just so you know, this beast of a device puts some mid-range laptops to shade.
This device packs a 14.1” full HD screen coupled with a 1080p resolution that delivers promising visuals on its micro-edge screen. The colours are impressively accurate with decent viewing angles of the IPS screen.
The Celeron J4005 is a dual-core budget processor suitable for mini PCs and so, it works fine for this laptop as long as you set realistic expectations. Browse the web, enjoy streaming platforms, or keep up with your work, this device is a star for such uses.
Moving on to the RAM and storage where this laptop actually gets a massive edge over the others. It is equipped with an 8 GB RAM that promotes fast processing and lag free function even when you throw a lot at the laptop.
The 128GB SSD memory is the best you can get in this budget. Not only do you get ample storage but also faster loading times with the SSD-type memory.
The laptop bags full marks for the design as well. The micro-edge screen is accompanied by a narrow bezel keyboard and a sleek build as well. It is lightweight, efficient, and functions up to 6 hours on a single charge.
In short, it is one of the best laptops under $300 you can find today.
Pros
- Weighs 2.8lbs. only
- Smooth and lag-free function
- Sturdy build
Cons
- Hard to read keyboard in low light
4. ASUS E410
- Processor: Intel Celeron N4020
- Display: 14-inch HD
- Graphics: Integrated Intel Graphics
- RAM: 4 GB
- Storage: 64GB eMMC
- Battery Life: 12 hours
The ASUS E410 may just be the best bang for your buck, there is. It offers specs very similar to the laptops that near a $300 mark and if that’s not great, what is?
The visuals on the 14-inch HD LED screen turn out pretty decent. However, we’re not a fan of the brightness levels of this thing. The display isn’t the best even at the highest brightness level. But we’re hoping to see that compensated with something else. *fingers crossed*
Loaded with an Intel Celeron N4020 chipset, this laptop is capable to suffice an average user’s needs, ranging from cruising the internet to streaming your favourite show online. The applications open up in a reasonable time and it supports little multitasking as well.
Next, you can see a pretty standard 4GB RAM loaded in this laptop. The system works effortlessly for the most part but we did notice some occasional lags especially when it was running for a long time.
The 64GB eMMC storage is acceptable for the price point although, you’ll need an upgrade sooner or later. The laptop weighs just around 2.8 pounds but oddly has some bulk to it.
Finally, we’re amazed the laptop actually lives up to ASUS’s claims of a 12 hour battery life. It lasted us an entire day with casual work and music streaming so it’s a great find, without a doubt.
Pros
- Exceptional battery life
- Built-in number pad on the touch pad
- Good sound quality
Cons
- Mediocre display
5. Lenovo Ideapad 1
- Processor: Intel Celeron N4020
- Display: 14-inch HD
- Graphics: Intel UHD 600
- RAM: 4GB
- Storage: 64GB
- Battery Life: up to 8 hours
If you’re looking for an easy to use laptop that is durable and portable, then this is it.
The Lenovo Ideapad 3 does not come with a lot of bells and whistles. But you can get the most out of your daily computing needs with this reliable device. It features a 14” HD display that produces epic visuals on its immersive narrow bezel screen. The display is decent enough for movies or light editing.
The Intel Celeron N4020 chipset is a standard choice for budget laptops like the Ideapad 1. It supports a break-free function all day long. You can get done with your usual day to day tasks on this efficient device without trouble.
Despite the small 4 GB RAM capacity, the Ideapad 1 is surprisingly responsive and fast. We didn’t come across any major freezing issues even during multitasking which is impressive.
The laptop is loaded with a 64GB storage capacity which is okay for storing everyday data/files but not the best idea for the long run. The build quality is solid and the ice blue case makes it even more enticing.
You may think the 8-hour battery life is ideal but sadly, the advertised claims are false. Even with a very basic use, the laptop lasts for 4 hours at best.
Pros
- Durable and robust
- Lightweight and slim
- Crystal clear sound
Cons
- Battery life is not great
6. Lenovo Chromebook Flex 3
- Processor: MediaTek MT8173C
- Display: 11.6-inch HD touchscreen
- Graphics: Integrated Power VR
- RAM: 4GB
- Storage: 64GB
- Battery Life: 10 hours
This entry level Chromebook by Lenovo is yet another stellar choice for basic users. Even more so, if you’re a touchscreen fan.
This laptop features a small 11.6” HD touchscreen with an IPS panel that delivers gorgeous visuals with accurate colours. The small screen gives off a decent pixel density. The screen touch is pretty responsive with no problems detected so far.
The MediaTek MT8173C chipset is comparatively a more efficient processor than the Celeron N4000 series. It features 4 cores in contrast to the dual-core Celeron chipset. Therefore, we noticed a slightly better operation overall.
The applications launch in a snap, loading times are a breeze, and multitasking is absolutely seamless on this device. We managed to stream music and browse the web on multiple tabs simultaneously, without a single troubling moment.
The 4GB is pretty standard and aids the processor in a smooth and lag-free operation. The 64GB storage capacity lasts a while but you’ll need a workaround for it.
The overall build quality is fantastic with a nice, comfortable keyboard and responsive touchpad. The laptop is lightweight and boasts a 360° hinge as well. The battery easily lasts 8 to 10 hours leaving this Chromebook as quite an all-rounder.
Pros
- Smooth pivoting action
- Portable
- Long battery life
Cons
- Substandard speakers
7. Lenovo Ideapad Duet 2-in-1 Chromebook
- Processor: MediaTek Helio P60T
- Display: 10.1” FHD IPS
- Graphics: Integrated Graphics
- RAM: 4GB
- Storage: 128GB
- Battery Life: 8 to 10 hours
Yet another Chromebook by Lenovo but this one stands out due to a bigger storage and better processor chipset.
The 10.1” screen makes it look more like a tablet than a laptop but then, it’s a 2-in-1 model so that is fair enough. The IPS panel renders beautiful colours and crisp visuals on the small screen. We don’t have anything against the touch either.
Equipped with an octa-core smartphone chipset, the Lenovo Duet laptop successfully spellbound us with its terrific performance. It can handle a handful of tasks at a time effortlessly. The usual web browsing, streaming, and data processing is not much of a task for this device.
The 4 GB RAM shouldn’t surprise you at this point because that’s all we’ve seen so far in this budget, except the mighty Tulasi laptop. But the storage is where this device wins us over.
The 128GB SSD memory lasts a good while. In addition, we fired up the laptop in less than 10 seconds each time. The only gripe is the small keyboard which can be a task to get used to. But overall, it’s not a deal breaker.
The battery life is much better than advertised and who doesn’t love pleasant surprises like these? The laptop lasted well over 10 hours with very active usage. And needless to say, we’re all for this Lenovo Duet Chromebook.
Pros
- Minimalist design
- Suitable for mobile games
- Ultra lightweight
Cons
- Supports a USB-C port only
Best laptops under $300: Buyer’s Guide
Like we’ve said earlier, finding the ideal price and power balance is hard. Under a $300 budget, you can find laptops that support a basic function only so set your expectations accordingly.
But let’s get this straight, an inexpensive device shouldn’t be a piece of crap either. So go ahead and refer to the following guide as you hunt for your next budget laptop.
Display Size
At this price point, you’ll typically find 11 to 15 inch laptops with an IPS display panel. A 15-inch laptop is an ideal choice for most users because it is the middle ground between portability and screen real estate. They’re not heavy so can be carried around easily yet have enough screen space for an enjoyable viewing experience.
However, under a $300 budget, 15-inch laptops are not quite prevalent. But don’t worry because we have a lot of 14-inch options which are great too. Other than that, if you’re seriously in for ultimate portability, 11 to 13 inch options are the way to go.
Processor and RAM
Expect a very basic processor chipset while you hunt for a $300 laptop. It’s highly unlikely to find Intel processors from the Core series in a sub 300 bucks device.
The most commonly available processors in this budget are from Intel’s Celeron series or a few mobile processors like the MediaTek ones. This means you’re looking at dual or quad core processors at best. They can manage basic computing tasks quite well but that’s about it.
As for the RAM, you’ll be finding a lot of 4GB options but that is not to say an 8 GB RAM is impossible to find at this price. It’s hard sure but not unrealistic by any means.
Storage Capacity
If you went through our list, you must have noticed a lot of 64 GB devices because that’s what you typically find in this budget. We did manage to squeeze in a few 128GB options too but it’s hard to find instances where one great feature isn’t traded off with another extremely poor one.
So in most cases, you’ll have to sacrifice the storage requirement and go for an upgrade later.
Graphics
Entry level laptops are designed for a basic user, therefore, you’ll only find options with integrated graphics. Dedicated GPUs and graphics card are not an option in this budget.
But good news is the display and visuals look pretty compelling even with integrated graphics. The colours are vivid and with all the crisp details you get quite a decent viewing experience.
Moreover, you’ll be dealing with basic computing tasks only so those brilliant graphics aren’t needed anyway.
Battery Life
Lastly, battery life is the greatest strength for entry level laptops. Since these laptops are not designed for power-intensive tasks, their battery timings are excellent.
The least you should go is a laptop that supports a 6-hour function on a single charge. However, you’ll not be making many compromises in this regard. Most entry level laptops can last 8 to 10 hours without a hiccup.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the best laptop I can get for under $300?
There are a lot of budget devices available under $300. We’ve mentioned the 7 best laptops under $300 and all of them are worthy choices. However, some of our favourites include the Tulasi T laptop and the Lenovo Duet Chromebook for under 300 bucks.
Which is the best laptop for a low price?
The ASUS E410 is the best laptop for a low price. It offers an exceptional battery life and a swift lag-free performance. The only quibble is the average display quality due to low brightness levels. Everything else is at par with our expectations for a $300 budget.
What is the difference between a Chromebook and a laptop?
A Chromebook is essentially a laptop that runs on a different operating system. Unlike a laptop that features Windows OS mostly, a Chromebook runs on a Chrome OS.
The change in operating system does halt a few operations in the Chromebook as it focuses significantly on Google apps and websites. However, with the current upgrades, you can do everything on your Chromebook that you’d on your laptop.
Is 4GB RAM enough for a laptop?
A 4GB RAM is certainly a good choice for budget shoppers. But it is only enough for a laptop if you intend to use it for basic day-to-day tasks only. A 4GB RAM performs best when paired with an SSD storage.
But overall, it can handle the basic tasks smoothly and power through low-intensity applications. For modern day usage, it’s a solid no.