The best laptop under 300$ does not feature very powerful specifications. It balances its features with a budget-friendly price range for both professionals and beginners.
Although they do not pack too much power, it is still possible to land a reliable laptop with decent specifications if you know what to look for.
Top Picks for the Best Laptop Under 300$
- Acer Aspire 3: Best Overall
- Acer Aspire Go 5: Best Budget
- ASUS VivoBook 14: Best Windows
- Lenovo Ideapad 3i
Acer Aspire 3: Best Overall Laptop Under 300$
- Screen size: 15.6″
- Resolution: 1920x1080p Full HD IPS Display
- Processor: AMD Ryzen 3
- GPU: AMD Radeon Graphics
- RAM: 8 GB
- Storage: 128 GB SSD expandable
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6, HDMI
- OS: Windows 11 Home in S Mode
- Battery Life: 11 hours
From our research, we found the Acer Aspire 3 is the best laptop that you can buy for this budget range. It packs powerful features and still comes at an affordable price range.
One of the main stand-out features is the screen. It comes with a large 15.6-inch screen with 1920 x 1080 pixels Full HD resolution. This is crisp and clear making it ideal for streaming movies and playing basic games.
The Acer Aspire 3 is powered by an AMD Ryzen 3 Quad-Core processor and 8 GB RAM that allows for easy multitasking. You will be able to run different tasks at the same time without any lags. Unfortunately, this laptop features low 128 GB SSD storage which is not enough especially for creatives.
Still, on the performance, the laptop comes with Windows 11 Home in S Mode already installed. The best part is that you can upgrade to Windows 11 fully anytime you want. This will allow for more functionality on your device.
If you are not on a budget, however, it is possible to upgrade with an external SSD hard drive. This is bought separately adding to the overall price of the laptop.
The Acer Aspire 3 features a slim, lightweight body and a long 12-hour battery life that allows for easy portability. On full charge, you will be able to use it continuously for up to a whole day without having to recharge.
For those who type for long hours, the Acer Aspire 3 features a backlit keyboard with number pads available. The keyboard is ergonomically designed for comfortable use for long hours.
Acer Aspire Go 5 Laptop: Best Budget Laptop under 300$
- Screen Size: 15.6″
- Resolution: Full HD (1920×1080) IPS Display
- Processor: Intel Core i3
- GPU: Intel UHD Graphics
- RAM: 8 GB LPDDR5
- Storage: 128 GB HD
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6
- Features: AI-enhanced performance
- OS: Windows 11 Home in S Mode
- Battery Life: 12 Hours
The Acer Aspire Go 5 Laptop has a similar screen to the Acer Aspire 3. It features a 15.6-inch screen size with 1920×1080 Full HD resolution. This screen allows you to view your work on a clear and high display whether you are working, gaming, or streaming movies.
This laptop also runs on Windows 11 Home in S Mode and is also upgradable to Windows 11 at any time. The Acer Aspire Go 5 is also a good multitasking laptop but only when running simple programs. This is because although it has a large RAM at 8 GB, it runs on an older Intel Core i3 processor and Intel UHD Graphics.
Luckily, the laptop compensates for this with a large 8 GB RAM and Windows 11 Home in S Mode that allows for multitasking. Battery life also stands out allowing you to use the laptop for up to 12 hours on a full charge, this is more than a full 8-hour working day.
For connectivity, you have Wi-Fi 6 which ensures lightning-fast internet speed. AI-powered performance ensures a smarter overall computing experience for the user. Unfortunately, the storage space is low at 128 GB SSD but is expandable using an external Hard drive.
ASUS VivoBook 14: Best Value for Money
- Screen Size: 14″
- Resolution: Full HD (1920×1080) IPS Display
- Processor: Intel Core i3-1115G4
- GPU: Integrated Intel UHD Graphics
- RAM: 4 GB DDR4
- Storage: 128 GB PCIe SSD
- Features: Fingerprint Reader
- OS: Windows 11 Home in S Mode
- Color: Slate Grey
If you are looking for a laptop that balances performance and affordability to provide great value for money, the ASUS VivoBook 14 is the best option. It features a smaller 14-inch screen but with Full HD 1920×1080 pixels resolution.
It is easily portable thanks to a compact and lightweight design and 180° hinges which add to the versatility and flexibility. ASUS VivoBook 14 is equipped with a large 12 GB RAM which can be upgraded to 16 GB if needed. However, despite a large RAM the Intel Core i3 processor is old and relatively slow compared to other new processors.
If you are not on a budget and need the laptop for complex tasks like animation, you can choose the more expensive Intel Core i7 processor version. Luckily an integrated Intel Iris Xe Graphics will be ideal for smooth graphic display processing and even allow you to play some simple games. You will have 512 GB SSD storage space which is perfect for regular tasks and basic gaming.
This laptop features modern connectivity such as Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3, you also have multiple ports such as USB Type-C, USB-A, and HDMI, for diverse uses and connections. Security is enhanced with a fingerprint reader, while the 10-hour battery life ensures all-day productivity without frequent charging.
Done key downside is that the glossy IPS display may cause reflections in bright environments, therefore limiting outdoor usage.
Generally, the Asus Vivobook S14 stands out thanks to its sleek design, powerful performance, and well-thought-out features and specs. Whether you need it for study or entertainment, this laptop is a smart investment for anyone seeking a high-performing laptop for an affordable price.
Lenovo IdeaPad 3i
- Screen Size: 15.6″
- Resolution: 1366 x 768 pixels
- Processor: Intel Core i3-1115G4
- GPU: Integrated Intel UHD Graphics
- RAM: 12 GB DDR4
- Storage: 256 GB PCIe SSD
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth, HDMI
- Features: Webcam
- OS: Windows 11 Home
- Color: Grey
The Lenovo IdeaPad 3i Laptop is perfect for those looking for a budget-friendly laptop. It has a 15.6-inch which is touchscreen-enabled. Compared to earlier discussed laptops, the IdeaPad 3i features a lower resolution at 1366 x 768 pixels.
This is not too low, but it limits laptop usage by designers and creatives. Most creatives prefer 1920 x1080 Pixels or 1080 p. This laptop compensates with impressive performance and many storage options.
For processing power, it comes with an Intel Core i3 processor and Intel UHD Graphics, combined with 12 GB allows decent performance but will slow down if you run heavy programs.
The 1 TB SSD is the main standout feature of this laptop. It is a large enough size for both beginners and professional users. Additionally, this size and RAM are both expandable, offering flexibility for users who may need more capacity in the future.
Although the keyboard is ergonomically designed with a responsive touchpad it lacks backlit keys which is a minor disadvantage. Overall the keyboard is still comfortable for long hours of usage.
The laptop features modern connectivity options, with Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth, and a number of alternative ports. These include two SuperSpeed USB Type-A, one USB 2.0 Type-A, HDMI, headphone and microphone ports.
Lenovo IdeaPad 3i features a lightweight and versatile design, which together with a 7 to 9 hours battery life makes it an excellent choice for both home and outdoors.
For a low and affordable price, you will get a lot of features on the Lenovo IdeaPad 3i plus a balance of performance, storage, and long usability. It is perfect for students, professionals, or casual users.
Choosing the Best Laptop for You
As mentioned, you will consider an affordable price over specifications when dealing with most of these laptops. Color handling and screen quality will be foregone in some instances just to fit the budget.
Consider the processing power, OS compatibility, RAM, and storage space. For the body and build, consider a premium feel despite the low price.
Top Laptops Under 300$
- Acer Aspire 3: Best Overall
- Acer Aspire Go 5: Best Budget
- ASUS VivoBook 14: Best Windows
- Lenovo Ideapad 3i
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best laptop under 300$?
The Acer Aspire 3 and Lenovo Ideapad 1 are the best laptops you can buy for this price.
What can I expect for a laptop under 300$?
Most laptops in this price range forgo powerful specs to match a cheap price. However, you can expect a 720p to 1080p resolution with a 14 to 16-inch screen size. A relatively weak processor and Windows operating system plus 4GB RAM.