Best Laptops Under $300: After researching a ton of budget machines, I narrowed the field to five laptops that actually deliver. These picks handle the essentials browsing, docs, email, Zoom, and streaming without the lag you get from older chips or slow storage. Below you’ll find a short buying checklist, a side‑by‑side comparison chart, and detailed specs with pros/cons and verdicts for each model so you can choose with confidence.
What to expect at this price:
- Smooth basics, not heavy gaming or 4K editing
- Mostly 60 Hz panels and plastic builds (IPS is a win)
- 8GB RAM is ideal for Windows; 128–256GB SSD feels faster than eMMC
- Aim for 8+ hours battery on light use; budget 15-inch models often get ~6–8h
Quick picks
- Best overall under $300: ASUS Vivobook 14 (i3‑1215U, 16GB/512GB)
- Best battery life under $300: Acer Aspire 3 A315‑24P‑R7VH (Ryzen 3 7320U)
- Best smooth display under $300: Dell Inspiron 15 (3530, 120Hz FHD)
- Best simple 15‑inch for students: HP 15.6″ FHD (15‑DY5131WM)
- Best portable 15‑inch under $300: ASUS Vivobook Go 15.6 (E1504FA‑AS33)
Best Laptops Under $300 Comparison Chart
| Laptop | Image | CPU | RAM | Storage | Battery Life | Price Range | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dell Inspiron15(3530) |  |
Intel Core i3-1215U | 8GB DDR4 | 512GB NVMe SSD | Check price | ||
| Acer Aspire 3 A315 |  |
AMD Ryzen 3 7320U | 8GB LPDDR5 | 128GB SSD | Check price | ||
| ASUS Vivobook Go |  |
AMD Ryzen 3 7320U | 8GB LPDDR5 | 128GB SSD | Check price | ||
| ASUS Vivobook 14 |  |
Intel Core i3-1215U | 16GB DDR4 | 512GB SSD | Check price | ||
| HP 15.6 FHD Laptop |  |
Intel Core i3-1215U | 8GB DDR4 | 256GB SSD | Check price |
Detailed Specifications
Dell Inspiron 15 (3530)
Key Specs:
- Model Number: Inspiron 15 3530
- Processor: 13th Gen Intel® Core™ i3-1305U (5 cores, up to 4.5 GHz)
- GPU: Intel® UHD Graphics
- RAM: 8GB DDR4‑2666Mhz (often upgradeable)
- Storage: 512GB NVMe SSD (upgradeable)
- Display: 15.6″, 1920 x 1080, FHD, 120Hz, WVA, IPS, Anti-Glare, 250
- Battery Life: ~6 hours(usage dependent) 41Wh
- USB Ports: 1× USB‑C, 1× USB‑3.2, 1× USB 2.0
- Weight: ~3.6lb (1.6kg)
- OS: Windows 11 Home
✅ Pros
- Snappy 13th‑gen Core i3 for everyday tasks
- Smooth 120Hz FHD panel
- Large 512GB NVMe SSD (upgradeable)
❌ Cons
- 250‑nit brightness is dim for bright rooms
- ~6h battery from 41Wh is average
- Integrated graphics only (no gaming)
Verdict: Great under‑$300 pick if you want a big screen with a smooth 120Hz feel and plenty of storage, and you’re okay with average battery life.
Buy on AmazonAcer Aspire 3 A315-24P-R7VH
Key Specs:
- Model Number: 7320U
- Processor: AMD Ryzen™ 3 7320U Quad-core (4 Core™) 2.40 GHz turbo 4.10 GHz
- GPU: AMD Radeon Graphics (Integrated)
- RAM: 8GB LPDDR5 2400mhz Clock Speed 3200Mhz
- Backlit Keyboard:Yes
- Storage: 128GB NVMe SSD (upgradeable)
- Display: 15.6″, 1920 x 1080 FHD IPS LED, 60hz
- Battery Life: ~10 hours(usage dependent) 40Wh
- USB Ports: 1× USB‑C, 2× USB‑3.2
- Weight: ~3.97 lb
- OS: Windows 11 Home
✅ Pros
- Efficient Ryzen 3 + LPDDR5 feels responsive
- FHD IPS display and backlit keyboard at this price
- Solid battery life claims for light use
❌ Cons
- 128GB SSD fills up fast (plan to upgrade)
- LPDDR5 memory is typically not upgradeable
- Integrated graphics only
Verdict: One of the most balanced Windows options under $300—excellent daily performance and features if you’re willing to upgrade storage later.
Buy on AmazonASUS Vivobook Go 15.6
Key Specs:
- Model Number: E1504FA-AS33
- Processor: AMD Ryzen™ 3 7320U Processor 2.4GHz (6MB Cache, up to 4.1GHz, 4 cores, 8 Threads)
- GPU: Integrated AMD Radeon™ Graphics
- RAM: 8GB LPDDR5 on board
- Storage: 128GB NVMe SSD (upgradeable)
- Display: 15.6″, 1920 x 1080, FHD LCD, 60Hz
- Battery Life: ~6 hours(usage dependent) 42Wh
- USB Ports: 1× USB‑C, 1× USB‑3.2, 1× USB 2.0
- Weight: ~1.63 kg (3.59 lbs)
- OS: Windows 11 Home
✅ Pros
- Modern Ryzen 3 keeps Windows snappy
- Portable for a 15.6″ at ~3.59 lb
- NVMe storage is upgradeable; USB‑C included
❌ Cons
- 128GB SSD is tight
- 8GB LPDDR5 is usually soldered (no RAM upgrade)
- ~6h battery is just average
Verdict: A clean, portable everyday laptop for students and light work. Best if you prioritize portability and can expand storage.
Buy on AmazonASUS Vivobook 14
Key Specs:
- Model Number: 5Z8N
- Processor: i3-1215U Processor (6 Cores, 8 Threads, 10MB L3 Cache,Up to 4.4 GHz )
- GPU: ntel UHD Graphics (64 EU)
- RAM: 16GB DDR4 3200 MHz
- Storage: 512GB NVMe SSD (upgradeable)
- Display: 14-inch”, 1920 x 1080, FHD IPS LED, 60Hz
- Battery Life: ~6 hours(usage dependent) 42Wh
- USB Ports: 1× USB‑C, 1× USB‑3.2, 1× USB 2.0
- Weight: ~1.40 kg (3.09 lbs)
- OS: Windows 11 Home
✅ Pros
- Strong everyday performance from 12th‑gen i3
- Big memory and storage for the price (16GB + 512GB)
- Light 14″ form factor for easy carry
❌ Cons
- ~6h battery life is mid‑pack
- Integrated graphics; not for gaming/3D
- Typical budget‑panel brightness/color
Verdict: A top productivity pick under $300 thanks to 16GB RAM and a 512GB SSD—great for multitaskers who want a lighter 14‑inch.
Buy on AmazonHP 15.6″ FHD
Key Specs:
- Model Number: 15-DY5131WM
- Processor:Intel Core i3-1215U (up to 4.1 GHz 6 MB L3 cache, 2 cores, 4 threads)
- GPU: ntel UHD Graphics
- RAM: 8GB DDR4 2666 MHz
- Storage: 256GB NVMe SSD (upgradeable)
- Display: 15.6-inch”, 1920 x 1080, FHD IPS LED, 60Hz
- Battery Life: ~6 hours(usage dependent) 41Wh
- USB Ports: 1× USB‑C, 2× USB‑3.2,
- Weight: ~1.59 kg
- OS: Windows 11 Home
✅ Pros
- Capable 12th‑gen i3 for everyday multitasking
- 15.6″ FHD IPS display with a comfortable full‑size keyboard
- Useful port mix including USB‑C + two USB‑A
❌ Cons
- ~6h battery from 41Wh is average
- 8GB DDR4 is entry‑level (may be single‑channel)
- Integrated graphics; no gaming headroom
Verdict:A dependable, no‑frills 15‑inch for home, school, and office basics. Choose it if you want a big screen and simple reliability under $300.
Buy on AmazonMethodology
I prioritized modern entry CPUs (Intel 12th/13th‑gen i3, Ryzen 3 7320U), 8GB RAM minimum for Windows, SSD storage, usable 1080p screens, and good real‑world owner feedback. I also checked port selection and basic upgradability so you can extend lifespan with a larger SSD.
FAQ
Are laptops under $300 good for students?
Yes. They’re perfect for web use, docs, email, Zoom, and streaming. For heavier multitasking or Windows apps, try to get 8 GB RAM and an SSD.
Chromebook or Windows under $300?
ChromeOS feels faster on low‑spec hardware if you mostly live in the browser. Choose Windows if you need traditional desktop apps.
Is 8 GB RAM necessary under $300?
For Windows laptops, 8 GB RAM is ideal. Chromebooks can manage light web tasks with 4 GB.
Can I upgrade these later?
SSD upgrades are common. RAM is sometimes soldered, so check your exact model before buying.
Will these run Zoom smoothly?
Yes — modern Intel i3 or Ryzen 3 processors with 8 GB RAM and SSD storage handle video calls well.
Conclusion
If you’re shopping under $300, prioritize a modern entry CPU, 8GB RAM, and SSD storage. For a smooth 120Hz display and big SSD, go with the Dell Inspiron 15 (3530). For battery life and backlit keyboard, the Acer Aspire 3 A315‑24P‑R7VH is hard to beat. If you want maximum productivity in a lighter chassis, the ASUS Vivobook 14 (5Z8N) is the standout. The ASUS Vivobook Go 15.6 and HP 15.6″ FHD round out the list as dependable 15‑inch options for school and home.
