Are you looking to buy your first Chromebook but are not willing to spend a fortune on one? Well, you’ve come to the right place. Today, we’re going to challenge ourselves by finding the best Chromebook under $300.
Buying a good laptop for under 300 bucks sounds impossible, especially when you consider the cost of flagship Chromebooks.
Related: Best Chromebook for Elementary Students – A GameGrinds Roundup
However, if you are on a tight budget and you’re looking for something more reliable than the cheapest Windows laptop, then you have plenty of options to choose from!
Best Chromebook under $300 – The Prospects
The term “best” can be highly subjective from person to person. We’ve decided to showcase some of the laptops within that price range because of this indisputable fact. This way, you can decide for yourself which is the best Chromebook under $300.
Here’s how we decide if it’s worth getting:
Hardware
People who know and understand computer hardware can usually spot if something is a good buy or not based on specs alone. However, if there’s one thing we’ve learned from Apple, it’s that software implementation can go a long way.
Performance
Does it boot in seconds? Does it feel snappy enough when you open an app? Does the browser lag when multiple windows are open?
These are common issues that people encounter when buying cheap Chromebooks. Rest assured that the list we have provided doesn’t contain inferior models.
Android Compatibility
The best Chromebook under $300 should be capable of running Android apps. Why? Because you will have a ton more options to run on your laptop.
Instead of just choosing from the Chrome Web Store, the Play Store can also be at your disposal.
Feedback from users
It’s much easier to recommend something when hundreds of legitimate reviews back up a product.
While we don’t recommend basing your purchases on reviews alone, we still believe it could help especially when you’re finalizing your decision on which Chromebook to buy.
5 Best Chromebook Under $300 Recommendations for 2023
Lenovo Chromebook C330 2-in-1 Convertible Laptop
About Lenovo Chromebook C330
Lenovo’s Chromebook C330 is a 2-in-1 convertible laptop that’s made to please. Equipped with a 64GB SSD, a 4-core MediaTek processor, and an 11.6-inch IPS display – all for under 300 bucks!
The Good
- Can run Android apps
- USB-C
- Smooth User Interface (UI)
The Bad
- Official support is only available until June 2022
- Limited storage options (available in 32GB and 64GB)
The Verdict
The Chromebook C330 by Lenovo is a great choice for people on a tight budget. For the asking price, you’re getting a reliable 2-in-1 laptop that does office tasks with ease.
Having access to the Play Store can also give you plenty of apps to run on your device. If that doesn’t sound like the best Chromebook under $300, then I don’t know what is.
Acer R13 Convertible 2-in-1 Chromebook
About Acer R13 Convertible 2-in-1 Chromebook
Originally priced around $700, the Acer R13 Convertible Chromebook is a great buy, especially at this price range.
It’s packed with a 64GB SSD, it has Bluetooth and HDMI connectivity, and it is all powered by a Quad-Core Mobile CPU.
The Good
- Stylus support
- Flagship specs at an entry-level price tag
- Free 100GB Google Drive storage
The Bad
- Mobile CPU can be sometimes underwhelming
- GPU isn’t ideal for demanding Android games
- Bulkier and heavier (weighs 3.28 lbs.)
The Verdict
Despite being yesteryear’s flagship Chromebook, the Acer R13 is still a good laptop for multimedia and office use. Because it is 2-in-1, you can either use it as a tablet for casual gaming or work on it as a full-fledged notebook computer.
If you are looking for flagship specs at an affordable price point, you can say that Acer R13 ticks all the boxes to make it the best Chromebook under $300.
ASUS Chromebook Flip C214 2-in-1
About ASUS Chromebook C214
The Chromebook C214 Flip by ASUS is one of our highly recommended laptops on the list because of its performance and price point. Other than
The Good
- Bundled with a 12-month Google One subscription to store all your files, photos, and emails
- Multiple USB ports for connectivity
- High definition 5MP web camera
The Bad
- Powered by Intel Celeron N4000
- 32GB storage may not be enough for users
- 1366 x 768 display resolution
The Verdict
The Chromebook Flip C214 may not be the fastest out of the bunch, but it has specs that are truly worth the asking price. Despite being powered by a Celeron chip, the UI is still buttery smooth, and the build quality has a premium feel to it.
We highly recommend the Flip C214 if you’re looking for a decent office laptop that is lightweight, portable, and durable. Perfect for people who are always on the move thanks to the rated 11-hour battery life.
Acer Chromebook Spin 11 Convertible Laptop
About Acer Spin 11 Chromebook
The Acer Spin 11 Chromebook is one of the few notebook laptops capable of running Google Play Store natively. This 2-in-1 laptop is equipped with an Intel Celeron Processor, 4GB RAM and it comes in 32GB and 64GB storage capacities.
The Good
- Free 100GB Google Drive storage
- Capable of running Play Store natively
- One of the best HD touch displays on the list
The Bad
- Slightly smaller 11.6-inch display
- Webcam could be better
- Play Store app limitations due to hardware
The Verdict
The Acer Spin 11 used to be the best Chromebook under $300. Today, it’s still among the best, especially if you’re looking for a 2-in-1 laptop that comes with a ton of features. It has multiple USB ports (USB 3.1 and USB C) for expandability, and it has a 10-hour battery life that won’t leave you hanging.
One of the biggest drawbacks of the Spin 11 is its underwhelming dual-core Intel processor. However, if you’re not planning on playing games on it, then you can expect this Chromebook to be as reliable as the other options we have on the list.
Samsung Chromebook Plus
About Samsung Chromebook Plus
The Samsung Chromebook Plus laptop is another flagship model with a budget-friendly price tag. It’s lightweight yet durable, and it comes with flagship features such as a 13MP camera with autofocus, Play Store compatibility, and battery life that lasts for hours.
The Good
- Flagship model
- Larger display size compared to other models
- Great hardware for the price
The Bad
- Slightly more expensive than other models
- Refurbished
- Uses an LCD instead of an LED
The Verdict
One of the reasons to consider the Samsung Chromebook Plus is if you’re using video conferencing regularly. The 13MP camera with autofocus is an industry standard and is something unheard of in laptop technology.
Performance-wise, it may be slower than Chromebooks made in the past year or so, but in terms of hardware capabilities and service support, your 300 bucks can go a long way if you choose this device.
In Closing
Deciding on which Chromebook to buy with a limited budget can be stressful. However, with enough product research, we’re sure that you’ll be able to find one that will suit your needs. We hope that with our help, you’ll be able to find the best Chromebook under $300.
For more Chromebook-related goodness just like our topic for the best Chromebook Hard Case, be sure to check out our site for tips, tricks, and everything in between.
Last update on 2023-06-07 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
