This guide is about helping you find the best laptop under $300. If you’re a student, remote worker, beginner, or a budget-conscious buyer in the US looking for a reliable laptop without overspending, you’re in the right place. Many laptops are available for $300, but choosing a dependable machine is very important.
Several smart laptops can be gotten under $300, but that can only be possible if you know what you want. Nowadays, many budget laptops come with modern SSD storage, a fast processor, and enough RAM that can serve your everyday tasks.
So, in this guide, we’ll explore the best laptops under $300, best laptops under $300 with 8GB RAM, best laptops under $300 for students, what features and specs that matter most, what to expect from a laptop under $300, and how to avoid spending your money on laptop that are not worth it.
What to Expect from Laptops under $300
Before proceeding to buy a laptop under $300, it is important to understand what a laptop of this price range can offer. If you in any way need a laptop for heavy video editing, professional designs, professional designing, and photo editing, a laptop under $300 is not an ideal option to go for.
So you wouldn’t expect too much from any laptop in this price range. A good laptop under $300 can comfortably handle the following:
- Casual gaming
- Light Photo editing
- Zoom meetings
- Online classes for students
- YouTube and Netflix streaming
- Browsing the web
- Microsoft, Excel, and Google Docs
Key Features to Look for in a Laptop under $300
Here are the key features to always look for in a laptop under $300.
- RAM Size: Always aim for an 8GB RAM laptop, because the RAM size in your laptop affects how fast or slow your laptop multitasks. Regardless of the price of the laptop, performance matters a lot, so if your budget rolls around $300 or less, you need to always go for laptops under $300 with 8GB RAM.
- Storage Size: It is advisable to always go for at least 128GB SSD. Always go for SSD storage because it is faster than older hard drives. It helps your laptop boot faster, load apps faster, and boost your overall laptop performance.
- Operating System: Most budgeted laptops usually come with Windows 11 or the Chrome OS (Chromebooks).
- Battery Life: budgeted laptops under $300 offer battery life of about 8 hours to 10 hours.
Best Laptops under $300 for Students
Students need affordable laptops that are reliable, portable, and have good battery life, which can serve for long study sessions.
1. Lenovo IdeaPad 1 (14-inch)
The Lenovo IdeaPad 1 is one of the best laptops under $300 for students that runs on the Intel Celeron or the AMD Athlon processor. The laptop is very lightweight and portable for students. It comes with the Windows 11 operating system and has up to 8GB RAM and 128GB SSD storage.
The Lenovo IdeaPad 1 is a perfect option for attending online classes, browsing the web, and writing assignments. It has a cool battery life that can last for up to 7 hours on regular use. It is also a nice keyboard for comfortable typing.
Key Features:
- Operating System: Windows 11
- Processor: Intel Core i5
- RAM: 4GB or 8GB
- Storage: 128GB to 256 GB
- Battery Life: up to 8 hours
You can also check Best Laptops for College Students under $500
2. HP Stream 14
The HP Stream 14 is one of the budget-friendly laptops that can be gotten under $400, perfect for students. This laptop is designed mainly for basic tasks like browsing the web, sending emails, and typing work. The HP Stream 14 is not designed for heavy multitasking, but it is a reliable laptop for students
Key Features:
- Operating System: Windows 11
- Processor: Intel Celeron N4000
- RAM: 4GB
- Storage: 32GB
- Battery Life: up to 7 hours
3. Acer Aspire 3 (Refurbished Option)
You can only get a refurbished option of Acer Aspire 3 laptop under $300, and this is of a more advantageous, because it allows you get higher hardware at a lower price. The refurbished Acer Aspire is one of the best laptops under $300, suitable for students who want a faster laptop with a bigger screen.
Key Features:
- Operating System: Windows 11
- Processor: Intel Core i5/i7
- RAM: 8GB
- Storage: 128GB
- Battery Life: up to 11 hours
Best Windows Laptop under $300
Windows laptops give you access to more programs and software compared to Chromebooks. Here are the best Windows laptops you can get under $300.
1. ASUS VivoBook E Series
The ASUS VivoBook E Series is one of the best Windows laptops under $300. This laptop is very portable with a slim and stylish design, suitable for office work, online business task and other everyday computing activities. ASUS Vivobook E Series is one of the most loved laptops because of its stylish design and slim design.
Key Features:
- Operating System: Windows 11
- Processor: AMD Ryzen 5 or Intel Core
- RAM: 16GB
- Storage: 512GB
- Battery Life: up to 11 hours
You can also check out the best laptops from work from Home
2. Dell Inspiron 15 (Refurbished)
The refurbished Dell Inspiron 15 is another budget-friendly Windows laptop that can be purchased for under $300. This laptop runs on the Intel Core 13/i5 or i7 processor and has up to 32GB RAM with 256GB SSD storage. A brand new Dell Inspiron 15 is sold for over $400, but you can get the refurbished one for less than $300.
Key Features:
- Operating System: Windows 11
- Processor: Intel Core i3/i5 or i7
- RAM: 8GB
- Storage: 256GB SSD
- Battery Life: up to 11 hours
Best Laptop under $300 with 8GB RAM
Laptops with 8GB RAM are ideal options if you multitask or need a laptop for serious office work, typing, sending emails, and Zoom calls. Here are some laptops under $300 with 8GB RAM.
1. Lenovo IdeaPad 3 (8GB Version)
One laptop with 8GB RAM that can be purchased for under $300 is the Lenovo IdeaPad 3. This laptop runs on the 11th Gen Intel Core i3/i5 or AMD Ryzen processors. The laptop comes with Windows 11 and SSD storage, which allows smooth performance. The Lenovo IdeaPad 3 is one of the best choices when searching for the best laptops under $300 with 8GB RAM.
Key Features:
- Operating System: Windows 11
- Processor: Intel Core i3/i5
- RAM: 8GB
- Storage: 256GB SSD
- Battery Life: 7 to 10 hours
2. HP 15 (Refurbished 8GB RAM Model)
The HP 15 is another budget-friendly laptop with 8GB RAM that can be purchased for under $300. The HP 15 laptop runs on Windows 11 and features the Intel Core i5/i7 processor and 256GB SSD storage. This laptop is a slim and lightweight machine that can handle multitasking, which makes it an ideal option for students and remote workers.
Key Features:
- Operating System: Windows 11
- Processor: Intel Core i3/i5
- RAM: 8GB
- Storage: 256GB SSD
- Battery Life: 9 to 11 hours
Best Laptop under $300 with 16GB RAM
To be honest, finding a laptop with 16GB RAM under $300 is very rare, except that you buy refurbished laptops. Here are some refurbished laptops with 16GB Ram you can buy for under $300.
1. Dell Latitude 5490 (Refurbished)
One laptop under $300 with 16GB RAM is the refurbished Dell Latitude 5490. It is one of the most reliable and durable business laptops. It runs on the Intel Core i5 processor and 16GB RAM. It is a great option for buyers who need budget-friendly 16GB RAM laptops for heavy browsing, multitasking, and office work.
Key Features:
- Operating System: Windows 11
- Processor: Intel Core i5
- RAM: 16GB
- Storage: 256GB SSD
- Battery Life: 6 to 9 hours
2. HP ProBook Series (Refurbished)
The HP ProBook Series offers business-grade performance, but the refurbished models can be gotten for less than $300. These laptops are reliable and durable, built for an office environment. This laptop runs on Windows 11. One key feature of the HP ProBook Series is its robust security features with a powerful battery life.
Key Features:
- Operating System: Windows 11
- Processor: Intel Core i5/i7
- RAM: 16GB
- Storage: 256GB SSD
- Battery Life: 13 to 15 hours
Where to Buy the Best Laptop under $300 in the US
Trusted online stores include:
- Amazon
- Walmart
- Best Buy
- Newegg
- Micro Center
For refurbished laptops:
- Amazon Renewed
- Back Market
- Best Buy Outlet
- Dell Refurbished
Always check the warranty and return policy before buying.
FAQs: Best Laptop under $300
What is the best laptop under $300 for students?
Lenovo IdeaPad 1 and Acer Aspire 3 are great choices due to performance and battery life.
What are the Best Windows laptops under $300?
You can get the ASUS VivoBook E Series and the Dell Inspiron for under $300.
What are the Best Laptops under $300 with 16GB RAM?
The Refurbished Dell Latitude 5490 and HP ProBook are good options. Note that you can only get refurbished laptops with 16GB RAM for under $300.
What is the Best Laptop under $300 for Students?
The Lenovo IdeaPad 1 (14-inch) and HP Stream 14 are ideal laptops for students under $300
Is 8GB RAM necessary for budget laptops?
Yes. It provides smoother performance and better multitasking.
Can I get the best Windows laptop under $300?
Yes, you can get the ASUS VivoBook and the Lenovo IdeaPad series, which offer solid Windows options.
Is gaming possible on laptops under $300?
Yes, for light gaming only. Acer Aspire 3 and Lenovo IdeaPad 3 are good options.
Should I buy refurbished laptops?
Yes. They often offer higher specs and better value for money.
