Best Laptop Under $300: List of 7 Best Laptops Under $300

Introduction

Are you searching for the best laptops under $300 with good performance, portability and affordability as well? In this price range, laptops are ideal for students, professionals, remote workers, and casual users. They can be used primarily for browsing, online classes, office work, streaming, and light multitasking.

While premium laptops cost $800–$2000, not everyone needs high-end performance. Luckily, budget laptops under $300 offer all you need for daily productivity. They are suitable for Zoom meetings, Google Workspace, and Microsoft Office. They also support YouTube, Netflix, and light gaming.

In this article, we have handpicked the 7 best laptops under $300 as of now. Our selection was based on performance, battery life, design, and customer reviews. Whether you prefer Windows laptops or Chromebooks, we’ve got you covered.

7 Best Laptops Under $300

1. Acer Chromebook 314 (Best Overall Chromebook Under $300)

• Display: 14-inch Full HD (1920×1080)
• Processor: Intel Celeron N4020 / N4120
• RAM: 4GB
• Storage: 64GB eMMC
• Battery Life: 12–14 hours
• Weight: 2.87 lbs
• Why Buy: Bright display, long battery life, perfect for students.

Pros:

• Full HD display for better clarity
• Excellent battery backup
• Lightweight and portable

Cons:

• Not powerful for heavy apps like Photoshop
• Limited storage (expandable via cloud/SD card)

2. HP Stream 14 (Best Budget Windows Laptop Under $300)

• Display: 14-inch HD Display
• Processor: Intel Celeron N4020
• RAM: 4GB
• Storage: 64GB eMMC + 1TB Cloud (OneDrive)
• Battery: 9 hours
• Weight: 3.2 lbs
• Why Buy: Best Windows laptop under $300 with free Microsoft 365.

Pros:

• Windows 11 support
• Includes Microsoft Office subscription
• Compact and stylish design

Cons:

• Small storage capacity
• Average build quality

3. Lenovo IdeaPad 1 (Best Everyday Use Laptop Under $300)

• Display: 15.6-inch HD
• Processor: AMD Athlon Silver 3050U / Intel Celeron N4120
• RAM: 4GB
• Storage: 128GB SSD
• Battery: 8 hours
• Weight: 3.1 lbs
• Why Buy: Larger display with SSD storage under $300.

Pros:

• SSD storage for faster boot and load times
• Bigger screen than most laptops in this range
• Ideal for students & office work

Cons:

• Not suitable for gaming or heavy video editing
• Average battery backup compared to Chromebooks

4. Samsung Chromebook 4+ (Best Large Display Laptop Under $300)

• Display: 15.6-inch Full HD Display
• Processor: Intel Celeron N4000
• RAM: 4GB
• Storage: 64GB eMMC
• Battery: 10 hours
• Weight: 3.75 lbs
• Why Buy: Large screen Chromebook under $300 with slim design.

Pros:

• Full HD large screen
• Google support with Play Store access
• Durable metal design

Cons:

• Slightly heavier than other Chromebooks
• Limited to web-based apps

5. ASUS VivoBook Go 12 (Best Compact Windows Laptop Under $300)

• Display: 12-inch HD Display
• Processor: Intel Celeron N4020
• RAM: 4GB
• Storage: 64GB eMMC
• Battery: 9 hours
• Weight: 2.2 lbs
• Why Buy: Super portable laptop under $300, ideal for travelers.

Pros:

• Ultra-lightweight & compact
• Stylish design
• Decent performance for basic tasks

Cons:

• Small display may not suit everyone
• Limited storage

6. Dell Inspiron 11 3195 (Best 2-in-1 Convertible Laptop Under $300)

• Display: 11.6-inch HD Touchscreen
• Processor: AMD A9-9420e
• RAM: 4GB
• Storage: 64GB eMMC
• Battery: 8 hours
• Weight: 2.6 lbs
• Why Buy: Convertible touchscreen laptop at budget price.

Pros:

• 2-in-1 convertible design
• Touchscreen functionality
• Compact & portable

Cons:

• Not powerful enough for multitasking
• Battery backup is average

7. Lenovo Chromebook Flex 3 (Best Convertible Chromebook Under $300)

• Display: 11.6-inch HD Touchscreen
• Processor: MediaTek MT8173C
• RAM: 4GB
• Storage: 64GB eMMC
• Battery: 10 hours
• Weight: 2.65 lbs
• Why Buy: Affordable 2-in-1 Chromebook with touchscreen.

Pros:

• Flexible convertible design
• Lightweight and travel-friendly
• Google Play Store apps supported

Cons:

• Small screen size
• Limited offline software support

Comparison Table – 7 Best Laptops Under $300

Quick Recommendations – Best Laptops Under $300

• Best Overall Chromebook Under $300 → Acer Chromebook 314
• Best Windows Laptop Under $300 → HP Stream 14
• Best for Students → Lenovo IdeaPad 1
• Best Large Display Laptop → Samsung Chromebook 4+
• Best Compact Travel Laptop → ASUS VivoBook Go 12
• Best Touchscreen Windows Laptop → Dell Inspiron 11 3195
• Best Convertible Chromebook → Lenovo Chromebook Flex 3

Windows Laptops vs Chromebooks Under $300

Windows Laptops ($250–$300)

• Better for offline apps like MS Office, Photoshop (light use), and coding.
• Wider software compatibility.
• Usually lower battery life.
• Slower performance at this price compared to Chromebooks.

Chromebooks ($200–$300)

• Faster performance due to ChromeOS optimization.
• Better battery life (10–14 hours).
• Seamless Google integration for students & professionals.
• Limited offline app support.

Buying Guide – Things to Check Before Buying a Laptop Under $300

1. Operating System: Choose between Windows 11 or ChromeOS.
2. RAM & Storage: Minimum 4GB RAM and 64GB storage recommended.
3. Battery Life: At least 8–10 hours for students/professionals.
4. Weight & Portability: Ideal for travelers and students.
5. Usage Type: Chromebooks for online work, Windows for offline apps.

Conclusion

Choosing the best laptop under $300 depends on your usage. If you want long battery life and online productivity, go for Chromebooks like Acer Chromebook 314 or Samsung Chromebook 4+. If you need Windows compatibility, the HP Stream 14 and Lenovo IdeaPad 1 are great options.

Also Read: Best Laptop Under $250: 9 Best Laptops Under $250 That Deliver Value

FAQs: Best Laptops Under $300

Q1. What is the best laptop under $300 in 2025?
Acer Chromebook 314, Lenovo IdeaPad 1, and HP Stream 14 are the best laptops under $300.

Q2. Can I buy a touchscreen laptop under $300?
Yes, Dell Inspiron 11 3195 and Lenovo Chromebook Flex 3 are touchscreen laptops under $300.

Q3. Is a Chromebook better than a Windows laptop under $300?
Chromebooks offer better battery life and performance, while Windows laptops provide offline software compatibility.

Q4. Which laptop under $300 is best for students?
HP Stream 14 and Acer Chromebook 314 are the best laptops under $300 for students.

Q5. Which is the best Windows laptop under $300?
Lenovo IdeaPad 1 and HP Stream 14 are excellent Windows laptops under $300.

Q6. Which Chromebook under $300 has the best display?
Acer Chromebook 314 and Samsung Chromebook 4+ have the best Full HD displays.

Q7. Can I play games on laptops under $300?
You can play light online games, but heavy gaming is not recommended.

Q8. Do laptops under $300 support Zoom and Google Meet?
Yes, all the laptops listed here are compatible with video conferencing apps.

Q9. Can I use Microsoft Office on a laptop under $300?
Yes, Windows laptops support MS Office. Chromebooks support Google Workspace and Office web apps.

Q10. Where can I buy the best laptops under $300?
You can purchase them on Amazon, BestBuy, Walmart, or directly from official brand websites.