The top 7 best laptops under $400 in 2023

Choosing a reliable, functional laptop on a budget isn’t always an easy task, especially if you’re not well-versed in tech. That’s where we come in to help.

Our editors thoroughly researched the market to bring you our top recommendations for the best laptops under $400. Whether you need a laptop for work, school or personal use, these laptops from top brands, such as Lenovo, ASUS and HP, offer incredible features at a great price. 

From lightweight devices for commuting to touchscreen-enabled models with a long battery life, an affordable laptop in this list will suit your needs.

Read more: Browse the best wired headphones here

Overview: The best laptops under $400

Lenovo Ideapad 1 15.6-Inch HD Laptop (Athlon Silver 7120U)

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$199.99 at Best Buy

Best Laptop for casual gaming

ASUS Vivobook 14 Laptop

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$409 at Amazon

Best laptop under $400 for students

Acer Chromebook Spin 314 Convertible Laptop

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$312.99 at Amazon

Best laptop for multitasking

SGIN Laptop 12GB RAM 512GB SSD

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$359.99 at Walmart

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Lenovo Ideapad 1 15.6-Inch HD Laptop (Athlon Silver 7120U)

You save $130 (39.40%)

$199.99$329.99

$199.99 at Best Buy

Specifications 

• Screen size: 15.6 inch  

• Processor: AMD Athlon 

• RAM: 4 GB

• Storage: 128 GB

• Operating system: Windows 11 Home in S mode

Pros & Cons

• Lightweight and portable for people on the go  

• Efficient processor avoids lag time 

• Beginner-friendly user experience

• Limited RAM capacity 

• No touchscreen capabilities

The Lenovo Ideapad HD Laptop is a budget-friendly option that doesn’t compromise on performance or ease of use. Powered by an AMD Athlon Silver 7120U processor, this laptop offers efficient processing for light workloads and basic computing needs. With 4 GB of memory and 128GB of eMMC storage, you’ll have space for all your files and applications. 

The Cloud Grey design gives the laptop a sleek and stylish look while the 15.6-inch HD display provides crisp and clear visuals. Whether you need a laptop for work, school, casual gaming or personal use, the Lenovo Ideapad is a great option that offers excellent value at a cheap price.

Best Laptop for casual gaming

ASUS Vivobook 14 Laptop

You save $20 (4.66%)

$409$429

$409 at Amazon

Specifications 

• Screen size: 14 inches

• Processor: Intel I3-1115G4

• RAM: 8GB

• Storage: 128GB

• Operating system: Windows 11 Home in S Mode

Pros & Cons

• Powerful performance for multitasking and gaming 

• Sleek, lightweight, and modern design

• Sufficient memory for photo and video editing

• No touchscreen

• No backlit keyboard

The ASUS Vivobook 14-inch laptop is a sleek and stylish option that offers great performance and functionality. At just 3.5 pounds, this computer features an energy-efficient backlit display, making it easy to type in low-light environments.

With an  Intel Core i3-powered processor at its core, this is one of the best 14-inch laptops under $400 because it’s expertly designed to function with ease and no lag time. It boasts Intel UHD Graphics 770, which is perfect for gamers who want to play casually.

Best laptop under $400 for students

Acer Chromebook Spin 314 Convertible Laptop

You save $67 (17.63%)

$312.99$379.99

$312.99 at Amazon

Specifications

• Screen size: 14 inch

• Processor: Intel Celeron N4020

• RAM: 4GB

• Storage: 64GB

• Operating system: Chrome OS

Pros & Cons

• Touchscreen display and versatile design 

• Additional 100GB of Google Drive storage space 

• Extended battery life up to 10 hours

• No backlit keyboard 

• Limited app availability

The Acer Chromebook Spin 314 comes with a range of features designed to enhance your user experience. The built-in webcam and microphone make it easy to video chat or attend online meetings or classes. With up to 10 hours of battery life, the laptop is perfect for extended use while on the go.

The Acer Chromebook features a 14-inch full HD touchscreen display on which you can easily switch between laptop and tablet mode, making it ideal for use in a variety of settings. This computer delivers efficient performance that can handle basic tasks like web browsing, email and document editing so you can stay productive and organized.

Best laptop for multitasking

SGIN Laptop 12GB RAM 512GB SSD

You save $974 (73.01%)

$359.99$1,333.99

$359.99 at Walmart

Specifications

• Screen size: 15.6 inch

• Processor: ‎Intel Celeron N5095 Quad-Core

• RAM: 12GB

• Storage: 512GB

• Operating system: Windows 11

Pros & Cons

• Storage capacity allows for smooth user experience 

• Multitasking capabilities and speedy performance 

• Offers a wide range of interfaces

• Some users complain about the speaker quality

• Does not come with an antivirus program trial

With a 4.3-star average rating on Amazon, this SGIN 15-inch laptop under $400 features a vibrant large display suitable for work, study, entertainment and browsing. The Celeron processor makes it easy to multitask and is a great option if you’re looking to store images, videos, documents and music.

Equipped with an anti-dust technology system to ensure performance efficiency, this laptop boasts lower power consumption. The SGIN laptop offers a smooth and high-quality user experience without the boisterous price tag.

Overall best budget-friendly laptop

Dell Inspiron 15 Laptop

$299.99

$299.99 at Dell

Specifications 

• Screen size: 15.6 inch

• Processor: 11th Gen Intel Core i5-1135G7

• RAM: 8 GB

• Storage: 256 GB

• Operating system: Windows 11 Home

Pros & Cons

• Large screen size offers plenty of space to web surf 

• Solid build quality makes for a durable option 

• Large keycaps and a spacious touchpad

• No Microsoft Office license included

• Some users say it has a short battery life

The Dell Inspiron 15 laptop is a versatile and reliable device that is perfect for both personal and professional use. With its 15.6-inch full HD display, you can enjoy crisp visuals while working on your projects, watching movies, or chatting with a friend on a webcam.

It is powered by the latest 11th Gen Intel Core i5 processor that offers lightning-fast performance, allowing you to multitask seamlessly and run demanding applications without any lag. Additionally, it comes equipped with a range of connectivity options, including HDMI, USB-Type A, and SD card reader, making it easy to connect to external devices and transfer files.

Best touchscreen laptop under $400

HP Chromebook x360 14-Inch Touchscreen Laptop

You save $35.01 (11.71%)

$263.99$299

$263.99 at Walmart

Specifications

• Screen size: 14 inch

• Processor: Intel Core i3-10110U

• RAM: 8 GB

• Storage: 64 GB

• Operating system: Chrome OS

Pros & Cons

• Responsive touchscreen display for drawing or gaming 

• Extended battery life, up to 13.5 hours 

• Versatile and convertible design

• Limited software only supports apps available on Google Play Store 

• Limited storage capacities

The HP Chromebook x360 is a versatile and reliable 2-in-1 touchscreen laptop that offers a great balance of features and affordability. Under the hood, the laptop runs on Chrome OS, giving you access to a wide range of Google Apps and the Google Play Store. 

One of the standout features of the HP Chromebook x360 is its 360-degree hinge, which allows you to easily switch between laptop, tablet and tent modes. The laptop offers up to 13.5 hours of battery life, so you can keep yourself entertained without needing to charge. This computer is a solid choice for those needing a reliable and affordable 2-in-1 laptop.

Best Laptop under $400 for streaming

Samsung Chromebook 4 Chrome OS

You save $50 (14.29%)

$299.99$349.99

$299.99 at Walmart

Specifications

• Screen size: 11.6 inch 

• Processor: Intel Celeron N4000

• RAM: 4GB

• Storage: 32GB

• Operating system: Chrome OS

Pros & Cons

• Equipped with an HD webcam and stereo speakers 

• Extended battery life up to 12.5 hours 

• Designed for people with active lifestyles

• Limited internal storage capabilities

• Smaller display screen not ideal for users who prefer larger displays

The Samsung 4 Chrome OS is designed for everyday use. The computer comes equipped with a built-in webcam and stereo speakers, making it perfect for video conferencing and streaming content. Whether you’re browsing the web, working remotely, or working on a document, the Samsung Chromebook delivers fast and responsive performance. 

This laptop is lightweight and portable, making it an excellent option for students,  professionals, and anyone else who needs to stay mobile. The Chromebook also comes with 32GB of internal storage which can be increased with the use of a microSD card.

How to choose the best laptop

Choosing the best laptop under $400 can be a daunting task, especially with the wide range of options available in the market. While these budget-friendly laptops may not have all the bells and whistles of high-end computers, they can still provide reliable performance for everyday use. When searching for the best laptop for you, here are some key factors to consider.

• Purpose: Consider what you will be using the laptop for. Will it be for personal or professional use — and what kind of tasks will you be performing on it? For example, if you plan to use it for graphic design or video editing, you’ll likely need a laptop with higher end specs — and a good amount of RAM and storage. On the other hand, if you’ll just be using text-editing programs and the Internet on a daily basis, you can get by on far more basic specs.

• Size: Think about the size of the laptop you need. Do you need a larger screen for work or entertainment purposes — or do you prefer a smaller, more portable laptop for travel? Your needs based on your lifestyle can guide you here.

• Battery life: Look for a laptop with a battery life that suits your needs. If you plan to use it for extended periods of time without access to a power outlet, then a longer battery life is essential.

• Operating system: Choosing an operating system that you are comfortable with. Windows and MacOS are the most popular choices, but you may also consider a Chromebook if you primarily use web-based applications.

Our verdict

Overall, if you’re looking for cheap laptop options for basic tasks, the Lenovo Ideapad 1 and the Samsung Chromebook 4 are great options. However, if you need a durable and versatile computer built for performance and efficiency the SGIN Laptop or the Dell Inspiron 15 Laptop would be perfect options for you.

Prices updated on 09/26/2023. We are not responsible for any changes to the prices mentioned above.