Need a laptop that won't break the bank? Here are the best options under $300.

While companies like ASUS and Lenovo tend to dominate the budget laptop space, the entry-level Samsung Chromebook 4+(opens in a new tab) from 2021 still has a ton of great features for the price tag and the quality you’d expect from the brand. Like all Chromebooks, it runs on Chrome OS — and even with the two-core CPU you’d expect for under $300, it does the jobs you need to get done with ease. It’s lightweight at well under 4 pounds, and a full HD, 1920 x 1080 display is better than many we see for the price point. (Peep that huge 15.6-inch screen, too.) Though it's a little low on storage, it does come with a 128GB microSD card bundle in case you need more space for photos, videos, and other files.

The HP Stream Pro 11(opens in a new tab) is the best deal on our list — not just because it sits at a tempting $219.99, but also because it includes a year's worth of Microsoft 365 Personal (formerly Microsoft Office 365), some essential software that's valued at $70. It's also a highly portable option for someone who commutes or travels often, coming in just under 2.5 pounds. Battery-wise, it'll get you up to 12 hours of video playback or up to 8.5 hours of wireless streaming per charge — not too shabby. And with two USB 3.1 ports, a USB 3.1 Type-C, an HDMI port, and a headphone jack, it's got you covered on the connectivity front.

With a battery life of over 13 hours per charge, the HP Chromebook 14(opens in a new tab) will easily last you all day. Better yet, you can top it up on the go — it's got a fast charge feature that can take it from dead to 50% battery in about 45 minutes. As with all budget laptops, it’s not going to be the zippiest computer out there, but it does pack a lot of other perks for its price, including Bang and Olufsen speakers and reasonable portage (two super-fast USB-Cs and a USB-A, plus a headphone jack).